Planning on Breastfeeding... do i still need to buy bottles etc?

[sushee]

myson,

the simple truth is, the majority of women can breastfeed. Even if it hurts, even if they bleed (I did), even if they don't enjoy it, they can breastfeed if a) they want to and b) they get the right support (most importantly).

But for the small minority that can't, that's why they have bottles and formula. And in most places, you can buy these items from any pharmacy, and in most metro cities, you can find a pharmacy open 24 hours a day if you look.

The other thing I wanted to say is this: breastfeeding is not easy for many women. Just because I BFed 4 kids didn't mean it was easy. I had recurrent mastitis, cracked nipples, bleeding. No, definitely not easy. Many BFing mums will agree - BFing is hard, it takes time to establish and is more often than not quite painful to begin with. But in the long term it is very rewarding, and completely worth the difficult start. Just wanted to clarify that I never said it would be easy.

[myson]

Renstar your a champ, I will make sure they are on my fridge before bub arrives, too.

Sushee. You are right about the support, that was a vital missing link for me. As well as a MIL who keep wanting to help by continuously suggesting formula ( before the probs even started) and a small country town where chemists dont open past 1pm on a Saturday (let alone Sundays, P.hols or 24 hrs)

[christy]

myson, I also second what MantaRay said about the IBCLC lactation consultant. I saw a private LC and it was worth far more than the $90 I paid. It saved our breastfeeding relationship. At 8 weeks I nearly gave up with breast refusal issues, I couldn't get in touch with any ABA councellors in our area as it was Christmas time and 2 were on holidays and the other was moving house! My baby had breast refusal and I was in tears daily... I found a LC and it was fabulous.

Its absolutely demoralising when you want to do something & its not working. I hope you and Ren get set up for support beforehand. The ABA has meetings for pregnant mum's as well to help you get support beforehand

[myson]

I am inspired to look for these classes in the nearest town that i can find them. Thanks Renstar!

[Rouge]

Hi Myson! Sounds like you had a rough start and I can understand your frustration. A very close friend of mine had a similar situation with her first and went on to have PLENTY of milk with her second. To the point that her freezer is now overflowing with frozen EBM! And her daughter is 3 months old. Bad experiences happen, and they are something we can learn from. I had a bad time first time around too and went on to BF my son till he weaned at 12 months and it was bliss! Definitely enroll in whatever you can, get some books and try and find yourself a friend or mother who has successfully breastfed so that you can have someone around to help if you need it. I was with my gf during the early stages and there were a few things I didn't even know I knew that came in handy.

Goodluck!

[MantaRay]

Myson, you are right. We will all be here to support you should you need it when the time comes. And of course Renstar, the same for you .

It is so great that you are both preparing beforehand. That can make a huge difference.

[Shanti]

Myson, you are right. We will all be here to support you should you need it when the time comes. And of course Renstar, the same for you .

It is so great that you are both preparing beforehand. That can make a huge difference.

Thanks MantaRay, those words mean alot! I'm so glad i have BB so that i have that support especially after bubs is born and DH goes back to work (he will be back at work the next 1-2 days) and i probably won't have many people around me. So i'll need the phone support and BB support BIG time if something goes wrong.

Myson - there is a book you can buy from ABA called "Breastfeeding Naturally" and if you subscribe its FREE. well it was for me when i joined up at the time. it's a GREAT read. has heaps of pictures in there too.....and i was told its the best book you could buy to prepare yourself for B/feeding.
Laranna - thanks! i'm glad you got through your issues with feeding and sounds like you are both doing so well with it now.

QUESTION - i have 1 inverted nipple that hardly pokes up, is this gonna be a problem???

[Laranna]

I can understand where myson is coming from. I went into BF'ing knowing it wouldn't be easy but never expecting I'd have any problems. DS had perfect attachment, never had cracked nipples, etc but he wasn't gaining enough weight. First thing suggested was low supply so off I went to buy a pump (yes, called ABA about pump hire and no one ever got back to me - very disappointed about this) to express, took fenugreek, motillium, akivite, lactation cookies to boost supply. Saw 3 different LC's where they finally worked out DS has a weak suck which made sense since I only ended up with blocked ducts because DS wasn't draining my breast.

I guess the point I am getting at is I have learnt that breastfeeding is a partnership between you and bub and needs both of you to work together and if one partner isn't doing the job, then the partnership suffers. I did everything I could for my supply, it was up to DS to take it. He is still learning to suck properly. I am determined to keep breastfeeding even though it is so tempting to let it go.

Renstar, just know that you CAN breastfeed and there is a multitude of support with your midwives, LC's, ABA and all of us here at BB I don't think it matters if you have bottles on hand or not because it comes down to what you feel and believe in your head and heart. And you deal with the problems as they arise and you will get through them. We all have.

Good luck!

[Janie]

Renstar, the thing to remember is that if you need to use the numbers, make sure you do so! So many people hang around thinking things will just magically get better.

I agree with MR and Sushee.........jsut concentrate on getting the BFing thing down pat before you go worrying about expressing and especially bottles. I know it all sounds so exciting now LOL but really, learning to care for a newborn is enough without expressing if you don't really have to. I'm sure you will find the ABA class invaluable, hope you enjoy it!

[SamiH]

I loved bf DS, but was tortured with DD - same boobs, different kids!!!

BF is not natural - breastmilk is natural, and feeding is learned .... IMO