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 -
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- Saved on my phone breastfeeding helpline numbers from LLL, NCT, ABM and NHS breastfeeding counsellors locally.
- Fully understanding that the occasional top up if recommended won't necessarily mean the end of BF.
- 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?