BF help please...

[angelbabe1982]

I'm 16+4 with DC2 and want to BF. DS (now 2.8) refused to latch from birth and the MWs at hosp were, frankly, bloody useless and told me 'one FF won't make a difference'!
Anyway, DS is healthy and happy, as am I. But I REALLY want to try BF again, even though I am shit scared of doing it - no idea why
Can one of you lovely ladies please help me past the fear and hopefully onto successful BF?
Thank you
BTW CMWs and HVs not much use on this.

I was in the same position as you with DS. When he was born he would not latch on and got no support from HV or midwives. So i formula fed and he is now a healthy 2 year old. I had DD back in july and REALLY wanted to BF and was so nervous about it as i found it incredibly hard first time round. i am pleased to say that 3 months on i am successsfully BF. I have found it much easier this time from teh word go. I think it's a case of being stricter with the midwives in the hospital and also DD. she knew what to do and i hardly suffered any pain. I was in such shock that it happened so easily this time and still can't believe that it's still going well.

good luck with it and hopefully it will work out for you. If it doesn't please remember it's not the end of the world and as long as you have a happy baby then that's all that matters.

Check out kellymom website. Make sure that DC2 doesn't have a tongue tie at birth as even subtle ones interfere with BF particularly latch.
One FF may not make a difference but all babies are different in this respect. Its often the flow rate that causes the confusion for the little one. If you do have to, get a teat that resembles yours.
Bear in mind that the MW and HV are all different and will bring there own personal slant which may or may not be helpful.
Try to not worry about it. You may sail through and BF with no problems at all.
If you do have problems even if you FF for a few weeks if you use a pump or hand express you will be able to keep up some supply and then if the wee one then goes for it your supply will increase with demand.

I don't know how long it was before you gave yours a bottle but my LO also wasn't interesting in latching at birth. It took her close to 36hrs (with some syringe feeding from hand expresses, 1-2ML maybe 3 times). She fed OKish, no more than 10mins for a day and then refused to feed the third day. Just knowing before hand that this is OK and being told that I doing the correct thing gave me confidence to stick with it. We're now 7 months and going strong.

Can you hire a BF bod before hand to visit you in hospital and do a few home visits? Go along to a local BF cafe, just to watch people do it and ask for some advice of what to look out for/expect. Hopefully go along early, ply them with chocolate and then they'll visit you (for free)