new to breastfeeding

[HanCh]

I am about to have my third baby, and we have decided to try breast feeding (the other 2 were straight onto the bottle - for different reasons...) Just wondering if any experts out there could offer some tips/advice when it comes to breast feeding, as I really have no idea.... I know I will get help/advice when I am in hospital, but I thought it would be good to get some tips from the hub first.....

[AM]

I personally think the most valuable way to learn about breastfeeding is to actually witness it, and hang out with breastfeeding mums.

I would highly recommend finding out where your local branch of the ABA (Aust breastfeeding Assoc) meets, and start going along to meetings. Even though you have not had bub yet, you can pick up a lot of really useful info anyway, you get to see mums breastfeeding, and even if you think you are learning nothing by watching, you really are. There are also breastfeeding counsellors at every meeting, so you can ask them any questions you think of, and the most important part is that when you have bub, you will already have a connection to the ABA, so you will feel so much more able to ask advice, as you already know some of them.

Every breastfeeding journey is just SO unique, that I think the best thing you can do is set up a great support framework beforehand to call on immediately you need anything answered, explained etc, most of the time you don't know what you need to know, until you are in the thick of it, if that makes any sense.

Having said all that, one book that I found just fabulous to read before I had my bub was "The Womanly Art Of Breastfeeding" by the La Leache League.

People who end up stopping breastfeeding earlier than they wish will mostly tell you that it was a lack of support at the crucial time, in those first few days and weeks, so having people just a phone call away that you feel confortable calling in is SO important.

And ask any question here you think of as well, we always try to point you in the right direction :)

All the best!

[stellarella]

Not an expert, just a BFing mum :D

I suppose the main points of advice I could give is to trust your body and your baby.

Remember the fundamental "rule" of BFing, which is: Sucking = Milk Production.

*And therefore you need round the clock stimulation of your breasts by your baby to establish an adequate milk supply.

Do not have formula or bottles in your house "just in case."

Seek advice from a good book, the ABA and a LC before the birth and be prepared to go to them again as many times as you need to while you learn how to BF.

Be prepared for it to hurt for a while, be prepared to spend the first 6 weeks on the couch or in bed BFing, be prepared to feel overwhelmed and confused at times, be prepared to feel like your whole life is BFing - for a while. I hope you don't experience any of that, but it is likely you will. However it passes fairly quickly.

:hugs:

[Frany]

I agree with everything from the above two posts. I definitely agree that talking to people who know their stuff is vital. WAY too much bad information comes from GP's, Child Health Nurses and sometimes even midwives at the hospital. The ABA can be a great source of information and support, both online and face to face.

Good luck. :)
Information index:
http://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bfinfo/index.html
Breastfeeding Classes:
http://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/products/happening.html