breastfeeding

[Guest guest]

I just had to throw this in to the conversation -- my son breastfed until he was

26 months old. I'm very proud of that. So, if ANY of you need any help

when you have your babies - please feel free to email me. I'd be more than

happy to help!

~ Berneda

email - berneda@...

_______________________________

Re: Hello Ladies.....!(long)Dee

Hi Dee,

I haven't had my surgery yet but hope to very soon. I

did, however, breastfeed my son for three months and

then pumped for an additional 4 1/2 more. He started

to bite at three months and I am very large, saggy

breasted so bf in public was hard. I would pump and

take bottles with me if I was going to be out and then

bf at night feedings. I know from personal experience

that bf is easier. In the last few weeks of feeding,

I did a few bottles in the middle of the night and

that was horrible. I was used to hearing the baby,

going and picking him up, sitting in the rocker,

grabbing the BOPPY pillow(this is a God send and a

must have) then we latched on. When he finished, I

stumbled back to bed and finished my sleep. This was

all done quietly and it really was a favorite time for

me.

Then I went to the bottle (yuck). You have to

listen to baby cry while you warm a bottle(actually

only takes a few minutes, but you are COMPLETELY awake

by the time this is done), put the bottle

together,then follow all the other steps. It doesn't

look that bad on paper, and I guess we all have

different levels of tolerance, but it would take me

twice as long to feed him and then for me to go back

to sleep.

It is easier on your motherly instincts when it

comes to bottle feeding. You know exactly how much is

going in. Breast feeding is a little more grey. You

will feel a difference in your breasts when the baby

is through. Bottles are easier on the ego. If a baby

doesn't latch on to the bottle then they just aren't

hungry and its no ones fault. But,whaaaa, if the

baby isn't latching on you then you feel like the baby

is going to starve to death in an instant and blow

away. I had a hard time latching due to the size of

my breasts and had to go to the hospital lactation

consultant twice(this is after the 15 panicy phone

calls by both me and my husband) on the second visit

after asking what the return policy was on this

'bundle of joy', we got it together. But it sure was

rocky there for a while.

There are a lot of wives tales that go along with

breastfeeding that I believe in more and more.

Children will be smarter(my son just turned 2 June 18,

he can say his entire alphabet and identify 1-9 and

corespond them to his fingers). They have less

allergy reactions(my son is the ear infection KING,

but these didn't get as severe until after I quit bf)(

He had tubes by 9 months, the infections slowed then

we weaned off the pacifier and they stopped). They

will be more aware of when they are full ( I really

believe this one, you can not force a baby to re-latch

after they are full. My son at two will still not

even eat a sweet after he has eaten a good meal)

I hope this help you out, and if you have any

questions feel free to email me anytime. I do lean to

the right of bf because I loved the experience so much

and found it very rewarding.

Kalyn

--- " Dee P.G. " wrote:

> Hi,

>

> This is Dee in land. I haven't posted in a

> while, although I read posts

> from this list daily. " Anywho " , presently, I'm 16

> 1/2 weeks

> pregnant.(YEEEAH!) It took me a while to feel

> comfortable acknowledging it

> openly, because of such disbelief.(Kind of a " too

> good to be true " thing)

>

> This list has really been a valuable source of

> information for me, and I

> appreciate it. Also, I have contacted several

> members privately, and I

> appreciate each person's time and consideration in

> responding to me.

> Thanks.

>

> Well, my stats are as follows........I had open

> RNY(distal) in February of

> 2000. I lost 130# from the day of surgery, and 165#

> from my highest weight

> of 402#.(I lost 35# prior to having surgery) I

> became pregnant a little

> over a year from surgery, with 50-70 more pounds to

> lose. My first

> trimester was hard, emotionally and physically.

> Because I will be

> delivering at age 35, I've had an AFP which was

> good, thank God! I'm

> scheduled to have a Level II Sonogram tomorrow. I

> opted to NOT have the

> amnio, since I was only borderline, and also because

> of the risk to the

> baby, and the good AFP results.

