[hjv]

Hi all ,

I have combined the "Best ever breastfeeding tips" thread with the "WDYT? Mums need to know" thread as both have the same aim, which is to share our individual breastfeeding experiences.
This is the place to share any tips / information / feelings and knowledge about breastfeeding that you think may be informative or inspiring to other breastfeeding mums and breastfeeding mums to be!

All the best,

luckytwo, Moderator of the Breastfeeding forum
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Yes I have been reading the other thread and it seems to me that nothing anyone says will change the views of those in the opposing camp but that there was some really useful comments in there about the lack of information given to new mums about breastfeeding. I completely agree with that - I had no clue before DD1 was born.

So what do you think new mums should know about breastfeeding that will make it easier for them and will encourage them to continue???

The things that spring to mind for me (which seem frighteningly basic to me now but I really had no idea) are:

- your supply is generally lower in the late afternoon/ evening so baby is likely to want more feeds then

- growth spurts - usually the first is around 6 weeks when baby just wants to feed feed feed constantly - lasts for a few days and then you go back to your normal routine

- ways to increase your supply if you think it is lacking is to rest, drink lots of water, have lots of skin to skin contact with your baby and express between feeds

- attachment and correct positioning is crucial for the first few weeks

and lots more stuff that I am too tired to think of right now. But hey I know there are plenty of you out there who can really help others so please feel free to add/correct what I have said.

Helen

This post has been edited by luckytwo: 19/03/2011, 08:45 PM

Reason for edit: change of title and merging of pinned threads

[CBMKBJA]

I would tell a first time mum that it is really hard and the baby has something to do with it also. Some babies are really smart and know how to latch on properly and some are a bit dopey and have no idea, usually boys. I have breastfed 7 and they are all different. Don't feel ashamed to ask a midwife for help either.

I used to try and feed exactly how the midwives were telling me but it wouldn't work. Supposedly you are supposed to just sit there with the baby on the boob but I found I had to support the boob for the first couple of months like how you hold it when you are trying to attach. I had many a fight with a midwife telling I shouldn't do that but I had to because the baby couldn't feed because it was getting suffocated. In the end I learnt to just shut up and let the midwife think I was listening.

So even though there is a correct way to feed by the text book sometimes you can feed in other ways as long as your boobs aren't hurting when the baby is attached.

Also I would tell them to feed the baby whenever they thought it was hungry, I have had a baby that fed every 2 hours and one that fed every 4 and the others were basically approximately 2 1/2 to 3 hrs between feeds. A baby will never get obese breastfeeding which is what some people seem to think and say whenever they see you feeding and you only just fed.

It's not the breastfeeding that wrecks your boobs it's what happens to your boobs whilst pregnant that changes the shape. Your body preparing your boobs to feed.

ALso that you can get thrush on your boobs and in the baby's mouth, the signs for mastitis, that the leaking eventually settles, etc.

That it can be the most relaxing and rewarding time with your bub. When you breastfeed you actually have to sit down and have a rest, you can't prop the bottle on a pillow and go and do work.

Even when you have plenty of milk and baby is putting on good weight every week doesn't mean you will be able to express an ounce. It's funny that when the baby is on the boob the milk pours out but when you try to express it becomes the sahara desert.

Also not to worry so much about your figure. Soon as you start to diet it can affect your milk supply. I would tell a new mum to worry about eating healthy and worry about her weight when the baby had weaned.

This post has been edited by Natalie63: 27/01/2007, 01:45 PM