Think bump seems lower today (which means nothing with #2 I know!!) and having LOADS of BH but nothing really painful. Only 35wks so need baby to hold on for another couple of wks at least, especially as I have a wedding a week on Sat and have bought a dress for it!!
Plus, I went to the hen do a week & a half ago so want to go to the wedding. :)
GT hope you see this!! Congratulations on your baby boy. :) Breastfeeding is tricky at first, but so worth it in the end. My RL friend had inverted nipples & she successfully breastfed so it can be done. Her nipples are not as inverted now either apparently
but I think she used shields & other latch aids to begin with.
My top tips;
- get expert help. Phone La Leche League or go to a breastfeeding support group at your local sure start/childrens centre or ask your HV/MW to give you contact details for the breastfeeding support nurse or peer supporter. They can offer specific advice, check the latch etc.
- drink lots
- get lots of skin to skin so baby gets used to rooting around for your nipple etc and feels comforted etc
- your milk can take a few days to come in - 4 days is average, but c-sections & induction can sometimes delay it slightly because your body hasn't had the spontaneous flux of hormones required to get things going. The key to stimulating supply is baby suckling. So get him latched on as often as possible, especially at night, as this is when milk production really gets going. In the meantime, colostrum really is 'liquid gold'.
- use a good quality nipple cream. Even with a good latch, it can be uncomfortable. Lanisoh is usually recommended, but I like Multi-Mam balm (available in Boots) as its a really easily absorbed gel, made from plant extracts. Provided immediate relief for me when DD was feeding.
- it is quite tough to start with but it is SO worth it & SO much easier than washing & sterilising 6-8 bottles a day IMO!!! If you want to succeed, you can. There are actually very few woman who can't, its just about getting help when you need it.
- check out Facebook groups - there is a group local to me that is run by peer supporters & is a fantastic resource.
- if you really, really can't get on with it (2wks is when it started to get easier for me, but lots say 3wks is a turning point) then formula isn't poison, its just an expensive man-made alternative. Just be content with your choice & it'll be fine.
Sorry if I sound preachy, hope that helps!!! Good luck :)