No im not pregnant but not doing anything after the wedding. So we may have a "cruise baby"..lol..

Anyways how did yall suceed at nursing? I know its not that simple. This will be technically my 2nd time so i hope it comesa tad easier. 1st was with QUinn and i only got to really nurse 2 times. The rest was pumping whichi i never got more than 2 ozs. It was enough to get him to 6 weeks . Once i hit 2 ozs it was down hill form there and Christmas and i gave up. No one was pro nursing/pumping to help me. I new it was best for QUinn since he was a micro preemie but i was looked at like i had 3 head when id ask about meds or any help.

Anywasy im pretty sure my sil has given up already at a week and a half. I dont want to do that . She wouldnt even nurse/pump when anyone was there not even in anothe room. I think im gonna maybe tell everyone to call and schedule a visit that 1st week or 2 or risk being told no at the door. I will most likely have had a section again and will need some help and what not but ill just choose the ones that im comfy around to help[ during that time if needed. I dont know how much ted wil be of help..lol.. I knwo I knwo its all wishful thing at this point but i want to suceed with it!

When the time comes A want to come visit???..lol.

I'm no help with pumping, though I praying that won't be a road block for you the next time around, but my best advice is just to 'keep your eye on the prize' so to speak. I sort of led myself to believe there was no other option because I didn't want to resort to that so easily, kwim? I was dead set on making it work this time and I think that's what it takes. Having a 'well I'm going to try' attitude is what sets you up for failure. Not saying that's you...just saying in general. I know I was like that with Madison and I feel that's why I didn't succeed.

With Ariel I didn't have any support, none of my family nursed (my mom was supportive but my extended family such as my grandma was just like "good luck with that, I couldn't do it" and my cousin thought it was "weird and gross") so that's what hindered me I think. I mean I did nurse her (mainly at naps and at night) until she was 2... but she got supplemented with formula around family and in hindsight, I wish I hadn't let that happen.

With Clarity, I had these girls here... with their awesome support and had my questions answered... I believe that's what helped me solely nurse her for nearly 2 years. She didn't get a drop of formula. The same with Emma girl.

Now I'm blessed.. I know there are girls that have supply issues, work, or other things that come up and I'm not saying supplementing with formula was a "bad" thing with Ariel.. but I did it for the wrong reasons... to make my family happy and more comfortable.

As far as nursing or pumping in front of other people.. no I wont do that... I'll go into another room. I tell them what I'm doing and if they have a problem with it, they can get over it. I just politely excuse myself and inform them I'm going to feed the baby, or I've even let them hold her while I go into another room to pump a bottle so they can be the ones to feed her. Honestly breastfeeding is really making a comeback and isn't as taboo as it used to be.

I also agree with Sarahloo... keep your eye on the prize. After Ariel I knew I wanted to soley breastfeed.. I knew it gave antibodies and was healthiest... and I wanted that for my babies. A lot of people think nursing is "lazy" but in all honesty it is a lot of work (not hard work, but work nonetheless). You have to be willing to watch what you eat and drink and be at baby's beacon call.

But it's sooo worth it.. and with great girls like these to answer questions, offer support, and praise your efforts... nursing isn't as overwhelming!

Good luck Anna.. hope you get your "cruise" baby!

I pumped soley for Ainsley...7 very long months! Nursing stressed me out because I felt pressured by others to do it (coworkers, other mothers, DH) and was extremely overwhelmed. I was too stressed to make it or let it work if you know what I mean, but I was still determined to give Ainsley breastmilk which is why I pumped. She had a little formula at the hospital and then not again until about 4 months.

That was the hard way though. This time, I had a different attitude, and unlike Frances and Sarah...it wasn't a keep an eye on the prize attitude. It was a whatever happens happens attitude. That worked much better for me b/c I ignored the pressure from others. I kept telling DH, if it works, it works. For me, not stressing about it all made it soooo much easier! Instead of worrying about it, it just came naturally for Amelia and I. I don't know how long we will go, probably not as long as some, but I know we've established ourselves and as long as we can survive me going back to work, we will be good for awhile.

Either way...as you can tell, a not so successful experience first time means absolutely nothing about how your second go around will be! My first and second tries have been as different as night and day!

LOL I would definitely come visit Anna. Just take everything one day at a time, you can do it. As the other girls said keep your eye on the prize. Limit company if you are uncomfortable pumping and nursing around them. Try to nurse the baby immediately after it is born. Babies are so alert right after they are born that if you can get them to nurse right away I found it to be so much easier. They make that connection right away and remember it. And of course come here and post any and all your questions, there are so many experienced nursers here that someone will always have an answer for your question.

I had a very rough time nursing with Jayden. I would pump and pump and get maybe 2oz. I saw a lactation nurse and it didnt help much. I also have inverted nipples although it doesnt look like it...LOL

I am praying it goes much longer and smoother with this one than the 5 weeks I lasted with Jayden.

Good luck and you have lots of support here when the time comes.

you can do it! I only made it a few weeks with my first, and wasn't producing enough because a moron ped kept telling me to supplement with formula, once I did that I didn't make enough and it was down from there.....

I was completely OCD the second time around asking 9 billion questions before and after because I had assumed it would come naturally the first time and it didn't. I was bound and determined it was happening the second time and drove everyone around me bonkers I think, but we made it 13 months or so and I miss it so much!

My best advice would be if you want to do it, then find how it will work for you, and we will be here to support you!

I didnt try at all with Austin, tried with Alisyn but didnt last through the first day I was home with her. With Erynn I was determined to do it, I talked to my sil who had nursed her babies and she gave me advice then had a great LC at the hospital who really helped me. When I came home any questions I had I was able to call my sil or the LC and they really helped me. One thing I didnt know then was WIC has lactation consultants(or at least around here they do) and with Ella they had a special breastfeeding day where they had people there to talk to if you had questions, they had prizes, everyone got a water bottle to keep since drinking water is so important and they did a breastfeeding walk type thing. It was very cool and I learned a lot there too. Good luck, I am sure you will do fine this time!!!

I agree with the other girls, keep the eye on the prize. I made it to 6 months with Payton and then had to start supplementing. I agree with A start nursing right away if possible