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Infant feeding

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

Panicky mum to be never breast fed before and dont know anyone who has!

49 replies

pinkmook · 02/03/2010 11:53

Hi, I am due DC2 in June and intend breastfeeding. I did not get chance to breastfeed DS1 as traumatic birth and no one even broached the subject with me - was just given a bottle and off I went. Really want to breast feed this time but none of my friends have done it, nor my mum or sister. Am also due to have C section so worried how I will do the immediate skin to skin and try BF if I'm in the middle of being stitched up and they take the baby away - also what will happen if I cant get out of bed after op and baby needs feeding every 2 hours or more??

This next bit prob sounds really silly but after giving bit to DS even though I didnt attempt BF I never actually saw any milk IYSWIM?? do I need to try expressing before the birth so I know there is "somthing there" so to speak before DC is born??

I know I probably sound really stupid but I have no one to ask!

Thanks in advance

OP posts:
pinkmook · 02/03/2010 12:04

bump anyone please!

OP posts:
Waterduck · 02/03/2010 12:14

Hi, I had my son in December 09 and was determined to breastfeed. I got to 4 days after the birth & 2.5 hours of breastfeeding later he was still starving!! It was 2am & I was knackered to say the least. I ended up combine feeding (breast & bottle) then before finally going completely onto bottles 2 weeks later. Breastfeeding was the hardest thing I have ever done - harder than giving birth but Im glad I tried it. Definately give it a go but be warned it so draining, which I wasn't mentally prepared for, he fed every 1-2hours for usually an hour at a time - hence eventually combine feeding. I can't advise on the c-section as I had v-birth. I wouldn't express before hand either as you'll get rid of the colostrum which is the best bit, before the milk comes in. I wish I had been able to stick with it & breast feed for longer. Good luck, I hope it works for you, just remember it doesn't suit every baby & thank God for bottles!!!!! I will definately try it again as when I have another!!

pinkmook · 02/03/2010 12:17

Thanks waterduck, I am really scared about how hard it may potentially be - I know how ill/knackered i was with DS and could not imagine adding to that with another stress but hoping will not be too exhausted after planned c section.

Doea any one have any experience of BF after a planned c section?

OP posts:
jaggythistle · 02/03/2010 12:25

Hello,

I had an emergency c-section after a long labour and was able to get skin-to-skin as soon as I was stitched up and my son got a feed straight away too while I was in recovery.

Just make sure it's in your notes/birth plan that you want skin to skin and to start feeding as soon as possible. I was completely knackered and out of it, but the midwives tucked him in under my gown after the op and helped him get latched on, I have no memory of asking for it!

Don't worry about trying to express before the birth, it is very unlikely that you won't have anything there, try to have confidence that your body can do it. (That's the way I looked at it anyway)

Your milk can take a few days to come in properly (mine took about 5 ) so make sure you offer baby a feed as often as possible to try and stimulate your supply.

The ladies on here are really really helpful, so if you don't have any help locally, they can answer your questions. There are also helplines to call as well.

I am no expert - my first is only 23 weeks old, but we are getting on really well so far.

It is tiring at first, especially after the c-section when you are a bit sore, hopefully you can get a bit of help at home.

Learning to feed lying down can help too, so there is less pressure on your tummy.

Good luck!

nowtygaffer · 02/03/2010 12:25

I have breastfed after 3 c sections. 2 emergencies and one elective. I put my babies to the breast when in the recovery room. It can be difficult after a section but try to have lots of help with the other things (eg nappy changes etc) and just concentrate on feeding your baby. Also feeding when lying down and co-sleeping can make it easier.

xandrarama · 02/03/2010 12:26

Hi pinkmook, I am not an expert but I am sure someone more knowledgeable will come along soon. Don't bother trying to express before the birth; your milk won't come in until a few days after the baby is born. Before then it's colostrum, which doesn't look milky at all (and is kind of transparent, so is easy to not see).

As for the c-section, I don't have personal experience of this, but a few of my friends had c-sections and went on to establish breastfeeding with no problems. So I wouldn't worry about that being an issue. You don't need to breastfeed the baby the very moment s/he pops out. Often they will give you the baby to hold while you are being stitched up, anyway, so you will have that skin to skin and opportunity to put him/her to the breast.

Not sure how to handle the mobility issues that come with c-sections, but I do know that this hasn't impeded the breastfeeding established by anyone I know who's had a section - so there must be a way around it.

Congratulations on your pregnancy and on your determination to breastfeed! Remember that if you do experience any problems with breastfeeding after the baby is born, call the NCT helpline or whatever services are available from your hospital or local health centres (midwives, breastfeeding counsellors). They can help to iron out any issues and get you back on track to a long and happy breastfeeding relationship!

SummerLightning · 02/03/2010 12:29

I had a c-section and I just fed lying down or half upright on the beds that winch up that they have in hospital, it was fine.

pinkmook · 02/03/2010 12:30

Thanks for the great advice from everyone who has replied - I think I just need to calm down a bit!

