Due 3/2/09 with 1st, any advice to prepare for breast feeding?

Catherine - posted on 11/30/2008

To "prepare" you can stimulate your nipples (that will prevent some of the soreness that will come when you start to nurse). Also, make sure you have a good supportive nursing bra and nursing pads. It's never fun to be in public with milk stains on your shirt! It may take your little one some time to figure out exactly how eating works but you can help him by not allowing him to have fake nipples. He may reject the breast if given a bottle even if it's pumped milk, because nipples on bottles tend to have a faster flow so he won't have to suck as hard. Also, he'll be able to get milk right away from a bottle but he'll have to stimulate your nipple for a while before he gets anything. Hopefully this helps and good luck with your little boy!!

Casey - posted on 11/30/2008

Hi

I did a class which helped so much. I found when it came time to feed (a few seconds after birth) I had the techniques to help him attach. Then latter that day and the weeks that followed I used all that advice I had learnt from the lactation consultant. This was a free class at the public hospital too so if money is a issue or even if its not they public hospital can be a great sorce (I was the only one in the class so I got great one on one advice).



I also did yoga for pregnancy and after they had mums and bubs, so I got to see women breastfeeding every week in the lead up to motherhood and hear their experiences and advice. I think this really helped as well, being surrounded by women dealing with what I was about to experience.



Hope ths helps

Casey

Anne-Odile - posted on 11/29/2008

Congrats on your upcoming bundle of joy! There is already plenty of good advice posted, but I would add that one of the best ways to be sucessful at breastfeeding is to avoid being separated from your baby at birth, and to plan a natural (drug-free) childbirth. Your baby is then more likely to get off to a good start and be more sucessful at breastfeeding. This said, I had a C-Section after a drug-free labor, and I was still able to breastfeed, and I'm still going strong at 8-month, but the early recovery from the surgery made it quite challenging. If you are determined to breastfeed, which you seem to be, you will overcome the challenges that come up along the way.

I would also recommend picking a pediatrician who is very supportive of exclusive breastfeeding, and will not push supplementing with formula at the first hurdle (in some cases it is necessary to supplement, but more often than not, the problem can be worked out with the help of a Lactation consultant).

I wish you all the best for a happy and healthy baby boy!

Maria - posted on 11/29/2008

So, this might sound silly, but the biggest shock I had when it came to nursing was how something so natural could be challenging. I read before having my daughter and knew that we both would have to learn together, but for some reason it still was surprising to me and since she didn't nurse vigorously or for as long as was "recommended" I worried. She was only 5 lbs 11 oz so I really felt like I needed her to eat to gain/grow, but then my doctor stated the obvious..."she's small so she has a smaller stomach"...what a "duh!" moment that was!!! :)



I am now on the other side of things and can't seem to get my now 21 month old to want to ween! Hahaha!



My advice: relax and do what feels right and don't let anyone make you feel you are doing the wrong thing. Best wishes to you and your little growing one!

Crystal - posted on 11/29/2008

Thank you for the support! I will look into the La Leche League and see what classes or resources I can find. I do appreciate the ample and quick advice. I've found so much support that I need through message boards like this. It is amazing how much more support people have through technology. Thank you again.

Karen - posted on 11/29/2008

First of all, Congratulations! I went to La Leche meetings before the baby was born, which was a help to get mentally geared up. I found the "Nursing Mother's Companion" by Huggins to be a great book to read ahead of time, and have at your fingertips the first couple of months. You will need that determination to make it through the early months, especially if your family is unfamiliar with breastfeeding. I called my local La Leche leader several times during the first couple months, sometimes very late at night, and they were always there to help me.

Calliope - posted on 11/28/2008

Congratulations on your pregnancy, and I'm so happy you are determined to breastfed. Don't be worried about your determination.... that is what kept me going in the difficult first few weeks. I used the lactation consultant from the hospital as well as a relative who had taken classes to be certified, but I found it a little difficult in the beginning with the latch and I developed a wrist problem (de quervains) but I never gave up. In the end I got over the latch problems in the first 4 weeks and the wrist is all better now and I'm still breastfeeding at almost 10 months. I never had a supply issue and I think that was because I never tried to put my baby on a schedule. I let her nurse as much and as often she wanted to no matter how tired I was or how much it hurt when she first latched on. My baby wanted to nurse every hour those first few days and one nurse at the hospital tried to tell me that she was hungry and not getting enough and that I should give her a bottle, butI refused to give her a bottle in those first 4 weeks. I've read since that a baby doesn't really get that much in the first few days and that they want to nurse all the time because that action is what will actually give you an ample supply. I totally understand how some mothers worry themselves so much about their baby not getting enough. I did, but my determination helped me through this. As long as your baby doens't loose too much weight in the beginning and starts gaining after those first few days you don't have to worry. Just remember no matter what problem you have you can always find support. Check out the La Leche League website for a group near you or ask the hospital for a list of lactation consultants in your area. Good luck and please don't let anyone discourage you. It can be hard that first month or so, but once you and the baby get the hang of things the payoff is tremendous!

Holli - posted on 11/28/2008

I had c-sections with my sons and if you end up with that, don't be alarmed if they don't latch right away. It took them a few hours to really latch and then they were pretty tired most of the first day and didn't eat very much. Purchase Lanishosh Breast Creme. I wouldn't have gotten through the first three weeks without it!! The first few weeks are usually the worst. My nipples actually bled. But the creme helped and after that part, I was able to breastfeed with no problems.

Kelly - posted on 11/28/2008

I didn't really "prepare" for breastfeeding other than just reading a bit in my "expecting" books... I know a lot of people have problems with latching, supply, and stuff. There were lactation consultants at the hospital where I gave birth, and they came in the day my DS was born to make sure he was getting latched on properly. You might try locating a nearby La Leche League, they have great info, and would be a good go-to resource. I just googled your area, and found the nearest to you would be the Phoenix location. Their number is 602 234-1956. If it makes you worry less, my son latched on properly within 2 hours of birth, and we've had no problems. He's now 16 months old, and we're still breastfeeding!