Breastfeeding - Akron, NY

I recommend reading the book Womanly Art of Breastfeeding. There are tons of facts and information that you would need. I hope it goes well for you!!

Hi M.-
Congratulations!
I just wanted to inform you that scientists are finding a link between breast-fed babies and peanut allergies. I just wanted to let you know in case you were deciding to breast-feed.

In a nutshell: if you are very lucky, it will come easily right away. But if it doesn't come easily, hang in there! Any pain WILL go away, and it will eventually become easy and the most beautiful feeling in the world. You'll never regret it.

M.,

Congrats, I am not sure if there is more than 1 Akron in NY but I am from Cheektowaga, NY and there is the best support system you could ever encounter- The Care Connection in Amherst on Harlem and main. They will answer any question you have by phone and they have all the supplies you could possibly need, bras, nursing swim suites, pumps, and the most supportive employees. They know be by name. If you want please feel free to email me anytime. I would recommend:
1. a double electric pump (Madelia) worth the investment
2. Purlan Cream- (found at care Connection or Target)
For nipples place some on after each feeding to prevent cracking. (stains clothing so make sure you cover with a pad)
3. Boppy, keep the plastic case for carrying and storing it.
4. A sign for the bassinet at the hospital- "I am proud to be a breastfeed baby, please no bottles or pacifiers"
You want to keep the baby away from bottles and pacifiers for 2-3 weeks for nipple confusion; however, you do not want to wait too much longer because the baby may not take to the bottle after that.
5. 2 kinds of bras
a. day time bras (NO UNDERWIRE it clogs ducts)
b. Night time bra (The care connection had 2
different kinds when I had my son 2 yrs ago I like
the purple satin like not the cotton with a wide
elastic band it rolls and squeezes the life out of
you.)
6. A shawl to cover with
7. a chair next your bed for feedings in the middle of the night.
8. a bassinet next to the bed to keep the baby close so you can roll out of bed grab baby and sit and feed with out having to stumble across the house.
9. Drink lots of water
10. get lots of sleep
11. Know what medications diminish your supply before you take it
12. DO NOT EAT SAGE
13. Minimize you caffeine if you can stay clear please do.

I had 2 boys and nursed them till they were 1 year old for both. I had many bumps in the road but nothing I did not overcome. I had such a surplus of milk that in the "October" storm I lost 360 oz of frozen milk from the power outage. My friends all call me the "Breastfeeding Guru" so if you need to we can get together and go thru everything.

Good luck and remember 1 thing all you have to do is get through the 1st 3 weeks the rest is a breeze. Don't give up you can do it.

K.

Congrats! I am breastfeeding my third son. My oldest nursed for 13 1/2 months and my middle son for 22 months. My youngest is almost 8 months and I have no idea when we will stop.

Breastfeeding was the hardest with my oldest. We were both new to it and the first couple of weeks, I cried and thought there was no way I could do it. I don't know why I expected there wouldn't be a learning curve.

If you just tell yourself that it's ok if it takes a bit to "get it" and use the lactation consultants while in the hospital and even after you leave, you will be fine. It may hurt in the beginning but just nurse or pump and eventually your body will start providing exactly what your baby needs.

I'll tell you, I LOVE not having to worry about warming up a bottle and just being able to feed my baby on demand. I can still read a book to my other children because my hands are basically free. :)

OH! While Nuk pacifiers aren't necessarily a bad thing for the baby, do not use a bottle for the first 5 or 6 weeks because it can cause nipple confusion. You want to introduce it at around 6 weeks though because then there may be a stubborn issue on the baby's part. LOL

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to message me.

L.

http://APerfectMoment.MyArbonne.com

First of all, Congratulations! New babies are so exciting. The best advice that I think that can be given is to breat feed for at least 6 weeks. Breast feeding is so important, it gives the children a boost in knowledge. My daughter was breast fed right up until I went back to work. She is now 2 and a half and knows colors, numbers, her speech is excellent. Some of my friends did not breast feed and their children were born around the same time frame and they are not as advanced. I've always said if I were to have another child I would make sure to breast feed. The 2nd advice I could give is to have lots and lots of patients. Especially if you do not have much help. Being a new mom can be overwhelming at times but every minute is worth it. I hope this helps. Have fun and enjoy your little one.
S.

Hi M.,
Congratulations! I know it's scary to be a new mom and wonder if you are doing the right thing. The first few weeks of breastfeeding are tough - but if you stick it out, it is so worth it! If you can, try to start as soon as possible. My son latched on about 20 minutes after he was born. Don't worry if your milk doesn't come in right away. The first few days of a baby's life, they don't need a lot to eat. Let her nurse often, and as long as she wants to - this will help your milk come in faster and she will get used to breastfeeding. It's all about supply & demand. The more she nurses, the more your body will produce. It will hurt a lot at first, but if you can survive labor and delivery, then you can survive breastfeeding! Babies R Us has a nursing blanket that is made of breathable fabric so the baby is ok under it. It also has a small weight in one corner so that you can throw it over your shoulder and not worry about it falling off. Definitely go out now and buy some nursing bras - you will be wearing them 24/7!
Just try to relax and stay hydrated. Get as much rest as you can. And enjoy your time with your baby instead of stressing out about little things. You won't believe how fast the time goes by.... Best of luck to you!

After giving birth and breastfeeding 4 babies, I designed a nursing cover that keeps you covered without covering your baby. Check out Slurp & Burp to help meet your breastfeeding needs. www.slurpburp.com

Congratulations! If you want to have a wonderful reference and some true guidance purchase the baby whisper and baby whisper solves all problems. I too was a first time Mom and was recommended to read these- they were and still are so helpful to my one year old son. Both will provide you with breastfeeding tips and how to help get your daughter sleeping 12 hours through the night. (by the way if you do purchase these I stopped the dream feed by 12 weeks not nearly as long as she suggested!)

My tip is be patient your milk may take a few days to come in and if you are lacking in supply you can take a natural supplement Fenugreek. Also if you pump often and between feeds (1 hour after you feed) it can increase your supply. You may have plenty of milk to which my advice will be worthless but at least you will have been prepared. You are young so this is a plus because you will have the energy that is required of you. Remember there is a light at the end of the tunnel! The first couple weeks seem so hard at times but they pass quickly. You will love it!!!!

Kara N's response was terrific.... You need to do what's right for you and her. I supplemented with the bottle and breast fed for 3 months. I did feel a little guilty about stopping, but I had to return to work, and it wasn't an environment where I could pump. Lansinoh is great, and don't forget to get a nursing bra or 2. I slept in them, it was the only way I was comfortable. You may also want to get a waterproof mattress pad. Good luck, have fun, and remember to sleep when the baby sleeps! The housework can wait!

Breastfeeding can be the most challeging thing to undertake and the most rewarding. I nursed both of my babies for a year plus but starting out was the most challenging. The best advice I can give is to stick with it. It can be tiresome and timeconsuming, but it gets better and it is the best thing for your baby. Also, don't be shy to ask your lactation consultant lots of questions, most hospitals have one on staff, and try to find another local mom that you can talk to about it. Sometimes a little moral support is all you need.

