Breastfeeding moms

[browneyedhunni85]

I want to start researching breastfeeding. I breastfed C but only for a short period of time. In the beginning it was mostly pumping and bringing milk to him in the NICU. I had to use a shield and we didn't have the best experience. I felt like my supply wasn't that great. Plus me returning to work and not having a place to pump was discouraging. What are the best resources to help moms be successful at breastfeeding? Any tips that helped you?

[blandann]

I loved The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, and was fortunate to have a great LC in the hospital.

[jg183]

Searching out the best LC in the area (Maybe mommy fb groups have advice) and going right away within the first days out of hospital.

[formerlyllizzyb]

Kellymom website is a fabulous online resource.

[carawestt]

Kellymom is really helpful. My mom was an LC, so she was my helpline if I ever needed anything.

[thedahliharpa]

Try to feed every 2 hours during the early days, during the day even if 3 is suggested.
Have nipple care supplies on hand.
Take time to get those early latches right, even though it can be really frustrating.
LC LC LC and follow up with an LC. Our hospital offered bfing clinics for a nominal fee for as long as needed.
GL!

[laurack]

Realize that milk can take 4-5 days to come in and that's perfectly normal! I know "fear mongering" before the baby has even left the hospital sadly still happens. Losing up to 10 percent of weight is normal, especially if you had a lot of iv fluids, birth weight can be inflated.

Realizing that the first days/weeks are probably going to suck. Even with a good latch pain is likely. But it goes away.

Drink and eat a lot. A LOT. You may be horrified by your appetite and just not believe you could possibly still be hungry/ need more food. But just eat! Eat a whole bunch!!

Support. Lactation consultant, friends, probies. Start allll the threads whining about nipple pain asking questions looking for support. Support is so important!

And, remember that if it doesn't work out that's just FINE. There is nothing wrong with formula or with you if you don't succeed with Breast feeding.

I hope it goes well for you!

[formerlyllizzyb]

Oh, I second some of the advice here. Try to feed every 2 hours those early weeks. Eat and drink a ton.

[Deleted]

I made sure to tell the nurses this time that I want to talk to a LC and one came in my room at least once per day when I was there helping me out. Even bfing for 15 months with William, I found it very helpful for them to come in. It was a much more physically painful process with William than with Henry and I give the LC's all the credit for that.

[imimahoney]

Ditto everyone else.

I also think it's important to have family support. Your DH should support your nursing and be as helpful as possible during marathon sessions or motn feeds.

[ladydi]

What everyone else said I second The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding book too! I remember referring to it when H was a newborn.

[Regina Philange]

Yes I second a LC consultant in the hospital. She came right in to recovery and got Zoey to latch almost right away. It was a great experience.

[Regina Philange]

Apr 18, 2015 15:37:14 GMT -5 Regina Philange said:

Yes I second a LC consultant in the hospital. She came right in to recovery and got Zoey to latch almost right away. It was a great experience.

That never happened w Louie as I didn't see him because of my emergency situation.

[jg183]

Also tell your labor nurse that you had a difficult time and want to see a lc ASAP bc if not they might wait until the next day

[The Foozzler]

Check out the support your hospital has. It might have changed in the last 3 years. Where I delivered, all nurses are trained to help with BFing. The nurse that was there for my c section helped me establish a good latch in recovery and she assisted me in different positions. All of the nurses were so helpful this time, not just the LCs.

[dojo]

I had an extremely difficult BF'ing experience, and just would not have been able to do it if I didn't have the amazing support of our hospital's LC. I would have given up immediately.

[browneyedhunni85]

I just remembered that C's new pedi has a breastfeeding center. I need to find out more info on that at his 3 year appt.

[blandann]

Oh! Also try and find a La Leche League group near you! Ours has a very active FB page which is helpful for asking questions when you're stuck at home.

[blane12]

Ditto what everyone else said. I just wanted to tell you that with Blake, we had issues latching and I mainly pumped with him. With C, he latched great from the beginning and its been much easier. So just because you had issues with your first, doesn't mean you will with your second. Breastfeeding is HARD!

[jg183]

Also I know I feel like everyone bf easily except me but then these threads remind me that it's tough for a lot of people those first weeks so reach out

[creamsiclechica]

Everyone has given some really great advice already. I definitely stress the eating and hydration especially. I kept a big water bottle I could easily carry around with me in the beginning to remind myself to drink. I put it near my phone so I wouldn't forget.
Lactation cookies too. Not just for the milk benefits, which are great, because it's easy to walk by and grab one or two than say make something else to eat, and if anything, you're more like to take in enough calories that way!
Not a bad idea to pick up some lanolin before you deliver to have on hand too.
Standing in the shower with the warm water on your chest will help milk production and relieve some pain in the beginning.
Be easy on yourself. It really is hard to navigate, especially when the demand is so high in the beginning and you worry so much. If baby is peeing and pooping enough, baby is getting enough. Trying to determine ounces by pumping or judging let downs can sometimes be stressful, so try to focus on the fact of if output is good, your milk is fine.
Kellymom and a good LC were lifesavers. And honestly, BF veterans here got me through every uncertainty.

And also, I found putting together a small little basket for C of things he can do while your constantly nursing in the beginning helped. That's not BF specific, but a great tip someone gave me. Stuff from target dollar bin, stickers, little puzzles, some snacks maybe tossed in when the day starts.
You can do it! And we're here for you when it gets tough!