THe BF Thread « Back to Group Discussions

[loveandgarbage]

Does anyone want to talk about breastfeeding? Maybe first time moms can share thoughts/goals/questions, and BTDT moms can share what they've done in the past and what they might do differently this time, if anything?

So I nursed both my boys until around their 2nd birthdays. DS1 weaned when I was heavily pregnant with his brother and I was really sad about it as I wanted to tandem. I had a great supply but then caught an awful stomach bug that wiped my supply out and he lost interest despite my efforts to get him back on the boob. I started the weaning process with DS2 earlier than I thought I would. I had been having health issues since he was about 12 months (10-15 lbs underweight, constantly felt dizzy/tired, low iron no matter what I did, etc.). I weaned him over the course of about two months and to my surprise he was fine with it. But I felt guilty.

Nursing was relatively easy for me. With DS1 my nipples hurt more than I thought possible but I had my latch checked by a LC and it was perfect-- I guess I'm just sensitive. I originally had a goal to nurse him for 3-6 months as no one I knew had done it for longer, and I was convinced something would "go wrong". Well, we certainly sailed past that goal. All in all I nursed for 4+ yrs (with a month break in between) and I feel good about that.

So this time around, my goals are:

-listen to my body, even if it means weaning earlier than I wish

-after establishing a good supply and relationship, start pumping so I can go out with girlfriends, out on dates with DH, or even just meander around Target for 2 hours without worrying (it was a solid year with each boy before I did these things and it did some damage to my mental health I think!)

-possibly nightweaning sooner (earlier than 15 or 18 months as I did before)

-as I usually have more than enough of a supply, look into donating milk in my area

-and of course, enjoy it as this will be my last baby

[etsdtm99]

good thread :) right now i'm pretty much hating nursing because it is so painful so its good to think about what it is like when i'm NOT pregnant and nursing a 2 yr old ..

With all of my kids i had some nipple soreness and cracking/bleeding in the beginning (despite nursing through 2 pregnancies) I figured it out quicker each time and things healed, it would be nice to not have to go through that one time, but i don't expect it to be easy, nursing was harder for me with #2 than #1, so it is important to remember that it depends partly on the baby . 

Anyway, I nursed #1 until she was just past 3yrs (night weaned when i was pg with #2 around 18 months), #2 was 4 when he weaned (beginning of this pregnancy, he was night weaned when i was pg with #3, around 23 months), #3 is still nursing (night weaned at 22ish months due to pregnancy) She only nurses once a day now, i don't know what she'll do once the baby comes - i don't let my nursing older siblings nurse on demand, i generally limit them to morning, evening/bedtime and if they are hurt or something.. with this baby i'm looking at a strong possibility of a solid 10+ years of nursing when its all said and done, longer,  if this turns out to not be my last baby ..when i was nursing my 1st, i met a mom who had been nursing for about 9 years (she was on #4 at the time) and i remember thinking that was such a unimaginable thing, such a long long time to be a parent and to be in this stage of parenting.. its so strange to think about how close i am to that now..  (will be 7 yrs in march)

I did not set out to do any of this when i was pregnant with my first, i wanted to breastfeed but i honestly didn't even really know what that involved ..i let myself think it might not work out, and i prepared myself for that.. it turned out that breastfeeding has defined my parenting journey in ways i could never have predicted or understood before i had my babies..    I don't use any bottles, i don't pump, i don't leave baby at all for more than they can go without eating or until they are eating food (this generally means no nights out or alone trips to the store until 15-18 months, and i am still limited with my 2 yr old because she nurses to sleep, i can go out, but it is torture for both of us if she waits up for me because she is so cranky the next day)   I am 100% ok with this arrangement, in fact, i kind of like it now.(with my 1st, i kind of just stumbled into it) i know how fast they grow up and while it will be freeing to someday not have these kinds of demands on me .. i look at my older kids who don't need me for anything like that anymore and it makes me cherish this time with the younger one and the one in my belly.. however irritating and painful and sometimes isolating it can be  - It is also freeing to not feel like i ever have to leave my baby, it makes me uncomfortable and i don't like it and with my first and even my 2nd i felt like society was pushing me to get out on my own and do whatever it took to leave my babies and when i just stood up and said a firm "no" i felt much better .. (like when i brought my then 3 month old DD2 to my DH's no-kids-allowed office christmas party)   overall, i've been lucky with my younger 2 kids to have friends who understand, who don't get irritated when i bring my 1 year old to moms night out .. i know with certainty i will never regret the time i spend 'tied' to my babies..

so, my goals for this time around are fairly simple.. 