Also don't be afraid to supplement a little formula until your milk comes in. With a first baby, this can take a couple of days and while most babies don't "need" more than the colostrum you are providing, they will quiet faster if you offer them some formula. With my first baby, I didn't want to use a bottle right away, so the lactation consultant gave me a 10-12 ml syringe with a tube (catheter) attached to place right next to the nipple so that the baby could suckle at the breast and get some substance. It made all the difference for us! Hope all goes well!

I have breastfed all 3 of my babies (anywhere from 10mo-14 mo) and it was a great experience, to be honest I dont know why ALL women dont do it?? I know there is a lot of self sacrifice on your part, meaning you sometimes cant eat spicy food or certain things you will find may irritate the baby b/c EVERYTHING passes thru the breastmilk! So I recommend talking to your pedi dr about it and finding a suport group etc... and YES it is harder to diet when breastfeeding b/c you need to keep up calories in order to produce milk, BUT it makes the recovery from delivery EASIER and gets your body back so there is plus's too!! ANd you save about $5,000 in formula never mind all the chemicals in that stuff ughhhhhh!!!!! AND it is not an attack on anyone who has used formula b/c I know some people dont have a choice but why give it to your kids unless you absolutely have to? even if going back to work you can pump and send the milk, so there is no reason not to BF! It is a great bonding experience, and easier then making up bottles, cleaning them etc... I do recommend a boppy pillow, breast pump(milk storage bags) you willa need it as your milk comes in and also breast pads for the first few months Yes leaking is a problem but again a small price to pay for free milk! You can buy both products at babies r us or on line!

My best advice to you is to seek the help of a lactation consultant at the hospital. They usually give free advice and are a wealth of accurate information. Call your hospital in advance to see if they offer classes about breastfeeding and ask if they have a lactation consulatant on staff. If it wasn't for the lactation consultant at our hospital, I wouldn't still be breastfeeding! :) Good luck!

As far as breastfeeding... there's a cream to help heal the breasts that women buy once they're in pain, but another mom to be told me it helps to start applying some leading upto delivery. I was too far along to try it (literally hours away from going into labor), but I thought it was a helpful suggestion. Most people will tell you you can't do anything to prepare & just deal with it when it comes... it's true to some extent but DO buy healing things ahead of time. There's one called "Soothies" too that was particularly helpful. And you prob already some basic things like making sure she gets on your breast within an hour of birth (even if she doesn't latch properly), and for certain you should MILK the opportunity that you're in the hospital to learn as much from the lactation nurses as possible. It took me so long to really "get it" about a proper vs. improper latch. Pester them as much as you need to, they're ususally nice but even if they get annoyed- this is your moment(s) to learn/teach your baby and you'll be out of the hospital sooner then you think (for better or worse). I went through quite a bit in order to breastfeed so feel free to ask my anything else or contact me in the future if something else comes up- I learned so much from it and look forward to being an experienced mom next time. FYI, my little girl is now 6 months old. -N.

dont watch the clock. My son was able to nurse from one side for 45 mins. (he liked to take his time and nothing has changed). Let the baby nurse for as long as she likes on one side, when it's empty she'll let go. Then burp her and offer the other side. Also, you can use lanolin on your nipples and it won't hurt the baby. It may help with soreness. Just remember, you don't know what your doing and neither does the baby. You're both learning here. It may be uncomfortable even painful at first, but work through it. It's worth it.

you must be so excited to meet your little girl! the best advice that i can give about breastfeeding is to go and take a class. nothing can prepare you for the real thing but part of my prenatal class was devoted to breastfeeding (ways to hold the baby, what the proper latch looks like, how to turn a bad latch into a good one) and i appreciated having that knowledge in my recent memory when i was first trying to feed my little girl. remember that even though babies are born with their sucking reflex intact, it takes time for the mama/baby duet to sing smoothly... you both have to get to know each other and "learn" how to become great breastfeeding team. when the going gets tough, go ahead and get help from a lactation consultant. as well, i strongly encourage you to persist, even if it gets really tough. i had a TERRIBLE time with blocked ducts. what i found myself saying to people about them was that i didn't cry in response to any of my labor pain, but i cried when i got blocked milk ducts. it took me and my baby a full three months of various challenges before i would say breastfeeding got "easy". but it did get easy and i am so glad that people urged me to continue even when it got tough. it is funny, anticipation is the breeder of nervousness... once your baby comes you may find that you develop a strange confidence about caring for her... i know that i did :)

Hi M.!! Im K. and Im a mother of 7. I was blessed to breastfeed 6 of my 7 children.I have two sets of twins now 8 and 3yrs old. I now that breastfeeding is a wonderful expierence and its the one gift that no one else can give your child. The breast milk is designed for your baby,and it boosts the immune system . The bond you will share with your child is immeasurable. I breastfeed for at least 10mnths with each child and also supplemented with soy milk. There are many support groups that can help you. One is the La Leche League who gives you great knowledge and support on nursing. My best advice is have patients with nursing and lacthing on and off will make nursing very smooth . Stay hydrated and eat the best of foods for you and your baby.I wish you much success, Happy Nursing

Hi,
I would go to a La Leche League meeting while you are pregnant so you can see other moms breastfeeding and so you can ask questions. There is a Bridgewater/Hillsborough chapter, which I belong to. their website is lalecheleaguenj.org they meet once a month and there is a day meeting and an evening meeting for moms who work. You do not have to be a member to attend meetings. It is also a great way to meet moms in the area. The next evening meeting is on April 14 at 7:30pm. I am not sure if it is going to be held at the Bridgewater library or at the leader's house.
Also, I reccommend reading the Baby Book by Dr. Sears and The womanly Art Of Breastfeeding, which have good advice and instructions on Breastfeeding. You can also hook up with a lactation consultant depending on where you are delivering the baby. Breastfeeding can be challenging in the beginning, so the more support you have the better. If you have any more questions, you can email me at ____@____.com Congratulations and good luck.

The number ONE thing that nobody told me that I wish I knew was about the sleep deprivation. I really had no clue that 2am feedings happened EVERY night!! LOL!! (Consider co sleeping ~baby in the same room as you~ safely.. it literally saved my sanity.)

The other thing I wish I knew was that breastfeeding can be difficult in the first 3 to 6 weeks.. but once you get past that, it's extremely rewarding and worth every moment!! I am now breastfeeding my third baby and wouldn't have it any other way.

Oh yea, almost forgot.. lanolin.. with all 3 kids I needed it for the first 2 or 3 weeks. Great for sore nipples until you & baby get into the swing of things. A little goes a long way.

And p.s. I gained 44 lbs the first time, 60 lbs the second time, and 50 lbs the third time, and I've lost ALL the weight without dieting, thanks to nursing my kids!

Hi M., Congratulations! They will send a breastfeeding coach into your room to help you when the baby arrives to teach you how to get her to latch on and give you all kinds of pointers on how to hold her, feed her, how often, etc. When you take her home you can contact the LeLeche League if you need more pointers, and they will give you help as well.

