Breastfeeding Advice/Tips

[drudolph11]

I just read this on Lucies List and a lot of it I didn't know, so I was assuming it might also help some of you lol for real though, I found this really really helpful especially about the remedies for some BFing problems such as thrush, mastitis and blocked ducts, thought I would share.

www.lucieslist.com/breastfeeding/

[toastercat]

Also holy grail BFing site: Kellymom.com

[annebanan]

We have our breastfeeding class on Thursday evening. I'm both looking forward to it and nervous.

[mango]

So, IDK if anyone will find this helpful - but I love Dr Jack Newman's videos. As a nurse this helped me SO MUCH to recognize healthy breastfeeding/real drinking vs. latch problems/etc.

www.breastfeedinginc.ca/content.php?pagename=videos

[janda426]

That just scared the shit out of me. Lol

[frecklesinside]

Jan 26, 2015 23:33:25 GMT -5 mango said:

So, IDK if anyone will find this helpful - but I love Dr Jack Newman's videos. As a nurse this helped me SO MUCH to recognize healthy breastfeeding/real drinking vs. latch problems/etc.

www.breastfeedinginc.ca/content.php?pagename=videos

Love this site. This is where I got the confidence to try the Domperidone.


This video is awesome for getting the idea behind latch: www.fitpregnancy.com/baby/breastfeeding/how-breastfeed-deep-latch-technique

[PSUchica]

Jan 27, 2015 0:05:10 GMT -5 janda426 said:

That just scared the shit out of me. Lol

Haha me too! I'm so glad we will be in the hospital the first couple of days to get help.

[foodislove]

Jan 26, 2015 22:35:53 GMT -5 annebanan said:

We have our breastfeeding class on Thursday evening. I'm both looking forward to it and nervous.

I took a breastfeeding class recently and it was very, very helpful Don't be nervous!  None of the other ladies in my class had any idea what they were doing either so it helps to be around women who find the whole idea of nursing a baby to be entirely foreign. 

[mandi195]

Jan 27, 2015 0:34:25 GMT -5 frecklesinside said:

Jan 26, 2015 23:33:25 GMT -5 mango said:

So, IDK if anyone will find this helpful - but I love Dr Jack Newman's videos. As a nurse this helped me SO MUCH to recognize healthy breastfeeding/real drinking vs. latch problems/etc.

www.breastfeedinginc.ca/content.php?pagename=videos

Love this site. This is where I got the confidence to try the Domperidone.


This video is awesome for getting the idea behind latch: www.fitpregnancy.com/baby/breastfeeding/how-breastfeed-deep-latch-technique

That video was awesome! I'm less terrified for my nipples now. 

[snarkysparklefart]

I have a few anectdotal tips for pumping, if anyone should need them. I EPd at first and eventually got a better latch with DD, but still spent a lot of time pumping and learned a few things from our LC and my old BMB.

1) flanges: make sure your flanges are the correct size. It sounds simple, but I had no idea I needed 2 different sizes for the most effective pumping. Not all nips are created equal, even on the same body! Also, using lanolin to lubricate the flange is really helpful.

2) when doing a power pumping session, dealing with engorgement, or feeling like you are not emptying your breasts effectively, try heat. I used a warm rice sock and light pressure on a few pumping sessions and was able to much more effectively relieve engorgement. A few months later I tried the same method with power pumping to increase my supply and found that I was able to pump a lot more with use of heat.

[coozieinmypurse]

My mom told me this weekend that I needed to start exposing my nipples to air to toughen them up. I'm pretty sure this advice will be more useful. Thanks ladies!

[ashleyrh661]

Saw this on The Leaky Boob this morning. Good info for those of us having RCS or happen to end up with one.
theleakyboob.com/2013/07/breastfeeding-after-a-c-section/
Breastfeeding is still my biggest worry. So thanks for all the great info ladies.

[wamom]

When I took a baby class on breastfeeding it was informative but really the LC at the hospital was so much more helpful when you actually have a brand new born and you are both learning what works. Use the LC, they will be your best friend!

