How long did you breast feed for?

[addicted2chanel]

Well, obviously my DS isn't that old yet, but I've been BFing him exclusively. We started introducing him to baby food at a little over six months, and he's been eating it every two or so days. I'm trying to do it gradually. I am proud, and a little chuckled to say that I produce a lot of milk, hehe.
I do plan on breastfeeding him for a while though. I like the bonding

[ellacoach]

For 3 months he had breastmilk only (sometimes in a bottle if I had to run out or my parent's watched him) then when my son was 3 months I had to go back to work, and I couldn't seem to pump enough for all of his daily bottles, so he had a mixture of breastmilk and formula, and that went on until he was 10 months. At 10 months he had formula and then when he turned a year he switched to whole milk.

[kimberf]

Originally Posted by Lululapell

Actually, I think it is wonderful that you gave your little one the time that you did. Some moms don't. Any time BFing is better than nothing. You should be proud!

Don't get me wrong - I absolutely am proud of myself. I already bought myself a Prada fairy wristlet as a reward for making it past 6 months, since I never thought I would. I think I need something else as well! It was such a struggle for us.

But I think the major thing is that everyone has to find what works for her, and it's not always bf'ing. I was a basket case for the first six weeks trying to work it out and accept that in my case, I had to supplement. If I'd kept going like that, it would have been much better for my baby to have formula and a normal mom than breastmilk and a weeping, depressed mom. If you give it a good try and do what you can, you have to trust that the decision you make is what's right for you. It may not be the decision that other people make, but their circumstances are different. You may do it differently next time around yourself. Beating yourself up over it does no one any good.

[Lululapell]

Originally Posted by kimberf

Don't get me wrong - I absolutely am proud of myself. I already bought myself a Prada fairy wristlet as a reward for making it past 6 months, since I never thought I would. I think I need something else as well! It was such a struggle for us. But I think the major thing is that everyone has to find what works for her, and it's not always bf'ing. I was a basket case for the first six weeks trying to work it out and accept that in my case, I had to supplement. If I'd kept going like that, it would have been much better for my baby to have formula and a normal mom than breastmilk and a weeping, depressed mom. If you give it a good try and do what you can, you have to trust that the decision you make is what's right for you. It may not be the decision that other people make, but their circumstances are different. You may do it differently next time around yourself. Beating yourself up over it does no one any good.

I absolutely agree.
But.... I think that instead of just telling people right off the bat, "Oh, it's okay to give up", I would suggest alternatives as well. Like making sure you get the lactation consultant to come into your hospital room every day while you are there so she can help you with latching on and angles. We tend to forget (or at least I did) that BFing is an art, a learned art, and not something that comes naturally. Not sure why that is, but with all the moms I've dealt with, I have yet to have one that got it the first time and never had issues or questions.
The other big issue is lack of milk, or what we percieve as too little milk. I always recommend turkey and apple juice as a booster. As well as keeping up an ample supply of water. Oh, and I know I lived on Purple Thistle Teas pre-baby and then post. They helped with milk flow and general mindset. I always get a backet of these for expectant moms (and still use the Postpartum tea for me - my youngest is 6)
http://www.albuquerquehomebirth.com/TEA.html

[addicted2chanel]

Originally Posted by kimberf

Don't get me wrong - I absolutely am proud of myself. I already bought myself a Prada fairy wristlet as a reward for making it past 6 months, since I never thought I would. I think I need something else as well! It was such a struggle for us. But I think the major thing is that everyone has to find what works for her, and it's not always bf'ing. I was a basket case for the first six weeks trying to work it out and accept that in my case, I had to supplement. If I'd kept going like that, it would have been much better for my baby to have formula and a normal mom than breastmilk and a weeping, depressed mom. If you give it a good try and do what you can, you have to trust that the decision you make is what's right for you. It may not be the decision that other people make, but their circumstances are different. You may do it differently next time around yourself. Beating yourself up over it does no one any good.

Good for you! I'm still shopping for the perfect six month "present" haha.
Like said, any breast milk, is GREAT!!! No matter how much, or little!
I'm soo proud of all the Breastfeeding mamas here! It makes me feel so good about the choice I made for my DS. I'm very much proud of myself for getting past the initial struggle of figuring out bfing, and the stress! And I am even more proud of myself for sticking with it, especially this long!
And I am thankful for all the ladies here that gave me support when those around me didn't seem to enourage my decesion!

[Trystana]

Originally Posted by lanasyogamama

Thanks! Well done to all the BF mamas, no matter how long! I never planned on going that long, first goal was 4 mos, then 6 mos, then a year. Once she was a year she was so attached to it, I didn't want to force it until she was ready.

Same here!

