How long did it take for you to establish breastfeeding?

[MUMMA2BEX]

As the title said, and does anyone have any tips to make it easier?

Medela hydrogel pads .. all the creams didn't help at all. These were like magic healers. I didn't think I needed them second time and what I should of done was use them from the start. They are brilliant as your nipples take a battering and help you heal.

I think babies have to learn to feed and I had blocked ducts the first time around, but I just didn't know what the painful lumps were. It's such a learning curve. It's also challenging to hear it shouldn't hurt, well it doesn't now, but it might be comfortable to start with be more realistic.

Also- another MASSIVE tip...
The first sign of mastitis- hot breast, red patch, flu/achey feeling- straight to the Drs for antibiotics, call OOH if it appears at night. If let untreated it can cause real illness.

I will mention- sometimes it sounds like a horror story, and I won't lie, there are lots of variables that can make it hard, but it can be the most rewarding and most convenient thing to do :)