Really want bf to work this time. Tips?

[Perpetuallypregnant]

I am due dc5 in about 5 weeks and I really really want to be able to successfully breast feed her. I have always started off breast feeding, put baby to breast asap check latch with midwives etc... But the longest I have lasted was with dc3 and I managed 8 weeks, it was less painful towards the end but I never got to the stage where it didn't hurt.

Last time was horrific. My nipples were bleeding so much that dd was vomiting blood, I was resenting feeding her, I tried lanasoh but she was feeding so often it didn't have a chance to work. Nipple shields were a bit of a joke, baby wouldn't suck on them and they kept falling off. Midwives didn't have anything helpful to offer other than try lanasoh.... All said my latch was fine (I've read up on the latch and did everything right as far as I knew). it hurt all the way through not just at the beginning.

I ended up giving up after a week, I had 3 other dcs to look after and it was such a relief but I was really sad as when it works i k ow myself it is a lovely feeling and is best for my baby.

I just wanted a heads up really before I even start. I'll do my best again but I really don't want the disaster of last time again.

Well perserverance is sometimes the only answer esp when you've got the cream and the latch right. Being absolutely iron-willed. Only you can make this decision. Best of luck!

I've been BF DS2 for 20 weeks with nipple shields. Baby premature and wouldn't take without them. Yes they are fiddly, but I have managed to BF in public with them. I use the Medela shields which are much more comfy than Avent. Tried unsuccessfully to BF DS1 for a month and was so upset when had to stop and bottle feed full time instead - he was a VacExtract and premature who had trouble sucking.
Sounds like you are a good mum who wants to do the best for your babies. Whatever happens you know that you will have doen your best - don't beat yourself up if it doesn't work out.

Best thing for cracked nipples is rubbing some breastmilk into them. I wish my midwife had told me that a lot sooner!

Once you get past that painful stage it is much easier. But you do have to grin and bear it. I am assumign the pain was due to cracked nipples...?

Were your babies checked for tongue-tie? Even a mild one can cause awful problems and they run in families.

The other thing is, midwifes aren't breastfeeding experts - I think they do a one day course? If you can find a local NCT/LLL breastfeeding group start going before the baby is born, have all the helplines to hand and if possible find a breastfeeding counsellor who can see you as soon as possible after the baby is born - it shouldn't have to get to the point where your nipples are cracked and bleeding at all.

Sounds like the support you got last time was absolute crap.

Agree with Rita sounds like you had very poor support previously. Although some HV and MW are great, in my experience I have received very poor bfing advice from both.

My tips are:

Find out if your local LLL or NCT run groups and go along before the baby is born.

Find out if the ABM, NCT or LLL have any local Bfing Counsellors and put the numbers in your phone. You can call them now and discuss your history and worries if you like.

Put the helplne numbers in your phone, and call them at the first hint of trouble.

Make sure you have plenty of support, help with the other children etc.

Thanks all.
Maybe I'll try buying some different nipple shields, I kind of wrote them off straight away when one brand didn't work. Might be handy to have in for moments of desperation.

I'll also look for those helpline numbers and try accessing some outside support. I tend to find most people (well meaning friends and family) just told me to put them on the bottle. I know they mean well, genuinely, but Im going to emphasise in advance how important it is to me this time.

whereabouts are you pp? maybe someone can suggest a good BF group? they've been my saviour with my lot!

Yes I agree about groups. It really helps to talk to people who have been there or are going through similar. Lots are happy to have pregnant women at meetings.

Also write out the times and days of meetings, helpline numbers etc and stick by the phone - wish I'd done this as my brain melted after the birth.

And definately explain to those close to you why this is important for you and the baby. Dh really helped me just by being supportive of whatever I decided about feeding.

My nipples were like craters! I highly recommend jellonet. You can get it from the midwife and that with lansinoh really sorted me out. I also used Kamillosan (have to wash it off before feed which is an arse but sorts you out pretty quick.)
One thing I learnt was that lots of people say sore nipples = bad latch but I got sore nipples both times and had so many people check my latch and it was fine. Also - it really does get easier!Good luck