Best piece of breastfeeding advice you were given?

[RubyWoooo]

As it says on the tin, really. What was the one golden bit of advice you were given?

Looking for some nuggets of wisdom after miserably failing with BFing DD. Second DC due in a few days.

Thanks in advance

Also have a look at the flipple technique too.

Before you take them off the breast for whatever reason make sure you break their latch first by putting your little finger down the side of baby's lip. I learned this the hard way early doors and it took me quite a while to recover from the damage.

Use your labour breathing.

It's totally normal for baby to fuss and pull and feed all the time.

Do not take advice from anyone negative. Only take advice from professionals or other successful breastfeeders. The amount of negativity that's spewed out from all sorts is surprising and really disappointing. I'm the first one in my family to breast feed for more than the first few months for about 3 or 4 generations, I had to rely on professionals because family just gave crap advice. It's a lost skill in a lot of places I think.

It's a constant learning curve. One poster said to stop when they have teeth, which is nonsense. You just learn ways to make sure they don't use them on you!

Don't get hung up on the "bf 8-12 times a day" line, which can make you anxious about keeping count and worrying about baby feeding too often (especially with unhelpful in-laws commenting that you're feeding again).

Just pop baby on boob every time she starts moving her mouth, every time she squawks, and every time you're comfortable and have a spare moment. If she doesn't want to feed, she won't. As a newborn, she probably will take up your offer of boob, though! Which will help build ip a good supply.

And if anyone comments about baby being on the boob again, just reply that this is how normal babies normally feed. Like a mantra, over and over.

(If anyone is genuinely interested in bf patterns, you can explain that formula-fed babies feed differently because formula is harder to digest. But my experience is that people making negative comments about bf usually aren't interested in facts, just in reinforcing their own agenda. For such people, meeting every comment with "this is how normal babies normally feed" was calming for me and boring for them... So the comments stopped ).

Co sleep
Trust that your body is providing enough (as long as truly feeding to demand)
You can drink alcohol

Delighted at the alcohol one

Seriously, thank you so much for the replies and advice. I really struggled to come to terms with my BFing experience last time, and this time I'm so determined and reading all of this just makes me realise I can do it, and that there will be bumps in the road.

Thank you all

bertie that is kind, thank you.

Basically with DC1 there were a multitude of factors which contributed to me only feeding for a few days...

-baby was huge, late and born via EMCS after a very traumatic labour and a massive amount of drugs including three doses of pethidine. Cue VERY drowsy baby who did not want to feed and had low blood sugar, was topped up with formula at 12 hours old

-extremely distressing hand expressing experiences throughout my stay in hospital which left me sore and upset

-I didn't really have a clue how to latch, wasn't helped by midwives and didn't know what a lactation consultant or BF peer supporter was (I have now found my local ones and have their numbers). Midwives just shoved baby onto my boob without explaining what I should be looking for in a latch. I had no idea what tongue tie was, or to ask for my baby to be checked for it

-As a result by day three I was blistered, cracked and bleeding. I cried through every feed. My milk didn't come in until day five, by that time I'd developed an infection in my c sec wound and was back in hospital. With no support (was not an MNer at the time and had no friends / family who had positive BF advice) I just couldn't do it any more.

This time, thanks mainly to my experience last time, I feel much more prepared. All of the advice I have received on this thread is amazing. I've been reading up on how to latch, watching vids and reading this board religiously. I've also looked up local BF cafes and support groups.

Fingers crossed!

While reading up and getting prepared is brilliant, careful you dont get too hung up on what's right or wrong.

Every baby is different, there is no wrong way to do it. Generally, if baby is weeing and pooing, and you're coping reasonably well (ie still sane!) everythings going great.

Like i said, i had no idea about milk coming in, supply, latch, how and when to feed. I also think i was better off without any interference or advice from midwives, who, tbh, rarely know about bf. I just worked out the least painful way to do things, and fed at every squeak.

Ask if youre struggling, obviously. But my own feeling is asking to be shown how to bf by busy midwives is more of a hindrance, as they rarely know any more than you.

I agree, micah. I just couldn't wade into it without having done my research like I did last time. I wasn't coping or sane, and as I found out, MW advice was shite.

Before your baby is born, find out where your local face to face breastfeeding support groups are, and go along. Get to know the breastfeeding counsellors and the volunteers, find out where to park, get phone numbers, etc. Then, when your baby is here, you will feel happy enough to ask for help. Do ask, and get face to face support... even if it is all going ok, it's great to have support.

I really struggled and nearly gave up but I kept going after my mum said that when it does get better, it gets better really quickly. She was right as well.

Accept that you will spend 2/3++ months feeding and not much else. There can be difficulties latching and positioning but virtually everyone has to go through the exhaustion of cluster feeding and growth spurts in that time... It's much easier if you accept it and prepare for it by filling the freezer before they arrive and get a feeding station with snacks, tv etc.

See to your other child and go for a wee before you sit down to feed.

"Tummy to mummy, nipple to nose."

I just couldn't get the position right to start with. After this advice it was soooo much easier!

Op my breastfeeding experience with dd1 sounds similar to yours and I gave up after 5 days. With dd2 I felt much more prepared and was determined to give it another go. It was difficult (very painful at first due to rubbish latch and dd2 lost lots of weight and had to have formula top ups at first) but what made all the difference was that I had a professional who really knew what she was doing come to my house and sort me out!
She was employed by the health visiting team in my area and just looked after mums who were struggling to breastfeed. Without her I would have given up again. I know many places don't have a service like this so ask your health visitor and if they don't have anything similar I'd consider paying for a bf consultant if you struggle again.
Saying that you might have no problems at all this time - every baby is different.

