Christ its started already <sigh>

[TotorosOcarina]

At my booking in appointment!

Already going on about breastfeeding, handing me leaflets, talking about classes, asking about my other kids feeding.

I'm 8 weeks pregnant for gods sake!

Toto - am so pleased you're getting lots of support on this thread. FWIW, at your next midwife appointment, if she brings up bfing again ask her what support networks there are on offer to help establish bfing: at the hospital where I had DS1 there were peer supporters (mums like you and me who had trained to help establish bfing) who you could get in touch with before having baby and once you had the baby and would come and sit with you (mine sat with me literally for hours bless her) to ensure you had proper latch etc for bfing and be on the end of the phone when you needed help and advice. Moved house and no bf supporters where I live now for when I had DS2 - but did find local bfing groups who were excellent to help me deal with issues I had with bfing. The midwives and GPs gave me their details. Without all the support I had both times I suspect I'd have given up trying to bf. So definitely worth looking into if you do want to give bf a go - but if you decide you want to use bottles, that's fine too. At the end of the day its your baby, your body and your choice on how you decide to feed.

Thanks everyone,

I need to have a longggg talk with DH but in hindsight (and reading this thread) I think if I do decide to try again I proably DO need to start gearing myself up now. Reading, talking to BFers, watching latch videos.

I think one of the problems I may have is that - like many people have said on here the first few hours/ days in hospital was a haelp because the midwives are there 24/7 and as much as you may annoy them ringing that bell ( ) they come to you and help you if you ask.

My last 2 babies were born at home and as wonderful as that is, both times the midwifes have left very quickly because everything went 'perfectly'

With DS they DID show me how to latch on and with DD I did feed her colustrum, but after that I was on my own (BFing wise) until the check up that night.

So I can see that sort of being a 'problem'.

It feels like such a shit position to be in.

I'm sure if you contact you local nct bfc or lll and discuss your situation they would be able to arrange some support for you at home after the birth. Hope it all works out for you.

Toto - wanting to establish bfing shouldnt prevent you having another lovely homebirth. Hae you thought about maybe getting a postnatal doula whose trained to help with bf (they can also help with crowd control with the other 3 kids after the birth ) if funds stretch to it - see doulauk.org. You could even find a trainee postnatal doula who will charge less.

Hmm, we haven't usually got ££ to spare but I suppose if I start saving now I could probably do it.

Interesting idea, thanks :)

Tiny update,

have talked to DH and he has said if I want to try again and feel hiring someone after the birth would help then we should save up.

I'm going to contact a Doula and ask her what kind of BFing trainin she has.

Other than a doula is there anyone else?

Doulas seem to specialise elsewhere rather than breastfeeding.

That's great Toto - a postnatal doula I came across in London was an ex-nurse with loads of training in BFing and actually also advertised her services in connection with bfing as a doula. So worth checking out doulaorg.uk to see if there is anyone in your locality who is a post natal doula and states that as a speciality

the nct and le leche league offer free support. You don't even need to be a member. Maybe you could hire an nct breast feeding councillor in a private capacity (so they could guarantee the time you need when you need it)? Or they might feel it more appropriate for you to make a donation to their org instead. Breast feeding councillors do a three year diploma to qualify so that's the kind of training you want to be looking at. I doubt every doula would have this bf training though some might.

Good on your dh for being so supportive.

x post.