>

> I plan on being more active now, and I look forward

> to sharing with you all.

> Oh.......has anyone breastfed their baby? Are we at

> a higher risk for

> vitamin deficiency or anything because of our

> surgeries? I'm seriously

> considering bottle feeding breast milk. Also, has

> anyone done this

> successfully? I heard it was physically exhausting,

> is this true? After

> the first few months of exhaustion, It's kind of

> difficult to look forward

> to more.

>

> Thanks a bunch

> Dee P.G.

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

You may want to consider liquid supplementation...

Someone on this list just recently created

" OSSG-breastfeeding " just for these kind of questions;

you might want to consider joining it!

Kris

PoppyWill wrote:

> I have a question about breastfeeding. I really plan on breastfeeding

> my baby for the 1st year. But I know that it burns up to 1000

> calories a day. How in the heck can I do this when I don't generally

> get in 1000 calories a day? I don't want either one of us to be

> malnourished. I'm holding off on having breast reduction/ tummy tuck

> until after I have a baby.

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I too plan on breastfeeding. My OB assured me that

I will be able to and I will end up eating more b/c

this baby will get what he/she needs. Therefore, I

will be hungry.

Mickeal

EDD 1/20/02

RNY - 7/19/00 474 - 240

--- PoppyWill wrote:

> I have a question about breastfeeding. I really

> plan on breastfeeding my baby for the 1st year. But

> I know that it burns up to 1000 calories a day. How

> in the heck can I do this when I don't generally get

> in 1000 calories a day? I don't want either one of

> us to be malnourished. I'm holding off on having

> breast reduction/ tummy tuck until after I have a

> baby.

>

>

>

>

> [Non-text portions of this message have been

> removed]

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

You know guys......I was really wanting to breastfeed. I've been reading

about it, and watching videos, etc. I don't know why it just doesn't " sit

well with me " . I'm so jealous of the rest of you. I feel like I'm a

failure in the nurture department. Everyone that's for it, expresses such

gratification with it.

Do I need to know before my due date? I'm thinking when I see him I'll

maybe want to do it.

Dee P.G.

Re: Breastfeeding

> Hi ,

>

> I too plan on breastfeeding. My OB assured me that

> I will be able to and I will end up eating more b/c

> this baby will get what he/she needs. Therefore, I

> will be hungry.

>

> Mickeal

> EDD 1/20/02

> RNY - 7/19/00 474 - 240

> --- PoppyWill wrote:

> > I have a question about breastfeeding. I really

> > plan on breastfeeding my baby for the 1st year. But

> > I know that it burns up to 1000 calories a day. How

> > in the heck can I do this when I don't generally get

> > in 1000 calories a day? I don't want either one of

> > us to be malnourished. I'm holding off on having

> > breast reduction/ tummy tuck until after I have a

> > baby.

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > [Non-text portions of this message have been

> > removed]

> >

> >

>

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

Dee,

With my hospital in Virginia I can change my mind

right after he/she is delievered. They just need to

know how to prepare the first feeding. I'm planning

on trying it but very nervous. The plus side of

breastfeeding is it helps you lose the weight you

gained. I'm lucky in that department, I'm still

losing. Very Very slowly. I think I've lost a 1 or

2.

Mickeal

EDD 1/20/02

--- deepg22 wrote:

> You know guys......I was really wanting to

> breastfeed. I've been reading

> about it, and watching videos, etc. I don't know

> why it just doesn't " sit

> well with me " . I'm so jealous of the rest of you.

> I feel like I'm a

> failure in the nurture department. Everyone that's

> for it, expresses such

> gratification with it.

>

> Do I need to know before my due date? I'm thinking

> when I see him I'll

> maybe want to do it.

>

> Dee P.G.

> Re: Breastfeeding

>

>

> > Hi ,

> >

> > I too plan on breastfeeding. My OB assured me

> that

> > I will be able to and I will end up eating more

> b/c

> > this baby will get what he/she needs. Therefore,

> I

> > will be hungry.

