Feeding Time!

I am breastfeeding Bailey and since I am going to stay home I really want to breastfeed her for at least 6 months hopefully 9. There are a lot of upsides and downsides to breastfeeding. I only got to breastfeed Aubrey for 3 months. I had to go back to school and work. I had to pump all the time and still couldn't produce enough to feed her, so we had to supplement with formula and eventually I wasn't producing anything. I also hated pumping all the time. Breast milk is a supply and demand kind of process. The less you feed or pump the less milk is produced. Breast milk is so healthy for your baby and has many benefits like helping with the immune system, helps fight obesity and many more. Of course there are always special cases that can refute all these benefits. I am pretty pro breastfeeding and hope all moms at least try it but I do understand not all mom's can and no one should feel pressured to do so. The more stressed out you are the harder it is to breastfeed. I mean breast milk is free food! Formula is so expensive, you can run out and if you have a hungry baby then you have some problems. Breastfeeding came so naturally both times. Of course my boobs were sore for like a week and breastfeed babies do eat more often than formula babies and that can be trying. I could not breastfeed in public with Aubrey, I was so shy and even wouldn't do it in front of friends and family. With Bailey I have been more brave maybe because I am older and more confident with myself. I have had to feed Bailey in public a few times and I am pretty sure I have flashed a few people. I am getting the hang of it. The more I do it, the more easy it comes. You have to find a good position, make sure your all covered and relax. Again if your stressed your baby can tell and feeding won't be as successful. I haven't seen anyone giving me bad looks but I am really not paying attention just trying not to flash the boob. No one has asked me to take it outside or anything and if they did I might have to get rude. As long as everything is covered, I don't see a problem with it so if you see me feeding my baby in public and don't like it, keep it to yourself! I do love the bond you get with your baby when you breastfeed. They say your baby feels more secure when you do and is less likely to have colic and sleep better. But of course that is all relative. Aubrey didn't sleep good until she was like a year old. Bailey has so far been a little better but only time will tell. I have been good about her sleeping in her cradle and not in the bed. I have done a lot more reading on breastfeeding this time than last and that is probably why I have more success with feeding this time. Babycenter.com is a great site and has some really good information. I think I check it everyday for information. They have tips from moms and experts. I suggest it for any mom. A positive and a negative for breastfeeding is that you are the sole provider of food for your baby. You always have food ready to go at any time and of course the bonding time. Breastfeeding does make it hard to get out with out the baby. Luckily I have a breast pump to help out. Breast pumps are awesome, you can pump a supply for use later, helps with engorgement and it can help produce more milk if you think you are not producing enough. That is also kind of a down fall, you never really know how much food your baby is getting. You just have to trust your instincts and keep tabs on your baby. Your baby will let you now when they are done or want more. Bailey gets really hungry at night which is good because it helps her sleep longer at night. Bailey always pulls away  when she is done. All babies of course are different, you really just need to feel your baby out, you will know what to do! I am not going to be one of those moms that breastfeeds for like 2 years or something odd like that. I don't think I could feed a kid that is bigger than my lap! Another draw back would be drinking alcohol. I am not a heavy drinker but I would like to let loose every once and in while. I mean I haven't had a drink in almost a year, I think I should be able to let loose everyonce in awhile. When you breastfeed you have to be cautious, only one drink a hour unless you pump a lot  and then maybe you can let loose! I plan on pumping a lot for my birthday so I can a few beverages! The reason you can't drink a lot  while breastfeeding is because what ever you eat and drink your baby gets the same thing. No one likes a drunk baby! But seriously you always have to be cautious when eating and drinking. With Aubrey I couldn't eat dairy because she would spit up a lot, so far with Bailey she does pretty good with everything. I really do enjoy breastfeeding my baby even tho I get stressed out sometimes and I very greatefull that I have been able to do so. I hope every mom at least gives it a chance! Love you guys and God Bless!