Spinoff...BFing

I def. intend on breastfeeding, or at least trying to breastfeed..however no very minimal about it...

I was thinking of taking one of those classes...but somany people have said that the lactation nurses tell you everything you need to know... Is this true??

Can you ladies give me some basic info??? I bought a single electric pump which I plan on using(prob just for a few bottles, so DH can feed also), How does everything work? Is it bad to bottle and breastfeed???

TIA

Re: Spinoff...BFing

It can be a problem to bottle and breastfeed before the baby is four weeks old. At that point your supply should be well established and introducing a bottle is fine.

I took a class, but most I learned from the nurses, from La Leche leaders, and as I went.

A really great web site to visit is Kelly Mom

It can be hard in the beginning (you'll like be feeding every 2 hours!!) but its worth the effort!!!

Re: Spinoff...BFing

The lactation nurses really didn't help me much at all. I did see an LC and that was the most informative and helpful.

If you want to bottle feed, you should start sometime between four and six weeks, and use wide-mouth bottles (you'll see them - most brands make them and it usually says something on the package about it being easier for a BF baby to switch between BF and bottle). The LC told me I should pump at the same time every day and feed the baby with a bottle at the same time every day. Your body produces milk on a schedule based on when it's needed, so to only pump every few days won't give you enough. I also froze a lot of milk so when I return to work the baby can still have BM. He switches easily between the two.

It was difficult for me at first and both I and my DS formed some bad habits that had to be unlearned. The LC helped us a lot. Good luck!

Re: Spinoff...BFing

The classes are a great start! They won't teach you everything, but they give you a great basis. BF is a lot of hands-on-learning and you have to be willing to ask for help/advice, if you need it!

www.breastfeeding.com is a great resource too.

Re: Spinoff...BFing

I have a baby nurse here with me helping me figure it all out.

My pediatrician told me it was ok to give a bottle from day one - I have and there is not a problem so far.

I feed her from my breast about 5-6 times a day, I pump twice a day - my husband gives her a bottle of breast milk once a day and right now the nurse is giving her one bottle of formula at night (a lot of BF mothers dont give formula at all so I am the exception to the rule)

I have come to the conclusion with BFing that there is no right or wrong - everyone has different theories or ideas and you have to find what works for you.

Re: Spinoff...BFing

Sometimes you can do everything in your power to learn about BFing and still fail. I did lots of reading, took a class, and even had a few nurses trying to help me when Christopher was born. He just would NOT latch on. As patient as I was with him, I realized that it just wasn't going to happen. One of the most important things I learned in that class though, is even if your baby never does latch on, it doesn't mean you're a failure.

Re: Spinoff...BFing

Re: Spinoff...BFing

and also, even if your baby doesn't latch, nothing stops you from pumping and still giving them breast milk for as long as you want!