Since becoming a new mother a topic spoken by many is will you breastfeed? Or are you currently breastfeeding? It's one of the first questions everyone asks, not completely sure why as really it's none of their business and makes absolutely no difference whether you do or dont. Aside from when you give birth, every doctor at your baby checkup will also ask, usually evoking the breast is best motto.
My baby is currently 11 weeks old and I have solely breastfed since she was born with the plan of weaning her from breast milk to bottle between 4-6 months. This being said the amount of times I wanted to switch earlier is endless and there is no issue with it if I did.
From personal experience, I found the first month in particular horrific. It was painful, intense and overwhelming. From the beginning moments when your baby tries to latch just as theyve been born isnt easy, I was happy for every midwife Male or female to grab my boobs and shove it into the babies mouth as long as she latched and was able to get milk from me. Once you go home for the first time since giving birth, you expect your baby to latch with no issues but in my case she didnt, she was still learning which was very overwhelming when you feel like you cannot feed your own baby.
Once we got the hang of it both her and me, you then have to deal with the pain which comes with it, my nipples got SO sore, even wrapping a towel around my body out of the shower hurt and honestly it got to a point where I was close to crying at every feed. I also found it overwhelming when your trying to find your groove with it, how long she feeds, how often she feeds, whilst adding feeding in public to the mix became very intense.
All in all I found once I got over the first month hurdle it all became alot easier. The pain subsided and the time she fed and the time between each feed became more scheduled. At the beginning it was as and when she wanted, since about 4-6 weeks, and still is, every 3 hours, 5 minutes on each breast. I was advised to either fully feed on one and switch each feed or do half and half in each feed with the latter working better for me, this would allow for your body to regulate the amount of milk being produced so you dont end up with one boob bigger than the other for example - it can easily happen!
Due to current circumstances continuing to breastfeed for this long I believe is down to covid-19, I am able to be completely comfortable at home, not having to worry about what to wear and who can see.
Although I have decided to breastfeed from my own experience here are some benefits I've seen from either side.
Breastfeeding benefits:
1. Breast milk is the best milk nutritionally for your baby.
2. It is easily accessible, no need to sterilise bottles in the middle of the night or take everything with you when you pop to town.
3. Having the option of expressing if having a bottle works better for you and to help your baby get used to a bottle whilst having breast milk.
4. A special bond with your baby, which I am sure you also would have with bottle feeding.
Formula benefits:
1. Less stress and pressure.
2. No issues with leaky boobs.
3. Not having to worry about what you're wearing to see if it is boob accessible.
4. You are able to see the exact measurement of what amount of milk your baby is taking.
5. Your baby soon learns how to drink from a bottle.
6. Your partner can help with feeds from day one.
All in all, do what is best for you, you can fully breastfeed, fully bottle feed or even do half and half, whichever option do what is best for you and your baby because at the end of the day that's all that matters.
Until next time,
All our love,
Baby C and Me X
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