https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 08 Aug 2026 00:04:18 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-rate-your-breastfeeding-experience/page/2#post-1111840 Wed, 25 Sep 2013 23:44:10 +0000 Corduroy 1111840@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I voted a 6. Right breast a 1; left breast a 9.</p> <p>Despite a tongue tie we had no issues on my right side. Some soreness the first few days but nothing major. LO never even lost weight even though the LC was certain she was unable to feed. LO proved them wrong and put on an ounce the first night. Six ounces by our two day appointment. </p> <p>My left nipple is inverted and I had a totally different experience with that one. The pain was worse than any single moment in childbirth. Kind of like someone deciding your innie belly button should be an outie and ripping it out of you. I cried every time I fed LO on that breast. I yelled at DH too - a lot. I tried several nipple shields and pumping with the SNS. A few weeks in I dropped to using it once per day so I had clogged ducts. At 10 weeks I gave up on that breast all together except when I pump for work. Now I know that I could have tried to prep my inverted nipple before birth.</p> <p>At 7 months we're still going strong on my right breast. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-rate-your-breastfeeding-experience/page/2#post-1111652 Wed, 25 Sep 2013 20:53:25 +0000 sarac 1111652@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>2. Actually doing it was the easiest thing ever, but she nursed for hours and hours at first. Still would (at 2 years!) if I let her. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-rate-your-breastfeeding-experience/page/2#post-1111488 Wed, 25 Sep 2013 19:29:18 +0000 Bao 1111488@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I voted 2. The hardest thing was the pain and getting her to get a wide enough latch. Overall though, it was easy and I'm glad I made it through the few rough days. Looking forward to breastfeeding again, I really enjoyed it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-rate-your-breastfeeding-experience/page/2#post-1111487 Wed, 25 Sep 2013 19:29:02 +0000 hellocupcake 1111487@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Too easy, so much that I don't know how to stop...I want to start weaning but I don't know where to start (: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-rate-your-breastfeeding-experience/page/2#post-1111473 Wed, 25 Sep 2013 19:25:45 +0000 hilsy85 1111473@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@grizz: thanks mama! As are you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-rate-your-breastfeeding-experience/page/2#post-1110683 Wed, 25 Sep 2013 15:07:53 +0000 Rainbow Sprinkles 1110683@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hmmm. Let's see. Breastfeeding was hard in the beginning, mostly because it was so incredibly painful and my nipples were bleeding and cracked. I had lots of clogged ducts and mastitis at my 6-week PP checkup. </p> <p>But over all, I think it was easy compared to some? I didn't have any supply issues, and although my LO dropped over a pound in the few days after she was born (from 7.13 to 6.10), I never even thought to supplement with formula. We just kept trucking along. I was confident she was getting enough because she had lots of wet diapers and I knew I had a TON of milk in there. She had a really slow growth pattern, but I never correlated it to breastfeeding.</p> <p>Soo.... all that considered, I would say it was a 4 or so?</p> <p>ETA: Oh, how can I forget the nipple shield. I used a nipple shield for almost 4 months! It was definitely a source of stress, but I think I used it long enough that by the time I was trying to wean, she was old enough and just figured it out on her own. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-rate-your-breastfeeding-experience/page/2#post-1110681 Wed, 25 Sep 2013 15:07:15 +0000 MrsStar 1110681@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I voted a 1. I was incredibly lucky because I went into it with the mindset that it will be the hardest thing I've ever done (besides giving birth) the only issues I had was the nipple tenderness the first few weeks and when my milk came in my boobs were like rocks. Since then we've made it to a year of breastfeeding without any issues eg. mastistis thrush etc so I've been super lucky! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-rate-your-breastfeeding-experience/page/2#post-1110612 Wed, 25 Sep 2013 14:47:33 +0000 mrskc 1110612@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I voted 1 since I had very minimal pain and have never got a clogged duct, mastitis, thrush, low supply. I've been really lucky. I will say that it was still very emotionally difficult for me in the beginning weeks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-rate-your-breastfeeding-experience/page/2#post-1110594 Wed, 25 Sep 2013 14:42:28 +0000 rawrasaur 1110594@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I voted 2. It has been so natural from the get go. Only one small bout of mastitis. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-rate-your-breastfeeding-experience/page/2#post-1110480 Wed, 25 Sep 2013 14:11:16 +0000 Mrs Hedgehog 1110480@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's not the hardest thing I've ever done but it isn't the easiest either. Latch issues early on, toe curling pain from sore cracked nipples, suction issues now. I have one side that is injured but I still have to feed her off it. It hurts but getting better. The other side, there is no pain so that's great! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-rate-your-breastfeeding-experience/page/2#post-1110390 Wed, 25 Sep 2013 13:38:37 +0000 banana 1110390@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I voted 8. It would have been 2 or 3 but I had mastitis TWICE and I had never ever felt that sick ever in my life. So that automatically bumped my vote up to 8. The first few months were hard because it hurt like crazy (the latching). But after that, it was fine. Both kids latched well and my milk came in pretty quickly. But the mastitis was KILLER. