Advice and help preparing to BF my 3rd baby due to issues with my first two girls

Hi all

I really value your advice and opinions in preparing to BF my 3rd baby when it arrives.

To give you some background with the issues I had with the first two girls, hopefully I can be prepared and have a good plan in place to not have issues with my supply this time round.

With my first DD, my supply was really low and after 6 weeks of not putting on weight and seeing a LC for 3 weeks and trying everything to up my supply I had to supplement feed but we managed to BF til 6 months.

With my 2nd DD, my supply was fine (saw LC again), however, my DD was a very hungry baby and BF well, we demand fed but after 3 months and feeding nearly every 1 1/2 hours all the time, my supply didnt really increase so had to supp feed her again.

I really want to try this time round to not go down the sup feeding again and would love your advice on how in the first month especially to increase my supply and keep up with baby's needs.

Not sure if it makes any difference but baby will be in a bassinet in our room right next to me.

I do plan on buying a medula swing to express all the time to keep my supply going, but would love advice on when to do that too as im unsure. Maybe I was doing it all wrong the last two times. I only had an Avent manual pump the last two times and I would prefer an electic this time.

Thanks in advance.

bel

No advice just wanted to say good luck

Sorry no advice either, but I'd love to know more from those who have the knowledge... I had different issues the last two times but I really want to succeed this time too...

Good Luck with your supply

It's great that you are asking questions now Belle. Being prepared makes things easier.

Some mums are not able to produce enough milk, but as you were able to feed your daughter for about 3 months is doesn't sound as though you are one of them. Basically breastfeeding is about supply and demand - the more you feed the more you make. Having a pump in case you need it is ok, but feeding more often is going to help your supply more than pumping. Many babies do feed every 1 1/2 - 2 hours - my first DS fed every 1 1/2 hours for months, but luckily slept longer at night. This doesn't mean that you don't have enough milk. As long as your baby is gaining weight and there are plenty of wet and dirty nappies in the beginning, and later on lots of wet nappies and poo that is soft or runny then your little one will be getting enough milk.

It is hard to know what happened with your two previous experiences without more information, but 3 months is a difficult time for many mums. It is a common time for babies to want to feed more frequently as their brain goes through a period of rapid development in readiness for the coming milestones - sitting, crawling, walking and talking. It is also a common time for babies to become really fussy at the breast and mums often worry that they don't have enough milk. Usually though this isn't the case and the behaviour is normal and passes. There are some tips and tricks that can help you get through that time so be sure to post again when you get there and we'll share!

All the best with it hun. I have confidence that you will achieve the breastfeeding goals you set yourself :hug:

Having had breast reduction surgery, I have huge trouble with supply and have been unable to BF my previous two bubs. This time, I am taking Motilium (80mg per day) and it has made a huge difference to my supply. Maybe you could speak to your doctor or MW about it, if you are interested. It is only available on prescription.

I also have the Medela Swing and I love it!

Belle, another idea would be to get a hold of the book "The mother's guide to making more milk" by Diana West and Lisa Marasco. This is a fantastic book with lots of information.

As Nickle has said, medication can be helpful for mum's in some situations - such as previous breast surgery or insufficient breast tissue. Mostly however mums are capable of making enough milk without drugs so trust in your own body hun. Believing you can do it is the first step :hug:

Belle I did the ABAs bfing class today and it was great!! I expressed full time with DD (on motillium) and so want to avoid it this time so took myself off to the class. I learnt lots, it can't hurt to go along?

I also had a reduction, and although Will is only 9 weeks old on Monday, we've already had a better BF experience than we did with Pip. As well as Motillium (a private script will give 4 repeats as well) I also have blessed thistle and fenugreek (1500MG) not to mention lactation cookies and no-alcohol beer each day. With expressing, expressing directly after each feed for 10mins each side.

Good luck this time around - that book "The breastfeeding mother's guide to making more milk" is great, I borrowed it for free from our ABA library here. Join the ABA!!! Oh, and the breast crawl is really important too, our local MCHN LC told me.

:goodluck: :crossfingers:

I would also recommend joining the ABA. Get to know your local members and use their resources.
Good luck to you!

Thanks so much girls, I have been a member of the ABA for my first 2 girls and definately will be again :)