Having problems already and baby isn't even born

[BigRedV]

So, my second baby is due in July. I am trying to learn as much about breastfeeding as possible with this baby before it is born and already I am getting upset about it :(

I have looked on here and done a search on the internet for private lactation consultants.

I just called one in my local area asking to speak to the lactation conultant and she wasn't in. So I asked the woman on the line what she actually did and if I could make an appointment. She told me they only see you AFTER the baby is born, what good is this to me? It was the same as another lactation consultant I found in my area, she comes to visit fter the baby is born. WTF!!!???!!!

I am doing a breastfeeding course at the hospital starting tomorrow night so that's one good thing but it already getting me down that help can't be offered now so I can learn :(

[Mathermy]

It's going to be ok Lozz, just keep researching for yourself in the meantime and have one booked for after the birth. What are you most worried about? What do you feel like you want them to teach you now? Theory wise there is an abundance of info on the net, practical wise it really would be far easier once you have bub, it's kind of one of those things that you have to be doing to really learn, like driving i guess.

Don't stress lovely, it's going to be ok :hugs::hugs::hugs:

[BigRedV]

I think I am just hormonal :laughing: and scared of failure again :crying:
I just want to learn as much now as I can. The girl on the phone was rude too so I got a bit teary :o hormones are outta control today and I just went and saw my friend in hospital after having her second child on the weekend and so I guess it all came flooding in that that will be me soon and I felt overwhelmed :rolleyes:

[Mathermy]

I think I am just hormonal and scared of failure again
I just want to learn as much now as I can. The girl on the phone was rude too so I got a bit teary :o hormones are outta control today and I just went and saw my friend in hospital after having her second child on the weekend and so I guess it all came flooding in that that will be me soon and I felt overwhelmed

It's going to be ok sweets, you have heaps of time to read and soak up as much info as you can before then, and you have already planned to see a LC asap, you have a bunch of people here ready to hold your hand and support you know matter what, you are committed and ready to persevere

you are probably a bit like me, info makes me feel calm and prepared. i research bloody everything, just so i have an idea about what it is going to be like, a sense of control :o

Try not to stress :kiss:

[c38]

:hugs::hugs:I agree. Try no to stress it will be ok.
It's great that you are going to a BF class at your hospital. There will be a LC there who can answer questions for you and may be willing to see you before hand if there are some things you want to go through re last baby or if you've had breast surgery or something. Try and get them aside and have a chat.

Have you looked into the ABA. They might have a group in your area and you don't need to have had the baby to join. That way you can make a circle of friends who all have BF in common, who will be around to support you once bubs is born.

[missie_mack]

The ABA do breastfeeding classes for pregnant women...

http://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/products/happen.asp#nsw

[ladybugblue84]

Have you joined one of the breastfeeding association groups near you? That might help.... maybe (I don't know have never been). I hate it when people are unexpectidly rude for no reason! It can really throw your whole day & mood.

[Lillynix]

I too failed to breastfeed my first for a few reasons but found it incredibly hard and painful for those few short weeks I did breastfeed for so like you, was absolutely determined to make it work the second time around. So you know what I did while pregnant?

Sat and watched video, upon video, upon video on Youtube! Search for ;Breastfeeding Attachment' or similar and there are a heap of really, really good vids that pop up talking you through the attachment process, showing you how to attach a baby and how to tell if baby is attached properly as well as showing you how to tell the difference between a 'drinking' suck and a 'comfort' suck.

Doing that, is totally what I believe helped me SO much to prepare for breastfeeding DS1 and our BF relationship went off without a hitch, it went totally smooth sailing and it has again this time around with DS2 as well.

Another thing I did was read, read and read some more! I read the ABA website and forums, I read the Kellymom website almost back to front and inside out. I read the ibreastfed website, I Googled and Googled some more!

I read about how breastfeeding works, why it works and dispelled many myths that I had though of as fact, and which often gets passed on as fact.

I wish you the absolute bestest of luck and truly believe that if you want this bad enough and work at it hard enough, given the correct information and much needed support, you WILL succeed! :D

[BigRedV]

Thanks everyone.

I am doing as much reading as possible. I just booked into a course from the ABA website that missie_mack provided, so thanks.

How do I join the ABA? I couldn't find anything on the website.

[BigRedV]

I too failed to breastfeed my first for a few reasons but found it incredibly hard and painful for those few short weeks I did breastfeed for so like you, was absolutely determined to make it work the second time around. So you know what I did while pregnant?

Sat and watched video, upon video, upon video on Youtube! Search for ;Breastfeeding Attachment' or similar and there are a heap of really, really good vids that pop up talking you through the attachment process, showing you how to attach a baby and how to tell if baby is attached properly as well as showing you how to tell the difference between a 'drinking' suck and a 'comfort' suck.

Doing that, is totally what I believe helped me SO much to prepare for breastfeeding DS1 and our BF relationship went off without a hitch, it went totally smooth sailing and it has again this time around with DS2 as well.

Another thing I did was read, read and read some more! I read the ABA website and forums, I read the Kellymom website almost back to front and inside out. I read the ibreastfed website, I Googled and Googled some more!

I read about how breastfeeding works, why it works and dispelled many myths that I had though of as fact, and which often gets passed on as fact.