-nurse my baby, don't skimp on the cuddles or babywearing even if this is an "easy baby" - i want to soak up all the baby time

-i'm also going to try to avoid a pacifier completely this time and co-sleep full time (to try to keep my fertility at bay, if it doesn't work out, oh well but i really don't want to have my fertility return at 4.5 months again! - i used a pacifier with #3 because she would projectile vomit due to a combination of a milk allergy and oversupply)

[odinsmama]

I nursed both my boys and really enjoyed it. I'm a total home body and we live 45 minutes away from town, so I have no desire to attempt a girls' night out whether I'm nursing or not. I do plenty of socializing with other mom friends during the day when we make trips to town. I can abso-freakin-lutely see how this could be very detrimental to some women, but just in my case I am thankful that I *usually* don't go nuts being with the kids full time. And if I'm going nuts, we figure out a way for me to get some time. If you find yourself needing some time for yourself, make it happen!!

First time nursing was hard, sore nipples for 6 weeks, many tearful nights etc. second time I used lanolin on my nipples before the birth (for maybe a week or so) and I had NO soreness. So I'm totally doing that again.
First time nursing was also hard just because I was a first time mom! It took dh and I a while to find out what worked for both of us, work through the stuff we disagreed on, discard our parents' way of doing things and just say "yes, this is what we're doing". Once we got to that point and realized how much easier life was for both of us (especially me) when we just went with the flow, it was a lot better.

What I wish I had known about breastfeeding before my first was born:
- even though the nursing books say to nurse every 2 hours, it is also completely normal for baby to want to nurse every hour. Or every 20 minutes. Or as soon as you finish nursing and try to set baby down and go pee. It's normal, go with the flow, and if baby wants to nurse, just do it (unless your nipples are too sore. If they are, take a break and snuggle that babe). Nursing is the magic answer to almost everything.
-even though nursing was the magic answer for everything for my first, this was *not* the case with my second. Go with the flow, get to know the new baby, we'll figure it out and survive the early weeks and months.
-seek help if you need it, and not from people who nursed for 2 weeks, unless 2 weeks is your goal. Find an LLL meeting or call the leader and ask questions.
- not really related to nursing, but I didn't know that brand new babies basically never want to be set down. Like, ever. Okay, probably some are okay with it, but most of them just want to be near or ON mama all the time since they've been IN you for 9 months. Have a good carrier.
- learn how to nurse while lying down. Not easy at first, and maybe not possible for everyone. But, seriously, the difference between nursing lying down and sitting up in the middle of the night to nurse is so drastic. I would start to fall asleep sitting up and knew it was only a matter of time before I dropped him or something.


I think that's it. Oh my gosh, I'm getting so excited to have another little nursling.

[Chloe'sMama]

For first time moms, I would recommend going to any breastfeeding classes you can and make contact with la leche league before your baby arrives.  I had kaiser insurance when pregnant with DD1 and they had a free nursing class and while it was pretty basic, it was nice getting some tips.  I think LLL is such a great resource and support group.

I absolutely love nursing my children.  DD2 is still nursing and I think we will make it until February, although she did go more than 24 hours the other day without nursing.  She is mostly down to nap and bedtime, sometimes in the morning and sometimes another random time in there.

I don't have any real goals going into this one.  I want to enjoy it and hope for a great tandem relationship like my dds had.  

[MaybeJ]

I agree - for first time mom's - make sure you have good breastfeeding support lined up for the early weeks!  I was lucky that my midwives were so amazing, I didn't really need any other help, but I had LC's, and LLL groups all saved and ready to use if needed.  The first weeks are so hard when you're a first time mom because everything is new.  Any breastfeeding challenge can really mess with your mind when you're already feeling exhausted and emotional!