> >

> > Mickeal

> > EDD 1/20/02

> > RNY - 7/19/00 474 - 240

> > --- PoppyWill wrote:

> > > I have a question about breastfeeding. I really

> > > plan on breastfeeding my baby for the 1st year.

> But

> > > I know that it burns up to 1000 calories a day.

> How

> > > in the heck can I do this when I don't generally

> get

> > > in 1000 calories a day? I don't want either one

> of

> > > us to be malnourished. I'm holding off on

> having

> > > breast reduction/ tummy tuck until after I have

> a

> > > baby.

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > [Non-text portions of this message have been

> > > removed]

> > >

> > >

> >

> >

> > __________________________________________________

> >

[Guest guest]

Hey girl, just take it as it comes. If you can't do it, don't sweat it.

I'm all for b/fing and think it's by far the superior thing to do, but

lots and lots of people *can't* do it for one reason or another, and

that's why there are really terrific formulas out there (and don't you

feel guilty if you go this route!). Both my daughters were formula-fed

(because they joined our family by adoption) and they're fine. Both

healthy as horses. So is my son, who was b/fed. I enjoyed it very much,

but not everyone does. No, you don't need to know!! LOL It's not like

we're supposed to have all the forms filled out ahead of time <grin>...

Do you have negative associations with b/fing, or is it because you just

can't imagine somebody slurping away? LOL I had a friend who didn't want

to b/f because in her mind, those belonged to her husband. LMHO

Anyway, don't sweat it. If it's not for you, don't do it and don't feel

guilty about your choice. Doing it out of guilt is an almost guarantee

that you won't be very successful at it, anyway. Which would compound

your guilt. Who needs guilt?

<smile>

K

deepg22 wrote:

> You know guys......I was really wanting to breastfeed. I've been

> reading

> about it, and watching videos, etc. I don't know why it just doesn't

> " sit

> well with me " . I'm so jealous of the rest of you. I feel like I'm a

> failure in the nurture department. Everyone that's for it, expresses

> such

> gratification with it.

>

> Do I need to know before my due date? I'm thinking when I see him

> I'll

> maybe want to do it.

>

> Dee P.G.

> Re: Breastfeeding

>

>

> > Hi ,

> >

> > I too plan on breastfeeding. My OB assured me that

> > I will be able to and I will end up eating more b/c

> > this baby will get what he/she needs. Therefore, I

> > will be hungry.

> >

> > Mickeal

> > EDD 1/20/02

> > RNY - 7/19/00 474 - 240

> > --- PoppyWill wrote:

> > > I have a question about breastfeeding. I really

> > > plan on breastfeeding my baby for the 1st year. But

> > > I know that it burns up to 1000 calories a day. How

> > > in the heck can I do this when I don't generally get

> > > in 1000 calories a day? I don't want either one of

> > > us to be malnourished. I'm holding off on having

> > > breast reduction/ tummy tuck until after I have a

> > > baby.

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > [Non-text portions of this message have been

> > > removed]

> > >

> > >

> >

> >

> > __________________________________________________

> >

[Guest guest]

Ah, Micky or anyone else, when I see them allowing the baby to suck

immediately after delivery.(colostrum, I beleive) Is this considered the

first feeding? Technically, doesn't it take a while for the baby to get

" hungry " .

Dee P.G.

Re: Breastfeeding

> >

> >

> > > Hi ,

> > >

> > > I too plan on breastfeeding. My OB assured me

> > that

> > > I will be able to and I will end up eating more

> > b/c

> > > this baby will get what he/she needs. Therefore,

> > I

> > > will be hungry.

> > >

> > > Mickeal

> > > EDD 1/20/02

> > > RNY - 7/19/00 474 - 240

> > > --- PoppyWill wrote:

> > > > I have a question about breastfeeding. I really

> > > > plan on breastfeeding my baby for the 1st year.

> > But

> > > > I know that it burns up to 1000 calories a day.

