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So as most of you know I've never BF before and I want all the tips and helpful info you can give me. I'm still kinda nervous about the whole thing (no one has ever wanted to BF in my family so I have no one to go to). Load me up with info girls.. things that were hard so I can be prepared, things that were easier then expected, products, routines.. all that good stuff. I had planned on having at least 2 cans of formula in the house just in case, is that smart? Pacis, good or bad? What bottles are the closest to resembling BF?
Be patient! It was hard for me at first & I read up on it so much. Also, if your hospital offers LC services, take advantage of them!! Mine helped me so much with different holds & tips! Also, if you have a handheld pump, keep it by the bed! I used mine for engorgement because boy oh boy does it hurt. Also cabbage leaves help, keep them cold & just stuff them in your bra between nursing. Also Lanolin, keep it ready & plentiful! It even helps with diaper rashes too, so you can never have too much. Also, with the milk you pump from engorgement, keep it! Especially if you're feeling frustrated from no sleep - let DH take her & give her a feeding while you get some rest! I never used bottles until recently but the Adiri bottles are great. Megan had no issue going back to nursing after using them.
My LC told me to keep paci's away till atleast 6 weeks to prevent nipple confusion & Meg didn't get one till about then, but loved it at first, then after a few months, she totally lost interest.
Also, keep together phone numbers to call, like the La Leche League. They're amazing help & you can seriously tell them anything & they're not the least bit shy or freaked out!
i tried BF in the hospital but my one nipple wasn't good enough to BF with.. from what the nurse said.. so i went right to a bottle.. but my sister BF my neice, and she used the bottles with liners and the brown coloured nipples.. because it most resembled her nipples!!
if you call your local Health Unit or something like it.. they will give u as much info as you want/need on BFing!! My sister called them everytime she had a question..
she never gave Grace a paci.. she didn't like them, but when she tried.. she waited 6 weeks and tried giving her the ones that are long for a NB baby because the doctor said it looks more like a nipple then any other soother!.. she also used the cabage leaves!
i'm not a big help, but i thought i'd let ya know what i know
Well I can't offer too much info because it was SOO easy for me. Aleyah latched on perfect the first time and I had no problems. I know the first few times it was a little sore but then it was very comfortable BFing. I had some nipple cream to put on after to keep them from drying but I was told that once your done rub the milk on the nipple. I dunno how true it is but mine never hurt, were sore or bled. I couldn't keep up with Aleyahs eating so I supplemented formula but she was on the boob til about 6 months. Breastpump was amazing, Idid that every day too for bottle to take on the go or let daddy feed
I think it different for everyone and every one was given different advice. I had to use a nipple shield from day one till he stopped nursing at 12.5months, never caused any issues and he was getting breastmilk. It can be alittle painful at first, and if you get engorged. Biggest suggestion is to try to not miss a feeding. I fed on demand instead of a schedule though.
I fed both my 2 on demand too and i think that is what made it 'easy'. But it is pretty hard cause sometimes you'll feel like you are feeding all day. Especially with having a toddler to watch aswell but it can be done! I just let Xylia pull the room apart as long as it wasn't anything dangerous it wasn't a big deal but she always got into things when i couldn't get up. Anyways back to the actual b'fing. I would suggest trying to hold aff using a bottle as long as you can. It does hurt a bit for the first few weeks but i found it soo much easier after the 4-6 week mark. Sorry can't help with products though cause i dunno what you get over there.
Honestly if you can I wouldn't have any formula on hand. When you're sleep deprived and frustrated you may use it when you don't really want to..... I agree with talking to a Lactation consultant, and in the hospital when they show you "how" ask tons of questions! Does your hospital have a breastfeeding class for expecting mothers? It's good to go to, and to have DH go to with you. He then can "help" you out when you're feeling frustrated, and they have questions sometimes too. Caiden had a soothie paci from day 1, and never had any nipple confusion. He did great! Lots of hospitals use these paci's too, I like that they were all 1 piece. I breastfed for a month, and pumped for 2 more after that. We quit because anything I ate that had even trace amounts of dairy made him pretty sick.... I definitely want to go longer next time!
