Due in March - Thread #5

[charlybs]

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Yes it's not the best haha . You might not even get that though . I just think it's better people know it can happen and doesn't last long because otherwise it makes women stop because they think they are doing something wrong .

charlybsHahaha😂

Mother I'm ok I'm fine😊

My best breastfeeding tip is finding a baby cafe local to you and going. Even going before the baby is born, rather than waiting for a problem. I did have latch issues and issues getting baby to feed in the early days but I think if I encountered that I would know how to deal with it. The first 6 weeks can be hard for some, they were for me but once I got through that i was really glad I continued.

As for steriliser, we had a avent microwave one that we were given. And I would recommend one, yes you can boil or Milton to sterilise but 4 mins in the microwave and boom done. I used it for syringes and cups when I was getting feeding established and also for the pump when I was upping my supply, and getting a milk stash in the freezer. Also I was rushed to hospital when DD was 9 weeks and I was extremely grateful for the steriliser and a couple of bottles. We didn't need any more until I went back to work though.

Also.... electric ones take up room on your kitchen counter, I just stored the microwave one on top of the fridge when it wasn't being used

Hugh I will check, I know the Antenatal classes in my hospital only run at the weekend so I need to find alternative there, I didn't read the rest of the pack I was given as she mentioned weekends which I can't do. I will check the pack when I get home to see if they have a breastfeeding group.

Did a less scary search (no cracked nipples) listing a few dos and don'ts

Amazing how many times they say keep calm, don't get stressed etc. My OH often wonders if I will get stress, I'm quite laid back even more so since becoming pregnant. He can quite easily get into a tizz in stressful situations but I just go with it.

Of course having never had a new born to look after full time I don't know how I will be.

I second all the great steriliser and bf advice. Be warned though, I burned a part of my breast pump in our microwave steriliser! It was my fault, and it was possible to buy a replacement part, but it is quite common, apparently. I stuck to cold water Milton sterilising it after that . Also, check the microwave steriliser actually fits in your microwave - our microwave was quite small and so it was a tight fit. They are definitely handy though for bottles.

I've just recently stopped bf'ing my DS when he was 17 months. No cracked nipples here, ever. Lansinoh is miracle stuff. Apply it before and after every feed in the first couple of weeks (including v first feed after birth), and then keep some on hand,
just in case.

If you can't get to a class or a bf group/cafe before birth, look online for videos that will help you understand positions and things like the 'nipple to nose' and 'flipple' techniques that can help you get a better latch. The kellymom website has loads of great info. And check out what local support you might be able to call on if you have problems in the early days - there are peer support groups, the Breastfeeding Network and La Leche League, to name a few!

The chances are you will be fine and the baby will latch straight on, but help and advice in hospital and even from community midwives can be patchy, and so many people give up in the first few weeks because they are having problems and don't know how to get help. Most problems can be overcome, and beyond the initial discomfort it shouldn't be agonisingly painful - if it is, you can get help to sort out the issues. Feeling like you know where to get info and support is a big confidence boost in those early, hazy, sleep deprived days.

Also, if you read up about how your supply gets established and how bf feeding patterns can vary so much from baby to baby, it helps you to feel confident and able to trust your instincts. Every baby is different and you really will get to know their patterns and what is best for them.

Sorry for the long post! However anyone feeds their baby is absolutely fine in my view, but I do feel sad that so many women are put off bf so quickly due to lack of support or misinformation that leads to unrealistic expectations. It's such a natural thing, but it's a skill that you and your baby learn together.

I just have to figure out now how I will bf twins, and that feels like going back to square one

OMG I melted part of my pump when I accidentally left the cleaning brush inside it. WHOOPS! Good point. I think with sterilising it's all about what works for your house, kitchen and family. You can actually steam sterilise in Tupperware too. You don't need anything special

Some great bf and sterilizer posts. I be Dd until 15 months. Midwives in hospital really helped me. I'm hoping to bf again.
I had a microwave sterilizer but used it as a bucket with Milton tablets for cold water! In my case for breast pump during the many attempts to get dd to take a bottle. She never did.

Blistered nipples buys Lanisoh ASAP

I'm going to give breastfeeding a jolly good go. And I'm going to Google Milton tablets thanks everyone!

Now, I didn't do this last time but I hear that the more you sit with your boobs out to the air whilst you are pregnant, the tougher your nipples get. I have also heard of people brushing their nipples with nail brushes!

Fucking hell! My boobs have been hurting enough as it is! In the first trimester they were really sore (growing pains I guess) and in the second trimester they've been really hot, red and itchy I'm not touching them with anything other than soothing cold hands!

Hahahahaha that's funny the things us women do hey !

Charly the Milton liquid is good too and cheaper than the tablets, I think. Just don't splash yourself with water that has any sterilising stuff in it, as it stains! I ruined several vest tops that way!

Happy I found boobs out was pretty comfortable first few days of bf and I think air getting to nips is supposed to help heal any soreness.
Didn't try it beforehand but I presume dh wouldn't have objected But there's no way I would be letting a brush anywhere near them Savoy cabbage leaves in the bra though really were very soothing in the first week!!

Unless your nipples actually crack then boob milk and air drying your nipples worked way better than lansinoh but if they actually crack then cream cream cream to stop them scabbing. DD had a terrible latch until the end of bf (11.5 months) so I am hoping my nipples have been irreparably damaged and that I won't have any issue next time .

Well I had an interesting evening, car making funny rattling/scraping noises decided to take it to the garage on the way home, didn't make it that far, had to be towed by AA - DID NOT like it! can't wait to buy my new family wagon Baby seat plus 2 booster seats won't fit in either of our cars.

Had someone coming to view our house as well so was shattered by 9 had an early night only to wake up at 4 wide awake

My bump went solid from just below belly button to under boobs about 2 weeks ago, not changed since, I'm sure its getting bigger but shape/solid feel still there.

Still very little movement from the bean/Gameboy. Think I had some bubbling again yesterday but not too sure, maybe need to pay a bit more attention. Should I give him/her a prod or do some wiggling to get some movement or just leave him/her be. 10 days til scan

I'm 20+3 and still only the very occasional possible bubbly movement. I desperately want to feel her!

Shock of cold, nice

Ha DH will think Christmas has come early if I tell him I need to start sitting with my boobs out more often!

haha Alpha mine too

Wow am I glad to have just read these posts carol and miss ! I don't think I am feeling much at all , very rare movements which I could mistake for gas . Sometimes tummys feels different inside but not sure that's movement. I was starting to get that paranoid I was going to call the midwife ! I see her again a week on Tuesday though .

I'm not worried about not a lot movement yet, both midwife and scan had no trouble finding my little beany's heartbeat and said everything is fine. FTM so most people have said you don't normally start to feel til 20 wks or maybe even later. Just wanted to feel something as symptoms have gone down to nothing having spent weeks having 1 symptom or another, I guess I should be grateful for the calm of the 2nd trimester .