Would love some advice on breastfeeding

[*LittleMissSummer*]

As many of you know my DD wasn't BF. I had wanted to but then after she was born i decided formula would suit her better.

But with this baby i'm feeling i would like to atleast try to BF or even express.

I am wanting to buy a breast pump pack and was wondering what peoples experiences with them are.. eg: should i go manual/electric? what brand is better?

I'm also going through a different hospital this time around and have had friends say they had great support in establishing BF so will look into classes before hand.

Anything else anyone wants to share i am all ears

[OceanPrincess]

Good on you for asking the questions LMS!

The ABA offer Breastfeeding Education Classes - the info will be on their website but I can't seem to load it at the moment. They are a great way to get some breastfeeding info before your bub arrives.

Regarding the pump - honestly, I would leave it for now. Don't anticipate problems before they arrive! Work really hard on attaching correctly and establishing good breastfeeding before introducing a pump.

Unless you need to pump because you are having problems, at which point you could hire one to get you going and then think about buying your own down the track.

And if you go to a BEC, you will become a member of the ABA as part of the BEC cost, so you can hire a pump for a much-reduced cost

[Heaven]

Great post by OP. Do a breastfeeding education class. And forget the pump. Honestly, you don't want to bother with it if you don't have to. You will be perfectly fine without it!

[skybie]

i wouldnt buy a pump just yet hun, theyre expensive and u may not ever use it!
You can hire them from places, or once youve established b/fing you can see whether or not its going to be a regular thing you'll need or a rare occasion thing.
if its just a rare occasions thing, id go manual but if its going to be regular then electric! manual ones give me hand cramps after a while!
Good on you for wanting to give it a go this time, i loved my breastfeeding relationship with DD2 i feel like i bonded with her alot more than with DD1. and i cant wait to do it again

[Miss.September]

Buy some Lansinoh a few weeks before you're due. It helps protect your nipples. I had a horrible time over the first few days with my nipples cracking and bleeding. I didn't know that I could have prepared them prior to DD being born. Once I started using it, OMG, what a difference it made.

I'm getting some things together over the next few months for DD to play with while I'm feeding. In the first few weeks, she could take up to 40 minutes for a complete feed. So I'm getting new paper and pencils, puzzles, etc for DD to be able to be entertained with while I'm sitting down and feeding. Might be an idea for your DD as well.

[onthefly]

I'd go to an ABA Breastfeeding Education Class. The cost will also get you membership to the ABA, which includes Breastfeeding....Naturally, an excellent resource, bi-monthly Essence magazines, 10% discount at Mother's Direct and discounted breast-pump hire through your local ABA group.

Re expressing - choosing the right pump will depend a bit on what kind of pumping you're doing (ie, part-time/full-time, etc).
In all honesty, getting your baby to the breast and simply breastfeeding will be much easier. Expressing can be hard work (plus all the bottle preparation & cleaning, which you're already familiar with).

If you want to breastfeed, arm yourself with information about how it works and line up your help and support ahead of time. Having a newborn is hard work - regardless of how you feed - so maybe think about what help you'll have at home in those early weeks, freeze meals for later, use your baby bonus to pay a cleaner, etc, etc. Also talk to your partner and make sure he knows that although he may not be feeding your baby, there will still be many, many things he can do to help out with both children.

All the best!

[*LittleMissSummer*]

Thanks everyone. I am actually excited this time around and feel confident that i can do it.

Thank you so much PacRakMG i will need ways to keep DD entertained while feeding. I will definitely look into the lansinoh.

[*LittleMissSummer*]

I'd go to an ABA Breastfeeding Education Class. The cost will also get you membership to the ABA, which includes Breastfeeding....Naturally, an excellent resource, bi-monthly Essence magazines, 10% discount at Mother's Direct and discounted breast-pump hire through your local ABA group.

Re expressing - choosing the right pump will depend a bit on what kind of pumping you're doing (ie, part-time/full-time, etc).
In all honesty, getting your baby to the breast and simply breastfeeding will be much easier. Expressing can be hard work (plus all the bottle preparation & cleaning, which you're already familiar with).

If you want to breastfeed, arm yourself with information about how it works and line up your help and support ahead of time. Having a newborn is hard work - regardless of how you feed - so maybe think about what help you'll have at home in those early weeks, freeze meals for later, use your baby bonus to pay a cleaner, etc, etc. Also talk to your partner and make sure he knows that although he may not be feeding your baby, there will still be many, many things he can do to help out with both children.

All the best!

Thank you so much

DP wont be able to have time off with this baby as it will be born before hes been working at his work for 12 months so i will be mostly on my own so preparing meals and everything will be things i will have to do. My mum has offered to help so she will come in and help clean up and come in so i can get sleep while DP is at work.

[delphmoon]

Hey LMS. I was thinking of you the other day- havnt seen you on the threads for awhile

Anyway- I agree in not buying a pump yet. Knowledge is power so get onto ABA like everyone had said and learn about how everything works and what to expect.

Recently my stepsister had her first baby and she was looking forward to breastfeeding. By day 2 she had given up and started on formula. She thought she couldnt breastfeed because there wasn't enough milk. I explained to her that it takes time for milk to come in and that bubs is the best way to get that milk. Anyway- she didnt realise that and thought that all the supply should be there from the get go. Anyway- learning how everything works and what do to will increase your chances of being successful in feeding your bub.
I am still bfing DD2 and have had an amazing time doing it...

Hope your goign along well luv xx

[*LittleMissSummer*]

Hey Delphmoon

It was a mixture of things as to why i didnt BF. I was completely dry until 3-4 days after DD was born, i didnt even get any colostrum and being so tired after birth i just went with what at the time was easiest. When my milk had come in i was so nervous and scared and i had no support so didn't know how to start BF so just let it dry up.

But being my second and having read so many posts on BB i feel much more confident and alot more informed.

[Julie Doula]

Hi LMS I hope you have a happy and enjoyable BF experience this time round.

One thing that can help you off to a great start is skin-to-skin cuddling with your bub right after s/he's born, for as long as you want.

There's a DVD called 'Breast Crawl' which shows how babies who are laid between the mother's naked breasts straight after birth, lie there for a while saoking up the hormonal bliss. Then their head starts to bob a bit. They start to blow saliva bubbles. The wriggle and bob their heads - and actually find the nipple and latch on all by themselves - no help needed! Babies who start their breastfeeding this way do very well, and the mothers have confidence that they really can do it.

It's also the default setting if there are any breastfeeding problems later - or is bub is unsettled: strip off and go topless, strip baby and let him/her be topless, and cuddle skin to skin. Don't try to breastfeed just yet - just lie skin to skin and relax. Then, often, the baby will repeat the 'breast crawl' or at least show enthusiasm for feeding. If the baby is tired, s/he'll go to sleep - but when they awake they'll be all ready to feed.

Support is everything for birthing and breastfeeding. Doulas and lactation consultants can be wonderful for getting that personalised support during pregnancy, labour & birth and the post natal time.