I suggest that you buy the latest edition of Baby and Child Care by Dr. Benjamin Spock. It's about $10 in soft cover in the book store, or you can order it on the internet from Amazon. They sometimes have used ones for even less money. Dr. Spocktakes you page by page through this marvelous adventure you are embarking on, from day one. There are many other books out there, but this one will become your "bible" on baby information. Three generations of women have been using it in my family since the late 1950's, and when my great nephew was born I gave his mom the 2007 edition and it has been of great value to her. Every subject is in this book from appetite in newborns to topics pertaining to teenagers so it will take you through all your daughter's stages.

Lots of luck to you and your precious baby girl who is on the way. Grandma from Westchester

.

Congratulations, M.!!!! If you are referring to breastfeeding, make sure you tell them to put the baby to your breast ASAP after she is born. Within the first hour, it makes breastfeeding easier later on. After two hours, she'll be too tired to eat and then the learning process tend to be harder between you and her.
The best thing I enjoyed was them putting my son on me right after he was born, before the cord was cut. It was AWESOME!!!!
Also, they will offer you epidural and it's your choice if you do or you don't. I didn't take it with my three boys I have. You CAN do it without epidural. It's all in the mind and you haveto tell yourself and make it clear that you are not going to and that is that if you are interested in not having epidural. Also, there was an article I read where the doctor said that babies do get the epidural, but the effects on the baby has not been studied yet and they don't know about the effects. I have a friend who is a doula, a woman who coaches women through the birthing process (which if you are interested, check it out)and she said that she has seen babies who were born from mothers who used epidural and those who didn't and she was able to see the difference in the babies. So, it's up to you and it is very tempting to want it, but it's a wonderful feeling knowing that I overcame it and feeling the process gift come right out. If you end up having C-Section, please do not be sad about it and think, it's the gift, the child coming out and you get to meet her for the first time and see that beautiful face for the first time. Whatever you choose, know that you will not be thought less. Any other questions, I will try my best to answer your questions and I don't know the answer, I'll find out for you with other mothers at my church. I will be praying for you and your child. NOTE: Please give yourself a week break from your job nearing the duedate because you're going to need the rest and the sleep for the delivering and also, you won't get alot after coming home from the hospital. Do you have family around who can help you in the beginning? God bless!!

Breastfeeding was one of the best choices I ever made. It can be cause a little stress in the beginning because you can't tell how much the baby is getting. But as long as he/she has as many wet diapers as is old until about 6 days old, they're getting enough. Also, don't nurse on a schedual. Scheduals were designed for bottle fed infants. I always offered the breast whenever my little guy cried. Even if he wasn't hungry, nursing is a comfort thing for babies as well. Plus, unlike a bottle where when the baby has it, he gets milk...breastfeeding takes effort and the baby isn't always receiving milk the entire time they suck. And remember, breastfeeding is supply and demand. The more you nurse the more milk you'll have. Good luck and if you have a chance check out a local La Leche League even before the baby, they've been an incredible help for me. Still nursing my 10month old good and strong.

dr. sears books (the baby book, the breastfeeding book) were invaluable to me both before and after my daughter was born. he has a website (i think it's dr. sears.com) that has a lot of fantastic information about breastfeeding and everything else that has to do with babies and kids. the most important thing is to educate yourself as much as possible before the baby comes so that you're prepared and to surround yourself with people who support and understand breastfeeding. have fun, it's the best!!! i nursed my daughter until she was almost 3 and i would have done it longer but she was ready to stop. we had a great time and sometimes i really miss it. (oh and drink A LOT of water);

the ONLY advice i can give you is that if you truly want to breastfeed, make sure that it is well known by EVERYONE when you go in (even if you have to tattoo it to your forehead (obviously not literally lol)) that you want your child breastfed ONLY and that you want to be woken up IMMEDIATELY for the 1st feeding. i told that to 2 of the nurses and that i didn't care if they had to wake me this was what i wanted! and when i woke up after having my daughter (i had a c-section) they told me it was time for her 3rd feeding (they had given her 2 bottles already) and she REFUSED to latch on. i had 2 different nurses come in to try and help me get her latch on, i tried (and cried) many of days and nights to try and get her to breastfeed, but nothing worked. though the whole time (1st 3 months) i did pump to make sure she at least got the best of the breast milk, she didn't get as much as she would have if she were only breastfeeding and i completely blame the nurses that were on that shift! sorry if this worries you, just want you to be aware how important it is for EVERYONE involved after you have your child to know what YOU WANT and to make sure that it happens. i don't want someone else to have to go through what i did...i still from time to time feel like a horrible mother because i couldn't get her to breastfeed and yet i know that it's not the case...i gave her what she needed, she's happy, healthy, and turned 2 today. to good luck and CONGRATULATIONS!

Hi M.,
my daughter just turned 2 - but like you, when I was expecting for the first time I was nervous. I worked up to 2 weeks before my due date. My suggestion as far as breastfeeding - it takes a lot of patience. So don't get frustrated if it doesn't work the first few times. You'll get the nack of it. And since I wasn't really getting it in the beginning - while in the hospital I asked if a Lactation Specialist could help guide me & show me the ropes since that was her specialty. The specialist came to my room & spent close to an hour with me. It was very helpful. So best of luck to you & your baby. God Bless, K.

Congrats M.! Breastfeeding is really hard work at first, but so worth it in the end. I never had to "prepare" my nipples...I just used the lanolin creme in the beginning when they were uncomfortable. Just remember, when it gets really tough, dont give up. I almost did, and my friend did and regrets it months later because her child is sick with ear infections all of the time. Now my baby is 9 months old and doing just great. In the beginning, our pediatrician told me that my baby was "starving" and not gaining enough weight and encouraged me to supplement with formula. She scared me that I was doing something wrong. I am glad that I switched pediatricians and did not give up on breastfeeding. You have to be careful with supplementing because it could affect your milk supply. Now I have a chubby healthy baby who is not starving..it just takes time. Please reach out to your local La Leche League organization. THey were so helpful to me during this time. They offer support in email and over the phone. Best of luck to you and your baby!

Breast feeding is such a wonderful bonding experience,and its so healthy for you and baby.Drink plenty of water.If it doesnt seem to be working keep trying.Sometimes it seems like the baby is always hungry,feed on demand to build a vast milk source.no bottles or paci's.It gets easier with time.I breastfed my daughter for 2 and a half years,my son for 6 monthes and they have only been sick a handful of times.also you will get back into shape alot fater.most important watch your baby after you eat,if you eat something then feed the baby you will know if it makes the baby fussy .so try to eat 1 thing at a time and test out the foods this way.stay away from coffee,choclate,and spicy foods.try to limit dairy products and go to soy if you can.this makes it so much easier for a stress free expierence ;) be blessed and njoy :) nikole

Congrats on the new bundle of joy!
I would recommend going to the hospital you are going to deliver at and ask for breatfeeding classes. All hospitals offer free seminars for upcoming first time mothers. I couldn't give you any advice b/c I did not breast feed my children. I have two boys, both very healthy thank god. It wasn't that I didn't want to breast feed, I just didn't lactate. I tried with both and no luck, so formula it was for the babies.

As for a new mommy to be, I suggest you have chamomile tea once a day for six weeks. It really help with the bloating after you have the baby. It help me and I popped back to my flat stomach after both preganancy's.

