https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 24 Apr 2026 13:50:32 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-your-easy-breastfeeding-stories#post-2184955 Wed, 20 May 2015 20:16:53 +0000 Mrs. Champagne 2184955@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had the soreness for the first couple of weeks but that's it. My son was ebf until 1! I also pumped and he had a bottle once a day (helped my sanity that I could leave him when needed!) </p> <p>I found Jack Newman to be an amazingggggg resource with videos and tips. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-your-easy-breastfeeding-stories#post-2184954 Wed, 20 May 2015 20:15:02 +0000 catomd00 2184954@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just read this super interesting (and positive) story about breastfeeding beyond baby 1 and how our bodies remember and make it easier with subsequent babes...</p> <p><a href="http://evolutionaryparenting.com/epigenetics-and-breastfeeding/" rel="nofollow">http://evolutionaryparenting.com/epigenetics-and-breastfeeding/</a></p> <p>Oh and bf with my 1st was pretty natural and textbook. Not easy persay but we had minimal issues. I used small goals - first one week, then a month, thb make it to 6 weeks because that's when they say supply is established. I had some issues with forceful letdown around 6 weeks so my next goal was 12 weeks because that's when most issues would resolve by. 15 months later and we are still going strong! You can do it! But be gentle on yourself if it doesn't work out. I'm sure Bf with another LO at home will have it's own set of challenges that aren't there when it's just you and your first. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-your-easy-breastfeeding-stories#post-2184937 Wed, 20 May 2015 19:57:23 +0000 winniebee 2184937@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>BF my first son was super difficult. I was insanely stressed about his low birth weight and how he nursed quickly and eventually his reflux. It was not a pleasant experience. I switched to pumping at 6 weeks. </p> <p>BF LO2 has been easy. He was interested and a good nurser from day 1. He was also low birth weight but I tried to have faith that he would eat what he wanted and needed. I did not put pressure on myself to nurse through the first few months. Now, he spits up like crazy and it's really annoying but he does that on a bottle as well. We are now at 5.5 months and unless something crazy happens in the next few weeks we will make it to my goal of 6 mos. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-your-easy-breastfeeding-stories#post-2184931 Wed, 20 May 2015 19:50:39 +0000 jape14 2184931@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Breastfeeding went pretty well for me with DS. I did have mastitis during the first week (quickly resolved with antibiotics), but other than that, no major issues besides his reflux. I maybe had a slight oversupply, but in hindsight I think that was more the reflux than me. I didn't even really plan on breastfeeding at all but I have really enjoyed the experience so far! DS is 8.5 months and we're down to nursing morning/evening - I stopped pumping at work when he was 7.5 months old, he gets a combination of my freezer stash &amp; formula during the day, but nursing when we're together is still going great! Pumping was another thing I was terrified of but really wasn't that bad at all - I just needed more time/freedom in my work schedule and he takes formula/combo fine so I didn't stress about it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-your-easy-breastfeeding-stories#post-2184918 Wed, 20 May 2015 19:41:20 +0000 bisous 2184918@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Breastfeeding was very smooth for my DD and I. Couple bumps here and there (oversupply and mastitis), but ultimately, those bumps did not bug DD at all. She figured out to latch early on and was a champ up until 22 mos. :grin: </p> <p>Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-your-easy-breastfeeding-stories#post-2184907 Wed, 20 May 2015 19:32:25 +0000 Sapphiresun 2184907@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would say my breastfeeding journey was "relatively" easy. I had a bit of an issue at first because I broke my tailbone in labour, so I couldn't sit down comfortably for the first couple weeks, so I had to figure out how to nurse side lying or standing up right away. But I never had any irritation/soreness, latch or supply issues. I booked an appointment with a LC, and I think that was key, being shown how to do it pre-emptively rather than when things had already gotten distressing. But at the end of the day, I nursed for 14 months, with no supply issues, no chapped nipples, only one minor clog, and weaned slowly over the course of two months when LO stopped being super interested. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-your-easy-breastfeeding-stories#post-2184725 Wed, 20 May 2015 15:47:23 +0000 sarac 2184725@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Totally. My daughter was in the nicu for a week after a hard induction, and she wouldn't nurse. So I pumped and they bottle fed her, and we kept trying. I figured we'd have to keep working on it, but on day five of life, she just latched on and never looked back. We nursed until 28 months, and never had any pain or mastitis or anything like that. Sometimes it's just easy!