[nitefallenstar13]

ive heard breast feeding is the healthiest thing for babies in so many ways...i want to do it but i have concerns....like pain and if it deforms the nipples...ive heard so many different things...is it possible to breast feed and bottle feed...i have a thing about whipping my boob out in public...im very private about my body!!!

[angelic_ky]

well my nipples still look the same and i've been BF for 20 months now... you can bottle feed if you wish but give some time to establish bf first (a few weeks at least), ideally you would want to give expressed milk but i guess you could use formula... BF shouldn't hurt, if you are experiencing pain something is wrong like incorrect latch, thrush etc

[mcmama]

It hurts at first, but that goes away within the first few weeks. For that matter, EVERYTHING hurts at first, so this is not any different. Once the baby latches on and the milk gets flowing, you may experience tenderness at first. But actually - once you get going - it feels good to both mother and baby.

I'll let the experts weigh in on breast and bottle together, but at the beginning if you "supplement" with formula and "try" breastfeeding , my experience is that you don't build up enough of a supply and it actually makes breastfeeding more difficult.

Go to your local la leche league for accurate information on breastfeeding, and to find a lactation consultant who can work with you before and after the baby is born. Don't rely on nurses in hospitals for breastfeeding advice, my experience is that they like to push formula and don't really know as much about breastfeeding as they think they do. If the hospital gives you a lactation consultant, make sure they are certified with la leche league.

Once you get it started, breast is much easier than bottle. And you can nurse discreetly in public when necessary. You never run out, no mixing, no bottles to sterilize. And you can't beat the cost.

You posted in another thread that you are still in your first trimester, so you have time to prepare. Good for you to ask questions early!

[purelegance]

the only thing that changed in my nipples is the color when she was a newborn. it should never hurt, even with sensitive nipples. as for public feedings, i was the same way. but we were never far from a fitting room or the car. a lot of women use slings and wraps and you would never know the difference, and i used them at home when we had guests, but when we were out, fitting rooms were just more comfortable.

[Kimmama]

I have a nursing wrap and it is the best thing ever. I can even walk around the grocery store feeding my son and no one knows the difference. People think he's sleeping. Once you get really good at breastfeeding, though, you don't even need a cover. One time I was sitting with a group of friends, and they didn't realize I was feeding my son until I started burping him. If you layer shirts and you wear a nursing bra, it's possible to only expose enough nipple for your little one to latch on, and then your clothes or your baby are covering the rest of you. No flashing involved!! Breastfeeding is definitely worth the pain and trouble of those first 2 weeks. Stick it out and you'll be glad you did!

[oweirdo]

I used my sling with Cristi, at church, the store, even a teacher meetings. i always wore a little white light cami under my shirt, it pulled down at the top, and stayed over the tummy i have more of a problem with my tummy sticking out than a boob. I had a few people tell me my shirt was caught up in the sling, i would thank them and keep on feeding.
With the others I used a light blanket or a nursing shaw. I would rather yank a boob out in public than sit in a bathroom and feed the baby, that really hurts the back.
A good cover up or sling and under shirt and you are fully covered and no one ever had to know the baby is eating and not sleeping. Good luck with the pregnancy and bfing!

[Samual]

My sister used to pump for when she was in public as to not expose herself.

[oweirdo]

having done both in public, i would much rather just nurse! Pumping, is loud, takes longer to get it all settled and then you have to worry about storing it. I hated pumping in public with a passion, i really tried to never have to do it

[Samual]

She didn't pump in public, otherwise she would still have to expose herself.

[letschildproofdotcom]

I agree, it can be painful at times, but the benefits far outweigh the minor inconveniences.