My Breastfeeding Fears: Why I Was Worried Breastfeeding My Baby May Not Work

We are continuously been reminded with every flyer and posters at the hospitals/birth centres about the health benefits of breastfeeding our babies. I had my fears about breastfeeding especially because I do not lactate right after delivery (read my breastfeeding challenge here). I had to work so hard to start producing milk, I worried that I was never going to be capable of breastfeeding my babies exclusively . Here are reasons I was troubled breastfeeding wouldn’t work for me.

I thought I could never meet my baby’s demand.

Your breast will supply whatever your baby needs. Breast milk is produced on a supply-and-demand schedule. If your baby misses a feed, maybe because they are taking an alternative feed like formula or water. Supplementing with other liquid/food is just like telling your body that baby does not need extra milk and this will make your breastmilk production to decrease. It takes patience and determination but your baby will finally adjust to a schedule convenient for both of you.

In the first few weeks, you can tell if your baby is getting enough milk if you hear gulping and swallowing sounds while baby is feeding, if baby is alert and seems satisfied after most meals, producing 4-6 wet diapers and poos 2-4 times a day.

I thought baby would be thirsty without water.

Breastmilk is 70% water, so your baby does not need any other liquid as long as you are producing enough milk.

I thought baby would be too clingy and I wouldn’t be able to have time for anything else.

Yes, I felt like my baby was stuck to me and I was on the demand all the time, even to grab some food for myself na wahala talk less of doing other stuff in the house. In the first few weeks, baby will want to nurse more frequently (like every 2 hours) as their tummy is still small and they are growing rapidly (called growth spurt) but I found out it’s normal, your body will make enough milk, baby will relax as they get older and adjust to a less frequent schedule once they have mastered extracting milk better and once breastfeeding is established, you can express into a feeding bottle to allow other people feed your baby.

10 Smart Tips To Make The First Month With Your Newborn Easier.

Breastfeeding hurts

You carried your baby in your womb for 9 months and went through labour, what can hurt more? The first few days or weeks when you start to breastfeed can be painful and your breast may be engorged but it will stop hurting once you and your baby get the feeding positioning right. The pain and discomfort will go away the more baby sucks and you will get comfy and soon feel like a pro.

The thought of feeding my baby outside

Ah! In public! ‘Not me’, I had said when I had my first child, it worried me that people will see me breastfeed my baby outside. How can I be discrete? The only option I thought was to give my baby formula outside the house and breastmilk at home. This is one reason why mums can’t meet their baby’s need because once you start doing this, your breastmilk supply will decrease and what you produce will not be enough for your baby. So, if you feel awkward, you can express some into a bottle to feed your baby outside the house and continue your breastfeeding business when you get home. But then just like me, you will soon realize, it will be the least of your worries because you may have the need to empty a full breast when you are outside with your baby (you know what I mean). Make sure you wear an outfit with a top you can easily lift up when you are going out and if you angle the baby in the right position when you are feeding outside, no one will see a thing. #Anytime #Anywhere.

Read 10 Breastfeeding Tips To Increase Your Supply

Yours truly,

Mums, you’ve been there, do share your breastfeeding fears and how you overcame them by leaving your thoughts in the comment box.

It's still #WorldBreastfeedingWeek. Find out more reasons why nearly every country around the world observes World Breastfeeding Week every year. Join the Campaign.

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All contents here are opinions only. Please seek advice from your own doctor or other health practitioners regarding any issues concerning your own health or health of others.