I breastfed DD for 20 months (she weaned on her own) and I'm looking forward to breastfeeding again!  My biggest challenge was having sore nipples in the beginning.  Part of it was just normal soreness you get past, but on one side I had a bad latch and that can lead to a lot of pain!  My nipple was becoming deformed and it was cracking and bleeding!  My midwife spent time correcting the latch on that side and DH was a huge support making sure my latch was good in the wee hours of the night when I was too tired to pay attention and that passed quickly.  Thankfully, everything else went smoothly for us.  No weight gain issues, no refulx or allergy issues.  Hoping for more of the same this time.

[kellybeth]

i will be a first-time mama, and am nursing. i don't have a lot of questions, i just plan on going with whatever the baby wants. my husband and i are also doing the attachment parenting approach, so i'll be wearing her (as will he) and nursing is a big part of the bonding experience for me. 

i have already joined a few meet up groups in my area and they have breastfeeding support and breastfeeding circles, so i'm pretty sure i'll utilize that. i really don't know what to expect, but i'm prepared for challenges. i was fortunate enough to be a lot older than my little brother when he was born and witnessed the pain my mom had with nursing him. plus he was born with a full set of teeth and that did not help.

i guess i do have a question. i am getting a medela swing pump, and have the philips event glass bottles. my husband wants to know how this will affect the baby, going from boob to bottle. they are really just precautionary measures right now, in case i leave and can't breastfeed and he is with the baby or if he takes her out without me there. this way he can feed her breast milk. he's just concerned that she might reject the bottle. i really have no idea what to tell him. 

also, for cracked nipples (which i am sure will happen and i'm terrified!) i don't use lanolin or anything with animal product or petroleum in it. is cocoa butter or a thick butter like that effective? 

[Michelle Renee]

I want to post my thoughts here because when I had Violet 6 years old, I did not know anything about the troubles that were to come.  When I had Violet, I was under the idea everyone could breastfeed if you worked hard, stuck it out, and support.  I did _everything_ to prep.  I went to LLL meetings, I saw a lactation consultant, I had a manual pump, etc.  I made signs for my daughters baby bed at the hospital - banned pacifiers and bottles from the house, etc.

In the grand scheme of things, I could _not_ nurse.  By Violets 5th day of life she was peeing red brick dust, was grey, and getting lifeless.   I had NO idea I had no milk.   We found a lactation consultant who heard the panic in my voice on the voicemail and brought us and determined that after a 30 minute feed she was getting 15cc's (1/2 ounce) of milk.   We immediately had to feed her.  We started by doing a syringe feeds and suck training etc and intense pumping schedule for me.  Over the next months we used medical grade pumps, tubes, herbs, oatmeal, domperidone, etc.

The point of this is, if your baby is NOT making wet diapers - get help - immediately.  You don't have to run out and buy formula if your baby is fussing at the breast but if you are NOT getting enough wet diapers - get help and get it quickly.  I really felt that everyone mother on this planet, if she worked hard enough could breastfeed.  I thought the nestle corporation brainwashed us all, etc.
 

What I didn't know is a very very small percentage of women have something called "insufficient glandular tissue" and they do not make enough milk to sustain their babies.  It is common if you have IGT to not have any breast changes in pregnancy, your boobs are spaced widely apart, and for you to have a feeling like your boobs have a funny shape (triangular instead of round, etc)  You may also never feel as though you got engorged or the fullness when your milk comes in.

Be aware.  I still have guilt about VIolet almost starving to death and her kidneys starting to shut down.  I don't think I will ever let it go.    Violet received my breast milk (1/3 of her needs until she was 9 months old) and donor milk when she was 14-18 months old.  Ophelia my second daughter was EBF because of a pool of mothers who fed her from birth until she was 14 months old and this little guy already has a small deep freeze stash that we are networking to expand.  I will never produce a full supply.  For me, I actually made less milk with my second than my first (research says IGT Moms make more with each baby -the opposite was true for me).   We use a lactaid/SNS etc but the end fact is my babies have to supplemented with donor milk or formula.

