To breastfeed or not??

by Reina

I am a young, FTM and I didnt know whether I wanted to breastfeed or not, so i asked around and did some research. To me breasts were more of a "toy" than a "feeding tool" so the thought of doing it seemed awkward. I also thought it would be very painful due to people telling me their own stories and what not. Overall, I was not excited about breastfeeding and was planning on NOT doing it. I was thinking maybe I could just pump and supplement formula. After my "research" I realized that supplementing is not best for my baby and I have now decided to breastfeed exclusively, if possible, and only make bottles so my husband can get some bonding in too.

What did I find that made me changed my mind? Let me tell you....

1. Breastmilk is made just for YOUR baby and has everything they will need to be healthy.
2. Baby is less likely to be colicky and less likely to spit up as much if breastfed.
3. Have you seen the prices of formula?!!! and it is a guessing game matching a good formula to your babies needs & sensitive belly.
4. Less smelly diapers if breastfed
5. Breastfeeding helps your uterus contract back to its normal size
6. Breastfeeding delays the start of your period, sometimes for up to a year :)
7. Breastfeeding helps you get back to your prepregnancy wieght faster!!(need i say more)
8. lastly...bonding with your baby <3

I also learned that breastfeeding should not be painful. If you experience pain then something is wrong and you should get some help from a lactation specialist or your doc. I am confident in my abilities to breastfeed and so much more now that I have taken the time to educate myself.

Note from Liz RN, IBCLC:
Dad's can bond just fine without bottle feeding. This is HUGE misconception. I must address that one comment. My husband never fed our daughters and he bonded just fine.
Also, reading and educating yourself is very important but just as important is taking a prenatal breastfeeding class. You will learn alot from a qualified instructor. Take your knowledge one step further and you are that much closer to success. All that is left is you just being stubborn and doing it no matter what.

Your samples will be on the way this week, thanks for your contribution!