Breastfeeding

[Millylou3]

Hi so currently pregnant with baby number 4 and have never breastfed before however I so want to try with this baby 👶🏻 Now with me never trying before I’m not even sure I can 😂 my boobs leaked a little with my first but I can’t remember with my others is it just a case of once baby latches on your flow comes in more?

Baby feeding from the breast stimulates and increases your milk supply. Pumps do the same but not as well as baby (in my experience anyway)

Can you make contact with something like your local la leche league to get some support before you start?

My understanding (first time pregnant):

After birth your breasts produce colostrum which seems like the teeniest drops ever but is super nutrition dense and exactly enough for newborns. You should feed your child quite soon after delivery and keep trying, even if it seems like theres basically nothing. Lots of time trying and skin on skin contact promotes milk coming in.

Proper milk usually then comes in at about day 3.

Your newborn will likely feed LOADS in the first 3-4 months (google 4th trimester). This promotes bonding, a good milk supply, and is a way of your baby feeling safe as until recently they were literally part of you!

Theres great "how to breastfeed" videos on YouTube. Also iif you have any issues raise them fast! Allergies and latch issues can both really interfere with breastfeeding

La Leche are running free classes

Yes I remember when my baby did it’s first feed, I was like ‘is that it??’ It was more of a lick and I was expecting a big guzzle. But the guzzling got more as time went on.

Took ages for my first to get the hang of latching on and me to get he hang of feeding - several days. But he did as I was really determined. My second was in NICU for a few days fed by a tube, I tried pumping not very successfully but once she was out she latched on and didn't let go! I don't recall any leaking before.

I’ve exclusively fed 3 babies and have never leaked ever. I’ve still got the pack of breast pads I bought for baby 1 in a drawer somewhere. You only produce a tiny amount of colostrum to begin with - your milk won’t ‘come in’ for around 48 hrs. It’s great you want to give bf a go - I personally found it very convenient. I agree with the suggestion of contacting la leche league for info. Hopefully your community midwife will help too. Good luck xx

I mentioned to my midwife I wanted to try and she said we could discuss when I’m later on in the pregnancy so just trying to find out bits while I can - it’s a massive influence the “ease” of it as already having 3 kids I find it would help massively rather than making bottles sterilising etc!! Also I’m having a planned c section with this one and the midwife mentioned harvesting your colostrum ready for baby incase I can’t feed after c section