When Might I start enjoying this?

[FREEmom1120]

Baby is 5 weeks old tomorrow.

I guess I am just looking for a little encouragement.

We've had a few minor issues along the way, but my baby is gaining remarkably well and I have no supply issues like I did with my first that led to me not breastfeeding her hardly at all.

My nipples are still a little sore despite good latch and positioning (all evaluated by an IBCLC) so that is annoying, but it's not horrible.

I know some women never enjoy breastfeeding and do it just for their babies, but for those of you who do, was there a time when it just got more enjoyable? I think I will enjoy it, just wondering when that might kick in...

Thanks.

[lilypad08]

For me, it was starting to get better after 3 weeks or so, and was much better after maybe ~ 6 weeks or so? (It is hard to remember). I would say it has continually gotten better/easier since then. It is hard to remember how sore I was at first and how hard it was to get my baby to latch on properly. Babies really get more skilled at it over time. Plus, as they get older they get much more patient about how quickly they need to nurse, and many don't need to nurse as frequently as they get older. Hang in there... it will get better!!

[chipper26]

It can be really hard in the beginning. It was for me for at least the first 6 weeks. It takes time for both you and the baby to get comfortable with it. I can't remember when I started to enjoy it, maybe month 3. There's just so much nursing at the beginning that even if you do enjoy it, it can still be overwhelming. For me, I felt like I camped out in the recliner for the first 6 months! But now I sometimes miss that leisurely pace.

I've been nursing now for almost 14 months, and I have to be sappy and say that it is one of the best, most beautiful things I've ever done. I see it as one of my proudest and most meaningful accomplishments. I love the relationship I have with my dd and I feel BFing has been such an important part of it. I'll be sad when we are done.

So, after my rambling, the bottom line is, you will start to enjoy it soon enough and will probably cherish it. Hope that helps a little.

[D'sMama]

I had a big jump in happy feeling after 6 weeks or so, when my supply regulated and I got used to the whole thing, and when the plugged ducts plaguing me seemed to vanish for good, and when my nipples stopped being sensitive/painful. Then another big jump at 3 months, when it suddenly seemed like second nature. Almost 8 months now and going strong, I love it and wouldn't trade it for the world! Granted, there are new issues - like the occasional toothy bite and extreme distractibility, but those will pass eventually too.

Congrats on your new LO!

[curious&eager]

We're at nine weeks now and I'm starting to enjoy it more. On some days he's down to 8 feedings a day and I feel look forward to some of those times and enjoy them. 12 times a day in the beginning is rough. I'm not 100% happy yet breastfeeding, but I do have some great moments and I'm a lot more happy now than I was even three weeks ago. I love that I'm doing the best thing for him and I like cuddling with him during breastfeeding. Sometimes I can't wait for him to eat and that's a nice feeling.

On the weekend at church, ds seems to like mommy time and it's really fun. My church has a nice nursing room that's very comfy. Ds savors that time with me and away from the people, he eat, come off, look at me and smile, lick me, eat some more, come off and smile, lick me, eat... He normally eats in 10 minutes, but I enjoy this social time with him during church so much that I let him drag out nursing for an hour. I hear the message on a tv in the room, so it is so a nice relaxing time just me and my son.