some help please

[Emma&Freya]

Im planning on breastfeeding my little Mia when shes born. With Freya I struggled.

Is there any advice on how I can prepare now?

 

[Jary]

In which way did you struggle? Was it latch, supply etc?

I guess you could read up on how to position baby in order to get a good latch. Oh! And buy some lansinoh cream as if you get sore that will be a life saver! If you do end up getting sore to the point where you dread a feed then I'd recommend nipple shields and also breast shells to protect your nipples when you've got them covered over. They can also collect milk should you want to give expressed milk.

You could also find out where your nearest breastfeeding support group or nurture group is so you'll have other mums to talk to about BFing.

Let us know of anything else you want to know!

 

[Emma&Freya]

My nipples got blisters on them, very painful

I couldnt latch on properly, and when I did well I think she did she fed for an hour and then screamed for more, so I gave in and gave her a bottle

 

[Jary]

LO made my nipples so sore, she had a bad latch too which was why I was sore. The nipple shields really helped me get some relief and also she latched better and eventually didn't need them.

Sounds like your LO was cluster feeding to help bring in your milk, its what newborns do unfortunately it is very tiring and LO would also feed, finish and then cry for more especially at night (milk production peaks at night) which was so exhausting and I really wanted to give up but I just kept with it, plus I hard support from midwives and later health visitors to continue.

Now we don't have any issues and she's on there like a pro now! It is hard in the beginning and I can totally understand why women quit; you have this new baby screaming for food and you doubt your supply (but in the first few days they only need a few drops of colostrum) and not to mention you've just given birth so you are totally drained. But I took each day as it came and thought 'right that's one more day I've breastfed my baby!'