Breast feeding 101

OK so I attempted to bf my 1st and was unsuccessful. I would really like to have a better go at it this time around so I am looking for all and any advice/tips that will help me make this time around a success.

Is there something I should be doing before the baby comes to prepare my body/breast?

Breast feeding 101

You don't have to do anything before the baby is born to prepare. What's important is trying to bf as soon as possible once the baby is born. I had a c section and as soon as I was stitched up and wheeled into recovery the nurses put dd on my breast and got me started. I was lucky that most of the nurses were very encouraging and helpful with any questions I had during my stay at the hospital. I think all hospitals encourage BFing now though and most should have lactation consultants available.

It can be very stressful in the beginning especially since the baby needs to nurse practically around the clock. The most important thing you can do for yourself is try to rest when you can and eat healthy foods and drink a lot of water, which helps with milk production. Other than that, the more you let the baby nurse the more milk your body will produce and the sooner your milk will come in (it took 2 or 3 days for mine to come in). So don't feel discouraged if you're not producing milk right away.

Re: Breast feeding 101

I suggest reading a breast feeding book. I read The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding prior to having my DD and was SO thankful that I did. I feel this is something you need to be well informed on, as there is a lot of misinformation given out (even given out by nurses and Pediatricians). This book was my bible in the beginning. It has many breastfeeding speed bumps and how to overcome them. I went on the Bf my DD until she turned 2 and I got pregnant with this LO.

I agree with PP that BFing ASAP after birth is ideal. I also had a c-section and BF in recovery. I told my Dr that I want to do the same this time around. Also, tell the nurses no formula and no pacifier. They will try to convince you a pacifier is ok, but it's not until the baby has a good latch and BFing is going well.

Staying hydrated and eating healthy fats can also be great for breast milk. Coconut oil is supposed to be excellent for Breastmilk, and I've already started incorporating more of it into my diet this pregnancy.

Don't hesitate to ask for help, and trust your instincts. If a Dr is quick to suggest formula, just know that there are usually other ways to resolve the issue without stopping Bf.

Good Luck!

Re: Breast feeding 101

What were your issues last time? Supply? Latch?

As pp said there really isn't a way to prepare beforehand, but in hospital, ask for LC to help. Both times when I delivered, I never saw the LC in my room. I had nurses help, but I think it would been better to see the actual LC. This past time, I thought it would be easier since I BF DD1, but I was cracked from the first night due to her latch. The LC was out sick. I kept telling nursery nurses, but no one was really helping, other than giving me Lanisohl. I ended up spending $$$ on seeing an LC after I got home. It helped immensely, but I wish I could've had the proper help in the hospital from the get-go.

Breast feeding 101

I don't think there is really anything you can do to prepare in advance. I would however suggest like everyone else to put the baby to the breasts as soon as you can after the birth. Also if you're having issues ask to see a Lactaion Consultant in the hospital. And then I would also suggest a good support group. I went to the Breastfeeding support group at LIJ and became a regular a the one held at Winthrop. I also attended La Leche League meetings. It was really helpful to get the weekly help from the LC at the meetings. I took DS when he was 2 weeks old because we were having problems latching on. I'm now breastfeeding him for 13 months!

Re: Breast feeding 101

I didn't do any prep work for breastfeeding before DD was born. I just thought I would wing it. Thankfully, DD latched on right away and I didn't encounter any problems with BFing. Looking back, I think it would have been smarter to do some reading and utilize the LC at the hospital.

Also I feel like it is so important to be determined. When I was in the hospital the few days after I gave birth, DD was nursing like crazy- like for hours on end. One of the nurses kept popping in to check in for vitals and made comments like "feeding again?" or "still feeding?". That was super annoying and discouraging. It's a good thing I'm stubborn and don't give a crap about others' opinions because otherwise she would make me feel like I was doing sometime wrong.

So my best advice would be to stay strong and keep at it! It may seem like your LO will be attached at the boob constantly, but that's ok! Also, be prepared for visitors coming by when you're trying to BF. It was uncomfortable for me, so next time around I will bring a cover to the hospital.

Good luck!!!

Breast feeding 101

I definitely think doing some reading is very helpful. This way you know what to expect, how your body works, etc. I loved Breastfeeding Made Simple bc it really did keep things simple but give a lot of great info.

I would have a rec for a LC before you give birth so that if you need it you have a number on hand (if you're in Suffolk, I definitely recommend the LCs at Peconic Pediatrics).

The two things a friend told me that came in handy were that if you feel like all you're doing is nursing day and night then you're doing it right. Sometimes you may think you must not be satisfying your LO but you are and you're establishing your supply. The other was if you're having trouble getting the baby to latch, try switching sides. Simple but there were times DD was screaming and I was stressing and after battling for a long time I would do this and she would grab right on.

Lastly, just don't give up! I really think peds have unrealistic expectations about how quickly babies should gain which leads to a lot of supplementing and that's hard to phase back out. My LC said half an ounce a day at the beginning is acceptable even though most peds are focused on that ounce a day rule. It took DD over three weeks to regain her birth weight but she got there and went on to bf for 16 months. Last thing, keep lanolin in every room and apply it after every feeding. I did that and never had any pain at all. Good luck!

Re: Breast feeding 101

I agree with the above posters!

