Help me convince these moms to be to BF!!

[ishereal]

Here's another chance! I know 4 women that are pregnant and I want to give them some literature and also show them some videos on the importance of breast feeding. Give what ever you have on breast feeding. I have some stuff of own already but the more the better. I rally want to stress how breast milk is better than formula so any literature you have on that is a plus!!!!

If only there was a video like The Business of Being Born on bf'ing .....

[snowgirl]

FF is #4 on the infant feeding list. I believe this is per WHO, but couldn't find a link.
1. Breastmilk from breast
2. Bm expressed from mother
3. bm from another mother
4. formula.

I love that one. FF ads say breast is best and then ff is next best. It isn't, it is 4th!

[ishereal]

Originally Posted by snowgirl

FF is #4 on the infant feeding list. I believe this is per WHO, but couldn't find a link.
1. Breastmilk from breast
2. Bm expressed from mother
3. bm from another mother
4. formula.

I love that one. FF ads say breast is best and then ff is next best. It isn't, it is 4th!

i would love to find this link!

[shannonnc78]

Just be careful. If these are first-time mothers I'd warn you to be careful how you come across. Before I had DS I flat out rejected any bfing advice given to me b/c I thought people were trying to push their agendas on me and i wasn't having any of it. Of course, once I had DS and found out how truly wonderful bfing was, I realized that I was wrong to feel that way and people were only trying to be helpful and looking out for what was best for my DS.

Maybe you could emphasize the cost-effectiveness of bfing vs formula. That is the only thing that got through to me before having DS.

[onlygirls]

Maybe try a different angle. Breastfeeding is is something that Mother and Baby need to learn together. They might have some challenges in the beginning, but you will be there to offer support and get them through it. I think most people give up because of lack of support from their partner, family members or medical professionals. Talk to them about normal BF feeding patterns. Babies need to nurse early and often. They might feel overwhelmed, but it gets better.

If they feel like they can count on you for support, then they might be willing to come to you at the point where they feel like they can't/don't want to continue.

I have a friend that was not planning on nursing at all but made it to 6 weeks before going back on medication that was not compatible with breastfeeding. (methotrexate) I wanted to be a source of support for her where she would not feel judged by me and I think I helped her a lot.

It used to be hard for me to see babies weaned early, but if I offer support and guidance, I feel better knowing that babies got some breast milk insetad of none at all.

[bellymama]

Originally Posted by ishereal

Here's another chance! I know 4 women that are pregnant and I want to give them some literature and also show them some videos on the importance of breast feeding. Give what ever you have on breast feeding. I have some stuff of own already but the more the better. I rally want to stress how breast milk is better than formula so any literature you have on that is a plus!!!!

If only there was a video like The Business of Being Born on bf'ing .....

share some information, recommend some books and back off. if you get too pushy and in their face, they might get really turned off...so just let it be known that you are interested in sharing info and that you are available to answer questions. you can't really convince anyone to do anything. just be available and supportive.

[TefferTWH]

One of the best pieces of advice I got about BFing was to try it for 6 weeks. I promised myself I'd make it through 6 weeks, then reevaluate. Most moms hitting the 6 week mark are past the initial nipple tenderness and are starting to get out of the house more. After they've nursed for 6 weeks, hopefully, the bug will have caught and they will want to continue. At 6 weeks, I set another arbitrary goal and gave myself a present - some nursing clothes for NIP. At the next goal, I gave myself another nursing related present and set another goal, wash rinse, repeat. Before I knew it, he was weaning himself!

[nyxx]

Originally Posted by ishereal

i would love to find this link!

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...30#post8701730

[Limabean1975]

kellymom.com is a great resource with well-written articles backed up by tonnes of references to research.

[ishereal]

thanx!!

[pookel]

I'd give them all a copy of "So THAT's What They're For!" and then back off. They're less likely to come to you for help if they see you as someone who might judge them for failing.

[go0ber]

The thing that always reels them in for me is telling them, "If you wanna get sleep: breastfeed and cosleep." I find that approaching them from a "This will get you more sleep!" angle they are likely to go for it. But make sure to tell them that struggles in the beginning are to be expected but once you get over that hump, it is so worth it and so easy. Then you can add that, "Plus it's so beneficial for the baby..." stuff about less ear infections and blahblah. I think a lot of women think breastfeeding is a huge hassle and not worth the stress because of the "Formula is so much easier," lie.

