Breastfeeding prep: anything else?

[Focusfocus]

Hi all,

I'm 6 months oregnant with first baby, living a world away from my EBF family/country/culture. DH's family (British, local) are all formula feeders and have started advising me on top ups and formula.

Anyway, of course formula can be a lifesaver, but nonetheless, i would really like to Breastfeed. I've started doing some prep, and wondered of any of you had anything to add to this? Many thanks -

1. Got myself the "Womanly Art of Breastfeeding" and "The Nursing Mothers Companion" from La Leche League, in addition to their useful 1 page leaflets on tips, positioning, problems etc and am done reading most of these things.
   
2. Watching videos from trustworthy sources on latch and positioning and developing as much of a theoretical idea possible on tummy-to-mummy, nose-to-nipple, skin-to-skin, and different positions.
   
3. Reading up on mumsnet infant feeding and kellymom.com on the issues that might arise - pain, improper latch related nipple trauma, blocked ducts, engorgement, mastitis.
   
4. Getting set up with soft comfy pillows, already have the dreamgenii and wedgie from john Lewis and got myself a nice chair of ebay with a footstool
   
5. The importance of not routine binding or scheduling early days or weeks, drinking lots of water, having DH around (on shared parental leave, so we are both off for first three months thank heavens) to do all else in the house, and expecting to feed far more than what's usual, doing night feeds to take advantage of hormone levels.
   
6. Have spoken to the local Children's Centre who run a baby breastfeeding brasserie and will be joining them in the 2 months prior to birth to go and meet the three local breastfeeding counsellor so other mums and watch them feed so that I know some folk before the birth.
   
7. Saved on my phone breastfeeding helpline numbers from LLL, NCT, ABM and NHS breastfeeding counsellors locally.
   
8. Fully understanding that the occasional top up if recommended won't necessarily mean the end of BF.
   
9. Having some fenugreek capsules, fennel tea and mothers milk tea on hand in the house, in case needed.
   

10. Understanding the role of a good diet with feeding - porridge, oily fish, fruit and veg etc.
11. Found the contact details of an ILCB lactation consultant who serves my area and she has offered to do an antenatal breastfeeding class with me one to one (1/3 price of a proper consultation) at my own home using my own furniture.

Have I missed anything or is there anything else I can do in prep? My breasts are leaking colostrum and my midwife said she will me sterile 1 ml syringes at 36 weeks to express and freeze colostrum if I wish after 37 weeks. Not sure what else to do?

[CultureSucksDownWords]

Um, maybe relax and enjoy the last weeks of pregnancy before your baby arrives? I think you've covered everything else!

My prep for breastfeeding was to buy some nursing bras, was given some breastpads, and that was about it. Probably should have done a little more research as we had a rocky start but we got there in the end. Is your DH completely on board?

[nailsathome]

I agree with Culture, just relax a bit. You can't really prepare because you won't know what your issues are until baby arrives. I would buy some Lansinoh though, don't be tempted to get the cheaper nipple creams as they really don't come close.

[NerrSnerr]

You've done loads of research, I agree that you should put your feet up now. I still breastfeed my 10 month old. It was painful at first but nipple shields helped. She had a few of those ready made bottles in the first fee weeks when it was too sore but we haven't needed to use formula since.

Good luck!

[Focusfocus]

Forgot to say - yes have bought Lansinoh after reading great things on here about it. And yes DH is absolutely on board and is off the first three months with me and is a rock :)

I am very relaxed :) it's also that I am by nature an organiser and love organising what can be organised. So, while I am not worrying over stuff I don't will or won't happen, i do feel better if I've got support I know where to look for, and some good reading etc etc.

[Focusfocus]

Argh and yes also forgot to add, got some nursing bras in bigger sizes and breast pads both sposies and cloths!

[blondie1001]

Agree with pp - get some Lansinoh cream and Lansinoh breast pads are the best too. And try not to worry - it's good to be prepared but you might find it's all OK!

[CultureSucksDownWords]

Then I would put your feet up and read the books you've got. It's worth remembering that breastfeeding is a natural process, but it doesn't always come naturally to either you or your baby. It's a learnt skill.

Are you aware of tongue tie/lip tie which can cause latch problems? Have you got a plan on what to do o that's an issue?

[Focusfocus]

Hi culture yes exactly! I don't know how natural it will be or not to me! hence the books. About tongue tie that's one of the things I've not got a plan on apart from asking them to check after birth at the hospital and also the Lactation Consultant who I plan to have a prebirth session on at home - she diagnoses and divides tongue ties in accordance with the IBCL regs or whatever that organisation is, the internation lactation something.

[CultureSucksDownWords]

It sounds like the lactation consultant should know how to spot a tongue tie. Sometimes midwives and health visitors aren't very well practised or trained to spot them.

[chumbler]

agree to get bras, lanisoh (sp?), nipple shields. also get nursing bed bras - mothercare do nice ones. h&m have great nursing vests to wear under normal tops (when it's not too hot!)

have some DVDs of series ready! lots of sitting around. I love my e reader for reading at night when breastfeeding.

research a good double electric expresser, steriliser, sterile milk bags and and bottles to feed expressed milk.

think the most important thing to have is good support, especially from an expert! saved my bacon late at night having their number :)

[MrsP23]

I would second everything that chumbler suggested (especially box sets!! As there is quite a lot of sitting around in the early days!)

The only other thing I would suggest is to have plenty of snacks to hand when feeding. The breastfeeding consultant at my local hospital said flapjacks were the best thing to have as they gave u energy a bit of sweetness but also quite healthy - unless u buy the ones with the thick layer of chocolate on top ????

[marinerkk]

Invest in a thermal travel mug! I used to make 2 cups of tea at a time before a feed so the one in the thermal mug stays hot! I was advised to hand express towards the end of pregnancy, we took the syringes to hospital but didn't use them. It gave us good practice for when ds was born, he wouldn't latch straight away so I expressed 'fresh' and he took that instead. It helped to be familiar with things if you see what I mean!