Thanks hazelnut. I met a very good BF consultant a few weeks ago and have been in touch with her and she's already offered support after the birth if I need it, which is very reassuring.

Well, in stark contrast to the "feed feed feed every time your child whimpers" - the best piece of advice I got, which transformed bf from misery to contentment for DS and I, was to bf 4 hourly.
I had massive oversupply, probably enough milk for three babies, and DS had terrible lactose overload, intestinal fermentation and desperately painful bloating. After 5 wretched weeks of screaming, pain, rashes, pacing the kitchen nightly, pouring gripe water pointlessly into an agonised little mouth, frantically reading everything I could lay hands on both textbooks and online and speaking to two frankly fucking useless laction consultants, a clever paediatrician sorted us out in five minutes.
We subsequently relaxed the 4 hourly schedule but it calmed down the raging torrents of my milk supply and magically improved DS's life within 24 hours.
I don't know how common this situation is, but just wanted to point out that bf is not - and how could it be? - the answer to an infant's every single whimper, nor is it the appropriate response to every bf hurdle.
Best of luck!

I think the advice that helped me most in the early days was to be assertive. When the baby is rooting and opening their mouth then really shove your boob into their mouth, aiming the nipple to the roof of the mouth. Be more forceful / assertive than might feel intuitive with a newborn (obviously without hurting them!) - remember they are sleepy and tiny so really need you to guide them when it comes to latching on.

Other than that I think the fact that I was I was on regular painkillers post c-section helped to numb the initial pain. I second PPs advice on taking regular paracetamol / ibruprofen whilst establishing BF.

Also drink loads of water and eat lots of food. Try to relax (easier said than done sometimes). Lanisoh nipple cream is great - take some in your hospital bag. Feed the baby constantly and whenever they cry (ignore any 'helpful' comments from relatives).

Good luck and don't be too hard on yourself.

Not sure it was any particular aspect or advice but I spent all free time in the final trimester of pregnancy researching breastfeeding problems and reasons for giving up - on mums etc and other infant feeding forums

Once I'd made some notes of the problems women seemed to be facing and the kind of advice they were getting - we got an IBCLC to come and do us an antenatal class on BF at home on our furniture just before I gave birth and got an appointment for DS asap after birth just to sort out latch etc head on before any problems arose.

All of this was read done and arranged before birth and I think it helped me walk on feeling more prepared and a bit in control and also with realistic expectations

And I also had al helpline numbers saved and visited local breastfeeding groups before the birth that helped too

Slather lansinoh on your nipple and areola after each and every feed in the beginning. Bras will get sticky and yukky but usually they're only stretchy nursing bras anyway. Didn't get cracked or bleeding nipples once.

Have been in touch with a laceration consultant to book a visit after the birth. And stocked up on Lansinoh

Lactation not laceration...although that could be appropriate

That you and baby are a team and you both need to be happy with how things are going with it. Don't beat yourself up if things don't work out.

I think the advice that helped me most in the early days was to be assertive. When the baby is rooting and opening their mouth then really shove your boob into their mouth, aiming the nipple to the roof of the mouth. Be more forceful / assertive than might feel intuitive with a newborn (obviously without hurting them!) - remember they are sleepy and tiny so really need you to guide them when it comes to latching on.

I think this is great advice from sandsnake here. I was holding dd about a mile away from me trying to feed her as I was scared if she was too close my breasts would squash her nose so she wouldn't be able to breathe. Thank goodness a midwife spotted I was doing that and told me to move her closer as it was causing my nipples to bleed.

3 things...

1. when I couldn't get DD to feed at 3 weeks my midwife advised do 'the crawl' with skin-to-skin 3-4 times daily (I only managed twice per day for 4 days and she started feeding)

2. Use mimijumi bottles as they look like a breast and the baby has to suck, like they do whilst breastfeeding, to get the

3. Use a pump if you can't feed yourself (I used lansinoh double electric pump)

Breastfeeding is hard but very very rewarding. I am currently feeding my daughter and I love it! We have also both dodged my husband's nasty cold. I'm certain she missed it because she has my antibodies fighting it.

I used the breastfeeding helpline several times in the early days and weeks for some added support. They were fab. 0300 100 0212

We only established breastfeeding at 3-4 weeks old.

Good luck

xx

The amazing lady who came into my room when DS was 12 hrs old and we just couldn't get it right if been awake for far too long and DSs arrival was bit traumatic for him She told me to lie on my side and prop DS right up close to me, then she waited for DS to open his mouth and literally grabbed my boob and shoved it in!!! I was at the time, but it only took 30seconds to realise that he was actually feeding that time and he calmed down straight away.

I'd also say the first 10 seconds are hellish to start with. I used to latch him on and breathe out slowly and count to 10. If the pain had gone then I knew we'd got a good latch, if it still hurt then I took him off and tried again.

DD was born a boobie monster. She fed straight away with a perfect latch and never stopped. The midwives had to prise her off me after an hour so they could stitch me up!

And yes, when they're tiny if in doubt - feed! And if they're not latching well when the usually do then wind. Then they'll probably create more room to be fed again.

Create a really comfy space at home for feeding. Whether it's a feeding cushion, spare bed, armchair... Get it all set up so you can just flop down and whack a boob out. Having a table nearby is also handy. Try not to get stuck under a feeding baby when the TV is on something dreadful and the remote is just out of reach...

Best advice I got with DD1, from a great BF adviser, was that DD had a posterior tongue tie which was why it wasn't working (other HCPs had said there was no tongue tie ). Got it cut, magical transformation.

Best advice I got with DD2 was that I had fast letdown and certain positions would help DD cope. Same BF adviser as with DD1.

So... my advice is... find a great BF adviser who will look closely at you and your baby and give tailored advice.