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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Original poster

Newborn breastfeeding support thread (plus support for people planning to BF)

72 replies

smk84 · 14/12/2011 14:35

Hi all, I thought it would be a good idea to start a thread where we can discuss the questions we have about breastfeeding in preparation for our babies being born. We could also post questions here once our babies are born, share our experiences and support one another. I will post some links that people might find useful (thank you to wormshuffler, Albrecht,bertiebotts and crikeybadger for these). Any more suggestions would be welcome.

The Best Beginnings Website here
Kellymom is a great website. There is a link to their newborn page here
Information on co-sleeping on the UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative website here.There is also lots more info on this site.
Biological Nurturing website here
Thought it would also be nice to post our due dates/baby born dates here Grin

Smk84, DC2 due 5/6/11, DS1 born 1/5/09

OP posts:
Original poster
smk84 · 14/12/2011 14:51

Numbers to call for breastfeeding advice.....

La Leche League - 0845 120 2918
NCT - 0300 33 00 771
National Breastfeeding Helpline - 0844 20 909 20

OP posts:
organiccarrotcake · 14/12/2011 15:17

Fabulous idea :)

choceyes · 14/12/2011 15:19

"Womanly Art of Breastfeeding" by the LLL, is a great book to read in preparation for breastfeeding and parenting in general in the first few months. Even though DD is now 16 months, I still read bits of it now and again.

crikeybadger · 14/12/2011 16:09

Yes, great idea- smk84- I take it you are due next year though? Smile

I like analytical armadillo alot too - not really breastfeeding information as such, but realy interesting thoughts and articles. The blog is here.

Original poster
smk84 · 14/12/2011 16:33

yes crickey, 5/6/12 !!! oopps !!

OP posts:
Original poster
smk84 · 14/12/2011 16:34

crikey, sorry !! not even on phone so no excuse !!!

OP posts:
flamegirl77 · 14/12/2011 17:14

The best thing I did was to get my husband on board when I was pregnant. Even when it was hurting really badly he never suggested giving up which I felt showed a lot of respect for what I was trying to do, even though it must have been hard to watch. All fine now!

NotQuiteCockney · 14/12/2011 18:28

If you're calling a helpline, it's best to call in the evening, or over the weekend, and from a landline. That way you are a) most likely to get an answer and b) from someone who lives near you.

Original poster
smk84 · 14/12/2011 20:56

Thank you for all the contributions so far :)

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organiccarrotcake · 18/12/2011 09:08

flamegirl77 you've really hit the nail on the head there. Having a supportive partner is one of the most critical things. If they understand why you're breastfeeding and they're feeling the same way they're more likely to give you the support when you need it.

I would recommend having all the helplines printed out somewhere to hand (maybe on the fridge)!

Also perhaps a list of why breastfeeding is important to you - to encourage you.

Recommended reading - The Food of Love and The Politics of Breastfeeding.

Original poster
smk84 · 18/12/2011 14:53

Thanks for the book recommendation Organic - I haven't heard of that one before.

OP posts:
organiccarrotcake · 18/12/2011 15:04

Two books. "The food of love" is by Kate Evans, and "The Politics of Breastfeeding" is by Gabrielle Palmer.

msbaublestwinkle · 18/12/2011 15:37

Joining in! I'm currently bfing 8 day old DD3. I seem to have finally got it right, I made a mess of the early days with both the older ones (although I did go on to nurse DD1 until she turned 5 and DD2 is still going). DD3 had lost 9% at 5 days old, hugely different from the others who lost 15 and 13.

She is being weighed again on Tuesday, which is the longest I could persuade the mw to leave it. I am mostly feeling confident as we are really getting through the nappies (about 12 cloth a day, 3 pooey ones), however I wobble as both the bigger DDs were slow gainers.

