[KayloNillas]

I think if you're afraid of all this and especially the public thing maybe you could express and bottlefeed your milk. My aunt did this because the thought of a baby on her breast creeped her out.

[nechama]

it hurts only at first! but what realy helps is spread some vitamin E oil- it work like magic if you're breasts are wounded!! you can read HERE about it.

[KR258]

I use a website online to get nursing clothes that have hidden slits in it so you only expose what your baby latches on to. People don't even realize I am feeding and ask to see her face and I have to explain that she's eating and I'll show her off in a minute. I also have nursing covers for the clothes that don't work that way. I don't like pumping. Everyone is different though and the only way to really know what's best for you is to try it.

[swt1899]

I would talk to your Dr. for confirmation on all this. But it is good to get some advice from other moms. Like many of the other moms, I breast fed. I did it for 13 months before Robert decided to wean himself. I had never heard of deformation of nipples till I read your post. My doctor never mentioned it. Your breast will be different from before you were pregnant. I ask my Dr about this and it isn't breast feeding that makes you breast different, it's pregnancy. Your breasts swell as your pregnancy progresses. My nipples look the same as they did before.
I was a little afraid of BFing in public because my son had a tendancy to flail his arms and rip the blanket off. So I bought a wrap. The one I got was about $12 at babies r us. They have others that are prettier, but I wasn't willing to pay $30 for one. It really helped because Robert couldn't rip it off so I could nurse him where ever I was.

Now as far as pain. If it hurts you to nurse, baby isn't latched on right. I took a breastfeeding class before my son was born at the hospital. See if you can find a class. It may help ease some fears and answer some questions. Also my hospital had a nursing specialist on duty. She came in after Robert was born (I nursed him within 5 minutes of his birth to help get my body to start healing) and helped get him latched on... it was great. See if you can find a specialist. My sister gave up because she said it was too painful... her daughter was never latched on right. Now the only pain I felt with BFing is when I was engorged with milk. I got a breast pump to help ease pressure. I froze my milk and stored it in the deep freezer for when I wasn't there... my hubby could bottle feed my son. I bought the bottle that match the shape and texture of the breast. They are called Breast flow. I loved them. They have a 1st stage nipple for when they are little and then a 2nd stage nipple for when they are older. I really liked them and my son had no problem switching back and forth from breast to bottle. Try them out. I got mine from Babies R us. I then had to order the 2nd stage nipples from their website because the store we have here didn't have them. I used Lansinoh (sp?) breast cream for my nipples if they got a little chapped and their brand of bags (they are thicker and less chance for breaking). I also liked their nursing pads.

Hope our info helps. Again I would consult your Dr/midwife with your questions and the info you get here and decide for yourself. This is why I love Families.com. So many different perspectives to help us.

[Cryobanks]

Breast feeding is extremely beneficial for new-born babies. It gives the perfect balance of nutrients to babies. It is the perfect food for your child. Breast milk continues to supply an infant with antibodies, even after the milk thins out and colostrums disappear. These antibodies help protect from viruses and bacteria until your little boy or girl can make antibodies of their own.