The discussion was pretty short. We didn’t talk about the medical or psychological benefits. The word colostrum was not mentioned. Nothing about immunity or good health, although those are huge pluses that I’m happy with. I’ll be as honest with you as I was with him. Breastfeeding has two HUGE selfish advantages for us. 1) It steals calories from mom (aka helps me take off the baby weight) and 2) IT IS FREE!
Like I said, the conversation was short. It ended something like this:
Setting: The Ocean Blue Fish Fry and Soft Ice Cream picnic tables by our house, wish Posh sleeping on Brian’s foot.
Libby: “Do you know how much formula costs? It’s freakin’ expensive!”
Brian: “How much?”
Libby: “I don’t know, like $20 bucks a can or something.”
Brian: “Forget that!” (gesturing to Libby) “Those cans are free.”
And that was pretty much it. “We” will be breastfeeding for an undetermined amount of time.
Are you even a little surprised that she already has a lot of clothes?
Oh, and I got some complaints for forgetting to post a picture of Baby’s Famous Closet, which is already packed to the brim. Check out her fantabulous wardrobe. Oh, and I just ordered her a pair of pink Uggs for the winter! Her first “designer” shoes! Thanks Ed and Sarah!
I’m all in favor of breastfeeding, having done so with both of mine. But a couple of comments…first, give an occasional bottle of formula, for those times when Brian (or a sitter) needs to give one (I had to go back in the hospital and at the time couldn’t even express milk). Get her used to the “taste” and “feel” of one before it’s necessary. Second, I don’t know how much $$ you’ll save by not buying formula…I just remember that when I was breastfeeding, I was ALWAYS hungry. During that time our food bills (to feed me) were almost as high as when my boys were teenagers. But enjoy, remember to put on some favorite music, turn off the phone, and just enjoy cradling that little one in your arms as you “bond” (that is such an inadequate word for what you’ll feel). It truly is an amazing experience. And sorry Brian, it’s one you cannot even imagine!
If breastfeeding is the way you want to go, I strongly recommend the book “Baby Wise”, by Dr. Ezzo. It gives you a predictable schedule, which means no public feedings…important for me, and baby sleeps through the night much faster. It saved my life! My kids never had formula…which makes VERY stinky poopies, and my son did fine with an occasional bottle.
I was hungry a lot, but I did loose weight fast! Also, drink lots and lots of water. You need it!
ok…. i breastfed for 4 months…. it was hard. it pretty much rules your life. it means that YOU have to feed her every single time. Starting with week one, she got a couple bottles of formula a week ( she actually got a1 ounce of formula a day for days 3, 4, and 5 so she would gain weight…….for med reasons) and then i kept it up randomly so i wouldnt go through all the horrible trouble that i heard about from others.
you want her to take formula in case of emergency. you want her to take a bottle from you and from everyone else. and you want to be able to sleep in the night and have brian get up and feed her! lol.
and baby wise did nothing for me…. and if you go out… public feedings are almost a must. i favored the front seat of my car with a blanket over the window.
i really liked ” healthy sleep habits, happy child” and i let 2 freinds borrow it and they both loved it. that works on naps and sleeping through the night.
wow- this comment is long, i should have sent an email.
also- dont let anyone try to tell you how one is so much better than the other….its is up to you. and dont let them try to make you feel bad if it doesnt work out and you dont breastfed for 12 stinking months. ( i would never breastfed that long… your kid willl be huge , and like walking by then… way to long for me)
……enough said!
Okay…so you might have already seen this at your OB office, but if not, the following link will take you to 101 reasons to breastfeed
http://www.promom.org/101/
Anyway…I’m not a nursing nazi or anything…but it certainly has worked wonderfully for our first three children and I would like to be able to do it again for our fourth. I think because we have had such great experiences with it is why I am such a huge advocate of it…but yuor own circumstances and experiences will help you guys decide what is best for you (and your baby).
Oh…and I agree with Nicole C…”Babywise” was a great help for me in trying to establish good eating and sleeping patterns for our children…especially with our first one…when we certainly did not have any idea what we were doing!
Well Libby you seem to be getting a lot of feedback on breastfeeding! Just remember, it doesn’t come naturally to every baby…. not mine at least. It may be difficult at first. I breatsfed Ella for 4 weeks and she never really learned how to latch on right. I ended up with a really serious infection and was bleeding when she nursed. I had to stop and felt horrible about, like I was failing as a mother…not the best feeling. So, while everyone else has beautiful stories of bonding and success, my story is of pain and misery. Just keep in mind that it may not turn out the way you have planned.
You look beautiful by the way!
Jo – Thanks! I have heard that it doesn’t always work out. I am not getting my heart set on it just in case, and I know there are healthy happy babies out there who weren’t breastfed. So I will roll with the punches and see what baby’s got planned! Thanks for the tip.