TooImmatureTurtleDoves · 18/12/2011 21:48

Also joining in - DD2 due 30/03/12. I have been reading bf threads for a long time and I love the idea of ongoing ante and post-natal support. I am determined to bf but have no experience as DD1 was stillborn. So I am in the weird position of knowing that I can produce milk in what seemed like decent quantities, but not knowing how I will cope with the reality of breastfeeding. I'm also electing for a CS this time and I'm not sure how that will affect my attempts.

Thanks for starting this thread, smk84. MrsBaubles, congratulations on your 3rd DD!

youtalkintomeunderthemiseltoe · 18/12/2011 22:22

I'm checking in have 3 day old dd who fed solidly for first 36 hours now milk has come in she has had one feed and slept all day, I've managed to get her to take small feeds but she keeps falling asleep, I'm in agony have been doing hot cold cloths had some paracetamol but Sad. this is my 3rd dc so i know it gets easier but I suffered with mastitis 5 times last time and could really do with out that. She has a reall good latch I have a few teeny blisters but really not that bad. Have tried expressing but can never get much unless I express whilst feeding.

crikeybadger · 18/12/2011 22:30

Ouch youtalkintome- have you tried hand expression?

LoveInASnowyClimate · 18/12/2011 22:36

Marking my place as due 15 March and really, really want BF to succeed. Great thread, thanks, OP.

youtalkintomeunderthemiseltoe · 18/12/2011 22:39

Yes had a bath and tried but with out a let down I can't get much off. The thing is get her to latch on is agony so the fact she is being lazy falling asleep losing her latch I have to take her off try and wake her up and start again it's so painful but bringing back lots of memories.

tiktok · 18/12/2011 22:50

youtalkin, a baby of this age not feeding is a concern, for sure....do you feel ok about calling the midwife/maternity ward rather than going overnight without support or advice?

youtalkintomeunderthemiseltoe · 18/12/2011 22:57

Oh she isn't not feeding she just isn't taking as much as I have IYSWIM she has had decent enough feeds but seeing as she hardly slept for the first 24 hours and now has her first belly full of milk she is out for the count. My other babies have had similar days she is essentially having lots of little feeds and sleeping I'm not worried about her she is bright when she wakes I think she just over did the feeding the first 3 days I now have the worlds greatest milk supply and nobody to give it too. If I didn't have such painful nipples I'd probably find expressing easier too but they are untouchable.

youtalkintomeunderthemiseltoe · 18/12/2011 22:59

Have read my first post and I apologise it does seem as though I fed her once and not again, she took one huge feed this am looked like a drunk old man and conked out she has since just had 5 mins here and there all day so not draining a breast.

Original poster
smk84 · 19/12/2011 13:07

Welcome youtalkin, love, too and msbaubles.
you have you tried both a manual and electric pump? I found my manual one useless, but Medela swing electric worked very well. Do you have Lansinoh to put on before/after feeds?
Too so sorry to hear about your loss. I know there are plenty of people who have succeeded to BF after CS, and lots of people say it's better with an elective. Would suggest skin to skin as soon as possible (maybe you could ask your midwife what the hospital will allow). I may end up with an ELcS as I had a bad tear with DS - have to see the consultant next month to discuss. But will be asking lots of BF questions so will let you know what they say.
Mrs Baubles congratulations on the birth of your DD. Sounds like things are going well :)
Love is this your first DC?

OP posts:
msbaublestwinkle · 19/12/2011 14:58

Thank you! Midwife is tomorrow now, I am really wobbly and worried, despite us having had 5 soaked nappies since 7am and her having pooed 4 times over night!

LoveInASnowyClimate · 19/12/2011 15:22

Yes, first baby, smk. Excited but terrified!

  • we were on the No Brooking threads together for ages but then it got so busy I fled! Hope you're well?
FatherBartimas · 19/12/2011 16:55

"The best thing I did was to get my husband on board when I was pregnant."

Totally agree. I told DH that I knew I could change to formula if necessary so he was never to remind me of that fact! 3 months on and he never has Grin

Fortunately he thinks bf is fab as does my MIL.