Cakester, it sounds like you had a difficult time with your first baby. Are you comfortable with sharing some more details about that?

Most of the time mums are able to make enough milk, so the reasons why you had trouble the first time would help answer the question about whether it is likely again. There are some medical problems in mum and bub that can make full breastfeeding difficult or impossible, but actually there are not many problems that can't be overcome with the right information and support. It is great that you are asking these questions already because being prepared is going to really increase your chances of successfully feeding this time.

One of the important things to know is that breastfeeding based on supply and demand - so feeding on demand is a key to establishing, and maintaining a good supply. Often things like a difficult birth, separation of mother and baby, or some physiological issue such as tongue-tie in the baby can make it more difficult to establish breastfeeding, but luckily it is not impossible and there are some things you can do to minimise the issues.

If you had a medical issue or similar last time, seeing a private lactation consultant for some advice about what might happen this time would be helpful. Also the ABA run fantastic breastfeeding education classes which run through the basics to increase the chances of breastfeeding success for both first time mums, and mums who didn't have things go the way they wanted the first time. Subscribing to the ABA is also something many mums do - the book you get with your membership is packed full of useful information.

All the very best with it hun.