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Danash 
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Location: Melbourne
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 Topic: Breast feeding question....
Posted: 29 November 2007 at 9:03pm |
Funnily the thought of labor isn't stressing me but breastfeeding is. I really want to do it, my Mum didn't with all five of us kids because she had so many problems and my sis didn't for the same reason. But I really want to. Lots of the forums girls are leaking early and prior to birth. Does this mean their milk comes in sooner? If you don't leak prior does it take longer for the milk to come in? My sis said she wasn't very educated on the topic and thinks maybe she gave in to easily. Her milk didn't come in for 4 days and she was so stressed about it she only did it while in hosptial and when she got home stopped...
What happens with bub if your milk takes a while to come in?
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Mazzy
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Posted: 29 November 2007 at 9:14pm |
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My milk took four days or so to come in, and while DH got a bit dry during that time, our midwife gave us lots of help and advice, like hand expressing what I could into a shot glass and putting a bit of cooled boiled water in with it and tipping it into DD's mouth from the glass or with a teaspoon. You will have colostrum during that time, and some milk. I never leaked before birth and ended up with an oversupply of milk when it came in.
Our midwife also gave me heaps of reading material, which I found great as I'm big reader and learn well that way. One book I found really helpful was by Amy Spangler, called 'Breastfeeding, A Parent's Guide'. I couldn't find my own copy in NZ so bought a second hand one off Amazon fairly cheap.
Maybe if you're worried about it you could contact a La Leche League group in your area now, I'm sure they would be able to give you lots of information and having that contact established before baby arrives would be great for support once you start breastfeeding. Also talk to your midwife and make sure she knows your concerns so that she gives you lots of support after the birth.
Breastfeeding is hard work, it takes perserverance, but once you get it sorted it's worth all the effort. Good luck!
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Mum to two gorgeous girls!
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Kellz
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Posted: 29 November 2007 at 9:17pm |
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I didnt have any sort of leakage prior to giving birth. I was worried about being able to bf too, and made the decision that I would stay in hospital to get all the help I needed with it, after the birth.
Im so glad I did, the midwifes were really good. I called them in everytime I was gonna feed Isla so they could help,...then once I got the hang of it, just to watch to make sure all was ok. Nothing like having people their with you to ask 24 hrs a day!
I talked to my midwife lots abouut it beforehnad, and there are some good books you can read. Parent centre also have videos, which you can borrow,..really worthwhile to watch them before bubs is born. You won have time for reading once bubs is here!
Ask your midwife about a good nipple cream, I used lanoish. I never had cracked nipples, but used it as a preventative anyway.
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Mama2two
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Posted: 29 November 2007 at 9:17pm |
Your baby sucking is what brings the milk in. Basically you just let them camp out on your breast until it comes. Don't worry though because the colostrum that you produce is plenty to start with. To give you an example, your babies stomach when it is born is about the size of a small marble.
Oh, and leaking before the birth doesn't mean you will or won't have problems b/feeding. I know people that never leaked and have breast feed just as sucessfully as I have and I leaked from around 20 weeks pregnant.
And if worst comes to worst and you can't b/feed for some reason then so long as your baby is eating and happy it doesn't even matter!! 
My advice is don't worry too much now. It is something that both you and your baby have to learn, and I won't lie and tell you it is easy because it isn't. It takes alot of practise and I can't tell you how many times I had to take a deep breath and start again with Samantha before she would latch on properly. I can tell you that if you are determined to make it work there is a good chance you will. 
Edited by Mum2Sam
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FionaS
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Posted: 29 November 2007 at 9:20pm |
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Hugs! I was really really scared about breastfeeding too. I didn't leak at all before I had Elle but everything went smoothly once she arrived. My friends milk took a good 2 weeks to come in so her babies (twins!) received formula but she persevered and is now almost fully breastfeeding.
The family centres are excellent too so if you feel you need support after you go home from the hospital I'd recommend contacting them.
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Mummy to Gabrielle and Ashley
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Mazzy
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Posted: 29 November 2007 at 9:23pm |
 Mum2Sam wrote:
And if worst comes to worst and you can't b/feed for some reason then so long as your baby is eating and happy it doesn't even matter!!
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Was just coming back in to add this - well said Mum2Sam!
Also remembered that the hospital had a breastfeeding video that I could request to watch while staying on the ward after DD was born. I imagine most birth centres will have one as well. They just wheeled in a TV and VCR to my bed and I watched it before going home. Made much more sense and was a good reminder once DD was born!
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emz
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Posted: 29 November 2007 at 9:28pm |
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Apparently most places that run AN classes know where you can do breastfeeding classes (before bubs is born) - wish I'd known about that before now as there's none left for the year.
Our AN lady summed it up nicely the other night, 'it's the easiest thing to do, but one of the hardest things to learn'. Just remember that babies are born with the natural tendency to go towards the breast so at least that's one less thing to worry about.
Most hospitals and birthing centres have lactation consultants available to you and the La Leche League is apparently very helpful. Good luck!
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Danash
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Posted: 29 November 2007 at 9:37pm |
Thanks everyone - looks like I have a bit more homework to do. I haven't even mentioned my concerns to my MW yet. Next appointment I will! Stupidly it hadn't even crossed my mind to mention it to her.
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Mama2two
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Posted: 29 November 2007 at 9:45pm |
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I'm sure your m/w will be able to help you out. I missed the b/feeding class at my AN group but my midwife and I sat down with dolls (yes I did feel like a complete idiot!) and she showed me the basic techniques and how to hold etc.
I also got my m/w to double check my postition etc for the first few days after I went home just to make sure I was doing it right. I used to mutter a mantra under my breath before latching 'tummy to tummy, nose to nipple....' hehehe.
