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
______________________________________________________________


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

In the begining, even with perfect attachment, it can be, but is not always, toe-curlingly painful. This is normal and will decrease over time.

Breastfeeding is physically draining. It is important to have supportive people around you who understand this and help you - try to minimise stress, allow you chances to put your feet up and rest (without a bub attached lol), and eat healthy nutritious foods.

Foods you eat may affect your breastmilk and bub. Again, everyone is different but if bub does seem extra unsettled, pained or whatever, look at your diet. It can take several days to eliminate from your system and then bub's system so for example, don't just cut out caffine for one day and not see any improvement and say that it's not having any effects.

That after a few weeks breastfeeding your boobs will not be full looking and hard, and whilst it may seem like you are losing your milk, they have infact adjusted to how much your baby needs and are working perfectly.

That breastmilk is a supply and demand thing, if you introduce a bottle of formula because you think you supply is diminishing (see point above) your body will react and produce less milk.

My only words of advice are if you are having trouble in the early days see a lactation consultant before giving up. They really can make all the difference.

That your cracked, bleeding nipples WILL heal and you can successfully b/f for as long as you want

That you can comp feed for the first few weeks (if necessary) and still b/f exclusively after that period

That even if it takes a week for your milk to come in, you can still b/f successfully and exclusively

That if your baby does not open its mouth 'properly' that there are other ways of attaching your baby to the nipple

Andrea
DS 8 Sept 04
DD 29 Sept 06

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

- How your body actually produces milk
- That just because you dont leak or feel full doesnt mean you have run out of milk
- Similarly that if you can't express alot of milk, it doesnt mean you have a low supply
- That there are other sources of information and support such as the ABA, EB and kellymom.com
- That if your baby wants to feed every hour sometimes, it can be normal
- Babies rarely self wean before 12 months
- Babies have fussy and distractible periods at ______ and this is completely normal (someone fill in the gaps )
- oh and Lansinoh stains!

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
http://www.kellymom.com/babyconcerns/fussy-evening.html

This
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/low-supply.html

This
http://www.kellymom.com/babyconcerns/distractible-baby.html

This
http://breastfeed.com/resources/articles/virgingut.htm

This
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/decrease-formula.html

and this
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/baby/back-to-breast.html

Before you have your baby read all of these, show them to your partner, and your mother and MIL

I havn't read the replies so I don't know if the has already been covered or not. Well anyway...

New mothers need to be taught that b/f can be very hard work. There are cracked, sore nipples, mastitis (which I never even heard of until I got it), latching problems (bub has trouble latching or you're not putting him on right), supply issues. I also think that new mothers have to be taught that if she does have supply issues right from the beginning, to try and preserve and not allow anyone to comp feed her baby formula. Comp feeding formula makes your body believe it is producing enough milk for bub, and it will be very difficult to get your supply up if you do that. Also, if you have supply issues, mothers need to know that they should immediately start pumping from day one, with a good breast pump. With me, the nurses told me I wasn't making enough milk so they comp fed ds formula. The lactation consultant told me it was a waste of money to buy a breast pump because my supply would come in, and when I asked for one in the hospital, they said they wouldn't provide it because I didn't need it. After a while with supply issues and having to comp feed after each b/f episode, a nurse who came to visit me at home told me I needed to start pumping immediatly. I started pumping as soon as I could, but because I had waited so long, it took 2 1/2 months of b/f, comp feeding formula, and pumping after every feed before my supply fully came in. I believe that if I didn't allow the nurses to comp feed ds formula and I kept him on my breast for however long it took him to be satisfied, and if I had pumped from day one, I wouldn't have had supply issues for as long as I did.

I think mothers also need to know that some problems can persist for a few months before they settle down. They need to know that things WILL get better with time (well, maybe not in EVERY case, but I'm sure it would be in the majority of the cases. correct me if I'm wrong, though) as long as they persist and stick with it for long enough. I have known so many mothers who gave up after a couple of weeks because of a certain problem, and I have also heard of how other mothers continued despite them having the same problem, and it got better after a month or two.

