Man, I hate breastfeeding too.  My baby is 3 weeks old, and I'm about dried up.  I think we're bonding just fine without my boobs being involved.  She might have to be a little older before I shower with her though.  Plus I'd have to give up my super hot showers to do it.  Not sure if I'm ready for that yet.

I love breastfeeding, though I admit it took a few months with Baby #1 to really get the hang of it and enjoy it. It is hard, uncomfortable and awkward at first. With each baby (we are on #3) it's gotten a ton easier. I feel like a pro now. I do think you can find other ways to bond with your baby, but for those who think breastfeeding isn't for them (especially early on) i'd say stick it out a little longer. It really is much better for baby and you will get better at it, give yourself some time to adapt!

I've done this only once.... and while she was very slippery, I managed to get a handle on her. Luckily we have a tub so it worked fine. I loved it too! Sometimes, especially lately, I feel like getting in there with her... but I need my morning showers to wake me up! I want to do it again soon though before she gets too big. Perhaps on the weekend when I don't have to worry about that!

I love snuggling at nap time too!!  I did the shower thing, but it freaked me out, cause the kiddos were so slippery.  I enjoyed breastfeeding for a number of reasons.  I didn't have to prepare a bottle and make sure I remembered enough formula if we went out.  Feeding at night was nice, because I could sit up in bed and nurse while still mostly asleep!!  =)  Plus, I lost weight like crazy, while still being able to eat!!!!  That was the main reason for deciding to breastfeed.  =D  Loved the pics of baby.  You have a cutie!

We did the shower thing with our LO, too.   I HATE to give baths, even though I know he loves it.  He just makes too big of mess.  He would stay in there until he was pruny and purple because the water was cold!  We actually both have to be around for the way we do our showers.  One parent in the shower, one out.  One holds and the other soaps the kid up.  It's not as much fun for the little guy, but it is quicker!  Especially on those days where he has to have a bath just because of a big poop or the sitter let him play in the dirt!

As far as BF goes, it was a piece of cake after the first few weeks.  I weaned him just shy of his 11 month birthday.  HOWEVER...I really didn't feel like I was bonding that much.  It just felt like feeding.  I don't know...it was much easier, but then again, he has a dairy allergy and I had to give up milk and dairy products for over 6 months.  He ended up having even more food allergies, and I finally threw in the towel when he was diagnosed with a wheat allergy.  I just couldn't give up ONE MORE THING!  I will say though, that I will BF any other children we have because he was relatively healthy, considering all of the allergies he has, including indoor/outdoor allergies.  He probably would have been a really sick baby if not for BF.

A friend recommended taking baths with the baby. I think I'll sign up for that plan since our shower isn't very big, but our bath tub could practically be considered "olympic"-sized. Plus, I remember washing my cousin's kids as back breaking work, having to lean over the side of the tub. If I can forego that? I'm all about it.

I'm also all about trying the BF'ing. My boobs have jumped on the band wagon whole heartedly, too... 6 1/2 months and they're already trying to produce...well...something...I wouldn't call it milk, but jeebus, I was reading, "The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding" before bed one night a week or so ago, fell asleep, dreamed of feeding the baby, and woke up in a puddle! LOL. I like the idea of not having to prep bottles, too.

aww that sounds like great bonding time with your baby girl! Yes, I have truly found breastfeeding to be the ultimate bonding experience! There is just nothing like it, plus it's something that my daughter can only do with mommy!

My son had a hard time latching on when he was a newborn and I was easily frustrated with trying. So I pumped and gave him a bottle. Even bottle feeding I would bond with him, talking to him, smiling at him and all that good stuff. I loved it when he'd fall asleep on my chest. That was my favorite. He's 3 now and when he asks if he can sleep on me, he's suffocating me. Hahaha.

He likes to take a bath so I'll plop him in the tub and just talk to him while he splashes around.

While I was in the hospital after the delivery of my daughter, every nurse in the nursery pressed that I breastfed, as well as my midwife. I wanted to give her the benefits of breast milk, like you did, but I was so thankful that I wasn't able to, that I had no milk. Not only was it uncomfortable, but it was so incredibly awkward for me. I didn't find it cute or a bond experience and I don't think baby was happy either and not just because she wasn't getting anything. Frankly, I don't think it's bonding and she's doing just fine with formula and is developing perfectly! I agree that it was a pain in ass, without a doubt!!
&&the shower thing does sound like fun, but how old is your baby? I'm afraid the shower will be too hard for my little girl, that her skin is too sensitive and it will hurt her (from the pressure).