Diaper free babies?

[lauralaylin]

Originally Posted by DeltAlum

Sorry for the double post, but it's really unfortunate that your FIL (I assume that means Father In Law? -- I can't keep up with all of this internet shorthand) pressured you. That's where a husband should come in and support whatever decision you make since the mother is in a highly emotional time. It's your decision and nobody elses -- especially parents and inlaws.

As for the pain, not all women experience a lot of pain after the initial start. There are a lot of factors involved. If there's a problem, get some help. If the problem goes on, make your own decision on what to do.

Please understand that I am a strong supporter of breastfeeding, and almost all women can do it. The percentage of babys who can't thrive on mother's milk is extremely small (exceptions are often for alergies), but for some it really doesn't work.

Yes that is Father in Law. I shouldn't have written that considering how annoyed people are lately about some mothers writing DD! My husband was great about it and would have been ok if I stopped, but I experienced a lot of PPD that was not expected, and we didn't realize it at first and didn't know how to treat it, etc. So basically our lives were a mess and it as easier to not bother with his father. And I do know his intentions were good.

I think a lot of the problem with breastfeeding is that it isn't easy for most women at first, no matter what many experts say. There's a huge learning curve, and a lot of it is learning as you go. My doctors gave me bad information which was why I developed mastitis the first time, and after having it twice, those milk ducts stopped working. But I was able to learn on my own how to prevent this from happening again, and although I came close twice more to getting sick, I was able to work around it. But much of what I read on the internet and was told was wrong, at least for me. Looking back, I wish the breastfeeding class I took actually taught me something instead of merely stressing the importance of breastfeeding. I'm not sure why I paid $75 to be convinced of something that I already knew I wanted to do.

I think it's best to be supportive of new mothers no matter what (assuming they aren't hurting their babies). Plenty of children grew up with formula and have done fine. I think there's plenty of other issues that are more important out there.