OP posts:
Icantbelieveitsnotbitter · 02/03/2010 12:30

I've got a DS of 6yrs - who was BF until he was 1yr old but did have a few bottles with daddy in that time and I now have a DD 4 months who is currently exclusively BF - she point blank refuses bottles and is a militant supporter of breast is best !

Before the milk comes in - which can be up to day 5 I believe - the colostrum is provided in minute quantities - less than a teaspoon a feed ! I was so sure my DD was starving and doubted my ability to BF with her - I don't remember having any of these doubts with DS? We stuck with it and I just popped her on the boob whenever she yelled - even knowing she was probably using me as a comforter rather than a feeder at that point but why not, the contact was lovely, the opportunity to just sit was delightful and her contented little sighs were enough for me. We're now at 4 months, she feeds every 3-4 hours during the day and can go from 11pm to 7am at night ! For us it's now the easiest thing in the world - no matter where we are or what we're doing I know I can feed her or calm her (after jabs etc) immediately without any faffing or sterilising. I feel real sorrow and a little 'looky down my nosey' when I see tiny babies in their carseats or prams being fed by bottle which is propped up on a muslin or cloth or toy on their own chests - it might be convenient and easy but surely that's not how we're supposed to feed our babies - use a bottle if you want/need to but please hold the child too!

NB
The above is all typed one-handed as DD is having her lunch !

TigerFeet · 02/03/2010 12:30

I would ask your midwife if there is a breastfeeding support group in your area - the one I go to is great as there are women there who have all kinds of different experiences so you can chat and compare notes. Pregnant women are welcome and it gives them a chance to see how breastfeedgin works and talk to women who have done/are doing it. I know a few people who have successfully breastfed following a section so I know it can be done despite not having experience of it myself - I would imagine that if you go to a group there will be someone there that can share their experiences with you.

l39 · 02/03/2010 12:32

I BF twins after an emergency c-section. The problem was that I was woozy from the general anaesthetic and the midwives were latching them on wrong, then on the second day I still wasn't mobile enough to hold one twin on and pick up the second, so once the nurse had handed the two of them to me and rushed off I was stuck if the latch wasn't quite right. This meant by the time I went home on the third day I was sore. But once I was able to latch them on myself all was fine. I've never bottlefed at all.

With a planned section I think you'll be far more 'with it' so if you have someone to help with handing you the baby it shouldn't be too hard.

l39 · 02/03/2010 12:34

Ah lots of answers now! Also typing onehanded, feeding DD5, 20 weeks!

MrsHappy · 02/03/2010 12:38

I've had 2 emcs and although I couldn't hold the babies in theatre (with DD1 I was being violently sick and with DD2 I had a GA) I had a go at BF in recovery.

DD1 would not latch so that night I slept with her in my nightie (I was propped up on pillows) and she latched and fed by herself, about 12 hours after being born.

DD2 was put onto the breast in recovery by my MW and then I kept her on my chest for about 12 hours, other than when I asked the MW to put a nappy on her!

Even if you don't manage skin to skin until you have been stitched (or in my case, until you are awake enough!) it matters not a jot.

The MWs should help you pick up your baby and get him/her latched no matter how often s/he wants to feed, but also I was up and about within 6 hours of my first cs and 12 hours of the second, so could pick up the babies myself, albeit gingerly! When I got tired or picking them up I remember sleeping with the baby in my bed which helped a bit. And if you take an extra pillow into hospital (to put over your wound) that can help you feed more comfortably.

Please tell the midwives at the hospital your concerns. They should be giving you all the help you need immediately after the birth and on the post-natal ward and even though you will want to go home I would aim to stay there until you feel ok about feeding. There may well also be a BF advisor at the hospital - ask for her to come and talk you through a feed or two.

Good luck!

MrsSawdust · 02/03/2010 12:39

I have no experience of bf after a c section but I do know people who have done it, so it's definitely do-able.

Don't express before the birth. There's no reason to do so. The reason you never saw any milk last time is because the production is stimulated by your baby suckling. This is also the reason mix feeding tends to end up in giving up bf altogether, because the less you bf the less milk you produce, then worry that baby isn't getting enough so give another bottle, baby doesn't sucke, you produce even less milk etc etc.

You should find out where your nearest baby cafe is, or la leche league group, and go along to them before your baby is born. You will be able to see other mums bf their babies, which will help you feel more confident about what to do when your baby is born. (I'm a firm believer that the reason we find it so hard to get started bf in western culture is because we hardly ever see anyone else do it - it's like trying to dance if you've never seen anyone dance before!)

You'll also be able to speak to bf counsellers at baby cafe about your concerns re the c section.

Get the support you will need in place before the birth (phone numbers for lll and other bf support lines), make sure the midwives at hospital know your intentions, and once armed with information and support, relax and trust your body.

