What does established breastfeeding look like

[2lilcherubs]

I have another thread I put up this morning, more of vent about newborn struggles with a toddler and it got me thinking I've been told breastfeeding will be fully established between 6-8weeks I'm at week 3 so a while to go yet.

I have no idea how I will know it's established what will change?

In my experience: pain has gone, breasts have stopped feeling so swollen and leaking, baby isn’t cluster feeding as often, latch is good and the whole thing feels easier.

In my experience it was when I didn't dread feeding. I knew when she was hungry, she would latch quickly and well, feeding wasn't predictable but it was possible almost anywhere. I fed sitting next to my DFIL in a restaurant eating lunch. Other times when people I was with didn't know I was feeding and assumed DD was sleeping on me.

Is this the first baby youve breastfed? It takes longer with the first, my third it was established by a week old, less even, imo. Though we still had cluster feeding obviously.

For me established means that you and the baby have got the hang of it. You just stick them on the breast and carry in chatting to your toddler, gaze adoringly at the baby, read a book, Mumsnet or whatever.

It's the point at which breastfeeding becomes easier than formula feeding because there's no bottle to sterilise or kettle to boil and wait while it cools or whatever, you just hung baby on breast.

Good luck - the early weeks are hard the first time but once you and the baby have the hang of it it's as easy as cuddling your baby. By dc2 I fed in a wrap slightly while out and about with dc1! First time give yourself time!

I was at a whole class parent's information evening on Tuesday and a mother of 4 was breastfeeding her newborn while addressing 25 parents and the class teacher, explaining the availability of the school library which she's just reopened and is running before school That was definitely taking established to a new level.

Thanks all, yes this is my first time properly feeding. I haven't struggled with the actual feeding as such, latch always been good it's just the frequency of when baby feeds

For me it was when I felt confident. It became easy to do anywhere. No latching issues, just lift up shirt and go. Also when I knew that baby was definitely putting on weight and feeds had settled into a rough pattern. Probably about 8 weeks in for me