How do i prepare to breastfeed?

Paige - posted on 07/17/2009

I hope it goes better for you this time. I think you'll do great, you sound really determined and that is really important. Here's a great forum where you can get all kinds of great advice, support, etc: http://forums.llli.org/ It's definitely helped me nursing 2 babies.

Stacey - posted on 07/17/2009

Thanx...I breastfed my first son for only 3 days b4 i got sick. I learned wat his cues were n breastfed like crazy. Had no other kinds of problems. I'm still mad i couldnt breastfeed him. I feel like i didnt do my job as a mother. He did well on formula tho. I was pumping when i was in the hospital with the meningitis n i noticed i didnt produce much but when i heard my son cry over the phone i leaked like crazy. I was on quarantine n couldnt c my new baby for days. I couldnt even c my husband. I was producing bout 1 oz from each breast n I HAD to pump every hour n 15 minutes or else i leaked all over myself. I had a terrible experience bc of this hospital n resent them now. I almost died twice bc of them n had to stop breastfeeding n my 1 week old had to have a spinal tap. I've done research but i need to refresh. Breastfeeding is the best thing for my baby n this time I wil suceed. Doctors wont like me this time around haha. I'm better prepared n I'm not afraid to speak up. It's my way or no way.

Nicole - posted on 07/17/2009

Oh and a mom friend of mine w/3 kids gave me some advice that when I heard it I was like, WTF?!?! But, I quickly found she was right. Plan to nurse about every 2 hours from the start of one feeding to the start of the next around the clock for the first 2-4 weeks. It's HARD, but needed to help establish good weight gain and supply. Nurse the baby like crazy and sleep whenever baby is sleeping.

Nicole - posted on 07/17/2009

I recommend making sure you continue to take your prenatal vitamin, eat lots of good foods and drink lots of water.





Then I would HIGHLY recommend taking a BFing class. It was mine and my hubby's favorite of all our classes.





Then www.kellymom.com is a great breastfeeding site that I would just start checking out and follow the links on there wherever they may take you. You can search the site for specific topics too.





Best wishes! Just have the attitude of BFing is your only option and you'll do it. It's not easy, but eventually it becomes easy and it's the best!

Paige - posted on 07/17/2009

Nah, there nothing really as far as eating or anything like that. The best thing to do is be educated and try to set up a support system beforehand. Have a plan before you go in to deliver the baby. Those first few days are so important to establishing a breastfeeding relationship. If you have a birth plan, include that you plan to breastfeed on there. Have your baby room in with you so you can start to learn his/her cues right away and respond as soon as you notice s/he is hungry. If baby has to leave your side, put a sign on the bassinett saying, "Breastfed Baby! No formula or pacifiers, please." Nurse your baby as often as you can in those first few days to encourage your milk to come in in good supply. Don't try to stick to a schedule- watch your baby, not the clock. Here are some great links for preparing to nurse: http://www.kellymom.com/bf/start/prepare and for getting started with breastfeeding: http://www.kellymom.com/bf/start/basics/...



Good luck!