Do you think that you were adequately prepared?

[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.