I also think mothers should be taught that it is possible they may not actually like b/f. Some people believe they will find b/f to be a loving, wonderful, bonding experince but when they actually do b/f, they do not enjoy it because they simply do not like the sensation of the baby sucking on their nipple.

Finally, I think mothers should be taught how to properly hold their baby while b/f. If you do not hold your baby properly, you can easily suffer from a bad back and neck. I used to get a bad back and neck because I would b/f by hunching over and look down at ds while he fed. The health nurse told me that I should use a pillow under him so I don't hunch over, and I shouldn't look at him the entire time I b/f. I should mainly look ahead and only occasionally glance down at him. Her advice helped quite a bit and my bad back and neck eventually went away.

Edited to add: I also think new mothers should be taught that if they do have problems b/f, it is quite possible they will receive 'advice' from people they know, telling them to give it up because it is too hard. I know most people are only trying to help the mother, but I think she should be aware that this is a possiblity so she can be better prepared for it if/when it happens.

And babies go through growth spirts, so there may be days when it feels like your baby is on your breast all day long. They need to understand that they are not doing anything wrong, and they are not suddenly having a supply issue, but the baby is going through a growth spirt and they simply need to feed a lot more often.

They also need to understand that some people simply cannot b/f for whatever reason and if she has to give up, this is no reason for her to feel like a failure.

- Laying down while BFing is lovely esp in those first few weeks when you are very tired and if you have stitches it's a nice way to take some of the pressure off them.

1. You dont have to be perfect.
Your not always going to get warm fuzzies when you feed.. quite often it will be toe curlign and damn annoying experience.. and thats ok. You dont have to have a perfect diet, a perfect sleepign pattern, and drink the recommended water everyday. Some days are crap and you eat chocolate, and maybe even have a bourban and coke.. and thats ok!
You dont have to time every feed, wiegh your boobs, feed from this side or that in a particular order... its great if your having issue to try these things.. but so long as it works.. thats ok!

2. Routines Suck!
Yeah... have an idea of what to expect at different ages/stage but you will find your own family 'rhythm'.

3. Sometiems breastfeeding is the easiest thing in the world.. but it still 'feels' hard. Its not the breastfeeding that is hard.. its everything else as well.. the nappies, the feeds, the whole role of mothering.

4. If I was in charge of doign up info for mothers for breastfeeding then I would include info for all the different stages. There is so much focus on newborns and getting it established but there is little out there for 3mths onwards. 3-6mth, 6-12mth, 12- 18mths, 18mths - weaning all present different challenges.. teething, introducing meals, resisting the breast, illnesses, changes in sleeping patterns. I tell ya, if those magazines that have the 'development' info actaully included info on breastfeedign during each of these development stages then I think a lot more people would understand some of the challenges of breastfeeding and the reasons people start to convert to formula during each of these stages. I truely belive that promotion needs to focus on continued breastfeeding.

I think the "football hold" is a wonderful way to learn to attach baby as you can see more clearly... (You hold baby under your arm like a football with their face looking towards you.) You can use a pillow for support.

Also if your nipples do crack you can buy nipple shields which take a bit of the pain away and let your nipples heal with the help of lansinoh.

And - Drink lots of water!!

That the first 2 weeks you feel like you have a baby attached to your breast every second of the day, but it does get better and isnt like that at all after a few weeks wehn you supply is going well.

Having to keep a "record" in the hospital of the feeds, how long, which side, what time etc was something that really threw me out. It put an idea into my head that somehow breastfeeding should be regimented, on a schedule. It was good to get rid of the chart after leaving hospital. The best thing for me was to realise that babies don't run to any kind of clock or timetable with feeding. Sometimes they'll be hungry again half an hour after their last feed. Other times it might be a couple of hours. Sometimes you'll only feed from one side, other times both. It's quite normal to be all over the shop, especially in the early days. They work out their own "routine" in time.

At times, you'll feel like you spend all day feeding.

It can be very tiring and draining.

It's lovely when they start patting your face or reaching out for you when you're feeding them.

According to the lactation consultant who helped me, your nipples reach a peak of sensitivity (caused by hormones) around the three week mark. That's why it hurts so much, for some. This gradually wanes and stops hurting after a while.

