Breast or Bottle ???

[Wombles]

It's only early, but i am starting to worry about the choice of breast feeding or bottle feeding.

With my first son (who will be 11 in may) i breast fed for approximately 4 to 6 weeks but it was a living nightmare. Infortunately i have what they call "Inverted Nipples" which made breast feeding hard. I wore a nipple shield but it would slip off and become confusing for both baby and myself. He was hungry and confused so i would feed as much off me as i could and top him up with a bottle, after awhile he took to the bottle and wouldn't have a bar of me. Unfortunately at this time i didn't know or think of the option of still giving him my milk through the bottle. I would really love to breastfeed but i don't want to happen what i experienced with my first son, does anyone have any ideas or suggestions on what i could do ?? Or are there any other women out there who have experienced the same situation ???

I would love to hear some good feedback.

[Visitor7]

Inverted nipples are very common with women, and many women who have inverted nipples have a successful breastfeeding relationship with their baby. Have you checked out the Aust Breastfeeding Assoc website, or become a member with them? You'll find heaps of info on their website, and by becoming a member you'll have access to a wealth of support with lactation consultants and other breastfeeding mums.

[Ellibam]

everything that jodi said!!
join the ABA and go to b/fing classes before bubs has come!
arm yourself with knowledge!

[BekZ]

Get as much help and support as you can. Invest in a lactaction consultant!!! All the best

[paradise lost]

What everyone else said!

I had flat nipples before DD and found the following helpful:

I went to a breastfeeding workshop and a few breastfeeding groups for mums and mums-to-be before she was born.

I got a really good book (sheila kitzinger, Breastfeeding Your Baby) and read it very thoroughly several times.

I had her checked at birth for tongue-tie to make sure the problems i was potentially facing were minimised.

Before every feed i would pull my own nipple out long by hand - it was WAY less painful than letting DD do it by suction as i could do it slowly and gradually over 30 seconds rather than suddenly over 2 sucks.

I expressed a little milk before i tried to attach her if i was very full - flat nipples are hard enough to get hold of, without them being on the front of flat, hard, full breasts. I made sure the nipple and area just back from the areola was softened before i put her on.

I used the football hold where bubs is feeding from the right breast with her side against my right side and her feet going under my right arm (or vice versa for left boob) rather than tummy to tummy across my chest as it allowed me to be able to see the nipple and her mouth and check she had good attachment better.

Every time she slipped off i dried my breast and her face with a muslin cloth before trying to put her back on - the fact that it was all slippery made it much harder for her to get a grip on the nipple properly.

I didn't go to nipple sheilds - i know that one isn't for everyone but i figured what i REALLY needed was to learn/teach DD to feed well without a shield and i didn't see the point in teaching her to feed from a sheild and then having to re-teach her to feed from the boobie without a shield. I figured i'd rather a week of quite sore nipples than 2 episodes of slightly less sore nipples (while i taught her to feed and then when i re-taught her without shields). I would have used them if my nipples had become injured.

Bx

[SamiH]

I have been an ABA member for 5 years. At all times the counsellors have supported my decisions regardless of the breast is best phrase I fed both my bubs - but they were so different!

What I am trying to say also is that even though you had trouble first time around, each b/f relationship is different - so enlist all the support around you now, and take it as it comes.

The ABA n your local area will also have monthly coffee mornings for any pregnant or mums no matter how old your kids are - bottle or breast fed everyone is welcome. I would encourage you to go along and meet some others in the same boat before bubs arrives!!

Good luck
Sam

[River]

Inverted nipples are very common with women, and many women who have inverted nipples have a successful breastfeeding relationship with their baby. Have you checked out the Aust Breastfeeding Assoc website, or become a member with them? You'll find heaps of info on their website, and by becoming a member you'll have access to a wealth of support with lactation consultants and other breastfeeding mums.

What Jodi said

Plus, I know that nipple shields are a whole different kettle of fish now days. My eldest is 9 and I know that the ones they have now are far superior than the ones when she was a baby. There is also a device for inverted nipples which 'pulls' the nipple out just before feeding. I think you'll find with correct attatchment for inverted nipples, the sucking will drag the nipple out during a feed anyways (??).

Expressing feeds is a great idea if you cannot feed through the pain of inverted nipples. It makes sure that bubs gets what he/she deserves and needs from their milk.

Definately join the ABA and have a lactation consultant on hand. Unfortunately, many of the midwives you find in the hospital might not be of much help, many of them are all too keen to push artificial baby milk down a newborns throat, so be aware of this and try to resist it until you have seen a qualified lactation consultant.

Best of luck with your journey .