Help me avoid the same problems this time around

Establishing BF with DS was really tricky and we encountered quite a few problems in the first couple of months. But, overcame each and every one and went on to BF for 22 months.

This time around I'm hoping to avoid those issues, or at least be prepared for them. To give you an idea, here's a bit of a summary of how things went with DS.
• emergency CS delivery after 12 hours of syntocin induced labour. DS was separated from me while I was in recovery and wasn't put to the breast until 1.5 hours after birth.
• I had inverted nipples on both breasts and we struggled with attachment from the first feed. The MW's hand expressed colostrum to give DS the first couple of days cos we couldn't attach.
• Day 3 - DS developed jaundice. Saw LC and got nipple shield which allowed DS to attach for pretty much the first time. She also advised me to express after every feed to help bring milk in faster, which I did. Paed had us doing top-ups (colostrum & EBM when available and formula when not) for a day or two to help clear the jaundice.
• Day 4 - milk began to come in, was pretty much fully there by day 5.
• Day 6 - went home. The top-ups had been stopped by this time and we were exclusively BF'ing with nipple shields most of the time. I continued expressing to stimulate milk and help draw the nipples out.
• Week 2 and 3 - saw LC a couple more times to try and get DS to attach directly to the breast. Despite having what looked like 'perfect' attachment on the outside I developed terribly cracked nipples. Eventually I decided to feed exclusively with nipple shields.
• Week 8 - began weaning DS from the nipple shield
• Week 12 - nipple shields completely gone. Went on to feed to 22 months.

Despite having BF until about 9 months ago, I am worried that I might struggle again with inverted nipples. I'm also likely to have a scheduled CS, so am keen to do everything I can to get my milk in as fast as possible. So far my plan is:
• have skin to skin and first BF in recovery (providing we're both healthy)
• bring my own electric pump to the hossy with me so I can start expressing Day 1 and hopefully get milk in faster

I'm hoping that if my inverted nipples cause problems again, I can express for a minute or two to draw them out and then try to attach bubs directly to the breast. But if that doesn't work, I think I will also make sure I have a nipple shield on hand JIC.

I'd really appreciate any advice or tips you can give me, so that this time round I can be that little bit better prepared for the hurdles we might have to jump. TIA

Hey Hon
I dont have any advice for you - but I did want to say when I read the ideas you have here you seem totally prepared.. I am sure you will have another succesful BF relationship esp as you now know earlier what some of the issues can be and have mechanisms to help yourself.
I did notice with DS2 i got a lot less attention in hosp that with DS1 - so make sure if you need the help iof a LC or MW you ASK for it. i think they often leave 2nd timers more to their own devices - a good thing unless you need their help!

Hi there.

I had similar issue with my first DD, and was worried about what would happen with DD2. Turns out- I have had absolutely no probs BFing number 2- its been bliss!

Its good your thinking ahead- just wanted to give you some encouragement!!

GL xx

i don't really have any advice but i think you seem to have covered lots of possibilities & opportunities for improving things this time round. the other thing you can work on is remembering that you have done this before. it might take time, but hopefully this time is easier &, if not, you know that it can still be successful even if it takes a while to establish things.

i agree with MP as well - make sure you let them know if you need help. most people i've spoken to who have 2 or more have said they are mostly left to their own devices second time round. and nothing wrong with reinforcing your plan with your ob/the midwives before you go in to theatre. i have a feeling too that your milk might be faster considering it's a scheduled c-section & less traumatic for the body than an emergency c-section :dunno:

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I did notice with DS2 i got a lot less attention in hosp that with DS1 - so make sure if you need the help iof a LC or MW you ASK for it. i think they often leave 2nd timers more to their own devices - a good thing unless you need their help!

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Thanks for the heads up MP. I did get a sense of this when I went in for my admission appt and they asked about BF DS - the MW response was 'oh you shouldn't need any help this time around'.

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Hi there.
I had similar issue with my first DD, and was worried about what would happen with DD2. Turns out- I have had absolutely no probs BFing number 2- its been bliss!

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Fingers crossed things go smoothly for us too this time round. Glad it's been much easier on you this time.

