Someone remind me of the breastfeeding basics...baby being born today!

[muffins]

Hi

Can't sleep too nervous as got to be on labour ward in couple of hours for elcs.
Fed DD for 7 1/2 months after plenty of help off here but apart from having baby tummy close up against you I feel I can't remember any of it, help! What are the basics for positioning, good things to remember for first few days?

Thanks!

Ooh how exciting, good luck for today.

Get someone to check your latch. We fed for over 2 years with DC1 bit I still managed to fuck up with DC 2 due to an undiagnosed tt because everyone said, "Oh you know what to do," and wouldn't check latch until I ended up with a lactation consultant due to poor weight gain.

Tummy to tummy, wide mouth and tongue forward. Don't hold the back of baby's head. Nose should be clear of boob. Jack Newman videos on YouTube are good.

Feed lots and lots for the first few days. Once you're sure DC is gaining well you can start letting her/him find her/his own rhythm.

At least 2 poo and 5 wet nappies per 24h.

Kellymom and the analytical armadillo websites for specific questions. Kellymom has a good explanation of how lactation works and AA a good article on baby weight gain in the first few weeks - worth reading both imho as you will be prepared to spot signs of any problems earlier rather than later.

Have a wonderful day

Oh how exciting

Plenty of skin to skin. Get Lo checked and rechecked for tongue tie.

Have a read of breastfeeding your newborn! what to expect.

The bfing helpline numbers are here and ring them with any niggles you have, much better to speak to someone before a niggle turns into a major issue.

And enjoy your baby

How exciting!

Lots of great advice here already...can you ask for skin to skin straight after your baby is delivered?

Then keep the baby close, watch for hunger cues, expect frequent feeding.

Deffo insist on help if you're not sure.

If the baby is too sleepy to feed, ask for help to hand express and give the baby the colostrum through a syringe.

Let us know how things are going won't you

Use nipple cream ( lanolin one in purple tube is good) to try to avoid sore nipples!
Good luck today.

Not everyone needs nipple cream though only. I've bf 2 and never used cream or had sore nipples. Glad you found something that worked for you though

I BF after a CS. I would recommend having either a decent BFing pillow or other decent pillow. I was so sore afterward and I found getting the position ok and keeping it.

Thanks everyone

Little boy born safe and sound :-)
He's feeding LOADS as in wont get off the breast, is unsettled and fussy if not on boob. Also noticed tongue not flat, seems lower in middle and wondering if he might have a tongue tie? Midwives v busy and breastfeeding support groups in in the morning so think will wait and ask one of them. Feeding not painful really, bit of clicking from little man though and seems to come off easily but early days I guess!

Congratulations, that is such lovely news

Tongue tie isn't always painful for the mother, so don't be fobbed off. Ask the MWs and ask to see the infant feeding co-ordinator.

Could just be normal baby behaviour but best to get these thing checked

Congratulations

Constant popping off the boob was the first sign for us that there was a problem so keep an eye on that.

If you do suspect a problem I can recommend the tongue tie group on Facebook (it's a members only group, US orientated but very nice and helpful). There are a lot of helpful links in the files area and loads of photos so you can get an idea of what a tie might look like.

If you think there may be a problem don't be fobbed off, keep pushing. On the other hand, if you're not in pain and DS is gaining weight well, you don't necessarily need to do anything - again a fb recommendation but the analytical armadillo had an interesting post on that last week.

Good luck and enjoy the snuggles

Congratulations
things i totally forgot in early baby blur were

Little finger in mouth to de latch
.

A feed is finished when baby stops feeding and falls off satisfied.

Leave nipples out to air dry after feed.

Put a hair band on wrist to remember which boob to use Next

It really is worth it :)

Enjoy your newborn snuggles. Xx

Congrats muffins
Wanting to be on the boob is normal in the early days, he just wants to be near you.
Clicking can indicate tt so good idea to get it checked, are you not getting a mw visit soon?