[cheekybooby]

so many good tips on here! Wow, good to know I'm not the only passionate person, some days it feels like it...

"Never doubt yourself or your body, you can do it."

There is a lot of talk about pain, let me add, if it is toe curling pain, look in the mirror, is your breast red? Mastitis. I have had it 6 times. Go straight to the doctor and take a double or more (I take 2 days worth on doctors advise) first hit, then as prescribed. Fingers crossed you never get it, I never did with DD1.

"if in doubt, flop it out"

you will breastfeed because you want to, good on you.

For 72 million years humans have fed their young, I cannot believe that suddenly in the past 100 years, 60% (WHO) need to give artificial milk.

look on WHO website for BF charts, not formula charts in books (And ignore them all!)

[sigh]

An auxillary nipple can cause mastitis. I found this out recently when my GP said that he thinks the reason for my initial (and now gone) recurrent mastitis was a third nipple. I didn't think I had one but he thinks the mole near my breast is actually a third nipple and that it may have had some breast tissue behind it that couldn't drain properly and although it didn't swell up at the time that could have been it. He's going to send me to a specialist when I've finished feeding to check it out and maybe remove it so that it won't happen again.

[megsyg]

Knowing it is not the be all and end all can make it easier - if the pressure is off to breastfeed it makes it easier to cope.

All through pregnancy one when people asked if i was going to i said 'if it works for me yes'. Not being ashamed of putting DS on the bottle if that is what i needed to do made it work for me, and i ended up feeding til 12 months!

Also, let heaps of people give you ideas etc and help.

More importantly, if you possibly can get in wtih some people who are established breastfeeding who you feel comfortable with and really watch them and their babies - i used to really watch my sister and that helped heaps!

[Comet1998]

That nipple shields, while designed to help, can actually make things worse when it comes to baby learning how to attach.

[Missmarymack]

That for some people it just works, so it's not always a terrible, agonising struggle.

This. I had been made to think it would be a hard, horrible experience but for us it worked easily from the beginning.

Attitude plays a huge part in successful Breastfeeding. Being positive and determined will help you succeed. Trust yourself - don't have bottles and formula around 'just in case', not having them may make you preserver that tiny bit longer which could get it working

This post has been edited by Missmarymack: 29/03/2011, 02:38 PM

[dejoey]

Hi there,
I have recently learnt that babies can go through a non gaining period and that some health nurses panic about this, and some do not. I went to a mothercraft centre for sleeping issues, and because the baby had not gained in a couple of months, i was told i had to comp feed via a supply line (as baby was fully brestfed and refused the bottle). On returning home, absolutely devestated and thinking i had been starving my child, i was told by the local nurses that bub was perfectly fine. There is a different BF weight chart on the WHO website. I now know that if bub is happy, and has lots of wet nappies, there is rarely an issue.
I hope this helps someone else, as i had no-one to ask, and had complete faith that BF was endorsed and understood by all health nurses - apparently it is not

[with the goo goo...]

This is a wonderful thread. The only thing I can add is:

It is okay if milk drips out of your baby's nostril when you are breastfeeding.

[HappyNappies]

Hi, Thanks for the below. It's been 3 years since I had my first child and I agree there is a lack of information available about the 'realities' of breastfeeding. I breast fed successfully for 11 months mainly because my friend recommended it . The thing I remember most though was lying in my hospital bed post birth thinking why are my breasts about to explode - no one told me this was what your milk 'coming in' felt like! I was mortified - would have been nice to know this was going to happen to me, before it did! And I can't say enough about breast pads - I was so unprepared for leaking breasts... talk about embarrassing! My advice is that support networks like Tresillian, 1800 Mum2Mum and Early Child Hood centres are wonderful resources if you are having issues (especially if you don't have family to help you through it). Have a great day! Pam/

[Weeneybaby]

I have 2 children...

DS1) Tried, tried, tried to breastfeed. Technique great according to 2 lactation consultants, supply was fine, thought baby was tongue tied but he wasn't, although he had a very weak sucking action and after 3 weeks we went onto formula and he still couldn't suck a bottle properly until he was 3 months.

DS2) Had him on my chest after he was born, thought 'what's that?' and then I was like 'oh, I'm breastfeeding!' He just latched straight on and fed away! No problems since and he is thriving.

So.....

Babies are not all the same.
Breastfeeding does not always come naturally and you shouldn't feel guilty if it doesn't work.
If it does work, it is great and a lovely experience
Don't let other people make you feel bad if it doesn't work. I have first hand experience how hard and how easy it can be
If you have supply issues - I have had to use Blessed Thistle a couple of times to get my supply up and it has worked a treat, just 2 capsules 3 times a day - easy!

[fordmum]

Sorry, I haven't read all the posts... I only got to page 3 but...

1. You don't have to demand feed. If you need a routine that is fine, your baby will grow accustomed to it and there is nothing to be ashamed of for not demand feeding.
2. There is no harm in giving baby last feed anywhere from 11pm-1pm and encouraging to sleep through rest of the night. As it can help with milk supply.
3. Most importantly - every woman (and her boobs!) and baby are different so what works for one will not necessarily work for another.

Had I personally not done this, I would never have coped and given up months ago because I really needed to get some substantial unbroken sleep and it helped me to continue to produce enough breastmilk.

BTW, I am still breastfeeding DS who turned 16mths today (2/4/12).