Silly questions about breastfeeding?

[pucca]

I didn't breastfeed my dd (regretted it afterwards though ) and i am seriously thinknig of giving it a go this time (i am 25 weeks) but have some questions that will probably seem really stupid

Does it hurt at first?

How often do you feed and for how long?

With my dd i never got any milk leaking or anything will this be a problem?

Also with my dd, my nipples looked cracked after the birth and do a little now, will this be a problem?

The only thing that is bothering me a little, is if my dd (2.4yo) will get more jelous because obviously it will be me feeding the baby, has anyone had a problem with this?

Thanks if you have got this far, and thanks if you manage to answer the silly questions.

They say it shouldn't hurt at first but ime it does. Even with a good latch. It's not too bad and it lasts up to six weeks and then it's a total breeze and extremely enjoyable.

The baby will feed for different lengths of time and at different times depending on his or hear needs (Demand feeding) which vary in accordance with emotions, growth, teeth.

You'll need to include your toddler as much as poss and I used to let mine have a little suck, which worked brilliantly - but I understand it's not for everyone.

The best cream for cracked nipples is Lansinoh as it's all natural (lanolin etc) it works and it doesn't need to be washed off.

Lastly, it's extremely fulfilling and good on you for wanting to breast feed second time round and not being put off. I hope you get lots of support (on here and in RL) and don't hesitate to ask anything at any time to MNers, the Breatfeeding Network, La Leche League, because these are dedicated women on a mission to help women who want to breastfeed, to do it.

Good luck.

I should qualify my last post by saying it shouldn't hurt too much beyond the initial latching on, and if it does there may be a problem with the latch.

Does it hurt at first? Most likely, yes it will because you won't be doing it right. It shouldn't hurt though and once you get it sorted and both you and your baby learn what you're meant to be doing then it doesn't hurt.

How often do you feed and for how long? How long is a piece of string??! For me, generally, about 20 minutes every 3 hours or so but this varies enourmously from baby to baby.

With my dd i never got any milk leaking or anything will this be a problem? Shouldn't be, no. You wouldn't have been stimulating the supply at all by not feeding her so there wouldn't have been a vast amount of milk there.

Also with my dd, my nipples looked cracked after the birth and do a little now, will this be a problem? Nope.

HTH :) I'd say give it a go. A good go and se what happens. It's not easy at first - despite being "natural" it doesn't come naturally at first! It's worthwhile though and can be very satisfying when you get into the swing of it.

pucca, there are no silly questions!! I've c&p'd your questions here:

Does it hurt at first?

Sometimes it can hurt, yes. Pain can be due to incorrect positioning, so make sure your midwife checks your position is correct. The mantra is "tummy to mummy, nose to nipple" (ie hold the baby across your tummy facing in). But even if your position is right, you can experience soreness as your nipples toughen up to the unused-to constant friction. I found the first few weeks with each baby (I've had 3) to be very painful at times. However once you have got past that stage it is so easy - and pain-free.

How often do you feed and for how long?

To start with, as often as the baby wants to and for as long as they want. To stimulate your milk supply, you need to be feeding often - you'll find this will settle down over time to more regular intervals (though may be still unpredictable). Once your milk comes in, you will feel engorged (breasts will feel hard and uncomfortable) - just feed regularly and this will settle down.

With my dd i never got any milk leaking or anything will this be a problem?

I never leaked with my dds at all, ever, but never had a problem with supply. With ds I leak copiously - I still have to wear breast pads and he is 9m! Invest in some washable breast pads (avent do some nice ones, you may have to get them from a website though) - they are softer and more comfortable than disposables. I have got three pairs (one box) which isn't really enough.

Also with my dd, my nipples looked cracked after the birth and do a little now, will this be a problem?

Mmm, not necessarily - do they feel sore? Mine look cracked but aren't. Invest in some Lansinoh cream before the birth - costs an arm and a leg but is so worth it. You could rub it into your nipples before the birth, and after every feed (it doesn't need washing off) - it will help with any soreness.

The only thing that is bothering me a little, is if my dd (2.4yo) will get more jelous because obviously it will be me feeding the baby, has anyone had a problem with this?

There are lots of techniques to get round this. When I was feeding dd2, dd1 (17m when dd2 was born) would get a pile of books and I would read to her as I fed. You could also have a box of "special" toys that only come out at feeding time, so that your dd feels it is her treat time. Don't be afraid to utilise help if you need it (tv is good!!)

And don't be afraid to ask us anything - there are no silly questions (write that out ten times and stick it on your wall )

Hi pucca - I think it varies for everyone, but I'll tell you my personal experiences

With ds1 weeks 3&4, once y milk came in were bloody agony. I was doing everything right, he was latched on properly etc. I almost gave up, but had some excellent support from a friend who was bf'ing her 4th at th time. Once that had gone, it was fine, no pain. I can't remember any pain with ds2, maybe cos my body was more prepared?

As for times of feeding, you'll be told soooo many different things, but I feed on demand, so basically as and when ds wants it, and for as long as he wants.

