National Breastfeeding Week
#16
Re: National Breastfeeding Week
The more info out there about breastfeeding, the better.
AND... to those who say some babies can't breastfeed, I say this: My Little O was born five weeks early with numerous health conditions, including a cleft palate, poor suck/swallow/breathe reflex, and GERD (which still blights him). Since the day he was born he has been tube fed and receives nothing by mouth.
I pumped for him and he received only breast milk for the first month of his life. After that my supply dwindled and his reflux got worse, so we switched to a prescription-only formula mixed with breast milk, and then just formula.
My point of all this is: babies should always receive breast milk, even if they can't feed directly. There is absolutely no excuse on earth good enough.
So there.
AND... to those who say some babies can't breastfeed, I say this: My Little O was born five weeks early with numerous health conditions, including a cleft palate, poor suck/swallow/breathe reflex, and GERD (which still blights him). Since the day he was born he has been tube fed and receives nothing by mouth.
I pumped for him and he received only breast milk for the first month of his life. After that my supply dwindled and his reflux got worse, so we switched to a prescription-only formula mixed with breast milk, and then just formula.
My point of all this is: babies should always receive breast milk, even if they can't feed directly. There is absolutely no excuse on earth good enough.
So there.
#17
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2011
Location: Maine
Posts: 1,204
Re: National Breastfeeding Week
Breastfeeding is amazing...I fed all three of mine for two years each which wasn't the plan btw. But it made me feel like I was doing something great and I'm basically lazy so no bottles to wash plus the weight falls off. I ate like a horse yet was always skinny... I also made great friends through LLL and did the counselor training. It was a god send to me as a young Mum with no family around to advise me. I think at the time (late 90's) that the states was more progressive than the UK. None of my English friends nursed for more than a few weeks. I miss those days of having a wee one...
#18
Re: National Breastfeeding Week
Breastfeeding is amazing...I fed all three of mine for two years each which wasn't the plan btw. But it made me feel like I was doing something great and I'm basically lazy so no bottles to wash plus the weight falls off. I ate like a horse yet was always skinny... I also made great friends through LLL and did the counselor training. It was a god send to me as a young Mum with no family around to advise me. I think at the time (late 90's) that the states was more progressive than the UK. None of my English friends nursed for more than a few weeks. I miss those days of having a wee one...
#19
Re: National Breastfeeding Week
These posts are exactly what I mean by making some Mums feel like a failure.
When I was pregnant I lived in the country, the anti-natal classes were all about breast feeding and how you should feed for the first 4 months. All the wonderful benefits for child and Mum were layed out, health benefits, bonding....
I had a perfectly normal baby, but she wouldn't feed, she would either scream constantly or sleep. I was kept in hospital for 2 nights just so they could monitor her feeding, a breast feeding 'expert' came in to monitor, and declared everything that I should be doing was being done...
If I expressed milk and gave it to her in a bottle she would feed fine, but to stop my milk drying up I had to feed her. All the midwives kept telling me was how important it ws that I feed her myself otherwise she would have asthma/eczema/eating problems....
After 3 weeks of constant tears at every feeding time (from both of us) the doctor finally said enough was enough, my baby was losing weight not gaining, and we were both extremely unhappy. I continued to express for as long as I had milk, and still continued to try and feed her.
I still feel like I failed her as a Mum by not being able to feed her, I know the benefits of it are huge, but I also know I was on the verge of becoming extremely depressed and will always be grateful to the doctor who finally gave me a hug and told me I had done all I could.
When I was pregnant I lived in the country, the anti-natal classes were all about breast feeding and how you should feed for the first 4 months. All the wonderful benefits for child and Mum were layed out, health benefits, bonding....
I had a perfectly normal baby, but she wouldn't feed, she would either scream constantly or sleep. I was kept in hospital for 2 nights just so they could monitor her feeding, a breast feeding 'expert' came in to monitor, and declared everything that I should be doing was being done...
If I expressed milk and gave it to her in a bottle she would feed fine, but to stop my milk drying up I had to feed her. All the midwives kept telling me was how important it ws that I feed her myself otherwise she would have asthma/eczema/eating problems....
After 3 weeks of constant tears at every feeding time (from both of us) the doctor finally said enough was enough, my baby was losing weight not gaining, and we were both extremely unhappy. I continued to express for as long as I had milk, and still continued to try and feed her.
