B-feeding TIPS and Must Haves

I haven't read all the answers, so I apologize for and duplicates.
*Invest in GOOD bras (Bravado seamless are WONDERFUL!) And have a location where you can get them locally, because once your milk comes in, you can really increase your size and restriction can hurt.
*Don't wait till after the birth to get a pump. Whether you get a manual or electric, have it all cleaned and ready at the hospital. If you get engorged and the baby isn't emptying you out - pump! They say not to empty yourself because it will just make you produce more, but sometimes you just really need to get it out. Also, if your breasts are hard, pump a little to soften them before feeding.
*It will hurt a little as you both learn how to nurse, but if your breast are supple (see pumping above) it makes latching much easier.
*Hooter hider, blush topless shirts, motherwear.com. Having clothes that keep you modest can really help for any "public" feedings and let you focus on the baby instead of your belly hanging out.
*MotherLove or Angel Baby Earth Mama nipple cream. They will give you the Lansinol (sp) samples at the hospital, but I found it thick and uncomfortable to apply to the sensitive nipples. The olive oil based ones were really nice and soothing.
*Good quality, washable breastpads puffymondaes.com has some great ones that are really absorbent.
*Holding the baby in a cradle position and nursing doesn't work! It might when the baby gets older and can control the neck, but you really need to sit and have both arm there, and the boppy or pillow.
*Sitting cross-legged or in a chair with a nursing stool or footrest puts the least amount of stress on your body.
*Try to relax while nursing and just enjoy. If you are stressed or rushing, it makes it hard for both of you.
*Look for the number of wet diapers that they suggest. It will be hard at first to know if they are really getting anything, but diapers will help you know.
*When you first start, you MAY have a little bleeding. The baby can still nurse (although sometimes may spit up more). As you use the creams, give your nipples air, and they get used to nursing, this heals up.
*Find a breastfeeding support group and go as soon as you can after baby is born.
*Contact your lactation consultant before the baby is born so that you know who to go to for ANY help.
*Make sure that your husband is supportive - won't offer to get bottles, suggest formula, or undermine your determination in any way.
*I think it was at week 7 where I looked down and realized that I didn't feel anything! It has been amazing ever since, so don't let the early days discourage you.

Wow, that was a lot....sorry.

Lots of great recommendations so far! You've gotten lots of mentions of Lansinoh - this is a specific brand of lanolin. You can use any lanolin, but Lansinoh is a bit creamier and less sticky than Medela's. Lanolin is good to have around for other things, too - it makes a wonderful lip balm for you and baby, and in a pinch, you can put it on a scrape or use it for mild diaper rash.

Try finding a copy of "The Nursing Mother's Companion." Sometimes, it's nice to have info right there in writing...at 3 a.m.....

Something that seems "off" at first: breastfeeding releases the same hormones that trigger contractions. This is meant to help your uterus heal faster. Expect twinges down there for the first week or two while you nurse. Also, the skin on your nipples is probably going to be very dry, and crack - this is where the lanolin comes in. I had luck with my second baby with moisturizing with the lanolin even before she was born. Just smear it on the nipples after the shower, and then after baby comes, after every feeding and shower. Don't use soap, either. Too drying. Some docs will tell you that "roughing" up your nipples with at towel before baby comes will prep them, but it won't.

Definately buy disposable breast pads. There are washable ones, but they are only good at night, since they are waaay too bulky to wear under clothes. Also, speaking of night, you will want a "sleeping bra" (looks like a loose sports bra - available at maternity stores) or a tank with a shelf bra to hold the breast pads in place - the leaking was always heavier at night for me.

Also, there are a couple of brands and names for them, but I found a "Hooter Hider" helpful. It's really just a cape, worn around the front, so that you can nurse discretely if you or the situation demand it. Oddly, I can nurse in the middle of the mall or a restaurant with no problem, but need the cover for my parents and in-laws' houses. I have also used an actual cape - either way, something larger than a baby blanket, so that 1) baby could nap in my lap in busy places or 2) she had a harder time kicking it off.

As for if things are going well... they say to watch baby's ear, to make sure s/he's swallowing, but I was never able to do that. If you get a quiet place, though, sometimes you can hear swallowing. You'll learn to be able to tell if your baby is sucking for nutrition or comfort. Also, the best old-fashioned method: weigh the baby. If baby is gaining, nursing is going well.

And one last thing - (sorry for the length here!) the weight issue. Nursing burns about 300 calories/day. Personally, I lost all the baby weight quickly, but with baby #1, gained it all back again when baby weaned. I had better luck w/ second baby, purposely having extra calories every day to compensate. Didn't lose as much weight, but baby has self-weaned now, and I haven't gained back what I lost, either.

Hang in there, momma!

Request a free Boobies for Babies kit from My Mamma's Milk (http://www.mymammasmilk.com/Boobies-For-Babies.html)

Nipple Butter from Earth Mama Angel Baby is far superior to lansinoh.

Forget the Boppy - just use pillows. Boppys only work for a certain body type and boob size, whereas pillows can be stacked as needed. at 5'1" and a DD, the boppy probably will not work for you.

Get an excellent glider rocker - it will be a sanity saver. I have a Dutalier and love it.

Ditch binkies and bottles to avoid nipple confusion. Throw away clocks and timers - feed the child on demand and for as long as they want. Don't worry about switching sides on every feeding.

LEARN TO NURSE LYING DOWN!!!!

Call My Mamma's Milk whenever you need free peer support!!!

