Hello, new here 
I'm 15+5 weeks pregnant second child, I didn't Breast feed my first for various reasons but this time I want to, any advice or tips? what's the best express pump to use ect, don't know where to start really. I've the midwife on the 1/10/19 and will ask her for advice too.
Lanolin nipple cream is a must.....saved my nipples! I put it on before and after feeding from day 1! I found the First 3weeks hard (latching/tender nipples and constant feeding/less sleep etc) but if you persevere (providing there are no other factors which stop you from breast feeding) it’s very rewarding and I love it 🥰 feels like a lovely bonding experience and out of pure laziness (espesh in middle of the night.....it’s great.....just pop them on without having to sterilise /faffing with bottles. I express on occasion and have a Tommie tippie electric express pump set which I got on sale and it does the job. Depends what your budget is and how often you want to express whether you invest in something else. Good luck xx
I could have written this, it's my exact experience also! Hard for the first bit, but starting to enjoy the bonding and ease that breastfeeding brings 😁😁
I'm 2 months in breastfeeding and would say my biggest bit of advice would be make sure to get help to make sure baby gets a good latch from the start. If you can make sure you can get that, then you'll save your nipples a lot of pain, but Lanisoh and Weleda nipple balms I've found are super to keep your nipples in good condition.
I'd say if you try to get nice and relaxed before each feed, have everything around you that you need, drinks, TV remote and for me choccie biscuits!
If you're stressed before you start then getting the latch and milk to flow is harder. Taking a few deep breaths to chill out and get prepared really helped me.
Also don't worry about thinking you don't have much milk the first few days, babies tummy is tiny and doesn't take much to fill them up, when your milk comes in a few days later you'll produce more as they need it.
As the other poster said it is tough for a few weeks while sleep routine etc get sorted out, and sometimes you'll feel like they're constantly feeding or that you're not producing enough milk but once your supply is sorted it gets so much easier and you'll find even when they've been feeding for ages you'll still have milk available.
I think it can be far harder mentally than people maybe expect at first, so I found knowing it would be tough and accepting that really helped. It's so much easier now, I really enjoy feeding now and I love knowing whatever I forget to pack when I go out (which seems to always be something ) I can always feed baby.
I've got a Tommy Tippee electric pump too and it works well, but I know there's some more expensive makes on the market you could try if you wanted. I found when expressing a nice warm shower beforehand to get nice and relaxed is good, it's harder to express if your not relaxed and comfy. Also don't think if you can't express much that you've not got much milk, baby is a pro at getting the milk out and sometimes people can't express due to lots of reasons.
I wish you the best of luck. If you need any help if you have any problems, your local birth centre may have a breastfeeding clinic and there may be some groups local to you that can offer advice too
Thank you very much everyone xx
I'm a newbie to breastfeed 9 days in. Also, I am one of the lucky few who haven't had to use lanolin and haven't had any problems with my boy latching on. I put him on as soon as I was out of surgery and he just took to it. Perhaps my positive thinking helped, not to underestimate the power of having a positive attitude is something I have learned throughout my pregnancy, delivery and in these first few days.
Good luck with breastfeeding, hope you are able to do it. I'm loving the rush of hormones I get with it 😊
Been breastfeeding for 14 months now. I’ve had a rough ride but even then it’s been worth the struggle. I’d say get support if and when you need it, go to breastfeeding groups and meet other mums who are breastfeeding. We have brilliant ones at our local children’s centres (Kent). I know these are not available all over but there are la Leche groups and others all over. Ask your midwife about what’s available in your area. laleche.org.uk/
We are 20 months into our journey. My son only has breast milk a few times a day now (nap time, bed time and for comfort) but gearing up baby number 2.
My advice would be to get oats, bananas and almonds into your diet to ensure a good supply. Keep hydrated and eat well.
I used to pump from one side while I fed from the other, as I could kill two birds and the baby's sucking motion is best to stimulating let down.
My baby fed twice in the night. So 10 ish, then around 3am. I would pump for at least one of these occasions - usually 3am. Not the most pleasant sound but I had a good supply that way. I would top up several feeds a day with the milk I expressed or save it for someone else to give him.
Just persevere is my advice. It's exhausting at the start, but by about 6 weeks you'll be into a great routine and it's so much easier than preparing bottles at night! Good luck.
Lots of great info available here: kellymom.com
Also, get the breastfeeding helpline number in your phone now, just in case you need it: 0300 100 0212
And maybe look up the details of a local Lactation consultant here: lcgb.org, so you have it IF you need it (you won’t want to faff in the early days post birth). I spoke with one on day two of breastfeeding and it was a game changer as she quickly determined baby was tongue tied so we could get it fixed, rather than spend weeks struggling.