-Get a LC
-Read a book. I loved Breastfeeding Made Simple.
-Nurse, nurse, nurse. You will feel like all you do is nurse and that means you are doing it right!
-Don't get scared that your supply is low because your baby is eating all the time. Unless the babys weight gets dangerously low, you usually dont need to supplement. Supplementing in the first few days typically leads to supply issues, its a cycle.

Re: Breast feeding 101

thanks guys! With my 1st I had major issues with her latching on and I would then in turn get stressed since she was screaming n my hubby was not supportive so when she would cry n cry he was like she's starving just give her a bottle!

Also how do you know how long to let them feed for? Like is there a set amount of time to let them go for on one side do u switch sides in-between??

Re: Breast feeding 101

Re: Breast feeding 101

just remember that for something that is supposed to be so "natural" in can be so hard in the beginning! Also remember that the healthiest thing for your baby is a mommy who is not beating herself up. I had an "easier" time this around (no latching issues) but I did have back to back cases of mastitis that really made me question if I wanted to continue. Fortunately I met with a great lactation specialist and at 3 months we are still going strong. GOOD LUCK!

Re: Breast feeding 101

Message edited 2/18/2014 2:27:45 PM.

Re: Breast feeding 101

Re: Breast feeding 101

Re: Breast feeding 101

Thanks everyone! I just downloaded the Breastfeeding Made Simple book to my kindle so I can start reading it now.. 9 more weeks till this little man gets here and I want to be ready and confident this time around!!

Re: Breast feeding 101

Posted by browneyes

Thanks everyone! I just downloaded the Breastfeeding Made Simple book to my kindle so I can start reading it now.. 9 more weeks till this little man gets here and I want to be ready and confident this time around!!

Re: Breast feeding 101

Posted by MrsT809

Posted by browneyes

Thanks everyone! I just downloaded the Breastfeeding Made Simple book to my kindle so I can start reading it now.. 9 more weeks till this little man gets here and I want to be ready and confident this time around!!

Just do yourself a favor and skip the part about what formula companies did in their early days. Still bothers me to think about it.

To answer your other questions, I let DD go as long as she wanted on the first side and then offered the second. In the beginning, she could go 45+ minutes on a side... and then want to eat again less than an hour later. Part of it probably is comfort but like others said, the more time your LO spends at the boob the better for your supply. My LC pushed me to hold DD as much as possible bc that would also stimulate milk production.

Re: Breast feeding 101

Posted by Maybe-Baybe

Posted by MrsT809

Posted by browneyes

Thanks everyone! I just downloaded the Breastfeeding Made Simple book to my kindle so I can start reading it now.. 9 more weeks till this little man gets here and I want to be ready and confident this time around!!

Just do yourself a favor and skip the part about what formula companies did in their early days. Still bothers me to think about it.

To answer your other questions, I let DD go as long as she wanted on the first side and then offered the second. In the beginning, she could go 45+ minutes on a side... and then want to eat again less than an hour later. Part of it probably is comfort but like others said, the more time your LO spends at the boob the better for your supply. My LC pushed me to hold DD as much as possible bc that would also stimulate milk production.

Sorry to high jack...what does the book say about formula?

Re: Breast feeding 101

Posted by MrsT809

Posted by Maybe-Baybe

Posted by MrsT809

Posted by browneyes

Thanks everyone! I just downloaded the Breastfeeding Made Simple book to my kindle so I can start reading it now.. 9 more weeks till this little man gets here and I want to be ready and confident this time around!!

Just do yourself a favor and skip the part about what formula companies did in their early days. Still bothers me to think about it.

To answer your other questions, I let DD go as long as she wanted on the first side and then offered the second. In the beginning, she could go 45+ minutes on a side... and then want to eat again less than an hour later. Part of it probably is comfort but like others said, the more time your LO spends at the boob the better for your supply. My LC pushed me to hold DD as much as possible bc that would also stimulate milk production.

Sorry to high jack...what does the book say about formula?

I'll send fm. It's nothing bad about the formula itself. Just what I guess you could call their "marketing" to get people hooked who couldn't actually afford to buy formula.

Re: Breast feeding 101

I don't think there's anything you can do beforehand to prepare physically. BF can be so hard, especially in the beginning when you are exhausted and if the baby doesn't latch properly at first. I would just recommend putting baby to breast as often as you can. Make small goals for yourself and try and stick to them - ebf for a week, 2 weeks, a month, 6 weeks, etc.

Good luck!!!

Re: Breast feeding 101

Posted by browneyes

Thanks everyone! I just downloaded the Breastfeeding Made Simple book to my kindle so I can start reading it now.. 9 more weeks till this little man gets here and I want to be ready and confident this time around!!

Re: Breast feeding 101

I was the same way with my first. my second took to it and here I am almost to the year mark and still going strong pump at work EBF at home.
some tips I have take it day by day if you stress it will effect your milk production. Don't worry about pumping until at least 6 weeks.
Give a bottle of BM to your hubby at night so he can night feed when you start to pump my mistake I never gave hubby a bottle cause when I was home I always nursed bottles were for when I was at work only. Now at almost a year I have to go in everytime cause I can only put her back down I nurse to sleep.
Enjoy the bonding time and if it doesn't work out don't beat yourself up!! My first was a formula feed baby happy smart and did amazing! Each kid is different!!!!