Should I ask to stay in hospital longer after birth?

[Sandles12]

Aibu to ask to stay in one night longer after birth. So I've just found out I'm pregnant and already having anxieties. I had my first baby 3 years ago. Had him on my sofa at home (due to hospital not believing as was in labour earlier that day). Got transported to hospital and stayed for a lovely 2 nights in MLU which I had originally planned.

The reason I would like to stay day longer is to get extra help with feeding. All was going well in hospital until my milk transitioned on day 3 when I got home and baby refused to latch. I ended up having to call midwives out to house to help. I had trouble with feeding for nine weeks due to undisguised tongue tie. Bf is really important to me and I am still feeding my toddler. I honestly think I would've ended up with PND had I not succeeded last time.

I am selfish to ask to possibly stay 3 nights? MLU was more or less empty except me last time but I felt pressure to leave to save beds for others.

Yes that was my plan to give birth in mlu. So quiet and peaceful compared to ward.

Of course you can ask. In the hospital I gave birth I know women did. I had a choice to stay an extra day or leave. I know there are horror stories here but I found the support on the maternity ward reasonable and I wasn't ready to go home the first day.

It might have depended how busy they were, whether you could stay though. Might be worth asking your midwife about in advance? Also seeing how you feel at the time.

And I think the suggestions around getting contacts for breastfeeding support if you need it are useful. Do you have a local La Leche League- they will do one to one support with you if you need it.