hun, thanks for sharing your story. It's really important that mums-to-be are aware that they need to be proactive in getting bfing help before and after birth, because unfortunately, not only is your situation common, it's the NORM!

I did the bfing class at the hospital and I had BB to educate me before birth. I was very focused on getting bfing right - it was my main concern since I was having a c/s due to placenta praevia. I didn't get skin-to-skin straight away and I was away from DD for half an hour (or more) while in recovery. DP brought her in to me as soon as I got back to my room and asked. I got her out and put her to the bb straight away. I did all the things I learned/read about, without any MW or LC there. I wasn't prepared to wait, I was hell bent on having DD on the bb within the first two hours of her birth. She bf beautifully.

A very shocked MW came in as we were bfing and told me I should have waited, but took one look at her and left me to it. They did come and pay attention to me when I bf for the next few hours, but she was taken to the nursery until early am when I could get up and walk about. (They did bring her into me when she woke up, but I really wish I hadn't been pushed out to the last c/s of the day so I couldn't just keep her with me.)

Despite our relatively good start to bfing, the one thing I really didn't like was the MW the following night. DD and I were doing really well and she 'expressed' my colostrum for me to syringe feed DD. There really wasn't any need and I don't appreciate the way I was manhandled. Even though I'd been so proactive and confident in my advice and ability to bf, I still got 'bullied' into doing something completely unnecessary and quite confronting. Next time, (if I don't get my home birth!) I'll put my foot down even harder.

thanks again for sharing your story.