DD never breastfeed despite good intentions (and manhandling) from a lot of experts, an enforced stay in hospital and much blood, sweat and tears from me. Well, no blood, but the sweat and tears definitely. She had a hugely traumatic birth and was just not interested, never latched on at all, screamed around a boob if it was put in her mouth and generally refused. I was very sad and am only just forgiving myself for not being able to 'make' her do it.
Now pregnant again and I understand all babies are different! So maybe this one will be more interested.
Anyway, first stupid question is this: when they say the baby needs the whole nipple in it's mouth, what exactly is meant by that? Does that include the areola? Because mine are about 8cm wide and even when erect (is that the right term for a nipple?! hard?!) still not much less. I just don't see how that's possible...
Also, my nipples don't really go hard anyway and last time round one HV cut a syringe in half to try and make it happen. I'd rather avoid that humiliation (and agony, with serrated plastic against my boob) this time. So second question is, do they need to be hard to begin a feed or does the act of feeding draw them out? Or do they not need to be?
Thanks in advance and I'm sorry, I know these must seem absurd to someone who's done it. I just want to be as educated as possible about all the little things that are useful to know/assumed knowledge so I can be as prepared as possible.
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Infant feeding
Probably very silly questions about breastfeeding
41 replies
AntoinetteCosway · 02/02/2014 21:46
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