Succeed when you breastfeed

I think one of the most important steps to breastfeeding occurs before the baby even arrives.  I think the very first step is a mental one.  If you go into it unprepared and undecided then you are likely to fail.  If you have the attitude that I’ll give it a try and see how it goes and if it doesn’t go well then I’ll just quit, that’s probably what will happen.  (That’s the problem with many marriages in our world too, but that’s another blog another day).  The key to breastfeeding is Determination!  You’ve got to have the mindset that I’m going to nurse this baby if it kills me!  This is do or die and we are going to do!

Now as I said in the introduction, I don’t think that you are going to ruin your baby for the rest of its life if you use formula!  I think that is absolutely absurd.  There is research out there that breast milk is the best for your baby, but I know that there are instances where breastfeeding at least exclusively is not possible.  If you are in that situation don’t feel guilty or defeated, just breastfeed as much as possible and love on that baby all you can!  If you are unable to breastfeed your baby you are not a bad mom!!!

Now, that being said, the purpose of this blog is for women who do have the desire to nurse their baby and that will of course be the focus of the topics.  So, if you are still pregnant your first step is to get educated.  Take a breastfeeding class and if possible drag dad to it too.  He needs to know as well.  Most hospitals offer them for a reasonable price, just check your local hospitals web sites.  Read books and take their advice, but also follow your instinct.  If the advice sounds crazy to you then don’t use it!  This is your baby and you are the best person in the world to take care of it.  Not some PhD 900 miles away.  Talk to other mothers.  I know the topic can be a bit embarrassing.  It’s not exactly easy to walk up to an experienced mom and say “teach me how to use my boobs!”  (I’m not shy about this!)  But don’t worry about it.  I can almost promise you that they will be more than willing to impart some of their wisdom to you and will be glad that you thought of them to teach you!

Best of luck to you as you start this amazing journey!  There will be ups and downs and I hope that I can help guide you through them.  Check back for my next post – Remember You’re BOTH New to This!

Welcome to ‘Succeed When You Breastfeed’!  This site is not intended to push breastfeeding over formula.  I don’t really believe that your kid will be stupid or obese or anything like that if you choose not to breastfeed them.  I do think that breastfeeding is a wonderful thing for those who are able to do it.  My desire is to give you the best possible start to your breastfeeding journey and to go along with you hopefully answering your questions and giving you insights that will help you succeed.

Breastfeeding is not always a glamorous thing like some would make it out to be.  I don’t want you to be sideswiped with something and say “they didn’t warn me about that!”  I want to talk about how to get started.  About pumping.  About sex.  I want to empower you with the knowledge before hand so you can be prepared to take action!  I welcome comments and questions and will try to the best of my ability to be there for you as you take on this fabulous journey!