I still feel like I failed her as a Mum by not being able to feed her, I know the benefits of it are huge, but I also know I was on the verge of becoming extremely depressed and will always be grateful to the doctor who finally gave me a hug and told me I had done all I could.
#20
Re: National Breastfeeding Week
No worse than those horrible dolls with a bottle who make sucky noises.
#21
Re: National Breastfeeding Week
The more info out there about breastfeeding, the better.
AND... to those who say some babies can't breastfeed, I say this: My Little O was born five weeks early with numerous health conditions, including a cleft palate, poor suck/swallow/breathe reflex, and GERD (which still blights him). Since the day he was born he has been tube fed and receives nothing by mouth.
I pumped for him and he received only breast milk for the first month of his life. After that my supply dwindled and his reflux got worse, so we switched to a prescription-only formula mixed with breast milk, and then just formula.
My point of all this is: babies should always receive breast milk, even if they can't feed directly. There is absolutely no excuse on earth good enough.
So there.
AND... to those who say some babies can't breastfeed, I say this: My Little O was born five weeks early with numerous health conditions, including a cleft palate, poor suck/swallow/breathe reflex, and GERD (which still blights him). Since the day he was born he has been tube fed and receives nothing by mouth.
I pumped for him and he received only breast milk for the first month of his life. After that my supply dwindled and his reflux got worse, so we switched to a prescription-only formula mixed with breast milk, and then just formula.
My point of all this is: babies should always receive breast milk, even if they can't feed directly. There is absolutely no excuse on earth good enough.
So there.
#22
Re: National Breastfeeding Week
These posts are exactly what I mean by making some Mums feel like a failure.
When I was pregnant I lived in the country, the anti-natal classes were all about breast feeding and how you should feed for the first 4 months. All the wonderful benefits for child and Mum were layed out, health benefits, bonding....
I had a perfectly normal baby, but she wouldn't feed, she would either scream constantly or sleep. I was kept in hospital for 2 nights just so they could monitor her feeding, a breast feeding 'expert' came in to monitor, and declared everything that I should be doing was being done...
If I expressed milk and gave it to her in a bottle she would feed fine, but to stop my milk drying up I had to feed her. All the midwives kept telling me was how important it ws that I feed her myself otherwise she would have asthma/eczema/eating problems....
After 3 weeks of constant tears at every feeding time (from both of us) the doctor finally said enough was enough, my baby was losing weight not gaining, and we were both extremely unhappy. I continued to express for as long as I had milk, and still continued to try and feed her.
I still feel like I failed her as a Mum by not being able to feed her, I know the benefits of it are huge, but I also know I was on the verge of becoming extremely depressed and will always be grateful to the doctor who finally gave me a hug and told me I had done all I could.
When I was pregnant I lived in the country, the anti-natal classes were all about breast feeding and how you should feed for the first 4 months. All the wonderful benefits for child and Mum were layed out, health benefits, bonding....
I had a perfectly normal baby, but she wouldn't feed, she would either scream constantly or sleep. I was kept in hospital for 2 nights just so they could monitor her feeding, a breast feeding 'expert' came in to monitor, and declared everything that I should be doing was being done...
If I expressed milk and gave it to her in a bottle she would feed fine, but to stop my milk drying up I had to feed her. All the midwives kept telling me was how important it ws that I feed her myself otherwise she would have asthma/eczema/eating problems....
After 3 weeks of constant tears at every feeding time (from both of us) the doctor finally said enough was enough, my baby was losing weight not gaining, and we were both extremely unhappy. I continued to express for as long as I had milk, and still continued to try and feed her.
I still feel like I failed her as a Mum by not being able to feed her, I know the benefits of it are huge, but I also know I was on the verge of becoming extremely depressed and will always be grateful to the doctor who finally gave me a hug and told me I had done all I could.
I have one totally bottle fed baby ( the youngest) I got dirty looks for pulling out a bottle when she was tiny, what do I care what anyone else thinks.
You do right by your own children, it's all anyone can do.
#23
Re: National Breastfeeding Week
These posts are exactly what I mean by making some Mums feel like a failure.
When I was pregnant I lived in the country, the anti-natal classes were all about breast feeding and how you should feed for the first 4 months. All the wonderful benefits for child and Mum were layed out, health benefits, bonding....
I had a perfectly normal baby, but she wouldn't feed, she would either scream constantly or sleep. I was kept in hospital for 2 nights just so they could monitor her feeding, a breast feeding 'expert' came in to monitor, and declared everything that I should be doing was being done...
