I WISH I COULD HAVE
Mar 27 '00 (Updated Jun 09 '00)
When I found out that I was pregnant with our first child I was between the idea of bottle feeding and breast feeding. I was worried what others would think of me if I breast fed in public. Then I thought breast feeding is a natural thing to do so why be embarrassed as I breast feed in public and ruin my bonding time with our baby.
I finally decided I would breast feed our daughter. I had a lot of family members who were against it. Saying I wouldn't be able to do it or I shouldn't because its rude to breast feed in public. It was because of my lack of support I started to think I wouldn't be able to do it. But who cares what they think its my decision and my child.
My husband Matthew was about the only one who supported my decision as well as other ones I had to make in my pregnancy. An example is my decision to try and go through labor without the use of drugs. It didn't work out that way. My water broke at 5pm November 8,99 and at 8:30am on the 9th I still had no contractions so I was induced using pitocin. With the pitocin you have stronger contractions that are close together. Because of the pain and contractions 1 1/2 minutes apart the whole 8 hours i got an epidural at 6cm.
When my daughter was born at 4:37pm November 9,99 I asked if I can try to breast feed her now. The nurse said no you have time to do that later now you just rest, I was mad at this. I have read its best to start breast feeding within the first hour of life. With me it was around 10pm when they let me try, 5 1/2 hours LATER.
I tried for the next 3 weeks or so to breast feed but it just wouldn't work. I pumped a lot so she could get breast milk. The doctors told me she was gaining but not at a good rate. Because she hardly took to my breast and it was getting to hard to pump all the time to keep up my supply it started to diminish. It was then I made a decision that it won't work and went to formula. I feel if they would have let me try within her first hour of life it would have been easier for both of us. The La Leche League hear was not a help. They made me feel since I could not do it I was a bad mother, just because I could not breast feed does not mean I am a bad mommy.
So if you are going to breast feed your babies be sure you tell them you want to do it soon after birth. I have been told this is why it was so hard for both of us. If we are lucky enough to have more babies I will breast feed within the first hour of life.
The benefits of breast feeding for the baby are your antibodies in your milk help keep there immune system healthy, nutrients in breast milk are not all in formula, bonding experience between you and baby is wonderful(mommy and baby time), breast milk is always on hand, and so many more. The benefits for mommy are bonding time with your baby as you get to know each other in your own special way,loss weight more quickly (be sure you do eat healthy for you and baby its no time to diet). There are many more but I will be here all day if I list them all.
I think it is the woman's choice if she wants to breastfeed or not, everyone has the right to choose what is best for them, their baby, and lifestyle. If someone wants to breastfeed, I congratulate them, if they bottle feed, I do the same. Both ways give you the bonding experience you and your child need.
I don't mind if someone breastfeeds in public, it is natural, if your baby is hungry feed them, you shouldn't feel embarrassed to feed your child. i do see some who could be a little more discreet when breastfeeding. You can put a light blanket or shawl over you, only unbutton the bottom buttons on your shirt and cover up. I see some who have to show everything and it does get to be a little rude, especially when you have kids who keep asking "why is she naked mommy?". This as happened when we went out to eat, all we heard where two kids laughing, and asking "why is she almost naked mommy?".
I still feel upset I could not breast feed my baby and hope if I have another I can. Thank for reading my opinion on breast feeding:)
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Member: Jennifer
Location: Toledo, Ohio USA
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