Breastfeeding for dummies

[dumpling123]

Hi all,

I'm currently expecting our first child and looking into breastfeeding. I've read info from NHS, some basic how to guides and forum posts. I know that there are lots of different ways to hold baby for breastfeeding and that I need to be patient, be sure baby latches on, watch for possible tongue tie and prepare for some pain. Antenatal classes are cancelled due to Covid-19. Am a bit worried about what I don't know if that makes sense!

Is it fair enough to say that breastfeeding is a skill which I can't really learn much more about until baby comes along? Is there anything you would recommend to help me prepare? Will it come naturally to myself and baby? Am I completely overthinking this?

Thanks in advance!

I also think it is a skill, and you can learn it before baby comes to an extent. You can certainly build up knowledge in advance that will help you. Very few women actually can’t breastfeed, the biggest issues are lack of support and lack of knowledge of what’s normal. You can prep a lot to avoid these issues.

Hi OP - thanks for the thread, I'm in the same boat so will be reading and following!

The Positive Birth Company literally just did a free antenatal breastfeeding workshop on youtube yesterday, and are doing a post-natal one today / tomorrow. They are still available online if you have a look you can probably subscribe and have a watch!

Check them out on instrgam for the subscription / sign up link

@BelfastNonBlonde the Positive Birth Company breastfeeding workshop video has been shared in this thread. It’s on YouTube for free

There is definitely a lot to learn before your baby comes. Honestly, you can’t prepare enough for breastfeeding. Watch YouTube videos about latch - lots of them!

Also read up on tongue tie which is extremely common and massively undiagnosed. I’ve lost count of the number of people I know who gave up because breastfeeding was too painful only to discover that their baby has tongue tie and wasn’t properly checked. If you are struggling and a medical professional says there’s no tongue tie then get a second opinion.

Finally, be prepared for cluster feeding. You will spend an enormous amount of time feeding everyday. You will need someone to bring you food and drink. And remember to eat she drink a lot. You need an extra 500 calories per day.

OP I highly highly recommend reading The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding - quite cringe title but seriously informative. If you read that plus Kellymom you are sorted!

Find out where your local breastfeeding support groups are and see what they are offering at the moment. I work at a children's centre and we are all being on call to help people 1:1 on the phone or video chat. Best of luck.

@dumpling
Apply lansinoh twice a day from 37 weeks pregnant it will make your nipples really supple and should help with minimal / no cracking

Following

Practical tips - I had a little basket of things that lived on the sofa that I could grab in the many many hours that I spent sitting there. Insulated bottle for either water or tea, nipple cream (lansinoh and green people are great), lip balm, Kindle, remote control, snacks - huge numbers of hobnobs, muslins... You will spend a lot of time feeding in the early weeks, try to accept that and enjoy it. Don't clock watch, if baby is gaining weight and has plenty of wet/dirty nappies they're fine.

Learn to feed lying down and consider co sleeping (in a co sleeper cot if that's what you prefer) as night feeds can be a killer and it's so much easier once you can just let baby sort themselves out!

There's no food or supplement that can increase your milk supply, just lots of skin to skin and feeding. X