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i dont know if i should breast feed???
Added: 1029 days ago.
Added by: taryn1986
Section: General.
Status: This question is Closed. (Questions will be closed after 10 days.)


Im really worried about breastfeeding as i have very sensitive nipples and have heard from friends that it can start to hurt after a while. My fiance suggested just to give it a go and if its too painful to switch to formula but wont this confuse the baby? Im really undecided and would appreciate any advice info. Im all for breastfeeding but just worry that ill be in constant pain.

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taryn1986 - 1028 days ago thanks so much, i have not had the chance to go to a breastfeeding class as yet as they only have a set few every year in my area and im not sure if there will be another before my due date. Appreciate all the advice. I think i will give it a try as I would prefer to do it this way if i can.

Jenny309 - 1028 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) Hello, I just had a baby a month ago and at the begining it did hurt, but it got better... I am now bottle feeding (dried up), but I was pumping and feeding as well, which was not painful. I would definetly give it a try, plus it burns calories :)

Lilipuff - 1028 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) If this is your first child it will be uncomfortable for the first week or so. Your nipples need to toughen up. They may crack or bleed a little. Don't give up - I almost did. It is a wonderful bonding experience that you will never forget. Does breastfeeding toughen the nipples? I joke that you could put a meat hook thru mine and hang me from the ceiling and it wouldn't phase me now - so yes it does work :) Good luck

megandgrace - 1028 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) I also had very sensitive nipples too and had no problem breastfeeding what so every, it did not hurt at all after the first week. Just get through that first week or two for your ripples to adjust and you'll be fine.

mariettap - 1028 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) Not constant pain, and if there is pain there is often a reason and something to do to correct the problem. The hardest part is the first week, and then it gets easier each week. Much easier than warming, carrying, cleaning, buying bottles! Some people who experience pain in the beginning find that pumping is more comfortable, and then they can still provide breast milk to their babies. I was reading somewhere just the other day that breast feeding is harder than some of the BF propaganda pictures make it look but also much easier than people who bottle feed say it is. And no, changing from breast milk to formula won't confuse the baby. Every mother gets to choose what is best for her family!

rosye13 - 1028 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) I'd say it's definitely worth trying. It's different for everyone based on the baby. I breastfed my daughter for 8 weeks and it was the hardest thing. I was in horrible pain, I had a breast infection, I was always afraid when she latched that she'd do it wrong again. But some women have no trouble at all. And I was still able to stick with it for 8 weeks even though it was hard. Any amount you can do is great for the baby. I'm going to try again with this baby and cross my fingers that it's a little nicer to me than Gracie was. lol.

happyforest - 1028 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) i didnt experience pain EVEN ONCE in my nipples while breastfeeding! i hope you are as lucky if you decide to try.

scaredmommy - 1028 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) I could not breast feed although I tried. My babies had no problems switching to formula and were bottle fed. I however, would have a breastfeeding consultant to talk to because it is not easy for most moms and babies.

tommiesmommy - 1028 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) Its normally the exact opposite! I, myself, had no pain but I know that breastfeeding can be uncomfortable in the beginning. But, after a bit you feel no pain!! Just make sure your baby has a good latch and you'll be fine. BTW, I have sensetive nips, too and like I said, I had NO PAIN. BREAST IS BEST.

courtenay - 1028 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) it hurts a LOT in the begining but it gets better so its up tp you to decide if your willing to tough it out

Debra - 1029 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) when you have a good latch, it feels like a pleasurable gentle tug on your nipples. It does not hurt at all.

Debra - 1029 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) if you have a good latch, it won't hurt. The first few days (week or so) your nipples might crack a bit, but if you are using lanolin cream after each nursing session, changing the babies position with each feed as well, it should not be an issue. If you are nursing and its hurting a lot, the latch is not good and then you need to take baby off and re latch again until it doesn't hurt. Nipple shields might also be a suggestion to pre buy. Invest in a good nursing pillow (like 'my breast friend') to improve your chances of creating a great latch. Invest in a good nursing book- such as La Leche leagues book "the womanly art of breast feeding" Get lots of support. I have a lot of tips for success on my VIP page. I had a great teacher, have taught bf in the past and have been nursing my son for the last 17 months. MY GREATEST TIP: Start taking an acidophilus supplement before you give birth. Its a pro biotic, and will decrease your chances of getting a yeast infection- which is a common cause of mastitis (swollen, infected milk ducts). The big problem with using formula is that it will cause the weaning process to begin. Even if you are pumping- if you don't pump each time you supplement, your supply will go down. Pumping also only takes out the milk you store in your breasts. The first 6 months you store a LOT. THis decreases once you start introducing solid foods. You store less and less milk and pumping becomes less effective. WHen you nurse, your baby is able to remove an estimated double of what you pump. SO if you pump and you remove say 5 oz, your baby will likely be drinking twice that. Breast milk is also constantly restored and made as needed. If you supplement, your milk production decreases- especially if supplementation occurs in the first 6 weeks when your body is regulating your milk supply. Another big reason why women do not have success at bf is supplementing at the 2 week mark- a common growth spurt. Baby will want to cluster feed and you must let them feed on demand at this time in order for your body to respond and make the milk they need. If you supplement at all, your baby will be full off the formula, not want to nurse from you and your milk supply will decrease. I know my comments are off topic a bit, but if you want to bf, I'm sure you want to be successful at it. I've been through it all- poor latches, growth spurts, bitten nipples, every thing. It's the best bonding time I have with my busy boy and even now, though I only spend less than 10 min feeding him per day, its the best cuddle time I have with him. Another great resource is the KELLY MOM website. She goes over EVERYTHING you could want to know about breastfeeding. The more education you have about it before you get started, the greater success you will have. I know this website is pregnancy focused, but L&D *should* be over within 24-48 hours. The breastfeeding relationship is a something that lasts much longer, yet most women do not educate themselves on 'what to expect' as much as they focus on their pregnancy and L&D. I hope that you are successful at whatever you ultimately choose to do, but in the meantime, you are armed with some better info. If you have any questions, feel free to message me. :) good luck!

wwatters18 - 1029 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) if you're all for breastfeeding than you really need to give it a try. they say that it "shouldn't hurn if you're doing it right". if you have trouble you can consult with a lactation nurse. i took a breast feeding class before delivery and then i also had to meet up with the lac nurse a couple of times after delivery. i ended up having to pump b/c my baby wont nurse, and yes, it does hurt at times, especially in the beginning (pumping), but to me it is worth my pain to give my baby the best thing i could ever give her! good luck!

mommy-at-home - 1029 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) Try it! And know that IF it is too painful then you may have a problem that can be corrected and you can receive help from a lactation consultant. If you are worried about nipple confusion then feed baby with a syringe if you need to supplement but don't let baby suck on the syringe - I say that with tongue in cheek as my first baby was back and forth from breast to bottle no problem and my third didn't figure out that he had to suck to get milk from my breast until after I finally gave a bottle instead of using a syringe!

nikki80 - 1029 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) i agree with ur fiance u should try it....if its not for u then its not for u and i doubt it will confuse ur baby in my experience if they r hungry theyll take it however it comes :) dont stress about it xx