I want to breastfeed but have no idea where to begin ~ what do I purchase for at home, do I have to read about what to do, will the nurses show me? What is the first step towards breastfeeding?
Please help first time mother!!!
2007-11-13 11:53:30 · 9 answers · asked by K.C. 5 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Your nurse will show you what you need to do at the hospital. They will also make sure you are cofident enough with breast feeding before you leave the hospital. If you don't get the help you need from your nurse ask to see a lactation consultant. For at home I would buy some type of breast pump. For occasional use (leaving baby with a sitter once in a while) a manual pump will do. If you are planning on returning to work a hospital grade double electric pump is best. Or any pump in between based on your needs. You will most likely need a few nursing bras (much easier to nurse with than a regular bra), some breast pads (you will more than likely leak milk once you get your milk supply in), and I suggest some kind of medicated cream incase your breast become sore while learning the proper ways of breast feeding.
You could also ask your hospital or your doctor for brochures about breast feeding. Some hospitals even have a class you can attend to answer any questions about breast feeding.
2007-11-13 12:12:12 · answer #1 · answered by tIgErFaCe2002 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First things first, you have all the equipment you need. Just relax. Then look up the La Leche League website. You can also call your local health dept and ask if they have breastfeeding counselors. Most of them do. Also when you choose a pediatrician for your baby, let them know you are a first time mom who wants to breastfeed.
Now from personal experience...The first two weeks can be rough as your nipples get sore. The hospital should give you some lanolin cream. Use it everytime after you finnish nursing. Enjoy nursing time. Before you nurse, fix yourself a glass of juice or milk, and relax (this helps the milk flow better).
Nurse your baby as often as s/he wants. Some seem to nurse more often. You will know that s/he is getting enough if s/he is wetting 6 to 8 diapers a day (or more) and gaining weight.
Good luck, nursing is a wonderful experience.
2007-11-13 20:03:58 · answer #2 · answered by Willow 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Start reading now:
go to www.kellymom.com
www.askdrsears.com
After your baby is born, place your baby to your breast and latch your baby on. The baby will know what to do.
Do not supplement with formula- give any formula you receive away. Do not give a bottle until your baby is at least 5 weeks old. This allows for 1. breastmilk supply and 2. no nipple confusion. You may still have issues but after 5 weeks with both of mine I didn't.
Understand that for the first 6 weeks, all you will feel you do is nurse. This is NORMAL. Baby is doing a lot of growing.
For now, go braless when you are at home to toughen up your nipples some before you begin.
The first step is educating yourself. It's not hard, but there is a lot of misconceptions and untruths you will hear. When in doubt- call up Y Answers- and I am sure someone will be here to help you.
Make sure you use the lactation consultants at the hospital. They are wonderful and they are there for you!
Finally, congrats and enjoy your baby!
Edited:
Are you going to go back to work?
If so, you'll need a good pump. I have an Ameda pump.
www.Amedababy.com
It's wonderful and she went through the first year without formula and I am working full-time.
Good luck!
2007-11-13 20:00:54 · answer #3 · answered by NY_Attitude 6 · 6⤊ 0⤋
Do not count on "Your nurse will show you what you need to do at the hospital." A tonne of the breastfeeding problems I see on here come from people who got bad advice from hospital nurses. And, re. "You could also ask your hospital or your doctor for brochures about breast feeding" -- probably not so great an idea either. A lot of doctors and hospitals get their breastfeeding information as a "free service" from the formula companies. It is NOT reliable.
I went so far as to put that I "did not require advice on breastfeeding at this time" on my birth plan. That did not stop a nurse from barking "Don't let her nurse for comfort -- you'll get sore nipples!" at me. This after the nurse had noted my baby's great latch. (Great latch = no sore nipples. She can nurse all she likes...)
Doctors and nurses are not the first place I'd turn for breastfeeding info or help. You might want to stash away numbers for a local La Leche League group or lactation consultant (if there's a serious problem, go with a certified one and not a nurse with a half hour of extra training) just in case.
I have had zero pain, zero hassle, breastfeeding. I did not do anything to prepare for it save read a fair bit.
I cannot say enough good things about Dr Jack Newman's book. "The Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers" in the US; the Canadian title (he is a Canadian paediatrician who runs a breastfeeding clinic) is "Dr Jack Newman's Guide to Breastfeeding." It puts to rest a lot of misconceptions. It's also an interesting read, too.
Somebody suggested you get rid of any formula you're given. I heartily agree. Google "risks of infant formula" -- the stuff is junk.
http://drjacknewman.com/ and http://kellymom.com/ are completely reliable.
La Leche League, http://llli.org/ (see also their book, "The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding") is good, but I don't find their stuff as useful as I do Newman's and kellymom.com's.
For the first steps --
"Breastfeeding—Starting Out Right"
http://www.drjacknewman.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=71&Itemid=99
Educate yourself as much as you can, and then just relax. A healthy baby will teach you more than a book can. I found nursing simple, easy, and pleasant. I cannot imagine messing with bottles!
2007-11-13 20:26:01 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
the nurses at the hospital should help but be sure to ask get your hads on all kinds of books and know that you will be a least a little sore for the first week go to Kellymom.com that is informative babies are funny they want to eat and suck but the do not know how to "latch on" be careful to listen to the nurses and know some babies are easier than others to nurse...you will be the one to feed the baby and it will eat once every hour you will get tired and you wll need support if at all possible....the first few weeks rest as often as you can sleep when the baby does. eat well and you will have a healthy baby drink tons of water so you r supply stays up to baby demands....good choice not always easy but worthwhile. you will loose weight too be sure to eat well though that helps too.
2007-11-13 20:30:06 · answer #5 · answered by just duky 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have all the equipment you need until you want to leave your baby for a few hours, then you'll need a breast pump. All you really need to do is continue eating well and taking your vitamins. This site is really good and there is very little need to buy a book on the subject.
http://www.breastfeedingonline.com/
One thing though - It can be difficult in the beginning. My baby was tongue-tied and had latching issues. It took almost 8 weeks for us to get it down "right". It really hurt in the beginning. Hang in there though. It was really worth it. (But if you can't don't feel bad, just do what is right for you and the baby)
Good luck!
2007-11-13 20:05:54 · answer #6 · answered by pureevilpopstar 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well a breast pump always comes in handy as does nipple cream as nipples can become sore and cracked. nipple shields are ok but midwifes advise not to use them (only use them if your nipples are real sore and need time to heal) the nurses should show you after having your baby and should latch him/her on pretty much straight after birth. skin to skin contact can help with breastfeeding oh and always have a drink (glass of water or milk) with you as it can be very thirsty work. reading about it can help as the diagrams give you a rough idea on what to do. All the best!
2007-11-13 20:04:54 · answer #7 · answered by Natz 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The hospital will have a lactation consultant come into your room when you have the baby. They will help you get started. For home, get disposible breast pads for leaks, Lanisoh (SP) cream for your nipples, and a boppy pillow. I had all these things and then wasn't able to breast feed because my son was on a feeding tube due to being a preemie so I had to pump for him. Get a good breast pump too so after the first few weeks your partner can give the baby bottles too.
2007-11-13 20:02:32 · answer #8 · answered by Ryan's mom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The nurses will show you how to do it and most hospitals will give you a free hour with a lactation consaltant. you will need nursing pads for sure and a pump is always good but its its cheaper to rent one from the hospital than to buy one. breat feeding is a great thing but its verry hard it will hurt and you will feel like thats all you do. i wish you the best of luck and if anything stick with it it gets easier.
2007-11-13 20:01:45 · answer #9 · answered by Andrea B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