Talk to me about breastfeeding

[LawDegreeBarbie]

I breastfed two DC's for 3 months before giving in to mastitis and general pain due to poor latch. I was a SAHM for both of their first years so time wasn't much of an issue.

30 weeks pregnant with DC3 due early September. By January I have to go back to lectures at university to finish my degree which means DC3 will be in full time nursery two days a week on campus while I study and am in lectures and we'd be home the rest of the time.

I have zero idea about expressing, keeping up supply and how this can work when they're very young. Does anyone have any experiences? I aim to breastfeed for at least the first six months this time and I'm already feeling like throwing in the towel for formula before DC3 is even born because I lack so much knowledge in this area.

Oh you'll be absolutely fine! Pop a Manuel pump in your bag with a bottle and you could just pump every 3 hours or so and drop it to the campus nursery.

@babybrainusedtobesmart if I were to freeze some, would I defrost it the night before and give it to the nursery along with a bottle? How long does breastmilk stay fresh after defrosting?

You can get electric travel pumps. Just have a battery for them.
I personally couldn't pump much and it hurt. But bf with no pain for 13months
Might be worth asking a few mummy's to borrow a Pump or two to test the comfort before investing in one? Or second hand. You can sterilise all the bits that need to be
Or would it be possible to even schedule feed and pop into the nursery after each lecture?

Yep. Defrost the night before and travel with it in a Tommie yippee cool bag to nursery. Will stay in their fridge all day. If you give them fresh, ie not frozen, milk it will last in their fridge for six days! I think it just has to be used the day you defrost it

These tips are so helpful, thank you!