Just know to trust your gut.  Get help and get it quickly if your baby is not making wet diapers.

I am not trying to be cranky or upsetting. The number one rule is FEED your baby.  I really wish someone would have said "hey Michelle.. some women can't breastfeed.. etc"  All it took was one good lactation consultant to look my breasts and she knew immediately. 

[odinsmama]

Originally Posted by Michelle Renee 

The point of this is, if your baby is NOT making wet diapers - get help - immediately.  You don't have to run out and buy formula if your baby is fussing at the breast but if you are NOT getting enough wet diapers - get help and get it quickly.  I really felt that everyone mother on this planet, if she worked hard enough could breastfeed.  I thought the nestle corporation brainwashed us all, etc.

Yes.

Thank you for sharing your story, I was hoping you would since I know you mentioned before that nursing didn't go as you had hoped. Lots of hugs to you, mama, and I'm so sorry you're still dealing with guilt from this.

On vegan nipple cream, I believe Earth Mama Angel Baby is vegan. And for anything else you may try as a nipple cream, just make sure it's food grade (as opposed to cosmetic) so it's safe for baby. Sometimes just leaving some breastmilk on the nipple can help heal certain issues too.

As far as bottles, I know the LLL recommends waiting to use any artificial nipple (bottle or pacifier) until nursing is well established and there is no nipple pain. Once you've got things going really well you can start introducing the bottle. Some babies take to them really easily, some babies resist, but if you need to make it happen it'll happen.

[HouseofPeace]

i've been breastfeeding with only a couple months breaks during the end of pregnancy since 2006.  oh yeah.  actually, this pregnancy has been my longest break.

i had to let go of breastfeeding til 2 years old since my kids self-wean and potty train about the same time, and 3 of them did it before they were 2 years old.  in fact, most of my children, with no bottles and supplementation at all, move on to cups and water at 1 year, and then wean around 20 months.  no amount of snuggling and offering of the breast seems to change that.  one sweet baby girl nursed until 2 1/2, but i had to wean her when i was tandem nursing her and her sister and got pregnant with DD3!  (i cried the morning i offered my son his morning nursing and he patted it and said "no mama, i want eggs."  NOOOOOOO!!!  he was 19 months!)

i intend to pump and donate this time around as i have a great supply and always have more than enough.  probably will tandem nurse.  but that's up to the big baby (19 months now)

i want to mention that i was a blessed mother- even the first time around i never had cracked nipples, soreness (beyond the initial WTF that let-downs and nursing caused, that painful yet intense relief of nursing!) and didn't need any special treatments for my nipples.  my DS/firstborn also broke teeth at 4 months.  but he was a great and dedicated nurser.  no bottles, no pacifiers, though i did pump and freeze.  never did get around to giving it to the baby though, cause my supply was too high and i couldn't skip a feeding!  

i know it's not that easy for everyone, so get all the support you can up front!  but i also wanted to say that sometimes it does work out way easier than you think.  i never thought twice about breastfeeding, or had any complications or struggles beyond YES IT IS HARD.  but sterilizing bottles and pumping wasn't any easier at all!  i only pump for others, and my own get it fresh!  

and for all you first time mamas- breastfeeding makes you RAVENOUS!  i eat way more when breastfeeding than when pregnant, and though i do lose weight, i need to keep an extra 5-10lbs of weight on for a while to keep my supply up.  i tried to lose it twice, and it affected my supply, my health, and my milk quality.  so i now have embraced that getting to a certain weight or size is not ideal in the first six months of breastfeeding b/c i need to keep my milk quality up.  and that means more fats and carbs and good foods than even when pregnant!  no one told me this, nor did they mention that a little extra weight could actually be okay.  i'm not saying feeling fat and not exercising are what you want, but allowing yourself a little extra padding can make a big difference in breastfeeding.  at least until you've established supply and a healthy rhythm that you can sustain.

