breastfeeding 101

[winterbabies3]

I need to know anything and anyone's advice! I started bf with my ds but got discouraged by my dh... why idk but it happened. Not this time!! I already have a Medela breastpump and pillow and that's about it.
Things I need to know!
Do I need to pump while the baby is a newborn?
If and when I pump and only get an 1oz or so can I put it in the fridge to add to it?
when can husband feed baby from a bottle?
Can you use a pacifier?
when does the milk really start coming in?

So many questions any help will do!!

 

[FarmMom]

Things I need to know!
Do I need to pump while the baby is a newborn?
If and when I pump and only get an 1oz or so can I put it in the fridge to add to it?
when can husband feed baby from a bottle?
Can you use a pacifier?
when does the milk really start coming in?

So many questions any help will do!!

You generally do not need to pump when baby is a newborn, and it can actually cause an oversupply of milk, which can cause pain and difficulty with latching.

You can add milk to previously pumped milk as long as it's the same temperature.

It's generally recommended that bottles are not introduced until 4-6 to avoid nipple confusion. The same is recommended for pacifiers. Some people do sooner, some do later and some not at all.

I think milk usually starts coming in 3-5 days, though i've heard of it coming later if mom has had a csection. Mine came in on day 3.

 

[missk1989]

As above really. My milk came in day 2. Other advice would be that if you are happy with your decision, show it. BF anywhere and everywhere. The more confident you are the less likely you are to receive discouraging remarks from anyone.

 

[noon_child]

Breastfeeding has evolved as a great system, but this system can run in to trouble when we introduce other things to the mix. So unless your baby is not feeding correctly, pumping can confuse your body, so isn't recommended (but can be necessary if there are issues or you have to be away from LO). Bottles and pacifiers are also things that can get in the way of breastfeeding as they can confuse your baby and your body. It's not that you cant't use these tools, just that you should understand what problems they can cause before opting for them.

Milk usually comes in on day 3ish but it can be 2-5 days after birth.

The newborn stage is often stressful, but keep in mind it is just a stage and nothing stays the same forever

 

[todmommy4568]

I started pumping when DS was a couple weeks old, in the beginning he was feeding almost constantly, after his schedule became more normal he was only feeding on one side and I was pumping on the other side to build up a supply for returning back to college. You don't NEED to pump but I believe whether you do or not really depends on your individual situation.

As PP said you can combine milk it just needs to be at the same temperature. I normally just kept all pumped milk from the day in the fridge and then before going to bed would combine it and bag it as I knew how much I wanted in each bag.

Pacifiers were used right away because the NICU staff wouldn't listen. I put on my paperwork that I did not want any pacifiers used, went in to see him a few hours after delivery once he was stable and he had a paci so I just went with it, he had a paci all the time and it never affected feedings for us. He didn't have a bottle until he was about 2 months and took it just fine.

And last but not least I feel like I have typed a bunch haha. My milk started coming in on day 3 and was in full force between day 4 and 5.