I breastfed both my kids for just over a year each. You are right that good latch is key, but I found that it took a while for my nipples to get used to feeding again. Both my kiddos had good latch, but I still got sore, chapped nipples to start. A good nipple cream is essential (note, some people - like me - are sensitive to lanolin and it makes the chapping worse. I used weleda nipple balm and it was amazing), and I found silver nursing/nipple cups were brilliant in those early days and helped protect and heal. It should settle down in a couple of weeks

Yes, sore nipples are from a bad latch. However for the first couple of weeks your nipples are super sensitive and (for me) it was fucking painful at the beginning of each feed. Key differences are bad latch it starts sore and gets worse: sensitive starts sore and gets better - the feed feels like a tiny nipple massage.

Latch technique involves a bit of trial and error, but if you persevere both you and baby figure out what you need to do for a successful feed. It's gruelling work, but you do get there.

My advice is to take it a week at a time. Decide to BF for a week. Persevere. After that week try one more week. Persevere. In my experience that's the worst of it over. Decide if you can do one more week.

I took this approach, and at the beginning I really couldn't imagine BFing long term. I did it all the way up to my son's birthday.

And if, in the beginning, you do decide to switch to formula there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. BFing is a different journey for everyone and some women quite simply have it way, way worse than others. We're very lucky to have a safe alternative.

I breastfed my son and am ten months into breastfeeding my second. Here's the breastfeeding prep I did:

• research. Try to get a book out on the subject. Emily Norris does lots of good breastfeeding videos.
• make a note of National bf helpline number and use that helpline once baby is here as much as u need to. It's saved my life in so many tough times!
• buy anything you think could make your life easier before baby comes. Bras, pillow, snack box, water bottle, bf vitamins.
• get to know your local area. Are there any support groups? Sometimes these groups run classes for pregnant women.

You might want some nipple shields in your size on standby (I used the MAM ones). These saved my bf journey when my nipples were in shreds after 3 days. My dd had tongue tie. It was quite difficult to get them in the right size when we needed them and I had to borrow some from a friend. We were able to wean off them after 5 weeks and breastfeeding is going well now 4 months in. Good luck!

Make sure you exclude a tongue tie if you're struggling

I didn't BF with my first as I gave up straight away due to no support. Currently BF my second and although it was initially a struggle (pain turned out to be tongue tie, not a bad latch) I'm so glad I carried on. I love every second of it! Just make sure you speak up and ask for help if you're struggling! I would have gave up it'd I didn't.

Also get some nipple shields just in case. But also, don't feel guilty if it doesn't work out or you want to use formula again, as long as baby is fed they are happy!

Couldnt breastfeed my first past a few feeds really. Things I did with my second:
• Colostrum harvesting
• Nipple shields
• Lactation expert
• Tongue tie snip

Fed until 3yr 3mo.

With #3 didn’t do much and feeding now, he’s nearly 2.

You can do it. Just because you didn’t manage it first time round, doesn’t mean you won’t again. Breastfeeding journeys are all different.

Some helpful advice I got was to stroke baby’s bottom lip with the nipple until they open their mouth wide and then start feeding. Also if you can tell the latch is wrong insert a finger next to your nipple to encourage them to let go and then try again.

My first was prem and couldn't suckle at first due to low strength/stamina. Bottles were easier for her so we gradually transferred from feeding tube to those, but subsequently never got the hang of BF. She would latch but not suckle. She got expressed milk in the bottle for four months, then formula.

My first was term and had no such issues. Still ebf now at five months despite my attempts to get her onto a bottle - she's having none of it!

Pain when baby first latches is actually normal for the first week or two, and doesn't necessarily indicate a bad latch. It should only last 10 seconds or so though. I never bothered with nipple cream, shields or any other paraphernalia - just bra pads to catch the leakage.

I'd speak to a breastfeeding support worker/consultant and arrange for them to visit you for about an hour 4-5 times in the week you give birth. Obviously you don't know exactly when that'll be but you have a reasonable idea and most will be able to be flexible.

They'll be able to sort out all the positioning/latch stuff with you and identify any problems like tongue tie asap if needed. They'll be able to advise about engorgement, growth spurts, diet, frequency of feeding and differences in expected weight gain between ebf and formula fed babies all of which is really important and usually reassuring. And if you have a DP they'll be able to guide them in how they can support you.

I was really lucky and had this support from a friend. It made bf so easy in comparison to the majority of people's experiences