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Infant feeding

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

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Original poster

I want to breastfeed - what do I need to know ?

36 replies

FoghornLeghorn · 18/01/2008 10:17

Have 2DD's, both of which were bottle-fed. I didn't even want to try breast feeding with either of them, something about it made me feel uncomfortable.

Now I am pregnant with DC3 and I at least want to try this time.

So .... what do I need to know ?

OP posts:

andiemustlosehalfastonemore · 18/01/2008 14:08

foghorn both mine were jaundiced and I just made sure they fed every 3 hrs minimum at night i did have to set the alarm

motherhurdicure · 18/01/2008 14:11

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motherhurdicure · 18/01/2008 14:11

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sweetkitty · 18/01/2008 14:12

Foghorn - DD1 was the same so jaundiced she wouldn't wake up to feed, I had to be readmitted to hospital and express for her as they were threatening to tube feed her at one point if she didn't get milk down here.

DD2 had her first breastfeed still attached to the cord. I made sure I feed her loads the first few days, this is the secret to getting your milk to come in and it is lovely and comforting for the new baby too. This time I am doing nothing but sitting on the sofa cuddling and BFing new baby for the first week, DP can sort out the DDs and of course Mummy will be there for cuddles.

Original poster

FoghornLeghorn · 18/01/2008 14:14

We had to be readmitted with DD1 too SK, was aeful seeing her all boxed in under the lamps
Reassuring to know about the colostrum helping get the menconium moving

OP posts:

sweetkitty · 18/01/2008 14:19

I was so determined it wasn't happening again with DD2 but she was such a hungry big girl compared to little DD1 that it was never a problem. A natural born BFer that one. She was 9lbs 3ozs born and a week later 10lbs exactly.

That would be my one piece of advice FWIW get them on the boob asap and keep them there, making sure your latch is good. First 3 weeks can be tough but if you get past the first 3 weeks you'll be strolling it.

Housemum · 18/01/2008 14:25

Ooh yes, forgot already about the sleepiness - do wake a sleeping baby in the first couple of days - feed every 2-3 hours to push through the meconium/help get rid of the bilirubin that causes the jaundice/stimulate your supply.

Sweetkitty - I would have fed her still attached but had to wait as had been kneeling to deliver, leaning against the backrest on the bed, so she was behind me! Think I'd have fallen off the bed if i'd tried to turn round at that point - cord stopped quite quickly, 3rd stage only lasted 11 mins altogether so it was probably only about 5 mins before I could untangle myself from the TENS thingy and turn over!

sweetkitty · 18/01/2008 14:35

Housemum - I had a homebirth with DD2 and I think I was in every position I could get in at some point, I pulled the head board off the bed as well. I think at one point I must have turned around as I ended up on my back, she came out screaming and I shouted at MWs "give her to me" and I cuddled her and put her on a boob and she fed straight away. Only for a few minutes though then we did the cord cutting/getting placenta out bit. I had a shower and MWs remade bed and tidied up and did the paperwork and when they next checked on me she was BFing again.

Completely different to DD1 who slept for the first day of her life despite every effort to wake her and every man and his dog coming into my cubicle, shoving a nipple into too sleepy babies mouth to no avail.

calzone · 20/01/2008 19:15

I want to help my SIL who is PG with her first and has lots of questions about BFing.

Remind me about the foremilk and the hindmilk.

How long on each side? doesnt the baby have to get the foremilk first which is more watery and then the hindmilk comes through?

there are more questions as well

muppetgirl · 20/01/2008 19:32

I would say get some breastfeeding tops and practice in front of the mirror so you can see what those in public can see. Practice the fiddling around with clips/clothes at home at first so you are not flumoxed when you b/f in public. (Don't wear a huge coat like I did as you get all hot sweaty -as does lo!)

It doesn't always hurt. Ds 1 did, Ds 2 didn't at all. Not a sore nip in sight!

Make lots of frozen meals for the early days when establishing b/f. I did and it made life so much easier.

You can feel like you are tied to the sofa having something suck the living daylights out of you. I did frequently -ds 2 was 1/2 gram off 10lbs, but when you see how much they enjoy it it will definately all be worthwhile. (Ds 2 exhales and says ahhhhhhh.... when he's finished )

muppetgirl · 20/01/2008 19:33

My 1st ds took up to 40mins to feed whereas ds 2 takes just 10 mins. They are all different and you will get to know your baby and when they have had enough.

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