Help - first time clueless mummy

[widgetsmummy]

Please can anyone reccommend a good book on breastfeeding?

I'm pregnant at the moment and know I want to do it but that's about all!

Thank you!

IME that's all you really need to know .. it's not that difficult for most people

tummy to mummy, nipple to nose .. the baby knows everything else

someone should show you how in the delivery suite .. get hold of numbers for local bf counsellors just in case

check out the unicef babyfriendly bf leaflets - really useful.

www.babyfriendly.org.uk/page.asp?page=95

Definitely check out the times and location of your local breastfeeding clinic because unfortunately midwives rarely have the time to sit and discuss the ins and outs. It's generally a case of getting the baby on and leaving you to it.

The clinics are more expert than midwives anyway, unless the midwife is also a lactation consultant.

I found the jack newman website very useful, esp. the videos.

www.breastfeedingonline.com/newman.shtml

look at the ones showing a good latch

I would definitely see if there is an NCT breastfeeding counsellor in your area or a baby cafe (most baby cafe's welcome expectant mums and you can chat to people who have just had their babies) and have the number at hand if you need it after you have had your baby. Also, if you do need help and hopefully you won't, don't leave it too long to seek it.

Good luck!

What about stuff like mixed feeding? Will the counsellors advise? Just wanted to prepare I guess!!!???

claire byam does a really great one - i have it. link below...

www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_b/202-6348154-2476665?initialSearch=1&url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&fie ld-keywords=clare+byam

isn't clare byam-cook pretty crap though? isn't she all about 'now everyone can bf so here's how to bottle feed?'

a decent book is Bestfeeding by renfrew, fisher and arms. it was my bible.

also kellymom.com

and anything by jacknewman, google him for online videos of how to bf.

dur..NOT everyone..

no, i thought she gives a really good and balanced view on feeding overall and simly doesnt beat women up if they dont bfeed. i found it quite well balanced.

like i said

i haven't read the book 'BestFeeding' but a fair few mn bfers recommend it highly.

I have Dr Jack Newman's bible. I can never remember the title properly. Something like 'the Ultimate book of answers to Breastfeeding'?

If you go to his fantastic website drjackneman.com, he has many printable leaflets for the early days, common problems, myths etc.

there are videos showing good latch, how to do breast compression, and lots more.

I think that if you familiarise yourself with his site now and print off the early days info, it can save you buying a book.

good luck on your new baby.

err, sorry here is his handout for starting out right click on the left hand of the page for more handouts.

widgets, to answer your question, I think (and I am not expert) that most counsellors advise against mixed feeding for at least the first few weeks as it can really damage your milk supply. Mixed feeding certainly effected my supply so it is something to be aware of.

everyone has their own opinion. i stick to mine. am exclusive bfeeding and found her book great.

widget - one of the things i did was go to a large bookstore (i have a huge borders with starbucks in) - got heaps pf bppks to leaf through and bought those that seemed interesting. great do to once on mat leave!

i would say the most important thing with bf is to know that many many people you would think should know all about bf eg..HVs, GPs, midwives and bf book authors may infact know very little. your best bet are volunteer counsellors who work for the various organisations such as the NCT, ABM and La Leche League. These counsellors under go something like 3 years extensive training and are constantly updating themselves and have re training sessions. A HV may know shockingly little, perhaps a little more if she has bf herself.

if you're going to do it you have to be determined, unfortunately 'the system' is geared up to supporting you unless you are extremely lucky and encounter decent health care professionals along the way.

it's fab that you're wanting to read up on it now. look out for 'tiktok' on here, read some of her posts, she's an NCT counsellor.

grr!!.... 'the system ISN'T geared up..

Definitley contact your local breastfeeding counsellor, also find out what kind of support your hospital offers, if it wasnt for my angel midwife coming into me at around 4am after seeing my light on and sitting with me for AGES to show me how to latch properly.

It can be bloody scary, the one thing no-one told me wasn't that baby might not feed for a few days and will not die!!!

I was soooooo worried as he wouldn't latch or feed and hadnt taken anything, or in fact done anything bar sleep, for the first day or so. It is normal, and if baby doesn't feed straight away, not really a problem. (just so you dont have the heart attack/breakdown I nearly had!)

Wow, what an amazing midwife! My NCT bf counsellor was also great. I would phone her up in a panic saying "feed due in about 10 minutes, and I just can't do it". She would appear on my doorstep with sympathy, advise and great support. I just didn't realise that I could contact her because I wasn't a member of the NCT so I probably left it too late by which time I was in a state.

Anyway, I digress. Sorry!

I think its going to be a trip to the book shop then...

I am going to go to the local NCT antenatal classes so that should be a good source of info too. Just wanted a guide, something to get me started on the subject, quite a contorversial subject though!

If you have community midwifes who you are in contact with before the birth, bring up the subject with them beforehand (depends on the area you're in). You can get an idea of the sort of support you can expect then. I was really lucky to get great help throughout, but by quizzing them beforehand I could then go and suss if what they were telling me was crap or sensible!

Also, I was given an excellent guide to breastfeeding booklet at my booking-in appointment and have found a PDF version here - hope that link works. I think everyone in Scotland gets one and it's quite general and won't be a substitute for personal advice should you need it (hopefully not!) but it's a really great little handbook.

Don't forget MumsNet - my LO's only 10weeks and I've found there's always someone around to offer advice and help point you in the right direction. Good luck!