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nothing wrong with reinforcing your plan with your ob/the midwives before you go in to theatre. i have a feeling too that your milk might be faster considering it's a scheduled c-section & less traumatic for the body than an emergency c-section :dunno:

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I'm really hoping this is the case. At least with a scheduled CS I am guaranteed that there will be a MW available to sit with me in recovery so that I can have bubs with me, with an emergency CS they don't have anyone scheduled so you can't have them with you.

Firstly what an awesome & inspiring BFing journey you had with your DS. I think you sound pretty organised, and having been through it before, you know that even if you do start out having to use a nipple shield that it's not the worst thing in the world, and you can eventually wean off it. I had really cracked nipples with my second, and a gf put me onto some awesome gel pad things from the chemist, that were lifesavers. Wore them in-between feeds under my bra, they were a bit like gel pads that you put into your shoes to stop aching feet. I kept them in the fridge so that they went on cold, super soothing :)

I'd maybe have a look at some Baby-Led Attachment videos, cos that might help give you some more confidence that babies do have an natural instinct for BFing in the first 12 weeks. The ABA probably has some good info on this as well, if you have a wander around their website.

You sound so totally prepared hun, i think you will be fine this time.
Will they let you take your own pump though? the hospy im delivering at has strict rules on this, they will only allow you to use their pump. So id check with them that they are ok with this, and that if they will allow you to use your own, that they arent going to take it off you to go and sterilise in their own steriliser right when you want to use it (which is what they do where im going with dummys)
But you sound completely prepared, your aware of the issues you could face, you have solutions to them and youre aware of the help available. Like others have said make sure to ask for help if you need it.
Goodluck

MissE I'm so impressed by how you handled it the first time. Very methodical and focussed. I do know lots of women who have had attachment problems for a week or more so I don't think that's entirely unusual. Ive also been told milk can take 3-5 days to come in anyway. I think you will do great second time around because it's obvious you did great first time around!

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Will they let you take your own pump though? the hospy im delivering at has strict rules on this, they will only allow you to use their pump. So id check with them that they are ok with this, and that if they will allow you to use your own, that they arent going to take it off you to go and sterilise in their own steriliser right when you want to use it (which is what they do where im going with dummys)

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Gee, I hadn't thought of them not letting me bring my own pump :dunno:. Can't see why it would be a problem though. I'd much prefer to be able to pump in the privacy and comfort of my own room, than having to head off to the nursery every 3 hours day and night. I was planning on bringing some of those sterilising solution tablets so I could sterilise it myself, so hopefully I can avoid them taking it off of me.

Jen, are you serious?? I took my own pump to hospital and had no issues, but if someone had tries to take it off me or tell me I had to use their pump I'm quite sure I would have said something about them being MY boobs to pump to feed MY baby. Perhaps not as politely as that!

You sound very prepared and in a really good head space Miss E! :clap:

One thing I thought of reading your post - you can start expressing before the c/s if you like, that'll help the milk production hormones start ;) And every little drop of colostrum will be fantastic to save for if you need it!

Have you thought about joining up with the ABA? You could start now, go to some meetings and talk to some other mums who may have been through a similar journey, or the breastfeeding counsellors - there will be (should be!) a counsellor at every meeting.

Membership isn't too expensive. You're always welcome to go along to a meeting or two before you decide to join so you can see if you "click" with the other mums too.

But even if you're not a member, the website has some great resources on BF after a c/s and you can always call the helpline - 1800 mum 2 mum - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, whether you are a member or not.

So if you are feeling stressed about something and aren't getting support from the MWs or you are at home out of the hospital bubble, please call and talk to one of the counsellors.

I know you had a rough start, but it sounds to me like you got it all perfect in the end :)

Do you have an LC to talk to? She may be able to reassure you about many of these things and confirm your plans.
Your inverted nipples may no longer be a problem (?) after breastfeeding.
Also, is there any particular reason you're so anxious that your milk comes in quickly? Because of the top-ups last time? Your milk probably will come in faster in any case and *most* of the time colostrum is all your baby will need in the mean time. Expressing before hand is not always recommended - there probably isn't the risk of premature birth here, but you may find it extremely time consuming. Maybe talk to your LC.

It's great to think ahead like this and make yourself a breastfeeding plan. Remember that all births, babies and breastfeeding experiences are different, though. I'd recommend giving your baby a few days before embarking on expressing and such like right off - it's extra work that might not be needed anyway.

All the best!