Well, you're in a forum of women who breastfeed, so I can guess what the advice will be! :) And I'll start!
Do it!! First, just giving the colostrum, although it's very healthy, Is sort of like just eating one bite of steak from the whole cow! LOL It's only the tip of the iceberg as far as how beneficial it is. Milk has so many antibodies that will protect your baby from illness. Breast milk is PERFECTLY formulated by your body for your baby's nutritional needs. No powder, no mixing, no mess, no stinky poop!!! It's always hot & ready. It's SO much cheaper. It's a wonderful bonding experience.
I'm not gonna lie- the first few weeks are tough! Yes, your nipples will hurt. Yes, you will be exhausted from getting up every two hours. Yes, it will be frustrating when people say "Why don't you just mix a bottle so you can sleep?" But in the end, knowing you're doing what is right for your child will be the driving force. I think you need to commit wholeheartedly to it- you can go in saying "I'll do if for a few days and see how it goes." Giving yourself an "out" that early in the ball game will only make stopping easier. Not to mention only BF'ing a few days then stopping will cause some engorgement when you get home-and that is painful too.
Here's some "Gentle" tough love: Having a baby ISN'T about what is easy; it's painful, frustrating at times, you're sleep deprived, worried, sore and achy; but it's also the most rewarding experience of a lifetime. Too choose the "easy" way out would not to be a mother at all- you've already committed to this child, I say just jump in with both feet!!! :)
How's that? LOL
Finding this support group is TRULY what got me through the hard part in the beginning- for some reason, BF'ing isn't exactly publicly supported as much, so finding people who can cheer you on is a HUGE step in the right direction!

I totally agree with MsH! I just had a couple of things to add. Start putting lanolin on daily now. It really worked for me, I have not had any problems with cracking or soreness and I give the lanolin credit, I started it when I was about 17 weeks preg. I have been bf for 6 months and we are still going strong it has been a great experience and knowing that I am giving my baby food that was made exactly for him is wonderful! It really makes me feel powerful knowing I made this choice and I have stuck with it! Good luck!

I agree with the others. Just one more thing... you mentioned being sure that your husband gets quality time, I assume you mean with the baby:-) In any case, we thought about this too, but my husband assured me that he could get quality times in other ways... and he has!!! For example, whenever he is home, he has diaper duty! That time alone with our daughter is great for both of them, and I love the break too:-) Feeding my daughter is MUCH more fun than cleaning her backside!

Thank you for all of your comments, and as far as the tough love thing goes...I know what I am getting myself in to, I have been ttc for 2.5 years...it has been a long road and by no means am I looking for an "easy" way out...but thanks anyways!

I am still feeding my baby who is 11 months and although it has been a struggle at times I am so glad I didn't give up. I shouldn't worry about it too much at the moment and just take it one day at a time. even if you only feed for a few days you will have given your baby the best start in life

good luck

I didn't mean for it to sound like you were taking the easy way out- I was trying to point out that you obviously did choose the harder thing, to commit to giving your body to a baby, etc. We also TTC for quite a while and did fertility treatments to get her- so I know what kind of struggle that is! :)
Trust me- breastfeeding is nearly as painful as staring at one line on a pregnancy test! :)
No matter what you choose- you and your baby with both survive-and thrive! Good luck to you!

thank you for all your imput...I have a lot to think about and a little while to decide...decisions, I am sure just wont get any easier, but it is something I will have to do! Thanks again EVERYONE

Well, first of all, congratulations! Babies are the most wonderful blessing and the toughest job. My little man is now 8 months old. I will be totally honest and tell you that it HURT for the first 8 weeks. There were times I would take percocet before the feeding to get through it. The best advice I can offer is to meet with an understanding, non-nazi lactation consultant whether you know everything to know about breastfeeding or not. Support is the key. I also used a nipple shield for some of my early week feedings once latching was established to help with some of the pain. Lanolin can help, but my savior were these gel pad things that they use for burn victoms, they have them in the breastfeeding section now. Stock up. I also had a case of mastitis that required IV antibiotics....

But with all that, I wouldn't trade what I went through for anything in the world. you can express milk for your husband to feed in a bottle. It makes night feedings sooo much easier, especially if co-sleeping. It's convenient and free. And it has soo many benefits to both you and the baby. I lost all my baby weight and more ( a total of 50lbs) just through breastfeeding and I eat as much as I can get my hands on.

In the end it is your choice and the biggest thing is having support. But I have found so many more pros to breastfeeding than formula. Btw my son has only been sick once where his formula fed cousin has had several problems from lack of weight gain to er and urgent care trips with ear aches and such. And the poop smells HORRIBLE with formula...trust me, i worked at a daycare for over a year in the infant room.

best wishes to you. oh and you forget about the beginning nursing pain just as you forget about labor pain.

I am of course a huge supporter of breastfeeding, but thought I'd let you know you are not alone. I was not sure I was cut out for it and dh was even more worried. He told me he would rather I didn't and I told myself to go one week to just try...well I'm hooked! I am to 8 weeks and thought I would never go this far and now I think I could go forever (well, maybe not). Set yourself a short term goal and just see what you think. Try it though, bc you never know and you don't want to regret not giving it a try. Good Luck!
p.s. use lanolin! I never got sore nipples!

I am with MSH. I did not breast feed my first. I pumped for three weeks and said I could stop if it got too tough, and then convinced myself that it was too tough and stopped. With my second, I didnt give myself that option. Didnt even buy formula. It was tough at first. My little one and I stuck with it though, and used an LC to get through the tough spots, and I couldnt be happier. She is a little butter ball...chubby and healthy. When everyone in the house got sick, she didnt even sneeze. I really regret quitting with my first one. Trust me, it will be worth it in the end.