Breastfeeding - what do I need to know?

[Krikkit]

So, bubs is due here in about 2 weeks. I am having a c-section, so I am not really focusing on delivery (natural labour, pains etc) but I do know that I will be in some form of pain and quite incapacitated.

I have been told that:

- it could take up to 4 days for my milk to come in.
- to be prepared, as it could take days /weeks to establish breastfeeding, so don't give up
- buy some baby formula sachets or tetra packs ( for emergencies)
- your boobs will be sore
- your nipples will feel like someone has rubbed them with a grater!
- your not a failure if you can't breastfeed.

What else do I need to know, I mean some of this stuff is a bit superficial - I feel like I am missing some vital info!!

[Kmn]

I had a c-section and actually found it wasn't too bad. Here's some c-section prep advice first:
1) When they say "nothing to eat or drink after midnight" it is worth havinga drink and a snack at 11.30pm. You don't want to be too tired and thirsty on top of everything else
2) After the section you want to drink little and often
3) Enjoy a cuddle with bub for as long as you can - ideally keep bub with you in recovery
4) Practise rolling over without using your tummy muscles so that it doesn't hurt too much afterwards and so you can be as mobile as possible afterwards
5) Take the painkillers afterwards - it's really important to be mobile soonish after the surgery and they will help with this

5a) pack big clothes - you will be pretty much your 7 months pregnant size after they take bub out! Looke and comfy things like tracky daks are good. separate tops and skirts or pants are much easier for feeding than dress-like nighties or dresses. The first night after surgery you will have a catheter and a lot of bleeding - pack some really old t-shirts that you don't care about too!
6) try a breastfeed as soon as you can - let bub have a lick and a suck and learn what the outside of Mum feels and smells like. For the first couple of days you probably won't have much milk, but the sticky colustrum stuff that does come out is really important for bub. Don't give bub formula unless you really have to - if she won't suck well then it is better to hand-express some colustrum and feed it to her with a syringe. Likewise if you need to express milk then do so. Giving formula may delay your milk coming in.
7) Use the hospital lactation consultants while you are in hospital - they are usually pretty good. Also be prepared to get conflicting suggestions from midwives - you'll have to try a few different things to get what works for you
8) buy a bottle and a very slow flow teat. As much for expressed milk if you need to give your boobs a break as for formula
9) buy some lansinoh (which can be very useful for sore nipples)
10) be prepared for milk to be leaking everywhere when it does come in -you may be sleeping on towels for a while. Breastpads can also be useful.
11) Breastfeeding shouldn't hurt a lot while it is happening - if it hurts then something is not right. Bug the lactation consultants some more. It is worth doing your level best to avoid damaged nipples in the first place by getting as much help as you can.
12) 1800mum2mum is the breastfeeding helpline. It runs 24/7 and is a fantastic resource.
13) after about 6 weeks breastfeeding usually starts to work really well - so try and hang in there for at least that long!

[Barb Glare]

Hi,

You need to know that breastfeeding works!
(No, you don't need the formula!)
You need to know *how* it works
You need a subscription to the Australian Breastfeeding Association
You need to kfnow the Breastfeeding Helpline no. 1800 686 2 686 (VOIP users may need to drop the nast digit)
You need to know that babies need 8-12 feeds in 12 hours/breastmilk does not *just dry up* and the signs that your baby is getting enough milk - fallacies and misinformation abound.
You need to get to an ABA breastfeeding class!
You need to know every breastfeeding problem has a solution

[HotI]

I had a VB and my milk came in day 4. The day before bub was on the breast almost non-stop and was very unsettled. When my milk came in she had a a big sleep.

When your milk comes in, it can leak LOTS! I have a stack of facewashers next to the bed, and in the lounge. I also have a towel under the sheet where i lay. I use the facewashers when feeding to contain the excess milk.

I don't have any formula in the house, and haven't needed any yet.

My nipples don't feel like they have been rubbed with a grater! If you get good attachment it doesn't really hurt at all, it can be a little uncomfortable at the start of the feed. Get some lansinoh in case you do get cracked nipples.

Sometimes bub will feed for an hour or more, and this is ok.

You can feed in different positions, work out what works for you and your bub.

Find out about what to look out for with mastitis.

*If bub attachment hurts, don't just pull bub away from the nipple (cos this will hurt!) Slide your pinky finger into her mouth and break the seal and then you can get your nipple out.

If you join the ABA, they send you a book that i found really good in explaining how breastfeeding works. You also get a magazine every few months.

If you have any concerns with breastfeeding when bub is here, call the ABA helpline on 1800 mum 2 mum (1800 686 2 686).

[turtleschell]

Everything Barb said!!

