How to talk to pregnant teen about breastfeeding? - Page 3

[BellaRose0212]

Oh yeah, the losing pre-pregnancy weight fast might be a good turn-on if that is the kind of thing she is concerned about. I was pp by 2 months. I am about 5 lbs less now, probably from nursing combined with eating less junk combined with running around after my little crawler combined with having a 23 pound weight strapped on wherever I go.

[SteelerMom]

You know, if she is immature, as you say, the whole "decreased risk of cancer" and other maternal health benefits probably won't make a difference in her decision. I think the best way to alter her decision is to inform her of how it is SOOOOO much easier, as other people have suggested. Breastmilk is already the right temperature and always available. You can't get any more convenient than that!

[Emmeline II]

I might get her a nursing nest and say that your fried bought it for her second child after having to get up with her first--and did not get up at all!

I :the nursing nest!

Perhaps you could find her a fashionable Mei Tai (she can nurse her babe hands free!!! and leave the house without having to remember formula and clean bottles! Breastfeeding is so portable! My dh pushed the pump and tote at first; I despised having to deal with bottles) and the Sears Baby Book as well. --Breastfeeding and babywearing can help with post partum weight loss. --She can always move from bf to formula, but can't really do the reverse. --I also agree with the formula poop smelling; my sister ff and the smell from the poo was awful!

Also, as a pp pointed out, is he aware of her expectations that he get up at night with the baby? If he is working he is going to need to sleep so he can function at his job and not fall asleep at the wheel.

I found a nursing tank easier than nursing shirts and I could wear them under my normal clothes.

Though as pp said, bf does have a learning curve, but once you get over the 6-7week hump it is generally easier.

I don't know what everyone's resources are, but perhaps someone can gift her and the father with a Bradley course. It can be difficult for moms of any age to get their babes fathers to do the same research that they do, so this course helps with that. Even if she is planning an epidural birth (the four couples in my class [all in their 20s or older] all ended up with medical issues--I had pre-e) the education about pregnancy and the process is worth it. If they took the course it would introduce all the topics that you would want to share anyway, and they would be receiving it on their own; not from you or their parents. I would checkout the instructor first! Some are better than others; my instructor tried really hard to introduce all sides of the issues.

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[Emmeline II]

Originally Posted by LionessMom

she will still have to get up to feed the baby. but whipping out a boob is easier than measuring and filling and heating, while listening to a baby cry.

I didn't get up; I usually didn't even wake up.

[maylea_moon]

In my experience breastfeeding is so much easier! My first was formula fed from the start and even with my DH taking some of the feedings, getting up and making bottles and him having to cry as he waited was EXHAUSTING. My second child is 21 months old, still nursing and has never had a bottle or a drop of formula in her life and let me tell you it is so much easier AND it's rewarding!

I would really emphasize that as "easy" as formula may seem, any mom who has done both will tell you that nursing is so much more convenient.

I'd also tell her of all the health/attachment benefits but it seems like she's really concerned with it being easy at night, so focus on that? good luck!

[Rivka5]

I've been thinking a lot about the convenience argument. It really only makes sense if you're starting from the assumption that mother and baby are going to be together 24/7. If you're always with your baby, then yes, nursing is much more convenient than formula for each individual feeding.

*Always being with your baby* is the inconvenient part. Being the only one who can feed your baby is inconvenient. Pumping is inconvenient. I think we can all agree that those things are worth doing, but they aren't always easy and they certainly aren't convenient.

I think SAHMs especially need to be careful about talking up the convenience of breastfeeding to someone who has a different life situation. This young woman we're talking about doesn't have a husband to support her. Unless her family is going to be willing to provide her with full financial support, she's probably going to need to get a job. That absolutely doesn't mean she can't or shouldn't breastfeed - I'm a WOHM nursing mother myself - but it does mean that the *last* thing it will be is "convenient."

[HybridVigor]

Originally Posted by BellaRose0212

I am 19 and I breastfeed. I think it is 100% easier. I co-sleep and don't even wake up at all when my DD decides to nurse (but co-sleeping might not be a good idea for her if she is on any drugs, alcohol, or even over-the-counters after baby is born- if this is a possibility the arm's reach might be a good suggestion). You can also point out that there will be no daily washing of bottles and containers, mixing of formula, or toteing along of all the formula supplies. Breastmilk is always on tap! My cousin and I recently went to Disney with our babies (mine 6 mos at the time, hers 16 months) and she needed strollers and huge diaper bags full of supplies. I breastfeed so I didn't need any bottles, juice, milk. I baby carry (got to love the Ergo) so I didn't need a huge stroller to get on and off of trolleys, park before rides, etc. I do EC so I only had to change her once during the whole day (ride) the rest of the time she peed when I did in the restroom and stayed dry.

YAY for another young mom who BF's, Cosleeps, and EC's! How did you come to find out about and start these practices? I had stumbled upon it all online or through my midwife (and I was drawn to home birth because of my holistic health philosophy informed by my OT/CraniSacral/Visceral Manipulation/Chinese Medicine mommy).

Maybe if we ask young moms here who are currently BFing how they made that decision or what convinced them, the OP would have a better idea of how to approach supporting her relative.

And really, it's not about convincing her, but supporting her. Like I said before, having an agenda and pushing different "angles" might be very counterproductive unless she's receptive already . . .

[SunShineSally]

I was a young mom when I had my Ds I was 20 I knew when I found out about him that I would nurse there was in my mind no other option. It was how I was raised my mother spoke of her nurseing relationship with my sister and I often and I was/am in to natural living and holistic practices so for me that is just want you do. My friend who had her first at 19 also nursed she was nursed as a baby also and not so into natural living as I am.