breastfeeding

How did or are you learning??? I saw they have classes but I work crazy schedules and do not think I can make them.....

breastfeeding

I read Breastfeeding Made Simple and it was sooo helpful. Much more helpful than the class I went to.

breastfeeding

I am hoping to work with a lactation specialist as I get closer. Only 13 weeks, so I figure I have another 20ish before I really need to get on this. I have witnessed a number of friends and family have issues with production, I know my mom and grandmother didn't have issues, but I want to find out what I can do to increase production.

breastfeeding

I think the best thing you can do is see a lactation consultant after you have a baby. Have them watch your baby latch from multiple positions to ensure that you and the baby know what you are doing.

I did a bunch of reading, but honestly it did not prepare me at all. Your baby will most likely not be like the dolls they have you use. My DS is all over the place flailing his arms and legs. The books and videos are like "just tuck the baby's arm under your arm" - um - yeah right! My DS is also a big fan of changing his latch as he is sucking, he is literally a maniac while nursing - even when he dream feeds.

breastfeeding

I was supposed to meet with a LC at the hospital after I gave birth but she happened to be off the days I was there. I was told the nurses at north Shore knew a lot about BFing. I just had a nurse watch me while I was BFing and gave me tips.

breastfeeding

The nursing staff and the LC at the hospital will help you. I had a lot of support in the hospital. It may help to read a couple of books but honestly it does not prepare you for the mechanics of actually breastfeeding.

breastfeeding

thanks guys...I am so nervous I have no idea what I am doing....

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The nurses in the hospital help you a lot or at least mine did. The classes are nice but until you have a baby on your boob with someone helping you and watching you its not too helpful.

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I took a BF class at LIJ.
It was great and I learned different positions for latching and how to get through the soreness.

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The hospital I'm delivering at holds classes 2x a day, so I'll attend during my stay and bring the baby with me.

My insurance also covers a lactation consultant so I will most likely utilize that resource too.

I read articles on kellymom.com and they are really informative but of course I won't know if they'll benefit me until the baby is here.

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I watched you tube videos.

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I bf for 27.5 months and never took a class in advance. Just really be motivated to succeed and use the lactation consultant at hospital for latch help. Then ask friends who bf. Kellymom.com and modern tribal mamas on Facebook are great resources too

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Please don't rely on the nurses in the hospital, bc it is basically luck of the draw if you get one that actually knows about BFing or will just spew misinformation. I read The Womanly Art of Breast Feeding before having my 1st & brushed up with Breasfeeding Made simple the second time. I BFd my DD until she turned 2 and the Womanly Art of Breastfeeding was my bible in the early days. Also request a lactation consultant in the hospital.

I actually has a nurse in the St. Charles NICU put FORMULA on MY nipple to "let the baby know it is food". (B/C the breastmilk designed by nature for my baby to eat is somehow going to confuse the baby, so let's rub some artificial milk on my nipple to help the baby-Dumbest thing I've ever heard!) Thank GOD I had done my research-after that I stopped listening to the nurses and trusted my gut.

Re: breastfeeding

breastfeeding

I have to agree not to rely on the nurses and LC in the hospital. I delivered a SB which is supposed to be so pro bfing and the nurses were no help. The one in the delivery room didn't even try to help and the next one grabbed DD by the back of the head and shoved her toward me. That's probably the first thing I read not to do. The overnight nurses were even worse and pushed formula and told me not to count a feeding unless it was over 15 minutes (in that case DD had exactly zero feeding in the first few days). I saw the LC once and it was right after the first decent feeding so she really didn't see or do much. I had one good nurse the last day there and the rest were no help. I did see an LC a week after she was born who was awesome but by then things were finally clicking anyway so it was just good reassurance. Obviously it's something you just have to try to see how things go but I found reading up and how supply works, how my body works, and how the baby's body works really helped me know what to expect and how to handle things.

I remember reading on kellymom that on the second nigh DD would want to nurse nonstop and I would cry and think I couldn't do it any more. I warned DH this would happen and not to let me quit and that it's normal. It scared me bc that's exactly what my bff had just gone through but it didn't happen to me. If it had, at least I would have known it was normal and that I could get through it.

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Re: breastfeeding

breastfeeding

I recommend going to a meeting with the la leche league. It's a group if women who all have experiences with breast feeding and a LC leader. It's fabulous and FREE. PM me if you'd like more info or if I can help. I'm 8.5 months in to ebf(no bottles) and would be glad to help anyone who needs it!

Re: breastfeeding

Read....get books from the library, read up online, watch youtube videos on how on get baby to latch (and what an appropriate latch is!)...

DO NOT ASSUME hospital staff/ LC will help you...

This is my 3rd baby...

DS#1- LC visted on the day I was discharged (day 4) and spent less than 5min with me...

DS#2- I never saw the LC, since apparently she wasn't scheduled the 4days I was in the hospital...


You will need to go in informed, have an LC in mind to call (in case you need it when you get home), and you will need lots of support from friends and family....


It is not as easy and natural as it seems, and so often when things are hard in the beginning we start to feel like failures and throw in the towel.... Having a good cheer team behind you will help you get past that....

You can do this!

Message edited 6/2/2014 8:57:56 AM.

Re: breastfeeding

I did nothing. DD and I learned together. I had a LC in the hospital and a LC that did 2 house calls once I was home.

breastfeeding

I was def not prepared for how hard it would be! Best thing I did was find a great LC when I was home. If I hadn't, the dr was going to force us to supplement. People def don't realize all the obstacles until its time lol

Re: breastfeeding

Things that helped me:

1. I read "The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding" while I was pregnant. It gave me some foundation.
2. I read Kellymom and I joined some breastfeeding groups on facebook. Seeing peoples questions and the answers given helped me a lot.
3. See a LC as soon as possible.


I had a terrible time in the hospital, they were SO unhelpful, gave horrible advice, gave my nicu baby formula behind my back, etc. So don't rely on them exclusively unless they are LCs. Some of the advice I got was actually scary.

The most important thing is determination and a support system. There were moments that I was like I QUIT! It was so hard between the nicu, pumping for her, trying to feed her there, cluster feeding when we were home, oversupply and mastitis, and thrush....all within the first two weeks! But I just kept my eye on the prize and had supportive people around me to call when I felt like I wanted to give up. You can do it!

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Get a video. I forget the exact one I had with my first child. Ask lots of questions at the hospital and make sure you see the LC. If you have the money, get a LC to come to your house after the baby is born.
You can take a million classes but you will learn on your own when your baby is born. It's not easy at first but if you can get through the first few weeks, it gets so much easier.

Re: breastfeeding

Be committed. That is the most important thing. I told DH and everyone in my life that formula was not an option for us so not to suggest it no matter what. From there, we learned together. I expected it to be hard so I knew not to give up. My two best friends had babies before me and are bf-ers and that helped SO much. My nurses were good but I didn't get to see an LC in the hospital until the day we left. I saw one at home and she wasn't great either. I read, and read, and still read. Kellymom, FB groups, Dr. Jack Newman.

Make the choice and stick with it. The first month was so hard. 7.5 months in, my son has never had formula (and I've been back at work since 6 weeks). You can do it!

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As you can see, learning to BF is quite an individual process. Some learn better with videos and books, some are better hands on when baby arrives, and others like classes. Start researching what option will be better for you personally. I agree that you have to be committed bc some days will be so difficult and various positions may not work. Know that it's a learning process between you and baby and if you stick with what works for you, you will be successful. Having support of friends and family is also super important.