[Adaline'sMama]

I'm planning to nurse the twins, exclusively if I can. BUT, my goals this time are so, so different than they have been the past two times.

With DD, she was born with almost no sucking reflex, so it took a lot of work to start nursing. My milk didnt come in for the first five days, despite near constant pumping. When it finally did come in, I finally got her to latch, but she just wouldnt nurse for more than 5-8 minutes at a time. After about a week, we were waking up ever two hours, and I was pumping while DH held DD and syringe fed. That went on for a couple of weeks, along with nursing with a nipple shield, nursing on demand, nursing with sns, yadayadayada. It was hard. We saw a couple of different LCs and her latch was good, just weak. Finally, at about 4 weeks we started regular nursing and everything was fine- except for one thing. Even though I had a huge supply, she wasnt really gaining any weight. We went for two months nursing on demand, and she gained very little weight. My ped is super breastfeeding friendly, and was really worried about her. So, on her advice, I switched to feeding every 2-3 hours. When we were nursing on demand, DD would nurse for less than 10 minutes and then be done. Totally done with it. Basically, I dont think she was getting enough hindmilk, so I was having to pump some milk off so that she could start out with hindmilk.  When we switched to scheduled nursing, she nursed solidly for 20-30 minutes, and then didnt want to nurse for a couple of hours. Within a week, she had gained more than she had for the entirety of the first two months. She was like a nursing machine. We gave a paci in the in between times (between the 2-3 hours) because she did want to suckle, but not swallow the milk. It was 3 months of complete insanity, and then everything began to balance out. She was gaining, she was nursing like a champ, and it was easy as pie. I nursed her until I was 4 months pregnant with DS when she self-weaned because there was no milk. It's easy to forget how hard it can be in the beginning. 

With DS, he latched within a couple of minutes of being born. He was a block feeder. He would nurse for an hour or so at a time and then be totally good for 4 hours. He was such and easy, relaxed baby. He was great at nursing, gained weight rapidly, and when he was done, he was done. We saw an LC twice, who verified that his latch was fantastic, he had no tongue or lip tie, and everything was fine. Regardless, my nipples hurt just as bad as they did the first time and they became cracked and very sore. For me, the only thing that helped was lanolin- and believe me, I tried almost everything. I began pumping when DS was about 4 weeks old. I got about 6 oz at each session, and had a whole freezer full just in case of emergency or if I wanted to go out (not that we did). So, my supply was doing very well. When DS passed, the milk was of course still there, for weeks afterwards. I wasnt nursing DD anymore, so I went thought several steps to deal with the engorgement and the pain. Luckily, I never got blocked ducts or mastitis.

As I mentioned before, this time I have very different goals. I intend to EBF, but not at the breast. I plan to pump and let DH do some feedings. I have a few things to remind myself of:

~Nursing is amazing, but it's not the end all be all of life. I'm important too, and if I need mental space, I wont hesitate to substitute my breast for a bottle of pumped milk or formula.

~If I have to go back on anxiety drugs, I will, even if that means formula fed babies. My mental health has to take first priority, because I cant be a good mom if I cant make it through the day.

~I will nurse until the babies are a year old. Then, if I want to keep going I can, but I dont need to give myself this two year goal. When I give birth to these babies, Ill have given birth to 4 children in 2 years, 10 months. It's overwhelming, and the thought of two full years of breastfeeding is really stressful to me. Especially because DH and I intend to try to TTC in two years. I need a year for my body to be mine in between.

~I will exercise, shower and get dressed every day. No matter who needs to nurse. I can not remain sane sitting on a couch with greasy hair, getting fat, and having no sleep. I have to have a teensy bit of myself leftover.

[typebug]

Goals for breast feeding... oh I have no idea really. I think the duration of breast feeding will depend on the baby. I'm hoping it's as easy for me as it was for my own mom. Fingers crossed I win that genetic lottery. We'll see! 

I want to get good at pumping so Dad can do some feeding and I can go out and get back to my workouts and get some little slivers of alone time. As I start to transition back to working I'm hoping to bring in a part time nanny and still be in the home around 4-6 months. It will help if they can do feedings too until we can do solid food more. I'm hoping baby will go with the flow on that but you never know... hence the plan to stay home based. 