Another suggestion, the baby might have colic (gas), and you can give her watered down tea as well. It's a tradition that my family has followed since the 1800's. My grandmother was born in 1906 and kept it going passing down the little home remedies. So good luck to you!!!!

hi M.,

yeah! congratulations!! i haven't read the other responses so i don't know if i'm being redundant but here's my 2 cents:

get baby nursing as soon as you can!! don't let the hospital give her a bottle (some give formula but more commonly they give sugar-water!!!) insist she get on your breast within the first half hour. it's baby's instinct to look for your nipple.

if you're committed to breastfeeding (what a great gift to give your little one) get a lactation consultant before you give birth. if you're birthing in a hospital they may or may not have one on staff. so have that number on hand before you go into labor. i would also recommend you get a pump (electrical pumps are easiest). if you have difficulty with flow, rent a hospital-grade pump (a lactation consultant or the hospital should be able to rent you one for about $2/day). these are the mega-pumps... they make the expensive pump-in-style look like a toy. great for getting flow going and for unclogging blocked ducts or engorged breasts. you may not need to pump at all, but if you're engorged and in pain and baby isn't latching yo don't want to have to scramble to get all that info together after the fact. if you already have a relationship with a lactation consultant she'll be much more amenable to dropping in on you with little notice.

yo may already know this but i just want to put it out there... know that the more you nurse the greater your supply will be. it's crucial in the beginning, when you're body getting in its supply and figuring out how much your baby needs, not to formula feed. baby will be satiated after a bottle of formula and will not take your breast. this will send the message to your body that baby doesn't have such a voracious appetite and it scale back on production appropriately. if you plan to both breastfeed and formula feed, allow your supply to build first.

lastly, you may want to join a breastfeeding support group (again, lactation consultant should be able to direct you). these groups are free and are headed by a lactation consultant. it's really nice to get feedback from others who have gone through/ are going through the same thing. it's also a nice place to meet other new moms and make close friends. good luck! and i wish you a happy healthy baby and peaceful delivery.

K.

p.s. get a box of nursing pads just in case your supply is so healthy that you soak your shirt every time you have let-down.

Hi M., My name is Mary and I'm glad to hear that you want to breastfeed. I did all of my 5 children and found it so beautiful. First of all try to relax. It is the most natural thing you can do (what they are there for) My only advice now is that you may want to prepare your nipples by rubbing some A&D cream on them occasionally and try to toughen them up. Baby will be sucking hard and it may hurt a little in the beginning. Not only is breastfeeding the best way to get your belly back in shape but the bonding is the best ever. Read as much as you can about new motherhood as we only fear what we do not know. Most is really instinct. Follow your heart and ask or pray for guidance. My best wishes to you and your family. Mary (grandmother of 3)

Ask to see the lactation consultant in the hospital asap after birth. Either bring a pump with you to the hospital or see if they have them there and make sure that one is in your room during your recovery. Pump every hour for 15 minutes even if you are not getting anything yet. Drink a lot of water. Half the battle is having the milk supply. Also a trick I used to get my son to latch was use a suringe with breastmilk in it (you will have to use formula until your milk comes in though) and have someone let it trickle down the breast so your baby gets the idea of where the food comes from. The main thing is be patient. It is a lot of work in the beginning but there is no other feeling in the world when your baby is nursing and looks up at you. My son is 1 today and I am just starting to stop the nursing process.

You will love breastfeeing! But the first month can be hard and exhausting, so just anticipate that. The ladies here have given lots of good advice. Go out and pick up a copy of The Nursing Mother' Companion at the bookstore. It is a great resource, and just read up before you give birth to feel more comfortable. The book also has lists of what medicines you can take while breastfeeding and other helpful tips throughout the baby's months of feeding.

Congratulations and best to you on a wonderful birth!

M., i could write a book with all the advice id like to give you. i wont though ;) i dont know your situation at all, but to be brief, i would say the most important things to being successful at breastfeeding are:
support - it makes a huge difference, surround yourself with people who support you. if you dont have any, find some.. you can email me any time.
do not give bottles or paci in the beginning. try not to for at least 4 weeks. some babies make the switch just fine, but some dont. i had one of each...
if for some reason your baby must have bottles (my daughter was in the nicu the 1st week and had to) you need to pump a LOT with a good pump, at least every 3 or 4 hours, and you certainly can still work it out afterward, i can help...
drink lots of water, and no caffiene.
put the baby to breast asap and as often as possible in the beginning. your milk will come in faster. your milk wont really come in for a few days, sooner the more you nurse. this is normal! and your baby is fine! just keep at it. get help in the hospital, a good lactation consultant or nurse is worth their weight in gold. be super nice and ask for help till it clicks......it can be hard in the hospital, you may be exhausted and unsure of yourself. though you might feel great, especially since this is your first and you are young. i felt like a rock star after my 1st, i couldnt beleive it! i was so impressed with what my body could do!
dont let the baby nurse too long at one time in the beginning, a half hour at once on the same breast is plenty IF she is truly sucking, then take a break. you want to try to avoid sore nipples. they will get a little sore, thats ok, but you dont want real problems, it can really mess you up.
get a nursing bra or 2 now. you will be much more comfortable. i know they say to wait, but you really might not get to the mall for a while afterward! just go to motherhood, you can get a decent one for under $20, it will get you through the beginning, just get a size bigger, the staff can help you. and get some nursing pads, i would get disposables - the advent ones are so nice and soft, and a pack of washables, contoured ones are nice if they have them. nursing clothes are nice, but expensive and unnecessary imo. a stretchy tank top under a loose fitting top works great, thats what i wear every day. a tank that you can pull down under one boob, cheap ones like old navy. pull the shirt up and the tank down, works great and everything is covered. if you are a nightgown person, maybe get a nursing nightgown for the hospital, a dark color. though i think the best thing for the hospital are comfy t shirts and tank tops and loose lightweight shorts and sweats, dark colors on the bottom, things can be messy and you will have to get up to pee and there will be visitors. not to be gross, but i was reeeeeally glad someone told me.
as for delivery, all you really need is extra lip balm and maybe a back up camera! my sister dropped mine.
you are gonna do great! if you are determined to breastfeed, then you will. the beginning is very important, get help if you need it. there is nothing you cant overcome. it is so worth it, it is truly wonderful. forget schedules, just nurse on demand. remember to drink a lot. enjoy that baby, they do grow so fast. best of luck to you.

Congrats on your new baby. :) Breastfeeding is the best food for your baby and the bond you two develop is amazing. I breastfed my boy and am now breastfeeding my baby girl. The first 2 weeks are the hardest and I think it's good to expect that. You'll be sore. Very sore. Just stick with it and you'll be very happy.
I used the Gerber Warm or Cool Relief Packs (available at Target). They were very helpful. Also, be sure to stock up on nursing pads. Best wishes!

I recommend that you get the Medela double breast pump (electric). It saves time and is so much easier to express milk for your baby. It is quite on the expensive side, but much worth the investment. It goes a long way for you and your baby :)
These manual hand pumps advertised are no good...too much hard work that you will not have time for, plus your hand starts to hurt after a while.