My plan was 6 m exclusively and after that, as long as we both feel confortable with it.

What happened in reality, she BF (almost ) exclusively for 11 m ( and all her blood screens and health curves were excellent so i didn't make to much fuss about it )

As for weaning, it took us a bit longer () after a while, I chosed "don't offer-don't refuse" approach but she didn't wean herself till she was almost 4yo.

[galligator]

^^^ My youngest would probably have wanted to BF until High school if I had done the 'don't offer don't refuse'. It was literally his favorite thing...instead we added other types of comfort, more daddy time & cut back on 'public' toddler nursing (only at home, etc). Once he started liking other drinks that helped as well, but I was working a graveyard shift during that time & it was getting hard for me emotionally approaching the 3rd year (by that time, it was just his wake-up nurse & that was like breaking someone of their coffee habit - it just wasn't going to happen without intervention on my part.

[kicksarefortwids]

#1 -- 7 months and then he just stopped (i was grateful because it was very difficult)

#2 -- 12 months and then he stopped too because the bottle was faster. nursing #2 was a much more pleasant experience because i told myself that if i had the same experience i had with #1 (lack of supply, lots of breast infections and frustration), i would just stop and that would be ok. ironically, i had no problems with #2 (probably in part because i was much more relaxed).

[thatgurl]

I was only able to BF my DD for 2 months. She then started having latching issues (why, after 2 mos?)anyhow.....I then pumped for 2 months until we found a formula that was good for her tender tummy.

That tender tummy will be 11 years old at the end of this month!

[cecille therese]

I breastfed 100% for 4 months, then started feeding her cereal twice a day. At 5 months she graduated to the gerber baby food at 3 times a day. All the while I continued breastfeeding. As soon as she turned 9 months she refused the breast on her own. She started taking to her sippy cups and won't even take formula. Her Peds is on vacay till next week, so I can't ask about giving her milk until then. Any suggestions???

[galligator]

My oldest had trouble with cows milk. We tried goat milk, which she loved & didn't cause her the same stomach issues. It can help if you need to supplement & have a baby intolerant of cows milk or formula. I don't have any experience with soy though.

[kathypetersen]

I breastfed my twins for 1 year. I then had a third baby and breastfed him for a year. My goal was a year. I read after a year, the benefits start to decline. In other words, they are able to get their proper nutrients, etc from their foods.

[kimberf]

Originally Posted by cecille therese

I breastfed 100% for 4 months, then started feeding her cereal twice a day. At 5 months she graduated to the gerber baby food at 3 times a day. All the while I continued breastfeeding. As soon as she turned 9 months she refused the breast on her own. She started taking to her sippy cups and won't even take formula. Her Peds is on vacay till next week, so I can't ask about giving her milk until then. Any suggestions???

What if you put the formula in the sippy cup? Have you tried a few different formulas? She may prefer one to another. She may also have a preference between the ready-made liquid and the powdered that you mix. Similac Organic is supposed to be sweeter than some of the others, so it could be a good one to try. Good Start makes one with probiotics that the lactation consultants and doctors here recommend, and it's less smelly than a lot of the others.

My friend started introducing formula to her exclusively bf'ed baby by mixing it in the cereal (to not waste breastmilk if he didn't eat the cereal). He would take it there at first, but not on its own. Then once he got more used to it, after a few days, he was willing to do it in a bottle also.

I wouldn't start on cow's milk or goat's milk until you talk to your pediatrician. I've also heard that goat's milk may be better tolerated, but I would try several formulas first.

[Brasilian_Babe]

Don't feel guilty about not breastfeeding your son! Things happen and you need to do what's best for you and your family.

I only breastfed my son Tiago for 5 weeks. I ended up developing a uterine infection due to an open scar on my utero wall. Had to go on antibiotics for 10 days and wasn't allowed to breastfeed. By the time i could, my son refused to feed from my boobies. We have been quite lucky though... development wise my son has been pretty much on track, he thrived on formula and is loving his solids now, he only weighed about 2.75kg when he was born but is now almost 9kg and he has never been sick. Had a runny nose at one stage but that was pretty much it. I think he is as strong as his mummy and daddy

[Swanky Mama Of Three]

Originally Posted by cecille therese

I breastfed 100% for 4 months, then started feeding her cereal twice a day. At 5 months she graduated to the gerber baby food at 3 times a day. All the while I continued breastfeeding. As soon as she turned 9 months she refused the breast on her own. She started taking to her sippy cups and won't even take formula. Her Peds is on vacay till next week, so I can't ask about giving her milk until then. Any suggestions???

It's recommended that you not give milk until 12 months. I'd just keep trying . . . have you tried a bottle? A different formula?
Formula has a LOT more in it than cow's mik, she really needs it until a year.