help to bf wgen bubs arrives

[Rydens Mummy]

Hi all,
Im only 15weeks pregnant with bubs 2.
I struggeled to bf ds1 when born, he was comp feed from 2 weeks, and totally ff from 10 weeks. I tried some natural stuff, lactation cookies, and perscription drugs. I put my lack of ability to bf down to a few things, ds was handelled by everyone when born, he also nevered showed hungry signs never cried, so i offered boob every 4 hrs and obviously he needed more, i need more to stimulate mork milk

So my question is what can i do before this bubs is born to help prepare for full time bf once bubs is born. Anything i should eat, take or do. Before and after bubs is born.
I really want this to work.

Stacey

[baby4us]

Maybe you could call the ABA and see if they have any advice. You don't have to be a member, they are really good.

[Bubbles10]

You have some good insight already into what might have made breastfeeding your first child harder. Have you thought about writing a breastfeeding plan? It's like a birth plan but for breastfeeding, details what you want and need to give it you best chance.

A Lactation Consultant can help you tailor a plan, or there is a guide on the ABA website. http://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bfinfo/bfplan.html

I found attending a breastfeeding class when i was pregnant handy.

Best of luck

[baby4us]

Just wanted to add that I don't think there is much you can do in terms of preparing your body & breasts to make milk before you have the baby.

But you can do lots to prepare your mind by reading everything you can on the internet and borrow some good books from the library, speak to the experts and other BF feeding mums, read the posts in the BF section, attend the BF classes run by the ABA, join & attend meeting with your local ABA group, learn relaxation techniques, and agree with PP prepare a BF plan.

When in hospital get a lactation consultant straight away (my hospital had a couple of staff, but you did have to ask to be seen otherwise the regular midwives were there to help out, but the LC was 100 times better than them).

You could try skin to skin with bubs after they are born, look into breast crawl.

Ask to use the hospital breast pumps asap (if they supply them) or bring your own with you to hospital.

Make sure your partner is as knowledgeable as you are, and if you have other support people to reply on (mums, sisters, friends etc) make sure they know what you want and support you through it. After you have just given birth it doesn't take much of a fly away comment to knock your confidence.

Take everything you think you'll need to hospital with you, eg nipple shields, nipple cream, breastfeeding pillow, maternity bras, reference material, relaxation tools, anything else you think you'll need.

While BF is natural, it is not always easy, both you and baby have to learn how to do it, and the only way babies and mummies learn to breastfeed, is well by breastfeeding. Someone put it to me that its a bit like learning to ride a bike, yes you will fall off but your not going to learn by not getting back on the bike you need to keep at it.

I struggled to get my baby to BF and expressed for about 5 weeks before he took the breast, but now 12 months later it is so easy and convenient. It took a good 3 - 4 months before I would say it got better too, so give yourself plenty of time.

Good luck

[Pajamarama]

Definitely see a lactation consultant but BEFORE birth. You can actually start expressing in the lead-up to birth. And many women start to "leak" prior to birth second time around. Might be worth getting started a few weeks early so you have a supply ready in the freezer before hand just in case of difficulties.

Fenugreek is also supposed to aide in increasing milk production.

Many hospitals offer breastfeeding workshops in late pregnancy too.

But definitely make an accredited lactation consultant first point of call.


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