</p> <p>I never want to brag about how easy I had it, but I do like to hear stories like this. I feel like the narrative is that breastfeeding is so hard, it hurts, it's awful. Well, not for everyone - by any means. If you search, you'll find another old thread where people posted their easy breastfeeding stories, and there was just a flood of them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-your-easy-breastfeeding-stories#post-2184714 Wed, 20 May 2015 15:32:23 +0000 Corduroy 2184714@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>BFing can go incredibly smoothly. Everything was textbook with my right breast, LO ate like a champ even with a tongue tie. She never lost weight and we made it to 15 months even with me WOH. For the vast majority of the time I was a one sided nurser. </p> <p>I'm 36 weeks with LO2 and had a phone consult with an LC this morning to try to prepare for any issues I might have with the one breast again. I bought a few things on amazon to help prepare myself and give it my best shot. However, this time if it doesn't work on the one side I am prepared to let it go and be much more relaxed about it. I realize now that just because I technically can nurse on both sides does not mean it is worth it for baby or for me. My comfort, sanity, and well being are important too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-your-easy-breastfeeding-stories#post-2184698 Wed, 20 May 2015 15:16:23 +0000 Meowkers 2184698@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Before having DD I was very scared about breastfeeding (and if we're being honest, kind of grossed out by it.) Once she was born however, we had a super smooth breastfeeding journey. </p> <p>She latched on from the first try. My milk came in on time and in good amount. I never had a cracked or sore nipple. Breastfeeding did not hurt and in fact was very emotionally enjoyable. We had one minor hiccup which was a clogged duct which caused me to run a fever and feel sick about 2 weeks after DD was born. That was resolved within a few days with massage and warm compress. </p> <p>Wishing you a similarly easy and fulfilling breastfeeding experience! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-your-easy-breastfeeding-stories#post-2184669 Wed, 20 May 2015 14:57:08 +0000 Torchwood 2184669@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thank you for starting this thread! Sometimes hanging out on boards like these can get discouraging, because usually people only talk about things that are difficult (looking for help/commiseration) so you don't hear the many success stories. I'm nervous about BFing, because it's something I really want to do, but it's great to hear from ladies who have been able to make a go of it without a ton of trouble! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-your-easy-breastfeeding-stories#post-2184647 Wed, 20 May 2015 14:35:26 +0000 dagret 2184647@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@2littlepumpkins: I nursed my son for 15 months, and am 3 months into Bfing my daughter. Both latched on like champs, no pain or issues ever, other than painful letdown. With my son i had a bit of an oversupply around 8 weeks but I figured it out. Hoping the rest of my breastfeeding relationship with my daughter goes smoothly too -- and good luck to you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-your-easy-breastfeeding-stories#post-2184641 Wed, 20 May 2015 14:28:30 +0000 Zbug 2184641@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>BFing was/is easy for us. LO latched immediately. I was only sore for a week or so. She comfort nursed a lot, but that's normal. It's really been a great experience for us. Now sleep is a different story... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-your-easy-breastfeeding-stories#post-2184629 Wed, 20 May 2015 14:12:27 +0000 PawPrints 2184629@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We struggled through some aggravating challenges but by the one-month mark things got a lot easier, and now at 6 weeks I would say things are smooth sailing. Does that count as the kind of story you want? :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-your-easy-breastfeeding-stories#post-2184626 Wed, 20 May 2015 14:09:11 +0000 Pirouette 2184626@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had a c section and LO latched immediately when i got into the recovery room, and my milk came in (like whoa WAY too much milk) the next day! other than engorgement from the excessive production at first, she latched like a champ and i never really needed lanolin or anything. That part was easy. Not everything was easy, but the actual breastfeeding came so naturally for us. That said, the nursing relationship has been complicated over time. and for me, weaning is a heck of a lot harder than nursing ever was :silly: </p> <p>I guess my advice would be not to read up too much on it, honestly, because EVERY nursing relationship is unique. Every mom's struggles are slightly different, because every baby's latch is different, and every woman's breasts are different, and babies are all different just generally. SO while i think it's great to try to mentally prepare yourself, you just kinda have to wing it on this one, and just try to relax and trust your body. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-your-easy-breastfeeding-stories#post-2184618 Wed, 20 May 2015 14:00:40 +0000 lovehoneybee 2184618@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We had a pretty much perfect experience. No cracked nipples or pain (except when I was engorged). No plugged ducts, supply issues, and his latch was perfect from the start. The hospital LC came and sat with us for a while, and the only advice she gave was how to wake him up a little bit if he was too sleepy to nurse. I nursed on demand for 15 months, and stopped because he got sick and couldn't latch, and I was past my goal so I wasn't pumping....I dried up. But my supply was low by then and he was only nursing 1-2 times overnight/early morning. </p> <p>I know how lucky we were, and I'm nervous that #2 is going to be hard! