Will I Be Able to?????

[fairywings]

I really wanted to breastfeed my daughter but never made any milk, had no leaking or anything. But now I am not sure if I had held out would I have made milk? She slept all the time and never seemed to want to nurse, so giving her bottles seemed like the best thing.

Anyhoo, I really want to experience brestfeeding, but since I never made any the first time, will I be able to a second time? I think about this all the time, as I really want to.

Is it all down to patience if you don't lactate during pregnancy? I know it takes a few days for the milk to come in, but I never even had colustrum (sp?).

Sorry so long and I know that it may be impossible to answer . . .but thanks if you can.

 

[marley2580]

Can I ask how you know that you had no colostrum?

 

[fairywings]

Because I would squeeze my nipple and nothing would come out, lol and I also tried massage

 

[marley2580]

How long did you try for? It can take as long as 20 minutes of hand expressing to get any out at first.

 

[fairywings]

I tried for about 2 weeks, tried putting her to the breast, but nothing. I would try for about 10 minutes of massage and even tried expressing, but not by hand. Do you think I was too impatient?

 

[sam's mum]

Even when Sam was first born and trying to feed I couldn't hand express any colostrum at all. I never really leaked during pregnancy either - but I'm still breastfeeding and he's now nearly 9 months old. After 4 days and lots of very long feeds my milk came in when he was 4 days old. Hope it works out for you this time x

 

[Mervs Mum]

I never leaked during pregnancy and I still dont now. When I used an electric pump fir ages nothing happened either but I'm BFing fine. Infact I can pump now and nothing happens because the let down hasnt occured that does wheb yor baby gets on.

You have to believe in yourself. I think lots of women give up because they think nothings happening but it is. Thats what my LC told me - its about confidence.

My boobs never 'feel' full other than over night and my baby is putting on weight fine so it must be there. It takes time and I think women have a tendancy to panic there baby isnt getting enough and turn to formula. I know I did in that first week!!

 

[Mervs Mum]

Oh yes...and my milk took 5 days to come in this time and I never had that massively full / engorged stage. I use breast pads but only to stop the nipple cream getting on my clothes - I never leak!!

 

[fairywings]

Thanks! I guess I should have been more patient, and with all the tips I feel a bit better about being more optimistic next time that I will be able to do it!

Thanks again.

 

[Mervs Mum]

Thanks! I guess I should have been more patient, and with all the tips I feel a bit better about being more optimistic next time that I will be able to do it!

Thanks again.

It's really hard hun - like any mum you dont want to think you're not feeding your baby properly do you. I think you sound like you really want to give it a good bash so you'll prbably be really sucessfull!! If you really believe in yourself you'll be fine honey!! And we'll be here to cheer you on!!

x

 

[fairywings]

Aw, thanks so much!

 

[Lucy&Pard]

breastfeeding is 50 per cent determination and 50 per cent confidence that your boobies can do it! Still now I sometimes think I dont have enough milk and I nearly always do!