how long did it take your baby to breastfeed?

Question

i hear some baby's don't get the hang of it straight away, i was just wondering how long it took people 2 breastfeed cuz i really wana breastfeed mine, but also don't want to think im a failure if she doesn't get it straight away or i just cant do it. kinda starting to panic about that one and im only 28 weeks!!

i wuld speak to my midwife about it, except its 1am, and i really dnt like her, and black tarry poo? oh im so glad her daddy will be changing nappies for the 1st few days...

ooo...i wondered why my nipples sore and very dry already! thought i was just being weird as usual...this cream u speak of, is it avaliable in the UK? just someone told me abt some product AGES ago, and i spend AGES trying to find it, only 2 figure out 3 weeks dwn the line dat its only availible in US! whoops...

Answer 1

Both of my babies nursed within an hour after birth. Although I was clueless, they both knew just exactly what to do.

I did not "prepare" my nipples with anything, nor did I ever have sore nipples at any point while nursing. Maybe they both just had a really good latch? I've heard that nursing should never hurt, so if it hurts you should contact a lactation consultant immediately to figure out if your baby isn't latched on correctly -- before it gets worse.

I highly recommend getting in contact with your local La Leche League group, if there is one in your area. One of the things that "saved" me was having on-hand a phone number of someone I could contact for free help 24 hours a day, if I had any trouble breastfeeding. Believe me, you don't want to be searching online or in your hospital paperwork for a phone number of anyone who can help you while your baby is screaming, if you ever encounter trouble. It's best to have the help in place long before a problem arises.

And don't feel bad if it doesn't seem second-nature or easy to you. At least here in the US, we were raised by a generation who used formula all the time, so we have little or no positive breastfeeding influences or role-models to help us and teach us, like people did long before formula was invented. Back when breastfeeding was the ONLY way to sustain an infant, women used to bond together to teach new mothers this life-sustaining skill (since back then the alternative was to let your baby starve!) Without a support network, any mother could and probably would feel lost and confused about breastfeeding. Chances are, your baby will know just what to do and he or she will be just fine. I'm sure you will be able to do it if you are willing and have the support to help you.

Feel free to email me any time with any questions about breastfeeding you might have. I'd love to help!

Good luck!

Answer 2

Most babies take to it right away, however, my first one didn't. The other three though...no problem. But don't panic. When the baby is born you will have time to work with her. There are lots of different positions to put that baby to nurse, so it's really up to that baby on that part, whatever is most comfy for her. I wouldn't stress out about it, you will do just fine. And if she doesn't nurse, you are NOT a failure. Some babies just don't take to it that's all. It has nothing to do with you. It depends on the baby how long it takes. SOme do it right away, some aren't wanting to eat right after birth. The nurses are really good about working with you too and have lots of helpful hints and little tricks. And good for you, nursing is SUCH a blessing and an awesome bond. You will thoroughly enjoy it. I will suggest, however, tht you start preparing your nipples if you haven't already. There is a cream called Lansinoh that will get them ready. You just apply it as it says in the directions and you can use it while nursing too, it's a hundred percent safe for that baby. I believe it's all natural. But that is totally up to you. It's not a must, it's optional for mothers. I used it because my nipples were sore and dry. ANyway, congrats on the baby. Good luck. If you have any questions, contact me at [e-mail]. I'll help any way I can. GOd Bless.

Answer 3

Sometimes it does take a little practice but it is instinctive for the child to want to nurse, the breast wouldn't fill with milk other wise if becomes a challenge you can always speak with a lactation consultant they are always in the hospital for woman who may need help with nursing and in my experience if they know your are nursing they will come and check in on you to make sure all is well.... I wouldn't worry about it too much it is a learning experience for both you and the baby I have never had any major problems with nursing and I nursed all 4 of my children until they were over a year old.... I will tell you that for the first 2 weeks there is tenderness and some soreness but on the 15th day the pain will be gone and if you put a cream like Lansinoh on after every feeding you won't suffer as bad... and just remember it really is the BEST thing for the baby she will be so much more healthy...

Answer 4

How long? 3 1/2 years. What about teeth? Teeth didn't change anything at first. She nipped me a couple times, but I stopped the nursing session, told her no biting, set her down and took a short break before nursing again. Once she bit me because I sneezed and scared the bejezus out of her, but that was totally my fault. When she was 14 months old, I did call in a lactation consultant because the teeth did eventually alter her latch and we needed to correct it. It was something to be dealt with but nothing worth quitting over. Did I stop? Eventually. ;) Too old to be breastfeeding? I don't think there's a single correct answer to that question. Somewhere between 2 and 5 years depending on the people on either end of the breast in question. I didn't start out thinking I'd go 3 1/2 years, I thought 2 years then take it as it comes. Then with each milestone I realized that breastfeeding means something different to a newborn than a 1 year old than a 2 year old than a 3 year old. For us, the timing was right. For others, it would have been too long.

