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Reasons Breastfeeding WOULDNT Work?
3 posts on this thread and the last post was on March 28th, 2007 11:18 AM
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[Original Post] |
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Hi ladies. My son will be born in 5 weeks... I'm planning on breastfeeding him, at least for a few months. However, I can't get over this paranoia that it wont work for some reason. I keep hearing horror stories of people who couldn't breastfeed, but I dont know why. Help?

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Instead of focussing on what might not work I would think positively. Educate yourself as much as possible and see if your hospital has a lactation consultant you can speak to before birth and right after to help you through any issues that may arrise. I was aprehensive as well but was firm in making it work. I'm not saying it will be easy b/c it is work at first as you and baby both have to learn how. It's so worth it in the end though. I didn't keep any formula in the house so that I wouldn't ever be tempted to take the easy way out if breastfeeding got tough. I think the more you read about beforehand the more comfortable you will feel about it.

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In my opinion, you are fretting for nothing. It's not like there is no alternative if you can't nurse and the baby will starve. I don't think a person this visits this site would disagree that formula has made some pretty major advancements in the past 20 years. As far as not working...in Denmark, 98% of the women breast feed. That means that the remaining 2% had some issue that they could not get past. One of the biggest setbacks is when the hospital staff feed a baby formula or give a baby a pacifier. For some babies it can cause nipple confusion. Inverted nipples? Theres a solution. Poor latch that damages the nipple? Time heals all wounds - you just have to grit your teeth and get passed the pain until it happens. Milk not come in? Be patient...they don't need much and colostrum is "liquid gold". Scared your lo is not getting enough? keep a log of poop and pee...they don't need very much. Fear of baby losing weight? It happens to most breast feed babies. Mine was 7lbs 7 oz at birth and dropped to 6 lbs 8 oz. before she started gaining. Go meet your hospital's lactation consultant. If they don't have one, contact the lache league and ask for a mentor. Check out a few books and flip through some of the chapters. If you still have concerns or problems, then log on to the forum and these great ladies will help you as best they can. There are some wonderful resources with experience right here. No worries...just enjoy your last few weeks and rest.

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I worried more about breastfeeding than child birth...so I know what you mean. :) I stuck with advice from other breastfeeding moms - stick with it at least 2 weeks, then at 2 weeks, tell yourself you can do it another 2 weeks...etc.... I love it and am so glad I am bfing! I agree EDUCATE yourself. Read books, go to kellymom.com, etc.

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