Discovery Home & Health

hello,
i'm 20 weeks and i hope to be able to breastfeed when the baby arrives. I dont really go on about this alot cos I dont want to be talking about the baby all the time. However, it has come up in a few conversations lately and people are just making me feel stupid. They say things like, "what would you want to do that for?" or "you'll never get a break" etc. Others go all defensive and say "Whats wrong with bottles?" blah blah blah , im sure you get the drift. its just im not sure how to handle this without offending anyone and i end up saying stuff like- it might'nt work out, and i'll see how it goes.....and then i feel bad for not saying what i really mean which is this is something i really want for me and my baby and i'm not doing it just to be a goody two shoes mother.
does any one else feel like this or been put down for wanting to breastfeed?????

hi there rachie im 28 wks pregnant with my third baby its another boy!I am only just turned 23 and i plan to breastfeed.When i had my first son Dylan i was only 19 and i wanted to breastfeed as everybody in my family has.I did feed him and found ot sooooo hard.I really struggled to feed him due to sore nipples and things but i carried on.I used to feel so abnormal sitting there feeding him when my friends came round with there babies on a bottle and them making comments like oh no id never do that.I felt like a freak and it ruined me breastfeeding by the time he was 3 weeks old i gave up.Then i fely guilty for putting him on a bottle and i had to put up with family embers saying i fed mine till they were at least 6 mths.When i had Tyler i fed him for just 5 weeks enough for him to have all the goodness and not so long so he would refuse a bottle but i also bought a breastpump so when people came over he was being bottle fed but with real breast milk.this time i plan to feed as long as i can and carry on using the breastpump for when we are out or have people come round.I know how hard it is when everyone has a comment but you just have to ignore them perhaps really they would like to of breastfed.Its up to you its your baby and your body and however you chose to feed it is your buisness.Dont not feed just because of peoples comments and you can always get a breastpump.I know theyre not very glamourous but i used to express milk at night on my own and then store it in the fridge for when we went out the next day.Goodluck with everything and congrats on your pregnancy do you know what your having??

hey Jayne ,
thanks for your reply!i know i propably sound like a right pain but the thought of using a breastpump makes me cringe- i dont even know why. but i certainly will try to use one after a few weeks to make things easier. I guess no matter what you do people will have something to say!!!
I dont have a clue what im having- my scan is not till sept 24 and dont think i'll find out. however i have a feeling its a boy!!!

just another question, did it make any difference combining bottle and breast? i read somewhere using bottles can confuse the sucking reflex of the baby???

HI again No it didnt!!!I think it made it easier for me for when i made the switch to bottles he took it whereas some peoples babies wont.The breast pump i had was advent and the bottles and pump is designed to feel like your feeding and the baby just takes it.It was really awkward at first but i had a really good midwife who helped until i knew how to do it.Im looking forward to feeding agin but im not if that makes sence.Its easier than having to sterilize all the bottles and things but it is hard at first and you do need to have patience i dont care what anyone says it takes practise.Once you know what your doing its easy but ive never fed any longer than 5 weeks as i personally like to get back to normal i know that might sound a bit selfish but i have these enormous boobs whilst feeding and hate maternity bras.Im glad i did feed them both as its not just good for them but its good for mum too.It made my stomach go down really fast and it helps you lose weight too.Hows your pregnancy going? Its so hot isnt it.I also wont really wear martenity wear unless its nice so ive been buying summer tops and things in bigger sizes.I dont mind maternity jeans i have loads but some stuff is so frumpy just because youre pregnant dosent mean we wanna wear flowery tents!!!!I hope i havent just offended you if you like the maternity wear if so im sorry.