Wish you the best and God Bless.

M.,

Your gonna do fine,

I had my first child when i was 22, and it was terrific,
HARD and a bit Lonely but wonderful.You just need to remember that your happiness is very important, and its OK to leave him with a sitter,or your mom for a few hours.

For Breastfeeding, NURSE the baby as soon as you can, the minute they come out because the sooner you start the easier it becomes,

Most hospitals have Lactation consultants take advantage of that, and go to the class, and have her come and visit.

Alot of women swear by BOPPY's but i found it to be one step to many. Couch cushions work just aswell for me LOL.

Sports bras work well also, but You should wait till your milk comes in to buy a nursing bra.

Personally it was just easier to lift the side of the sports bra but some people really like the nursing bras.

You will need nursing pads to protect your clothes from wet milk spots which can stain your clothes,there are reusables, and disposables BUT I liked folded bounty paper towels they are very absorbant LOL and cheaper, and easily accessible LOL
Milk can be smelly, and I ALWAYS seeemed to be missing a breast pad from the laundry, kinda like socks.LOL

I think you should try http://www.gdiapers.com/
these are cloth diapers and I use a cloth prefold diaper as an insert to save money,

But honestly they are so worth it,
I wish some one had told me about them earlier,
I save so much money, and its no more difficult than disposables,

Think about it, you spend 20 bucks on a case of diapers every 2 weeks, which is 40 dollars
so if you buy 2 starter packs thats 4 covers and 8 inserts
at 50 dollars and it lasts you FOREVER.

To me it made sense, specially now that I know those stupid beads in the diapers can cause cancer..
And it is gentler on their skin,

My boys are allergic to the latex,and get rashes from the beads. which is why switched,

Well anyways, Good luck and Congrats!

You'll Do GREAT!!

Your a Natural,

M

It may be painful, but don't give up!!! Get a breastpump before you deliver so that you have it just in case you need it.

I breastfed my daughter for 14 months. Know that it may be difficult in the beginning, but it gets SO much better once your milk comes in. It may seem like you're nursing non-stop....but it really is worth it and will get better. Realize that the first few weeks are just about you and the baby...let the housework, etc. go for a while. Drink lots of water and be sure to ask for help in the hospital. Many of the nurses and/or lactation consultants will be very knowledgeable. I found the www.medela.com website (they make breastpumps) very helpful...you can even email a real live lactation consultant from that site. Good luck!

i say this after bottle feeding my first, so i can compare. its easier overall meaning no prep, no cleanup, baby cries less, more bonding time. its harder in the way you are more responsible since you are the only one feeding her, but it will be better.
in the beginning, it was hard because the first day, she wouldnt wake to eat at all, the next she wouldnt stop sucking on me for 24 hours. my nipples were so sore that i was doubting being able to continue, but it does go away. in less than 2 weeks, no more pain. so just be prepared but know its going to end.
watch out for some nurses who arent as supportive as others. make sure the baby stays in the room with you, and put a note on the bassinet "no bottles or pacifiers". it seems they view it as more work to have to roll the baby down the hall every hour or two to eat. since its your first, be prepared that some nurses are kinda bossy, stick to your ground if you believe in something. they can be intimidating. make sure you have someone with your the whole time in the hospital to help you, as it is overwhelming. BUT as soon as you are home, its like a weight lifts off your shoulders. you will feel much more confident at home without others looking over your shoulders.
make sure to bring lanolin to the hospital and for home, it does wonders those first days. drink lots of water, i mean lots. and eat lots of fiber to avoid constipation since your body is using more fluids.
dont under any circumstances believe anyone who suggests you need to supplement unless there is a real medical problem. you dont need to worry about the baby getting milk as the colostrom is perfect for the baby. you need to make sure you give the baby the chance to have your body make the milk, so if you use formula, your body thinks it made enough, and will start this cycle of not having enough milk. if you plan on using bottles try to wait till 4 weeks. make sure the baby eats like every 2 hours the first days, even if you need to wake them. it will help get your milk in and ensure you make enough. if any doubts come up, put the baby on your breast more, the more she sucks, the more milk you will make.
be prepared that anyone who doesnt breastfeed will say "are you sure she isnt hungry". just stay confident. i can tell you, im very happy i breastfed my second. it is alot of work, but in 3-4 weeks you will be like an old pro. good luck and contact me if you have any questiosn about anything. the first 2 weeks are really hard, but it gets easier so stick with it. good luck1

TRUST YOUR BODY! Only 2% of women have true supply issues, yet everyone thinks they fall in that 2%. Your body will provide excatly what your baby needs. Trust yourself! Nurse when your baby shows signs of being hungry, before she cries. Nursing on demand (no scheduling) will allow her to send the proper signals to your body about how much milk to make.

DONT USE FORMULA! No matter what they tell you it will NEVER equal your milk, will hurt your supply, and can cause many problems for your baby, yet many people will tell you its a suitable alternative. It isn't! And once you start using it, you can pretty much wave bye bye to your milk supply. Once you supplement you are on a slippery slope for maintaining you milk.

BE AWARE OF GROWTH SPURTS! Babies on average go though 5+ growth spurts in the first 6 months of life. Your baby will seem to nurse hourly (or more often) and this is when many women freak out and assume they arent making enough. IT ISNT TRUE! She's just trying to pump up your supply to keep up with her growth. Nurse he as much as she needs to and your supply will be maintained.

IT WILL TAKE A FEW DAYS FOR YOUR MILK TO COME IN You will have colostrum in the beginning, which is all she needs. It is NORMAL to lose weight in the first weeks, and can take up to 3 weeks to regain her birthweight. If you or your ped are concerned, bring her in for regular weight checks, but beware of the formula! YOU DONT NEED TO SUPPLEMENT UNTIL YOUR MILK COMES IN and it is RARELY necessary to supplement if she's a slow gainer. Consult your lactation consultant if you are worried.

HER POOP WILL BE DIFFERENT Once your milk comes in, breastfed babies poop is watery, mustard yellow and appears to have seeds in it. Many people who arent familiar with breastfed babies will think its diarrhea. Its normal and nothing to be concerned about. Her poop will stink less than a formula fed baby, and so will her spitup. Plus her spitup doesnt stain!

POSITIONING AND LATCH Have your baby tummy to tummy, propped up to your breast level. Do not bring your breast to her mouth, rather bring her to your breast. Use pillows if needed to keep her at breast level. Make sure when she latches that she open wide like a baby bird and takes in much of the areola. Make sure her gums are BEHIND the nipple and her lips are flanged out. This is a good latch and you should hear her swallowing. You may experience some discomfort as you get used to it, but if at any time you feel PAIN, take her off and try to position and latch her again. It isnt supposed to HURT, so see someone if you need help. When you remove her from the breast, don't just pull her off. You can damage your nipple pretty severely! Instead, stick a finger in the corner of her mouth to break the suction, then remove her.

GET HELP If something goes wrong, you are having trouble, see a lactation consultant. Don't just throw in the towel. Do your best to make it work. Almost all women can breastfeed successfully with the proper info, support, and their own dedication. I am here and a Breastfeeding Counslor if you have any questions too. Good luck, you will do just fine!