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-your-easy-breastfeeding-stories#post-2184612 Wed, 20 May 2015 13:57:38 +0000 lilteacherbee 2184612@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Breastfeeding was pretty easy for us and I'm actually scared it won't be so smooth with #2. We used a nipple shield because of flat nipples and ended up using it the entire time (I tried weaning from it and gave up since it didn't bother me). We went to 13 months when he self-weaned after I became pregnant again and he was just uninterested most of the time. I never had any pain or supply issues and I really hope this time will be just as easy! I was pleasantly surprised too, because I'd read so much and assumed it would be difficult, but I know we were super lucky in that aspect of the baby days! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-your-easy-breastfeeding-stories#post-2184596 Wed, 20 May 2015 13:49:09 +0000 yin 2184596@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was never able to get LO1 to latch and EP'ed for a year. It took about a month for my supply to catch up to his needs, and I ran into a lot of issues with clogs and mastitis. </p> <p>Knowing how difficult it was for me the first time around, I had my doubts and fears when LO2 was born. I really had no experience breastfeeding, and I felt like a beginner. I figured I would try, and if it didn't work out, I wouldn't beat myself up over it. Both LO2 and I caught on pretty early, and we made it to 18 months! I have no complaints, and I can honestly say it was pretty easy for us. The only issue we have is over his food allergies, and a few changes in my diet helped quite a bit. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-your-easy-breastfeeding-stories#post-2184582 Wed, 20 May 2015 13:40:08 +0000 mrsbubbletea 2184582@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My baby is a champion breastfeeder. The success we've had I think was in huge part to how naturally he took to breastfeeding. I really feel like he taught me to nurse by learning himself so quickly and naturally. </p> <p>-first hour after birth: I wanted to try to latch him on but I was so shell shocked I couldn't get it together to ask someone to show me. We did skin to skin though<br /> -3-4h later they were about to transfer me to postpartum. I had a new l and d nurse who took the time to briefly show me how to latch and gave me advice in a clear easy to understand way. Baby didn't really get it l<br /> -2 or so hours after that I tried again and he was amazing! He had figured it out so fast. However, his latch was painful and they mentioned he had a slight tongue tie<br /> -I kept bringing him to the breast every 2h or more. They kept telling me to watch for hunger signs but he honestly did that stuff whenever he was awake. Lots of skin to skin time. I made myself try over and over to get the best latch even though I wanted to just let him go for it once he got started. It was painful even when he had a good latch but it slowly got better. I was never able to hand express any colostrum by the way, which worried me at the time<br /> -we were in the hospital for a few days, and baby ended up losing more than 10% of his birth weight. They let us go home but we had to come back for two appointments for weight check. First day his weight was about the same, so they didn't make me start pumping/formula, but that was gonna be the next step. But luckily, he gained 5 oz in 1 day for the second appt!! I had them double check :)<br /> -I could tell that second night home my milk had finally came in. I was very stressed transporting my tiny baby out to the pediatrician's. On New Year's Eve and New Year's Day no less! But once the milk came in, he was finally satisfied and I got to see a brief period of that sleepy newborn everyone talks about!<br /> -I never pumped until he was almost 4 weeks old. I just did lots of skin to skin and I cuddled him all the time. I have a feeling that's what got my supply going best.<br /> -now he's a healthy almost 5 m old! Nursing is painless, he's in love with it, and I wouldn't trade our cuddles and closeness for anything.<br /> -we started bottles at 1 mo I think. He did great at first but then started having trouble. He's just really slow and gets frustrated at times. But with lots of practice he's gotten better and he'll figure it out when I go back to work in less than two weeks. ( https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-your-easy-breastfeeding-stories#post-2184577 Wed, 20 May 2015 13:36:33 +0000 Mrs. Sunshine 2184577@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mamaof2: this sounds like my 2. I remember nursing a tiny baby taking at least 30 to 45 minutes but DD2 is done with feeding and burging in like 10 or 15 minutes. It's crazy!! DD1 still has a pacifier at 20 months though so she was probably comfort nursing more than I realized! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-your-easy-breastfeeding-stories#post-2184575 Wed, 20 May 2015 13:34:05 +0000 Mrs. Sunshine 2184575@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Both LO's had no latch issues and nursed right after delivery. I have no supply issued and so it's pretty easy. I still get stressed, newborns are unpredictable and you don't know how much they're getting...my 3 weeks old will nurse for like 10 minutes on just one side and will be done and that stresses me out sometimes because I don't know if that's "right". But i just try to let it go, let her do her thing and trust that it's all okay. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-your-easy-breastfeeding-stories#post-2184566 Wed, 20 May 2015 13:27:25 +0000 LAZB 2184566@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>With my son I had a hard time. He was born early and was jaundiced, so had a hard time staying awake to nurse. I would nurse him for a few minutes, then pump while my husband gave him a bottle. We did this until he was in the nicu (unrelated issue), and I pumped for him while we were there until he passed away, so I never had an easy time bfing with him.