Advice on breast feeding?? Please...

[Kirssty]

Hi, I am only a young mum and I am looking into breast feeding and wondered if anyone had did this before and if they would recommend it the doctors have said yes but I'd like a 2nd opinion please thanks xx

[Hidden]

Dear Kirssty,

I'm sure you will have many questions concerning breastfeeding, however, there are plenty of people who will be keen to help you.

You can speak to a breastfeeding counsellor by calling our helpline on 0300 330 0700, and they will answer any questions or concerns you may have, along with offering your support. Whether you are exclusively breastfeeding or using formula milk. Breastfeeding counsellors have had extensive training, will listen without judging or criticising and will offer relevant information and suggestions. You can also find lots more useful articles on our website here: nct.org.uk/parenting/feeding

Good luck!

Daphne

[LauraG31]

It's the best thing ever for me. But you can have difficulty in the beginning. If you do decide to breast feed there are support groups and your midwife will help. In the end it's easy and free! Also health benefits for both of you. But if for some reason you can't do it, don't beat your self up. Not everyone can do it. Even if you do it for a couple of weeks or even days. Hope this helps. Good luck x

[ChristelTips]

First of all well done for considering breastfeeding! It's the best choice for your baby and every day you do it benefits your child. It's also a great way to bond with baby, and it's perfectly suited to their needs. My daughter is 10 and a half weeks and exclusively breastfed and I'm so glad I chose it! You should get help in the hospital to show you how to latch on and as someone has said before me, it's not easy to begin with! But it's also not that hard if it's what you really want to do. As long as you get the right support, from the midwives, your health visitor and family and friends if they've breastfed. It's also a lot easier for night feeds as you don't need to get u and prepare a bottle, it's already perfect for him/her! You don't have to worry about sterilising bottles, buying formula, preparing bottles before you go anywhere, and it helps get your figure back quicker after the birth! Good luck x

[Bennett-family]

Breast feeding is great for you and baby, but you have to do what is right for you. I tried and failed with my son, he really didn't take to it at all but my daughter took to it like a duck to water and would feed for up to an hour at a time. Health visitors and midwife's didn't believe me, though she must have been falling asleep. So I went along to my local Milk group and they couldn't believe it. So I ended up mixing breast and bottle as I just couldn't get anything done and it was creating behaviour problems with my son because I couldn't give him the attention he needed. So I would say give it a try your baby may take to it really well and it is good for bonding too. Good luck x

[Hidden]

Hi Kirssty,

Breastfeeding is definitely a personal choice. I gave birth to my daughter almost 3 months ago and had every intention of breastfeeding. I didn't even bother buying bottles etc. However what I wasn't prepared for was the demand and how hard it can be to establish it. I ended up switching to formula after only a week. I did what was best for us at the time. Following a long labour, I was just too exhausted and needing my husband to help with some of the feeds. I tried expressing but really struggled.

By no means am I trying to put you off but I think it is important to know that it can be challenging at the beginning.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Regards, Kirsty