im 31 weeks pregnant and have always planned on breastfeeding. i've been reading a few articles and im getting a little scared. it seems really complicated and painful. i'm reading different things from different books and websites and im getting confused. what should i do to make sure im successful at breastfeeding?
2007-10-02 20:58:05 · 6 answers · asked by omama 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
just as others have said, breastfeeding is something you and your baby will learn together, its not something that most women will just pick up in a day or two.
Make sure you have a mindset of persistence as this is the key to getting breastfeeding established.
There is usually some pain involved in the beginning because your nipples will not be used to all the nursing. You can try and rub your nipples twice a day with a natural product to get them used to the feeding. After a shower is a good time. With my second I used 'Lasinoh' cream which is a 100% natural lanolin product and you can use this during breastfeeding also. Its great to heal any cracks or blisters and is safe for baby also. Start doing this from now on to help condition them. (i wish I had known this the first time!)
Contact your nearest breastfeeding association or le leche or a lactation consultant for advice and coaching too. I had a lactation consulation when my first was 3 days old and she had me feeding her well within the next 3 days. And 1 week later all the pain had gone and it felt like we'd been doing it forever! I had blisters, cracks and mastitis because of poor attachment at first, but with persistence and gritted teeth we got through it and breastfed successfully for 8 mths. I nearly threw in the towel after a few days but kept at it like she suggested.
Second time worked like a dream all because of what I had learnt from my lactation consultant the first time.
Make sure to consult with the midwives on duty at the hospital when you are feeding too as they can tell you if you are latching properly which makes ALL the difference when it comes to the pain (if theres pain bubs isn't on properly)!
Make sure to drink plenty of water as well, as dehydration can affect your supply (2lts a day) and eat lots of healthy food to make sure your milk is of the best quality. Avoid smoking but a glass or two of wine/spirit every now and then is not going to harm you or bubs or your milk. My nurse told me that if you can have one drink and still drive then you can breastfeed too.
Breast feeding is the most special thing for you and your baby and it may be hard at first but if you persist you will have it down pat in a week or two and then its smooth sailing!
There really isn't a lot you can do before hand except think positive that it will work and rub those nipples, lol!!!
~best of luck~
2007-10-02 23:00:09 · answer #1 · answered by Cindy; mum to 3 monkeys! 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's really not all that complicated. The first weeks can be painful but that quickly subsides and then it's totally pain free.
The best advice I can give you would be to have support. Start going to La Leche League meeting while pregnant. Then if you run into problem contact a consultant... they're great.
Also, KEY things to remember. Do NOT give your baby a bottle or pacifier for at least the first 3 weeks of breastfeeding. This can cause nipple confusion and make your life He!!. Your baby will find it easier to suck on those nipples and will get frustrated at the breast. Also, pumping can interfere with your supply.
Nurse baby on demand. Breastfeed often. Whenever baby shows signs of wanting to suckle. Put baby to the breast within the first 30 minutes after birth.... ideally the first 0-10.
And don't give up. The first month can be tough but if you stick it out it gets to be a beautiful bonding experience! And it's so good for you BOTH.
All the best!
2007-10-03 04:59:42 · answer #2 · answered by Haulie 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
More than likely there is going to be some pain from this, after all breastfeeding makes your uterus contract back to normal quicker, but think of it as a good pain that is giving your little life a helping hand, more protection against some of the diseases out there.
Just try to get yourself in a comfortable position when nursing to ease some of the pain, I either had a pillow under her or I laid side by side with her and had a pillow behind her, which worked better for me, ( I have a bad back), and don't get dicouraged it may take a while for you to adjust but you'll get there, it is also the best bonding time, there is nobody else around you that will be able to do it.
2007-10-03 04:48:43 · answer #3 · answered by holap 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
breastfeeding takes a while to learn. Its not something you can learn over night. Attend a few la leche meetings. Talk with friends and family members who breastfeed. See if the hospital you are planning on giving birth at has a lactation consultant on staff, most do. The lactation consultant will be able to answer any questions you may have more thoroughly than most.
My suggestion is to relax, breastfeeding is a learning process for both you and baby. If your stressed or worried your baby can sense that.
I have a Boppy pillow that i absolutely love. It helps a lot with supporting my son while he is nursing.
Good Luck and Congrats on your baby!
2007-10-03 04:17:54 · answer #4 · answered by llllll_amanda_lllllll 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
here is a good website to get info from www.kellymom.com I just advise you to please, please, do as you say you are and research as much as you can about breastfeeding before you have your baby. (all about correct latch, etc) so you will be armed with the info beforehand to try and be ready for anything that may come up. yes, it will hurt at first, but it will get better.
i wish i had known as much as i know now before i had my baby. ive had a lot of problems because i listened to the nurses and lacation consultants at the hospital who i believe really steered me wrong! not saying it will be l ike that for you, but just be well informed, and be careful. WHATEVER YOU DO do NOT accept a nipple shield from anyone. this was my biggest mistake, i was given one for pain at the hospital, and it has totally messed up my breastfeeding. my baby used to latch directly on me, now she will not w/out the shield and i am having ahorrible time trying to wean her of it. it is, i am pretty sure, causing my supply to be low, ,or at least causing my baby not to be able to get enough through the shield and becasue of really poor weight gain/weight loss, ive had to start supplementing with formula, something i never ever wanted to do.
it is a learning process, and it may be hard in the beginning, but just stick with it! it is so worth it for your baby. and good for you for wanting to do this for your baby, and looking more into it beforehand! good luck to you!
the answer above me makes some very good points too. as she said i would definitely contact a local la leche league. they are very helpful, breastfeeding is their thing. they will even send someone right to your house to help you if your baby is having difficulting latching, or is latching wrong. i would recommend them over a lacatation consultant. they are experienced breastfeeding moms, i dont think lactation consultants necessarily are.
2007-10-03 05:06:50 · answer #5 · answered by kiss my evie 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes u can do some efforts for breastfeeding, u can wash nipples with little warm water, make it clean by washing regularly. shape up ur nipples for sucking by holding in fingers, it makes easy to suck for baby. hope this helps u, happy pregnancy
2007-10-03 08:29:49 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