How long is the window of opportunity?

[brownhairedmom]

If for some reason I try to breast feed in the hospital but it doesn't work out, how long do I have to establish breast feeding if I keep trying at home? I'm scared that I'm going to feel really pressured in the hospital and its not going to work, but I think if I was in a more relaxed enviornment (at home) I would probably be able to. So how long do I have to establish breast feeding until she's too attached to the bottle?

(just worst case scenario, I'm hoping she'll latch on and everything'll be perfect)

 

[Sweetie]

Brooklynn has been between bottles and Booby since she was born. Right now I am in the process of going back to booby and she isnt' complaining. I also wasn't able to feed her really in the hospital as she was in NICU for a day after she was born, I didn't even see her until 18 hours after she was born and then I had to go back into surgery on the third day and didn't see her for another 12 hours or so and during that time she was given bottles by the nurses and one from daddy. Once I got to see her and finally relaxed it only took a couple of minutes for her to latch. Keeping her on and the rest was the hard part for me.

Don't let the nurses stress you out. It will all work out for you in time. And in my opinion there is not really a time limit other than having issues with your milk.

 

[Sarah88]

We gave Savannah syringe feeds until she was established at bfing before a bottle even came into the house. Especially singe they only have a few ml's in the first few days it was good. Then there was no confusion

 

[nikky0907]

Actually my milk didn't even come in until 2 days after the birth.

I think even if you give her a bottle in the hospital you can definitely resort to breastfeeding once you're home.
You can even breastfeed and top up with bottle and then slowly go to just breastfeeding.

 

[ryder]

Definately is something I was considering too... There is no way im going to get out of having both our family's come to the hospital, plus some friends, and with the short time that your actually there I dont want to be trying something in front of everyone, id rather use the extra help so I can rest lol... I actually really hate the thought of BF'ing, if I try it its only going to be for my OH, and for the fact that I wouldn't have to spend as much on formula.

I have a pump too, so I will be using that.

I personally believe that part of the sucess of B'ing, expressing and bottle feeding has alot to do with the mothers feelings and commitment to each method. And also your babies personality.

 

[brownhairedmom]

That's part of my problem, I don't think I'm going to be comfortable doing it with nurses and company popping in all the time. I HATE the hospital and I get really nervous when I even have to go in there for something minor. I've never stayed in there before (here the average is 3 nights), and I'm already anxious enough over that, let alone trying to BF on top of it! I just don't want to ruin her for breastfeeding by giving bottles in the hospital.

 

[BlackBerry25]

Just try and stay calm. I was so worried about people coming in the room too. You get used to the nurses. I was fine with them coming in because I would never see them again and they deal with this everyday. I just didn't want any visitors coming in and seeing me. I breastfed for only 2 weeks because I worked myself up so much. I think if you do it peacefully at home and try and stay calm and relaxed you will be able to do it!

 

[Samantha675]

You gotta do what is comfortable for you and baby. Maybe you can talk to your nurse and set up time blocks that will allow you to be uninterupted so you can work on nursing without people coming by. Put a note on the door or something. I hated the hospital as well, and I swear just about everyone on staff saw my boobs, even the cleaning lady. To be honest, I just didn't care, I was so focused on Brennan that no one else mattered.

 

[sam's mum]

You gotta do what is comfortable for you and baby. Maybe you can talk to your nurse and set up time blocks that will allow you to be uninterupted so you can work on nursing without people coming by. Put a note on the door or something. I hated the hospital as well, and I swear just about everyone on staff saw my boobs, even the cleaning lady. To be honest, I just didn't care, I was so focused on Brennan that no one else mattered.

I didn't care when I was there either, and I really thought that I would. Sam slept so much for the first couple of days that I didn't even need to feed him while any of our visitors were there - and I had people coming in to see us all day.

If you do want to wait until you get home I'd really recommend syringe or cup feeding rather than bottle feeding - some babies easily switch from bottle to breast but some find it much harder. It still might be worth getting someone just to help you latch her on for the first couple of times though - when you don't have people visiting - as the first few weeks will be easier and far less painful if you get it right from the start (I didn't!) x x

 

[tinytoes]

the first fwe days are really important for baby I believe (ok there's only a few ml there but it's super rich juicy milk) so keep trying - I found the first few days OK, it was after then when I got really sore and it got hard.

Having nurses etc around didnt bother me - it helped me sooo much. I even had them nipping my nips and popping baby in teh right position. I was then realls sore when my milk came in and I had a lactation specialist massage me and give me some special cream and cups to put over the nipples. Really, try and get over feeling awkward - it really is a help that there are nurses around to help. And to be honest I don't think that being stressed in those early days will reduce the milk - all new mums are bound to be stressed.

Just keep trying and try and see the midwives etc as angels who can help you through the bizarre and awkward first day or two.

When my baby first suckled it was amazing - I was in awe of the little man for knowing what he was meant to do. Having nurses etc around didnt bother me at all - It was amazing and I hope you find it will be too.

 

[clairebear]

You gotta do what is comfortable for you and baby. Maybe you can talk to your nurse and set up time blocks that will allow you to be uninterupted so you can work on nursing without people coming by. Put a note on the door or something. I hated the hospital as well, and I swear just about everyone on staff saw my boobs, even the cleaning lady. To be honest, I just didn't care, I was so focused on Brennan that no one else mattered.

