Hooray For Boobies - A Breastfeeding Meme

I was tagged by the lovely and fellow SW Mummy blogger Carolin  from MummyAlarm in a meme about breast feeding. I did breast feed BUT this isn't an all singing and all dancing post designed to put people who didn't off from reading it. I too found it hard and didn't think I was going to manage it successfully. 

1. Why did you choose boob over bottle?

Jenson

For me I never contemplated using a bottle, I always wanted to try breast feeding and I don't even remember deciding. I think I just 'knew' it was for me and what I wanted to do for my baby. Having seen friends around me unable to successfully achieve breast feeding I was aware that I might not be able to when it came down to it BUT I was determined to try. I know that my mum breast fed my brother and I and my nan did her and my uncle so maybe thats why subconsciously I wanted to?

Personally, I feel that it is the best start you can give your baby IF you are able to do it of course as I am fully aware that it is not achievable for everyone.

2. How long did you breastfeed or are you planning to breastfeed?

I never gave myself a target with either Burton or Jenson, I just decided to take each day, week or month as it passed. As it happens they both ended their breast feeding journeys with me at near enough the same age! Around 9 months and they both weaned themselves off me which I feel was the best way for it to stop. My breasts will never feed another baby now - its kind of weird writing that down but at the same time its nice to have them back and in nice pretty bras again!

3. What is the best thing about breastfeeding?

Burton

Knowing that I am providing all the goodness and nutrients both my babies needed  to  allow them to grow and develop during the first 5-6 months of their little lives. I actually find the way my boobs can (well, did!)  produce milk amazing; how my baby can make me produce more milk whenever a growth spurt occurred. I loved how my boobs and my baby were so in-tune with one another. 

The other thing I love about breast feeding (well again, I did!) is the bond and the closeness you get with your baby. I am not saying that mums who bottle feed don't get this either - because every mother forms a special and unique bond with their baby. However, once successful latch on has been established and as long as your nipples are not sore, feeling your baby's mouth on your breast is such a wonderful feeling and experience. Unless you have breastfed I don't think you can explain how it feels. 

I found it to be such a positive and fulfilling experience and I feel extremely privileged and lucky to have breastfed twice.  

4. Did you have to overcome challenges on your breastfeeding journey?

Jenson's 1st latch on

Yes! I found it very hard to achieve successful latch on with Burton. I was only in hospital for 12 hours after he was born and I wasn't allowed to leave until successful latch on had been established. Well I was so keen to get out and get home and allow my family to meet him, that I may have told a little white lie and told the hospital staff that it had happened. So of course I arrived home and an hour later Burton is screaming for his milk and I have family downstairs and I cannot get him to latch on. He is screaming louder and louder, I am tired and getting hot and bothered and a bit teary, which of course he is picking up on and which is making him more irritable. I ended up sending Jon out to buy some formula milk  because I was panicking that I couldn't breast feed him and Jon gave him a bottle of it and I don't think he actually took very much. 
Thats the one and only time formula milk was fed to him because thankfully Jon's mum came to the rescue and showed me how to get Burton to latch on and at last he got his feed!
However, after she left I still couldn't do it very well and bless her but she came out and saw me everyday for the first week and helped me to get Burton to latch on. I have to say if it hadn't been for her (and Emma, my SIL if I were married) I don't know if I would have been able to continue breast feeding because it was so hard. 
Thankfully, breastfeeding Jenson was so much easier even though I remember worrying that I would forget how to do it once  my baby was born. Maybe its because I was more relaxed the second time round  or Jenson was a better feeder I have no idea - but it was better.

5. Who supported you the most with breastfeeding?

As I mentioned above it was my OH's Mum who was amazing and such a BIG help and Emma was too - I think it definitely helps if you have support because it can be so stressful.

6. How did you feel when you first breastfed in public?

Burton

Uncomfortable! I didn't like doing it because I would get all hot and bothered! If I was ever out in town and knew it was getting near feeding time I would hurry home. If I ever did have to feed him while I was out and about then I would go and hide myself away in a  disabled toilet in my local M & S!! Awful really as I would have to sit on the actual toilet (fully dressed of course -  but they never have seats!) for about 20 minutes while people would try the door handle! 
There is a coffee shop in town which openly welcomes breast feeding mums and I know you are allowed to breast feed in public but I never had the confidence to do it alone. 

7. Have you been questioned for breastfeeding?

No because I would always do it away from people!

8. Has breastfeeding made you feel different about your body?

Well if I am honest, before I breast fed my nipples were very sensitive and I enjoyed this fact when I was intimate with my boyfriend (s), but now they are de-sensitised. Also, I would not have felt comfortable having sex whilst still breast feeding because to me that would have seemed weird because while I was feeding my boys, my boobs were not for any other purpose than producing milk and not as 'fun bags' !!  

9. What do you wish you had known before making the decision to breastfeed your baby?
How hard it was being to be and that Mothercare has a room for changing and feeding your baby!

Now I am going to tag


Lauren from TheRealHouswifeOfSuffolkCounty
Lindsey from DoSnailsNeedDoulas
Emma from MummyMusings


If any other breast feeders reading this would like to join in then please do and remember to link back up to Carolin by clicking on the above badge.