[loveandgarbage]

It's been wonderful to read all of your responses. Michelle, thanks for sharing your story. Definitely a good thing to be aware of if you're a first time mom. And it makes me even more set on donating milk this time around! Holly, so much of what you said resonates with me. I think after completely giving myself over to my babies I am ready to take some time for myself this time around. I mean, I absolutely loved being an all-around AP parent and not going out, and focusing solely on my babies... but it make me a little insane. I enjoy my social life and I'm going to make sure I still enjoy it even when I have a nursling. And my mom is going to move to my town at the end of the month and she is the best babysitter anyone could ask for. DH and I will definitely be taking advantage of her offer to watch the kids so we can pop out to a movie or nice dinner. 

Kellybeth I second that a good relationship/supply should be established before you try a bottle. Every baby is different, but in my experience, if one nipple/bottle combo doesn't work, another one probably will. Since I rarely used bottles with my older ones, I'm going to do some research this time around about what bottle might be best for a BFed baby.

HouseofPeace, I am sooooo looking forward to stuffing my face! My appetite is larger than average when I'm pregnant, but when I'm nursing it's off the charts. The only thing I don't like is being so absurdly thirsty all the time.

[odinsmama]

Originally Posted by loveandgarbage 

HouseofPeace, I am sooooo looking forward to stuffing my face! My appetite is larger than average when I'm pregnant, but when I'm nursing it's off the charts. The only thing I don't like is being so absurdly thirsty all the time.

Oh my gosh, yes.  I love the eating.

But the constant thirst... I swear I had a 20 oz or so water bottle in bed with me during the night and it would be empty in the morning.  I would drink from it whenever baby woke to nurse and would NOT even have to get up to pee until morning.  It was nuts.

[kellybeth]

Originally Posted by loveandgarbage 

ISince I rarely used bottles with my older ones, I'm going to do some research this time around about what bottle might be best for a BFed baby.

i had researched this thoroughly, and asked my doctor as well, and settled on the philips event natural nipples with newborn and/or medium flow nipples. the one that i actually found to be the best for breastfed babes, and what worked flawlessly for a friend of mine as well is the mimijumi, but they are super expensive. so basically, i settled. we'll see though, since that's all i can really do. the tommee tippee bottles and nipples look really nice, too.

[Chloe'sMama]

Originally Posted by kellybeth 

i had researched this thoroughly, and asked my doctor as well, and settled on the philips event natural nipples with newborn and/or medium flow nipples. the one that i actually found to be the best for breastfed babes, and what worked flawlessly for a friend of mine as well is the mimijumi, but they are super expensive. so basically, i settled. we'll see though, since that's all i can really do. the tommee tippee bottles and nipples look really nice, too.

I tried at least 8-10 different bottles and nipple combos with DD1..... All the natural ones first and then moved on to the other type... she would only kinda take the platex drop ins..... It drove me crazy since they are so wasteful and gross, but I worked up till she was 1 and DH had to pick up some feedings.  She really didn't even take that very easily (DH had to push the milk out of the bottle even with the quicker flow nipples), so I just tried to make sure I was not gone longer than 2-3 hours at a time.  

My words of advice with bottles.... don't go out and buy a ton.  Buy ONE and see if it works, if not try the next, or just wash one and have the rest ready to take back if needed.  Also, if you are not needing to use bottles full time or quite often for work, only buy a couple.... you won't need that much.  

I also had a ton of milk pumped with DD2 and never gave her even ONE bottle because she would not allow me to leave for any amount of time needing a bottle.  I am lucky that I didn't NEED to leave her for work or anything.

I am not sure if I am going to pump at all for this baby.  I like the idea of having a small frozen stash just in case something happens where DH has to feed him.  We will see.

