I am 20 weeks pregnant with my first child. It's a GIRL!! :) Anyway, I am going to breastfeed, and I was just wondering if you ladies just "knew" how to do it and did it without any troubles, or if you needed a lactation consultant. Did you have problems at first with getting the baby to latch on?
I'm wondering if I will need help or if it's a pretty natural thing for a mother to just "know" what to do.
TIA :) ↓
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| Name: Dana | Date: Mar 3rd, 2006 11:26 PM |
| For me reading alot of books helped- but many people I know have gotten help at LaLecheLeague- I joined just last month and they are wonderful. There should be one in your area. Not only do you get the support of LLL leaders, but at meetings there are other mamas who have been there done that willing to help! ↑ |
| Name: sonia | Date: Mar 4th, 2006 1:26 AM |
| Name: cheryl | Date: Mar 4th, 2006 10:05 AM |
| the hospital i delivered had a class you could take before giving birth kinda like the birthing class but for breastfeeding. i didn't go to it but a friend of mine did. you may want to check and see if your hospital has one. i got help from the nurses on the ob floor and a lactation consultant came and visited us before our departure to check to see if i had any probles or concerns. My hospital also has a breastfeeding support group that meets 2 times per week. where you can go anytime to speak with the lactation consultants. i went to that a few times and their were ladies in there with their 1 year olds that still had some questions. ↑ |
| Name: Fiona | Date: Mar 5th, 2006 8:17 AM |
Jackie - I'd look for some classes before you have your baby. I wish that I had as I think I'd have been more successful in my breastfeeding attempts. It isn't as easy as just plugging the baby in - giving it a feed then that's it. I didn't find the latching on part too much of a problem, although it does take you and the baby practise to get the technique right.
The part that I found the most difficult was the frequency of feeds. I used to sit for ages with my son - giving him one boob then the other, but he never seemed satisfied and wanted to be feeding constantly. I made the mistake of giving him some formula just to keep him going as I felt that he was so hungry he needed it, but I should have just persevered with the breast. The more you breastfeed the more milk is produced so giving formula isn't the answer.
Also, the lactation hormone, Prolactin, is produced in the most quantities during the night, so my son wanted to feed a lot then -I didn't know about this and became very tired and couldn't keep it up so I just gave bottles just so I could get some sleep. It didn't help much not having any family or friends who could babysit for a couple of hours during the day so I could get some sleep either. I became exhausted and just switched to formula after a few weeks. I'm glad that I tried, but looking back, I wish that I'd gone to the classes at the local hospital whilst I was pregnant just so I knew what to expect.
Breastfeeding is definately better than formula and really makes you feel close to your baby, but it does take effort and stamina. Make sure you eat and drink properly and rest inbetween feeds. I think the first few weeks are the hardest as they seem so hungry, but after that everyone says that it gets much easier. At least you haven't got any other kids to look after, so you're not going to be running around caring for them too.
Contact the La Leche League and take a look at breastfeedng internet sites to gather as much info. as possible before you have your baby. Good Luck - breastfeeding takes effort, but it's very enjoyable and much better for babies. ↑ |
| Name: heather | Date: Mar 5th, 2006 10:06 PM |
| with me, after i had the baby, the nurses took him to bathe him and such and then they brought him back to nurse...most nurses in most hospitals are taught to know how to teach breastfeeding...i had to of the nurses help me. the breastfeeding consultant saw me in the morning and helped me also. maybe they will just pop up when your there. i didnt really see anyone and plan on asking, i was just going to try, never really thought about it though but im SOO happy they did. ↑ |
| Name: Jackie | Date: Mar 6th, 2006 12:41 PM |
Thank you all for your replies!!! I have heard wonderful things about LLL. I am hoping for a birthing center, but if not I will most definetly check into the hospital classes!!
I know it's going to be hard work, but I'm so determined to do this. I see how healthy my nephew and niece are and how they were so "satisfied" after being bf compared to ff. :)
I'm gonna try real hard to keep the first couple of months just "me and baby" but I have a 2yr old nephew and by the time I birth, I'll have an 8mth old neice. I watch them every now and then to help out my SIL.
Can't wait to start bfing my little one. I'm REALLY excited about it!! Thanks again :) ↑ |
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