nitnat there are women with huge boobs whose milk simply doesn't come in. I think it's a case of size doesn't matter??

Thanks twinklegreen. Do you know much about prem babies and bf/expressing? Mine will be anything between 30-34 weeks and I read that even at 34 weeks baby will probably not be able to suckle.

Well I had my baby at a local hospital, and 4 friends did at around the same time. Out of all of us, only one wanted to bf and couldn't - the rest bf as long as they wanted to.
Of my other friends who had babies around then (again 3 or 4 I think) NONE of them bf for more than a couple of weeks even though all of them wanted to (and not just saying it to avoid questions, one is a close friend and I could tell she was really upset and had asked for all the help and support she could get). I know that's not many women but I'm suspicious that I'm lucky enough to be in an area where the local hospital is good at supporting bf, and most people are unlucky So don't assume it's you, and the stuff they're telling you is right, if it's not going well, ask for as much advice as you can, bfcs and on here!

yes i read that not being able to breastfeed is more often related to - not proper support, mismanagement of breastfeeding, etc rather than any issue with the breasts themselves.

that's why i always rave on to people about getting in touch with breastfeedng groups, counsellors etc. sometimes i'm like a broken record. but for me, it was only my ridiculous stubbornness and two fantastic women (one a counsellor, one a lactation consultant) that kept me going.

oh you poor thing
FWIW I think the figure is about 98% of women should physically be able to bf (obviously that assumes all else is fine, support in place etc) and I assume that includes women with tubular breasts.

with a grain of salt

ooops

can i just say something about drs (not all, but some) - often they are not particularly trained in BF issues and can end up saying things that aren't based in the current research. so if they say something negative about BFing, please take it will a grain of salt and speak to a BF counsellor. BF counsellors are generally so much better (than drs, HVs or MWs) to speak to about anything BF becasue they know this stuff and deal with it on very regular basis. plus they have a passion for helping women and babies breastfeed and have generally breastfed their own children.

nitnat, likelihood is you'll still be able to breastfeed, but you might want to make sure you've got some help in place in case you need it. if you can find a breastfeeding group near you, pop in before you give birth so you've met hte leaders and know where it is etc, makes it easier to go with a newborn. or your hospital might have a lactation consultant with whom you can speak.

No I havent mentioned it. Scared what they might say. Silly I know... just always been very self conscious of them.