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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Original poster

pre-preparation for BF?

36 replies

BabyMadnBump · 17/05/2007 13:08

I bottle feed my first my mother said why BF when their is milk on the market to feed them, my second I tried to BF and I gave up after 10 day due to the fact he never slepted so I never slepted and I had DS#1 who was only 2 at the time to look after, my nipples were very sore and PND, but this time round I want to give it a dam good go, DS's are 5 and 7 1/2 both in school, sleep really good at night, never get up to early in the morning and are good kids, so is there anything I can do pre-preparation wise to help myself?

OP posts:
belgo · 17/05/2007 14:15

The best thing you can do is get yourself plenty of information - talk to any friends of yours who have successfully bf, go to an NCT bf class, read books on bf (maybe you can borrow these from someone rather then buying them).

If you keep bumping this thread up, then someone will come along with better help then me

Elasticwoman · 17/05/2007 14:15

Be well informed about the benefits of bf, the hazards of ff, and what is normal in the bf experience. Make sure you have the helpline numbers available for afterwards.

Last time I bf, I got very sore nipples and breasts and do you know what helped the most? A simple sleep bra. That and knowing (a) how perfect breastmilk is for baby (b) how imperfect is the synthetic stuff and (c) how easy, convenient and pleasurable it becomes once you get the hang of it. Which can take a while. It took 10 weeks for me, after which I continued to bf for several years.

Just remember it's a pity to give up before you get to the good bit.

isaidno · 17/05/2007 14:18

a sleep bra is def a good idea!

I found the disposable breast pads tended to make my nipples sore - lack of air I think, so I avoided using them at night.

Elasticwoman · 17/05/2007 16:25

I found breastpads stuck to me too. They are only necessary if you leak bigtime.

Original poster
BabyMadnBump · 17/05/2007 16:27

Thanks so much ladies I really want to give it a dam good go, and I wish I would of tried/done it with DS#1 it might of made it easier when trying with DS#2. Someone said to me when I was trying to BF DS#2 that I need to harden my nipples how do I do that? and what about nipple cream I've seen these is shops do I need them? I've been talking to alot of mums that are/have BF which has helped, they are really pleased with them self's for BF and I want to feel that way, I'm glad I did BF DS#2 for 10 days but feel like shit basically for giving up but I was in a bad place at the time! Thanks again!

OP posts:
Original poster
BabyMadnBump · 17/05/2007 16:28

Also if I do need BP which ones are the best?

OP posts:
Imawurzel · 17/05/2007 16:31

I'd like to know which pads are the best and recommendations for sleep bras too please
I am 8wks today and want to know in advance what i should be looking for & buying.

berolina · 17/05/2007 16:35

Expect to feed, feed, feed (and feed some more) in the early days. Whenever your baby sleeps - sleep too. Get dh/dp to take care of the household stuff as far as poss.

Collect a treasury of ripostes to pressure to top up/give formula.

Watch out for problems such as blocked ducts and thrush.

Have numbers of bf helplines (better still, local bf counsellors) to hand.

Remember it might be tough in the early weeks or even months, but after that it very often becomes a piece of p*ss and you'll be so glad not to have all that faffing around with bottles.

Have no recommendations about pads or bras because I never wear a bra (tiny norks). Interestingly I had all sorts of bf problems but never, ever pain, beyond very minor soreness, and have often wondered whether my braless habit might have 'toughened up' my nipples beforehand - maybe you can go braless a bit before the birth, if feasible?

Imawurzel · 17/05/2007 16:37

I'm large norked, nearly popping out of my 36dd already!!
No braless for me.

Original poster
BabyMadnBump · 17/05/2007 16:41

I'm a 34E at the moment and really need a bar other wise they just sit on my bump and get sweaty and sore IYSWIM!

OP posts:
BornToBeAPrincess · 17/05/2007 16:44

I bought 2 feeding bras from Mothercare, they seemed to do the trick. After the first few weeks I went back to my normal bras during the day and wear feeding bras at night.
Always used disposable breast pads without any problems but I seem to leak alot.
Hope that helps

maretta · 17/05/2007 16:44

I think the best breast pads are the ones in teh pink and purple box you get in mothercare. There name begins with L? Anyway, they're slightly bigger and have a sticky bit to fix them to your bra. They're also slightly pink in colour which stops your tits looking like targets under a white top.

As for night time bras, M&S do a two pack of nursing bras for about 20 pounds, although they're not suitable for those more blessed in the norks department. They're fairly ugly but they wash and tumble dry and they're cheap. For night time they're perfect.

As for breastfeeding, I'd say get plenty of advice but don't get too stressed about it. You may find that it happens with no problems at all. Take it one day at a time.

Good luck

Elasticwoman · 17/05/2007 16:48

NCT was the source of my sleep bra. They have MAVA bra agents who are trained in bra fitting. Best time to order maternity bras is at about 36 wks pg. I also used bras from John Lewis and they had a good fitting service too. Mothercare and M&S both fitted me into the wrong size bras so thumbs down to them.