I wish you the absolute bestest of luck and truly believe that if you want this bad enough and work at it hard enough, given the correct information and much needed support, you WILL succeed! :D

I will look on youtube :yes:

Last time I really felt I didn't get the support I needed and so much conflicting advice, so frustrating...:dizzy:

[Mathermy]

I will look on youtube :yes:

Last time I really felt I didn't get the support I needed and so much conflicting advice, so frustrating...:dizzy:

That's the great difference with self directed research lozz, as opposed to just being bombarded at the hospital by every woman and her dog, you can go at your own pace, take note of what feels like it will be of value to you and what sounds dodge..and all at a time when you have time and space to learn as opposed to when you have a hungry bubba in your lap depending on you to learn IYKWIM?

[Looshkin]

It will be alright lozz, this time you have support and the most important thing is that you line up someone you can call straight away so say on day 2 or 3 after the birth get the LC in straight away to give you good practical help and support, I was reading something about the likelihood of not being able to continue breastfeeding successfully having a LOT to do with trying to struggle through issues at the start and not getting support while you are starting because it's much much easier to grab a tin of formula when the baby is crying, you're crying because you can't get an attachment and everyones not had enough sleep and you're desperate.

I forgot to get you that LC ref, I will get you those details because a good LC can definitely be the difference between going on and stopping in those early days.

Do the ABA groups before the birth, as much as you can I think they have monthly meetings? Go to some now! I dunno if abba does a course as well, but they are the peeps to go to before the birth, and arrange a good LC consultant for after the birth to

When you join up you get a really good book that has amazing advice, have you joined up yet/read the book? I think that is the best place to start, I've heard good feedback from that as a starting point.

Also, do some research on baby led attachment, Ive been reading some very interesting stuff that suggests having the baby do the breast crawl and attach themselves, although you may still need the lactation specialist to help you - provide moral support and attachment help and give you info for any possible trouble shooters- but that initial few hours the instinctive reflex in the baby is incredibly valuble to start a solid breastfeeding relationship. Not having a midwife rudely push the buba onto the boob and letting them do things when all that labour hormones are in babies system as well as yours is an incredibly good start. There is so much info out there, but this time you have support, both from us on BH and from other preggie women from ABA groups and your private LC , you have information and you have the will - you have so much on your side here.:hugs:

And in the mean time get along to those meetings the PP posted the link for - I know you have the hospy course lined up and I really really hope it's great and teaches up to date info - but go to the aba ones just to be safe - remember the courses the hospitals teach are unfortunately part of the reason that women don't continue - not because they're not great (bit of a lottery depending on which middies you get running your course and what her experience and training is like.. after all I've heard of CHN's that are officially qualified as LC's that give horrible tizzie hall type advice ) but because that alone is just not enough, you need the IRL support too from fellow aba members/preggie mums/ lc :hugs:

[kiki07]

baby led attachment-

http://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bfinfo/bla.html

how to subscribe to the ABA-

http://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/subs/index.html

when you join the ABA, they send you this great book "Breastfeeding Naturally". I read it before bub was born, and took it to the hospital if i wanted to look anything up.

get some 'lanisoh' cream in case you get sore nipples. i had to send DH out looking for it, and it would have been easier if i had it before bub was born.

good luck

[sockstealingpoltergeist]

:hugs::hugs::hugs::hugs:

You are doing all you can and no matter what that makes you awesome.:D

i hope you feel better and more positive soon.

[Mrs Nietzsche]

Hi Lozzaa, if you join the ABA or look on their website

Here's a list of classes

http://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/products/happen.asp


Here's where to find your local group:

http://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/contact/groups.html

My local ABA group has a fortnightly meet, and also a special fortnightly meet just for new mothers. A counsellor is always there to help with questions etc.

Don't panic! And we will all be here to help too.

[smileygirl]

thanks for all the links...i have just joined and ordered a few pamphlets and sent an email about doing a course asap

i hope it works for you this time OP, i am in the same boat kind off....and want to do the ground work now...so i feel ok when it comes to the practical lol

[luvmyboys]

It's great you are doing lots of research now, if you can find out where your local ABA has their meetings and go along, it will help seeing how it's done. Breastfeeding is just one of those things, you can know all the theory but it's the practical that gets you, not saying that to disillusion you but that's probably why Lactation consultants don't come before, because what they can do is limited. Once your baby is born they help with the hands on stuff, attachment and positioning, which unfortunately you can't really learn from a book.
That said any research you do beforehand definately helps, you can be prepared for what is 'supposed' to happen and what may happen, knowledge is power, and knowing your baby will most probably lose weight, milk may take a while to come in etc will help prepare you mentally, and less likely to think something is 'wrong'.

[BigRedV]

Thanks to all the replies, looks like I will be busy tomorrow looking on the internet when my DD is at daycare and I have the day off work :p


It's great you are doing lots of research now, if you can find out where your local ABA has their meetings and go along, it will help seeing how it's done. Breastfeeding is just one of those things, you can know all the theory but it's the practical that gets you, not saying that to disillusion you but that's probably why Lactation consultants don't come before, because what they can do is limited. Once your baby is born they help with the hands on stuff, attachment and positioning, which unfortunately you can't really learn from a book.
That said any research you do beforehand definately helps, you can be prepared for what is 'supposed' to happen and what may happen, knowledge is power, and knowing your baby will most probably lose weight, milk may take a while to come in etc will help prepare you mentally, and less likely to think something is 'wrong'.

Thanks.

I actually know the only way I will be able to position my baby is the football hold as this is what I did last time, because my boobs are that big.

I know my baby will lose weight, and the milk will take a while to come in, but if my supply is anything like last time, there won't be a problem, I am a real milk truck :laughing: I could express about 140 - 150 mls with DD :eek: :D