The first weeks were painful. But at least we know that passes quite quickly. I'm hoping my nipples are still toughened up from feeding DD!
I also had an episode where I got injured (don't ask!) and DD threw up bloody sick for a few days. Went to see a nurse but they said not to worry about it, which seemed weird. It looked horrifying but apparently it only takes a tiny amount of blood to look bad.
I think DD just needed to suck a lot too. But it's hard to tell and with the early weight loss I was too worried to not let her feed. Also, once she reached her birth weight she stayed on the 91st line so I didn't want to risk changing that.
The cluster feeding was horrendous. I am dreading that. Literally hours in the evening. It did seem to coincide with the wonder week stuff that people posted on this thread. So I will just have to remember that it does pass eventually. And at least DD will be in bed while that goes on.
Most sensible people would give up after getting an abscess. If I get mastitis this time I will demand antibiotics and demand them for the recommended minimum 10 days. I was fobbed off last time, they tried to get me to clear it myself which led to all the problems. I will then consider giving up as I can't risk an abscess again. It required a few hospital visits every week for a month and the hospital is in the middle of nowhere. I can't do that with a baby and toddler! I'm trying preventative methods this time - lecithin and regular massage.
This time I will try to feed confidently in front of other people from the start. I remember my family coming to visit a week after DD was born and I spent most of the time (honestly - she fed a lot!) in another room feeding her as I was so self-conscious. I'm ok with doing it, I just worry too much about what other people think.
I hate baby showers and I hate gift lists (even for weddings - we didn't have one, we didn't ask for anything at all!). What a waste! Will you buy something from it?! I wouldn't!