breastfeeding advice

[babywelch88]

Im a ftm at 31wks and I really want to breastfeed. Any advice on little tips and tricks you've learned that have helped you produce enough milk? Or just any advice on breastfeeding at all would be helpful. I have no idea what im doing or what to expect. Thanks :)

[jojo_3141271614]

The one thing I never thought of was getting nipple cream and using it BEFORE baby is even born. Start applying it a week or two in advance, because they can get really raw, cracked, and sore.  Mine even bled. The best product I found was Lansinoh, in the purple tube. Buy lots and use it several times a day!

[kboss7]

At 3 weeks start giving baby a bottle (just 1 a day) of your pumped breast milk. Don't start this too early as the baby may start to reject the breast or start too late because then baby will refuse the bottle because they are too used to the breast. 3 weeks is best and also if possible have someone else do that feeding like your husband or family member. If you don't do this you will never be able to go anywhere. I didn't with my first and I could never leave her for more than 2 hours (even with my husband) because she would get hungry and refuse to eat. Again just use your pumped milk,  not formula.  Also, if you feel like you are not producing enough, do not give up!  Just feed baby and then pump for 10 to 15 minutes afterwards, your body will think that the baby is still sucking and needing food so it will start to produce more milk. And like the other women said, the first couple weeks are the hardest and your nipples may crack and hurt, Lanolin has a cream you can use and it works great to give you relief. The pain will pass and it only takes a few days! Good luck!

[Sophiajojo]

Yes I agree with Doris_D 1st three weeks are the toughest. The pain does go away I almost gave up and cried with the pain. Best thing is to distract yourself when feeding like read a book or watch tv when this happens. Get a breastfeeding cushion for baby to lay on while feeding this will help loads.  I breast fed till my daughter was almost 2 and she never suffers from infections etc..so worth it in the end.

[Isis1515]

My best advice is to take a class or get a book and read the heck out of it. There are many things you might not think of, like baby's belly should be against your belly. The more you know the greater your chances of success :)

Two things people seldom mention that helped me a lot:

Don't just learn about a good latch. Learn how to break a latch (hook your pinkie finger in baby's mouth) if you just tug you're asking for nipple damage.

Second, not too many people know this one. When a baby starts sucking really hard like they are desperate, then keep breaking the latch and shoving their hand in their mouth, they need to be burped. I almost have up breast feeding my first because I didn't know why he kept doing this. After they burp they will feed normal again.

[Doris_D]

The best advice I can give you is to not give up. The first 2-3 weeks are painful and tough, but if you get through those few weeks, the pain goes away completely and your baby will continue getting the best nutrients available! I breastfed my first child for 2 years. She's 7 years old now, and has been sick only 4 times in her life! I'm a huge supporter of breastfeeding! Good luck!

[Sophiajojo]

Dont give them a dummy for at least 4/6 weeks.  I did that and my daughter lost weight and my milk never came in. Everytime they cry at newborn you feed them full stop. Breastfeeding is not timed and you feed whenever they cry. The dummy/pacifier acts as a chewing gum...when their hungry and when they feed off you that will stimulate your milk. I got rid of the dummy and she gained weight and my milk came in. You know when they have had enough as they will fall asleep. Make sure you get a midwife to show you how to latch the baby onto your breast properly. This is key..as if they are not it can hurt like hell. Watch a youtube video anything that will show you. If your nipples get sore which they can anyway leave ypur own breastmilk to dry on them..or there is a great cream u can buy in a purple tube from mothercare...forgot the name of it sorry. When you breastfeed they dont need additional water as your breastmilk provides all that. Your breastmilk will change each week to your baby's changing needs its so amazing. If your breasts get hard when baby is born make sure you get he milk out as you can get mastitis which is when your breasts become engorged (milk ducts get blocked) and its a sign you may need to feed tour baby or at least express some milk out. You dont want to get that as it give you flu etc. I never got it as was aware...and alternate breasts with each feeding so you can avoid getting that.  Sorry for the overload of info...but it will help you hopefully wish I knew all this at first with my first goodluck :)