help preparing to breastfeed please!

[nannyn]

Any tips on getting your boobs ready for Bf, my nipples are quite flat. I mentioned this to my MW last time & was told it didn't matter but given I never managed to feed DD1 I'd like some advice to give me a better start with DD2. I tried but she ended up with a mouth full of blood & being hungry all the time so I had to give her formula. I'm 30 weeks, I would like to have a more positive attitude towards BF at the minute I feel doomed to fail.

That's not really very helpful of your mw is it, sounds a bit of a brush off.

Some women do find it harder, to breastfeed with a flat nipple- but it's not impossible and sometimes the feeding will draw the nipple out. Remember it's called breast feeding and not nipple feeding, so it's important to for the baby to get a big mothful of breast so that there is no damage to your nipple.

Have a look at kellymom here for a start.

You could also find out where your nearest breastfeeding support group is now and go a long beforehand so you can meet the people that run it and ask them about feeding with flat nipples. Your mw should be able to point you in the right direction.

and don't about the breastfeeding helplines- the numbers are all on the main mumsnet breastfeeding page.

HTH

I've had one baby that never really got the hang of BF, and one who feeds like a champion, so please don't assume that because it didn't work last time that it won't with DD2.

My advice would be to buy yourself some lanisoh or kamillosan, as the first week is the most important to establish supply, but a lot of women find it painful to have constant stimulation on an area that is not often used prior to BFing.

Support groups are there and they are great, so find out where your nearest one is and maybe go there a couple of times before DD2 arrives to get some advice, and so it's a bit more familiar and less daunting when you take your baby there.

Flat nipples were a real problem for me. The hospital advised nipple shields and they did work. At 4 months she is EBF but any attempt to wean off the shields is met with screaming sessions. Thankfully they haven't reduced my supply and I'd sooner free with shields than not be able to feed her.

I would agree that you should ignore your midwife's brush off and seek out local support group now. I understand I could have tried 'the flipple' latch from talking to BF counsellor. The BF counsellor is sure she could have helped and says she will come to hospital if I wish to assist with future babies feeding which is an offer i would definitely take her up on! Perhaps your service will offer this too?

Thanks everyone, will have a good read through of the link. Another question, nipple cream without lanolin?? I'm allergic to lanolin which is a right pain!

Another vote for Kamillosan - I preferred it to lansinoh anyway (only caveat is that you have to wipe excess off before feeds & it can stain washable breastpads). It's good for baby's nappy rash too. I don't think it has lanolin in it but do check.

I was exceedingly flat of nipple 6 months ago. I'm not any more!! Can't say it was any harder for me than someone with bullet nips (!) we had a host of other issues aside from flatness, so definitely advise arming yourself with contacts of all the BF helplines, local support groups etc. with any luck you won't need them, but if you do, at least you're prepared. Nothing beats real life support in my experience. Good luck!!

Hey nan, i dont think you can "prepare your nips" before baby comes but I found a tiny little bit of using a breast pump before a feed draws the nipple out. It is really hard to get started, I too had painful feeds, dd mouth full of blood but we got through it (took 3 months_). Also, really dont be hard on yourself if it really doesnt work for you and you end up bottle feeding. The bets advice I wish I had had when i started BF ing is get the latch right. pester your mid wife every day if you have to to come round and watch you feed and make sure you get it right. See a lactation consultant if you arent happy with the m/w or h/v. There is loads of support out there. Also a book i really recommend is "the food of love" by kate evans. the la leche site is really good too. Good luck, exciting times ;)

eeveryone, feeling a lot more positive about it now. I'm ok with bottle feeding, my DD is perfectly healthy. I'd just like to give BF another go & maybe do better this time

Yes, defo go along to a breastfeeding group, it'll help to have a support network in place before your DC2 arrives. Here is a list of LLL groups.

Here is some info on flat nipples that you might find helpful.