Advice needed for soon to be first time mum!

[Bouncingturtlewithtinsel]

I am really determined to give bfing a good shot, I'm due to go into labour any time now, and have just packed the telephone number of the bf counsellor who ran an NCT breastfeeding class I attended and I've also packed Clare Byam-Cook's "What to expect when Breastfeeding". However I think I've seen some things on here about this book that maybe some of the advice is not so useful? Would really like some thoughts - am I wasting my time with this particular book, or is it some of the advice is good some not so good?
Any tips that you have would be helpful - have been reading about thinks like the breast crawl and importance of skin-to-skin contact, also the hospital I'm giving birth at are quite keen on promoting breastfeeding.
TIA

[brusselbeansprouts]

Stroking baby's cheek or jaw line will stimulate them to root which is quite handy.

All hospitals are supposed to be b.f friendly these days but that didn't stop mine banging on about how hungry ds was and the fact that they should give him some formula while we were waiting for my milk to come in. It might take 2/3 days for the milk to come in but in the meantime they get colostrum which is the really special stuff before they need milk. Nature isn't stupid, she doesn't just deny babies food for 3 days, they just need this stuff first!!

I just kept talking and asking if I was doing it right. It was a HV who pointed out the tiny sound that told me that ds was swalling milk. Keep talking to staff until it is apparent that you are with someone who knows what they are talking about!!

And best of luck!!!

[pukkapatch]

lots of proper food in stock, lots of drinking water. and someone else to do housework for you, who also knows that you are deternined to do this, and wont offer well meant bottles of formula.
also, with dc2 and 3 i made sure NO bottles or formula anywhere near the premises. and when i yelled at dh to go to tescos ar three in the morning and buy formula, he understood that i didnt mean it, as did mom.
it will take anywhere up to two to three weeks before breastfeeding becomes easy adn natural. just relax abou tit, and dont stress about it. what works for other people may or may not work for you.
goodluck with the birth, an d your baby.

[pukkapatch]

just try and put baby to breast as often as you can. colostrum, is probably more important than 'milk coming in' so dont worry that baby will be hungry. just try and get the latch right. it hurts LESS when baby is latched on properly.

[Bouncingturtlewithtinsel]

My Dh is very supportive of me wanting to breastfeed, but PILs are coming up and FIL is very anti-bf, but he's an ignorant old git at times so i don't take much notice of him.
What I found helpful at the class was the counsellor showing us exactly how much colostrum is produced on the first few days - it is only a tiny amount but it's all the lo needs! I wondered if new mums expect there to be more quantity so when they see what a tiny amount it is they panic and think they are not producing enough!
Thanks for the advice ladies, anyway, very helpful

[cheeset]

just one word of advise about BF, PERSEVERE

[MKG]

Keep a glass of water close by at all times.

Make sure that your dp knows that bfing is a full time job and some days (especially in the beginning)it may be the only thing you do all day.