[kellybeth]

Originally Posted by Chloe'sMama 

I tried at least 8-10 different bottles and nipple combos with DD1..... All the natural ones first and then moved on to the other type... she would only kinda take the platex drop ins..... It drove me crazy since they are so wasteful and gross, but I worked up till she was 1 and DH had to pick up some feedings.  She really didn't even take that very easily (DH had to push the milk out of the bottle even with the quicker flow nipples), so I just tried to make sure I was not gone longer than 2-3 hours at a time.  

My words of advice with bottles.... don't go out and buy a ton.  Buy ONE and see if it works, if not try the next, or just wash one and have the rest ready to take back if needed.  Also, if you are not needing to use bottles full time or quite often for work, only buy a couple.... you won't need that much.  

I also had a ton of milk pumped with DD2 and never gave her even ONE bottle because she would not allow me to leave for any amount of time needing a bottle.  I am lucky that I didn't NEED to leave her for work or anything.

I am not sure if I am going to pump at all for this baby.  I like the idea of having a small frozen stash just in case something happens where DH has to feed him.  We will see.

that's good to know. i only have 1 4oz bottle and 1 8oz bottle right now, and i got both the newborn flow and medium flow nipples. i'll try those, if need be. i will be staying at home with her. i work from home with my botanical business though i don't know when i'll get back to it, so that makes it easier for me, but my hubby is just concerned if i do have to go somewhere and she needs to be fed. he's incredibly nervous about being a daddy (he'll be so great!) and it's starting to get more real for him every day. on a side note, we put a piece of popcorn on my belly tonight when she was kicking pretty hard, and it flew off my belly. he loved that. haha

[sweetestday]

Baby #1 I sort of followed the Baby Wise way of doing things. He was in his own crib and room, too. I got pregnant when he was 7mo and weaned him at 12mo. I was losing weight during pregnancy and was worried about the baby growing in me not getting the nourishment it needed. 

Baby #2 I nursed until he was 18 months old. Here on out I nursed on demand. Oh, and my husband talked me into letting him (and the rest of our babies) sleep with us. Such a wise guy he is!

Baby #3 I nursed till 24mo.

Baby #4 I just weaned at 12 mo. It was getting so painful, and my milk was pretty much gone from getting pregnant. He is thriving and gaining weight like you wouldn't believe since weaning. It makes me feel sort of bad, like I wasn't getting him the nourishment I thought I was. 

The last three I've nursed on demand, but am still very fertile right after birth. Obviously. :) I'm like House of Peace... one of those few that has never had problems with cracked nipples or babies that have trouble latching on. I'm SO thankful for that! It's only been a sweet experience for me. I had only heard horror stories of breast feeding, so I was expecting it to be so difficult, and it just all came so naturally. 

[etsdtm99]

kellybeth - I 2nd the recommendation of earth mama angel baby nipple butter as a vegan nipple cream - i used that with my 3rd and liked it better than lanolin.. i've given it to 2-3 friends as shower gifts and they liked it too ..

[MaybeJ]

Also, I'll add this to the discussion - although it isn't recommended to offer bottles in the first few weeks, my midwife gave us the "okay" at maybe 2 weeks?  Or 3?  DD was gaining really well and breastfeeding was going fine without issues but I wasn't coping well at all.  New motherhood hit me hard and I was exhausted and crying every day for 2 or 3 weeks straight.  We pumped one bottle a day so that DH could give her one bottle at night so I could sleep 3 or 4 hours in a row.   We used the crappy bottles that went with the Medela pump and DD switched between bottle and breast easily.  Obviously, if there are breastfeeding issues, you should probably follow the recommendations, but I wanted to offer our experience to the mix.

[Adaline'sMama]

Originally Posted by etsdtm99 

kellybeth - I 2nd the recommendation of earth mama angel baby nipple butter as a vegan nipple cream - i used that with my 3rd and liked it better than lanolin.. i've given it to 2-3 friends as shower gifts and they liked it too ..

I have friends who have liked this as well. I tried Earth Mama Angel Baby and Motherlove nipple butter and neither of them did the trick for me, but I think you just have to see what works for you. I had a friend who used a healing salve with comfrey. One of my friends used olive oil on her nipples every time she nursed from day one and she never had any pain. Every booby is different :)