Books: http://www.amazon.com/Womanly-Art-Breastfeeding-Sixth-Rev...
Websites: http://kellymom.com/index.html
http://www.breastfeeding.com/helpme.html

Take any help you can get! I had a really hard time with my first when trying to get her to breastfeed. I ended up putting her on formula pretty quickly. My second was much easier!

There is a fantastic group called the LaLeche League that is great for information and support when breastfeeding. I would check it out.

There is nothing more satisfying than knowing you are giving your child nourishmnet. There is plenty of discomfort in the beginning but it will subside and get easier as time goes on. If you feel like you are having ANY trouble, call the lactation consultant. There can be all sorts of issues when breastfeeding like blocked ducts and even cracked and bleeding nipples (that can be serious and can often require medicine) Follow your instincts and don't listen to any negative talk from others. (I had a whole family that just thought I was WIERD for breastfeeding - they all got over it!) GOOD LUCK!!!

Yeah for you! Breastfeeding is awesome! I'm 25 and my daughter just had her first birthday and she is still nursing 6 times a day and I treasure every minute, despite some of the recent comments about how I should wean her now.
These are things I did and things I will do with my next baby... Room in at the hospital, feed on demand, no pacifiers for first week or two, will pump some and try bottles after a couple weeks(I could never let down with pump cause I rarely tried and my daughter never took a bottle, though she had no problem with sippy cup at 8 months), invest in atleast 4 or 5 good nursing bras, find your favorite breast pads and stock up (I liked the washable ones, but haven't needed any for last 5 months or so) keep a few good light weight blankets on hand and find a good nursing shawl (one that will cover your back too, I nursed and walked around everywhere). It won't always be the easiest choice (like at first when you milk hasn't come in or when your baby is teething) but a lot of times it is so much easier than preparing and warming up bottles, not to mention how good it is for your baby in everyway. Good luck!

My advice is to stick with it and don't give up. Sometimes its not as natural as you see in the movies, and it takes a lot of work. If you need help, definitely see a lactation consultant (hospitals have them on staff). Ask for help if you need it, attend the hospital's breastfeeding class while you're in there (if there is one).
My first son took 3 months to fully catch on, but with the help of a lactation consultant, pumping, a nipple shield, and a ton of support from my husband I was able to nurse him for the full year.
My second son was a pro, but it hurt pretty badly in the beginning. But once you get past those first few weeks it doesn't hurt anymore and is pure joy.
Congratulations and good luck to you. There's nothing to be nervous about. Motherhood will just come to you.

Congratulations....M....I have great advice about breastfeeding....don't listen to everyone...everyone and anyone will offer advice, even those who have not breastfed their children. I am so happy that you have decided to breastfeed...this is amazing and if at anytime you feel frustrated or unsure I will always be available for you to speak to. My email address is ____@____.com
again congratualations.

first and foremost, just relax with it! it is the most beautiful bond you can form with your child. check out this website which will give you soo much info on feeding, pumping, storing etc...good luck!!! http://medelabreastfeedingus.com/tips-and-solutions/11/br...

Hi,
First Congratualtions! Let me say this though, you can spend a lot of time preparing, you can read all the books, you can take classes...but your baby doesn't. Sometimes the first few weeks of Breastfeeding can be rough, even if you are prepared, but STICK WITH IT! It is so worth it in the end. Before I gave birth to my duaghter, I read the books, asked advice and even took a class, I was ready to breastfeed! But she wasn't, it took a full two weeks of fingure feeding before she was able to properly latch and suck. It was a long hard couple of weeks, and even when we got the latch right, it wasn't always easy, but I wouldn't trade the nursing bond for anything. My dauhter is now 10 months old and we are still nursing strong!
Just remember that it is a new skill for you and your baby, it may be tough at first but see it through and you won't regret it!

Please let me know if you have any questions or anything!

Best of Luck!

M.

Congratulations, M.. I breastfed both of my boys. My first was a sick little guy for the first couple of weeks and they kept switching from breast to bottle and encouraged me to pump...but didn't tell me when to stop. I had enough milk to feed a third world nation! I highly recommend the Medula Pump-in-Style electric pump if you are going to continue breast feeding for return to work. I actually had an adapter for my car and pumped in between patients for my second son and he was exclusively breast fed NEVER any formula (it seemed MUCH easier the second time around!) I managed to breast feed my second son until 16 months old. My first I cut off at 12 months because everyone told me I had to. I recommend doing what feels right for you and your child and don't listen to everyone's "advice" as to when you should discontinue breastfeeding. Oh...I also HIGHLY recommend the gel dressings that go on your nipples for the first week or so. I didn't have that the first time and was grateful to have them the second time around. My second is tounge tied and his latch on was not so wonderful for the fist 5-7 days of his life. Oh, one more thing...I didn't have a period for 24 months!!! (first time around it came back at 6 months, but I attribute that to supplementing with formula when I didn't have to) Breast feeding is a supply-demand thing. Just remember that! Good Luck to you and feel free to drop me a line if you have any other ?'s. Work closely with a Lactation Nurse or Consultant, too! The only "bad" thing was a couple of cases of Mastitis. It sucked, but I got over it! I wish you the best of luck! Enjoy that little girl!!!

St. Clare's Hospital offers a breastfeeding class (just one evening, but very helpful). Also, the hospital offers a wonderful breastfeeding support group that meets every other Wed. morning. I found both of these things to be very helpful. My daughter was born 6 weeks early, so we had a hard time with nursing in the beginning. But, we sought out support from different places and, once we got the hang of it, it was very easy. Just know that it is not unusual to have a really hard time in the beginning. Stick with it. You will be very happy you did. I ended up nursing my daughter for 18 months. Good luck with everything. And congratulations on your new little girl!

Congratulations, M.!

I was so unprepared when I had my baby almost 6 months ago. If I could do it all over again, here's what I'd have on hand for breast feeding before delivery:

A nursing bra, or any comfortable bra that you can pull down to expose your breast. You will be wearing a bra 24/7 while breast feeding, and you do get bigger so make sure its roomy.

Nursing pads. I like the disposable Lansinoh brand. Once your milk comes in, it really flows.

Lanolin. I had no idea a tiny baby could hurt me that bad. It gets better but those first few weeks are awful. Lanolin helps with the pain. Its a cream you put on your nipples. Also SOOTHIES I would have given up without soothies! They are like a breast pad, but the part that touches your breast is gel. Its cool and really eases the pain.

Some women have it easier than others. Like I mentioned, the pain I experienced breast feeding was worse than my delivery (I had a scheduled C-section), but don't be scared or give up. It really is the best thing you can do for yourself and your baby. I was back to my regular weight in 6 weeks and now I weigh less and I'm not one for exercising, if you know what I mean.

Now my son is almost 6 months old and until 2 weeks ago when I started him on a little rice cereal, he had only had breast milk, he never had formula. He went from 7 1/2 lbs to 17. People, especially of the older generation, will tell you that they need formula or cereal to suppliment breast milk, but they don't for the first 6 months, Mother Nature knows what she's doing. Follow your instict and get a pediatricain that you trust.