No one in my fam has nursed before either... my mom tried with me and had problems, so all my siblings had formula after that.
Also, if you have WIC they usually have breastfeeding classes, lactation consultants, and they are great for info too and it's free.
After years of trying, 2 years of fertility meds, multiple surgeries, blood draws and needle sticks, some awful pre-IVF complications, and endometriosis and PCOS,
We are done TTC. Praying for peace as we accept this...
Hoping for some comfort after our most recent (and 3rd) surgery and starting Lupron!
Thank you girls so much!!! I'm so stoked to try this time! I'm nervous about the lack of sleep as it's not quite as heavy as formula, is that true? What is all this I've heared about cluster feedings at night.. that scares me LoL.
Caiden slept through the night as a newborn, I had to actually wake him up usually for feedings! I think the sleep depends on the child, not the food.
Caiden slept through the night as a newborn, I had to actually wake him up usually for feedings! I think the sleep depends on the child, not the food.
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After years of trying, 2 years of fertility meds, multiple surgeries, blood draws and needle sticks, some awful pre-IVF complications, and endometriosis and PCOS,
We are done TTC. Praying for peace as we accept this...
Hoping for some comfort after our most recent (and 3rd) surgery and starting Lupron!
I really have only one tip that I could give and thats that I started putting the lansinoh cream on my nipples during the last month of my pregnancy. I had a really easy time breastfeeding and would still be doing it if I hadnt gotten so sick and the medicine I was on I couldnt breastfeed with, and since I had to pump and dump she got used to the formula in the two weeks that I wasnt able to breastfeed so we just called it quits
I too agree with the formula on hand is a no-no! She'll eat when shes hungry :0)
The first month is the hardest,Connor was wonderful at it, it just hurt for me, but after that it was fine! I didn't get as engourged as some do, so you might not have a problem, but you might?!
Also depends on the child with the over night feedings and such. Connor co-slept with us, it was nice, but now he still likes to come in our bed :-( lol
The first week or two will probably hurt like hell. I know it did for me, but don't give up! It may take a week for your milk to come in but the colostrum is enough for the baby, you don't need to give her formula or sugar water. And keep lots of breast pads around!
No one in my family ever breastfed either so I had no help. Thankfully everything just came naturally for Jack and me. Try to BF as soon as possible after she's born so you two can have the best start.
BF babies are hungry more often at night, so they say, but if you cosleep or keep her close to your bed it's so easy. You can feed the baby and fall asleep, you don't have ot get up and warm the bottle and then hold it for them
BF babies are hungry more often at night, so they say, but if you cosleep or keep her close to your bed it's so easy. You can feed the baby and fall asleep, you don't have ot get up and warm the bottle and then hold it for them [/b]
I LOVED that part. I'd sleep on my side, and he'd lay next to me, nurse, and I'd sleep. It was SO NICE. I never felt too sleep deprived from getting to do that.....
Another thing: don't be surprised if one day you go out to the store and hear a baby cry, and LEAK! I had this happen to me, and I was kind of embarrassed... I was just running into walmart (ironically enough) to buy more breastpads ( I want to get reusable ones next time, the regular ones feel like a maxi pad stuck to your boob), and I had a let down all over my shirt..... No one warned me!
__________________
After years of trying, 2 years of fertility meds, multiple surgeries, blood draws and needle sticks, some awful pre-IVF complications, and endometriosis and PCOS,
We are done TTC. Praying for peace as we accept this...
Hoping for some comfort after our most recent (and 3rd) surgery and starting Lupron!
I agree, in the first few weeks/ couple of months i needed disposable pads and washable ones!! After that i just used the washable ones. I don't need any at the moment.
I agree, in the first few weeks/ couple of months i needed disposable pads and washable ones!! After that i just used the washable ones. I don't need any at the moment.
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