Give me your best breastfeeding resources

kmslwsmrs

So, the third time around I'd like to try a little harder with BF'ing since I'll be home with this baby for five months as opposed to 6 weeks that I was with the other two.  I am convinced my milk never came in with the other two...at least not nearly as enough as needed to.  I did about 6 weeks with M, about 1 with E.  Anything you can pass along would be appreciated!  I definitely want to suppliment with formula too since I cannot function without sleep and need DH to be a major part of this undertaking.

Bashert628

Check out La Leche League and Kelly Mom. Or ask on here - these ladies are a wealth of information. I EBF my son for 8 months and I'm currently EBF my daughter so feel free to pm me

HarrietNJMommy

I like kellymom. I also like the book "So That's What They're For" - it's a realistic (and humorous) look at BFing.

bosha711

Start eating oatmeal now!

Drink tons & tons of water

eat frequently & don't limit your calories

my sessions at first were 30 min on each side per session, every 3 hrs.

This site helped me get a good visual of how to breastfeed & latching. I studied it before DS was born, lol. But, it doesn't seem like latching has been your issue.

http://newborns.stanford.edu/Breastfeeding/

anotherNJbride

I agree with KellyMom.com - and I'd reach out to a lactation consultant now to have on hand.  I was fortunate that a girl I went to HS and college with became a LC. Even just one phone consultation was SO incredibly helpful for me - good luck!

ETA - I don't really know anything about FFing, but I would think BFing actually provides better sleep opportunity... granted, it's true that YOU have to get up every time, but YH can get up and bring the baby to you, you hardly have to be awake.  I sleep pretty well and my baby is still getting up 2-3 times a night to nurse - though she's still in the bedside cosleeper, but I barely wake up to feed her; no need to get out of bed or mix a bottle or anything like that.

MrsGabbs4Ed

Definitely get a lactation consultant to come see you....I had one come to the hospital immediately after Evan was born and even though I ended up quitting it was still a good resource.  With Stephanie I BF-ed for 2 days.  When Evan I made it one month! It was very hard and I too am convinced that I had zero supply since Evan was losing weight.  I remember giving him a little 2 oz Similac bottle from the hospital and he sucked it down super quick and was so content.  If I ever have #3 someday I will def. try again.  GL to you!

natalie042205

I've been nursing for 3 months now after failing the first time around, and its not easy at all, but once you hit 6 weeks, it kind of clicks. Drink a TON of water. and when the baby comes home nurse as much as you can. The more you nurse, the sooner your milk will come in. 

CakesMommy2114

Kellymom.com is wonderful!!

LizDP

I agree, kellymom has been helpful for me.  The ladies here have been really helpful too! The first three weeks were hard, but after that it got so much easier. You can pump and have your husband give bottles that way at night. Not that I have anything against supplementing. We're starting that soon, since Anna will be starting day care in 2 weeks and I'm not pumping enough to have a full daycare supply. GL!!!

nothingbuthappy

I also like KellyMom -- I also would push through the first 3-4 weeks.  Believe me, I'm a sleeper too(I'm a ZOMBIE right now), but one problem with lack of supply is supplementing in those first 3-4 weeks.  Even if you pump for those supplemented feedings, it's not the same as actual BF'ing and your supply won't be up to snuff.  

Definitely tap into the LC resource provided at the hospital and take their number to use for future reference - one should come in each day you're in the hospital to consult and you may click best with one over another so see if you can get a direct line for her.  

There are a million other ways (gve or take ;-) to increase your supply - google it and see what works for you, but I think oatmeal is probably the easiest. 

barcelonagirl

nothingbuthappy:

I also like KellyMom -- I also would push through the first 3-4 weeks.  Believe me, I'm a sleeper too(I'm a ZOMBIE right now), but one problem with lack of supply is supplementing in those first 3-4 weeks.  Even if you pump for those supplemented feedings, it's not the same as actual BF'ing and your supply won't be up to snuff.  

I agree with the above.  You nurse more to make more, so I wouldn't supplement with formula during the first 3 weeks if I thought I had a supply problem.

Keep telling yourself that "You just have to  make it 3 weeks."  That's what I did.  BF is incredibly difficult the first 21 days but, after that it gets to be sooo much easier.  My LC showed me a graph that exemplifies this point. 

FYI We're still nursing here and I plan on going until he's 2 or he self-weans. 

Andrea0429

This website had good videos that helped me know what was right and what was wrong and things to look for - http://www.breastfeedinginc.ca/  They're under online info.

And then when they're a bit older, nursing laying down totally saved me!  http://www.mother-2-mother.com/tut-layingdown.htm

I totally felt like things got a lot easier after 8 weeks.  We defintely had some trying times before that and supplemented at night for the first 2 weeks, but in the end, we made it to 15 months.

Good luck!