Really want BF to work with DC4...due any day now!

[nicolamumof3]

I successfully bf my first ds 12yrs ago.

However struggled with ds2 (5.5yr) and ds3 4yr

was given very little encouragement and support and just told to formula after a few days.

My problem is the let down seems very fast and tho I seem to have got the latch right in the past they are choking and coming on/off on/off and screaming.

I tried expressing a little to make the boob softer and easier to get on but didn't help. I feel like a real beginner tho this will be my fourth baby.

Very little in the way of support groups here, there is one on a tuesday but it is a bus ride away and with two other small kids may be a struggle and I need on the spot advice.

This time around I have bought steriliser and bottles ready, to kind of bluff myself really, I was reluctant to try again, but now the birth is nearer I really feel I should give it a better shot than the last two times.

[EauRouge]

Sorry you didn't get the support the first time around, that must have been really upsetting. How long did you BF for before? I had really bad let-down issues with DD1 and DD2 but found that after about 2 or 3 months things settled down. In the meantime there were lots of tricks I tried to help things along. There's some great info about forceful let-down here

If you can't get to a support group then you could try one of the support lines or look on Kellymom (the site I just linked to) or a good book like The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding might be really helpful.

Sorry I don't have time to type more at the mo.

[nicolamumof3]

I think some books may be helpful as may have a few days to read before the schools break up, thanks for that and will read through your link.

I went back to work when ds1 was very small but contined to bf for 6m. Definitely easier when you only have one tho! Thanks for your reply

[crikeybadger]

Biological Nurturing may be worth a look too.

Hope all goes well.

[nicolamumof3]

That is so obvious the laid back position to feed i've never even thought of it or come across it tbh. Always fed much more propped up either in bed or on the sofa, which would naturally increase the speed of flow. Thanks alot, little changes like this help my confidence.

[crikeybadger]

Great stuff nicola- confidence that you can do it plays a big part in making it work IMO.

Hope the birth goes well and don't forget to post and let us know how you're getting on when you get a mo.

[BertieBotts]

Also it might be worth going to the group if you can anyway - even now before the baby is born, to see if anybody who goes lives near you, you could arrange to meet up with them outside of the group then.

Definitely keep hold of the helpline phone numbers, stick them on your fridge! And there's pretty much always someone on mumsnet at most times of the day or night, if you're feeling desparate, and it's quiet, put "urgent" or something in the title.

[Eglu]

Hi Nic, I'm exactly like you with DD. I managed 2 weeks with DS1 and 4 weeks with DS2. At least you know that you can successfully do it as you have in the past.

I have been in this topic so many times since DD was born and she is only 3 weeks old. Having people on here to ask questions of and get support from really helps. I hope you manage it this time.

I have to say I'm glad I don't have any formula in the house, as 2 days ago DD was feeding constantly and at about 10pm I'd had enough, if there had been formula in the house I would have caved and given her some. I'm finding it okay mostly. My DSes are older than yours though and can cope with me being stuck to the sofa.

[nicolamumof3]

I said to dh earlier that i really just need a week at home in bed after baby comes, no visitors just resting, feeding etc. This is totally different to anything i've done beforfe as i always rush to get back to normal, but would like to try it this way.

[crikeybadger]

Yes, that's a great plan nicola.

Wish I'd done that myself.

[Eglu]

Sounds good Nic. I didn't get to stay in bed but had my Mum looking after the boys and house so I could concentrate on DD

[nannyl]

no idea if this might help or not, but if your milk is coming out really fast, might using nipple shields help? so at least baby gets a more steady flow?

I dont know it that will work but just a thought

Good Luck

[EauRouge]

It may make the milk come out slower but if the breast isn't being drained efficiently then you risk plugged ducts or mastitis so best to avoid nipple shields unless it's a dire emergency. I'd try a few different positions first or hand expressing the first little bit.

[NAR4]

All the above advice plus, I used to make an occassion of breastfeeding by having a pile of books and puzzles my older children had previously picked out and then when the baby had a feed read the older children one of the books or challenge them to complete a puzzle before the baby finished their feed. I found this helpful to occupy my older children whilst my new baby was settling in with me and building up our breast feeding skills.

[nicolamumof3]

Thats a good idea, my youngest two love puzzles and books, colouring and stickers, thanks