How did your first breastfeeding experience turn out? Ive had 2 other children, but didnt breastfeed them...?

Question

I am going to with this one, only 7 weeks til my due date, im scared and excited for this experience. But i would like to know how all the other mothers who breastfeed, how easy or hard was it for you, any advice that you can give me.

Answer 1

Make sure you have the information and support you need to succeed!

With my first, I did develop a small blister the first day. I saw the Lactation Consultant in the hospital and she showed me that he was sucking in his lower lip. I used Lansinoh on my nipples and watched his latch. All went pretty well after that.

Read "The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding" by La Leche League and/or "So THAT'S What They're For" by Janet Tamero. (SP?)

Get to some La Leche League meetings if you can. The Leader will come visit you and help you for FREE if you need her once the baby is here.

Check out the links below for lots of good breastfeeding info.

Answer 2

I had a very difficult time breastfeeding with my first and ended up supplementing and then pumping for a few weeks to make sure she got at least some of my milk. I am pregnant with my 2nd now and plan to try again to breastfeed as I know this is why my daughter hardly ever got sick and has absolutely no food allergies. Some people have no trouble at all breastfeeding, unfortunately I was not one of them. It was painful for me and I got frustrated all the time, but as I said, I am going to try again. A lot of hospitals offer breastfeeding classes just as mine does and I plan on taking one closer to my due date (only 24 weeks now) for as much help as I can get! It might be worth at least checking into so you will be better prepared when the time comes!

Answer 3

It was pretty easy. If you have time, go to your local library and get some books on breastfeeding. There's a really great one called the Womanly Art of Breastfeeding. Having the basic skills in your head will make it alot easier.
Honestly I never had any problems with breastfeeding. My son was an excellent latcher and my nipples never hurt or anything.

Answer 4

My first experience was veyr bad, only because the doctor who delivered my son had broken his collar bone and neglected to tell me about it. I found out 3 weeks later. Even the pediatrician missed this major problem. We all thought he was lactose intolerant because he would constantly cry and projectile vomit. Turns out, we're morons and had no idea he was in so much pain that his poor tummy was getting nauseated and he was vomitting. He was not able to breasfeed because any time I picked him up or turned him into ANY position, it would be overwhelming pain and all he could do was cry.

My second baby went very well, however I had to give him cereal with his milk even at 1 week old. He was born 9lbs and 9oz and had a very large appitite for which I just couldn't keep up with. So I'd combine cereal with my milk and he was happy, fat and healthy.

My third was very successful, as I already knew to combine cereal with milk for her. She was born 9lbs and 14oz. So she ate even more. LOL! I breast feed my second, third and fourth till they were a year, and then I stopped.

I only got one infection (mastitis aka blocked milk duct) and I was able to clear it up with some antibiotics and warm showers. I rarely ever experience cracked nipples, but when I did .. I used pure lanolin. And only once, I got the ever annoying "thrush". The doctor prescribed me some heavy sticky syruppy type medication to apply to my nipple and to the babies mouth. It cleared up in two days.

Otherwise, after the first month of getting the hang of things, it was very easy and of course, just first nature (not second nature, because we ARE the first in natural forumal for babies).

Answer 5

I breastfed my two. With my first, I was worried about everything. Did she get enough, etc. for a bit. It is such a good thing. I never had to heat a bottle of formula. I knew that she got all my immunity with the colostrum. I could easily wake up and feed the baby with little hassle in the middle of the night. It is such a special bonding experience. Good luck!

Answer 6

Under the advice of my mother-in-law, I "toughened" my nipples. (While early in the pregnancy) my husband also had a good time helping me prep them when we showered together. ;)

The breastfeeding was nothing and in fact, my daughter weaned herself when she was 7 months old.

The toughest part was getting my eldest son to latch on (he hardly has any lips). My youngest didn't nurse as long as the older two did.

Good luck.

Answer 7

I am a very nervous person and found it akward to nurse around ppl. It lasted about 2 weeks. I didn't drink enough water and my husband didn't know how to support me, like telling guests to stay back and bring me food and water. Remember it takkes 2 people to nurse and remember to relax and not worry. Get support from people you feel comfortable with. It's a wonderful experience but it take patience. Good luck

Answer 8

Advice: Make sure they checked your baby for being tongue tied in the nursery. I nursed a tongue tied baby for 6 months and it was horrible. I had to supplement with formula after every meal. I quit nursing at 6mo. and at 7 mo we found out he was tongue tied. I think it would have been easier could he have sucked properly. Good Luck. Breast milk is best but don't let yourself get too overwhelmed. Formula is good too, if it wasn't they wouldn't sell it.

Answer 9

latching on was hard for me my first child 6 weeks tops and my second child was a boobies baby like his daddy and did gr8 for 17 months and then my little gurl I nursed for 9 months and the rest of the time she was on Similac Isomil Advance w/ Lipils because I was not satisfying her hunger. but it is so worth it.

Answer 10

Good on you for giving it a go.
I really wish I could have breastfed my kids, I tried so hard, but having inverted nipples meant it was a no go