What not to do?

[rachdent]

Hi everyone

Just wondering if anyone has any tips for new mums on what not to do while feeding (it's for my book). One mum suggested this topic for me - saying that she wished somebody had told her not to let her baby fall asleep at the breast. I'd love anyone that has any other tips to add them below!

Cheers,
RACH!

[wattle]

Dont keep feeding if you think bub isn't attached properly. STOP and reattach, then start again.

[Chickadee]

Do not try to diet. You need all those calories and yummy healthy food.

Do not listen if someone tells you you're feeding bub too often, that it should only be every 2, 3, 4... hours.

[Foxymoron]

Don't listen to people who say "there's nothing in your milk, you should feed that baby (insert cereal/formula/etc)"


I'd be lost if my babes couldn't fall asleep at the breast! It's a wonderful way to get to sleep!

[JanetF]

Hmmm it's a shame your informant was given such shoddy advice. Babies are supposed to fall asleep at the breast.

How about info on how breastfeeding is about su much more than only nutrition?

[TinyStar]

Hows about "dont wait too long to try and express and introduce bubs to drinking from a bottle"

as lovely as bfing is, and as much as you miss the closeness of a feed when you have to skip one for whatever reason. Sometimes it can be really frustrating when you have no option but to breastfeed.

Maybe a chapter about how much of a committment bfing is, and of course the advantages of this committment. So that it can be seen as a positive.

[Supermum]

The fact that my son fell asleep at the breast was my saving grace. It was the only time he slept peacefully and I fed him when he asked for it.

Don't wait until you've started breastfeeding to get yourself a glass of water! My son would start feeding and could literally feel my mouth getting drier.

[Nickster]

My tip is to ignore people who tell you to not let your baby fall asleep at the breast. What a lot of codswallop - everyone knows that breastmilk contains a chemical that makes babies sleepy - babies are supposed to fall asleep at the breast!! And mummy is supposed to have a little nap too!! It's what our bodies were designed to do - and for a good reason.

I would suggest the importance of gettting a really comfy chair or similar positon (eg. lying down) for feeds, when it seems like that's all you are doing in the early months, and recovering from birth allows you to discover all sorts of aches and pains you never knew were possible. Also, to have a "feeding station" of sorts set up - glass of water/juice, book, remote controls, tissues, etc all within reach.

[Foxymoron]

Nickster, I think that's a great point.. getting your little feeding area set up! Especially during the day or those night feds when you can't stay in bed because the baby needs some awake time and a change...

Boobies rock as a snooze inducer, my DD still feds to sleep every night, I lay with her and read a book or go to sleep too

[Jaileth]

Nickster - what a great idea! I'm getting ready for my first bub - will have to put this one on my 'to do' list.

I've never been told about babies falling asleep when they feed. I guess all that sucking wears them out.