If you could compile a 'helpful hints' leaflet on breastfeeding...

[YokoReturns]

...what would it look like? My SIL is about to give birth to DC1 and I’d love to support her in breastfeeding but don’t want to come across as pushy/know-it-all.

I was thinking something like:

1. Feed on demand, all day and all night if required

1. Lie down in bed to feed, don’t even bother with cradle hold

1. If baby cries: boob

1. Feeding at night boosts supply

1. Baby needs to take a huge ‘bite’ in order to latch on

1. Don’t time/space feeds, this will happen naturally (eventually)

1. If none of the above is working, or breastfeeding is horrifically painful, get checked for tongue tie

1. Www.kellymom.com is the bible

[Urglewurgle]

Oh yes about cluster feeding. Like; be prepared to possibly not move for a few days/weeks.

I was not prepared for how hard it was trying to bf. I feel like it was romanticised in any sessions I went to. I thought it was me doing something wrong. This, coupled with me being ill, contributed to me 'giving up' breastfeeding.

[lovelyleftrubbishright]

Another top tip, learn to separate fact from opinion presented as fact!

Agreed!

My top tip would be a pack of supermarket flapjacks next to the bed for a high calorie snack when you wake up for a night feed. Obviously not great for you teeth but I would wake up soooo ravenous in the early days that I would get upset. Flapjacks from day one this time round!