I found that even though DD had a perfect latch from the start, my nipples did still feel like they'd been attacked with a grater.. This subsided after about 4 days, but every now and then the feeling comes back when DD goes through a frequent feeding phase.
You should get some Lansinoh (it's just lanolin cream, I think) in preparation, so you won't have to dread feeding times for those first few days.

I dont think you should get any formula 'in preparation' because IMO these may tempt you, and also, if you use it, it will make it more difficult and slower to establish your own supply. DD has never had anything but a nipple touch her lips, and it was definitely not an easy journey (just check my threads!!) but I can honestly say that at the 6 week mark it all suddenly fell into place!

You should also ignore any advice from anyone, unless they are a Lactation Consultant. Don't listen to midwives. And even your own mum may have terrible advice, so always double check on the ABA website etc before doing anything too different.

Also, try really hard to keep your baby awake during feeds, this will help you get more sleep at night. I find tickling the inside of their ears helps.

Oh yeah, and also, people tell you to express if you are too engorged (your boobs will feel like rocks and nipples might feel stingy) but I never did, IMO this again just interferes with your body's way of maintaining supply, also, what if your baby suddenly gets hungry after you've just expressed? Then you have to console poor crying baby while you wait a little while for them to fill again! Not ideal!

[~clover~]

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

[Shades]

Great advice from the other ladies, just wanted to add my bit -
Totally agree with the 'no emergency formula' bit, too easy to give in at 2am etc etc...
Even with a great latch it's not ALWAYS a great latch, and even one feed with a not so good latch (that you don't notice at the time) can have painful consequences, you just need to push past it if you can.
Regardless of how many people ask if you are SURE you have enough milk because bub is feeding constantly/you can't seem to express much/the moon is in Virgo/whatever reason - as long as there are lots of wet nappies and bub is gaining weight, you are doing a great job. People try to be helpful and often just make you doubt yourself.
Being used as a dummy is great for establishing supply... and it can be hard at first to figure out what is productive sucking and what is comfort sucking, so I figure stay away from dummies for at least 6 weeks or so.
The amount you can express has little to do with how much your baby can get out, they are FAR more efficient.
I found Lansinoh stained my clothes.
Make every effort to have bub with you in recovery, ideally skin-to-skin and on the breast, even if not actually feeding (though that's ideal).
I've read that the more sucking and skin-to-skin contact, the faster your milk will come in... My DS was on the breast almost constantly (he wouldn't sleep for longer than 20mins anywhere else) since birth (by CS) and my milk came in on day 3 I think...
Consider safe co-sleeping if possible (once off the heavy pain meds) - great for milk establishment.

Oh and the most important thing - take your time, relax and enjoy this new person you've created!

[wysiwyg]

The one thing I felt stupid not knowing was in hospital MW's would ask how long since last feed (wanted feeding at least every three hours) and the time was from beginning of feed not from end of it.

[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]

Thank you all for your replies - some great advice here.

I have decided to get a subscription to the ABA!

I already have the lansinoh - I used it during the 1st trimester cause my nipples were dry, and I started using it again this week for the same reason.

For now all I can do is wait till she arrives and give it a go!

[Baby14]

The other ladies have given you great advice which I won't repeat but one thing that I wish someone had told me...and I would have know if I had joined BB earlier...feed your baby lots, whenever they want it, it is so important in establishing a good supply.

My DS was in SC for 5 days and I was told to go to the nursery every 3hrs to feed him and, not knowing any better, I followed this when I got home. We introduced a dummy and he settled quite well but I knew nothing about cluster feeding and have not had many friends who breastfed successfully so didn't get any good advice, I gave DS the dummy when really I should have been feeding him.

We did okay until 11 weeks when my supply dropped. I contacted ABA...they are fantastic and have been able to continue BF my DS who is now 5 and a half months and a healthy 8.8kgs. But I went through weeks of stress (and people hounding me to start him on formula!) that I could have avoided if I had researched more and asked great questions like you are doing now!

I used lansinoh in the weeks leading up to the birth and am not sure if it was because of that but I had no problems whatsoever with sore or cracked nipples. I was also prepared for my boobs to be really sore but it was nowhere near as bad as I expected.

On the c-section, kmn has given you some great advice..especially about the pain relief! Don't be afraid to ask for it, it is better for you to be mobile as soon as possible and the pain relief will help you with that. The other thing is that the pain relief can cause constipation, if that happens you need to ask for something straight away...I waited and ended up in agony

One last thing, BF is the most beautiful thing, I am in awe that my body is able to sustain my beautiful DS. It really is a great bonding experience and worth the sometimes frustrating times at the beginning. If you can, stick with it, those times pass so quickly. Goodluck