Newbie looking for any tips :)

[lilrojo]

Okay so here is my story..

Im going to be 27 in August.. I have 2 children already a dd who is almost 4 and a son who is almost 16 months.. I have not bf either of them.. I never felt comfortable with it, and honestly I still may not, but I would love to try at least.. This is our last baby we are having and feel like I need to at least try it.. just wondering if anyone has any thoughts or tips that could be helpful for a mom on 2 children already to bf?

Thanks to anyone that answers this

 

[IrelandsOwn]

I have only been bfing for seven weeks, and it's been hard, so I can't really give you any tips. However, the health benefits for your baby are amazing and it's a wonderful way to bond as well as being convenient and cheap (free, in fact). I recommend it

 

[iwantabub]

This is my first Bub but I have three step children so I know what it's like to have little ones running around...

I have been bfing for two weeks...my tips are...

Be patient .... It may take a while to get your latch right...

Don't stress ... Baby may feed every 4 hours or every half an hour... They're probably getting enough they just need to feed lots to get your supply up,

Bfing feels great ... It's this amazing bond ... Once u get past the challenges it's a loot easier than mixing formula in the middle of the night...

When your kids stress u out go into a room and bf your bubs... It releases hormones that's me u feel good.

Those r my tips .. Bfing was really easy for me ... Hopefully it is for u too

 

[lj2245]

It can be difficult to begin with but it does get better. I'm feeding my son who has multiple allergies so I've had to give up a lot of foods like dairy, wheat, oats, corn, soya. Lots of people are pushing me to change to special formula but I just love BF so much. It was excruciating to begin with and dealing with the sleepless nights while DH snores away can be difficult but if you persevere it will be the best thing you ever did.

I tried bf my eldest and it didn't work out due to constant infections and my son eventually refusing but it was really easy this time. Each baby is different and some find it more difficult to bf. if I'd been given proper support and information the first time round I'm convinced I'd have been able to carry on bf.

Good luck

 

[TheNewMrs]

Have realistic expectations. A breastfed baby is nothing like a formula fed baby. Breast milk is so perfect for a baby that it digests so fast! As well as baby needing to increase your supply, so you will be feeding a LOT! And I mean a LOT! There is no such thing as 3/4 hour gaps between feedings for quite some time. (with the rare exception). Your baby will love being with you and on the breast, and may want to be with you all the time because the feel safe and secure with you. Please also remember that frequent feedings progress into night time too. So while some bf babies will sleep 3/4 hours a stretch, many will not, and many will need feeding every 2 hours or even less for the first few weeks. I stress this not to put you off, but because I meet SO many mums who've ff'd the first children and then think "Oh well I don't have enough milk", "He wasn't satisfied", "He wasn't sleeping" ect.

Remember ALL this is NORMAL newborn behaviour. Babies need to wake and feed this often, its biologically inbuilt in them. If a cave-baby slept 4 hours at a time right from birth, then liklihood is that it would be eaten by wolves the first week! They wake for food, to alert the parents that they are there, they wake for comfort, they wake because they are windy, or have soiled their nappy, or just for a cuddle. All these are valid reasons to wake. (I'm sure you know this from your first two, but understanding the wakenings will be more frequent is so helpful).

Apart from having realistic expectations, I would say get yourself to a BF group in your area now, before baby arrives. Its so much easier to call someone and ask them a question or ask for help or support if you've already met with them.

Know that pain is not okay! Breastfeeding will probably feel strange for a day or two but it should not feel painful. If it is painful please ask for help. Its usually only something minor to change and everything will be well again.

Also for every breastfeeding problem, there is a breastfeeding solution. If you have your heart set on BF make sure your HCPs and family are supportive of that decision and do not be bullied in FFing.

Good luck and if you need a us, were here!

 

[lilrojo]

Aww thank you all so much.. All your tips and thoughts are so helpful.. especially being realistic about it that it wont be easy land..