Breastfeeding Awareness Week

[thislittlesisterlola]

I think I am right in saying its breastfeeding (or beastfeeding as my poor baby brain first typed) awareness week. I was wondering if anyone knew if MN HQ had anything planned? There is so much useful info on here I appreciate that this could be seen as enough. All you ladies are fantastic and I've lurked alot picking up tips and advice for when my DS makes his appearance.
I was hoping MN did have something going on- I know I could really use any help/ advice given.
Sorry if this is in the wrong place. To be honest I feel quite awkward posting about something I dont know that much about.

It is indeed! Happy Breastfeeding Awareness Week!

NHS Website here.

There is a link on the right saying 'how can I help' or you can get involved via your local NCT branch.

I am getting involved by approaching cafes to join our local breastfeeding friendly scheme.

From your own point of view OP, there are many amazing people on here who know lots about breastfeeding and always seem very happy to support people - search existing threads and don't be afraid to post any questions you may have!

Good luck with your new baby and with breastfeeding, I personally think the key is to relax about it - being anxious is not good for supply etc - and just remember that it will probably work given time, it is very rare as far as i know for someone to be physically unable to breastfeed.

Ahah! Thank you gingerkirsty
Thank you also very much for your kind words... Im sure I will be asking lots more questions on this thread once he is here.

I'm feeling ok about feeding right now but I think alot of my worries stem from fear of the unknown and all the what if's. My thoughts are to trust my instincts, try to relax/take it as it comes and read lots of threads on breastfeeding- I've learnt more from these than anything else.

Well I am certainly no expert but am very happily exclusively breastfeeding DD1 at 18 weeks. All I can say to you is that it is amazing, really beautiful (sorry if a bit pukey but it really is so special!) doesn't cost anything (well except for breast pads in the early days!), is completely portable, good for you, and of course incredibly good for your baby.

It took us a couple of days in hospital to get her feeding well, we were both knackered after a looooong labour, but it was well worth sticking with it. My advice would be to stay calm, they won't let your baby starve so even if it takes a bit of time to get started don't panic, just enjoy the time bonding with your little boy.

I had some amazing help from the midwives in hospital, they literally grabbed baby, grabbed boob and married the two together - what surprised me was how firmly you need to bring the baby to your breast. I don't think they have that approach in every hospital but if you feel self conscious about being touched I can see it could be uncomfortable - but if you can relax with it, it really works!

If I were you I would post ALL your questions on here now before your baby is born - the more you have got your head round it in advance, the better I reckon it will go. Once he's been born you may well be incapable of posting on here for a few days so best make use of the collective wisdom of MN while you can!

The other thing I think is important is feeling able to feed in public. If you don't, you are confined to the house which is not good for you. You will probably be given a leaflet at antenatal/by the midwives showing a list of all venues which are Breastfeeding Friendly - if not you should be able to download it from your local NHS website. The main one is at the bottom of this page. It is also worth practising beforehand how to get baba latched on without exposing your nork - at home i am frequently to be found wandering around with one boob hanging out - it's only a matter of time before I answer the door like it! Anyway when out that is probably best avoided, so I tend to wear a vest under a t shirt, pull the tshirt up and the vest down (so your belly is still covered up), move baby into the crook of your arm so his head is in front of your boob, then unclip your bra.

Also worth trying to get bras with good 'coverage' over the top of your boob like these - so if you are just wearing a vest type top you can pull it down and unclip your bra but the top of your boob will still be covered up.

Sorry I have waffled on for ages, just wanted to think of anything general that might help you!

When is your DS due?

In the interests of equality and political correctness I do hope there will be a bottle feeding awareness week.

It sounds like Mother and Baby magazine have that covered this week!!!

Wow thank you for all your info. You havent waffled at all. Its so nice to feel supported. I dont have much in the way of breast feeding support here.
I'm a very keen student so thank you Really good idea about the vest and the tshirt and positions. This is exactly the kind of info I need!
I dont know how much support my hospital gives but my friend gave birth there 2 years ago and said they were amazing so hopefully they still are!
Those links are fab too, thank you for taking the time to write back and with an 18 wk old babe its really appreciated- sorry getting all emotional- these darn hormones!

He is due in 2 weeks time and from what the mw says is in a good place for the exit. Apparently his back could move round a bit but she isnt worried he's head down so she's happy.

P.s I have a good supply of breast pads- stuffed so many in a bag I'm afraid to open it incase of a showering of pads! I have tommee tippee ones from recomendation on here.

Thank you so much again. I will have a think tonight of any questions I have and report back.

Lola x

Lola you are more than welcome, I am all for breastfeeding and if I can support you that is fantastic!

Thank you for being so supportive i feel a lot more comfortable. Tonight's questions are- have you avoided any food since breastfeeding? I am planning on making some meals to freeze for once the babe arrives just wondered how much food affects milk? Should i avoid putting anything in? I dont drink any caffeine and i am aware that could cause issues. Also once he's born do i try to put him breast asap? Will someone make sure he and i are doing it right? I understand its more about bonding/skin to skin contact and sucking at this stage rather than actual feeding? I feel less stressed knowing he and I will both learn how to do feed- in it together kind of thing

I haven't avoided any foods at all, it doesn't appear to make any difference to my baby whether I eat a bland meal or a fiery one. I have a double shot latte every morning and often a cup of tea or coffee in the afternoon, again not obvious affect on DS. I have a couple of glasses of wine/a cocktail every now and again, no effect.

I put my DSs on the breast after the initial OMG a BABY! moment. But sometimes shit happens and you might not be able to do it immediately, don't freak out just do it as soon as you can.

I wish there was a way you could capture and buy the first couple of moments when you baby is handed to you all warm and wet and wriggling, is the most amazing feeling I have ever felt. Am tempted to have another just to experience those few minutes again!

Also newborns like to suck suck suck, you are making enough milk, just let them have as much unfettered access to your boobs as possible and hold them close and snuggle with them and ignore anyone who talks about spoiling or overfeeding or any crap that means that baby won't get held and fed and snuggled.

What Morloth said!

Are you having your baby in hospital? The NHS are VERY keen to make sure each baby has latched on before going home. There will be plenty of help for you and you will be able to summon a midwife at the touch of a button - v handy!

Once you are home, if you have any problems, please post on here - there are some amazing and very knowledgable (sp???) people who give fantastic advice and support.

I will just reiterate what I said about trying not to stress about it - easier said than done I know but relax and give it time. Remember you and your baby are both learning a new skill and for most people it does take a bit of effort. OTOH your baby may be one of those who climbs up you and latches straight on!

Positioning is key and I found my Widgey Pillow fantastic - this is the cheapest I can see on the web altho I got mine secondhand. I don't use it for nursing now DD is 4 months and can support herself, but it was invaluable during the early weeks.

Also YOU WILL BE VERY THIRSTY every time you feed, so make sure you have water to hand at all times. I found a bottle with a sports cap perfect so I could have it right next to me on the sofa - tis v v tricky reaching for anything while feeding a tiny baby!

Are you sorted for nursing bras too? Make sure you have one or two with room for growth (see below!).

For the first 3-4 days (i think that's right) you will be producing colostrum. As Morloth says, your baby will suck a lot at this stage which will stimulate your milk to come in. when it does (day 4 or 5 for me IIRC) your breast pads will come in v handy! I was like a leaky Jordan for a couple of days until supply met demand more efficiently!