> > How

> > > > in the heck can I do this when I don't generally

> > get

> > > > in 1000 calories a day? I don't want either one

> > of

> > > > us to be malnourished. I'm holding off on

> > having

> > > > breast reduction/ tummy tuck until after I have

> > a

> > > > baby.

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been

> > > > removed]

> > > >

> > > >

> > >

> > >

> > > __________________________________________________

> > >

[Guest guest]

> How many of you post WLS breastfed/feed?? Any problems or are you able

> to sustain giving enough nutrients etc. to promote normal weight gain in

> your child?

My son, Isaac is over 2 months old and is gaining well. He weighed 7 pounds,

3 ounces at birth. At his 2 month check up, he weighed in at 10 pounds, 2

ounces. He is healthy and handsome and totally breastfed.

I have been successful despite the fact I have had considerable

complications since my surgery - possibly due to adhesions. Among other

problems, I have frequent cramping and diarhea after eating. It is a bit of

a struggle to eat enough - as it was during pregnancy - as eating has become

rather aversive. I exist mostly on Lean Cuisine and Healthy Choice meals,

cheese omelets, and granola bars. Oh - and pretzels! Not recommending that

diet - these are just the things that I seem to tolerate at present.

Bottom line - yes, it can be done. I assume most ladies do not have the

severity of gastric problems that I have - yet even my body manages to

produce plenty of yummy milk for the baby. ))) You won't be starving your

baby those first days - you will be providing that magical colostrum - full

of antibodies and goodies your little one needs for the optimal start in

life. Go for it!

While they will not likely have experience with post WLS situations, your

local La Leche League folks can provide reassurance and support if you

desire it. I was active with LLL before the birth of my first baby years

ago - back when I thought breast feeding was rather yucky and just a duty I

had to do. I am now breastfeeding my fourth. And I still use the LLL

cookbook for certain favorite, healthy recipes. Good people.

Good luck!

Pam T.

Home birth & baby photos and story

http://www.everafterranch.com/family/family.htm

Everafter Horse Ranch

http://www.everafterranch.com

[Guest guest]

Hi Shirley,

I am breastfeeding my five month old baby now. He is doing great and gaining

weight very well. I am making extra sure that I take all of my vitamins and

minerals and supplement with protein so I don't get depleted on anything. It

takes extra Zinc to breastfeed too, which I found out when my blood tests showed

low, so now I take zinc daily. Good Luck to you!

Lynn

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the reply Lynn. That's great news. Baby #3 is an unexpected

blessing, so I did not do a lot of research beforehand (as I was not expecting

to have anymore children). When I learned about our bonus baby that was one of

my first concerns. Thanks for putting my mind at ease. Congratulations to you

and your family.

breastfeeding

Welcome ,

My third baby is 5 months old now. Like you, I had two before my RnY, and a

third after. He is exclusively breastfed, and is growing wonderfully. I

had to start taking extra Zinc, but besides that everything is the same as

it was breastfeeding before WLS. Good luck to you, and enjoy your

pregnancy.

Lynn

Children are a reward from the Lord.

Psalm 127:3

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[Guest guest]

Hi Allyson,

I was in a similar situation to you just over 2 years ago. I had my first

two babies before my RnY. My son nursed till he was almost 2 yrs old. I

had my RnY surgery in Sept. 99. I lost 120 pounds in a year, and then I got

pregnant with my third child. I was worried that my weight loss surgery

would somehow affect my success with breastfeeding. Now, my son is 5 1/2

months old. He has been exclusively breastfed since birth, and is just

starting to try a few solid foods. I hope he will continue to nurse well

past a year. He is healthy and growing fast. His doctor says, whatever you

are feeding him, keep doing it! So, my RnY has not had any negative effect

on breastfeeding. I did find that I had to start taking Zinc. The

breastfeeding hormone prolactin requires Zinc, so I found that my blood Zinc

levels dropped below normal. Directly after my baby's birth, I continued

losing weight till I was 10 pounds under my pre-preg weight, but now I have

leveled out at a good healthy weight. Feel free to contact me if you have

any other questions.

Lynn