Bf can be hard to start with - I struggled for about 6 weeks but it got a little bit easier every day. Personally I'm really glad I stuck with it. So much more convenient than bottles - I'm a lazy cow!

pinkmook · 02/03/2010 12:41

thanks l39/ xandrarama/tigerfeet/ICBINB/and anyone else Ive not named I really appreciate your advice/experience - I feel a bit more confident now - I will definitely look up breastfeeding support groups too.

OP posts:
Rhubarb · 02/03/2010 12:44

None of my family breastfed and a few of my female friends were repulsed by the thought. But my dh's family all breastfed and he was quite keen that I give it a go.

Some things to be aware of.

If it hurts, try different positions and ensure that your whole nipple and aurora are in the baby's mouth. Get the baby to open their mouth very wide before offering the nipple. I used to squeeze mine like a sandwich to ensure he had as much of the breast in there as possible.

The let-down can be a bit sore at first, it kinda makes your toes curl.

This soreness will either go away quickly or in rare cases, slowly. I was one of those who found feeding quite painful because of this. All the midwives and breast feeding counsellors said it must be because I was doing something wrong, so they checked everything and I wasn't doing any out of the ordinary. It was only by talking to lots of other women and coming onto Mumsnet that I realised that for some women it just hurts. Nothing to do with you doing it wrong at all.

Don't be put off by that however, it is bearable and it does eventually ease away. You might not even have any pain.

Once you get the hang of it you will be able to feed just about anywhere. No bottles, no sterilising, no waiting for the milk to warm/cool.

Your family may question how you know that your baby is getting enough. That is because they will have measured their milk in a bottle and upped the feed every few weeks.

Your body knows exactly how much your baby needs. You cannot overfeed a breastfed baby. When your baby has a growth spurt, your body produces more milk to compensate. Your baby will be getting everything they need from your milk and because of this you can delay weaning. A baby should not now be weaned until they are 6 months old, but if you are breastfeeding well you can put this off even later if you want, then you can avoid the endless purees.

Although I'm sure someone will point out that there is such a thing as baby-led weaning now where you just give them food off your plate, lumps and all.

Your breasts will leak from time to time so inest in breast pads. You can express milk if you want to go off somewhere, but wait until you're more confident first.

It really is a joy to breastfeed and strengthens the bond between you and your baby. The first time round your milk will have just dried up. The lady in the bed next to me bottle fed hers and her breasts never leaked so she presumed they didn't have milk in them. But that's not true, everyone is different and whilst mine were leaking whilst pregnant, other people don't have such a problem. Once your baby is latched then your milk will start flowing.

Best of luck!

pinkmook · 02/03/2010 12:45

Wow some great info thank you again - I have to go out now but will check back later to see if anymore posted thank you thank you thank you!

OP posts:
Rhubarb · 02/03/2010 12:47

May I recommend the Mumsnet book on babies.

See that Justine!

noblegiraffe · 02/03/2010 12:53

I had an emergency CS. My husband had skin-to-skin contact while I was being stitched up, then I took over in the recovery room and baby latched on no problems.

I don't really remember much of the first night and how I got the baby out of his tub to feed. I think I could get him from the bed, where I was propped up, but I was up and about the day after and could do nappy changes etc.

Bring an extra pillow from home, it'll make things far easier, and get the midwives to show you how to hold the baby properly (you should have one arm completely free).

Also, make the most of the extra time in hospital to get help with the latch, people watching you feed etc. It was invaluable for me.

skinsl · 02/03/2010 12:56

DS was in neo-natal for 4 days, and I was still in hospital and I would get down there and they would have fed him!! But one of the nurses there was lovely and she helped me, and the official breastfeeding ladies came round to help. And they had a breastpumping unit and when I tried to express for him I got a thimble full! But he took it. never had the skin to skin contact, but we still managed to get it after a couple of days.
And as he fed out of a bottle too, it was quite convenient for others to feed him when you can express.

noblegiraffe · 02/03/2010 12:57

Oh yes, pack nighties which have poppers down the front (Mothercare do packs) and some nursing bras, it'll make access a lot easier!

Also, breastfeeding makes your uterus contract, which can be unexpectedly painful. Make sure you take all the drugs they offer you and don't be afraid to ask for more if you need them!

Waterduck · 02/03/2010 13:12

Hi, I'm new to mumsnet, what do DD / DS / DC stand for?? Or is it really obvious & I'm being a bit thick?!

detoxdiva · 02/03/2010 13:18

Good luck with the feeding - I have no experience of bf after a cs but just wanted to post following Waterducks post....the first week is def the hardest...it will seem that all you do is feed Your baby will be on the boob almost constantly - you feed, they may sleep for half an hour and then they want feeding again! While this is emotionally, physically and physically tiring, it's the best thing you can do as it's stimulating your milk supply. Very soon things will settle down and your baby will go longer between feeds.

If you're determined to bf, stick with it - it will be worth it. Oh, and invest in some good nipple cream, and matchsticks for your eyes to get you through the first week!

Waterduck · 02/03/2010 13:19

Sorry, have just spotted Acronyms section!!! Ooops!

detoxdiva · 02/03/2010 13:19

DS/DD/DC = Dear son / daughter / children

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