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Start stimulating your nipples now. TO help milk come in try and and gently massage down your nipples to help get all that lovely colostrum out. With all my children I kept any colostrum I collected before birth to give to them, a syringe can be helpful for those precious few drops. Do this also once bub arrives. I know some women who ask their DH/DP to help in this area.
Lansinoh is fantatsic.
Fenegreek is used by many women to help increase milk supply naturally (taken as a tea). If you google it you will find heaps.
Regarding skin to skin, you are on the right track and the more the better. As much as dad will what cuddles get him to cuddle both of you for the first 24 hours so bub can stay on you. A wrap or sling can help keep bub high and warm and save your arms if your feeling tired. Try to avoid crotch carriers they are awful for bubs spine. Once bub is out don't let them wipe him down or wash him. All that lovely goo is important for his skin and helps keep his skin from getting too dry, this will help if he doesn't want to feed too much at first.
IF he is not a big feeder to start with keep on stimulating those nipples and practicing and expressing motion (top of boob downwards) to help get that milk going.
And most off all have DH or a friend play intervention for you. Keep well meaning people away for a day or two and let it just be you and dad and other children. This allows you all to get to know each other which helps things settle down and relax so you have optimal conditions for getting that lovely boobie feeding going.
Wishing you so much milky bliss for when your newbie arrives.
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In a big hurry - but my BF'ing plan is below. I had GD and CS both of which can delay milk... and mine wasn't. She was born Fri arvo, milk in Sun evening. Think the expressing prior to birth helped then HEAPS of expressing post birth (as she couldn't attach at all prior to milk coming in when we used nipple shields). Will try come back later to post more. BF'ing plan below:
I am very keen to give our new baby the best chance possible to have exclusive breastmilk and to breastfeed given the contributing factors outlined above. I have expressed and frozen colostrum which we will use if she doesn’t attach or has low BSL’s.
In order to maximise our chances of breastfeeding success, we wish to do the following:
• Maximise skin to skin with myself and baby as much as possible.
• BSL’s and any other injections, measurements to be done whilst baby on me if possible.
• My frozen colostrum is stored in the SCN freezer, labelled with my name, the date and a number (representing the order of freezing, i.e. 1 = first batch frozen, please use first, 2 = use second etc).
• IF she requires any top-ups (my colostrum by first choice), please syringe or cup feed.
• Please do not give my baby a teat or dummy.
• Please do not give my baby formula without my consent. If formula is medically necessary, please use NAN HA or provide us with information as to the best formula to use to minimise allergy risk.
• Following the birth, we plan to allow her time to attach and act like a normal baby. If she doesn’t attach, and/or has low BSL’s (~2.6 or less), myself or my husband will give her stored colostrum (approx 1 ml, 2ml if bigger baby) while she is still skin to skin with me.
• If her first BSL is good (~4) then we hope to see if she will attach to the breast.
• I am aware that baby will be admitted to SCN for at least the first 24 hours, during that time would like her to room in with me as much as possible, if BSL’s are adequate and there are no other health issues.
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I haven't had bubby yet. Just with the ABA class and membership it is very good value, even better if you have a concession card.
I paid $70 and that included the half day course, lunch, magazine subscription, Breastfeeding Naturally book. Being a member I can go to the local Mother's group for a year (you can visit twice if not a member), and I can get 10% off at the shop, and also discount breast pump hire, through either the local group or at the office at Coorparoo.
Another idea is you can get the book, there's older copies you can get on eBay if things are really tight.
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I think your plan looks really good.
I would ask yourself a couple of things - you sound so determined to breastfeed, is being clean more important than this? I would go for immediate skin to skin if you can. Baby and you both have all the right smells, fluids and bacteria, not only to set up breastfeeding but to give baby the "right" bacteria for future health. I would avoid baby's first contact being hospital staff, equipment and towels if you can. They aren't that dirty ;)
Secondly - I think successful breastfeeding is mostly about support. If you can at all try and find a support group of mums who have btdt who can travel the road with you. Here in NZ, I'd be saying go to La Leche, but I'm not sure how the ABA groups work. Going while still preg so you meet them before problems happen is a good idea. Support from other mums is so valuable. Also though this includes support from your partner, and support from seeing an LC at the right time etc etc
Expressing if baby won't latch is a great one, and the not going too long before feeds. I had a horrid start with my first (we did get through it though and keep feeding, but sooo nearly didn't) so I had a similar plan for my 2nd, including the early use of nipple shields like you. I can give you a positive success story too - we had a much easier time with virtually no pain and only used the shields a handful of times! :D
I think it's just great you've got a good plan and are determined about making it work - those are the most important things! Good luck!
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How are you going? I'm keen to know how the bf-ing is going for you and your beautiful bubba, I hope your nipples and attachment are all beautiful and wish you all the luck in the world!
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My side of things are going very well, might have an issue with oversupply growing but trying to kick it in the butt before it really hits. Also I believe I have vasospasm which hasn't been helped by this cold weather.
Oliver has reflex which isn't as easy to manage while breastfeeding (he's my 3rd reflux baby but 1st breastfed) but we are getting there. He's putting on heaps of weight and generally a pretty happy baby :-)
You ladies and your suggestions & helpful advise has really made this journey a lot easier to handle. Thank you so much!!!!
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I'm so pleased for you, you must be thrilled! I mean there are the bad points about reflux and vasospasm, but oversupply is one of the "problems" a lot of women would kill to have! Thanks for the big grin, I'm so happy for you :D
