Breastfeeding how do you do it?!?

[PoppyCherryDog]

I have a 3 month old who I either breastfeed or give expressed milk which works well for us but I’d like to get a bit more confident at breastfeeding and wondered if anyone had any tips?

I had a c section so I didn’t get baby to latch until about 4 weeks because I was so conscious of having baby lying across me. I’m still a bit scared of my scar even now cuz I’m a bit pathetic about medical stuff! So for the first four weeks I just pumped.

I then had a breastfeeding consultant come round and show me how to get baby to latch and since then we’ve improved a lot. Mostly feeding just before bed and then in the morning, but I still pump a lot which I’m fine with as sometimes I think it is more convenient.

What I do want to get better at though is doing things while baby is latched. I’m currently still in bed because I got baby up and dressed had my shower then baby wanted food so started feeding but two hours later she’s still attached to me.

I hear of mums walking around the house making a drink or just having a hand free while feeding. I also see mums on baby groups feeding baby so casually and I’m just so not like this! In the evening if I forget something before bed I’m shouting to my husband to bring me things like water and sometimes make him feed me the water cuz both my hands are full supporting baby.

I still need pillows around me to support baby and mostly still need to hands and I barely move as otherwise baby unlatches.

What are people’s top tips for just casually breastfeeding and making it seem second nature? I also feel really clumsy with it and would never feed in public because of this. I’ve only fed in front of my husband.

I don’t have any tops with the zips to feed in do these help? Should I invest in one of these?

A few ideas.

Go along to a bf group to develop confidence feeding in front of others and get tips from the other mothers.

Try a sling to support baby while you feed.

No need for specialist clothing- put a stretchy vest underneath a top and do one up one down.

Practice feeding in front of a mirror at home- you'll be amazed how little can be seen and it will build your confidence for feeding in public.

I fed all three of mine lying down for the most part. If no one has shown you yet have a look online and try it out in bed... it's pretty easy and babies love it.

It does get better and easier but breastfeeding is very draining... don't be too hard on yourself!

Four weeks of pumping with a newborn! You're a hero. If you can do that, you can do anything.

I always fed sitting up on the sofa or in bed with a load of pillows, I was a very clumsy feeder out and about. But it worked fine, two EBF babies, no pumping (because I'm much lazier than you ).

With the first I used a rugby hold, so two layers of pillows by my side with the baby lying alongside me.

Second baby preferred cradle hold, so I put the pillow horizontally across my lap.

Then settle in with some good TV and snacks.

Nursing tops aren't popular on here but I liked them. H&M have them at a reasonable price.

Some ideas that might help:

• Go to a breastfeeding group regularly if you have any local ones. Real life support and tips from experts by experience can be so helpful.
• You can buy breastfeeding covers, I had one from Amazon that you put over your head/around your neck and it creates like a structured tent thing that sticks out over your baby but leaves a big gap under your chin so you can see your baby. I didn't use this other than a few times early on as I quickly got confident feeding in public but some people use them more. After that I tended to often use a muslin cloth tucked into my bra strap and draped over me/baby's head for a bit more coverage. And this is useful as can also be used to mop up milk leaks too!
• I did have some nursing clothes that I found useful on some occasions but I was also not bothered about just lifting my t-shirt up on one side frankly. I kept it at a slant and then baby covers you a lot anyway.
• Breastfeeding cushion - I probably didn't use mine past around the 3 month marks tbh when baby was bigger but might be worth a try. In the early weeks I always used that at home. I found I could wedge baby comfortably on it and have both hands free if needed.
• Read up on different breastfeeding positions, you may find some easier/more convenient than others. Certainly you should have at least one free hand in virtually all positions tbh.

I mean it's also about practice and being comfortable with baby attached. For the first 3+ months I definitely didn't do a lot of moving. It wasn't until a LOT later that I was able to move a bit.

Honestly, I went to Spain on holiday.

I went being able to breastfeed fine but being very self conscious, my wanting to do it in public, feeling panicky about boobs being out etc.

I came back a relaxed, happier mum who was content to feed her anywhere and could stroll around feeding her in sling whilst simultaneously playing with my toddler!

My self consciousness went after seeing countless women sunbathe topless and wander round in tiny bikinis. I was showing fat less in my fairly industrial tankini. It was got so I didn't have many clothes to faff around to begin with (compared to UK spring anyway). The sling thing was out of necessity but I tried it and it worked, and it was transformative.

If you are worried about your incision, a pillow across your tummy should help. I'd try to get rid of the extra pillows etc as much as you can though personally, as the more you feel like you need them, the more stuck inside you'll become.

Many mums breastfeed from a couple of hours after a C-section, it’s absolutely fine to, the baby isn’t ever lying on your scar, they’re higher up than that so unfortunately there was no need for you to wait so long to try latching and establishing feeding.

I’d recommend contacting a lactation consultant or breastfeeding volunteers to help you get used to the positions possible and getting a good latch.

Time and practice. I couldn't breastfeed my first for a combination of reasons, but my second was (and is still at 2) feeding. It wasn't naturally easy for me. We spent a lot of time topless in bed learning different positions (thank god for side lying). I wear stretchy breastfeeding bras and v cut tops/dresses so no messing around with clasps or hooks.

My top tip, having had mastitis at day 8 trying to feed my first and recovering from c section very badly, is if you get a lump, clogged duct, any discomfort in the breast area rather than the nipple, is dangle feeding. It clears it right out before it develops further.

You can feed in a stretchy wrap, or a structured carrier, once baby is a bit older. Awkward at first but you can practice at home. It's great once they can move enough to latch themselves.

Well done you and some good tips here re sling, breastfeeding groups. Tbh I'd be more looking at how to make feeds more efficient, 2 hours is quite long - can you ask your consultant about it and if they don't help ask at a breastfeeding group

I’ve seen a breastfeeding consultant which I mentioned in my post.

It’s great your mum could feed so soon after her c section but for me I wasn’t comfortable doing so. I suppose everyone is different.

Thanks everyone for the advice really useful tips. I think I will try the sling idea - never knew this was an option. And just build up confidence bit by bit. Also like the mirror idea :) and going to groups. My area as a Facebook group for it so I’ll ask on there what’s around :)