From my experience ;-

~ It is not easy to start

~ It hurts for a while as they latch on(OWW!!!Toe curling pain...count to 10)

~Get help from a lactation consultant. There are private ones, and ones in Public Hospitals

~ Realise it is going to be hard work for a while (I think it was 8 weeks for me)

~ The pain will go away (Trying to remember...About 8 weeks as well)

~Express after my morning feeds, and freeze so DH can feed baby overnight

~if you get grazed nipples, air them, or even a little sun.

~Do not feel guilty if you did not get the hang of it...Atleast you tried.But atleast try.

~It is free

~It is the best food for babies

~It is a beautiful experience as they look up at you, sigh whilst still feeding, and touch your cheek

~It is easily transportable

~No need for bottles/sterilising.

~Drink lots of water

~Experiment with positions (Football hold for me was the best)

~Expect to spend alot of time feeding in those first weeks (Feeding would initially take me 1 hour every three hours of so)

~ You will need breast pads for a while, but not forever. I found the cheap ones just as good as the $$ ones.

How utterly devastated, shattered, bitterly disappointed and heartbroken you will be if it doesn't work out. And the pain of not 'succeeding' will stay with you for years. Especially when you will need to justify formula feeding to family, friends, and random strangers who have the audacity to ask " why aren't you breastfeeding?" How it is sometimes easier to stay at home alone than go outside for a wlk, to the shops or visiting to avoid having to feed your baby in public with formula and deal with all the questions, comments and snide looks. And how it all comes to the surface every time you read posts about how great breastfeeding is and how every one should do it. I know that to be the truth and that is why I detest the fact I couldn't for my children.
And how there is NO support for you if you can't breastfeed and you are made to feel like a freak.

that it's not easy for everyone and sometimes it takes months of perserverence.
that often the advice you're given doesn't work for you so getting advice from various people is a good thing
that it really is worth trying harder than you thought you could / would to get it right

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

Drink plenty of water.

It's impossible to breastfeed angrily.

It is lovely to see all the positive ones here!

If you do breast feed when you are angry, the relaxing hormones released in the mother's body can actually be very calming and relaxing.

That a bowl of porridge for breakfast is an easy way to boost your supply.

That it's hard work, and that you really need to prepare yourself for the fact that it may not come naturally.

That it hurts sometimes, especially when you are in the early days. But if you persevere it will get better. The pain does go eventually.

That it can make you incredibly thirsty!

That it will seem like your baby is feeding a lot in those first few weeks. It's perfectly normal, just try to go with it. Don't look at the clock.

When you are feeling like you want to give up - just try taking it one feed at a time. Baby steps

Thanks ladies, personally I am finding this thread fanstasic and really what I feel I need/want for next time.

BUT I must say that you are all frightening me with the pain thing. Surely you are not all in major pain for 8 weeks!! No wonder some mums cannot bear to continue.
What ever happened to the old saying that if your in pain then he/she is not attached correctly? Are you telling me that the pain is there anyway? Wow, thats kinda scarey (to me).

I think this is a great idea as even though BF didn't work out for me and bub, I still learnt a fair bit from the threads here and sometimes pass that info on to other mums having probs.

There are 2 different types of pain. The pain because bubs isnt attached properly, and the general discomfort most women feel in the first couple of seconds of each feed for the first few weeks while your nipples adjust.

I wouldnt say the latter is major pain but I guess it depends on the individual's perception of pain IYKWIM. The discomfort is because your nipples are sensitive and not used to being sucked on so often and aggressively. It only lasts a few weeks until the skin toughens up.

I found it was mainly the first few seconds when she attached it stung like crazy until my nipples adjusted. After a few seconds it subsided and felt ok.

To get through it I would just grit my teeth and bare it, make whatever squeels necessary to get me through those few seconds LOL. Just keep reminding yourself that with every feed your nipples are getting more used to it, and one feed closer to when it wont hurt at all...

I guess it depends on your tolerance of pain. I had cracked nipples and all but I still wouldnt call it major pain. I would call child birth major pain.

If the pain is intense, or lasts longer than a few seconds, it is most likely because bubs isnt attached properly.

