Breast feeding

[sophie]

I really want to give it ago this time but ive been worrying about it already, is there anything i can do to prepair my boobs?? Will i just know how to do it?

 

[beanie]

It didn't feel natural to me at the beginning. There is nothing you need to do in terms of pre[aring your boobs, but I would highly recommend finding out if there is a local breastfeeding group near you, get helpline numbers for the NCT breastfeeding helpline, and La Leche League etc. If you don't mind me asking, what happened last time??

 

[Lucy]

Also, don't be afraid to ask the Midwives to help you latch the baby on each time you feed - if the latch is right from the beginning it'll save you having sore nipples and will ensure the baby is taking milk efficiently.

Try and give the baby a feed as soon after birth as possible.

 

[sophie]

Thank u.

Beanie course i dont mind, i never tried last time i dont know why but i just didnt feel i could even try. I wish i had tried though.
I have the midwife again in a couple of weeks so ill sk her about these groups im determined to do it this time!!!
x

 

[bek74]

I have no advise, I bottle fed mine. Just wanted to wish you luck and I am sure you will do fine.

 

[stephlw25]

Im hoping to try breastfeeding this time too, last time when i was considering it the midwife told me to rub my nipples hard with a rough towel after getting out the shower !!!!!!!!!! i was like yowza are you joking?!

 

[sophie]

Ouch!

Now ive been thinking off other things and what will i need?? I have seen a set which includes steriliser bottles and hand help pump ill need these wont i?? I spose in case i cant do it ill need to get some Formula in. Im paniking and ive got 18 wks to go lol!

Also which brand is better Avent or tommie tippee? I had neither for Kai think it was mams i had for him!
Ive heard Avent bottles leak? not sure how true this is!!
xx

 

[Hels]

Good luck hun for the BF, As Beanie and Lucy have said, dont be afraid to ask for help. For me it wasnt easy, but we stuck with it, and after about a week, we had it sussed!

I use Avent bottles, with Tommy Tippee Nuby teats, the avent bottles have never leaked in 18 months, I found the TT bottles leaked more. But Charlie never liked the Avent teats.

 

[ablaze]

Im hoping to try breastfeeding this time too, last time when i was considering it the midwife told me to rub my nipples hard with a rough towel after getting out the shower !!!!!!!!!! i was like yowza are you joking?!

omg, did she dislike u

did she say why

 

[Angel]

All I can recommend is don't give up straight away,when i had my son I was at my wits end with trying to BF and the nurses were so adament that I had to give it a go.When I got home I wanted to give up but my OH conveinced me to stick to it,I BF my son till 18 months,it was a great bonding experience for us.
Goodluck and do what is comfortable for both you and the baby.

 

[luckyme225]

I work with lactation specialists so I can give you a bit of advice. You should start off by renting a hospital grade pump because they are great for bringing your milk in. Most hospitals have them for rent. It's nice because you can have your husband give the baby a Playtex Ventair bottle of your milk while you take a nap =) I find women like to take Fenugreek to help bring in milk as well, you can find the herbal supplement in most grocery stores. Also if you have problems latching I would suggest seeing a lactation consultant because they are wonderful. Lanolin is great for sore nipples. Hope that helps!

 

[sophie]

Thanks everyone for all your advice.

xx

 

[beanie]

Sophie I persoally would advise not having formula in. I found it way to easy to turn to it when the breastfeeding got too much and it really messed up my milk supply and I very nearly had to give up. This time I am not having any in so I have no choice but to breastfeed. Of course if you do decide to formula feed it is easy enough to send OH to get some.

 

[Tezzy]

i will try breastfeeding again this time except now i know to persivere (sp) for a few weeks before thinking of giving up!

 

[Lucy]

Sophie I forgot to say something in my previous reply, to help you prepare for bfing start saying over and over "it doesn't matter that I don't know how much milk my baby is getting". I know this was a big thing for a lot of mums which contributed to them giving up (e.g if their baby was crying they wouldn't know if it was because they were still hungry but then if they put them back on the boob they felt like they were attached constantly whereas when they gave a bottle they could rule out them crying due to hunger as they knew they'd had x ozs of formula).

It might not crop up for you but being mentally prepared for the differences between bottle and boob will help you through any difficulties you might have