I NEED BREASTFEEDING ADVICE

[MO2x]

Ok so I feel silly asking this as I have 2 children already but I'm now expecting number 3 and couldn't be happier. And for some reason I feel like the most confident and prepared then ever? With my first 2 I was still so nervous and always felt judged as I am only early 20s (ino age shouldn't matter and iv now realised that) and anyone reading this who may feel the same and judged. PLEASE go to a local church playgroup. You soon realise your not alone as daunting it is going making new friends!

BUT
back to my point. I bottle fed my last 2 and always regret not trying to breast feed so this time I'm the most determined ever to do it and I have lots of support so that helps. But I'm just so lost in the world of breast feeding ??? With my other 2 it took around 2 days for milk to produce so what if that's the case this time when I'm trying to feed ? This is my biggest worry and don't seem to find the right answer on google. Mums help???

To be honest, I found all of the breastfeeding advice I'd been given before birth went straight out of my head when it came to actually doing it, but midwives in hospital were amazing and really helped, as did going to a breastfeeding group.

I'd probably say don't worry too much about it now but think about who you can call on for advice in the early days (midwives, breastfeeding group at children's centre/la leche resources/ health visitor)

I'd probably speak to your midwife about your worries about establishing supply though and hopefully she can reassure you.

I breast fed my 4th, after never trying with my other 3. Be honest with the midwives, they really helped me. Also, you have enough colostrum to feed until your milk comes in.

I wish so much I breast fed my others now, I love it so much

Congratulations on number 3! Good for you wanting to give it a go. My milk didn’t come in for 3 days but that’s ok as they feed on colostrum at first which is all they need. I think your determination is the main thing you need as it can be tricky at first but it gets easier and once you’ve got the hang of it is so easy. Definitely talk to you midwife for support. Good luck!

Don't worry about your milk coming in - mine was about day 6 for it to come in properly and we're now 8 months down the line and still breast feeding.

I would just say - ask for help if you need it! I'd heard so much about how little support there was and so on and my experience couldn't be further from that. I was lucky to have both a midwife and a student when DD was born and the student spent loads of time with me making sure our latch was good etc. I had a couple of minor complications from my c-section so was in til day 3 but actually it was good in that I got more time with the student to get things straight.

When we started having a few hiccups a few weeks down the line (I'd been feeding either lay down or rugby ball and DD was getting too long for that) my HV referred me to a support team who helped me with new positions.

I know I've been lucky but it does show the support is there to be accessed.

Good luck and whatever happens with feeding - enjoy your baby!

its fine to feed before your milk comes in. Colostrum is very rich, so they dont need a lot, and the suckling will bring your milk in quicker. Try not to overthink it