[amitymama]

Originally Posted by go0ber

The thing that always reels them in for me is telling them, "If you wanna get sleep: breastfeed and cosleep." I find that approaching them from a "This will get you more sleep!" angle they are likely to go for it. But make sure to tell them that struggles in the beginning are to be expected but once you get over that hump, it is so worth it and so easy. Then you can add that, "Plus it's so beneficial for the baby..." stuff about less ear infections and blahblah. I think a lot of women think breastfeeding is a huge hassle and not worth the stress because of the "Formula is so much easier," lie.

I like this approach too. More sleep is the number one thing more mothers want!

[snowgirl]

Originally Posted by shannonnc78

Just be careful. If these are first-time mothers I'd warn you to be careful how you come across.

I agree! I was in the opposite situation, though. I felt strongly about bf'ing and I was determined to make it work no matter what. I had people telling me it was ok if it didn't work out. That bf'ing didn't really make a difference with ear infections, etc. Lots of negative bf advice. Share your experience and why you love bf. That it is completely natural and all mammals nurse. That is why we have mammary glands. And go for the facts.

[jesrox]

I always encourage pregnant moms by telling them how easy my breastfeeding experience was...many times moms get hit by so many stories of how terrible BF was for them or how they couldn't do it...I say that we had a wonderful relationship with no snags...I also give info on our hospitals breastfeeding resource center where we get discounts and encourage them to have a LC see them in the hospital. so thats what theyre for is a great book, its funny and non judgemental IMO. just tout the positives of breastfeeding

[milkeriffic mama]

Originally Posted by jesrox

I always encourage pregnant moms by telling them how easy my breastfeeding experience was...many times moms get hit by so many stories of how terrible BF was for them or how they couldn't do it...I say that we had a wonderful relationship with no snags...

i agree it's good to talk about positive experiences, but at the same time, i think we do a disservice to new moms by telling them that breastfeeding is easy. even those of us that are nursing toddlers or older may have struggled in the beginning. I think it's important to be realistic and say that some women find it easy from the get go (my mom did) and that some women may find it more difficult but that it takes time for both mommy and baby to learn, so don't get discouraged and know there are a zillion resources out there. i do think kellymom has some great, easy to read info for new moms.

[Limabean1975]

Originally Posted by milkeriffic mama

i agree it's good to talk about positive experiences, but at the same time, i think we do a disservice to new moms by telling them that breastfeeding is easy. even those of us that are nursing toddlers or older may have struggled in the beginning. I think it's important to be realistic and say that some women find it easy from the get go (my mom did) and that some women may find it more difficult but that it takes time for both mommy and baby to learn, so don't get discouraged and know there are a zillion resources out there. i do think kellymom has some great, easy to read info for new moms.

Agreed! When I was pregnant, *despite* doing some reading, I really thought it would be easy-peasy. I read a few books that made it sound like if there were any problems, you just have to fix the latch, then everything will be hunky-dory. I was in for a shock. I went through hell getting things all worked out. Now, if I have a chance to speak to someone about it (if they ask or if the topic naturally comes up), I say "It was NOT easy, it was hellish, but it is SO WORTH IT. It's easy now, and I am so so so happy that I persevered."

[onlygirls]

This is an interesting resource from Kellymom (my fave BF website!)

Financial costs of NOT breastfeeding

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/start/pre...tbenefits.html

[Limabean1975]

Originally Posted by onlygirls

This is an interesting resource from Kellymom (my fave BF website!)

Financial costs of NOT breastfeeding

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/start/pre...tbenefits.html

...as long as they don't find out how much it cost me to BF!! hand pump, rental hospital pump, nursing bras, breast pads, multitude of herbs, domperidone, SNS, nursing pillow, travel to & from lactation clinics....however, in the long term it still *probably* worked out cheaper.

[TattoMomK]

Originally Posted by ishereal

Here's another chance! I know 4 women that are pregnant and I want to give them some literature and also show them some videos on the importance of breast feeding. Give what ever you have on breast feeding. I have some stuff of own already but the more the better. I rally want to stress how breast milk is better than formula so any literature you have on that is a plus!!!!

If only there was a video like The Business of Being Born on bf'ing .....

I was going to write Riki Lake and ask her to make "The Business of Being Fed" as a follow up!