Breastfeeding

[Chelswels]

Hi all!!

I was just looking for some advice or reassurance regarding breastfeeding. I’m currently 17+2 with my first child and up until now I hadn’t even considered breastfeeding as an option, I was adamant I wanted to bottle feed. This was mainly due to things I heard from other people about it. “It’s really painful” and “it’s difficult to get baby to latch on” and “your breasts will forever be saggy” etc etc. I stupidly let other people’s negatives towards breastfeeding become by own but now I’m actually thinking maturely and how it is better for my baby and was just wondering whether anyone has any information about breastfeeding - how it’s been for you, things I’d need to know or buy etc etc because I’m a bit daunted by it to say the least and although I’ve done some reading of my own I would like more knowledge. Thank you in advance!

I’ve bf 4 children each till 2+ it was never painful to me a little bit sore in the first few days but nothing after that, best to remember people only post when they are having trouble/ having a problem

Congratulations on your pregnancy!
I breastfed my DD for 12m+ and planning to bf my next one too. Luckily, I think I have nips of steel, so didn't struggle with the pain of breastfeeding in the early days. It can happen though, however, you need to make sure you get a good latch. The NHS website has a guide on how to latch effectively. If unsure ask a midwife once you have had the baby for them to check, they should do so anyway!
The early days are tough because they are trying to bring your supply through, so it can feel a bit like it is all you are doing. Prepare yourself with lots of bed/sofa days at the beginning to make sure you're relaxed and getting rest. Cluster feeding is really common around weeks 3, 6 and 9, as this is when they have growth spurts.
Make sure you are drinking plenty of water. Try to have a reusable straw bottle with you at all times, they're easier to drink with whilst breastfeeding, plus it's thirsty work! Flapjacks are great snacks too and oats are supposed to be good for milk supply.
You can't over feed a breast fed baby, and as long as you are getting wet & dirty nappies and they are gaining weight, you are doing good.
You may wish to use a dummy, which I didn't really do, so ended up having my nipples used a lot for comfort. I will be using a dummy next time.
You will most definitely need breastpads and the only ones that worked for me were the Lansinoh breastpads (I tried supermarket own brand & reusable too). They were more absorbent, others slipped or I would leak through. I would also recommend having a tube of Lansinoh nipple cream in case your nipples get sore -- a little goes a long way.
I loved breastfeeding as it was free, no need to prepare (unless I tried to pump), and it was a magic tool to bring out in public if baby was unsettled.

Thank you so much!! I’m glad it worked for you❤️

I didn’t buy anything to breastfeed other than a tube of nipple cream and some breast pads to catch any leaks. I needed a little guidance at first but baby and I picked it up quite quickly. We used nipple shields at first (given to me in the hospital) as my baby had trouble latching on one side but ditched those after about 6 weeks. Baby is 7 months old and there’s been no real dramas just some frustrations in the first 8 weeks or so. I never had any pain, just soreness, and I’ve barely touched the nipple cream I bought.

One downside of breastfeeding for me is that my baby still feeds relatively frequently so my hair is in need of some serious attention. But it’s temporary and totally outweighed by the fact that I don’t need to mess about sterilising bottles, making sure we have enough formula, making sure I have the right size teats etc. I don’t have to take anything but nappies and spare clothes with me when I go out. When baby needs to be fed I just latch her on and away we go.

My boobs look exactly the same as they did before pregnancy but they didn’t change in size. Breastfeeding causing saggy boobs is a bit of a myth - if anything it’s pregnancy itself that would cause a change in size then a deflation.

Wow thank you so much for such an in depth response!

I will definitely speak to my midwife about it because I don’t want my child to miss out because I’m afraid of doing it wrong. How often do you need breast pads? Just when you leak or is it something you wear all of the time? Excuse my naivety haha. There are definitely many benefits of breastfeeding so I think it will at least try to breastfeed baby, I will definitely be using dummies too. Thank you for your help 🙂

I breastfed my first daughter for a year and currently breastfeeding my 10-week-old daughter as I write this message. I won't lie, I've had issues getting established with both babies (different issues with each) BUT once you get past the first few weeks it generally becomes super easy and I find it so convenient.

I think formula feeding is easier at the start but never gets any easier whereas breastfeeding is often harder at the start (not always) but usually becomes super convenient. I love that I don't have to think about bringing milk or bottles or sterilising stuff when we go out - I just grab the changing bag and go and if we are out longer than planned then it doesn't matter, I won't run out of milk! Overnight feeds I feed her lying down so I barely have to wake up and don't have to get out of bed or sit up and she goes back to sleep super fast too.

It's also great for calming and soothing babies when they are poorly or upset. And of course the health benefits for mum and baby. There's also something really special about seeing their little fat rolls and knowing that your milk did that!

If you want to read up on it beforehand, Kellymom website has good info.

Some good topics to start:

kellymom.com/category/ages/newborn/bf-basics/

@Chelswels with the breastpads, I just changed as and when was needed. Every few hours? It just depended on how much my breasts leaked, I had quite a fast let down. I guess it's like sanitary towels really.
I think I stopped using breastpads by 6months, maybe a little earlier, as my letdown wasn't crazy like the early days.

