Do you think that you were adequately prepared?

[JellyBean]

I was as prepared as I think I needed to be. I had signed up for a breastfeeding class 2 weeks before my due date but bubs came early so I missed out on that.
In truth, when I was pregnant I used to think it was a bit ridiculous- all the information and fuss over breastfeeding; classes, books, 'lactation consultants' etc etc... In my mind breastfeeding was the only option for me, and I never imagined doing anything else. I figured, 'hey- its natural- how hard can it be? Baby is hungry, put baby to the boob, and voila!' I just assumed that nature would take its course....And luckily for me it did. Bubs latched on beautifully a couple of hours after the birth, and has been happily sucking away ever since. I never even encountered the sore, cracked nipples everyone warned me about!!
However, I was in NO WAY prepared for the colic (indigestion, wind, or whatever you want to call it) that bubs got in the first 3 months after feeding. It was a nightmare. The only thing that would console my bub was offering him the breast, which only fed the problem even more as his poor little tummy was struggling to deal with the first load of milk. I just had to accept that he would cry unconsolably, lift up his knees and arch his back in pain after every feed, until he reached about 8 weeks and things started to turn a corner. Thankfully by 12 weeks his colic vanished completely, just as it says in all the books I'd read, and then feeding became an absolute pleasure. I will be more prepared for colic with the next bub however, ready to cut out the foods that upset bub no.1, and establish a feasible feeding routine early on.

[Laranna]

Before the birth, I felt I was prepared and understood that breastfeeding might actually be difficult as it's something both mum and bub have to learn.

However, in hindsight, I think I could have done a bit more only because we've had issues with DS's weight gains. I think the antenatal classes at the hospital didn't cover enough on BF'ing. Next time, I am going to an ABA class. After the birth, I had a crappy midwife who wanted to take DS into the nursery because we were taking longer than 5 minutes to get him attached!! I'm glad I flatly refused and told her to bugger off. She was so rough as well, grabbing my boob and trying to put Josh on, she wouldn't give me a chance. But we got it.

Then all I ever heard from the midwives and hospital LC was that he had fantastic attachment and was going to be a great feeder. What rubbish, if someone had recognised he had a week suck in the first couple of weeks, I don't think I would have had all this stress and angst about him not gaining. Next time, I am going to hound them with questions and seek my own independant help early.

The midwives in hospital were all different in their advice about when to feed, how long, one side or both, etc.

Next time if a midwife tells me my baby has to have formula I am going to say to her "well, if he needs fluids that badly you can put him on a drip!"

So, yes in hindsight I was prepared for the easy stuff but not for when things weren't working.

[Ca Plane Pour Moi]

Next time if a midwife tells me my baby has to have formula I am going to say to her "well, if he needs fluids that badly you can put him on a drip!"

Just as a warning - my DS lost weight, as expected, and ended up with an NG tube to help with the feeding on day 6. EBM was poured into his stomach after every feed. Not the best of things to end up doing! But that was the alternative to formula and bottles from birth.