Cheers!

I haven't read through all the previous responses, so please pardon repeats. Sorry this is so long and disjointed -- it's just sort of a series of random tips and experiences.

First of all, I would say that determination to breastfeed is key. Don't be surprised if it's hard, if it hurts, if the baby doesn't latch well at first, if you feel like you sometimes don't have enough milk (you almost surely do), if someone tries to push you to supplement with formula. I got a LOT of pressure to supplement in the hospital (our full-term baby ended up in the NICU), but I decided that infants have eaten from the breast successfully for millions of years, and mine would too. I really do believe that, with enough determination, most everyone can BF successfully (NOT everyone, however. There are some people for whom it really just doesn't work, but I think a lot more people think they can't than really can't).

Lansinoh cream is the best for sore nipples. Put it on after every feeding. I didn't use our boppy at all, but some people swear by them.

Before your milk comes in, the biggest sign it's going well is that the baby has a good latch. The baby should have a lot of areola in it's mouth, the bottom lip should be flared out, you should see the whole jaw moving as baby sucks, and it shouldn't hurt TOO much (it will be uncomfortble, but it shouldn't feel like really sharp pain). I found it really helped to massage down on the breast as she sucked (from the upper parts of the breast down toward the nipple) -- this both helps to move colostrum from the ducts into the nipple and also helped to distract from the discomfort. After your milk comes in, add to the list that you'll start to hear swallowing every few sucks, and you may see milk around the corners of baby's mouth.

Signs it's going badly are too much pain or blisters or cracks on your nipple. Definitely request a visit from the hospital's lactation consultant if they have one -- even if you're not having problems, they can give you good tips. Oh, the way to get the baby to open up its mouth wide for the nipple is to stroke your nipple down across the top and bottom lips -- as soon as you get a really wide open mouth, put the nipple and areola in the mouth.

You may well worry that your baby isn't getting enough at some point and wonder if you need to supplement (for some reason, mothers, grandmothers, and others often push supplementation). True insufficient production is quite rare, so you almost certainly have enough milk. If you pump, realize that the baby is much more efficient than the pump, so you might only pump 1 oz, but the baby may be able to suck 4 oz -- don't use pumped milk as an indicator of supply. The baby is getting enough milk if it's having at least 5-6 wet diapers a day and is growing. Also realize that supplementing decreases supply because it decreases the time the baby spends on the breast.

Production is supply and demand, so the baby will nurse more when it grows, which will soon make your body produce more. If you want to increase your supply, here are some tips: drink tons of water, eat oatmeal daily, drink a beer (or take brewer's yeast), take fenugreek, drink mother's milk tea, pump after you nurse (increases demand) -- empty your breasts and continue pumping after you're empty, as demand when empty is what increases supply.

Every baby is different, so your baby may nurse for 5 mins or 45 mins at a time -- as long as s/he is growing and having wet diapers, it doesn't matter how long baby nurses. Let the baby fully empty one breast before offering the other (this way s/he gets all the rich hindmilk). Baby may well only eat from one breast at a time, especially in the first few months. Don't worry, that's normal.

Try lots of different holds for breastfeeding and see what works best for you. I know a lot of well-endowed mamas say the football hold works well for them.

Assuming you plan to pump once you go back to work, you'll want the baby to learn to take a bottle. Some recommend not introducing it until 5-6 weeks to avoid "nipple confusion." However, I know multiple people who found waiting that long meant the baby never really took a bottle well, so we introduced it as soon as we were nursing well, around 2 weeks. Only dad (or someone other than you) should give the bottle and you'll want to hold it more horizontal than vertical so that the milk doesn't just drip out on its own, but baby has to suck it out. Only use the slow-flow nipples, and use those as long as the baby will tolerate them.

Lastly, remember that it does get easier! Hopefully your first few weeks will be easy, but if they're not, just remember that many (most?) find that the first couple of weeks are tough but pretty soon it will click and you'll have a great nursing routine. You can do it and GOOD LUCK!

I recommend La Leche League. I haven't gone to any of the meetings (although I hear they're great), but the online forums (www.llli.org) have been a lifesaver for me. I had so many issues breastfeeding my son, with poor latch and low supply, that we ended up supplementing from the start and ending breastfeeding early. I found their website when I was pregnant with my daughter, and it has made a world of difference. She's 6 months now, and we haven't had to supplement with formula except during 9 day hospital stay when she was 2 weeks old (and that was more for mama's sanity than for supply, I hadn't sleep or left her room for days at that point).
Other recommendations:
* Nursing pillow. Personally, I like My Brest Friend sooo much better than Boppy. It wraps around your waist and latches closed, where the Boppy can easily slip off your lap. It also has a pocket, which is great for storing extras, such as lanolin and breast pads, and a flat top, so baby won't roll off. I'm also a busty girl (currently a G, normally a DDD cup) and it works great for me.
* Medela breast pump, worth every penny.
* Flexible ice packs, wrap them in a towel and stick them right in your bra when you're hurting, but only for 5-10 minutes. If you get the hot/cold ones, you can heat them up if you have trouble with letdown.
* Lanolin, and lots of it. You'll probably get free samples in the hospital, if not ask and they should get you some. I preferred the Medela lanolin to the Lanisoh, it seemed to spread a lot easier, and when your nipples are chapped, you need easy.
* Breast pads, especially if you're already leaking. Try out the different kinds, I like the Lanisoh. I tried the re-usable cloth ones and didn't like them, but I know some women swear by them.
* Water, drink at least 10 glasses a day (80 oz) but more is better. If you are even a little dehydrated your production will decrease.
* Patience and support. It's going to be hard at first. And it will probably hurt in the beginning. Combine that with the extreme hormone crash after delivery, and you will be looking at some tough days. But it will get better, it will get easier. Especially if you have people supporting you every step of the way. Also, while you're home, don't expect to get a lot done at first. Your baby will be eating every 1-3 hours, for 20-40 minutes at a time. But as your baby gets older, the feedings will space out, and he/she will get better at it, making the feedings take less time. Unless she's tired or been missing me (like when I get home from work) my daughter only nurses for 5-10 minutes now.
* If it works for you, co-sleeping. Not everyone is comfortable with it, but it has helped me so much with the sleep deprivation. Sure, there are some nights I wish I had my bed back, but the positives outweigh the negatives for me. It doesn’t have to be an all or nothing deal, either. You can just do naps (which you will need in the beginning), or maybe start baby out in the crib, then bring him/her into bed with you when he/she wakes up.
Congratulations and Good Luck mama!

