Breastfeeding lying down/co-sleeping

[Ispy]

Hi. Am due #3 at the beginning of February. Have had mixed experience bfing. Bf'd dd for 14 months and ds only a few weeks as I found it too difficult. I am determined to bf #3 and am trying to prepare as much as possible.

Just looking for some tips from people on co-sleeping/breastfeeding whilst lying down etc.

Thanks for any help.

It is a good way of sneaking a rest after a hard day

I found it tricky with both my boys for the first few weeks to get them into the correct position to feed but we soon got the hang of it. It makes night feeds so much easier, and I love snuggling next to my baby at night.

Pillow behind baby to stop him/her rolling away, when very little you arm nestled under neck to keep him in position. If very large norked, you may need to lift the breast into position but I'm a big fan of lying down feeds. Not least because I'm pregnant and too knackered to sit up and nurse DD1

feeding lying down never worked for my ds, he used to fuss and get stressed so we gave up. but for dd it's a brilliant way of getting a bit of a lie in. she's now 7 months and has feeds sat in a chair during the night, but from about 6.30 onwards when she wakes she comes into bed for a feed with me and drifts back off to sleep, then wakes up all smiles a bit late. it's so lovely. good luck

I find it a fab way of getting as much rest/sleep as poss, both DS1 and DS2 large and v hungry babies.
Also IME both DSs would get back to sleep more easily if lying down for a feed next to me (day or night).
It is bit tricky in the first few weeks but second the advice from wlmchoc.
It def gets easier after a few weeks as they get bigger and a bit stronger.
Keep linking to kellymom today, do think its a great website for b-feeding info
www.kellymom.com/bf/start/basics/latch-resources.html

Arm over the top of the head to stop him/her moving up the bed

Legs curled under to stop them moving down

Wear warm clothes/pyjamas so you don't need a duvet

I could not survive without co-sleeping I really couldn't, just open one eye latch them on and go back to sleep

The book 3 in a Bed goes into a lot of the research supporting bedsharing for non-smokers if you need a bit more detail than the NHS leaflets provide. My lovely midwife-led unit had a Night Assistant who helped to arrange me and DD to bed share safely so it's worth asking to be shown how. Try the links for breastcrawl as another way to feed in bed - your baby lies on your tummy rather than beside you (which didn't work for us). This still works brilliantly even as DD has got bigger and heavier.

Thanks to everyone who replied. Some very helpful hints.

I've done it before so I know I can do it again!! I guess I'm just nervous about those crucial first few weeks when I gave up the last time....