Answer 5

Well, first up, good on you for wanting to try - it's definitely the best thing for your baby. My first baby was a month early and my milk didn't come in until he was three days old - I spent the whole time in tears because I felt such a failure that bar a little colostrum, I had nothing for him and he had to start with bottles. When my milk did come in though, we had no problem at all, and he latched on with no difficulty despite having been started off on bottles. I really though breastfeeding was ridiculously easy. However, with my second baby, I had plenty of milk, but my daughter had a terrible time getting the hang of it, and I found it quite painful - the fact that I'd fed her brother though made me perservere rather than give up, and after a couple of days, the pain went and she got the hang of things. My message in this is that it's worth trying and even if it's hard, give it a few days to see how you go, but if you can't breastfeed, you are not a failure, it just didn't work out for you. Although I firmly believe every woman should at least TRY to feed her baby, I think it's disgraceful the pressure women are under if it's just not working for them. It's hard enough having a new baby without a dose of emotional blackmail on top. Good luck, a wonderful phase of your life is about to start!

Answer 6

my babys breastfed straight away no problem but it isnt that easy for everybody my mum couldnt breastfeed wen i was a baby she just couldnt do it but i still turned out fine. they will help you breastfeed in the hospital if you need any help and if you cant do it dont worry powder milk is specially designed to be just as good as breastmilk now so either way your baby will be getting everything it needs. theres a good nipple cream u can get from boots what i used called lanolin nipple cream it was great really worked and u didnt have to wash it off before feeding your baby. also if you do decide to breastfeed a breast pump would be a good thing to invest in that way if it gets a bit much for u or u need to go out your partner or family or friend can feed the babay.
and dont worry about the black tarry poo it really is only for a couple of days and doesnt smell or anything breastfed babys have quite nice poo once the tarry stuff has gone though it smells quite sweet and milky and is soft and yellowy however bottle fed babys have a slightly firmer smellier poo dont worry about it though also if you do have a bit of trouble breastfeeding at first try stripping your baby down to its nappy and using skin to skin contact to help your baby latch on thats what the midwife suggested to a lady in the bed next to me when her baby wouldnt latch on ... im sure you will be just fine tho
good luck!

Answer 7

In the UK and its your first, the staff in maternity are a great help. My son was prem weight and so reluctant it took 4 days for us both to get the hang of it.
6 years later My daughter appeared to do it straight off as I had remembered all the advice from before, but I eventually ended up contacting A breast feeding support network and a volunteer was round my house within hours of me struggling to offer me the support I needed. You don't need to panic its not some natural ability you discover after giving birth, it all depends on mother and child, most of all ask for the help if you need it. And its such a wonderful bond between mother and child, I really loved feeding my babies. Talk to your midwife about whether there is a Breast Feeding Support Network in your area, if you have concerns contact them and talk them through.
Good Luck with the pregnancy.

Re the nipple creams, Boots have a good stock and I think even the supermarkets stock Damn, cant think how to spell it, Khamo.... God I hoard stuff! found it in the cabinet (after 4 yrs!) Kamillosan, its a chamomile ointment, it worked great for me, a friend recommended it shes had 5 kids and breast fed them all.
Hope that helps.

Answer 8

Both of mine nursed within an hour after birth. My second daughter was 4 weeks early and had to spend 10 days in the hospital. After I was released, I drove back and forth 3 times a day and spent the nights there just to continue nursing. I weaned her when she was 2 1/2, she will be 3 on Sunday. Just keep at it and make sure the nurses help you with latching on at first, you will both be pros in no time!

Answer 9

Don't panic about it, there is unlikely to be any reason you can't feed your little one!! True, it may be hard going the first few weeks, but if you are determined, prepared and patient it WILL happen. COntrary to popular belief, breastfeeding is not easy, it is a skilll that has to be learnt.

For the first 2 days while I was in hospital I had to have lots of help, as my daughter just couldn't seem to latch on correctly. But if you ask for help (don't let yourself get in a state like I did) before baby is too hungry, things will be a little easier - even though you might begin to think having other people grab your boobs is normal....

Arm yourself with details of your local La Leche League, make ccontact with them now and explain that you'd like to breastfeed but have concerns, they'd love to help. They are volunteers who do it for the love of it, and will be all encouraging that you're even thinking about it. There are several other organisations that could help, check out your local SureStart for a breastfeeding support group.

I had to allow plenty of time for feeding, and had to take a deep, calming breath before attempting to get her latched on for about the first 5-6 weeks, then all of a sudden, one feed, she got the hang of it and we'ver never looked back.

My main suggestion from experience is that there is plenty of support available, but you have to ASK for it cos it doesn't come knocking. Oh, and as to creams (from an earlier answer), I preferred Kamillosan (Boots or Mothercare), its not so thick and therefore easier to use.

Congratulations on your impending arrival, enjoy the peace of the next 12 weeks!!

Answer 10

With my 1st son it took about 1 1/2 months to REALLY get the hang of it. The nurses had taken him away right at birth so I didn't get to nurse him until he was hours old. I weaned him at 8 months.

With my 2nd son he was latched on within 30 seconds of being born and we had no problems and I nursed him for 14 1/2 months without a single bottle of formula.