That being said, we don’t have the maternal support to help women with breastfeeding anymore. The support network of women who have been there just isn’t there on a daily basis, hence we are turning to experts and technology to help us limp along through the process.

For me, I gave up breastfeeding “normally” after 3 weeks of screaming from my daughter, who would never latch, and 4 weeks with my son, who tried and only got it right half the time. (His weight gain was at risk, so we had to do something.)

As I was going back to the office soon anyway (where it’s easier than at home!) I opted to pump exclusively. Crazy, sure. But I had the supplies, and it’s so much better for the kids. My daughter had rare ear infections and my son has so far been extremely healthy. I just wish I would have seen the calorie burning effects! LOL

I always used the cheap gerber bottles which my babies preferred. I felt so vindicated when it was the EXPENSIVE avent bottles and such that contained BPA. My cheap-o ones were totally safe. I did have a boppy, but I rarely used it because I preferred to just adjust some bed pillows exactly how I wanted them. I DEFINITELY needed the baby supported and raised, but it worked better with regular pillows.

And the extra food? Now that was a gift to be able to eat extra calories and STILL lose weight. I’m sure I wouldn’t have spent less on groceries had I not been nursing.

I also just used regular bras and would discreetly unsnap it in back and slide my boob out, then snap it back up in back when I was done. I never felt like I revealed more than a woman who used nursing bras nor was it less convenient. I did buy nursing bras, but if I did it again, I wouldn’t because I never found a nursing bra that supported my (at the time) DDD’s comfortably enough. I did have some nice terry-cloth/microfiber nursing pads, but I think I paid around $10 for those and they were washable. I even passed them on to my cousin.

I guess I would say that I did the nursing for pretty cheap, could have done it cheaper. I only got to nurse each kid for 6 months and 8 months because once I went back to work, my milk supply couldn’t keep up. I just didn’t have enough time to pump during the day. When I had to start buying formula, it cost $80-$100 a month plus needed more bottles. Definitely WA\Y more expensive than nursing could ever hope to be. Your 500 extra calories could be caviar for that price.=)

Also, you bring up a good point about subsequent children. All that gear can be reused for the next child. My cousin is using my nursing pillow now! That was one of those things I rushed out to buy in a bleary-eyed panic. I did use it but probably could have lived without it!

Well, well… I, too, feel like carbs and carbs (pastries, latte, chai latte, chocolate milk, cookies, anything goes). But I don’t count that as the extra 500 calories “for the baby”. It’s a treat for me.. And I buy my muffins at about $1/piece at my gorcery store, make my own coffees and teas and so on.. Starbucks and other places alike are outrageously priced – so I’m leaving those trips for “special occasions”. Quite a saving right there.
In terms of the breastpump – I live in Canada.. Had an opportunity to use Medela free of charge at the hospital with my first one; bought a simple manual Medela pump (Harmony) for about $40 afterwards.. AND BREASTFED MY DAUGHTER FOR 15 MONTHS which I’m still very proud of.
Now with my second baby I’m not pumping yet – but this time the pump comes free of charge… sitting in my basement.
Good luck to all breastfeeding moms – IT’S THE ABSOLUTE BEST YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR CHILD’S HEALTHY START! )

It’s interesting to hear of everyone’s experiences with insurance and breast pumps. I got one for free at the hospital, but I think that was paid for by the county. They were very committed to helping nursing mothers where I gave birth. I can see how many women without these resources might give up on breast feeding or never start at all.

Fern, your last comment sums it all up nicely. I actually think it’s a good thing, though, to point out that breast feeding might not necessarily be all that easy, natural, or free. That way women can be prepared for tackling problems if they do arise, and they’ll have the resources to solve those problems.

Jillian, I suspect I’ll be going your route – making the crazed trip to BRU for everything I was sure I could do without, newborn babe in arms.