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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

DEFINATIVE BREASTFEEDING GUIDE

59 replies

JARM · 22/10/2007 23:28

Right, girls, I want to BF DS when he is born in hopefully 5 weeks time.

I have read Breastfeeding for Beginners by the NCT but am still really pretty clueless.

I want all you been-there, done-thats to give me the low down on one thread so I can refer to it as much as i need to!

LETS GO!

OP posts:
spookthief · 22/10/2007 23:36

Kellymom! for some pre-baby reading, and post-baby problem/query solving (when the mn is quiet )

Find out where your real-life support is in terms of knowledgeable, supportive people.

Get as much help with the girls in the early days as possible to let you get on with learning to bf (and remember your ds will be learning as well and it takes time).

Don't obsess about the amount of time he feeds and how many ounces he grows in a week. Good signs that things are going well are lots of wet and dirty nappies - what goes in will come out!

Everyone worries about their supply - everyone. Read up on growth spurts, cluster feeding, supply-demand and why just because he's fussy and feeding frequently doesn't mean you've not got enough milk (if the nappies/weight gain are good)

You might find that around 6 weeks he seems to get frustrated at the breast and bob on and off a lot. Lots and lots of posts on here about that and people worrying that they don't have enough milk. We all seem to go through it at the same time. It gets better! You do have enough milk!

Will stop now. Could go on all night

Original poster
JARM · 23/10/2007 07:49

THANK YOU

But please, do continue!

Some fab stuff there, will bookmark Kellymom on both computers lol

I just so want to do it this time, i want to be the one responsible for my babys growth, i cant afford to buy formula!!!

OP posts:
Bumperlicious · 23/10/2007 08:24

Try and go to a bfing group as soon as possible.

Don't say "he can't be hungry". He probably is.

Most bfing problems, from what I have read, have a solution. If you are determined to do this do let anyone say "oh, low milk supply/poor latch/cracked nips, better give up and go onto formula", though obviously the most important thing is that ds is getting enough.

Get yourself a camping thermal mug (like this one) so you can have a safe and HOT cup of tea while feeding!

Good luck, you CAN do this!

sparklyjen · 23/10/2007 08:31

Buy some kamilosan (sp?) BEFORE the baby comes... And some nipple shields.
I used to let my ds suck away for hours on end which made my nipples more painful, hv told me to listen and watch to see if he was actually drinking.
Johnson's breast pads are the only ones I found which were any good...
Hold the baby so that you're not leaning over.
Don't allow baby to sleep for more than a couple of hours during the day without feeding, they'll need more in the night if you do.
Don't be afraid to do it in public!
Good luck xx

fishie · 23/10/2007 08:42

lansinoh is fab.

sorry sparklyjen, nipple shields aren't usually recommended because they can interfere with supply

don't have any formula in the house in case you are tempted at 3am

get dh on side, explain his job is to support you to get bf established and through the initial weeks (days?) of 'training'.

what bumperlicious said is excellent - the solution to any problem is NOT formula, but to resolve the problem itself. people will probably tell you otherwise.

investigate co-sleeping, will get you a lot more sleep.

sparklyjen · 23/10/2007 08:54

I would have given up if I hadn't had the shields, chunks missing and blood everywhere. With them I got through it, bf exclusively for 5.5 months and stopped at 15 months. So they worked for me?

fishie · 23/10/2007 09:00

jen, pleased they did work for you not for me though (had similar latching problems) but not good supply. so you see JARM what a good example of how it all differs.

Pruners · 23/10/2007 09:11

Message withdrawn

Original poster
JARM · 23/10/2007 11:10

you lot are fab!

Thank you so much.

Pruners, I will go to the library this week again - to take back Breastfeeding For Beginners - and to see if I can find that other one!

I have already refused to have the "just in case" tin of formula in the house, so thats one positive step.

I really dont even know where to begin when it comes to finding support groups etc though

OP posts:
laundrylover · 23/10/2007 11:27

JARM, are you the old J and R's mum that was?? I didn't even know you were expecting again - how time flies!!!

So pleased that you are going to bfeed - two of my cousins bfed their second babies after formula feeding first time and both were successful. One fed for only 3 months (but HUGE achievement as her mum ffed 8 of them!) and the other carried on for over a year! You can do it!!!

Will look out for you posting in Nov to say how easy you are finding it.

Original poster
JARM · 23/10/2007 11:43

laundry - i am indeed J&R's mum... soon to be D's mum too!

I am seriously determined this time, but I know its gonna be hard because I just dont have a clue - hence wanting a definative guide!!!

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laundrylover · 23/10/2007 12:06

D is for???? Dylan would be my guess!

Don't forget that at the end of the day we women were made to bfeed and that many, many millions of women do it with no problems at all. Even if you do have a blip MN is here at all hours of the day!

knifewieldingtoddler · 23/10/2007 12:23

find your nearest babycafe here

find your nearest nct bf group here.

MarsLady · 23/10/2007 12:31

JARM remind me of your email addy. My pc went down a couple of months ago and I lost all my addys!

hunkermunker · 23/10/2007 12:35

JARM, I will have a site set up soon that you might be interested in.

ScottishMummy · 23/10/2007 12:55

comfortable seat and stool to sit upon
radio to listen to - radio 4 world service fab in middle of night
clinique goodies for you
Kamisollan cream good for sore baby bum and sore nipples
nice cosy fluffy dressing gown for you - on cold winter nights
good BF bra

MrsBadger · 23/10/2007 13:12

get someone to show you how to feed lying down - makes a world of difference

stock up on breakfasts you can prepare and eat with one hand (bananas, yoghurt drinks, smoothies, muffins/croissants or similar that don't need buttering) as ime you wake up starving but so does the baby...

agree Bestfeeding is brilliant

and if you can, go to your local baby cafe while still pg so you'll be comfortable there hence less hesitant about going if you need help after the birth.

Sputnik · 23/10/2007 13:26

Get yourself a laptop, some cushions, and practise typing 1 handed

In all likelihood you will have a short "oh this is painful" moment when the baby latches on for the first couple of weeks. It will pass. I found aloe gel very good for sore nipples.

laundrylover · 23/10/2007 13:43

Cordless phone in the hope that you will be able to take advantage of a quiet feed to call friends....mind you J and R will prob put paid to that eh?

ChubbyScotsBurd · 23/10/2007 16:43

Try this pdf booklet.

I found it really helpful.

Original poster
JARM · 23/10/2007 16:47

marsy - [email protected]

D is for.... Daniel!

Thank you all so much, am off to read links now!

HOnestly, this is the one thing that is terrifying me about baby number 3 (other than tearing during labour for some reason!) so you lot are really helping xxx

OP posts:
Original poster
JARM · 23/10/2007 16:53

ooooh there is a babycafe at the library on a friday!!! Woo hoo - is it ok to go to these things while pregnant?! Should i go this week?!

Feel a bit of a novice tbh, despite having 2 kiddies already!

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Tatties · 23/10/2007 17:04

Also find out if there are any La Leche League meetings in your area - I have found great support at mine

Tatties · 23/10/2007 17:05

Yes go to Baby Cafe while you are pregnant - I did!

ScottishMummy · 23/10/2007 18:25

what's a baby cafe?never been to one o them. is it like post natal thingys the HV do