A comfortable, firm chair and a Boppy pillow!

Also, babies don't need to eat for the first day or so after birth. Just keep offering your breasts and don't be discouraged or let any nurse tell you he/she needs to be given formula or sugar water. (I actually lied to my old-school nurse about how much my daughter nursed so she would leave us alone. Three days later the nurse that came to our house said she rarely saw such successful BFeeding so soon).

Look for signs of swallowing and you'll know the baby's getting milk.

Trust yourself and get to know your baby. You will know best for your baby (don't read too many books!).

Get a tube of Lasinoh lanolin ointment. Use it as often as needed for sore/cracked nipples. I used it for months before and after every feeding and before & after showering.

See a lactation consultant when you're still in the hospital--when you see the LC in the hospital, it's usually partially or completely covered by your insurance. The LC can get you off to a good start breastfeeding. It is not necessarily as instinct as it seems, and without help, a lot of women have pain, the baby doesn't get enough milk, and/or they quit out of frustration/worry/pain.

Some women always experience discomfort when breastfeeding (the falsehood that you're hear is that "if you're doing it right, it won't hurt"--but that is not always the case). But it is still worth it, IMO, since nature designed human breastmilk as the very best food possible for human babies.

You will probably be living in your bra 24/7, so a good nursing bra is a must. Your LC can help you with recommendations/fitting.

Consider various nursing situations and how comfortable you are.... My LO was born in November, and I didn't really think about Christmas at my in-laws.... I felt very uncomfortable nursing in front of my FIL, and so I spent most of the time in the spare bedroom nursing, alone with the baby, for hours. I was having a hard time as it was, and so I couldn't really articulate or make my DH understand that that was pretty miserable for me until well after the fact.....

At least skim a good book on nursing, so you can have some idea what to expect.

Drink lots & lots of water, and rest as much as you absolutely can. Your DH/SO's job is to support you and care for you while you care for the baby, especially the first few weeks. And when you're getting up to feed the baby every 1.5 hours, that means the SO is in charge of grocery shopping, laundry, meals, etc. I remember feeling actually happy when I finally not too exhausted to able to do laundry/go grocery shopping again! LOL! (I had an emergency c-section with a no-too-fun recovery).

If you decide not to nurse, however, know that any amount that you do is good. What matters most is that you are happy and healthy. When you are happy and healthy, you can give so much more to your baby.

The Boppy!!! I used it all the time. You can even bring it to the hospital (I didn't realize this). It's great you want to breastfeed. It can either be tremendously easy & satisfying (like it was for me & my 2 kids) or it can be a challenge. However it is for you, stick in there. Some tips:

1. Boppy
2. Drink lots of water to keep supply up (nursing makes you really, really thirsty too).
3. You may sweat a lot while nursing...I sure did
4. Get a great nursing cover...one that gives you privacy yet lets the baby breathe. Try them on b/4 buying one. This is a must have for nursing in public.
5. You can nurse your baby wherever & whenever you want. I'm not sure if state laws are different, but in IL it is illegal to prevent a mother from nursing her child. If it's in the middle of a store on a bench, at a park, at a restaurant...a baby is hungry when a baby is hungry & stay tough not letting anyone push you around on this.
6. At first your nipples may get rough, may even bleed. Get the nipple cream (can't remember the name). They toughen up quickly.
7. Nursing pads!! The leaking happening now will just continue after the baby is born.
Good luck & congrats!!!

So many great responses, no time to thoroughly read all, so I apologize if Im repeating.

Find the La Leche group in your area! I believe there are several around your area. They know everything and are the best. Start going now while you are pregnant to get to know the leader and group to get all these answers and lots of hand holding one on one real live stories, support and answers. Hospital class was ok and is worthwhile for basics.

Biggest thing I learned was that not all babies need the Dr prescribed "15 minutes on this side, and 15 minutes on that side". If you make a lot of milk and your baby learns go get it quickly it can be done in 5 minutes. I ended up overfeeding (made baby gassy and spit up a ton!) by trying to do the 15 minute thing.

Listen to your baby and follow her cues, the first 3 weeks are hard but after that it is so much easier than bottlefeeding.

If you are already leaking its a pretty good sign you will start with more milk than the baby needs per feeding. Also your flow might be so strong that the baby may have trouble and gag, think trying to drink from a firehose. Lots of techniques that can help with all of that.