“It’s really painful” and “it’s difficult to get baby to latch on” and “your breasts will forever be saggy”

I never found it painful. Latch took a few days to get right - DS had a tongue tie, got it snipped and then it was fine. My breasts are fine too, but they are naturally quite small so not sure if larger boobs are more affected by this. To be fair these all sound like comments from people who have never done it, anyone I know who has breastfed has never lamented it.
If you’re unsure it’s also good to remember it’s not all or nothing. You can combi feed, that’s what I did.

I’ve been breastfeeding for just over 6 months now. Some babies struggle with a dummy if they are breastfed but my little girl is OK with the Tommee Tippee closer to nature dummies - they look a bit weird but they are the only ones she will take and it does give me a break when she just wants to suck.

I had a c-section so my milk took a little bit longer to come in and I was worried I wouldn’t be able to feed her. My midwives weren’t great about this and suggested giving her formula but I’m so glad I persevered she’s never struggled with putting on weight.

Not all midwives and health visitors have much training on breastfeeding so take some of their advice with a pinch of salt I would say.

Ditto GPs…I was told I wouldn’t be able to breastfeed on antibiotics by my GP who insisted I had to use formula ‘for a week’ which would have absolutely tanked my supply and baby could have ended up with a bottle preference or nipple confusion. Plus I could have ended up ill with mastitis through going cold turkey. I actually rang the postnatal ward and they confirmed I could take the antibiotics so please do double check anything you are unsure about as there is a lot of misinformation flying around about breastfeeding even from health professionals sadly.

Breastfeeding is free and so so convenient! You don’t need to faff about making bottles in the middle of the night or pack formula and water etc when you’re going out. You can feed anywhere you are personally comfortable don’t feel like you have to hide away. It’s just your baby having something to eat.

Try out lots of different positions to find what’s comfortable for you and baby. If you are in any pain, use a clean pinky finger to unlatch baby and try again. If you can master lying down feeding that makes life easier at night too!

Plenty of water and snacks! Especially in those early days when baby will be cluster feeding to up your supply.

There’s a good group on Facebook if you search for breastfeeding and lactation support UK

The best advice I got at the start was don’t give up on a bad day. It’s helped me lots of times when I’ve been really struggling with pain or lack of sleep making everything feel worse.

Would also recommend the following sites:

https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/thinking-of-breastfeeding/

https://www.laleche.org.uk/

https://kellymom.com/

https://breastfeeding-and-medication.co.uk/

Best of luck and congratulations! 😁

I’m 11 days into breastfeeding my newborn!

It was a bit tricky at first getting the latch right but the nurses on the maternity unit were a huge help. We still struggle sometimes if he’s fussy or tired but we are always able to feed.

My mum friends recommended lanolin cream which I’ve used 3 times. My nipples were really sore for about a day and sometimes it hurts now if he latches on really hard but it’s nothing compared to pregnancy and child birth! So I wouldn’t let “it’s painful” put you off.

I’m really enjoying breastfeeding, and will keep up as long I can. It does tie you to baby though, as my partner or family can’t feed him, but I plan to express after 4-6 weeks so that I can have help with feeds.

Sore breasts when milk comes in but only lasted a day. I expressed a little off each one to ease the pressure and the pain.

I can’t imagine having to buy formula and make a bottle and wash it all up every time he needs a feed. (Every 2-3 hours for newborns)

I haven’t breastfed while out and about yet. A little nervous about that.

Apparently breastfeeding helps the uterus shrink back, my tummy was almost flat again by day 3 post birth. I was really surprised. I kept telling my partner that I was going to look 6 months pregnant for weeks/months after. Also very burns lots of calories so I’m eating whatever I want, whenever I want and not feeling guilty about it.

Apparently breastfeeding helps the uterus shrink back, my tummy was almost flat again by day 3 post birth.

I definitely found this too! And it seemed to burn a lot of calories, the ‘baby weight’ just kept going down until I stopped BF at around 3 months, then I plateaued.

Thank you so much!! It definitely sounds more convenient and healthier for baby. Thank you for telling me about your experience ☺️

Ooh thank you so much!! That’s really helpful!

Thank you so much! This is really helpful

Thank you so much for such an honest response!! I’m determined to at least try now rather than defaulting to bottle feeding because “what if it hurts and I can’t do it”. Thank you! I’ll check out some of the links!

Congratulations this is amazing! Sounds like you’re doing a great job!!! This is definitely helpful thank you!! I’ll have to read more on expressing too!

Oooh well I’m naturally a little bit chubby/chunky so I won’t expect a flat stomach after birth haha but this is great thank you!

So I got bottle in just incase and abit of formula (just so you don't feel pressured)

It does hurt abit but their are things you can do,
I bought in lanolin ready
then got done lily-padz breast pads (these are silocon and you can wear them without a bra, I had two pears and alternated)
I also got some nipple 'shells' these collect milk but I just used them to let my nipples breath as my bra rubbed them in the first few weeks
But honestly AIR! Have your boobs out as much as possible, your baby will learn to latch quickly if they can just pop on and off

Also I've never had a bad word in public and it's sooooo much easier to just pop a boob out then all the bottle and sterilising

We did also bed share (look up safe C) to make feeding while sleeping easier ...
If you do want a bottle at times I think 2-3 weeks is a good time , we did that with our second and they were fine no confusion... however we waited 6 weeks (as recommended) and our first never took one

Oh sorry ! Also I got a fabric wrap so I can feed while walking on the school run ! Game changer honestly , especially in the first weeks when they are ALWAYS FEEDING

Congrats on the pregnancy OP!

