URGENT advice needed to try the breast!!

[Hesitant]

Just have a newborn and wanted without telling anyone to try the breast. Have read a bit and tried and he's not quite getting it (nor am i as i've never done it) but i wanted to give it a go!

Quick tips and advice would be greatly welcomed as i guess he'll need a feed one way or the other soon.

Am TOTAL novice!

Hi, Your really need some prof help, I had no help in hospital and came home after day and half of trying by myself with bleeding cracked nipples! I then had the communtiy midwife and HV sit with me everyday till I got the hang of it. It is NOT easy and you really do need someone to sit you down and show you how to latch the baby on etc. Do not be embarrassed, it is completely normal and natural for you to breast feed your baby. Please Get help so that you can enjoy it. x

o.k, he's sound asleep now but am already feeling guilty that he's not yet been fed! He's 4 hours old!

o.k, he's sound asleep now but am already feeling guilty that he's not yet been fed! He's 4 hours old!

I'm at home but i didn't even tell the midwife as i didn't want expectations raised.
Am very scared i can't do it and he needs some food!

Am off to rest ans cuddle, will report back later!

Congratulations! Can't believe that you are on mumsnet 4hours after giving birth ! I thought that I was an addict....

I'm intrigued to know why you don't want to tell anyone that you're trying to breastfeed?

Hi there

How are you? Hope you are ok. I feel bad for you that you are struggling alone with this. I had a baby recently and didn't find the midwives at all helpful but had attended an NCT breastfeeding class and had a basic book. I'm lucky enough to have had very few probs with it but it's really important it's right at the beginning otherwise you'll get a lot of pain and baby will struggle etc. Do you have any friends nearby who have experience? It really helps to see pics/videos or be shown. Otherwise speak to an NCT counseller or any of the NHS ones. Which area are you living in? Good luck with everything and huge congrats x x x

I am very concerned about you, is there no one you can ask, why cant you ask MW. Am I alone in this concern? Even if you have home birth, surely no mw would leave you alone unless you have established some sort of feeding even if it is bottle feeding. Very worried...

don't be concerned!
Have bottles made up, baby is very content, it was just a secret fancy. PLease chill out
He's asleep on my chest and it's my 4th!

Oh hun, you obviously want to have a go at breastfeeding so leave the bottles and give it a try

Congratulations btw xxxxx

if you really want to breastfeed then do tell your midwife, I am sure she'll be supportive and she should be able to give you tips and help you out in ways that can be difficult online.
Other people have already given good advice but I'd definitely second the getting naked (even just partially) and cuddling him, he'll start to root around (opening his mouth and snuggling into you) at which point just try and get him to latch on.

Hi Hesitant

Just thought I'd reassure you that my DD (now 6 months old) only fed once for a few sucks in the first 12 hours then every time I tried to feed her for the next few days she only sucked for a short while. Like pp said, colustrum is packed full of calories and special juice that will be all the baby needs until he/she becomes more awake and your milk comes in. I was so worried my DD wasn't getting enough but she was!

I couldn't get the hang of latching DD on at the start so for the first few days I fed her lying down, on the bed, on the sofa etc and it worked out just fine, once I got my confidence up cos I knew she was latching on better I then tried the normal cradle position and it was fine.

Lucy

This is a great website which explains all you need to know about bf - kellymom.com - I got it off MN 3yrs ago when I first had ds! Go for it, it's wonderful!

this shows the latch technique clearly HTH

Hi Hesitant and congrats on number 4!!!that you had us all so worried!!
I do hope that the bf works out but would agree to tell your MW - I bet she'll be well pleased that you want to give it a go! Do remember waht the other posters have said in that babies need only tiny amounts at first - this may seem strange after formula feeding but try to stick with it and when your milk comes in your baby will soon fill up.
Good luck with it all.

Sorry for over reacting, I too thought you may be a young mum hiding somewhere after giving birth on your own!!
Congrats on birth of 4th! My dd only had tiny bit of breats milk in first 24 hours cos I was so poorly, but still soley breast fed her for 2 months, so dont worry about how much they take at first, its only colostrum in first few days until milk comes through, and then you will know about it! Buy yourself one of those V shaped cushions for baby to lie on whilst feeding, this worked for me, but there is no shame in asking for help, and mw should encourage you but NOT force you to continue if you change your mind, if you feel too much pressure, tell them to bog off! Good luck x

99redballoons ... gone all gooey looking at that link with the latching baby ... and it's only a drawing ...
Would dearly love to breastfeed again ... sigh ... didn't manage too well with DS but did a good job with DD ...

Hesitant ... just as a matter of interest, why are you shy about telling anyone you would like to try?

I suggest your HV too but the bounty book in the pack from hospital actually has some good picture in it on getting the baby in the right position etc.
Good luck