Again, I strongly recommend La Leche for support. Also Kellymom.com is great too. Good luck!

Get help from the lactation specialist from day one. When I had my son, the nurses would just bring him in and put him on. No one really taught me the right way (sometimes it's not that easy). I was only able to feed him for eleven day because my nipples ended up being tore up, bloody and painful.
With my dauther (now 3 months) it was different. Before I had her I told the nurses I would need help and I explained my experience with my son. I asked to see the lactation specialist. She was great and gave me her beeper number and while I was in the hospital I called her for almost every feeding. She was great. I had also set up an appointment to meet with the nurse at the pediatrician during my daughters first visit in case I still had issues. Well by the time I got home I had the hang of it thanks to the help of the lactacian specialist.
Ask for help. Some woman find it very easy to breastfeed. I didn't, but I am still able to breastfeed my daughter today because I asked for help. Good luck.

Congrats on the baby! First off I want to say breastfeeding as assume and not for everyone! I tried and failed with my oldest daughter but had great success with my younger two kids, one of which still nurses full time. If it doesnt work out dont feel bad or angry with yourself. On that note though dont give up the first time it goes bad, if it does at all. I know that proly sounded contradicting but it can be hard for the first few days to few weeks. I stopped my oldest after 6 weeks, we couldnt latch on properly and I was very young and didnt know where to turn for help. 2 yrs later my middle child never latched on wrong once and was a champion nurser! My 11 week old son is also a great nurser and we have never had issues!

I found that if I let my kids nurse on both sides for every feeding I wasnt hardly ever engorged. Nurse baby on one side, let baby empty that side, then I burp him and latch onto the other side. Even if its only for a few minutes it helps. At the next feeding begin with the last breast and repeat. It works for me and like I said not really any engorgement! I highly recommend some type of nipple cream! I used it for about 2 weeks after every nursing and after the shower and it really makes a difference! Your nipples have to get used to all that tugging from the baby and it def helps

invest in some good nursing bras! They dont have to be pricy, I bought mine from jcPenneys fro 20 dollars, they are cute, have some lace and are very comfy! I also bought some sleeping nursing bras from Motherhood store for 12 dollars a piece and love them! Make sure to find some nursing pads you like, I prefer the Gerber ones, they are fairly inexpensive, soft and do the job! I use a boppy sometimes but they arnt really necessary. I like em more when my kids are newborns, I have csections so it is easier on my incision if I use one. After I healed though I just hold em. I do like my boppy though for the baby's to use for tummy time and to prop up on.

If you are gonna work ft, or even pt get a pump! They can be pricy but are worth it and will last for a few kids! Mine did! I bought mine used from a friend, that bought it used from a friend! Right now my pump is on its 4th kid and working fine! You can buy the replacement shields and stuff at Babies R Us and they are fairly inexpensive.

Id still buy bottles and have them sterilized and ready to go just in case. If for some reason baby wont latch you can pump and give baby a bottle. I know some people say no pacifiers for so many weeks but my middle was a thumb sucker and my baby loves his pacifier! I was not going to be a chew toy for either of them! My son has had a pacifier since birth and has never had problems going from me to the pacifier or bottle when he gets one of those.

try different postions and find what works for you. I prefer the cross over. I also learned how to lay on my side and feed the baby while I sleep! It comes in handy when you go back to work! my best friend is also your size up top and she said thats when her big boobs def came in handy! Im kinda small so I cant do it till my kids are a little bigger, but it can be done!

I proly just repeated everything all the other posts said! good luck with everything!

For breast pads that go in your bra to protect from leaks, I highly recommend Lansinoh. They were the only brand that seemed to keep me dry overnight (and, I nursed twins, so I not only made twice the amount of milk, but I also leaked twice the amount of milk).

Have some type of soothing gels to place over your nipples during the first weeks. The type the hospital gave me were great, but I can't remember the brand.

Good luck to you!

Hi! Congratulations on your decision to breastfeed, I think you will find it tremendously rewarding. Not only is it the best thing you can do for your child, but it costs nothing! My best advice is to not give up. Stick with it if that's your decision, and ask questions/find solutions before you give up for good. My SIL wanted to BF her son, but had some complications with a tear after birth, and was placed on antibiotics and painkillers, so she stopped BF after only a week. I think if she would have pushed a little harder, she could have found acceptable treatment that was breastfeeding friendly. Find a lactation consultant (your OB might have one on staff, mine did). She'll answer any questions/concerns you have help you figure out what hold and position for nursing is best for you and your baby. La Leche League's website has a lot of wonderful information as well. Because you are busty, you are likely to make a lot of milk, and may have a forceful let down. This happened with me, and what worked best is to nurse laying down. It slows down the flow and the baby can control the flow better without having to battle gravity. Also, I only nurse from one breast and alternate each feeding. This will help train your body to produce a little less milk more quickly. Another thing, and I'm not sure if this would help or not, but something I will try the next time is to pump each day and let my husband feed the baby with a bottle sometimes. The reason is, my son will not take a bottle at all, and can drink from a sippy or a regular cup but not easily. I think if he was exposed to a bottle earlier, but still with breastmilk, it might have been an easier transition. Just a thought. Last, I want to reiterate getting some great, comfortable, nursing bras. Go to a shop and get professionally fitted, but make sure the fabric of the bra has some give to it because when your milk comes in you will need the extra room. Get a couple, so you can wear one all the time, you'll want to if you're always leaking :) And stock up on breast pads, I like the Lanisoh brand the best. I would forget about the "sleep bras" personally. They give zero support, and when you're busty, you need something to help hold you up! Good luck!