If I expressed milk and gave it to her in a bottle she would feed fine, but to stop my milk drying up I had to feed her. All the midwives kept telling me was how important it ws that I feed her myself otherwise she would have asthma/eczema/eating problems....
After 3 weeks of constant tears at every feeding time (from both of us) the doctor finally said enough was enough, my baby was losing weight not gaining, and we were both extremely unhappy. I continued to express for as long as I had milk, and still continued to try and feed her.
I still feel like I failed her as a Mum by not being able to feed her, I know the benefits of it are huge, but I also know I was on the verge of becoming extremely depressed and will always be grateful to the doctor who finally gave me a hug and told me I had done all I could.
When I was pregnant I lived in the country, the anti-natal classes were all about breast feeding and how you should feed for the first 4 months. All the wonderful benefits for child and Mum were layed out, health benefits, bonding....
I had a perfectly normal baby, but she wouldn't feed, she would either scream constantly or sleep. I was kept in hospital for 2 nights just so they could monitor her feeding, a breast feeding 'expert' came in to monitor, and declared everything that I should be doing was being done...
If I expressed milk and gave it to her in a bottle she would feed fine, but to stop my milk drying up I had to feed her. All the midwives kept telling me was how important it ws that I feed her myself otherwise she would have asthma/eczema/eating problems....
After 3 weeks of constant tears at every feeding time (from both of us) the doctor finally said enough was enough, my baby was losing weight not gaining, and we were both extremely unhappy. I continued to express for as long as I had milk, and still continued to try and feed her.
I still feel like I failed her as a Mum by not being able to feed her, I know the benefits of it are huge, but I also know I was on the verge of becoming extremely depressed and will always be grateful to the doctor who finally gave me a hug and told me I had done all I could.
It's not like you set out to feed your baby formula before she was born. THAT is where modern society goes wrong. You still gave her breast milk, which is waaaay more than a lot of babies get. You did well, Mama. Don't feel guilty or like you've failed. It's the ones who think it's gross, or weird, who are the failures.
#24
Re: National Breastfeeding Week
These posts are exactly what I mean by making some Mums feel like a failure.
When I was pregnant I lived in the country, the anti-natal classes were all about breast feeding and how you should feed for the first 4 months. All the wonderful benefits for child and Mum were layed out, health benefits, bonding....
I had a perfectly normal baby, but she wouldn't feed, she would either scream constantly or sleep. I was kept in hospital for 2 nights just so they could monitor her feeding, a breast feeding 'expert' came in to monitor, and declared everything that I should be doing was being done...
If I expressed milk and gave it to her in a bottle she would feed fine, but to stop my milk drying up I had to feed her. All the midwives kept telling me was how important it ws that I feed her myself otherwise she would have asthma/eczema/eating problems....
After 3 weeks of constant tears at every feeding time (from both of us) the doctor finally said enough was enough, my baby was losing weight not gaining, and we were both extremely unhappy. I continued to express for as long as I had milk, and still continued to try and feed her.
I still feel like I failed her as a Mum by not being able to feed her, I know the benefits of it are huge, but I also know I was on the verge of becoming extremely depressed and will always be grateful to the doctor who finally gave me a hug and told me I had done all I could.
When I was pregnant I lived in the country, the anti-natal classes were all about breast feeding and how you should feed for the first 4 months. All the wonderful benefits for child and Mum were layed out, health benefits, bonding....
I had a perfectly normal baby, but she wouldn't feed, she would either scream constantly or sleep. I was kept in hospital for 2 nights just so they could monitor her feeding, a breast feeding 'expert' came in to monitor, and declared everything that I should be doing was being done...
If I expressed milk and gave it to her in a bottle she would feed fine, but to stop my milk drying up I had to feed her. All the midwives kept telling me was how important it ws that I feed her myself otherwise she would have asthma/eczema/eating problems....
After 3 weeks of constant tears at every feeding time (from both of us) the doctor finally said enough was enough, my baby was losing weight not gaining, and we were both extremely unhappy. I continued to express for as long as I had milk, and still continued to try and feed her.
I still feel like I failed her as a Mum by not being able to feed her, I know the benefits of it are huge, but I also know I was on the verge of becoming extremely depressed and will always be grateful to the doctor who finally gave me a hug and told me I had done all I could.
