BlogFrog

I breastfed my 7 each for a year. The one thing I found that diminished my milk supply was trying to lose my pregnancy weight gain too soon. I learned to take the weight loss slow and it usually takes a full year to get it all off. 

I breastfed my 2nd and 4th children. I found it difficult with my 1st and didn't have any support so he was bottlefed. My 3rd was adopted as a toddler so she was also bottlefed.

I breastfed all 3 of my boys, about 3 yrs each, average. It was a great thing for us. If you are having trouble breastfeeding there are several support groups, one is LaLache League, a great group of educated nurses and Moms that love to help.

~Liz

I breastfed all of mine and I enjoyed that so much! It was so relaxing and really helped me to bond, lose pregnancy weight and it is so easy. No getting up to find food--just roll over:) I love all the newer items that make it even easier to nurse, with nursing tops & slings, etc. My babies were also always healthier than my sister's (she did not nurse). I did have a great supporter, though--my Mom worked with La Leche at some point & really helped when one of my children would not latch on for 2 days - if she had not been there I probably would have been scared the baby was hungry and given up. I always recommend having a nursing buddy when you have a new baby (many hospitals offer a nursing counselor)

La Leche League has a great website with helpful advice and frequently asked questions/problem solving. I used it a LOT when I had some trouble w/ my 7th not wanting to nurse well.

I have breastfed all 7 of mine, as well.  My first two were each nursed for less than a year, but the last 5 for over a year, and 3 of them for over 2 years.  It is healthier for them and much easier than dealing with bottles and formula.  I've got a nursling still, and I'm always thankful to be nursing when they are sick.  It means I sit and hold them and nurse a lot, but it's just what they need to get better.  They may not eat as much food, but they still nurse.  And when it's a stomach virus, I'm so thankful that I can continue to breastfeed since it's a clear liquid.

I've nursed all 4 boys until they decide to wean  Youngest is one month and as he's a comfort nurser I suspect he'll go for a while like most of his brothers did. (just shy of 3 years, 14 months and just shy of 4 years)

I love LLL as I had such great support, especially when my first had problems.  I love the organization so much that I became a LLL Leader.  However, I'm not active with a Group right now.

April ~ I agree that it is such a blessing to have a constant source of food and being able to nourish a sick little one.  Now, I can't say that nursing when mom's sick with a tummy bug is any fun (but at least I didn't 'share' the illness with my then nursling.)

I attempted to breast feed my first child, but had all sorts of problems. I didn't really enjoy it at all. I didn't even attempt my 2nd child.
I actually wrote a blog post a couple of weeks ago about this very subject, you can read my story here - Breast feeding is not for everyone

Oh, Kim--that sounds like the mastitis was horrible! I had a friend who dealt with that and it was upsetting...she had cabbage leaves everywhere and was so sore. I almost cried! (And, I'm sorry to say, I did not help much) You know, I think it can make a big difference if you have someone who is really trained to help--not to make you feel guilty, but who has a knowledge of how to overcome some of the nursing issues. I've also had friends who went through crazy trouble to try to pump and work and get the milk to the baby. I think it would be silly to say that nursing is easy for everyone...hey, I said that, didn't I?

Sorry. It can be difficult. And, no mom should feel guilty! Being a mom is complicated enough. I do say when it works it is lovely! And, many issues can be helped with the right person helping. If I was pregnant at the moment, I really would try to get in touch with someone I trusted as like a buddy to help with it--so If I started to have trouble from the beginning, someone could be there, with supports (besides Husband--my husband is great, but he had no idea how to get a baby to latch on:) I was lucky my mom had some training in problems with nursing--spoiled, I think now!

I found La Leche League to be an incredible support and resource.  My oldest actually could not latch on to nurse.  After 5 days of trying and being miserable (her and me) we started pumping.  I pumped bottles for her for 3 weeks.  She'd drink it and then I'd immediately stop and pump her a new one.  It was no fun in the middle of the night to feed her a bottle, and then stay up even longer to pump a new one.  But when I was ready to give up, my DH suggested I try to nurse her one more time.  I'm so glad he did, because she finally latched on!!