BTW I can't understand how breasts have become norks! Boobs, tits etc seem to have some connection to bosom and teats but how do norks fit into the big scheme of things??

isaidno · 17/05/2007 17:44

there is no need to toughen up nipples or apply special cream, but I did find bepanthen nappy cream soothing in those early days! It is safe for nipples and does not need washing off before a feed.

Some people swear by lansinoh cream but that is expensive.

Ceolas · 17/05/2007 17:47

It's not stuff as much as information that's needed.

With each of mine, they fed literally round the clock til the milk came in. Just go with the flow.

Inform yourself about good positioning and bin the clock and you'll be fine

theUrbanDryad · 17/05/2007 18:11

Lansinoh or Tommee Tippee breast pads are the best. i got my 2 nursing bras from M&S, they will measure you up if you go in there at about 36 weeks pg. i heard that you're supposed to go in at 38 weeks, but i had a feeling ds would show up early and sure enough, he showed up 2 weeks early!!

don't be surprised if your lo feeds more than you expect. ds was on me for an hour and a half our of every 2 hours. also, make sure you have the numbers for LLL/NCT support lines. i also found the Baby Cafe to be a lifesaver in the very early days.

good luck and congrats to you both on your pregnancies!

belgo · 17/05/2007 18:46

I found my own milk the best thing at healing sore nipples.

stripeybumpsmum · 17/05/2007 19:09

Firstly believe in yourself - that you are asking for advice and willing to give it a go is a great step so well done. Getting your head around it has to be the priority.

In practical terms, these are the problems and how to counteract them:

Technique/positioning - don't be afraid to ask your midwife/HV/BF friends or even other BF you meet out and about for help.

Check out suitable places out and about for feeding before you have the baby - John Lewis branches usually have good facilities, or your local NCT may have a list of BF-friendly places.

If you think you are going to come under pressure to bottle feed, rather than 'give in' to formula, what about expressing? Get your BF technique right first and then try it - expressing alot easier than you think.

You can 'toughen up' before hand - just use a towel washed without fabric conditioner.

Lastly, not so much prep as actual doing - don't underestimate how much looking after yourself you need to do to maintain good supply - make sure you nearest and dearest know they need to help you.

Good luck.

seamonster · 17/05/2007 19:17

Oooh we're practically asking for the same help! Excellent to hear that some one else has had same probs as me. Am intrigued to read about the towel... any more tips and do you rub every day obviously have been offered 'help' with this from dp.

MerryMarigold · 17/05/2007 19:33

There is a good cream for sore nipples called Lansinoh. It's expensive but you only use a tiny bit, I didn't even use a whole tube and I used it for about 6 months!

Also, I'm sure people say this, but there may be times you want to give up. If you are really dedicated to it, and really want to do it, then it will be harder to 'give in'. If you can, get your mother or partner or a friend to be very supportive and tell them you really don't want to give up. The night I wanted to stop, my Mum kept telling me it was the best thing that I was doing, and that she was proud of me carrying on. That really helped me.

berolina · 17/05/2007 19:38

Couldn't rubbing nipples with a towel cause early conctractions? Wouldn't do that tbh, at least not before the baby is term.

Elasticwoman · 17/05/2007 20:02

There is absolutely no scientific evidence that I have heard of to support the rubbing of nipples with anything to prepare them, and some evidence to show that it does harm.

I knew a woman who had absolutely no experience of bf whatsoever until she had her 3rd child, and then had an excellent bf experience and really noticed the difference in health between the bf child and the other fully ff children.

deestingsduznotappen · 17/05/2007 20:17

Be prepared for feeling how unfair it is that your little one seems permenantly hungry, won't let you sleep, and that you'll think that can't possibly be making enough milk!

This is all NORMAL, and, once cracked leads to the easiest, most convenient way to feed your baby - never mind the benifits to the LO!

lorisparkle · 17/05/2007 22:25

Having support from those around you makes a HUGE difference so get your DP on side. When our lo was hungry and crying he used to calm him down first so that the latching on was easier. He also used to back me up when 'well meaning' relatives criticised me BFing. So my advice is not only find out lots of info, talk to lots of people who are positive (but realistic) about bf, but get your DP involved. If I had not had had a complete determination to bf (even though I had quite a few problems) and lots of support then I would have not persevered

phoebebouffet · 18/05/2007 00:51

For engorgement try savoy cabbage leaves.

I always thought nipple shields were just a gimmick - a way of making money out of new mums eager to bf how wrong was I? They were a godsend for me-a wonderful invention, although all the info I had from my hosp said not to use them cos it can interfere with the latch and to be honest it did, lo started to curl his bottom lip in after using them but bf co-ordinator helped us to get it right again...which brings me onto my next point - if you feel things aren't going well, ask to see the bf co-ordinator, mine was wonderful and next time I am not leaving the hospital until I have seen her - may even kidnap her !

Don't give in to pressure to ff if you don't want to!

That's just based on my recent experience good luck!