fill me in

[bronny-jane]

ok ive decided im going to bf my baby, so i need some advice:D

are nipple sheilds good if bub doesnt latch properly?

how long can you store bm, in fridge and freazer?

how hard is it to learn to do?

im planning on going out for drinks about 2 weeks after bub is born, any suggestions how i can do this:D

[Oscar's mum]

Nipple Shields can only be used short term as bub will only receive I think around 80% of the actual milk not the whole lot!

Going out drinking - just ensure that you have a bottle of EBM for the feeds you will be missing and then the next feed after you drink you must express and throw away. The feed after that though go ahead and latch bub on!;)

I can't remember the exact amount of time that EBM can be stored but I am sure someone will come along soon and tell you. I can add though that when expressing say you only get to express 20ml at one time just put that in the fridge then next time you express you get 60ml put that in the fridge too and then when both EBM is cool you can add them together!

Oh and you asked how hard is it to learn to breastfeed? Well as with everything the more you practice the easier it gets!;)

[Pixie]

Aww well done BJ, I hope it works out for you both:yelclap:

I have no idea about Nipple sheilds I haven't had to use them.
Fridge you can keep milk for 72 hours I think freezer seperate from the fridge 3 months..ermmm check that info on the ABA to be sure

I dunno how hard it is, I think I have been very blessed it just seemed so natural to me, and she latched on very well, I have had no issues the only problem I have had is a blocked milk duct OUCHIE WA WA.

You plan to go out for drinks..well you could always express over the two weeks I heard to leave at least 100mls for an evening to be kind to the babysitter :D I say express over the two weeks so you can build up a supply as sometimes and I have only expressed once mind you sometimes you get a lot sometimes not much.

anyway I am sure there are more longer term BF mummies out there than me who will probably be more helpful:laughing:

[bigglet]

I found this from a baby website:

Human milk has been found to have properties that protect it from bacterial contamination which allow it to be stored longer than was previously thought. Guidelines for breastmilk storage are as follows:

* Freshly expressed breastmilk may be kept at room temperature for up to 10 hours (colostrum or milk expressed within 6 days of delivery can be stored 12 hours at room temperature).

* Freshly expressed milk may be stored at temperatures slightly below room temperature (such as in a cooler with icepacks ) for up to 24 hours. If the milk has been kept at room temperature prior to being placed into the cooler, safe storage time in the cooler may be decreased somewhat.

* Fresh breastmilk may be kept in a refrigerator for up to 8 days. Store milk in the back of the refrigerator rather than in the door. If milk has been kept at room temperature or in a cooler with icepacks prior to being placed in the refrigerator, safe storage time may be decreased.

* Fresh milk may be placed in a freezer compartment inside a refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. If it has previously been kept at room temperature, in a cooler, or in the refrigerator, storage time may vary.

* Freshly expressed breastmilk may be kept in a self-contained freezer unit of a refrigerator for up to 3-6 months, depending upon how often the door is opened. Store milk in the back of the freezer. If the milk has been stored at room temperature, in a cooler with icepacks, or in the refrigerator prior to being placed in the freezer, safe freezing time may be decreased.

* Fresh milk may be placed in a separate deep freeze (chest-type freezer) for 6-12 months. If previously kept at room temperature, or stored in a cooler or refrigerator before freezing, storage time may vary.

* Previously frozen milk may be kept in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours after it has completely thawed..

One last word about the guidelines: Although the above is the latest published set of guidelines regarding safe storage times of breastmilk, keep in mind that these are just guidelines. It's wise to try to stay as close to them as possible, but milk that is older than the stated safe age, should not be automatically discarded. Milk that is truly bad has a very distinct sour taste and odor. Even if expressed milk is "out of date" it should still be considered safe to give a baby as long as it still has a fresh odor and/or taste.

I'd advise you to go to the breastfeeding clinic or lactation consultant if you having attachment difficulties or just bf queries. I went 3 times in 8 weeks and kept persisting until I felt a lot better and confortable with bf. It was great but the first 8 weeks were definately the hardest!!

All the best! :wave:

[Oscar's mum]

* Freshly expressed breastmilk may be kept at room temperature for up to 10 hours (colostrum or milk expressed within 6 days of delivery can be stored 12 hours at room temperature).



