Quoting Kadences Proud Momma:“ Yes, your nipple do get dry and crack...mine started to bleed too. I supplemented one night so I could ... [snip!] ... now..(sorry a little sleep deprived..lol.)...anyways keep putting it on after ever feeding..and before and after showering. ”

I agree. I never had cracked nipples and I think it's because I put a little bit of Lansinoh cream on after every feeding to keep my nipples from getting dry.

Quoting Amanda Neil's mommy:“ I b/f my guy until my supply went way down when I got preggers with #2 ( he was about 10m) I had a rough ... [snip!] ... benifits are much better for baby and for you! Hope you give it a shot at least... PM anytime you've got b/f questions  ”

So true! You don't have to wash, boil, make the bottles, or spend money on formula. It's just there whenever you need it! Tawk about Convenient!

I didn't breastfeed my first two children because I was young and my (ex) mother in law was always right there saying awful things to me like "What the baby doesn't like it?" The baby was doing just fine, but I was too young and insecure to take her abusive comments. Sad... Breastfeeding is one of the most amazing experiences a mother can have!

Quoting *Mrs.Hamman*:“ I agree. I never had cracked nipples and I think it's because I put a little bit of Lansinoh cream on after every feeding to keep my nipples from getting dry.”

yeh thats what its called. lol.

I want to breastfeed because of so many of the benefits for her and me. My SIL ended up with infected ducts and whatnot, and that's the part that scares me. I've heard not to put the nipple cream right ON the nipple, but all around it, so it wont clog any ducts.

For the longest time I was nervous about it because my brother and I were both supposedly allergic to my mom's milk. I talked to the lactation consultant at the class and she said babies cannot be allergic to their mother's milk (which I had a feeling, she just confirmed). Then I told her that my mother was a smoker and I had always kind of wondered if that had anything to do with it, and she said it was very possible.

Im planning to....my mom said she tried with my sister and I but it only last a few weeks because she couldnt handle the hormones....she didnt even try with the younger two sisters.

My grandpa said something about if you breastfeed the whole time your safe from breast cancer or something....he had read it in some medical magazine or something, i dont know how true it is

Quoting KristyRose:“ I want to breastfeed because of so many of the benefits for her and me. My SIL ended up with infected ... [snip!] ... my mother was a smoker and I had always kind of wondered if that had anything to do with it, and she said it was very possible.”

The cream won't clog a duct.. I had one once, and pumped frequently (since dd was in the NICU) to unclog it.. if you can't get it unclogged it can become infected, but can be treated..

Babies are sometimes sensative to things their mama eats, dairy being the most common.. but that can be remedied by doing an elimination diet.

Quoting TaraBanana- 52 days to go:“ Im planning to....my mom said she tried with my sister and I but it only last a few weeks because she ... [snip!] ... your safe from breast cancer or something....he had read it in some medical magazine or something, i dont know how true it is”

Breastfeeding has been shown to reduce the risks of breast and ovarian cancer. They attribute it to a gradual decrease in hormones ("natural")instead of an instant shutoff. This is in part why abortion and hormone shots to stop breastmilk (which they don't do anymore) are attributed to increased risks of these types of cancers.

I plan on breastfeeding. I heard many women stop because of the demand and pain in the first weeks. But I feel if you can get through labor then you can get through pretty much anything. Lol

My son is 13.5 months old and I still nurse him, although obviously not full time since he's old enough to eat table food. I'm being totally honest when I say that I absolutely hated the first 5 to 6 weeks of breastfeeding. My son had a terrible latch and just gnawed on my nipples. I spent nearly every nursing session in tears and vowed to quit...but I just couldn't bring myself to do it, and I am so happy that I didn't! Once he finally developed a good latch, we were set. I took him everywhere - camping, hiking, boating, you name it - and never had to worry about formula or a bottle. The only bummer we had was that I had to pump at work every day for a year so that he had milk for the sitter's house. Still, the experience was well worth it. We are so bonded...I don't think he would be the cuddly, loving boy he is today had we not nursed.
Anyway...that's my experience.  

Is it true that the sooner after birth that you breastfeed the baby, the easier it is to get them to latch on?

