I am due with DD3 in 4 days - what have I forgotten about bf'ing since having DD2?

[FantasticFabby]

I'm pretty sure I'm wearing my rose tinted glasses but as far as I can remember I pop the baby on and she feeds

Well, thats how I remember it anyhow.

I've bf'd both dds so should know this but have a fear I have forgotten crucial information.

I have ample muslins and lanisol cream for the pain.

What am I forgetting? Is it as easy as I remember?

That's the best ever definition I have ever read about breastfeeding:
quote: "I pop the baby on and she feeds" ! Breastfeeding for dummies!
THe truth is that's it. No secret move! And the magic is it works for boys as well !!
What else....
A bottle of water because you get very thirsty? Those sexy breastfeeding bra you can unhook with one hand, and the pad to put inside? A good book that keeps you company during those night feeds.....

I had mastitis with dd2, removable nipples would have been good then!

On the serious side I have feeding bras and a sports bra for hospital. I haven't been able to concentrate on a book since falling pg (so tired) so might need to investigate a good one!

I think I've been so relaxed with this pregnancy and all of a sudden its hitting me that my c section is booked in four days and I'm now panicing and doubting everything I know.

That may sound silly. I blame the hormones!

*sports bottle for hospital

Put the numbers of the NCT and La Leche League helplines into your mobile in case it's tricky this time round.

I fed DC1 until she was 15mths and had a real surprise when DC2 turned up at what an effort it was to bf a newborn. By the end, DC1 would be sat on my knee and would get herself into the right position and attach herself and I could hold a book and read it to her. It's so much more physical with a newborn. You need one hand to support the head and then another to hold the body or a LOT of cushions, all of which have to be in exactly the the right place. And due to the use of both arms or the teetering pile of cushions, it's not as easy to hold a drink or book or whatever. Latching them on is a bit of an effort too as you have to get your nipple into their mouth at the exact moment they open wide enough to be able to latch on and, if you miss that second, you have to unlatch them and start the whole performance again. It was surprisingly complicated for the first few feeds. But then DC2 got the hang of it and all as well. So it's not hard as such, just different to feeding an older child who can support their own head or sit or whatever.

I forgot with DC2 that they go through a phase of ravenous, frantic feeding after a few days or weeks. It basically looks like they're not getting enough, they're not satisfied. It freaked me out both times! I called a midwife out. They just get like that to increase the flow,it all settles soon enough, but can feel like a lifetime at the time. Good luck xx :)

Thanks for all the advice. Its helping to trigger those memories of the first few weeks of feeding a newborn.

I had forgotten all about the frantic feeding. I hoping its like riding a bike and it will all come back to me once I'm holding baby.

Is it normal to be less milky on your 3rd pregnancy. I was spraying everywhere when I was about 6 months pg with dd1 and really tender. I had to wear a soft bra to bed to help with the pain.

This time round there is no pain and I'm only leaking a little. Is it just because my milk supply is controlling itself now?

My milk supply was totally different the second time around. With DC1, I had such a strong supply that I always leaned back to feed her and as soon as she came off, milk would just shoot across the room. I had to wear breast pads for weeks, would have to have a muslin under the breast I wasn't feeding from as so much milk came out of it when I was feeding etc. With DC2, there was none of that. I have no idea why. I was also never engorged with DC2. My only theory was that I was a lot more active when DC2 was a newborn as I had DC1 to run around after so more calories were being burned by me so less could be used to produce milk. Interestingly (or not), DC1 never pooed more than once a week and could often go for 10 days between poos. DC2 pooed at least twice a day.
One of my neighbours has three and her third DD gained weight a lot more slowly than her other two. It was only when she sat down with the HV when her DD3 was about 8 weeks that she realised that, in the general melee of having three DC and having to do three school runs a day, her DD3 was getting at least one less feed a day than the other two had had at a similar age. And those feeds were probably shorter. I was conscious of the latter with DC2. As soon as he showed signs of being done, that was it as I popped him back in the sling or on the play mat or whatever whilst I went & found out why DC1 was crying or went to make her tea or to go & collect her from pre-school. Whereas with DC1, it was more likely that we just stayed where we were cuddling whilst I finished watching my programme or my coffee in Starbucks etc meaning that DC1 could latch back on & have a bit more if she wanted.

It flippin' hurts at the beginning!!!
But it gets easier and you can pop the baby on and she feeds

Interesting, I was less engorged with DD2 as well. Still had loads of milk but my boobs seemed to cope better with it.