Good Luck!!
R.

I breastfed 3 kids. My best advice to you is a cream called lasinoh. I think I spelled it wrong. Purple tube you can find in the bottle/baby section of any store. It's great for when the breasts get sore. Safe for baby too. Breast pads. The ones in the store were too weak for me, personally. I leaked alot and soaked my shirts with those. Had to use 2 or 3 at a time. I cut the shoulder pads out of my old shirts and used those. Disposable and much heavier. Make sure you get a pump. Even if you don't keep at it or use it later, it helps alot when you swell up and get engorged in first few days. And plenty of warm showers to relieve any swelling and/or pain. Hope it helps. Good Luck!!

hi M.

I'm a frist time mother, and love it. I'm singal and stay at home. Breastfeeding is the best. you will not like it at frist only becasuse of the pain. it go's away after 3=4 weeks hang in there. Its the best thing for the baby. lansinon band is the best. for breastfeeding mother and nurseing pads. I live by them. I work right up to july 6 and she was bron on 17july. coming to the end I just wanted to push. I wanted to just lay around and sit in water. we are both summer baby's so at that time water was my bestfriend. wish you all the best. god bless. keep walking as much as you can, it helps you in the end with delivery. pack your bag and put it in your car in your last two weeks. take care.

Hi M.,
I just became a first time Mom last July and I chose to breastfeed. We encountered a few hurdles but I am still breastfeeding and so happy about it. I definitely recommend taking a breastfeeding class before your baby is born, or perhaps go to your local LaLeche league meeting. It helps so much to have support while taking on such a beautiful thing. There are situations or "hurdles" that you need knowledge about. I would also get a copy of the book Breastfeeding made simple. It is a great resource to have at your fingertips when you'll need it.
All the best!

Hi M.,

Congratulations! I hope the birth of your little one goes well (and fast). The best advice I can give you is take advantage of the resources at your hospital. Talk to the nurses about everything you have a question on. Bathing, sleeping, eating, everything. Also, ask to speak to a lactation consultant while you are still in the hospital and make sure you have a number where a consultant can be reached once you go home.

I went out and got a video on newborn care before I had my first. It went over all the basics for the first 6 weeks. What is normal, when to call the doctor, how to care for yourself post partum. It really helped b/c before that video I had no idea that breastfed newborn babies poop yellow. I probably would have thought something was wrong and rushed him to the doctor (then felt silly)!

Also, the doctors will tell you to feed your baby every 3 hours. I say, listen to your baby instead. If you just fed her an hour and a half ago and she is crying and routing for a nipple, then feed her agian! Every baby is differant and some need to be fed more often then every three hours and some can go 4 or 5 (although I wouldn't let it go 5 hours at first).

Good luck! I'm sure you'll be a great Mommy!

hi, M.,
congratulations! i hope the labor and delivery go well. I am a mom with 5 kids ages 30-9 years. (3 boys and 2 girls). i breast fed all of them ( the 1st for only a few months; i was
not supported enough to continue. :( . the rest i nursed at least 15 months, the last for 2
years :) .) the most important time is the preparation before birth and the first few weeks after.
i was encouraged to prepare the nipples by toughening them with a wet wash cloth ( no soap) in the shower, and allowing them to air dry afterwards. i'm sure you could just "google" and get more info. also a problem time is the first few weeks, as your body adjusts to your sucking infant. (it can cause some soreness). just make sure the child's mouth is fully latched on all of the areola (the dark circular pigment around the nipple). lanolin is helpful for soreness as is the breast milk itself, expressed lightly and gently coated over the nipple, and allowed to air dry. i even used, used tea bags applied as little compresses.
i just "googled" "breastfeeding" and found some helpful websites. try them.
nursing is the best for you and your child. it has so many positives. you'll be relaxing and enjoying it in no time! very, very few woman can't nurse.. most complaints are, "i don't have enough milk," or "it hurts too much," or " it's inconvenient." so get yourself a wonderful water bottle ( to refill with fresh, filtered water),drink plenty, prepare those breasts, and be thankful you are able to relax with your sweet child! it is a wonderful event
to look forward to during each day. it yields your life to peacefulness.
you mentioned that you work. hopefully you have 3 months off, at least. woman do work and continue nursing via the pumping method. i'm sure there are sites for that info. too.
all of the best to you.
J.

hi M.!
congrats!! I have read all of the responds and they are all great! When you have your baby, the hospital will assign you a lactation consultant(atleast mine did-you should look into that). I LOVED them!!! They were absolutely amazing!! They made it all so much more enjoyable and less scary. They actually show you how to place and hold the baby, as well as inform you on what to expect.
Good luck!
J.

I am a 44 year old mom of 2 wonderful boys 9 and 15! I breast fed both. The best advise is to relax and bond with your daughter let other issues fad away. If the hospital allows rooming in have the baby stay with you and become connected. It is my firm belief that a new infant needs to by nature figure out how to recognize you and will be easier learn the skill of breast feeding for you both if you are together as much as possible. Think of it from natures perspective. and by all means keep it simple don't think about it too much just do what comes naturally. If it doesn't feel right trust your instincts!
Good Luck and Congrats
P from Buffalo

Congratulations! I have a 1 year old daughter and I have breastfed for the whole year and I still am. Breastfeeding is wonderful for you and your baby. It has so many benefits if you can stick with it. The hardest days are the first week when your milk supply won't necessarily match your baby's hunger. Let her nurse as much as possible during that time and don't use formula. The more you nurse the better your supply will be. If you have trouble there is free phone support from La Leche League or you can have someone come to your house. It is hard at first because you and your baby need to learn how to breastfeed but if you can stick it out it is wondeful.
P.S.-Lansinoh breast cream is great

hi M.,
first few weeks are very stressful, just because you are learning what to do, new life style, new human being that you have to take care off around the clock.
Few things to remember in the hard times- you will learn everything about your baby and start understand her cues within few short weeks. it will get easier with each day!
Breastfeeding is a wonderful experience, nothing compares to a mother being able to give her child everything she needs in her first months of life. Also know that in the beginning its a bit challenging usually- nipple pain! (feels like someone is cutting you with a razor)also period like pain at first when your baby is nursing- normal first few weeks), can't get a comfortable nursing position, sometimes baby has problems latching on, too many feeding sessions per day (sometimes you going to think all you're doing is breastfeeding, then burping, then changing diaper)
But the pain disappears pretty fast some women few days, some 2-3 weeks)if you nurse on demand(whenever baby seems hungry ca be anywhere from and hour to 3 in the beginning)
Remember Be patient, look for different nursing position so you both comfortable. "Breast Friend" nursing pillow helped me a lot in the beginning , also laying on the side with baby's head propped up with a blanket was a comfortable and relaxing position - you can both take a nap during breastfeeding. Milk supply will be established fast if you feed your baby on demand. Talk to lactating nurses at the hospital they will show you all the techniques you need to know about.If you going back to work then you need to pump milk, best is electric pump "Pump in Style" by Medela. but breastfeed the first weeks (4-5 weeks to establish milk supply) and then sometimes alternate with bottle so you baby starts to learn how to take both. Within few short weeks you both will be pros at breastfeeding!! Keep yourself hydrated, eat well, rest and relax as much as possible, don't stress too much and enjoy this precious time, it will go by soooo fast. good luck and you'll do just great.

