Breastfeeding - what do I need to know?

[HotI]

KMart's Bub2Be range has these great feeding tops that have an overlap of material around the breast area, so you pull one piece down and the other up, much like wearing a top over another top/ belly-band but easier as there's less fabric to deal with.

i love these! i have 5 of them and i have worn one each day (with a feeding bra underneath) since bub was born. i really should begin to extend my feeding wardrobe, but for now they are working great.

[Roryrory]

Krikkit when you join the ABA you'll receive a great book called "Breastfeeding...Naturally". Seriously, reading this cover-to-cover is a great start (I did and I had the lactation consultant in the hossy asking me jokingly if DS was really my first baby). I now of many people who have had c-sections and gone on to feed successfully, and while the others are right in that it can hurt and most women leak, you may just be one of the easy milkers like me who didn't have letdown pain or leaking boobs. But remember, every woman's BF journey is different - we all need help in different ways, but the ABA (and the BB girls) will always be there for you.

[Starfish]

I've skimmed most of the replies and ti seems that you've gotten some fantastic advice.

The only bit that I would stress is the "don't buy formula" bit. Unless its a medical emergency (and if you're told it is, I would seek a second opinion to be sure), giving a young baby formula can do way more harm than good. Even one formula feed can strip the baby's gut of the protective bacteria and other nutirients that BM provides. So don't do it unless you HAVE to.

Good luck.

[Jennifer13]

I have the Glamourmum breastfeeding singlets and they were worth whatever they cost the lovely friend who bought them for me (so if anyone asks what you need...!). I wore them winter and summer, underneath long-sleeved shirts in the winter time when they weren't warm enough. They were supportive, comfortable and they lasted. I still have them now and they're in good condition for another bfing bub one day! My DD bf until nearly four, I wore these for the first couple of years a lot.

[Doodlebug]

Thanks so much for the replies and tips!

I did buy a couple of the Target b/f tops and have found them to be pretty useless when it comes to support but I figure they'll be good for bedtime!?!?!

Shades / Kate07 - I'm off to K-mart tomorrow to try on those b/f tops. I've looked at them a couple of times and wondered if they were any good.

Roryrory - I've borrowed that book from a girlfriend and have read it twice already! I'm planning on packing it in my hossy bag as well!

I didn't have formula in the house last time until we needed it (10:30pm at night, me in tears, nipples cracked and bleeding) and hubby went to get some. There is ALWAYS a chemist open somewhere to buy some in the middle of the night!

Fingers crossed this bub is born without a tongue tie and my milk comes in earlier than day 4/5. Seeing as I've been leaking for about 3 weeks I *think* we're on the right track!?!?!

Thanks again for answering my question. This place really is a godsend!!!