[Duane Dibley]

A good way to help with letdown is to straighten your back and wiggle your shoulders around in circles to relax your muscles. If you're tensed up it inhibits the letdown reflex.

[Meagan]

do NOT stress about percentiles on bloody weight charts

That these weight charts (in the blue books and similar) are based on formula fed babys.

[TinCat]

I have a couple more

- Nipples stretch further than you think

- You are allowed to feel proud when it works

[Littlegreenfrog]

That for some people, no matter what you do or try it just doesn't work. If this happens don't feel guilty.

YEP I AGREE!!

and there should be support for both sides, and if it doesn't work I think hospitals should have a better 'duty of care' and support our new mums!

-Trudie

[~Cleopatra~]

Cleopatra I have to respectfully diagree with you regarding comping with formula in the early days. It may have worked for you but for most its a recipe for disaster as it means your supply does not match your babies needs. I do not discount the fact that some women may have done this and they were fine but as a rule it should not be done as it can be totally destructive on many levels to the breatfeeding relationship.

Sorry, I should have been more descriptive. I meant to say you can get past it but yes you do need to be vigilant about expressing to build your supply and all that and have help from a lactation consultant or ABA counsellor so you have a plan to get past this stage. Now that I am more experienced I would probably question the necessity to comp in those earlier days but that is what the hospital wanted . I found the whole comping experience very stressful and I would have been more comforting to know that other mums had got past this stage and gone on to fully bf.

[Freddie'sMum]

B/F - What I HOPE to do second time around ...........

Find ONE person - lactation consultant - who I trust and understand to HELP me as I got a completely different point of view from every midwife (on every different shift) when I was trying desperately to b/f our newborn.

For me - I wish someone - anyone - had said that b/f would be hard, difficult, just basically tell me that b/f isn't something that just "comes naturally" and you may have problems in doing it.

Wished I'd asked for help earlier . ..................

Helen (Freddie's Mum)
Me - 36
DH - 36
DD - 20 months
Officially ttc #2 - Feb 07

[Lexico27]

Most of mine have already been said:

1. You do not have to feed off both sides. Don't panic if your baby seems satisfied from one side! It happens.

2. NOT leaking, spraying, dribbling milk doesn't mean you aren't making enough milk. Not everybody leaks. I don't. Have still fed for over two years though (cumatively).

3.Expressing is not symbol of how much milk you have.

4.Rolled towels come in real handy for big breasts.

5. Use those first few days after birth and before milk comes in to practice, practice, practice. Get the attachment sorted - find the position that is comfortable.. practice as much as you can before your milk comes in. It gets you both more comfortable before the luscious milk comes in.

6. If you don't feel comfortable in any way about your breastfeeding - get help straight away. Call on a free daystay clinic and get your bum in there. Lactation consultants are there to help.

7.Use your instinct. If you think something isn't right - get a second/third/fourth opinion. You are the only one who knows how it feels.

8.Join the ABA and get your free copy of 'Breastfeeding naturally' BEFORE you have your baby. The book is fabulous and packed full of all the information you could possibly need to breastfeed.

9. Don't listen to the people who say buy formula and bottles (just in case). Why waste money unless you actually really need it?

10. Don't think that topping up with bottles in the early days mean you can never just breastfeed again. You can wean them from formula if you work on your supply. I did it.

11. Don't think that you have to feed them in a certain position. Some may work, others just don't feel right. I was told over and over that big breasted people should feed in the football hold. It just wasn't for me.

12. www.kellymom.com Best website - full of information.

[*Babylove*]

11. Don't think that you have to feed them in a certain position. Some may work, others just don't feel right. I was told over and over that big breasted people should feed in the football hold. It just wasn't for me.

I have to agree with that. I don't have big breasts (actually I have the opposite) but the nurses at the hospital kept pushing to get me to hold ds in the football position. They told me I was holding him the other way (sorry, can't remembered what it is called) too much and I had to hold him different ways. I personally felt very uncomfortable feeding ds this way, and I also found it more difficult to get him to latch properly. If a nurse was around I would hold him that way in the hospital so I wouldn't get yelled at, but as soon as I went home I never held him that way ever again.

[Naomi*]

Its bloody hard work!! No one tells you that! Throughout your pg people always ask and give you advice about the labour and never mention breastfeeding. Your labour is a small portion, breastfeeding your baby can last 2yrs and beyond

Do not give formula, it will not help your supply!!!

Babies will not starve if your milk doesnt come in till Day 5

Your baby will get unsettled about 24hrs before your milk comes in, thats a good thing!!

And lastly enjoy it because its a amazing thing

[s-m]

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

Mainly that lots of people have problems with BFing and get through them. And secondly where to get help - eg ABA, MACH nurse, GP, referral to LC if required.

Steph