I am currently breastfeeding my 10 month old, my first baby. I did an NCT breastfeeding class before he was born but if I'm honest the thing that really helped was having a nurse in the hospital show me how to do it. Having someone with experience showing you when baby comes is better than just theory in my experience. It hurt a bit at first but not a lot and it went away super quickly. I am terrible with pain and it was never unbearable just a bit uncomfortable for a few days. I would've stopped immediately if it was actively painful as I have no tolerance or patience for pain lol. I have boob pads I stick inside my bra every day and every night (I sleep in a soft sports top bra as it's more comfy) so there is no leakage. I change them every morning and evening. They're like round sanitary towels lol. I pumped a bit a first when it became uncomfortably full but gave that up as it was boring and too much work. I think I used a tommee tippee hand pump.

I have fed all over in public and never had a negative word, although a couple of times I've had men make pervy/weird comments. I wouldn't let gross, badly brought up creeps stop me feeding my baby though and they scattered pretty fast when told to fuck off.

I would say by all means give it a go but formula is an absolutely fantastic choice too if that's what you'd prefer or if breastfeeding is too hard for you and baby. There are some really unpleasant and pushy breastfeeding advocates on here who like to use dubious claims, snide judgement and emotional manipulation to pressure women into breastfeeding. Be mindful to ignore them and do what's right for you and your baby x

Op honest opinion here

It can hurt like hell, I mean toes curling pain.

I would sit with my boobs out airing my nipples with cream on to soothe them...

This doesn't last long, feels like forever but isn't

The end result is the most amazing bond, the nicest feeling when looking down at your baby feeding.

No making up bottles.. once BF is established you just pop them on and away you go.

Please try it, even if it's not for you just try it!!

I've experience EBF 3 babies (youngest is almost 9 weeks so still ebf) ... I was fortunate to not have any pain with my first and my latest but I suffered with middle child from about 3 days old so I just exclusively expressed breastmilk, in hindsight I'm guessing she had a tonue tie but I got on well with the breast pump and never really investigated the problem.

Breast feeding is pretty intense in the early days, I found first 4 weeks the hardest but everyone has their own turning point milestone usually some time between birth and 12 weeks. I've never formula fed from birth but majority of mum's in my life EFF and have told me it can be equally as intense as babies feed little and often in the first few weeks regardless of method, however with formula they could have someone else share the load (especially night feeds). My youngest is sleeping really well and has been for the past few of weeks, she does a decent 5 hour stretch at night, has a dream feed (we co-sleep) and is then asleep for another 3 hours, then a morning feed and back to sleep again for an hour or two (she's a lazy riser lol). You'll hear alot of noise about ff babies sleeping better but all my kids were great sleepers as babies and still are ( my older two are 7 and 13 y/o) we never really had any issues sleep wise. I honestly think it's down to the baby and a bit of luck as my sisters baby is 6 months now, EFF from birth and still not sleeping for long stretches & never has.

I introduced formula at 6 months with my older DC and mixed fed for a few months and had fully transitioned to by 1 year. I haven't decided if I will do the same again this time but haven't ruled it out yet, I don't believe formula is poison, I just really enjoyed breastfeeding my small babies but by 6 months I was grateful to have formula to fall back on for a little more me time, by the time I had transitioned to formula fully my babies were only having 2 milk feeds a day from a sippy cup and were getting their main nutrition met by solid food so I didn't feel like it was as important (of course you might feel differently, loads of mums continue to well over a year and beyond so just do whatever makes you happiest) ... my oldest were on cows milk after they turned one so I dropped the formula pretty quickly anyway....

As for what to buy... get yourself some decent nursing bras, asos do some really nice ones, breast pads & nipple cream and a nursing pillow... hold off buying a pump until you know how you get on with bf, alot of mums try but end up needing to switch early to EFF so an expensive breast pump can be such a waste. For out and about I have a breast Feeding scarf I got on boohoo, it's for discretion but it's not really necessary if you don't want to use one you don't have to.

Congratulations on your pregnancy BTW ❤ and don't stress too much about all of this, do what best for both you and baby.

I found it tough to get going with DC1, but I'm stubborn as a mule and refused to give up. It ended up being really easy after six weeks and I loved it.

With DC2 there was no bother at all, he latched on and that was it. So easy.

DC3 was a struggle from the word go. I had to mix feed from six weeks as he wasn't gaining weight. I gave up and switched to formula at 4 months as I'd ended up with PND, which was horrendous.

So basically, what I'm saying is it can be different with every baby, so go with the flow. Enjoy if it works out, but don't fret if it doesn't.

Oh, and I breastfed babies for almost two years in total and my breasts didn't go saggy.