</p> <p>With my daughter (now 14 weeks) it has been relatively easy from the get go. She was early and jaundiced too, but could stay awake for a little bit to feed. After the first week or two she was able to feed well, and I haven't had any issues with over/under supply, clogged ducts, or mastisis. Nursing her is something I was really looking forward to, especially since I couldn't really do it with my son, so I am so happy that it has been a wonderful experience.<br /> I do think that because my first experience was so difficult, it made bfing this time seem easy, because relatively, it is. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-your-easy-breastfeeding-stories#post-2184554 Wed, 20 May 2015 13:19:00 +0000 Rockies11 2184554@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My LO#1 latched within 15 minutes of being born, and I had no trouble with her whatsoever, except for some slight nipple soreness getting used to it. She's 22 months, and bfed through my pregnancy with LO#2 and now tandem nurses. LO #2 had a rough delivery, but still established bfing within an hour of being born, and I have had no problems whatsoever bfing her. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-your-easy-breastfeeding-stories#post-2184546 Wed, 20 May 2015 13:14:34 +0000 lawbee11 2184546@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Other than a couple of plugged ducts BF was smooth sailing for us. I EBF for 12 months and LO weaned herself (with a little nudge from me) at around 14 months. I think doing a ton of skin-to-skin in the hospital really helped as I never had any supply issues. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-your-easy-breastfeeding-stories#post-2184545 Wed, 20 May 2015 13:14:27 +0000 Foodnerd81 2184545@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@2littlepumpkins: well I would say mine was definitely *relatively* easy! I am lucky to have never dealt with over or under supply, or mastitis. A few minor clogged ducts. I hope you have a relatively easy time of it this time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-your-easy-breastfeeding-stories#post-2184542 Wed, 20 May 2015 13:12:40 +0000 mrsjyw 2184542@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My milk didn't come in right away and DS lost a lot of weight the first week so we had him on formula. Milk came in, and it was a day or two of "hard" trying to get him to latch back on (I have one flat nip) but after that it was smooth sailing. I had a couple of times where I felt a clogged duct, but it never turned into anything and I was able to massage it out. We nursed successfully until 13 months. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-your-easy-breastfeeding-stories#post-2184538 Wed, 20 May 2015 13:11:49 +0000 Ocean girl 2184538@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had myself very worked up and worried about breastfeeding. Like you, I had read the many horror stories about cracked nipples, poor latches, low supply, etc. One relative, in particular, was full of "you just wait" comments - which continued after DD was born and successfully and bfing with no issues.</p> <p>DD latched on easily from the beginning, my milk came in almost right away and we never looked back. I never had one cracked nipple and had next to zero problems with leaking. My only complication was two bouts of mastitis which resolved very quickly with a Rx for antibiotics. It was natural and SO convenient, right from the beginning. We weaned at 14 months without issue. </p> <p>Just like labour, everyone is different. And I think every baby is different. The relative who had me scared out of my mind for bfing ended up having a very easy experience with her second LO. Ihope you have a great experience! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-your-easy-breastfeeding-stories#post-2184537 Wed, 20 May 2015 13:11:16 +0000 Mamaof2 2184537@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My 1st was hard!!!</p> <p>My 2nd was easy compared to my 1st. I think it was a combination of me being more relaxed and knowing what to expect and the fact that DD was a great nurser - she only ate for food, whereas DS was a comfort nurser and it would take him 45 minutes to eat - DD ate in 5-7 mins! I was kinda sad when she weaned at 15 months :bummed: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-your-easy-breastfeeding-stories#post-2184535 Wed, 20 May 2015 13:10:45 +0000 littlebug 2184535@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Breastfeeding was very smooth for us. He latched well from the get-go and we had few issues with the actual breastfeeding part. I had some fast let-down issues, so he would gulp and cry and pop off a few times, but once I figured out that I could hand-express a bit before hand and then latch him, it was pretty smooth sailing. We were not without our bumps (a few clogged ducts, reflux, etc), but for the most part, our BF experience was wonderful. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-your-easy-breastfeeding-stories#post-2184531 Wed, 20 May 2015 13:08:26 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2184531@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: @mrsrugbee: I originally wrote "relatively easy" but thought the title was too long, lol. I pumped for weeks, Im not under any illusions that it'll be actually easy but there's so much negativity out there about how hard it is, I'm just hoping there's a chance everything will just be "normal." </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-your-easy-breastfeeding-stories#post-2184519 Wed, 20 May 2015 13:02:23 +0000 mrsrugbee 2184519@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I found BF DD painful for the first few weeks and ended up with chapped nipples but once I figured out what a good latch felt like we did very well.</p> <p>I still nurse her now at 15 mo and I don't want to give you any illusions. Ive had oversupply, undersupply, breast rejection and all sorts of typical new mom stuff. Overall through, I'm glad I've stuck with it. I'm having another baby in September and look forward to tandem nursing them. </p>