Parenting Forums

Posted: 04 July 2005 at 1:34pm | IP Logged

Hey thought id start a thread for tips and ideas for breastfeeders / potential breastfeeders, enjoy xxxx

• Don't give up! It gets easier
• Try nipple shields if you have sore nipples
• Use cream if you need to-i found avent nipple cream very good
• Try and latch your baby on as soon as possible after birth
• Babies feed loads in the first few weeks, so keep patient! After a few weeks the feeds will hopefully be wider apart

Im sure you ladies have loads more to add, lets help others!

Posted: 04 July 2005 at 2:37pm | IP Logged

I used the Avent Nipple Cream all the time whilst I was pregnant as my nipples kept cracking no idea why.  I was starting to worry that I wouldn't be able to bf again this time but since having Oliver I haven't had a crack at all.

Breast shells are good if you leak a lot from the other breast when feeding, you can collect the milk and at the end of the day freeze all you have collected for future use.

Find some comfy breast pads that you like as they can be annoying and itchy.  I found Asdas own brand the best and I also sometimes use Avents reusable ones but I found they show under your clothes.

Don't buy new nursing bras after the birht of your lo until your milk comes in as your boob size will change and you don't want to have to buy even more new nursing bras.

Posted: 04 July 2005 at 5:00pm | IP Logged

hiya,

i used lanisoh nipple cream in the early days - its very good too, its pure medicinal lanolin (sheep wool wax!) and it forms a kinda barrier on your nipples which heals chapping.

i am gonna have to disagree with the nipple shields ria! sorry! i think these should only be used as a last resort, not for sore nipples due to a poor latch. nipple shields can actually make the problem worse, as your baby doesnt have to work to latch on properly.

i would only use these if your LO has teeth and is a frequent biter!

today i bought a couple of boob tubes. to wear under my tops, below my boobs to hide my tummy while breastfeeding in public! also, you may find that your boobs are bigger so your tops are shorter to accomodate them, and wearing a boob tube under your boobs covers the gap between your top and trousers/skirt. it looks like your wearing a double layered top. bargin at £6! that is my tip of the month lol.

luv sarah + ashton

23 weeks old and exclusively breastfed!

Posted: 04 July 2005 at 6:53pm | IP Logged

Ok, here are mine -

Bag yourself with loads of patience. Only feed in public when you feel you've mastered it and are confident, otherwise you'll get flustered and won't relax.

Wearing ponchos is a great tip when feeding in public!

Lansinoh cream worked wonders in the first few weeks as did correctly fitted nusing bras, although they are not pretty!!!

Be sure to eat well and drink lots and lots of water.

I fed Rocky lying down by my side during the night so I didn't feel I was waking too much. I'd pick him up from the moses basket next to me and snuggle him in whilst I dozed off. Not everyone enjoys feeding in this position, but I loved it.

Finally, relax and make the most of any help and support you can. You are nurturing your baby after all.  Besides, the time you will breastfeed is a relatively short one. Before you know it you'll be running after your lo dreaming of the time you could watch an hour's worth of Friends whilst baby would have a lovely long sleepy feed...

It's not easy at first, but it's infinately rewarding.

Posted: 04 July 2005 at 8:14pm | IP Logged

Rest as much as possible, especially inthe first few weeks. The housework can wait. our milk supply will be affected if you try to do too much.

Get a dummy for the times they aren't hungry but want to comfort suckle. Ds used me to suckle on, then stopped just when my milk started flowing, which caused me to get mastitis.

If you are going back to work, or just want the freedom of formula feeds sometimes, introduce a bottle asap. People tell you to wait till 6 weeks - I didn't and Archie has never taken a bottle despite trying for 8 weeks!

Posted: 05 July 2005 at 9:01am | IP Logged

Edward is 12 weeks and exclusively breastfed. I have been very lucky (touch wood) and have had no major problems.

My top tip would have to be RELAX! Dont let the midwifes in the hospital get you worked up, just relax and take it easy.

Always have a large glass of water next to you when you are feeding as you get very thirsty.

Dont rush, even if your lo is getting worked up, leave him/her to cry for a minute if needed whilst you get yourself comfy. I found in the first few weeks a V shaped cushion was brilliant for propping lo up.

If you want to express use an electric breastpump (I used the Medula one and got it quite cheap off ebay). Not everyone agrees but I bought the Avent hand pump to begin with and it was such a slow and awkward process, now I can walk round the house expressing!

Above all else, enjoy it! It is a special time for you and your baby to bond and it can be very rewarding. When your lo is gaining weight well and you know it is all down to you it is such a wonderful feeling. However if you cant feed then congratulate yourself for trying and but some formula. Not all mothers can and not all babies take to it.

Hope that helps girls, good luck.

Posted: 22 July 2005 at 8:12pm | IP Logged

All brill tips above, can't really add much, just that if for some reason you have to give formula for whatever reason DON'T feel guilty about it!!

I've breastfed my first son 'til he was 7 months and am now breastfeeding my second son who is 12 weeks.  Both were/are very babies, and I find that a little bit of formula would fill them up.  I don't do it often, in fact it's very rare and only done as a last resort.  But at the end of the day like any mum, I do what is best for my child.

Hip, hip hooray for the breastfeeding brigade!!

Posted: 22 August 2005 at 12:01am | IP Logged

I discovered this tip yesterday by accident.

If you run out of breast pads cut a panty liner in two. They stick to your bra like a pad and are absorbent too.  The previous night I tried cotton wool wrapped in tissue-not a good idea!

Oh, it's not a fetish or me being stingy.  It's cos I cannot find breast pads anywhere in the The Gambia.

One small thing I miss about the UK is having EVERYTHING available!!

Posted: 22 August 2005 at 12:12am | IP Logged

Although a very simple one, one thing not to forget with the pantyliner, do not cut it in half and put it upside down as it absorbs the leaks, then makes your top look worse cos it's leaked downwards!  I did this

And for those who don't already know, your breast has more than the one hole in it!  do not be surprised to find that you have half a dozen full bottles aimed into your babiy's eyes as you try to latch on! 

I didn't realise this with my first, and literally wet myself, and it was half an hour before I could feed him I was laughing too much!  Poor little mite.

I dried up within 7 days of having this one, but hey, he had the best start, and I don't beat myself up either, at least I was able to give him that much!

Posted: 22 August 2005 at 12:48am | IP Logged

pmsl at that one, Vix.

Poor Tom sometimes gets an eye full of milk if I don't aim right!