Help with breastfeeding

[MommaBee97]

I already have 2 children, but have never breastfed. I'm expecting my third child and am really determined to breastfeed. I'm just wondering is there any tips or tricks fellow mommy's can help me with. Im not confident enough to just pull my boob out in public so is there ways I can be descreet and also, does it hurt?! I'm new to it all and just want to try this time.

I would say that many people find it takes a bit of time and practice to get the hang of it. Make sure you have enough time to get yourself and your baby comfortable feeding before you feed in public, if you are stressed about this. I found some great breastfeeding tops at H&M that covered the top part of the breast, while feeding. I'm rather blessed in the boob department, so I would have felt very naked without that extra bit of fabric. A muslin is useful to cover yourself a bit.
I found it all a bit weird at first, but it soon becomes normal and hopefully you won't feel that self-conscious about it.
Stock up on lansinoh (I think that's what it's called - helps with cracked nipples). I also really liked a product called lilipads, which were silicone breast pads. I had a lot of milk with both my kids, and they helped prevent leaking. May not be an issue for you.
If you struggle with producing enough milk, a good breastpump will help. It's probably not necessary to have all those things ready now (except for feeding bras, tops and nipple cream), but if you know about them, it may make your life easier.
My final piece of advice - breastfeeding is a very individual thing. Some people love it, some do it because of their baby. For some it's easy, for some it's hard and for some it's near impossible. Be kind to yourself as well as your baby. It's great that you are going to give this a go. Good luck and I hope it all goes well for you!

If you have social media look up your local breastfeeding network peer support groups, l started going along to mine at about 7 months pregnant and they were fantastically supportive and informative.

Mine had a problem with latching onto the left boob but not the right 🤷🏻‍♀️ dont know why 😂 but I'm still doing it now and hes 22mo. Got it down perfect nowadays.

Even if you just manage to get the first bit of milk, the colostrum, to your baby, you've given them a wonderful start!

Lanisoh definitely. Although when mine got sore I used residue milk. Sounds totally weird but they recommend it. It worked really well.

Blankets or muslin cloths for feeding outdoors. I had huge knockers from pregnancy so there was alot to get out. I was still able to do it discreetly though.

Invest in good breastfeeding tops and clip bras. They were essential.

I had a breastfeeding pillow for baby too. Brought him closer to me whilst keeping him comfortable. He loved snoozing on that thing.

Set up some breastfeeding places in the house. I had 2 areas -the lounge and the bedroom. Each area had a bottle of water at all times (you get thirsty - like super thirsty), some snacks, nipple cream, whatever I wanted to keep me entertained, remotes and such.

We had a TV in our bedroom which was great during the beginning few months when DS woke up every 2 hours to feed.

Have someone there for support if you need it. I distinctly remember being so upset and tired, and a bit sore, and I text my sister saying I wanted to give up. She really encouraged me to keep going and I'm super glad I did.

One of my friends got her latching down perfectly, really early on so it really is true. If you get the latch right, it shouldn't hurt.

Go easy on yourselves though. You are both learning. Both you and baby. Totally new for both of you so go easy and be prepared for it to be a work in progress.

Oh and don't be alarmed if your milk suddenly sprays across the room one day 🤣🤣

Google for breastfeeding cafes near you. They are basically just a baby group but with a focus on being a comfortable place to breastfeed and there's usually someone who can offer support & advice too.

Get the midwives to check your baby is latching on correctly while you are still in the hospital. Be ready to be a bit demanding about this if you feel like it's not right. Unfortunately midwives are overworked and short staffed as the norm and can be inclined to rush but be firm if you need extra help. Repeat everytime you see someone over the first few days - health visitor home visit, check ups with your community midwife etc.

There's breatfeeding covers you can buy if you want to be more covered up, though I found them to be a huge faff. I spent enough time in my 20s getting my boobs out for rather less noble purposes free drinks that I wasn't the least bit bothered about breastfeeding out and about! I have about half a dozen breastfeeding tops which basically peek open accross the middle of the boob so no one can see anything. The other clothing trick that works well is layered tops. Vest top underneath that you can pull down (I use breastfeeding ones with straps you can unclip) and top layer you can pull up. That way your belly stays covered!

It can hurt. When I breastfed dd1 it hurt for about 2 weeks. It was bloody awful at times. Dont know why - she was latching well (i think), didnt have cracked nipples, it just fucking hurt. Then at two weeks it was like a switch flicked and it was painless. With dd2 it hasn't hurt once in 6 months.

Hmmm what else.... Google mastitis and be aware of the early signs so that if you get it you catch it early. Had it with dd1 but wasnt quick enough and ended up in out of hours in agony waiting for a prescription for antibiotics. With dd2 I recognised the early signs and headed it off at the pass no problems.

Perfect the art of lying down to feed! I love a bed feed. You lie on your side, face baby to you lying on their side, latch on, cuddle in, boom. Done. So comfy. Great for evening clusterfeeds, saves my arse going numb on the sofa.

I love breastfeeding. I am very lazy and the ability to have instant food & drink & comfort for my baby, on tap, on demand with no preparation, planning or forethought suits me down to the ground!

Breastfeeding was hard for me at first, but I got some help from the nurses at the maternity ward on how to hold my daughter while breastfeeding her. They said I was holding her too far away and she needed to be snuggled right up close. I think my best advice is it's not okay if it really hurts, or if your nipples are starting to crack. If that happens, then get help. Also, bear in mind that breastfeeding is supply and demand. The more you breastfeed your little one, the more milk you'll have. But if you supplement with formula a lot, then it'll get harder to keep your supply up. My two are 8 and 10 years old, so it's been a while since I breastfed, but the two best online sources in my day were La Leche League and Kellymom.com. Best of luck, I hope it goes well for you!

My tips (one DC, wasn't that fussed about breastfeeding beforehand, but actually enjoyed it and glad I could in the end):

• ask the midwives for help if you have trouble getting baby to latch on while in hospital (I did). If the first midwife isn't v helpful ask another one (and another one, and another one). Some are v good, some just point at a picture of how it should be done

• take time at home to get comfortable yourself as it takes a while to get the hang of before doing in public.

• personally I tried using cover ups and proper breastfeeing clothes in the beginning but found it all a bit of a faff, so ended up wearing my normal clothes with a vest under to do one up one down

• get some decent breastfeeding bras with no wire. Likewise get some breast pads (I found the reusable bamboo ones way nicer than the plastic disposables

• try breastfeeding cafes if you're still having trouble or ask your midwife. If all else fails you can get a breastfeeding consultant to visit your home - I did this and although expensive it was worth it

• buy a decent book on breastfeeding so you know what to expect. In particular, lots of babies feed really often and take a really long time at each feed at the beginning. So not underestimate this! I felt like I fed every hour for about half an hour each time for the first few months. I nearly quit - but it gets way quicker and easier by about 3 or 4 months!

• if you ever want to bottle or mix feed, get baby on a bottle in the first few weeks too and keep giving one bottle every day or every other day. Otherwise you may have a fight on your hands if you decide to mix feed in future (we did at 6 months!)

All the best! It is worth it!