If attached properly it is more discomfort than pain I think.

FWIW, I had pain of varying intensity for a few weeks, more on the left than on the right, but nothing even remotely painful enough to make me reconsider breastfeeding. Sort of "ow ow ow" for the first 30 seconds and discomfort after that.

I should have mentioned in my original post that some babies are good at it, as well. My baby nursed within 15 minutes of birth, but I don't know if she's a good feeder because of that or if she could do that because she was going to be a good feeder.

Also, it is possible to breastfeed, talk on the mobile phone and surf the net on your laptop, all at the same time.

jess42more, in my experience, the pain was there only for the first 30 seconds of every feed then it passed for the remaining feed. I believe that is the 'toe-curling' pain most posts are alluding to. For me, bf stopped hurting at around 6wks. I had NO other problems though and it had nothing to do with attachment. I don't know why some people say that correct attachment = no pain

Every time your baby cries in the early days offer the breast as they are usually hungry above all else.

Learn to feed laying down so you can sleep at the same time.

Lactation Consultants are amazing.

Cluster feed in the evenings. I would spend from 5-7 in the evening feeding which meant he got the rich fatty hind milk that helped to make him sleep longer. So I also got more sleep which helped the supply.

If you are trying to get your baby to sleep a breast feed is the quickest and best way.

It hurts some and not others. My girlfriends were fine and had minimal soreness. I was not so lucky.

Even when you have fed and fed and fed your baby they might still be hungry so feed again, especially when they are going through growth spurts which can occur at any age.

Oh yeah don't introduce a bottle too early as they might not go back to the breast and if you need to comp use expressed breast milk not formula so that your supply doesn't dwindle.

And finally, just when you think you will never get the hang of it, it all starts to fall into place (for most not all) and it is the most exquisite feeling in the world to breast feed your bub.

What I have said to mums to be

1. It is a learned skill, so use the midwives experience whilst in hospital and the ABA after... even if it seems conflicting sometimes, perhaps it is because some things work for some people.

2. If you have found a routine, attatchment, anything that works, don't let peoples opinions give you doubts so you change a good thing.

3. Although correct attachement doesn't hurt in theory, our protected boobies have spent their lives cosseted in bras etc, getting them out (sometimes hourly) and having a hungry baby sucking does hurt initially... sometimes very badly, but they do adjust.

4. Take people up on offers to help, a newborn is tiring, regardless of how it is fed. If stuck for things to ask them to do, think of things like folding washing, cooking a meal (or even biscuits etc that you can offer guests), taking baby for a walk so you can rest etc.

5. Every time you offer a bottle of formula, your supply will drop unless you express an entire feed (which is much more tiring to do than breastfeeding). So well intentioned folk who offer you to rest and they will give baby a bottle if they wake are dooming your bf to failure. Suggest they could be more help changing baby after feed and taking it out for a walk.

6. Most importantly your baby will not starve if your milk doesn't come in by day 2 or 3 or even day 4. personally I think this is where many breastfeeding relationships are doomed to failure. Baby is hungry, granted, but putting them to breast more often helps the milk come in. Feeding them formula so they sleep for 6hrs puts your milk "coming in" back another day. Doesn't take long to figure that when baby wakes after that long sleep that finding still no milk in those boobie things will make baby frustrated and mummy exasperated. Another bottle given, another baby no longer breastfed.

JennyH

Try hardest to breastfeed, get help from a lactation consultant when your feel like you just can't manage.

If it's just not working for you both - don't beat yourself up - you gave it your best shot and both of you need to be happy.

Forgot to add my tip for new mums... dont wait until your nipples are already dry and cracked to start using nipple cream after each feed. Do it from word go!

Also try expressing a bit of milk onto the finger and rubbing it onto nipple, and let the nipples air dry. Works wonders for irritations in the early days of feeding.

I can't think of anything much to add that hasn't already been really well covered. I do want to say again that feeding frequently and for a long time does not mean you have a low supply. Siobhan fed every two hours for months and my supply is fine. I could never express very much and my supply is fine.

