Opinions: Give breastfeeding another go?

I would give breastfeeding a go - it may be different with this one.

But if it comes to the point and it is painful in any way for you I would switch to bottle.

I managed to breastfeed Ethan for 5 months but during that time battled with thrush, cracked nipples and anything else that comes along with it.

So to finish - I would just wait and see what happens - this baby may be completely different and may take straight to the breat with no trouble or may be a bottle baby.

Good Luck

I also agree, give it a go and if it doesn't work, well at least you tried! But if you don't try, you will never know....!

Good luck!

Sounds like you are kinda tempted to give it another go so why not! I know it was bloody minded determination that got most of us through and I imagine thrid time round you might be even more determined   At least you know how to bottlefeed if it all goes belly up....far less stressful than as a new mum!

I'm a bit divided. I personally would give it another go. I had some minor issues with my BF early on (nothing like what you've described though) and I actually went on to feed until DD was 15 months. I cherished that time. You could look into using a breast shield for the inverted nipple and some lansinoh (purple tube stuff) for the cracked nipples.

On the other hand a friend of mine who had BF issues with her first and ended up using the bottle for him went straight to the bottle with her second and didn't regret it at all, the stress, upset, angst and feeling of unworthiness wasn't there this time around and she new that bottle feeding hadn't harmed the older child one bit.

So this reply probably doesn't really help but I would suggest if you are seriously considering starting with breast feeding you talk to your midwife about it and maybe see a lactation consultant asap .

good on you! what a great mum you are.. and you know what.. if it doesn't work.. DON"T FEEL BAD.. my experiences with breast feeding were like yours.. I cried through the pain of feeding both... had blistered cracked nipples.. babies with no weight gain.. it was horrendous.. and I got SOOOOOOO depressed about it because I didn't even contemplate bottle feeding pre-babies! my sister breastfed her babies soooooooooo easily and I thought that would be me too... With number one son I lasted 5wks.. then I was so determined with number two son that it WOULD work.. and within days my nipples were raw... even feeding with the nipple shields was excruciating.. and after that 2wks my baby still hdan't got up to his birth weight and the mw kind of freaked me out and said.. give him a bottle.. NOW... so that was the end of that. I have to say if (and that's a HUGE IF...) I ever had another baby, I would DEFINITELY try it again.. but I think I would get in touch with a lactation consultant BEFORE having the baby (and maybe la leche league). I would sit there trying to feed my baby and say how painful it was and my nipple would look shocking after baby let go, and the m/w would say, but the latch looks fine from here...!!!! ummmmm ... don't think that means it IS fine eh!!

I definitley say GO FOR IT... but just make yourself totally comfortable with the other option if it doesn't work!!!! :) hugs and all the best!

Hey Wendy

I'd give a go again and if its not meant to be its not meant to be for you, and at least you gave it a go.

Are you hospital birthing?? You can try and stay there a bit long to try and get feeding established??? Do they do that in Auckland???

These are my comments and are not to be taken too much to heart ok?

If I were you, I'd give it another go. But here are some things I'd like you to know:

1) Breast feeding hurts like a mo' fo' for the first while. No two ways around it. And rightly so too, I mean a tiny little leech is stuck to your nipple!! Ouch! Anyway, while it does hurt, it also does get better, but you have to give it time.

2) Proper support is absolutely essential! I highly advise getting in touch with a lactation consultant/La Leche League before you give birth to ensure that you have someone that is able to give you help and enable you to get the best start, if you are sure about this.

Apart from that, don't feel guilty if you decide not to breastfeed. It ain't good for ya.

xox

I'd set yourself a date, e.g. 6 or 8 weeks for you to be feeling 'okay' with bf... or switch to ff. I reckon it's worth a try, you have a better idea of what to expect. Let your mw know (if she doesn't already) about your difficulties before and ask her for help, as much as you need. I got cracked nipples with all three of my babies but my mw with #3 was able to figure out why and help me through it so that my experience was heaps more satisfactory!

hugs chicky! all the best!!!