Feeling a little unsure..could use some support!

[Rix Ride729]

Hi Ladies!
I am looking for a little extra support and thought this would be the best place!
I made the decision in the very beginning of this pregnancy to BF this baby for atleast the first 6 weeks.
(With my DS, who is now 6, I tried to BF but was uneducated really and was a first time mom-very nervous about it all! And quite frankly- overwhelmed!)
So this time around, I have researched, talked with [I]real[I]women who have or are BF'ing, and I am signed up for a BF'ing class this month at my hospital. Ive also talked about my goals with my DH.
Now, I say 6 weeks because originally I was going to be returning back to work after the baby, but we have decided I wil stay home for a while--so I could set my BF'ing goal higher. But here is where I need some support!
Im worried about being absolutely consumed with BF'ing! Im worried I will have restrict a lot from my diet, will not be able to get on a good routine, have a couple, yes couple glasses of wine when I want, hit the gym with-out having big ole wet boobies!! Im just starting to feel unsure about it-and I really dont want to feel this way.
I dont think it helps that most of the women in my family-chose not to, which is fine, but other than my good friend and some of the mother's at my work-I havent been exposed to many real BF'ing moms.

I guess Im just looking for advice/support on how you deal or dealt with the demands of BF'ing. Any words of encouragement would help!

Thanks so much!
Kerri

[mom2disney6]

First of all congrats! And you'll be doing a great thing for your baby by nursing. So here's the scoop from my perspective on some of your concerns. The first few weeks you will be planted on the couch nursing much of the time, but you are healing from childbirth anyway. Most moms don't have to eliminate things from their diet. Of my six, I only had one that I had to eliminate any food ( she had a milk allergy). Not all moms have leakage issues either. Some leak in the beginning, some only at night, some never, some all along. If you do leak, they make pads that slip into your bra, so you don't have to be a mess. There are some real conveniences to nursing too. No bottles to pack before heading out. No bottles to warm, clean or sterilize. Not to mention the cost of formula is crazy high. There will be tough times, but in the end it will be worth it.

[lawchickasaw]

you don't have to be so worried about it-it is not as hard as being pregnant. i promise. i would def. buy or rent a good pump. pumping will give you more freedom. listen to waht works for you. i gave cate a bottle of bmilk from the first week-mainly so she would gain weight-and all the bfeeding people in my life almost had a heart attack--but it worked for us. she still goes back and forth n ow.

also, i make nursing as easy as i can. i have two bfeeding pillows, a nursing stool, magazines to read, etc....
you can go to the gym-just pump before you go and wear TWO jog bras. also--don't go cheap on the bras---now is not the time!

[midgeend]

First good for you to make the decision to Bfeed. It is absolutely a wonderful gift to give your baby!!

Realistically, it can be very consuming in the beginning - but once you hurdle through the first couple of weeks, it really becomes so easy and wonderful. It's convenient, simple, and soooo good for baby and you.

You most likely won't have to restrict anything from your diet. In addition, since you have to consume more calories to make enough breastmilk, it makes for a really nice excuse for dessert everyday etc... As far as having a glass of wine, well here's what kellymom.com has to say about it http://www.kellymom.com/health/lifestyle/alcohol.html

As far as leaking at the gym....just get some really good breastpads. I use bravado washable pads. There's nice and soft and thick and hold a lot of moisture.

Good Luck!

[Irish-Eyes]

The thing about reading all these message boards is you hear about every little thing and a huge amount of that is not applicable to the general masses.

I've never had to limit anything from my diet. I do drink a glass or two of wine but I do so slowly. If I feel the effects of it, I don't nurse until that's gone. Otherwise, I don't restrict myself. I will say that it's incredibly time consuming at the start and pretty much, you're going to be planted on the couch for the entire time. But expect that and frankly, you might be grateful for it too because the last thing you're going to feel like doing is running around the place. You'll need to give yourself time to heal, ya know?

Above all else, you'll be providing your child with the very very best you possibly can, and I think once you see that little face in your arms, any minor inconveniences can be overlooked.

[Taffyrn]

This was my first time breastfeeding and overall it was easier than I thought. I even went back to work when he was only 2.5 weeks old and still had no problems breastfeeding.
I did have to modify my diet a little for him, but that ended up being ok.
Try it before you make any big decisions and give yourself the first couple of weeks to get used to it.... I was surprised how much I enjoyed it and I look forward to relaxing with him while he eats..... oh and in the beginning they take a lot longer to feed than they do after a couple months....
goodluck and you are doing a wonderful thing for your babies health

[LisaMLS]

Good luck with the BFing!!

I did not have to really modify my diet, but I do try to eat more healthy food. As for the gym, I barely have time for that, so BFing doesn't get in the way. DS doesn't let me be away from him for more than 20 minutes yet, so I usually exercise with him anyway at home. Along with the advice for 2 bras and pads, you could wear black which shows leaks less than colorul tops.

It is totally consuming in the beginning, but it really gets easier. I find it so much less time consuming than preparing formula and bottles, and having to wash them.


I also know no other moms IRL who BF, so coming here and joining a group has been really helpful. I also took a class while pg, like you, and found it very helpful.

[mohop]

Really, the first 6 or so weeks is the hardest, and after that it gets to be a lot easier and just becomes a normal part of your life. If you were already planning to bf that long, it won't really take much more from you to do it longer than that. Also, people have different experiences. For instance, some people leak for several months, and some never leak at all. I stopped leaking after about 3 or 4 months, and before that, I could contain the leakage easily with some basic breast pads.

Kudos to you for getting as much education as you can from the start!

[kohlby]

Breastfeeding was difficult at the start with my first child, but that happens sometimes! Once I got through the rough period, it didn't make a difference. I could eat and drink what I wanted. (With my first I could, my second had dairy/soy issues). I actually competitive marathon trained while still bf my first. So exercise wasn't an issue - but staying hydrated during exercise could be a bit tricky. I will drink alcohol while nursing, I just don't get drunk. But I have no desire to get drunk anyway.

Once I got through the difficult part with my first, breastfeeding was much easier than I think formula feeding would be.

[laura88]

I wanted to say that a lot of your concerns are valid, but not as big as you think. You don't have to limit foods while BFing like you do in pregnancy. You can excersise (not right away, but that's true if you don't BF), but you have to take care of yourself (extra good calories, water). You will loose more weight BFing than excersising in the first 6 weeks or so. You can have a glass of wine, although harder ealry on. You are more intune with your baby's needs b/c of the BFing. Pumping will help the wet booby concern, but that will even out eventually anyway. I have loved BFing my son. There have been bad days, and good ones. The good outweighs the bad so much. I know others wouldn't go through what I do, so it has to be right for you. Try keeping a positive attitude. Try focusing on the now, getting through today, and you will go far!

[Rix Ride729]

Thank You ALL so much for the support!
Im just anxious to see how I will handle it all. I understand the demands of a newborn-but I guess its the unknown that gets me all nerved up!

I think a part of it is being ready to have some of the old me back!

I will continue to educate myself and stay positive.

Thanks again!

[eenchoo]

I wish you alot of luck in your bf journey and hope it works out for you. BFing is so wonderful, I cherish my time bfing. I never thought I would go past 6 mos but I am still going strong at 14 mos.