Many people will tell you to introduce formula to help the baby sleep through the night. I haven't tried it but I have read from others on EB that it does not necessarily help. Introducing formula can also be bad for your supply ultimately as breasts operate on supply and demand, they are not a storage medium.

It really is worth persisting if you can and getting help. It just becomes so much easier over time for most of us and it is, factually, better than formula.

Finally, breasts are primarily for feeding babies. Feeding your baby is not flaunting your breasts. Feeding your baby is not immodest. You shouldn't have to hide away, you shouldn't have to put a cloth over yourself, you don't need special cloths. Other people have the problem if they are offended, you and your baby don't.

I'd want to tell them, that it's not always hard work, that in fact, I find it easier than I think I would find preparing bottles, heating them, etc. That it's probably easier when half asleep at night to breastfeed than to prepare bottles, etc. You can go out with minimal baby 'stuff', just grab a couple of nappies and some travel wipes and you're good to go.

My number one tip for successful breastfeeding would be frequent feeding. feed whenever they cry in the early days, it's comfort for them as well as food, and they have such little stomachs. So when in doubt - feed. This will in turn mean less problems with blocked ducts, mastitis, etc.

Nipple shields! If the idea of another feed is unbearable because of the pain of cracked nipples, use a nipple shield (I found the Avent ones the best). I fed DD1 the entire 15 months with a nipple shield! This was due to her tongue tie and my inverted nipple - so that's another thing:

Most problems have a solution, so ask someone (eg ABA, that Kellymom site is good, or your midwives and health nurses)

Its not always easy, you can work it out and it will be worth it.

Have you support network set up before you give birth - join ABA and start going to your local group meetings if there is one in your area. This way when bub is born you can call someone you know to come and help you.

Learn as much as you can and take your breastfeeding books to hospital. Don't expect the hospital staff to be helpful (personal vent there lol), this was a huge shock for me.

If you do find yourself comping in the first days (because the hospital told you to etc), make sure you follow this up with expressing to help build your supply and get onto a lactation consultant or ABA counsellor for support and a plan to get past this stage.You can get past this but you need to be very careful.

Take the time to work out a comfortable feeding position, it took me about 2 week to get that right the first time.

that if you wait for a baby to open it's mouth wide open like they do in the books then it'll never get fed, it's easier if you put your forefinger above the areola and your middle finger below it, push your forefinger down and in abit so the nipple tips upwards and when the mouth is a bit open put the underside of the areola on bubs' bottom lip and push the rest in. (just had to try this 3 times with DS3 so I could write it properly)

If it hurts bubs hasn't latched on properly, break the seal and try again

If you have a sore back try feeding whilst lying on your side on the bed or couch

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.

Oh, on the pain issue.. I had no pain at all. It all happened very easily for me except for when a midwife tried to help. Sometimes you just need to sit back and relax and just 'let it happen'

Oh.. and when bubs get teeth and you stick your finger in their mouth to break suction so you can reclaim your nipple.. make sure you get the teeth open too... now that is pain!

I want to mention a bit about formular feeding as it's often seen as the easy fix when there are breastfeeding problems.

Formula doesn't solve all feeding issues. An unsettled BF baby can be just as unsettled on formular. It doesn't make babies sleep though the night. Bottle feeding is not easy. FF mums also have feeding issues and just like with breastfeeding worry if baby is getting to much/not enough feeds.

If your undecided about if you will give breastfeeding ago keep this in mind- If breast feeding doesn't work out you can switch to bottles but it's much much harder to go from bottle to breast.

Oh PP reminded me of another one I wanted to say...

Dont fall for the myth that if you give a breastfed baby a bottle of formula before he or she goes to bed it will make them sleep longer as is heavier in their stomach.

So many people told me this and I tried it. Load of crap!

That it's such a good feeling when you get it right. When you look down and see your gorgeous little baby feeding in the best and most natural way posible... and that YOU are doing it. It's worth persisting.

That just because you can only express say 50ml does not mean that your milk supply is terrible - expressing is nowhere near as effective as a baby suckling.

In my 12 months of breastfeeding both my kids, the most I ever expressed in one sitting was 70ml...

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.

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

I have a couple more

- Nipples stretch further than you think

- You are allowed to feel proud when it works

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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