#25
Re: National Breastfeeding Week
The other reason is that babies cry when they are hungry, which stimulates what's known as the let down reflex in their Mama. It tells the body to release milk, ready for a feed. If you don't have a baby near you when you pump, to smell, hear, touch, etc, then your body has a harder time producing milk.
The more you feed, the more milk is created. It's a natural cycle that's hard to imitate artificially, which is why some Mamas find their supply dries up when their babies can't feed directly. It's a big problem for mothers of preemies, especially.
#26
Re: National Breastfeeding Week
Don't let anyone make you feel like a failure, you have a healthy happy child and thats what matters. Babies need food, you give it to them however you have too, whether thats by breast or bottle, breastmilk or formula.
I have one totally bottle fed baby ( the youngest) I got dirty looks for pulling out a bottle when she was tiny, what do I care what anyone else thinks.
You do right by your own children, it's all anyone can do.
I have one totally bottle fed baby ( the youngest) I got dirty looks for pulling out a bottle when she was tiny, what do I care what anyone else thinks.
You do right by your own children, it's all anyone can do.
Ah, but the point is that you tried! You did all you damn well could to give your baby breast milk, and when it went pear-shaped there was a legitimate reason to stop. Post-partum depression is no joke.
It's not like you set out to feed your baby formula before she was born. THAT is where modern society goes wrong. You still gave her breast milk, which is waaaay more than a lot of babies get. You did well, Mama. Don't feel guilty or like you've failed. It's the ones who think it's gross, or weird, who are the failures.
It's not like you set out to feed your baby formula before she was born. THAT is where modern society goes wrong. You still gave her breast milk, which is waaaay more than a lot of babies get. You did well, Mama. Don't feel guilty or like you've failed. It's the ones who think it's gross, or weird, who are the failures.
#27
Account Closed
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 928
Re: National Breastfeeding Week
Slightly OT, but wouldn't cow produce milk fior longer in that case if they were allowed to keep their calves with them longer, instead of just being milked by a machine?
#28
Re: National Breastfeeding Week
Dairy cows are "selected" over the decades for milk production....best genes for milk are passed on. This doesn't happen with people.
#29
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 41,518
Re: National Breastfeeding Week
These posts are exactly what I mean by making some Mums feel like a failure.
When I was pregnant I lived in the country, the anti-natal classes were all about breast feeding and how you should feed for the first 4 months. All the wonderful benefits for child and Mum were layed out, health benefits, bonding....
I had a perfectly normal baby, but she wouldn't feed, she would either scream constantly or sleep. I was kept in hospital for 2 nights just so they could monitor her feeding, a breast feeding 'expert' came in to monitor, and declared everything that I should be doing was being done...
If I expressed milk and gave it to her in a bottle she would feed fine, but to stop my milk drying up I had to feed her. All the midwives kept telling me was how important it ws that I feed her myself otherwise she would have asthma/eczema/eating problems....
After 3 weeks of constant tears at every feeding time (from both of us) the doctor finally said enough was enough, my baby was losing weight not gaining, and we were both extremely unhappy. I continued to express for as long as I had milk, and still continued to try and feed her.
I still feel like I failed her as a Mum by not being able to feed her, I know the benefits of it are huge, but I also know I was on the verge of becoming extremely depressed and will always be grateful to the doctor who finally gave me a hug and told me I had done all I could.
When I was pregnant I lived in the country, the anti-natal classes were all about breast feeding and how you should feed for the first 4 months. All the wonderful benefits for child and Mum were layed out, health benefits, bonding....
I had a perfectly normal baby, but she wouldn't feed, she would either scream constantly or sleep. I was kept in hospital for 2 nights just so they could monitor her feeding, a breast feeding 'expert' came in to monitor, and declared everything that I should be doing was being done...
If I expressed milk and gave it to her in a bottle she would feed fine, but to stop my milk drying up I had to feed her. All the midwives kept telling me was how important it ws that I feed her myself otherwise she would have asthma/eczema/eating problems....
After 3 weeks of constant tears at every feeding time (from both of us) the doctor finally said enough was enough, my baby was losing weight not gaining, and we were both extremely unhappy. I continued to express for as long as I had milk, and still continued to try and feed her.
I still feel like I failed her as a Mum by not being able to feed her, I know the benefits of it are huge, but I also know I was on the verge of becoming extremely depressed and will always be grateful to the doctor who finally gave me a hug and told me I had done all I could.
#30
Account Closed
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 928
Re: National Breastfeeding Week
I had heard that mothers had been arrested for breast feeding in some states, is that true?