just wanted to share some info that was especially helpful to me when my son was born. it can be hard to get the hang of breastfeeding, for both mom and baby, but it is worth it! some of the best advice that i got when i was pregnant was to learn about breastfeeding and the problems that might come up before the baby came. be prepared! i had a copy of my breastfeeding book with me at the hospital and i still consult it regularly...

my favorite book:
The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding
http://www.amazon.com/Womanly-Art-Breastfeeding-Sixth-Revised/dp/0452279089

and the mother of all breastfeeding websites:
http://www.kellymom.com/

http://www.askdrsears.com/html/2/T020100.asp

and a great place for support is your local La Leche League:
http://www.lalecheleague.org/

congratulations to all the expecting mamas!

a few more:
http://www.medela.com/NewFiles/bfdginfo.html

http://www.breastfeedingonline.com/

:)

Cool! Thanks for the links.

a few more books:

The Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers
http://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Breastfeeding-Book-Answers-Problem-Solution/dp/0761529969

and for all you working mamas out there,
Nursing Mother, Working Mother: The Essential Guide for Breastfeeding and Staying Close to Your Baby After You Return to Work :
http://www.amazon.com/Nursing-Mother-Working-Essential-Breastfeeding/dp/1558321179

Thanks Danya! Now how about some Michael Jr. pictures? Maybe a few of Homer and Maxine also?

All excellent, excellent info. posted! If you're having problems, reach out, someone will help! It took us 8wks to get in the swing of things but we ended up nursing for 19 months.:D LLL meetings were and still are, a wonderful source of support.

Thanks Danya! Now how about some Michael Jr. pictures? Maybe a few of Homer and Maxine also?

ive had my hands full around here:) but i will try to post some more baby pictures soon. and how is your little one?


All excellent, excellent info. posted! If you're having problems, reach out, someone will help! It took us 8wks to get in the swing of things but we ended up nursing for 19 months.:D LLL meetings were and still are, a wonderful source of support.

:tup: 19 months is quite an acomplishment!:tup:

I will also add to the great information is that women get very caught up in the emotions and sometimes feel let down or like a failure if they can't breastfeed. I know those that decide really want to, but sometimes the body doesn't cooperate. Case in point.

My boss had her first when she was just over 40. She had a great pregnancy w/o any problems and wanted to breastfeed. She had a 9 lb baby boy and was only able to produce up to 6 ounces in an entire day. Not enough for him to feed on no matter what she tired, she never produced any more.

My sister in law was so engorged that her nipples were actually too big for my nephews mouth. I think it was about 3 wks before she could nurse him - thogh she did pump - and then nursed for about 18 mos or so.

I will say through my SIL that she regretted not every introducing a bottle with my nephew -her first - even with breast milk. He never would take a bottle and it caused some issues with her and not being able to have anyone watch him, etc. She now has a second one and breastfed for 3 wks and now he is on full bottle and formula. Of course with her first she admits she was over the top with it.

I guess my advice is, be prepared even if you are dead set on breastfeeding. There are many resources to help you so use them. Be prepared a little bit in case it doesn't work for you.

[QUOTE=happyhomer]ive had my hands full around here:) but i will try to post some more baby pictures soon. and how is your little one?

She is doing very well. She will be 5 months on the 12th. I started back to work on the 1st, and she loves daycare. Thanks for asking!

Too be honest, I wasn't able to breastfeed. I was on medication that didn't allow me to. I wanted to, more than anything. For weeks I felt that I somehow failed her. It was awful. But I've dealt with it, and she has done terrific on formula. I still wish I would've been able to though.
I have saved all the great websites for the next time around. I am hoping that I wont be an all the medicine.

My boss had her first when she was just over 40. She had a great pregnancy w/o any problems and wanted to breastfeed. She had a 9 lb baby boy and was only able to produce up to 6 ounces in an entire day. Not enough for him to feed on no matter what she tired, she never produced any more.


i have a friend who never produced milk.:( it was very hard for her... i have read that something like 3-5% of women are physically unable to lactate.



I will say through my SIL that she regretted not every introducing a bottle with my nephew

yes... after some research we introduced a bottle of breastmilk at about 5-6 weeks. it took several weeks of offering a bottle every few days for him to catch on, but it was important because i still do work several days a month. offering a bottle too soon can cause the baby to refuse the breast, but offering a bottle too late can result in a baby who never takes a bottle at all!

My 4 mo refuses the bottle! Aggg! I am enjoying breastfeeding, but it is taxing on your mental health to have a child that needs to present 24 hours a day.

Great info provided - my only other advice would be to have the number for a lactation consultant on hand.

I was lucky with both of mine. Tehy would take whatever you stuck in their mouths, although my son would never take a pacifier.