Also I second kellymom.com best site!

[Deleted]

Remember there is a breastfeeding board here, and it's easier to find than it was on TB. Lots of moms with lots of experience. Remember most LC's were nursing moms first, and that's where they got their "at the breast" experience of nursing baby and all the trials and tribulations that may arise. The combined knowledge of all the moms is more than the knowledge of one LC or Dr. Don't be afraid to ask for help, and if the LC at the hospital doesn't help or tells you to pump or use a shield to nurse, get another opinion because both of those should come with way more info than that, they are both tools that may be useful but they aren't answers.

[Deleted]

the link in the OP is ok, but I am laughing at the "I will tell you exactly how to latch so it doesn't hurt" part with some words and line drawings. Yeah I'm sorry, that probably isn't going to guarantee a perfect latch every time. lol

[earthian]

Jan 27, 2015 11:15:21 GMT -5 snarkysparklefart said:

I have a few anectdotal tips for pumping, if anyone should need them. I EPd at first and eventually got a better latch with DD, but still spent a lot of time pumping and learned a few things from our LC and my old BMB.

1) flanges: make sure your flanges are the correct size. It sounds simple, but I had no idea I needed 2 different sizes for the most effective pumping. Not all nips are created equal, even on the same body! Also, using lanolin to lubricate the flange is really helpful.

2) when doing a power pumping session, dealing with engorgement, or feeling like you are not emptying your breasts effectively, try heat. I used a warm rice sock and light pressure on a few pumping sessions and was able to much more effectively relieve engorgement. A few months later I tried the same method with power pumping to increase my supply and found that I was able to pump a lot more with use of heat.

I had issues last time with the sizing of the flanges. How do you really know what size you need?

[luvsponies]

Jan 27, 2015 0:34:25 GMT -5 frecklesinside said:

Jan 26, 2015 23:33:25 GMT -5 mango said:

So, IDK if anyone will find this helpful - but I love Dr Jack Newman's videos. As a nurse this helped me SO MUCH to recognize healthy breastfeeding/real drinking vs. latch problems/etc.

www.breastfeedinginc.ca/content.php?pagename=videos

Love this site. This is where I got the confidence to try the Domperidone.


This video is awesome for getting the idea behind latch: www.fitpregnancy.com/baby/breastfeeding/how-breastfeed-deep-latch-technique

That's the site they recommended at the breastfeeding class I took. Sounds like a winner!

[snarkysparklefart]

earthian the hospital LC helped me figure it out through trial and error. For me, one of the size that came with the pump was fine for one breast, but it wasn't large enough for the other side. I know some people have mixed emotions about learning/trying to pump while in the hospital, but I'd recommend having the LC help you do it at least once before you head home. We were there for 5 days with DD so I had a bit more time to try to get it right.

[earthian]

Jan 27, 2015 15:22:23 GMT -5 snarkysparklefart said:

earthian the hospital LC helped me figure it out through trial and error. For me, one of the size that came with the pump was fine for one breast, but it wasn't large enough for the other side. I know some people have mixed emotions about learning/trying to pump while in the hospital, but I'd recommend having the LC help you do it at least once before you head home. We were there for 5 days with DD so I had a bit more time to try to get it right.

Ok, thanks!

[pinkpeony]

I also visited Kellymom.com a lot, it is bookmarked on my phone so I could reference while feeding.

[maddisonrose]

I don't have any expert advice of tips as a first time mom but have been given the Kellymom link multiple times from different people.

I had a question for STM's or maybe someone has a friend or knows someone with this....I had a breast reduction about 3 years ago and am hoping to breast feed my LO exclusively or at least try to as best I can and supplement for the rest. I was wondering if anyone has any tips on this or knowledge from personal experience they would be willing to share?

[Deleted]

Jan 27, 2015 17:55:50 GMT -5 maddisonrose said:

I don't have any expert advice of tips as a first time mom but have been given the Kellymom link multiple times from different people.

