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!!!

[helle]

1. It is normal for baby to feed every 2 hours.
2. It is normal for baby to cluster feed. Which could mean 3 hours of non stop feeding.
3. I would leave the formula in the shop TBH. If its there & you have trouble, its way too easy to give in.
4. It takes alot of time & patience
5. You do need support.
6. Everything Barb has said.
7. If you have any issues at all call the ABA or even your health nurse. Some do have no clue about BFing though, so don't take their advice as gospel.
8. Find the number of any or all lactation consultants in your area, JIC.
9. RELAX & take it each day as it comes

agree, leave the formula at the shops. for your milk to come in bubba needs to suck suck suck on you! Remember too that you are also your bubs "water" supply. This one got me, DS was born smack in the middle of summer and I got so frustrated when he'd want more after I'd fed him only half an hour ago, until mum pointed this out to me.

GL, I hope you have a fantastic birth and recovery! <3

[Jen27]

Hi Kritkit

I have been feeding my dd for 6 months. I think one of the best things I have learnt as its gets easier! in EVERY way! they seem to feed so often and for so long as newborns, this paired with tiredness and sleepless nights can be hard. But it definately gets easier. dd used to take over an hour at first, now it takes her about 5 minutes. they get more efficient at taking the milk out of the breast, so they take more but in a shorter time. Breast feeding is not only the perfect food for baby, but so handy. I couldnt be bothered with washing all those bottles, or preparing a bottle when dd wants a feed straight away.
I remember breastfeeding was difficult at first, to attach my baby, get in the right position, needing pillows etc. its definately gets easier!, I can feed standing up, on the move or wherever now.
Also I was told by a few people that I would have to feed through the night and if I gave a bottle dd would 'sleep through'. but I know many formula fed babies that wake through the night also. DD has slept between 9-12hours a night since 7 weeks old (and shes exclusively breastfed).
My first aim was to feed dd for at least 3 weeks.. then 6 weeks, then 3 months. Of course I knew it was better to feed long-term but I set myself small goals. I found it help in the beginning. My next aim is 1 year.

I also had an open-mind in the being, knowing that breast is best (if you are able to do it), but formula was an alternative. It helped me to relax a bit more.

Good luck with breast feeding and good luck with the birth of your baby

[Krikkit]

Hi again, thanks to everyone for the great advice and support!

Just a question re ABA - I haven't got any letter or confirmation (but they have charged me) I was really hoping to have the book before I went to hossy cross fingers it arrives tomorrow or very early Wednesday morning! - does it usually take this long?

[~clover~]

I can't answer your question, but wanted to add something.

You mentioned badly cracked nipples & bleeding last time? I'll just make a suggestion. Silicon nipple shields can help. They aren't good for long term use, but I used them while my cracks & thrush healed & they were a God send. I only used them for 2 days, but they gave my nipples the break they needed to heal, while I still fed DS as much as he wanted.
Nipples do heal quite fast, so I wouldn't recommend using them any longer than about 2 days, but they truly did help me. Maybe they'll be worth a try in the middle of the night. The step before formula. Baby still needs to put in effort to drink too, so him/her becoming confused shouldn't be an issue
Only if you feel comfortable using them though

[Krikkit]

Hi Clover, I do have a set of silicone nipple shields - I bought them ages ago, but didn't quite know why! lol.. I know my hossy does have them, but my sister said to take my own ( so I can get used to them and so can bub) if I need to use them.

I am quite prepared, but I have this feeling that nothing is going to prepare me for what is going to happen on Wednesday. It still seems so UNREAL that I am about to have a baby - even though I have seen u/s and feel her move everyday. Its a bit weird really, I thought I would be more excited - but I seem to be more worried than anything!

[Smoke Jaguar]

YOu had a baby with TT last time? How was this dealt with at the time (i.e was it diagnosed right away? Did you snip?)?
My DS had TT and I didn't know about it for 4 weeks. 4 friggin weeks of torture! No formula, though, it was just not an option for us.
Apart from the things you have done (sub for ABA, reading Breastfeeding Naturally), I would also call ALL the medical clinics within driving distance to your home and find out and list which ones do TT snips. It is not worth waiting around for (as you know) and it is painless - babies only cry with the snip because you're forcing their mouths open, there are no nerve endings there and it only helps them and you. Snipping is WIN WIN. When pg with DD I called around to make sure there would be someone available to snip a TT if I couldn't get an appointment at my preferred clinic. There was no way I was going through that hell again. Luckily, I didn't need my list of snipping GP's
I only just found this thread, and as I progressed through the posts it became clear why you posted - TT is just awful when it's not dealt with promptly! It needn't happen the same way again
I'd also go through the list in the IBCLC Lactation Consultant finder web page and make note of who's near you, just in case. I wish I'd called on a LC for DD, but DP was already complaining about the cost of the homebirth and I have a great network for moral support. I may still have to enlist one, anyway, cos DD's attachment is still pretty crappy
You're in teh right hands!! Look up your local group, too - ABA groups are the bees knees