I didn't care when I was there either, and I really thought that I would. Sam slept so much for the first couple of days that I didn't even need to feed him while any of our visitors were there - and I had people coming in to see us all day.

If you do want to wait until you get home I'd really recommend syringe or cup feeding rather than bottle feeding - some babies easily switch from bottle to breast but some find it much harder. It still might be worth getting someone just to help you latch her on for the first couple of times though - when you don't have people visiting - as the first few weeks will be easier and far less painful if you get it right from the start (I didn't!) x x

i was the same the amount of male doctors that came in and after the hellish birth and the registar and everyine seeing everything in theatre i didnt care.

but do what is right for u hun and like others said use a syringe if ur really set on bfing as some babies struggle going between the two.

 

[alio]

That's part of my problem, I don't think I'm going to be comfortable doing it with nurses and company popping in all the time. I HATE the hospital and I get really nervous when I even have to go in there for something minor. I've never stayed in there before (here the average is 3 nights), and I'm already anxious enough over that, let alone trying to BF on top of it! I just don't want to ruin her for breastfeeding by giving bottles in the hospital.

Darling, this is just the attitude I encounetered on my postnatal ward last weekend. I was driven insane by people forcing me to breastfeed and get it right first time. I just wanted to get home and in my own house, with my baby to discover it all myself. They were so patronising and it really wore me down, so much so that I just said 'look I'm going to bottlefeed' just in order to get the hell out of there. Then they started being *******s again.

I am one week in, mixing breast and bottle, hoping to manage to get to breastfeeding alone.... we shall see.

good luck mate.
xxx

 

[ryder]

Thanks Alio! It is nice to hear about people who feel the same way and how they dealt... (not that others experiences arnt good, some people just dont care as much).

 

[leeanne]

the first fwe days are really important for baby I believe (ok there's only a few ml there but it's super rich juicy milk) so keep trying - I found the first few days OK, it was after then when I got really sore and it got hard.

Having nurses etc around didnt bother me - it helped me sooo much. I even had them nipping my nips and popping baby in teh right position. I was then realls sore when my milk came in and I had a lactation specialist massage me and give me some special cream and cups to put over the nipples. Really, try and get over feeling awkward - it really is a help that there are nurses around to help. And to be honest I don't think that being stressed in those early days will reduce the milk - all new mums are bound to be stressed.

Just keep trying and try and see the midwives etc as angels who can help you through the bizarre and awkward first day or two.

When my baby first suckled it was amazing - I was in awe of the little man for knowing what he was meant to do. Having nurses etc around didnt bother me at all - It was amazing and I hope you find it will be too.

I breastfed my first two, and having nurses helping me didn't bother me one bit. I guess all modesty went out the window beforehand

But, I am glad they were there to help me as after the first few times, I knew what to do and my babies were good at latching on.

 

[alio]

Thanks Alio! It is nice to hear about people who feel the same way and how they dealt... (not that others experiences arnt good, some people just dont care as much).

Ryder, we'll find our own way don't you worry. I was so concerned that I couldn't give my baby what is 'best' and I felt under too much pressure. It's unhealthy that we're forced to concern ourselves so much about the breastfeeding issue. I don't know why people feel the need to get on their high horse about it. I really appreciate advice which might help me to breastfeed but I don't want sanctimonious, holier than thou 'help' which actually just serves to compound the problem.

I have a super pregnancy book written by a Professor of Obstetrics and I was reading it the other night as I was worrying about depriving my child because I wasn't breastfeeding exclusively. She says that a child will NOT suffer physically or emotionally from being bottle fed... I think we're losing sight of this these days.

At the end of the day, every baby and every mother is different. I just want to make sure I can provide nutrition for my boy without being overly stressed.

Not long now for you girl, til your little one is with you. And then you make your own choice darling, but be sure that you will not be depriving your baby however you do it. I've only just started to get my head round this!!

xx

 

[claire1983]

Once you have given birth and everyone has seen all your bits in the most gory way you dont care who sees your boobs believe me!!

 

[Miss Duke]

You can restart breastfeeding anytime, but the longer you leave it, the harder it will be as you have to work to get baby to latch and also to build up he supply.

I had a horrible bf experience with dd due to lack of support, so I didn't put any pressure on myself to bf this time. However I stopped at at 2 weeks, and a week later was devastated, and realised I made a huge mistake, so I have started again. Ben latches on ok, but I am having to express like mad between feeds to build up my supply again.

Babies often sleep a lot whilst still in hosp, and you hopefully won't need to be in that long anyway, so hopefully this won't be an issue in the end. When you are home, you should be able to just explain to people you need to nip upstairs to feed.

Nicola

 

[ryder]

Rae, I hated the nurses helping me in the hospital and quite frankly I was too tired to try. I used their pump a couple times but with visitors and doctors and being tired I used the pre-made ones they gave me.

Im at home and pumping now and woke up totally engorged lol...

I think nipple confusion is a load of crap, we had our baby suck on everything, she has a soother, bottles and will still latch if I try but it hurts too much because she sucks very hard...

Good luck!!