Plus the first few times you can get nurses or m/wives to help you until you have the hang of it, so don't worry there is support out there for you when you need it!
Edited by Mum2Sam
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peanut butter
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Posted: 29 November 2007 at 9:52pm |
I went in with stubborn blind determination that I would do it. And I did! It never entered my mind that I couldnt. Apparently 98% of women CAN breastfeed. I think a lot fall down through lack of knowledge and more importantly lack of support.
As the others said. Ask for help and get as much as you can. It is definately not the easiest thing in the world but once it works, it is lovely. It took a good 6 weeks of feeling like I was going ok before I was really going ok. 
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Bizzy
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Posted: 29 November 2007 at 10:09pm |
i havent read any of the replies but wanted to say milk doesnt come in immed and can take a while depending on lots of diff things, it may take longer for example if you have a caesar... the baby itself will bring the milk in by suckling and that also helps get your uterus back to where it should be...
I never leaked with my pregnancies but never had any problems with supply etc...
Talking to your mw before is good and reading up and arming yourself with as much info as poss, so good on you for bringing it up here ...
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ShellandBella
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Posted: 30 November 2007 at 8:00am |
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My milk came in after 48 hours!! But Bella did nothing but feed, feed, feed in the first day, so it was the suckling that did it...and I had a caesar...didn't seem to make much difference with me.
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Mum2ET
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Posted: 30 November 2007 at 8:16am |
I didn't leak prior to giving birth and we had no problems breastfeeding- it's amazing how the baby knows exactly what to do. My milk came in 48 hrs afterwards and it seemed like Ella was attached to me 24/7.
Good luck with everything
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Ella (5) and Tom (2)
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peachy
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Posted: 30 November 2007 at 8:43am |
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I struggled for two weeks after birth, Lauren wouldn't latch, I was majorly stressed about it, but I was determined for it not to get the better of me. Now nearly 6 weeks on, every day gets better and better and I would have to say it is the easiest thing ever, but I it was blimmin hard work (and lots and lots of tears from both Lauren and I) learning how to do it!
While I was struggling to b/f, I still ensured Lauren tried to latch on at every feed, but 99% of the time she wouldn't, so I hired a double breast pump and expressed every feed after trying to get her to latch and gave it to Lauren in a bottle. One day I tried her with the latching and it all fell together and we have been going great since that day! I don't even know what made it happen, it just did! It was like something in both our brains just went "click" and I was gobsmacked!
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Bobbie
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Posted: 30 November 2007 at 8:44am |
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I'm leaking now but I think the colostrum doesn't have a bearing on when your milk actually comes in.
I don't know whether it's the same across Auckland but I went to a BF class at North Shore Hospital a couple of weeks ago - they're 2 hours in the evening and they're free.I think there's one more coming up in the next few weeks for them so it would pay to check at the hospital you're in the area for.
Also someone posted a link to a video in this forum a while back which showed how to BF and how to hold baby etc and it probably summed up about 50% of what we learned in the hospital BF class. I'll see if I can find it and bump it up for you.
*edit* Bumped - it's the one called Newborn's stomach size
Edited by Bobbie
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MummyFreckle
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Posted: 30 November 2007 at 9:18am |
I think its important to not put too much pressure on yourself. Remember that you have to learn to b/f and if you have problems there are normally solutions! The most important thing is not to get stressed about it (my personal experience was pretty stressful and the more I got stressed the harder it was and the more stressed baby became!) The best advise that I would give is "Ask for help if you need it". Dont be ashamed or embarrased or feel guilty....there is lots of help available if you need it. I think more importantly dont beat yourself up for the choices that you make. If you need to formula feed your baby then its your choice. Doing the right for baby and mummy is the best approach...whatever that may be!
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Nic01
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Posted: 30 November 2007 at 9:34am |
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I never leaked when I was pregnant & my milk didn't come in until about 3 or 4 days after birth, but I never had any problems with breastfeeding. I guess I was lucky in that I found it easy & had no problems getting Matt to latch. I think the fact I was pretty relaxed about it & just kind of assumed I'd be able to do it might have helped too??
You're going to birthcare aren't you? I found the midwives there pretty helpful with regards to helping you establish breastfeeding. They would come if you asked them to & sit there with you & spend time showing you how to latch properly etc. I think they also have lactation consultants there too & I'm pretty sure they run a preparation for breastfeeding class you can go to before the birth as well.
So yeah I guess like everyone else has said it's a learning curve & the best thing to do is to ask for help if you need it.
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MonicaMouse
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Posted: 30 November 2007 at 11:47am |
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There has been some really good stuff posted here.
One thing I was reminded about early on was that whilst it is suppose to be natural, it is something that you learn how to do.
I got a bit down when it seemed like all Blair wanted to do was feed at night, I was wondering if he was actually getting anything at all. A couple of things I read and was re-enforced by my MW really made be feel better - Breast Milk is lower in fat during the evening, so baby may want to feed more. If its warm, likewise, and during those growthspurts, so don't be discouraged with cluster feeding.
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Blair 15/10/2007
Daniel 30/07/2009
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Danash
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Posted: 30 November 2007 at 4:13pm |
Thanks Bobbie, I had read that link but never watched the vid. It really seems so emotioanlly bonding makes you feel all warm and fuzzy watching it. Which is why I really want to do it..... I am going to birthcare Nic so I will investigate the classes you mentioned. I did need all this feed back, Mum and sis never have much to say on the topic because of their experiences. I'm fairly laid back I think and stubborn as a bull so I'm determined to get it right eventually.
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Breast feeding question....
