21-1-2010 - Breast Feeding Tips

My mood while writing this blog: Bemused

So someone posted a poll asking for BFing advice, I loved what all the moms put down and wanted to save it somewhere so here it is. Go ahead and ignore this if you are not interested, if you have anything to add leave a comment!

StaceyL (1.6 hours ago) All very good advice. I prefered the My Brest Friend to the Boppy so the baby didn`t roll (brought mine to the hospital even). I also loved nursing tanks which allowed easy access but I didn`t have to feel so exposed by pulling my shirt up. I also make an appointment at the local lactation clinic a few days after discharge from the hospital with each of my babies. I didn`t have any major issues, it was just nice to have that reassurance. Oh and it is perfectly normal to be overwhelmed the first month or 2 and want to quit. I felt that way with each of mine but once you`re past that hump, it`s mindlessly easy! Good luck!

jekajoy (1.9 hours ago) Trust your body. Women so quickly jump to the conclusion that they either aren`t making milk or that they can`t do this. You can do it :0) Remember that their tummies are the size of a marble on day one and they don`t need ounces to be full (only the size of a golfball by day 7). Your colostrum is perfect and calorie loaded (besides, they didn`t have full tummies in your uterus!) Be patient and remember as long as baby is having wet and dirty diapers he is getting milk. Day 2 is usually a feeding frenzy and even though it`s exhausting, it`s what makes your milk come in...supply and demand. I love some of the advice below. You can do it! here`s a pretty cool picture if you are interested: http://dev.joyinbirthing.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/Baby-stomach.png

MelissaJoanne (2 hours ago) Good advice so far. To add... don`t ever hesitate to kick anyone out of a room, or feel bad if you`re the one holding/nursing the baby almost constantly. You should always make sure you`re comfortable, and that can often mean limiting visits/holding from other people until you and baby get the hang of it. What you`re doing is more important. :-) Have a comfy place to nurse - I found the couch really uncomfortable, and it got much easier when I finally got a glider when daughter was 2 weeks old. Ask for help if you need it. Don`t get discouraged if it does hurt... it will pass. Expect success. Good luck!

Peachy09 (2.9 hours ago) Lets see...boppy, football hold, lanolin or milk on your nipples, and patience! It took my first about 3 weeks to catch on to eating in general, and my 2nd took to BF immediately. Lactation consultants are great, and I rented a pump for the first few weeks. Freeze your extra milk when it comes in. I didn`t have any nipple/latching pain with #1, but tons with #2. Also, you generally have to feed more often with BF, be prepared for very very very little sleep. I remember looking at the clock thinking `I could just go to formula & then to sleep now!` but then I thought well, I get the time off work I`ll keep trying & we made it.

megandgrace (4 hours ago) Also i wanted to give you the tip that if you are still having cracked and sore nipples after trying the lanoline cream, try switching to a lanoline free cream. Gerber makes one in like a large cap stick type tube and it worked amazing for me. Along with letting some milk dry onto my nipples after feedings.

megandgrace (4.2 hours ago) Feed as soon as possible when the baby is born. When they brought Grace over to me after being cleaned up, she was placed right onto my chest with skin to skin contact to keep her temperature up. She began rooting towards me so i placed her right onto my breast and she began to suck away. One of the strangest sensations i have ever felt. In the hospital i asked for advice and the nurse were wonderful help, don`t be afraid to ask for help or talk to lactation specialists that is what they are for. Its a lot of work but one the most amazing experiences ever. Remember it is the most natural thing in the world.

waitingfornumber2 (4.6 hours ago) Oh and forgot to say, I tried using a nursing bra, but it would be soaked from the baby dribbling after every time I used it, so in the hospital or anytime we were home I wouldn`t wear a bra at all, and when I did have one I kept the breast pads in the whole time because I can`t stand to feel wet!

waitingfornumber2 (4.6 hours ago) The football hold was easiest for me, because I had a c-section and that way he wasn`t on my stomach, and I used a boppy pillow. And another tip is put on the lansinoh breast cream on your nipples every time after you feed, just dry your breast off and apply it, keeps them from getting dry and chapped! Try not to use a bottle or nipple shield unless you absolutely have to because then the baby may not latch on due to nipple confusion.

christinaswar (4.7 hours ago) I think skin to skin contact, limited contact with other people until nursing is well established, allowing your baby to be latched and nursing well before any standard hospital things happen (weighing, washing, shots) and trusting that your baby knows what to do are VERY important for having as little problems once you get home.

shesxchaotic (4.7 hours ago) The football hold helped me LOADS in the beginning! My aunt is an LC and she said that because some people (like myself) get engorged so fast when the milk comes in, the football hold can help prevent mastitis in the first few weeks. I never used a boppy, only a couch pillow. I tried a boppy and felt cluttered and smothered. I also used lanolin by Medela. I tried Lansinoh but although it worked, it was really sticky!

military~mommy (5.1 hours ago) Hmm, 1. Use a boppy, it will save your arms. 2. When you latch get as much in babes mouth as possible, if babe only ends up with the nipple in his mouth he will get next to no milk and you will have very sore, painful nipples! 3. Talk to a lactation consultant, they are godsends. 4. The Medela breast shells are great (not shields, shells) they keep the nursing pads from chaffing your already sensitive nipples and allow air drying while clothed. 5. Lanolin rocks, put it on when you feel chapped and raw. Because it is all natural and safe for baby, you do not need to scrub it off before nursing. Good Luck, I know it sounds like alot but breast feeding is such a wonderful experience!

emy (5.1 hours ago) I also LOVED my boppy. It absorbed the weight easily from the baby so that you didnt have any extra pull from the baby. Sitting on the couch indian style with the boppy on my lap with the baby lying across it was the most comfortable for me. I also really enjoyed laying down...probably more so once the baby was a few months. As for the pain...mine was horrible but I toughed it out! I used Lansinoh (spelling?) and then applied a nursing pad over it to keep the nipple moist and to prevent the oily lansinoh from getting on my shirt, bra, etc...I also never washed the nipple...just let the water fall on it. Hmm...And nurse often!!! Thas the best way to get your supply on que and prevent engorgement!

MiniOface (5.6 hours ago) The football hold and my boppy SAVED me! lol It was also the least painful latch in the beginning while my nipples were `toughening` up.

LookingBack (5.8 hours ago) First, they say that moms who read a book on breastfeeding before birth have nearly twice the rate of breastfeeding success (i suggest the nursing mothers companion, i read it in 3 days). Second, after every feeding, express a little extra milk onto the nipple and let dry. When showering, do not wash the nipple with soap. It will dry it out. So, if you read nursing mother companion, then it will tell you the way to latch, and hold baby, and nipple care.