Breast Feeding Plan - Suggestions / Comments

[HotI]

I found lansinoh to be great for cracks when they happened. Paying attention to attachment, especially when you are tired (this is when i got my damage) can help prevent/reduce getting cracks in the first place.

Have you seen the breastfeeding plan on the ABA site? Australian Breastfeeding Association - My Breastfeeding Plan

Good luck with it all!

[mummajj]

DS barely fed at all for the first few days. i wish i was told to express more. it may have prevented mastitis and MAJOR blockages. it ultimately led to me stopping breastfeeing.
so theres my tip: if you have a sleepy baby for the first few days, that would rather sleep than eat, express.express.express.
i too, hope to be much better prepared next time

good luck!!!

[onthefly]

Have you attended the ABA's breastfeeding class, or are you a member? Your local group may be able to provide a lot of practical and moral support.
Does your hospital have a lactation consultant on staff? Getting an LC to come and be with you while you feed can be invaluable, especially if you've had issues with cracks in the past, as this suggests the latch or your technique may need some adjustment. A good LC will watch you feed and make some suggestions. She can also advise you on different holds (sometimes trying a football hold helps with the dodgy side), nipple care, and even osteo recommendations and that sort of thing. If you don't have access to an LC at the hospital, I would strongly suggest finding a private one - meet her, make a plan together and arrange for her to visit you in hoospital for those early feeds. I'm thinking also you might need extra help after a c/s? I know after DD's birth and the pph I couldn't sit up and that first night DD's latch was terrible as she was also tired and I couldn't sit up to hold her properly, and I had to spend the next couple of weeks reteaching her.

Good luck!

[Danielle_NZ]

HotI – I have already purchased some Iansinoh in preparation. I have been to the ABA site and yes I did see that plan… however it was a while ago, I couldn’t seem to find it yesterday when I was writing mine, will have a good read and add things.

Mummajj – I will keep in mind about the expressing if baby is sleepy, I’ve read that drugs have those kinda affects on little people.

MadB – No I haven’t attended a class or been able to become a member of ABA, our finances won’t allow it at this time which is why I thought I’d take advantage of the services they provide at the hospital while you’re an in patient. I have however added the ABA 24 hour phone number and will call on them if need be and find a LC if things get rocky. I’ve asked to stay in hospital until my milk has arrived so I’m hoping to be able tackle the attachment / hold issues before I leave. I used the football hold last time and plan on using it again. I watched a video yesterday about the baby led attachment and planning on trying that also.

[Danielle_NZ]

Oh the other thing I will not be doing this time is taking different advice from different midwives on different shifts... I found last time that each midwife had a different technique... fingers crossed I will be able to get the LC in my room the day bub is born (he's scheduled for 9am) otherwise I'm thinking of using the technique applied in this thread A Perfect Latch

[onthefly]

DO they have LCs there? THey are about a million times better than your average midwife (some of whom know next to nothing about breastfeeding unfortunately)
Could you start putting aside a little money each week that you would have to spend on formula if this doesn't work to put towards an LC or classes?
If you're private I guess you can stay as long as you want.

[helle]

marcallen cream was the bomb for sore nipples.... (same as lansinoh. anything that is pure lanolin, really) make sure you get two tubes. one for home, one for the nappy bag

[Danielle_NZ]

They have a Breastfeeding Support Centre (Mater Mothers) and they say that they have LCs so I'm guessing so. They classes there after you've left are $80 but I think that after I've left if I still need help then I'll do an ABA so I get a membership also.

I'm not private unfortunately but after discussion with the midwife in my second to last appointment the type of dressing that will be used on my c-section might require me staying 4 - 5 days at least. She seemed to think my milk would arrive on day 4... but I'm not so confident as it didn't come in at all the first time... but I will stay as long as possible.. and if it doesn't come in I will just have to find the $'s for a private LC

[Danielle_NZ]

DS barely fed at all for the first few days. i wish i was told to express more. it may have prevented mastitis and MAJOR blockages. it ultimately led to me stopping breastfeeing.
so theres my tip: if you have a sleepy baby for the first few days, that would rather sleep than eat, express.express.express.
i too, hope to be much better prepared next time

good luck!!!

Would have hospital supplied the breast pump or should I pack my manual one?