So I am really thinking about breastfeeding my baby (who is due 7/4/08). I wanted to know if you other great moms used classes, or just did it? Did anyone have problems? Any advice is welcome, and thank you in advance. I know this gets a little personal, but I think its an important topic.
Oh by the way, my daughter will be 2 1/2 by the time the baby is born! Is it harder to do with a toddler?
My husband and I took a breastfeeding class at the hospital. I went to Wadsworth hospital and they offer free classes to anyone. The lactation consultant was great! It was nice for my husband to go through it to so that when I got frustrated he could encourage me. The first month can be rough till you both get the hang of it, but don't give up!
Most hospitals have lactation nurses who work closely with you while you are there. When I delivered I received excellent information on the intricacies of breastfeeding such as how to hold the baby, how to get him/her to latch on, how often to breastfeed, etc. The lactation nurses also gave me their phone number so I could call once I got home if I had any questions or problems. However, I don't know if all hospitals offer this service to such an extent. I think feeling informed about what to do and how to do it is a huge element of successful breastfeeding so if you are feeling inclined to take a class, go for it! Good luck. I found breastfeeding to be a wonderful experience.
HI A.
I used my local La Leche League support group. I wish I had them for my first daughter. Then after ward they helped me with a low weight son. They both stopped nursing around 8 months. Mind you I foudn them after my son was like 4 months old.
Well I still going when I found out I was pregnant with my youngest daughter. Turned out that they helped me so much. My daughter nursed till she was 18 months old.
I think breastfeeding is the perfect and only way to go. I know that there are people out in the world who will disagree with me. I can speak from experience though, that I have two very healthy children who thrived from breastfeeding. My son nursed until he was 11 months old and I then got pregnant with my daughter. He weaned at that point. My daughter nursed until she was 14 months old and we were both upset when she weaned.
I have to say though, with my son...there were no problems to start. With my daughter (thankfully she was the second child) we had problems the first two months of her life. She had a high palate and it caused her to have problems during nursing. We had thrush etc. but, when she finally learned how to properly nurse for her condition -- everything was smooth sailing at that point!
If you ever want to talk, please let me know. I live in Green. Don't listen to people who give you stories like "I didn't have enough milk to sustain my child" or "I just couldn't" -- just think... those poor babies would have DIED if they would have given those excuses hundreds of years ago. Breastfeeding is natural, and the only way to properly feed your child.
Thanks,
S.
