ccharis: U can check out la leche website for info
they believe it is alright and acceptable to use breasts as pacifier for baby. For me, i found it the most natural way since humans have always done that until formula was invented in 1940s (1 think). then, it was touted to be better than breastmilk. of course, all these have been thrown out of the window.
there needs to be some interval (no longer than 4 hours in day and no longer than 6 hours in nite) in order to suppress menstruation and fertility. and then again, this differs for different people. some people r lucky to get pregnant when baby is few months old and their perios never resumed, some have to wean baby off completely in order to conceive again. there exists such extremes.
but the rule always for babies less than 6 months is to breastfeed on demand, not watching the clock. that way, then u can suppress fertility (if u plan to use this method) but pls check la leche website for the rules that must be followed.
if u experience engorgement, then of course go ahead and pump
but when my #1 was small, i'd wake him to bf if passed 3 hours if not supply can go down. i express/discard/store depending on circumstances. now i'm counting on #1 to relieve my engorgment few months down the road.. haha
yes first few months (for me, was 3) sleep quite interrupted. but u get used to it. sometimes i felt so tired, i let my son fall aslp on top of me until my hand get cramped, i'd wake him n put him back in his bed. being able to fall alsp quickly (u wud if u r tired!) helps. whe i bf him as a baby, he'd take so long, sometimes i'd jus fall aslp n let him do his thing..ha!
i shut off all others' opinions when it comes to breastfeeding. much like i dun poke my nose if people chose to bottle feed/ supplement, they should not to for me
supply of milk has to be built up. the more frequently milke is emptied from breasts, the message will be sent to your breasts to make more. no demand, no supply
so if u supplement, be prepared that it can become a permanent situation. if u r ok with it, go ahead. else, pls dun