Leaking - with ds1 the milk poured out of me all of the time. I was going through loads of packs of breast pads, and when I was feeding him, esp at night, the other side used to flood out, so I used to 'catch' it, and put in fridge/freezer. This time I stocked up on breast pads, but have never needed them. I don't leak at all. Don't know if this is normal 2nd time round though

Can't answer the cracked nipples, sorry, and ds1 is a coupl of years older than your dd, so can't help you there either, sorry.

Hope this all helps. Bear in mind tho that evryone's experiences are very different. Good Luck.

It didn't hurt me at all. Strted off feeding for about 20 mins on each side for about every 2-3 hours. Am still b/feeding DS now at 10 and a half mths, just morning & night & he only needs 10 mins in total. Some babies feed more effeciently than others & some women hve a faster let-down than others. If you find your let down is quite slow it cn help to express a tiny mount first to get the milk flowing so its esier for your baby.

I haven't needed nipple cream at all (very lucky, I know!).

I'm really glad I b/fed & would do it again.

It would be worth finding out about b/feeding clinics in your area for support & advice.

Good luck!

Breastfeeding was, I'm afraid, excruciatingly painful for me both times for the first two weeks - despite midwives checking position etc., etc.,.. I nearly gave up second time around but Lansinoh was a life saver and it was fine after that. My dd2 is now 8 months and I've no plans to stop breastfeeding, despite having said at the start that I would only do it for 6 months..I don't love it but it's just so bloody convenient and I'm very lazy!
If you're going to give it a go, make sure you don't give up before 6 weeks... and if you do give up after that, don't beat yourself up about it. I wasn't breastfed, nor were many of my friends and we're all extremely healthy.
My dd1 was exactly 2yr 4 months when dd2 was born. Yes, she has been jealous of all the 'cuddling' the baby has seemed to have but, after a while, when I needed to feed dd2 she would get her doll out and 'breastfeed' while I did.
Good luck. Do whatever feels right for you and your baby.

Thanks everyone all replies much appreciated.

my nipples never hurt when starting to bf. neither did I have cracked nipples. i only had a few painful letdowns and not necessarily in the first few days either.

leaking was never a big problem for me even early days.

this may or may not sound silly. When I shower and since I was pg, I do not wash my nipples with soap at all. Apparently, the little glands on the nipples produce an substance which condition the nipples for bf. I figured that washing them with soap would just be removing that stuff.

Maybe that has nothing to do with it and I was just lucky but I think it is also partly down to having the textbook breastfeeding nipples.

pucca: i should add that and this is what I would do differently if I were to do this all over again: read a good bf book. you cannot educate yourself too much on this topic - which I know now after almost having the midwives at the hospital and my HV destroy my bf with their lousy advice.

here is a place to find a good bf book:
\link{http://www.nctms.co.uk/prodlist.asp?cat=69&scat=81\breastfeeding books}

I b/f my 6.5 month old and I have a 3 yr old, she's never been jealous about me b/feeding the baby - ironically she did get jealous when I started feeding dd2 on solids she would climb all over me whilst I was trying to feed dd2 who was only sitting in the bouncy chair, and say but i want a cuddle! I'd say b/f is easier with no2 cos you can sit on the floor and play/cuddle/read with your free hand. Less time preparing feeds = more time with older child. It isnt easy the 1st few months but you know that now already, dd2 is a really quick feeder right from the start 10 mins max and she's done.

pucca, everyone else has given you excellent advice and I echo everything said here. Just one tip, get help from the midwife in the delivery suite when you have her full attention. Mine helped me latch my dd on after birth and I swear this helped us both both develop a fab feeding relationship (can't think of a better word!)from the v. beginning :) A sad fact is that on the ward they are often too busy to devote a lot of attention to mums trying to breastfeed (in my experience)

Thanks everyone for all the fab advice

I know if i don't do it this time (no more babies!) i will regret i never had the experience of breast feeding, i KNOW i will, but i think i will also feel a little guilty because i didn't try with my dd

I think one of the main reasons i never tried with dd, is because i know no one who breastfed, my mum didn't and none of my relatives did, apart from my grandmothers which was 50 years ago lol, so i guess i thought i wouldn't have the support i neededor there was no one i could ask advice from, i feel more confident this time because it isn't ALL new, with dd it was, i didn't even know how to change a nappy till she was born lol, with this one i know everything else, so i guess i feel i can take on breastfeeding too.

The only other thing that is bothering me, is... atm i am taking pre natal vitamins because my diet is crap, i don't eat much veg etc, will it be the same while breastfeeding? is there any vitamins i can take to supplement what i eat?

Thanks again for being so kind and patient with me

No harm in continuing with your vits, pucca, but they won't make any difference either way to your bf...check archives for posts on diet and breastfeeding.

Vitamins are fine pucca, there are vitamins you can get pregnacare? that are specifically for bf'ing, but they're probably almost identical to own brand vits.