Due in Jan and scared to BF number 2!

[Bo0tifuL]

Ok well DS was born in July 04 and i had alot of trouble feeding him. He ended up in intensive care, doctors said i had no nutrients in my milk, but we wont get into that. See we nearly lost him from starvation and im pregnant with number 2 and wanting to try BF but not sure if i have the confidence? I know the signs now and i know that this boy wont starve as i will be looking for the signs this time, but im just still so scared!
DP isnt tpp confident in me BF either, but i know its the best and alot cheaper and i just wana try and have a go. Has anyone else had no confidence in BF? Can you give me any advice? I know i have a few months to go, but i want to start preparing myself for it soon ,may sound weird but its going to be very hard if i decide to go ahead with it.

[Little Chookie]

It will be hard emotionally (and mentally), but if you want to do it you will.

I would go and find an LC that will be available to help you long term, someone you have confidence in and who will tell you how it is no holding back. Another great support network is ABA, they have councilors who may be able to help you find a great LC too (they may even be one?).

One last thing practice saying "NO" for when you go to hospital (if your going), having a natural drug free birth (not just vaginal) is the best start for breastfeeding.

Good videos to check out: Dr lennart righards "Delivery Self-Attachment (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvWg4TKKWuw)" or "Breastcrawl (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_4SIEhBXSI)", Follow me mum Rebecca Glover. Or anything by Sue Cox.

[mamabearof3]

Good luck and you are taking the best first step. Asking for some support and advise. Your will and determination is going to be the best thing at succeeding this time around. As little chookie says get some support from ABA and talk to teh hospital's LC before you birth too.

[mim1]

Every baby is different. Every birth is different. There is no reason it can't be much easier to bf this time around. Get as much help in hospital as possible and as you had problems last time plan to have regular checks with the CHN or your GP in the early weeks. Your doctor may even suggest a paediatrician to keep an eye on things. Breast milk is the best thing if it's possible to feed and in over 95% of cases it is possible.:hugs:

[kiki82]

I BF with both of my babies and had problems with both. After DS I decided I'd try again and just be prepared for whatever. So when DD came along I tried again and when I started having problems again I didn't stress, I knew it was going to happen. I'd say to try again, you never know, it could work this time and like you said, you know what to look for this time. :)

[Bearskin]

I went through a difficult time feeding DD at the start; she didn't gain weight for 5 weeks and the MCHN was coming out every week weighing her and watching me feed. Everyone around me except for DH doubted that I could feed DD or that there was something wrong with my milk.

I ended up going to a Lactation Day Stay run by state health (it was free) and they checked bubs attachment which was incorrect so she wasn't getting all the milk she needed.

I contacted the ABA at the same time and got plenty of advice and hired a pump to build my supply back up as since DD hadn't been feeding properly my supply had dropped. In 2 weeks Dd started gaining 250gm a week and started to thrive.

It was a scary time and DD was so scrawny but after I saw the Lactation Consultant at the Day Stay and chatted to the ABA everything fell into place and DD was much happier, settled and gaining weight.

So my advice is to find out now if there is a good Day Stay unit nearby; ring a LC or an ABA counsellor in your area and see if they can see you in hospital (and before) to help you get all the information you need and have support around you. Don't feed on a schedule or routine, esp in those first few months as that can lessen your supply - rather feed bubs on demand and if you are still worried, get the MCHN to check your bubs weight every week to give you peace of mind - they can come to your home in those easrly weeks to save you getting out with a child in tow.

Best of luck with feeding your new bubs - I hope everything goes really well.

[mmm7]

I agree with PP's get as much help as you possibly can.
My experience - DS1 wouldn't attach, I tried for 5 days in hospital and went home expressing and attempting to attach him on my own. Needless to say after 6 weeks of him not attaching I gave up and switched to formula.
So when I was pg with DS2 I became a lot more resolute in my thinking that I could bf. I didn't do any courses, although I probably should have.
While I was in hosp. I made sure that I got a midwife to help me with every feed. After 5 days of DS2 not attaching I was really thinking he wouldn't do and I was seriously thinking of putting on formula. My last full day in hospy I made a huge effort and it paid off. DS2 is fully bf.
All I can say is get help as soon as you can. Good luck and stick with it.:yes:

[Widget]

Kate,

Since we're both going to the same hospy at the same time (roughly) and are both scared cr@pless about BFing #2, did you want to see about Breastfeeding classes?? We can go together!!

Let me know what you think and I can ask them at my appt on Thursday. I know there is an ABA in Castle Hill that may be able to help us as well.