My best advice is some that was given to me before I had my son. I was determined to breastfeed and one of my friend told me this.. "Have a can of formula and some bottles in your house. Sometimes you have to supplement a bottle until your milk comes in and you don't want to have to just take whatever you can find at the quickir mart in the middle of the night." I'm so glad I took her advise and was ready. My nipples became so sore I was crying at the thought of attaching my son and since my milk was having trouble coming in fully feedings would take 1 1/2 hours with a 30 min break until he was hungry again. I supplemented with formula and after a week I was just breastfeeding 3 times a day. Even with the help of the hospital lactaion team and a pump I never fully got my milk and after a few weeks he was totally on formula. He's doing great now at 11 months, well ahead developmentally and I have FINALLY let go of the guilt of not being able to breastfeed.

Just realize that there is no one right way, it's whatever works for you and your little girl!

Congrats on the baby. I would suggest using a breast cream for at least a week before the baby is born. It will help. Lansinoh has a good one. I would also like to tell you that if you are serious about breastfeeding, you might want to consider talking to a lactation consultant. Most hospitals can tell you how to contact one. They can also answer most of your questions. Give yourself a little time. Don't feel like you have to know everything right now. It will come, and if it doesn't you can always ask the masses!!!

Good Luck,
C. Thomson

Please don't think me insensitive, but your post really made me laugh. Anything you should know before she comes? Ummm, yeah, there are a few things, but the most important, I think, is be good to yourself.

You can read all about breastfeeding in the books and on-line for tips and tricks, but what I can offer you, as a mom who has just been through the early stages of breastfeeding and infant care, is to try as hard as you can to relax, be calm, and try to stay present.

The first few months with your new baby are so precious. You don't want to spend them worrying and stressing out about the million new things that might happen, could happen, etc. Deal with what is happening and you will be fine.

You are going to be a great mom. You are going to be able to take care of and feed your baby. Even if breastfeeding doesn’t work out, that is ok, you will still be able to feed and take care of your baby.

Hang in there and enjoy your time with your baby. The moms here are such an amazing help as you move through infancy. I am sending you lots of relaxing energy. Good luck!

M.,

Congrats! A new baby is so exciting. I have 3 kids of my own. The first one just could not get the hang of breatfeeding, perhaps I should say niether one of us could. Of course all of the research supports breast feeding and it is the best. HOWEVER, with my first child, my milk did not come in right away, they sent me home from the hospital saying it will come in soon, hang in there. 3 days later he was admitted to the hospital with severe dehydration (milk still wasn't flowing as much as he needed). I was so convinced that breast feeding was the best thing for him I would not consider formula or a bottle. Now, after 3 kids, when I look at video of him the first 2 or 3 days, I can see he was a hungry, jaundiced little boy, I just did not know any better.
Good news is, babies 2 and 3 did both breat and bottle with no nipple confusion, and no other issues at all. My first child also is by far the healthiest of the 3 of them.

Good luck. Listen to your internal mommy voice, it is usually correct.

R.

M.,
Congratulations on your first pregnancy and on deciding to breastfeed! O.K. First, read up on what to expect with breastfeeding. There are some great books out there that will tell you everything. Second, there is a special cream that you can buy that will soften your nipples. I can't remember the name of it, but you find it in the baby section of drug stores. It's a very thick cream, and you have to work it between your fingers before rubbing it onto yourself. Do this twice a day from now until delivery. When your baby girl arrives, you'll need to work with the breast feeding specialists at your hospital to learn how to train your baby to suckle. Amazing, isn't it? Human beings are the smartest living beings, yet we are the only animals who don't instinctively know how to nurse at birth. It will take a great amount of patience to get the positioning just right, but it will pay off big time, trust me. (More about that later.) Third, when you are nursing, continue to use the nipple cream two or three times a day. It is not harmful for the baby to ingest, but it does make you nipples slippery, so you'll want to wipe it off before she nurses. It is very important to continue using the cream so that you don't get cracked nipples. Some women complain that nursing hurts, and it is because their nipples have gotten dry and cracked. The cream, that I can't remember the name of, prevents this from happening.

Now, I mentioned that the nursing would pay off for you. When I had my son (he is 4 years old now) the night time feedings were soooo easy. I had my son in the bassinet next to me. He would begin to wake up, and not really cry all that much, because I was able to get up and bring him to the rocking chair before he could get to a full blown wail. I had my Boppy pillow and another regular pillow to help me position him. A dim night light helped me see him and make sure he was suckling. Then, I could rock and relax, almost fall back to sleep while he nursed. Because he was able to get fed right away and never saw bright lights, he was able to go right back to sleep at night. On the flip side, making a bottle of formula takes at least three minutes, and you have to get up and go to the kitchen. By the time it is ready, both you and the baby are wide awake, and it may be harder for baby to understand that it is not time to be awake and demanding attention.

Good luck with everything. I know that you will be a great mother! Trust your instincts.

Hi!
Breastfeeding is a lot of work! I knew that going into it with my 1st but was still kind of surprised by how hard it was. It was totally worth it, don't get me wrong. There were many times I wanted to quit, and I actually did for a while. I felt that both of us (me & baby) were stressed out and that isn't good for either. I just pumped for a few days and took a break. I was lucky, my baby didn't mind switching between the bottle and breast.I used formula during that time also.(I also found that both of my babies slept through the night much more quickly when a night time bottle was a bottle of formula. They are both very healthy(more so than some of my exclusively breast fed friends kids!) and smart.) I think it was also because I had to have an emergency c-section. I felt stressed recovering from that also. With my 2nd I was much more relaxed and able to deal with the whole thing much more easily. I also had friends (good friends!) by that time with babies, who helped me and supported me. I would recomend that. The LaLech people are great for support too.I would also recommend using lansanoh cream on your nipples. Start now so they will be ready for the baby. I also liked the cream that comes in a stick form, like chapstick, only bigger. It was easy to transprot and use. Not as stickey either.You will be so happy to have it when you get cracked sore nipples! (The more often you use the cream the better you will do as far as sore nipples.) Don't give up unless you really feel you absolutely can't handle it another min. You will be happy you didn't. Having said that, Don't beat yourself up or feel bad if you aren't able to do it. Just do what feels right for you and your baby!Good luck!Have a wonderful delivery, and enjoy every min. with your new baby!

Between going through it at the moment myself ( my daughter is 6 weeks old)and all the great advice from the Moms on mamasource, I can tell you to be determined and ask for help. Breastfeeding your little one is a great gift to her. But you have to be persistent and work hard at it. I had a lot of trouble getting her to start. We did a lot of supplementing but I never gave up and now she is a champ at latching on. I kept offering the breast before bottle feedings until she caught on. You may have an easier time but there are so many resources available now for Moms like yourself. If you have any questions ask other Moms, contact a Lactation consultant or your local La Leche League. The hospital can also give you some info. Good luck on your upcoming birth and breastfeeding.