I have breastfed all of my children and 2 of the 3 have self weaned at an older age and the other is still going strong.
My biggest advice is to attend a Le Leche League meeting locally and in our group, we *love* to meet first time (or even 2nd, 3rd etc) pregnant mothers who are wanting to learn more about breastfeeding. Pregnancy is the *best time* to research breastfeeding and get in real life support for after the baby is born. (I always equate it to learning to drive a car...doing your "book work" first so that when the car is actually there and you get into it your know somewhat what to do even if it may have a bit of a learning curve to it ) It is so nice to be around people who are trained in everything involving breastfeeding (I am actually training to be a leader now) and I find my leaders to be more supportive/knowledgable in everything involving bfing because most of them are either in the middle of doing it at that time, or, have been doing it for years.
Anyways, google search for your local Le Leache League meeting. Their meetings are very informal (children are allowed, at ours there are usually a bunch that run around and play while we talk) and lots of learning happens there too. So honestly, get hooked up with LLL as soon as possible to learn as much as you can now, plus its nice to go to a meeting with other mamas who have babies around the same age as yours so you can talk about what is happening now with the babies etc.

Quoting KristyRose:“ I went to a breastfeeding class, and the nurse said that 75% of new moms are starting out breastfeeding ... [snip!] ... Did it suck, or did you stick it out? I am planning on breastfeeding but I have inverted nipples, so we'll see how it goes.”

I breastfed my daughter for 15 months. I probably would have gone longer, but I found out when she was about 14 months that I was pregnant again. Breastfeeding sucks in the first month for a first baby (I don't know yet about a second...fingers crossed it doesn't), but even though it hurts, keep doing it! It was the best decision I ever made. I can't wait to start nursing my new baby...I miss it so much!!!

Quoting JEM79:“ I have breastfed all of my children and 2 of the 3 have self weaned at an older age and the other is ... [snip!] ... with other mamas who have babies around the same age as yours so you can talk about what is happening now with the babies etc.”

Maybe you can answer a question for me since you've nursed more than one. Does it hurt with 2nd (or subsequent) babies like it does with the first. The first month or so with my daughter was awefully painful, but when it stopped I nursed her for 15 months. I just want to know if I should expect the same pain with this baby.

I was really into wanting to exclusively breastfeed when I had my son. Unfortunately, while I produced a ridiculous amount of milk and he had no problems latching on correctly, he was what they called a "lazy sucker". He lost 2 lbs. in his first week after birth because he just couldn't get the hang of sucking hard enough. It was terrifying! He was able to suck successfully on a bottle (it's a much easier way for a baby to feed) so I ended up going that route. Pumping did not work out for me as I was trying to pump exclusively with a manual pump (and I have Raynauld's Phenomenon and at that time had undiagnosed bilatera ulnar nerve palsy which made pumping manually excruciatingly painful and difficult) because everyone I was surrounded by (including my now ex-husband) were uber-hippies, seriously crunchy people who believed I should only be feeding the baby at my breast and even by pumping I was doing the wrong thing. Eventually I just gave up and went to formula exclusively and basically just suffered through feeling like a failure for a very long time.

I've now made total peace with it as I really do not believe it matters how you feed your baby as long as you love them and make sure they are getting enough to eat. My son has never suffered at all from being formula fed. He is extremely smart (I know I'm biased but others have said it too- lol) and sweet and wonderful and healthy. With this baby, I plan on doing whatever works best for the baby and for me. I have the total support of my fiance and family and friends this time. I'm going to try to breastfeed but if it doesn't work out quickly, before the baby loses weight or gets sick, I will go to formula and be totally happy and fine about it.

Quoting snugglymama:“ I was really into wanting to exclusively breastfeed when I had my son. Unfortunately, while I produced ... [snip!] ... work out quickly, before the baby loses weight or gets sick, I will go to formula and be totally happy and fine about it.”

I agree with you. Although I enjoyed breastfeeding, I know it's not the same for all mothers. There's nothing wrong with formula (and Kelsie had formula occasionally if we needed an all day sitter...that was way too much pumping for me...lol.) As long as the baby is healthy and both mom and baby are happy. I would have done the same thing you did if I had of been in that position. Good luck with this one!