This is a good thread, esp for those who are pregnant and want to learn more about what it's like to BF.
Pros:
-Health benefits to mom and baby, that I won't get into.
-Knowing they can nurse when sick.
-
Convenience (I'm a sahm, so rarely pump, but love that I don't have to worry about preparing a bottle)
-Bonding & snuggles
-Nursing sounds that babies make, I think that they are very cute.
-Baby milk coma
-Cost/environmental
-
Easiest way to soothe your child
-Seeing them grow on YOUR milk, it's amazing!
-
Forces me to sit and rest to nurse, which I sometimes forget to do, when we seem to be constantly on the run.
-
EBF diapers, lol.
Cons:
-
Nighttime parenting was basically ALL on me, since I have the boobs. I get through it, but it is tough the first 6 mo with the frequent nursing sessions at night and I go through periods resenting DH, b/c he gets a full night of sleep.
-Unable to go anywhere w/o baby (travel, wknd away with friends or DH), I have only have spent ONE night away from my kids so far.
-Nursing bras, I'm sooo ready to be done with them. I know that there are better ones out now, mine are ratty from 7+ yrs of use, but DS3 will most likely wean within the next yr, so it's not worth it for me to get new nursing bras.
-Toddler nursing can be very trying, like everyone has pointed out, the squirming, kicking, pinching, hitting, biting, and trying to teach nursing manners.
-Weight gain, yup. I hold onto weight while BFing, I don't gain much from pregnancy, so maybe that is why I don't see a lot of wt loss,
but I am so HUNGRY when I am nursing, I tend to eat a lot and ALWAYS gain weight after that initial loss of pregnancy wt. However, this is different for all women, I know some that have dropped several dress sizes, from Bfing alone and no exercise and end up weighing less than before they even had kids, so it can do wonders for some.