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-rate-your-breastfeeding-experience/page/2#post-1110381 Wed, 25 Sep 2013 13:36:39 +0000 Boheme 1110381@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I voted a 9 but that's not entirely accurate. The first 6 weeks? A 9. Tongue tie, lip tie, pedi fighting me about the lip tie, over-supply, engorgement, cluster feeding, weaning off the nipple shield, poor weight gain, reflux, reluctance to latch, mastitis, you name it. </p> <p>However - now its a breeze and has been since around 6-7 weeks! Seriously...The difficulty level is maybe a 1, because we still use the nipple shield sometimes. There is nothing I love more than snuggling my baby boy and nursing him. He smiles at me when he's done and I just melt! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-rate-your-breastfeeding-experience/page/2#post-1110375 Wed, 25 Sep 2013 13:33:36 +0000 Boheme 1110375@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hilsy85: You're a rock star! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-rate-your-breastfeeding-experience/page/2#post-1110334 Wed, 25 Sep 2013 13:19:36 +0000 SugarplumsMom 1110334@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would say it was a 9, but in all honesty, I can not imagine it to have been any worst, so I voted 10. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-rate-your-breastfeeding-experience/page/2#post-1110299 Wed, 25 Sep 2013 13:03:35 +0000 hilsy85 1110299@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. High Heels: aw thank you! :) I do feel pretty proud of myself for sticking with it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-rate-your-breastfeeding-experience/page/2#post-1110293 Wed, 25 Sep 2013 13:01:43 +0000 Silva 1110293@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's been really easy for us. I rated it a two because there have definitely been some moments of frustration, like when she was little and cluster feeding, or in the middle of the night when I wish my husband could put her back to sleep </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-rate-your-breastfeeding-experience#post-1110291 Wed, 25 Sep 2013 13:00:51 +0000 Mrs. High Heels 1110291@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hilsy85: that is inspiring... you were a 9, but are still at it at 11 months?! go mama! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-rate-your-breastfeeding-experience#post-1110285 Wed, 25 Sep 2013 12:59:57 +0000 hilsy85 1110285@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I voted a 9--dealing with tongue tie, mastitis, vasospasms, bleeding/scabs...I have never cried so much in my life as I did over breastfeeding. But at 11 months, we're still going strong. Emotionally, I would say I started to enjoy it a few months ago, and while I'm looking forward to dropping our # of sessions (we're still at 5-7), I"m definitely keeping at least 2 for several months after he turns 1. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-rate-your-breastfeeding-experience#post-1110275 Wed, 25 Sep 2013 12:56:44 +0000 chopsuey 1110275@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I lucked out both times and had really good experiences. No cracking/bleeding/thrush/mastitis. I got my first clogged duct a couple weeks ago, but it cleared up right away. </p> <p>I worried about supply as a FTM, but I really shouldn't have.<br /> I love nursing and it will be bittersweet when I wean DS! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-rate-your-breastfeeding-experience#post-1110244 Wed, 25 Sep 2013 12:47:51 +0000 Mrs. High Heels 1110244@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wish there was multiple voting because of my two kids, but both were relatively easy so I went with a 3.</p> <p>With DD, I had no issues at all except some engorgement and one plugged duct. She latched like a champ right out of the womb, and I never had pain... even gave away my tube of lanolin. </p> <p>With DS, we had some major oversupply issues that made nursing frustrating. He was also really squirmy from birth - it was not enjoyable at all those first 2 months even though we didn't really have any issues either. The oversupply issues were my fault since I started pumping so early on and told my body I needed more milk than the baby really needed. Got a huge stash from it though.</p> <p>Mentally and emotionally it is draining and stressful at times, just because I was always the one waking up for feedings, I preferred to nurse than pump so I'd always try to make it home before the next nursing session... and I had to watch what I ate because DD had dairy and soy intolerances. Also, it was annoying having to dress in nursing appropriate attire all the time. Sometimes I just wanted to wear what I wanted to wear without limitation. Oh well!</p> <p>I would say it got more enjoyable with both of them at the 4 month mark. They went longer between feedings, they got stronger and latching became second nature to them (they would latch on even in the pitch black dark just by sense - no more struggling to position them), and my supply evened out!</p> <p>At 6 months was when the love relationship with breastfeeding really began. With the introduction of solids, both my kids started going 4 hours between feedings, which made a world of a difference... and those quiet snuggle times with them are so nice - they're so plump and chubby, yet little in my arms... just calmly and happily nursing away. The way they look up at you in wide-eyed wonder... it's amazing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-rate-your-breastfeeding-experience#post-1110243 Wed, 25 Sep 2013 12:47:42 +0000 JoJoGirl 1110243@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I voted a 2. We had no issues whatsoever other than MSPI. It sucks being off dairy but you kind of get used to it? Pumping is the devil and i HATE HATE HATE being the only one who can feed LO in the middle of the night, but that's more of my choice, not "breastfeeding was hard", I think. Latch, supply, etc has always been easy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-rate-your-breastfeeding-experience#post-1110189 Wed, 25 Sep 2013 12:30:10 +0000 MarieJ 1110189@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I voted a 1. We've literally had no issues even though dd was 5 weeks early &amp; didn't get to actually nurse until she was 8 days old. I pumped until then &amp; she took to it like a champ. She's 10 months now and still no issues! I consider myself very lucky. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-rate-your-breastfeeding-experience#post-1110168 Wed, 25 Sep 2013 12:25:01 +0000 yerpie110 1110168@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I know I'm lucky. BF was a breeze. LO always had a great latch, my breasts/nippes were never even sore, and I had a great supply. A few clogged ducts and an oversupply were our biggest issues. I've loved the experience, but I do look forward to not pumping anymore! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-rate-your-breastfeeding-experience#post-1110165 Wed, 25 Sep 2013 12:24:48 +0000 lawbee11 1110165@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I voted a 3. Physically it's been very easy for us so far--my milk came in the day we went home from the hospital, minimal soreness, no problems with supply. But, I did a lot of research before I had her which really paid off and has contributed greatly to our breastfeeding relationship. </p> <p>Emotionally it is hard sometimes, though. Some days it's very exhausting being the only one that can feed her (especially in the middle of the night). At the same time it's so rewarding...she recently started looking up at me and smiling while she nurses and it just melts my heart. </p> <p>Overall it's been much better than I was expecting. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-rate-your-breastfeeding-experience#post-1110154 Wed, 25 Sep 2013 12:22:06 +0000 travellingbee 1110154@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>One of the hardest things I've ever done until week 7. Bad latch, baby list too much weight, clogged ducts, thrush, mastitis, you name it. Now, (6 months in) it is one of the easiest and most treasured things I've ever done. I looooove my special time with him. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-rate-your-breastfeeding-experience#post-1110148 Wed, 25 Sep 2013 12:20:34 +0000 Adira 1110148@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So I'm not sure how to vote... those first 6 weeks it was definitely the hardest thing I've ever done (10) AND the only issue we had was latching - I never had to deal with the hardship of thrush, matisis, tongue tie, lip tie, clogged ducts, etc. But it was still the hardest thing I, personally, have ever done and I almost quit. Looking back, and hearing about others' experiences, I know I probably had it relatively easy!</p> <p>After 6 weeks, it's probably a 2 - super easy now (although pumping's a pain). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-rate-your-breastfeeding-experience#post-1110124 Wed, 25 Sep 2013 12:10:45 +0000 Bookish 1110124@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The first 6 weeks - 8. It was miserable being hooked up to the baby all the time, I felt like a milk machine, and I felt like a failure because I couldn't get her to latch and had to use a nipple shield. </p> <p>6weeks - present: 2-3. It has gotten insanely easier. I don't mind the shield anymore, and other than growth spurts, her frequency has decreased. I hate pumping, but physically, I'm able to breastfeed pretty easily. I've been lucky. It was just those first 6 or so weeks that killed me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-rate-your-breastfeeding-experience#post-1110112 Wed, 25 Sep 2013 12:07:17 +0000 JamieLee 1110112@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I voted 8. We're in the thick of it right now. DS wouldn't latch for the first 5 weeks so I pumped and we had to give him formula. The. We had milk intolerance issues, so I'm off dairy. And now he's latching but it's horrible, toe curling, lip biting pain. And I am always worrying about my supply because he always wants to eat and never seems satisfied. Physically, emotionally, and mentally, it's so hard. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-rate-your-breastfeeding-experience#post-1110098 Wed, 25 Sep 2013 12:03:05 +0000 meredithNYC 1110098@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I voted 9, but actually feel like it was closer to 10. My milk took a long time to come in and my supply was dreadfully low. Those two factors plus PPD meant that I was not in a very good way at all. It was bad enough that even my lactation consultant said that I was doing everything I could (constant nursing and pumping, plus LO's latch was good) and that she would understand if I went to formula. After supplementing a while, I stopped breastfeeding around 12 weeks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-would-you-rate-your-breastfeeding-experience#post-1110093 Wed, 25 Sep 2013 12:00:32 +0000 lindseykaye 1110093@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Voted a 2. I could probably have voted a 1 but I did have some tearful nights in the first 2 weeks simply because she was eating so frequently that I was getting no sleep and I had one small blood blister on a nipple when she first came home due to letting her feed for a long time during one session with a bad latch.<br /> Otherwise, a total breeze. Never once had to supplement, no cracked or bleeding nipples, no pumping issues/supply issues on returning to work at 12 weeks (or now as we hit 10.5 months), no clogged ducts, no mastitis, AF didn't return until 9 months and hasn't shown up again, never had difficulty going from breast to bottle and back.<br /> I consider myself very, very lucky. </p>