I had a question for STM's or maybe someone has a friend or knows someone with this....I had a breast reduction about 3 years ago and am hoping to breast feed my LO exclusively or at least try to as best I can and supplement for the rest. I was wondering if anyone has any tips on this or knowledge from personal experience they would be willing to share?

If you had a breast reduction you can look and see if bfar.org is still active or moved to Facebook. That's for breastfeeding after reduction or other breast surgery.

Ideally you'd meet with an LC ahead of time to discuss your situation. If nipples were removed during surgery and reattached there may be a big problem if all the ductwork was severed or if too much was removed. Sometimes your body does a very good job of realigning and repairing itself but you may still have a big of trouble. We have nine ducts within the breast so if a couple are out of commission you may still be able to nurse exclusively. If most are out if commission you may be able to provide some or half of babies food.

There is no way to tell before hand. The LC should be able to go over the normal course of things and signs that it's not working well and what to do. For instance knowing how much a bfed baby might need total as they get older and how to give small supplement with a supplemental nursing system.

You will want a few more weight checks than usual and some weighted feeds on a super accurate scale to tell how much baby gets at the breast along the way. Discuss pros and cons of renting a baby scale snd pp options if you find the need or some may pump extra "just on case". That's not usually tevnended for all but yours is a special case.

[mrsk]

Thanks for the sites ladies. I had my breastfeeding class a couple weeks ago and was a little disappointed. There were quite a few new and helpful things that I learned but I was kind of annoyed with the lady that taught the class. She seemed much more focused on informing us all on HER breastfeeding experiences with her 8 kids than giving us the overall material. It felt more like she was listing off info until she came across something that would remind her of her experience with one of her kids, then it was 'Oh i remember when my daughter....' When anyone in the class had a question about something that she didn't have personal experience with her answer was always 'well that'd be a good question to ask you LC after you have your baby.' I'm over here thinking...uhhh you said YOU were an LC and at the beginning of this class you took 15 min to tell us all about your lengthy list of education on all of this....?

[abachesta]

I am a FTM and I am reading, and watching everything I possibly can this is an awesome post thank you!

[maddisonrose]

Jan 27, 2015 19:17:16 GMT -5 @amyg said:

Jan 27, 2015 17:55:50 GMT -5 maddisonrose said:

I don't have any expert advice of tips as a first time mom but have been given the Kellymom link multiple times from different people.

I had a question for STM's or maybe someone has a friend or knows someone with this....I had a breast reduction about 3 years ago and am hoping to breast feed my LO exclusively or at least try to as best I can and supplement for the rest. I was wondering if anyone has any tips on this or knowledge from personal experience they would be willing to share?

If you had a breast reduction you can look and see if bfar.org is still active or moved to Facebook. That's for breastfeeding after reduction or other breast surgery.

Ideally you'd meet with an LC ahead of time to discuss your situation. If nipples were removed during surgery and reattached there may be a big problem if all the ductwork was severed or if too much was removed. Sometimes your body does a very good job of realigning and repairing itself but you may still have a big of trouble. We have nine ducts within the breast so if a couple are out of commission you may still be able to nurse exclusively. If most are out if commission you may be able to provide some or half of babies food.

There is no way to tell before hand. The LC should be able to go over the normal course of things and signs that it's not working well and what to do. For instance knowing how much a bfed baby might need total as they get older and how to give small supplement with a supplemental nursing system.

You will want a few more weight checks than usual and some weighted feeds on a super accurate scale to tell how much baby gets at the breast along the way. Discuss pros and cons of renting a baby scale snd pp options if you find the need or some may pump extra "just on case". That's not usually tevnended for all but yours is a special case.


Thanks for this! We have a consultation booked for tomorrow so now I feel a bit more prepared with information and questions to ask

[cesquer]

Great article- thanks for sharing!!

[chelc32188]

Thanks ladies for sharing all of this! BF is one of the things causing me the MOST stress/worry right now!