Breastfeeding Advice

I'd like to know as well.

I wasn't 'allowed' to breastfeed because of Oni's Jaundice and I gave up because my milk supply became EXTREEMLY low.

This time, I want to breastfeed as SOON as she's born.

I could use all the advice anyone can give!!!

Sarah

lol i guess everyone's in the same boat as me

1. Do not feel like you're a failure if breastfeeding doesn't work for you. Babies don't come into this world knowing how to nurse - you have to teach them. And because you don't know how to breastfeed, you have to be taught as well. It can be hard, frustrating and painful for the first few weeks. You are NOT a bad mother if you decide it's not right for you.

2. If you're determined to breastfeed, DO NOT SUPPLIMENT WITH FORMULA unless advised to do so by your doctor. Every time you suppliment, that's one less nursing. Your breastmilk is completely supply and demand... without a demand, the supply will go away. Which means... every time you suppliment, your supply will diminish. The more you nurse, the more your supply will grow. If you're afraid your baby isn't getting enough milk, ask your baby's pediatrician to weigh him or her. If they are gaining weight, they're doing just fine!

3. Alternate feeding with each breast. If you have trouble remembering which breast your child last nursed from, put a ponytail holder on the wrist on that side. Nurse on one breast until it's empty, and offer a second breast if your child still seems hungry. On the next nursing, offer the breast that wasn't completely drained (breast #2).

4. If you ever get a hard painful lump in your breast, stay calm. This is a clogged milk duct, and they're somewhat common. The best cure for a clogged duct is NURSING. Have your baby nurse from that breast as much as possible, massaging the lump as they suckle. This is very important. If left alone, the duct could become infected. When your child is not nursing, alternate heat and cold.

5. After a few days, your nipples will probably be extremely sore. Let's face it ladies, they haven't been put through this kind of work before! I highly suggest investing in a soothing nipple cream such as Lansinoh (the generic brand works just as well) and maybe some nipple shields. A nipple shield is a hard plastic cup that fits over your nipples and keeps your bra/shirt from rubbing against them.

6. Listen to your lactation consultants! Make sure they give you plenty of advice on different holding techniques, different ways of helping your baby learn it's time to nurse, and make sure they don't walk out the door until every last one of your questions are answered. There is NO SUCH THING as a STUPID QUESTION! So ask away! And before they leave, make sure you have a number to call them and ask for help, or a number for your local La Leche League. You might have a problem or a question when you're home and it's best to have someone to contact to help you through the rough times.

7. No one expects you to be perfect. Your baby won't hold a grudge against you if you make a mistake. Your hormones are going to be all over the place for the next few weeks after the birth, and you'll probably cry at the drop of a hat. THIS IS OKAY! You are not SuperWoman! Please try to remember that you're new at this, your baby is new at this... you both are on this journey together! And if you ever start to feel depressed or like you can't handle this, call your OBGYN or your baby's pediatrician, or come here to eHealth for support!

That's all I can think of for now. Feel free to post your questions here or shoot me a PM!

thanks for the advise, that's helped loads. if i need any answers i'll pm you thanks loads

Wow! Go laura go!!
I don't think I can add to any of that. That was extremely well written, Laura. You should write some articles on breastfeeding!!!

I do want to say that what Laura said about supplementing with formula is perfect advice, especially for the first three months. I work two days a week and don't have time to pump as much. This greatly affects my milk supply for up to two days later. It's horrible.

At first, it takes a lot of effort and you may feel like a milk machine. Please, don't let this detour you from breastfeeding.

I only breastfed Nathan for 10 weeks, which was a good start. Nathan, however, became really sick two weeks after I stopped. Brian is a NICU baby born with lung problems. I have breastfed him for six months. He has been around so many sick people and has yet to be sick. I do believe that breastfeeding him has a lot to do with it.

I encourage you to contact La Leche for some support during this time. At the beginning of breastfeeding my second child, I still needed to contact them for advice on certain issues. They were extremely supportive and very knowledgeable.

Good luck!!

I have breastfed 5 children and will be starting on the next one in less than a couple weeks. I cannot add to what's been said, but I also am here if anyone has more questions or difficulties.....just PM me.

DON'T GIVE UP!! I've had 3 friends just stop after they were DETERMINED to do it, but said it hurt too much. KEEP IT UP!! It will get easier after about the first week (according to my sister anyway)

thanks for the advise ladies. i am so determined to do it this time

hope it all goes well for you Rose

Well Laura kinda said it all lol. But yeah the best advice is don't give and don't supplliment with formula, you may think the baby isn't getting much milk to satisfy them but it's what was made to feed them. Oh yeah and feed for the first time as soon as possible after the birth

All I can say is, be prepared for pain. It's been 2 weeks, and my nipples STILL hurt like a b*tch. And if you're going to supplement with formula, make sure you pump right after you feed the baby. I know everyone says not to, but I've been giving her formula at night and pumping for 20 minutes after she goes back to sleep, and I haven't had any problems with milk supply. I actually make so much milk that I pump and store about 4 ounces a day, or I get painfully engorged.

Lansohol (sp?) sooths mine.

And get a Boppy! I love mine.

Oh, and watch what you eat. Tomato products make most babies have an upset tummy and diarrhea... and other products can make them sick, depending on the baby. Like Jayden can't have anything with eggs in it, they give her horrible gas.

I would just say to relax. My nursing was going great while I was relaxed but I started to get uptight because he was hurling after meal (due to a milk allergy) and I think that made it hard for him to relax and feed well.

I loved it and I envy everyone that is still nursing. If I had to go back I would have changed my diet instead of stopping. That was so selfish of me and I seriously crave nursing.