It’s not always the easiest of starts with breastfeeding. Remember you’re both learning together and time and patience will make it all worth it. It’s really good to know how much/little milk baby needs in the first few days as it’s tough to trust they’re getting enough when you can’t see how much milk they’re getting (in the way you would if you were bottle feeding). This website provides a great visual that I would have found very reassuring:
betterdoctor.com/blog/how-m...
Good luck
Thanks very much everyone for your advice and information x
I'm a day ahead of you with my 3rd, and have recently stopped breast feeding my 1 year old. I haven't read other comments so sorry if I repeat anything.
Deffo get the nipple cream- it's also great for chapped lips and dry skin lol
I wouldn't worry about buying much, you literally need your boobs and that's it. I bought a manual pump when my son was 6 weeks old (advised not to pump until supply settles) just to try & so my older daughter could have a go at feeding. I did get an electric pump but again it wasn't used much- I found it much easier to feed direct.
I think one of the biggest hurdles to get over are comments from family members & friends who haven't breastfed before. Things such as "baby is always hungry, your milk isn't enough, he needs formula". Bottom line is it's bollocks. Focus on output. If baby is peeing, pooing & putting on weight you've nailed it. Breast milk is digested faster than formula so they feed more often most of the time. Cluster feeding is normal so don't be too surprised or worried if you find yourself stuck in the sofa for 3 hours straight feeding. Settle yourself with a box set, drinks & snacks & you will be fine. Babies also feed for comfort. Don't look at it as being used as a dummy, because essentially boobs were their before dummies, it's part of what they are meant for.
Uk breastfeeding support on Facebook is a great group to join, lots of experiences on there and someone always on hand for advice x
Thanks will add the Facebook group 😊 & congratulations xx
All of the above plus drink LOADS of water. And stick with it. It can be really hard at first, I had a lot of difficulty at the beginning, but with good advice and support you can turn it around even if you don't get off to the best start xxx
I would recommend finding out where your local bf support groups or drop ins are. You don’t need a pump unless you want one. I would really recommend buying a book called the Womanly art of breastfeeding by Le Leche who are a bf Charity. It’s very reassuring. There are also lots of good bf support groups on Facebook.
Don’t hesitate to seek help. I’m a bf peer supporter and I see women at a drop in clinic, and no question is too small!
If it hurts something isn’t right, don’t sit at home slathering on creams, get some face to face help with making sure your baby is attached on right x
Thank you claire, the only reason I was thinking of a pump is in case my parents take the baby for a few hours, I've the midwife next week so I will find out all about the local bf clinics, thanks xx
Cool! Ah yes thats fine, just wait for a few weeks to get bf fully established first You can usually google 'breastfeeding support your town name'and stuff will come up. Its often at local chidrens centres etc so the midwife might not be aware of them. You can also check out the Breastfeeding network website x
great advice already given I'm on baby number 3 and have breast fed all.... with number 1, it may sound silly but I did not realise that the breast that the baby is not feeding from leaks during the feed...so my advise is breast pads breast pads breast pads!
I did SO much reading up on breastfeeding/latch/positions/supply/foremilk and hindmilk... it made breastfeeding sound quite difficult! so much to take in and remember. I decided within myself to 'just do it' I had all the info I needed, I decided to just put the baby to my breast and not over think it all. just do it. so I did. there are midwives in the hospital to advise on latch/position etc once you have started, but I would say, when it comes to that first feed, just do it without worrying too much. (of course make sure baby's nose is clear from breast, but that is something I'm sure you will have in mind after all the info you have collated)
I really hope your breastfeeding goes smoothly and you get through the tough beginning to the enjoyable, easy rest of the journey x
Lots of great advice here!
I think breastfeeding is a bit of a luck of a draw.
I am maybe a lucky or what : wishing you the same breastfeeding experience as me: no nipple cream, no pain feeding, baby with strong latch- eats in 5-20 mins. First babe put 3,3lb in first month,second 2,8lb. I don't not eat anything special for my supply, and I drink tiny bit and I am an oversupplayer.
I was worried too before I had babies, bought creams, nipple shields, Hakkaa, Avent manual pump, just in case problem with supply and need to stimulate it, milk storing pots and lids etc... None of it got really used except
1- manual breastpump- to express milk as I was dying from my super full breasts to the point I cod not sleep as milk glands start in my armpits
2- bamboo washable breastpads, as I am leaking soooo much. Baby get squirted on face, eyes, hair etc, I get myself wet if I don't check if pads are in place- slightly annoying, but part of heavy letdowns
3- muslin squares, to let my heavy letdowns go into there as my baby does not like few milk duckts pushing out milk like a fountains and poking her back throat.
My baby has such latch that it's strong but very gentle at the same time. Sometimes I need to guess if she is still latched as I hardly can feel it.
Best of luck!!!x
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