Oh what a great thread MR, you girls have some inspirational stories!

Our story pales into insignificance by comparison, as we started with so few problems. I had to have a c/s due to placenta praevia so was very focused on bfing instead of delivery. I went to the hospital's bfing class conducted by the LC (which was in total agreement with everything said by the ABA and very critical of some books I know now are full of tripe). DP was on board with bfing and I expected to hold Lucy in the theatre and maybe even sneak a bf in then.

Unfortunately we were very delayed in going in so the theatre was freezing. I didn't even hold her, but gave her face a stroke and kiss before she was taken away. I was in recovery for half an hour before going back to the room. DP bought Lucy in to me straight away and I pulled the gown down to bf her even before the midwife came by. She was perfect! Latched on first go with the absolute widest mouth I've ever seen in a tiny baby (and she was tiny - 2.5kgs). A note was taped to her bassinet 'Frequent breastfeeding' as she was so small. The midwife came by, took one look at her attachment and said 'great' and left us to it. I got a slight nipple graze on day 3 from not being able to sit up properly (spinal fluid leak from the epi = exploding head) but that healed quickly and I was shown how to bf lying down.

At 6 weeks and with a massive oversupply I had my first brush with mastitis in the middle of the night. I expressed for the time that was unbearable. I visited the LC at the hospital at lunch time but by then had gotten through it by bfing constantly on that side.

I had another half a dozen bouts with mastitis over the next six months (honestly, I lost count) and learnt better management techniques every time. I had one more bout after she was 12 mths old but managed to avoid a/bs this time using all of my knowledge! Nothing since (touch wood) so perhaps after 2 years I've finally gotten the hang of this! The ABA provided some great advice and I joined when Lucy was a few months old.

The only other drama I've had is a persistent fiddler in my DD (look out belly button, nose, chin, fat pinches - ouch!). I have been lucky enough to have a bfing-supportive husband, family, friends and medical system. I have nothing to complain about and they've all contributed to giving my little girl the best possible start in life. I think I'm an example of how it SHOULD be for all first-time mothers.