Not sure if this was mentioned.. but until your milk supply is stabilized (around 6-8 months), you will want to steer away from supplementing with formula or using bottles - but pacifiers are alright if used sparingly. When you use bottles and formula - you set yourself up for failure. The baby will get nipple confusion with bottles and sabotage the latching process, whereas using formula to supplement will not allow the baby to cluster feed and tell your body to start producing more milk as they need it.

Also, never feel embarrassed or shy to ask CLCs or IBCLCs questions, that is what they are there for. They can also tell you what medications are safe to take while breastfeeding - over 80% of medications are breastfeeding compatible, eventho the blanket statement from pharmacies and ignorant Drs are "pump and dump" or "wean when taking this medication'. Always ask an IBCLC first, or someone who have the textbook "Medication and Mother's Milk" by Dr Hale.

I couldn't have done it without a cradle next to my bed, a boppy, and leak guards. One tip I can give you to avoid a rookie mistake - feed baby for the entire recommended time, every time, not just until they fall back to sleep. With my 1st I would wake up to feed her and in a few minutes she was back to sleep. So, I put her back to bed and no sooner would my head hit the pillow but she was awake and hungry again. It's very comforting to them so it's natural they would fall asleep. Doesn't mean they are done. So jiggle baby awake. Use a wet washcloth to rub across babys foot. Get baby satiated so you can catch a few zzzzzzz.

Congratulations Mama!!!

I had a rough initial experience with my daughter (my first). I learned a few things that I have written about...

(1) Even the best latch can still lead to hurt nipples. I learned that my sore hurting nipples were the result of microscopic cuts that I ended up treating with bacitracin. I had to be sure to wash this off throughly prior to nursing.

(2) I found that, for me personnally, the breast shields/leak protectors kept too much moisture against my breast so I switched to "medela soft shells". They had air holes on top to keep the nipples dry and had sponges that sat in the cup to catch the leaks.

(3) Lean about cluster feeding - this is completely normal!! It scared me at first. My little girl, use to nurse for like 15 minutes and seemed to be hungry 5 minutes later. It usually happened during gorwth spurts - about 2 days, a week, 2 weeks, etc.

I am now a two-time mom (and expecting our third) and nursed both times. As part of both experiences, I knew I was planning on going back to work and so I used my pump to control any engorging I was experiencing. I would store this excess milk in the deep freezer to use when I returned to work. It helped out a lot if there was an issue and I missed a pumping session at the office.

Lastly, the ultimate sign of success is steady growth. :-)

Good luck and feel free to contact me if you have any additional questions or concerns.

~C.

Well, I never took any breastfeeding classes, so I will tell you the things that were a bit unexpected to me. Please pardon the graphic details! The first 3 weeks can be painful, especially as they start. Make sure you are getting a good 'latch.' There are improper ways for them to suckle and it caused me to have cracked nipples, which hurts as much as it sounds. There is often a free breastfeeding consultant at the hospital to show you (or classes) how to get a good latch. Lanolin really helps with the soreness (get the newer, creamy style, not the old sticky stuff), as do Lansinoh ultra soft nursing pads.
Everyone told me "nurse on demand," but no one explained what that means. So I fed him if he cried, and later came to understand that by the time they are crying, the baby is overly distressed by hunger. I couldn't understand why my baby flailed his arms so much that I literally had to pin him in a blanket to get him nursing--TOO hungry!! Better to look for subtler cues, or try to watch the clock a bit, most of them need it every 2-3 hours or so to start.
Sometimes if they are overly tired or feeling stressed as well as hungry they won't eat. If you suspect the baby needs to eat and he is refusing to, squeeze out a few drops with your finger onto his lips. Sometimes that is all it takes to get them going.
Also find a position that is comfortable. I am long through the back, and it was uncomfortable to try to hold him high enough that I didn't have to bend. I ended up nursing him lying down most of the time. It is also nice because the nusing hormones always made me sleepy and I could doze with him.

Anyway, get thu the first 3 weeks and it gets so much easier. Its super handy to have their food always available and helps soothe when they are stressed and relax when they are tired. Nursing is one of the more pleasant parts of babycare in my opinion. Lovely cuddle time with your baby, its worth the efforts. Good luck!!

I have not read the other answers, so forgive me if I repeat. Something that was CRITICAL for me with my first was that I needed to make sure that her lower lip was out instead of over her gums. when she was ready to latch on, I would use my fingers right below her lip (in between lip and chin) to make sure her mouth was WIDE open and the lip was out. The baby's mouth looks a little like a fish mouth around the nipple. Until I did that, I was in agony and ended up with cracked and sore nipples. Even once she was latched I would inspect and move the lips without breaking the latch. Lansinoh helped solve the cracking.
Different nursing holds work better for different moms. Football hold was better fro my first son.
At first, you will not be getting great sleep and it is easy to fall asleep nursing. If you are in a rocking chair a pillow for the baby to lie on (Boppy or My BreastFriend) and a neck pillow for you (like seasoned travelers use on airplanes). And a blanket big enough to cover both of you or two blankets.
If you co-sleep (and sometimes it is easier to do just so you can get more sleep), you will learn how to "sleep nurse". both of you are lying down so you can doze. Better if you can be alert enough to unlatch the baby after 20 minutes or so if possible.
My eldest also would eat 5 minutes and doze. I stripped her down and tickled her to keep her awake long enough to get a full belly and then she would sleep longer.
My fave website for BF advice: www.kellymom.com
Good luck!

Lots of good info so far, so here's just some additional bit of advice:

Brest friend vs. boppy: I used both (got boppy as gift, and friend also gave me her bf) - I thought the bf was a bit better, but the boppy can be used for other things as well that the brest friend can't - can be placed under the baby for tumy time to help strengthen neck muscles, and can be used as support when baby is learning to sit. Since you're a petite woman, the boppy will not fall off your lap, and should be plenty big enough for your baby since it will probably be on the small size too.

As for nursing bras, MAKE SURE YOU CAN EASILY UNDO/REDO THE FASTENER WITH ONE HAND. The most comfortable nursing bra is useless if you can't do that, as you will be holding the baby in the other hand.

For nursing in public, or even at home when you have company, buy a nursing cover that allows you to see you baby. Bebe au lait makes good ones - looks like an apron, but has a curved underwire at the top so it doesn't just fall on the baby's face.

And good luck! It will probably be painful at first until your nipple skin "toughens up". But it is so worth it!!!

Hmm lets see...

Get a Boppy,
http://www.target.com/Boppy-Bare-Naked-Pillow-White/dp/B0...

BEST things ever for B-feeding.
Pick up some Lanisol Nipple cream.
Your Breast will hurt at first, but once your body gets used to it they'll be fine :)

My biggest piece of advice is to attend a breastfeeding class with husband/partner. Breastfeeding was not as natural as some make it out to be with my darling daughter. She had trouble latching on, which made it painful to me. Breastfeeding should not be painful.

We kept trying different positions, and the lactation consultant at the hospital was my best friend. She was so supportive, as was my husband. I was so ready to throw in the towel, but my husband kept encouraging me. Lo and behold, we got the hang of it, and she nursed for 21 months. :) It was so worth the pain at first!!! With my son, he has been nursing for 10 months now. It was so much easier with him as I knew more of what I was doing.

My girls leaked as well, and I found that the lansinoh disposable pads worked the best for me. They didn't swell up like some of the others did. I tried the lily pads, but they just didn't work for me.

Also, do you plan on continuing to breastfeed after you go back to work? If so, invest in a good pump. I love my medela! I rented one for a month and then bought one.

One last thing: relax and enjoy the bonding with your baby. When my daughter and I were having trouble at first, I am sure it didn't help either of us when I would get stressed.

Good luck!

The one pitfall I would avoid is the nipple guards. I thought they were the best ever . . . at first, but they really turned out to be a big ole mess and no help after the first month and actually began to hinder my BF efforts.
Be sure to drink A LOT of fluids and stay on your prenatals while BF. Fenugreek and mother's milk tea will help with production and even though you are nursing every hour or more. . . it is normal and 'this too shall pass"
Congrats on your impending arrival!

The Boppy is the only must-have. I would even get 2 - one for each floor of the house.
My Ob/Gyn also gave me this cream, which was amazing -
http://products.beautedemaman.com/Beaute-de-Maman-Nipple-...
You'll only need it for the first 2-3 weeks when the baby's saliva makes your nipples super sore.
My first had a lot of trouble latching on, so I used a plastic nipple shield to help him latch on. I used it again with my 2nd and 3rd when the soreness got to be too much (around 10 days). They say this can cause nipple confusion though, so be careful and just use it if the pain is excrutiating.
You'll want a pump too. I had to with my 1st because of his latching issues and when I went back to work. With the 2nd and 3rd I only used it for 3 minutes or so in the beginning few weeks if I felt breast pain (not too long because it can cause you to produce too much, just long enough to feel relief).
You'll also need breast pads, but I imagine you're already using them because of the early leaking.
Nursing bras are nice too, but with my 3rd I learned to just wear tank tops and no bra with a hoodie over. I could just unzip the hoodie and pull down the tank - nobody even knew I was nursing. However if you're leaking, you'll want a bra.
Good luck. It's really hard those first few weeks, but then it becomes wonderful. I did it for 11-14 months for each of my kids.

A must have is the My Brest Friend nursing pillow (stays put, perfect height, holds Medela lanolin, another must have, in a pouch), also have a boppy for upstairs. If you're going to pump, love the Medela Freestyle (hating holding them to the girls when I had the Pump in Style with my first two years ago). Nursing camis. Natural bamboo cloth nursing pads (I have 3 sets which I handwash/air dry).

The first little while I could only feed when I had the nursing pillow. With more experience I didn't need it anymore, but I think they are great. It took my first one a long time to learn how to nurse properly, but eventually he got the hang of it. Don't give up right away, if it isn't smooth sailing right from the start.
What I liked best about breastfeeding is that it is very convenient. You don't need to carry bottles around, warm them up, etc., etc. and during the night you can feed them fairly easy. Once we were good at it, I was able to feed my boys lying in bed and half sleeping.
When your breasts are already leaky now I would suggest you stock up on those leak pads. Also a nipple cream with lanolin is a must have in my opinion. As I said, the pillow is nice, but not really a requirement if you can manage without.

Ask for help when the baby is born from someone who really can see what's going on, because if you're having difficulty, they'll be able to tell if it's you or the baby. I HIGHLY recommend asking around before the baby is born and finding a lactation consultant who doesn't shudder at the thought of formula. Hopefully you won't need her or it at all, but if you do have difficultly the VERY LAST THING in the world you want is the person who's supposed to be helping you making you feel guilty about feeding your baby.

I'm very busty too, and I was never able to nurse either of my kids one handed (always needed the other one to keep my breast positioned), so don't bank on being able to do a lot of reading, etc, while nursing.

If you're bleeding, something's going on with latch/position, etc. Don't let anyone tell you that it's "normal." See a lactation consultant, and ask for APNO (all purpose nipple ointment). It was such a lifesaver. If you're just sore, which is normal, lansinoh and cool showers with soft towels after works wonders.

Invest in a good breast pump before you go to the hospital, and, if you want your baby to be able to drink from a bottle, introduce the bottle one time per day as soon as they have a good latch (maybe after a week). If they know how to nurse, they almost always like to nurse, and I've heard more horror stories from moms who waited to long to introduce the bottle and then the baby refused it than the other way 'round.

Good luck on your new little one.

Haven't read the other responses, but you'll need a boppy pillow w/ a removable cover (lots of milk dribbles :) and definitely some Lansinoh for nipples. You can get it at Target. It's the most fabulous product; I STILL buy it and use it for my lips. Also, a hospital grade pump if you'll be returning to work at some point; I had the Medela backpack pump and it was fabulous. Oh, and a nursing rocker w/ foot stool or rest. Dutailier brand is awesome. And have a lactation consultant visit you while in the hospital to help you with the latch, etc. Most hospitals provide them now.

I had a nursing stool when I nursed my kids. Mine was custom made by a family friend, but I think you can easily order one online. It really helped my comfort and therefore helped with my supply.

Good luck!

You have gotten wonderful advice so far, but one thing that no one has touched is your description of your petite frame and your already full breasts pre-pregnancy. As you can imagine, they will get even bigger once the milk comes in. So in the beginning they will feel very big compared to your tiny baby and the tiny mouth. That is where you need extra help from a lactation specialist. But the most helpful advice I received I didn´t get from a lactation specialist but from a BF forum for women with bigger boobs: Roll a small towel and put it under your breast for support, that helps tremendously.
All the best and good luck!

Congratulations, L.! Pat yourself on the back for planning to do the absolute best thing for you and your new baby-breastfeeding. I b-fed my oldest for 13 months, and my 2nd is 5 months old and we're going strong. Here's my advice: If you haven't already gotten yourself breast pads, they will help with the leaking. I use disposables, but you can also get ones that you wash and re-use. They're kind of like sanitary napkins for your breasts.

I brought my boppy pillow to the hospital with me the 2nd time around, because holding a baby up when you're exhausted just makes it more difficult. My IV got pulled out and I bled all over the pillow, so bring a few pillowcases, or put a towel or receiving blanket under the baby while you nurse. This will also help when the baby falls asleep and milk dribbles out of his mouth, just throw the towel in the laundry. I also got a nursing cover with the 2nd baby and felt more comfortable when my father and brother in law come to visit. I don't have to run into the other room and be uncomfortable, I can feed the baby in the same place I normally do.

I always wanted one of those comfy rocking chairs with the glider ottoman, but we never had room for one, my advise to you is to find a comfortable chair or spot on the couch. You will be in pretty much one position for at least 15 minutes while your baby nurses, so get comfy before you start. I put a couch pillow behind my back for extra support.

Most importantly, don't let anyone tell you you can't do this, or that you need to supplement with formula. With my 2nd the lactation consultant actually suggested that I supplement, I was so disappointed in her. If that had been my first and I was inexperienced and worried I would have given my baby formula and regretted it. My 2nd didn't urinate in the first 24 hours, so they thought I wasn't producing enough milk. Other than that he was completely normal, so I knew I just needed to feed him as often as possible.

So this is my most important piece of advice: You will never produce more milk by feeding less, the more you nurse the more milk you will make.

Congratulations again and enjoy your baby.

I was too lazy to read all the responses, so I'm not sure if this was in there... I found that putting Lansinoh (or any other breast cream stuff) on before showering helped the girl from drying out after being exposed to the warm/hot water. Good luck!

Hooray that you're planning now! The website www.breastandbottlefeeding.com has a page (click breast then signs of a successful feeding) with a chart of how to know it's going well, and signs of when to seek help. The website is from the book Balancing Breast and Bottle: Reaching Your Breastfeeding Goals. It's a book about how to select and use a bottle or pacifier in a way that supports breastfeeding. Since you're planning to return to work, I'd call it a must have. :)

I highly recommend Lanolin, it is a life (and nipple) saver!

Congrats! I didn't read all your responses, but a few things I remember: I personally am not able to wear a bra for the first several weeks. My breasts are too big, and I am very prone to mastitis (infections). Typically mastitis is preceeded by lumps in your breasts, so if you feel any lumps, they are plugged ducts--massage out the lumps. Icing my breasts a bit between feedings helped with the swollen part. Also, my breasts get so large and full, that the baby can't get the milk out, and neither can my top-of-the-line Medela pump. So, for me, I have realized that I need to rent a hospital-grade pump from the lactation consultant for at least that first week (when my milk comes in, it REALLY comes in!) Once I was able to wear a bra, it had to be a sleep bra only for awhile. Then, later, I could wear a regular (non-underwire) bra. Some moms love the boppy and/or brest friend. I didn't love either of them, but that's just me. If positioning is a problem, you might want to try a nursing stool.

Two products I loved were the Soothies pads (have them on hand in case of sore nipples--LOVE them, so helpful) and a nipple cream to help keep your nipples from getting dry or cracked. I used Lansinoh for baby #1, and it was fine, but then I tried Motherlove nipple cream, and it's so much easier to use--soft, almost like honey, whereas the Lansinoh comes out stiff and you have to work it a bit with your fingers to make it pliable. Also, Motherlove is organic, which is a bonus.

Good luck--enjoy the last days of pregnancy and your baby!

P.S. If you don't get help from the lactation consultant, find another one! The one in the hospital was useless to me.

You have lots of LONG answers. Here is my short one.

Keep the baby near you, skin to skin for the first 24 hours as much as possible. Every time she/he fusses, latch them on. By the time I had my third I was ready for that at the hospital... the first two times I struggled until I got home because I wasn't expecting to nurse so much the first day. But, my milk came in like crazy, so it totally worked.

Then, once you are home, keep it up for the first week. Sleep when baby sleeps, nurse when baby is awake (or at least that is how it might feel).

After 6 weeks, it gets MUCH easier. Try to limit guests the first few days home so you can get used to nursing.

Jessica

short answer to a long question and my most valuable bit of advise for you: go to a LLL meeting and also find a LAC both are the best tools you can have!!!! good luck and congrats!

I think the things that I needed tremendously the first time were, a boppy pillow, I really like the my breast friend brand, super comfy but you have to order it online. A good nursing shawl, one that wraps around your whole body. Makes nursing anywhere so much easier. Lanolin cream, your nipples will do much better with a good coat of cream between each feeding. A good double breast pump, I like medela. That way you will be able to pump and hubby can help with feeding. An electric bottle warmer. Watch out with this though if you are using the drop ins bottle system. The times they recommend are too long for the drop in inserts, if you are using standard plastic or glass bottles, the times are fine. Finally the thing that helped me the most were a couple tips from my mother-in-law...When attaching bring the baby to the breast, not the other way around. She also got me to squeeze my breast and nipple until I saw fluid coming out, this helped so much when my milk came in. Best wishes!! I am now nursing my second and I really love that I can do this for my babies. I wish you a wonderful delivery and congrats!!

Some advice:
1. Don't give up. It's not easy at first but once you and the baby get the hang of it, it'll be easy.
2. Use the lactation consultant at the hospital to help you...but take their advice with a grain of salt. They were great at showing me the proper technique (how to hold the baby, etc) but they were adamant about not using a pacifier or supplementing with formula. My daughter was big and very hungry, so until my milk came in, she needed more than I could give her. I supplemented with formula for a few weeks (using a little cup for her to lap up the formula instead of a bottle, since she only needed about an ounce in addition to what I was giving her) and it really helped. Also, she was using me as a pacifier. She was feeding every 30 minutes because she wanted to suck. As soon as I gave her a pacifier, she was better and it never interfered with the breastfeeding.
3. Use lanolin after every feeding for the first few weeks. It helps to keep your nipples from chapping and bleeding. Breastfeeding can be painful at first but the lanolin will help. Your breasts will get used to the feeding after a week or 2 and then it won't hurt anymore.
4. If you have trouble with letdown once your milk comes in, use a warm washcloth or the warm packs that they sell specifically for your breasts just before you feed your baby. This will help your milk come down faster so your baby will get an immediate response to sucking. My daughter would get frustrated because she would suck and nothing would come out and then she'd give up. The heat makes the milk come right away (sometimes even squirt out!). I only needed to do this for about a week or 2 when my milk first came in but it was a lifesaver.
5. Breastfeeding may be hard to get used to at first but it's worth it, in my opinion. If it's not right for you, though, don't beat yourself up. Formula is just fine.
Good luck and congrats!

You have gotten FABULOUS advice. I won't add much because most of it has been said, but I have to say that in my experience, the "My Brest Friend" nursing pillow was far superior to the Boppy. It made positioning the baby a snap, and left one hand free for drinking water, nibbling on a snack, etc.

I couldn't do much with the Boppy because it is rounded and I always felt like the babies were going roll off of it.

Just my opinion. ;)

I think the first thing to know is that once you and the baby become pros, it is the most wonderful, sweet time together. Be prepared that there is a learning curve and seek guidance and support from the hospital's lactation consultant to make sure everything is going well, baby is latched on correctly, etc....

A boppy is an absolute must. This wonderful u shaped pillow helps make breast feeding easier because it gets the baby off your lap and closer to 'the girls'. I always made sure I had three of them. One upstairs, one downstairs and one in the car. My current baby loves the boppy. If the boppy is on the floor near my rocker, she will put her head on it. She associates it with our breastfeeding time. Take the boppy into the hospital.

A comfortable rocking chair is important too. Some women like a stool to put their feet on and again to get that baby positioned right.

Drink lots and lots of water! Be prepare that your milk may take a few days (my first took two weeks) to really come in. With my second, I asked for the hospital grade pump immediately after birth to help stimulate production, best thing I ever did. Milk came in quickly and my son and I were off and running.

Be prepared that the hospital might advise to give your baby some formula. With my first, I had an emergency c section after 31 hours of active labor, so I was out the first day after my son's birth. I was sad to learn they had given him formula but now realize his health and happiness was more important. With my third, she had jaundice. Studies are showing that whatever is in formula actually helps to get rid of jaundice faster than breast milk. In either case, both babies did not have trouble with being breastfed and we did so for a complete year.

Invest in good nursing bras. I found also purchasing nursing shirts and pjs to help make life easier.

Good luck and enjoy.