feeling let down and i havent even begun :(

[timewastingaway]

Just need to let off some steam really...

Due my 3rd DC next week and determined to BF this time.I booked onto a breastfeeding workshop at my local sure start centre about 6 months ago for today,i turned up and was told by the lady at reception that it had been cancelled.
I asked why but the lady was very vague and didnt seem to have a clue and said the BF lady would give me a ring..and that i could probably go next week (I wont be able to make it as my partner took the day off work today to look after our toddler while i went and has no holiday left!)

I mentioned at my Midwife appointment last week that i hadn't yet been given any info on breastfeeding and could i have a copy of the dvd the NHS provides to be told that she didn't have any as they are scarce but if they found one "floating about" they would send it to me.They haven't.

My first DD was born abroad and BFing was never mentioned...came back to the UK at approx 20 weeks with DD2 but again never mentioned.Everyone says you must be on a different planet to not know that breast is best and why etc but i can honestly say if i hadn't been determined and done my own research this time i probably wouldn't be giving it a go.

I have done alot of reading,watching vids etc of my own so feel like i have a bit of knowledge but i'm worried i might be missing out on vital info by not having been to the class etc.

Is there anything else i can do to prepare or just hope i know enough?

Panicking a little and just feeling quite let down already.

So a bit and a bit really

Where are you? That's shocking. Mind you I found our bf support group useless but my hv was fab.

I would go to any post natal group so you meet other mums and get advice from them.

I am in South East Cornwall.

Thanks for your advice,i will definately try and get to some postnatal groups.

I just wanted to feel like i'd got off to the best start knowledge wise really.

It looks like there a quite a few breastfeeding support groups in Cornwall - Google Breastfeeding Support and your local town name and they should come up. Your local NCT group would be able to help too

I'm not surprised that you feel let down - that really is poor support by all accounts. But, don't despair!

Doing your own research will have empowered you a great deal, that I can promise. Half the battle with bf'ing is knowing what is actually going on. There are too many well-meaning people quick to offer advice, often wrong advice and that is why there are so many women who have tried and failed, women who feel it's too hard to even attempt, and as a result of all this, lots and lots of ill-feeling and guilt.

So, where to go from here. You could ask your Midwife whether there are any Peer-Supporters in your area. If she doesn't know, the trust may have an 'Infant Feeding Co-ordinator' who runs training, gives advice and should have a list of volunteers that could help you. Where are you having your baby? Speak to your MW as soon as you can to emphasise that you want help with bf'ing. You'll need someone to check your positioning and latch as soon as possible.

Failing this, contact the NCT. Their co-ordinator should be able to provide you with details of a Counsellor who can help you. They may also be able to help you find a group to attend - sometimes the best support you'll get will be from other Mum's in the same boat as you. Don't always assume that Mum and Baby groups will be full of FF Mums either - go along and have a chat with other Mum's. There's bound to be some who can talk to you.

Not sure which web-sites you've looked at but these are very, very good.
Kellymom
ivillage.co.uk (breastfeeding board)
NCT

Where abouts are you roughly? If you're near me (it's a long shot), then I can most certainly help.

Hope that helps for now.

Can you contact the NCT? They have trained BF counsellors. Or look on Doula UK website and see if there is a doula near you with BF training?

Oops, x-post - nowhere near me I'm afraid, but stay positive! You'll find the support.

Oh no, how awful. They must be low on funding or something. What a shame something so important had to be cut.

Are there any other breastfeeding groups near you? If you feel comfortable posting your location, someone might know. I know the breastfeeding groups near here are not very well advertised and it annoys me, I've come across more than one distraught mum in a feeding room or at a baby group who I've directed to the group and nobody had ever told them about it!

NCT often run breastfeeding workshops (and they have DVDs) - www.nct.org.uk/branches
La Leche League run monthly groups (ours does a coffee morning too so effectively twice monthly) - laleche.org.uk/pages/groups/groups.htm
There might be a baby cafe near you - www.thebabycafe.org/
The Association of Breastfeeding Mothers has a list of support groups - abm.me.uk/breastfeeding-support-groups
And try googling your town name and "breastfeeding" to see what else comes up.

If all else fails, look for a sling meet group (as they tend to attract a more AP crowd) or try posting on a forum like this one, Natural Mamas, or The Green Parent to see if anyone lives near you and would be interested in meeting up as a friend and sort of like a "bf buddy".

Don't be afraid to ask for advice is my best tip - either on here, from one of the helplines, or through your RL support (or all 3)

Good luck!

this website came up when I googled "from bump to breastfeeding" which is the name of the Nhs DVD I got given for free at our breastfeeding workshop.

It will let you order a copy for yourself and seems to gave some good advice.

Sorry you're experience was rubbish. I'm pregnant with my first and that would've knocked me too.

www.bestbeginnings.org.uk/fbtb is a link to the bf dvd that everyone interested should have, and they may even send you a copy if you ask them....that's just me guessing, of course :)

www.bestbeginnings.org.uk/order-fbtb no reason why your area cannot order some more. I did hear they were in short supply a little while ago but not now.

Any of the helplines (see mumsnet bf page) will try and get you personal help local to you, or talk to you on the phone if there is no one near.

If you can, write to the relevant NHS people and COMPLAIN!!! What rubbish support :(

That is a really good DVD, but in our area it is not given out any more- funds are too tight. I think you can give the mw a quid for one tho'!

Is your hospital trying to get babyfriendly status timewasting away? If so, then they have certain requirements on them to give pregnant women information and support for breastfeeding. See this document which shows the pathways.

You might find biological nurturing useful.

Agree with tiktok that this is rubbish support- and rude too, not to let you know that the course had been cancelled before you turned up.

Thank you everyone for your lovely helpful replies and links

crikeybadger I was surprised that they hadn't rung me to say it had been cancelled.Will wait and see what the organiser says when she rings.(If she rings!)

My local hospital isn't going for the babyfriendly status as far as i am aware.My friend had her baby there only weeks ago and says they still provide formula for whoever wants it.

Off to look at all the links now...thanks again