* Fresh breastmilk may be kept in a refrigerator for up to 8 days.


In the Australian climate I definately would not leave EBM out for 10hours or so! Nor would I keep the milk in the fridge for 8 days! Perhaps if we were alot colder of a country you could do this!;)

[bigglet]

:laughing: yup you're right! Although it's pretty cold in Melbourne here at the moment! Only a top of 15 today!

This is what the Australian Breastfeeding Association recommends for storage of breastmilk:
http://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bfinfo/express.html

:D

[bronny-jane]

thanks everyone:D

the night out is important to me, i like to feel human once in a while:D

[Tam-I-Am]

Actually, don't mean to dispute, but alcohol is processed in breastmilk at the same rate that its processed in blood. So if your Blood Alcohol Level (BAL) is 0.00 - then so is your breastmilk. You don't actually have to express and discard a feed, just leave a minimum of 2 hours between finishing any single drink, and starting a feed (for each drink you must leave 2-3 hours between that and a feed - ie if you have 6 drinks, you need to leave 12 - 18 hours between the last drink and the next feed).

Have a look at this link by the ABA for more info re: alcohol and breastmilk. It basically says, the occasional drink every so often is fine, more than that can have effects that are pretty long-reaching.
http://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bfinfo/drugs.html


Good luck, Bronny, hope b/f goes well for you!

[bec79]

Actually, don't mean to dispute, but alcohol is processed in breastmilk at the same rate that its processed in blood. So if your Blood Alcohol Level (BAL) is 0.00 - then so is your breastmilk. You don't actually have to express and discard a feed, just leave a minimum of 2 hours between finishing any single drink, and starting a feed (for each drink you must leave 2-3 hours between that and a feed - ie if you have 6 drinks, you need to leave 12 - 18 hours between the last drink and the next feed).

Have a look at this link by the ABA for more info re: alcohol and breastmilk. It basically says, the occasional drink every so often is fine, more than that can have effects that are pretty long-reaching.
http://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bfinfo/drugs.html


Good luck, Bronny, hope b/f goes well for you!


This is also what the midwives at the hosptial told me.

[rynosmum]

Bronny-Jane,

Well done for looking at breast feeding !:yelclap: It's so rewarding and great for bubs but I need to say that it's one of the toughest things I have ever had to learn to do. Some bubs latch on immediately, we took 4 days to get the swing of things. Some do it easily, we had a lot of pain for the first few weeks.

But perseverence reaps rewards and we were able to do it easily after a little while.

Anyway, you're planning on giving up smoking soon. Compared to that, this will be simple !:fingerscrossed: You can tell me to mind my own business (many would :D ) but I'd really urge you to give up smoking before breastfeeding (or maybe even yesterday :o )because the same as bubs is getting nutrients from you now, they get them from breast milk as well. Bubs deserves the very best start in life as you already know. I'll be quiet now.

[Tamz]

Be aware that if you introduce bottles to early in your breastfeeding relationship with your child your bub might decide he/she preferes the bottle rather than your boobies because the flow is faster etc. :no:

They usually say that you shouldnt introduce bottles until at least over 6 weeks of age, even then to be cautious. :(

If your going to go out maybe get who ever is bubby sitting you feed your DC by spoon or syringe. If you speak to ABA they will be able to help you more. and also get the person to wear something that has your sent on it. you dont want DC to refuse to drink because he/she cant smell you.

also if you bub feeds every 2hrs, will you be expressing every 2hrs when your out? i dont think one night will mess up your supply but if you go out quite alot without your bub you could stumble across some problems.

im not trying to scare you or anything its just that i have learnt the hard way (introduced bottles early and had to deal with breast refusal for the first 3-4months).

Hope you have fun when you go out ;)

Tamz

[bronny-jane]

maybe i should wait a few weeks before i go out then:)

[Tamz]

i think that might b the bestter idea. u would probably find that when you go out, all night allyou will think about is DC and how you want to go home to him so you wont be partying like your suppose too :)

Tamz

[kymmy]

It takes about six weeks until b/f is established.
Practice practice practice
and repeat.:yes: