Trustworthy Breastfeeding Resources

hi A.,

i went to la leche league meetings and read lots to "prepare" me for breastfeeding but none of it was very useful when faced with the realities of the particular issues i faced. the best thing i did was i went to a lactation consultant and then after that i joined a breastfeeding support group.

but if i were you i would get in contact, and perhaps meet with, a lactation consultant near you before you give birth. this way you can just pick up the phone when difficulties arise (if they do) and boom, she's there.

lots of luck

K.

I prepared myself just with reading. I wish I had prepared better as we got off to a rough start. We saw an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant at 2 days post-partum. We saw her 3 times and it was well worth the money.

I would recommend seeing a lactation consultant even if you don't feel you are having problems. They can offer insight into pumping, pacifiers and feeding techniques. They can also shatter any myths that you may have been told.

My family is co-sleeping and it is working great for us. The baby sleeps well and when he does wake up I can feed him and go back to bed. It was also beneficial when we were experiencing problems.

My son is now 6ish weeks old and we are now a happy breastfeeding diad.

Hope this helps.

A.

La Leche League offers support. My sister-in-law gets telephone calls from moms experiencing difficulty with breastfeeding. Contact La Leche and they should be able to put you in touch with someone experienced for support.

Please remember that everyone's experience is different. I have had 4 babies with a different nursing experience with each. Breastfeeding can be very frustrating and does not always come "naturally". It takes a lot of patience and commitment. It is a beautiful and rewarding experience which can also generate feelings of guilt. I was never successful with pumping no matter which method, machine, or diet I tried. A friend of mine could pump 8 oz. in 10 minutes and still nurse her baby. Do the best you can and try not to compare yourself to others. Whatever breastmilk you are able to offer your baby is a gift whether it is for one day or years.

My last daughter also inspired me to create a nursing accessory for moms. I always nursed in public but never liked to put a blanket over my baby. I wanted to talk to my baby while I nursed her, and my let-down was improved when I could see her. I designed the only breastfeeding cover on the market that does not cover your baby's head called the Slurp & Burp. Check it out www.slurpburp.com...maybe it will help meet your nursing needs.

La Leche League is a great place to start. They hold monthly meetings all over the world and pregnant women are encouraged to attend.
http://www.lalecheleaguenj.org/

Take a breastfeeding class! Very important as formula is considered the "norm" nowadays and most women (friends, family) and doctor's (ob's and peds) dont know much about the normal course of lactation. With formula samples being handed out to every pregnant woman that walks into an office for prenatal care, its so important to protect yourself and your baby with accurate info and not just info from "formula pushers" who get paid to advertise.

A few online resources that are incredibly helpful are:
http://kellymom.com/index.html
http://www.breastfeeding.com/
http://www.parentingweb.com/lounge/lounge_index.htm
http://www.lactationconnection.com/questions.htm#intake
http://www.wiessinger.baka.com/bfing/index.html

The biggest thing you can do to prepare yourself are 2 things.

1) EDUCATE YOURSELF Read books, websites, take classes, talk with women that have had positive experiences. You have to be your own advocate. There is a lot of misinformation out there (it hurts, the baby becomes too dependant, you have to avoid certain foods, you probably wont make enough etc...) Know the truths before you listen to these lies! Here is a link on myths:
http://www.breastfeeding.com/all_about/all_about_myths.html

2) GET SUPPORT The number one reason women fail at breastfeeding is lack of proper support. Sometimes its from a doctor (you cant take that antibiotic and breastfeed! -or- your baby isnt gaining enough...time to supplement!). Sometimes its from your mother or mother-in-law (He has to eat AGAIN? -or- I want to be able to babysit -or- breastmilk isnt as good as formula). Sometimes its from friends (Now you can't drink! -or- Ewww, thats gross). Or your husband (Those are mine! -or- What if it comes out during sex...icky! -or- I want to be able to feed the baby!). Sometimes it comes from complete strangers! (You're not going to do THAT here, are you? -or- Oh, I weaned early...it hurt too much). Its all damaging and unsupportive. It makes you question yourself, doubt yourself and often leads to early weaning or depression. Surround yourself with supportive people. Tell them your plans and that you expect them to support your decision. Its the best for your baby after all, so thats all they should be concerned with! When in doubt, call up a breastfeeding Momma and vent. Or hop on a message board for some reassurance. Stick to only breastfeeding communities, as formula feeders will just add to the negativity.

Breastfeeding products as in what exactly? Pumps? Nursing clothing? Nursing pillows/stools? Books? Speaking of books, here is a list of recommended reading.
http://www.amazon.com/Breastfeeding-Book-Everything-Nursi...
http://www.amazon.com/Womanly-Art-Breastfeeding-Sixth-Rev...
http://www.amazon.com/Nursing-Mothers-Companion-Kathleen-...
http://www.amazon.com/So-Thats-What-Theyre-Breastfeeding/...
You can get them at your local library, or buy them cheap on ebay or amazon. I think I got my "womanly art" for .01!

We did co-sleep, with all 3 of my kids. We began transitioning them into a pack and play near my bed so if they woke, they were easy to grab and bring back to bed to nurse back to sleep. It was a dream! I slept better and felt so well rested, I didnt understand how women were so tired. Sure, I was sleepy, and dozed off while nursing, but the hormones make you drowsy, so thats normal. I really did feel well rested and I recommend it! There are guidlines to doing it safely. Some people will try to scare you and tell you it isnt safe, you'll kill your baby, and they always know some story of someone smothering their baby! First of all, there are rules to do it safely. If they cant be followed, co-sleeong shouldnt be done. Co-sleeping has shown to reduce the risk of SIDS, as does breastfeeding. It helps regulate your baby's temperature and breathing. Baby sleeps better being near you, you sleep better knowing baby is close, and it encourages frequent nursing, which will help your supply and keep Aunt Flo at bay! Its natural child spacing, and nursing at night is imperative to make that successful. It teaches baby to fall asleep easier when they do wake because instead of waking and fussing, crying, waiting for you to come, they are wide awake by then! When co-sleeping you are very in tune with your baby and just as they begin to rouse, you are able to nurse them back to sleep before they are fully awake. Baby's are calmer and happier, you and your family get more sleep! Its a win-win situation! Here is a book I recommend about co-sleeping.
http://www.amazon.com/Nighttime-Parenting-Your-Child-Slee...
And one last website.
http://www.askdrsears.com/
Browse around. It has many topics on breastfeeding, co-sleeping, Attachment Parenting, wearing your baby close in a sling or wrap etc...

And last but not least, if you have any questions, please send me a message! I would be able to give you a quick tutorial about the basics and what to expect, common problems, FAQ, etc... I'd be glad to help! I hope this has been informative for you because it took an awful long time to type! :) Good luck!

~Tara~ Trained Breastfeeding Counselor WNY

Chonyi Glassman - she is a great lactation consultant. One or two visits and you're set. Also find a La Leche League group. I nursed my adopted daughter with supplement and then my biological son "au natural". Co-sleeping, absolutely. Why? So that I had the comfort of sleeping myself and so that they were with me and I could relax. It was all very natural and extremely enjoyable. My advice: get the support you need to answer your questions and then relax and enjoy it. I nursed my daugher to 18 months and my son to 3 years. They both weaned naturally. In all honesty, I miss it. I LOVED every minute of breastfeeding as did my kids. What a wonderful gift to us all.

stuff i would like to have known:

-we went to a class, but in hindsight i should have just spent a lot more time around nursing mothers, a lot more time.
- make sure your child nurses within that critical first hour after birth, even if you end up with a c-section (have your support people and staff prop you up to nurse) this will make it so much easier on you. if you don't get this opportunity, don't panic, you will still be able to breastfeed but it will be a little harder
- have a recommended Lactation Consultant's phone number with you when you give birth. and call and consult her often.
- a local breastfeeding support group is an amazing resource, the LC will point you to one.
- just remember that it's all good, your boobs are perfect for this, they have enough milk, your baby is getting enough and he/she knows how to get more - let them.
- pumping is sometimes necessary, but try to avoid substituting it for breastfeeding times too much during the first 4 months and always remember "it's the pump, not you" (don't worry if nothing comes out)
- on-demand feeding is a hard schedule to keep up,but if you co-sleep and just give into it at the beginning you guys will have a much easier time of it
- don't let the "experts" force you to do stuff that seems wrong - early weening, not nursing at night because of tooth decay, too much nursing because of iron problems, public nursing is gross - poo on all that, you will always be the best judge of what feels right.
- Mothering Magazine on-line is a great resource for research and support.

good luck and all my best,
L.
(a nursing mom who's kid breastfed on demand, after a horrible birth and recovery, for almost 3 years, with no health problems or sleep problems, and who stopped easily on his own just after he began sleeping through the night, next to us in our bed... and we all survived...)

La Leche League or contact your local lactation consultant. You can even schedule an appointment with them and ask them all sorts of questions.

I am nursing my 4 month old. I did not cosleep because i'm a heavy sleeper and my mattress is a pillowtop and I would go bonkers if I was constantly worrying about her. Both my girls slept in cribs and I was more comfortable nursing sitting up than laying down. It's your personal preference.

To prepare - best thing to do is go to LLL meetings AND schedule an appointment with a lactation consultant before you deliver. It was the best - I shared my concerns with her. Then when I had problems at the hospital, I could call her and she provided great support!

Buying breastfeeding products, I tend to buy it all at Target...

yay breast milk!

Try checking out the disscussion forums at www.mothering.com . the women there are amazing, and can point you in the direction of articles, books and organizations to help you gather information, and even find a lactation consultant if you want. personally, the only breastfeeding supplies i have needed are my boobs and a hungry baby, but you'll be able to find out about any supplies there too.

also, google 'le leche league' . it's an organization that helps women breastfeed.

i love nursing my baby, and i love co-sleeping, and i can't imagine doing it any other way. i never have to get out of bed in the middle of the night, and i wake up to see my son smiling next to me.

hey A... i breastfed my 2 boys .. i took a breastfeeding class-which made me more anxious about it.. when he was born, i went to a breastfeeding class near the danbury hosptial. I also read the nursing mother's companion which i felt was helpful and i went on this webite www.babyfit.com in which i had a lot of support with.. i used the medela pump in style pump for pumping. we co-slept for a couple of months-made nursing so much easier at night. good luck-J.

A nearby hospital may have a breastfeeding support group that meets on a weekly basis. It's an incredible resource and you'll meet many moms who may end up being long time friends. It may take serious determination to breastfeed, with little help from family & friends, but stick with it. It's an incredible bonding experience. I believe the best products are by Madela. I did co-sleep. Get a co-sleeper (it attaches to you bed)! It's great! It's advantages are convenience, bonding and security.

Call you Hospital they might have a lactation team, also La Leche League is very good.

I kept our Bassinette really close to the bed so if the baby cried I could easily reach them and easily place them back in there.

Good Luck and Congrats!

M

Dear A.,

Congratulations on your decision to breastfeed! You rock :)

I agree with almost all the advice people have already given, so I'll just add a few things I haven't seen mentioned.

- See if your hospital has a rooming-in option. Ours did, and we literally pressed the nurses' button every time my son wanted to (and couldn't) nurse. By the time we were ready to go home, he had it down.

- If you can't room in, request that the nurses bring the baby to you every time he/she needs a feeding and that he/she be given no formula. Those first few days are crucial for establishing a latch and colustum (sp?), or pre-milk, is called "liquid gold" b/c it's so good for a baby's immune system.

- If the baby has trouble latching at first, don't be afraid to literally stuff as much of your breast into his/her mouth as you can. I was very tentative at first, which got us off to a bit of a slow start, but after a nurse literally grabbed my breast and squeezed it into my son's mouth (it sounds horrible, but it was honestly fine), he became a champion nurser.

- We did co-sleep, which got me a lot more sleep in the beginning (and immediately after birth, it's much easier not to have to get in and out of bed all the time), but it's been hard lately as my now-toddler is having a hard time learning to sleep on his own. So if you decide to do it, be aware that it's a big commitment.

And remember -- women have been breastfeeding for zillions of years, and, even though some hospital staff and pediatricians are not as supportive as they should be, breastfeeding moms are now in the majority. If you need support -- formal or informal -- it's out there. Good luck, and congratulations!

Hi A.!
As far as preparing to breastfeed, there's not really too much you can do other than to learn-- I read The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding cover to cover before my daughter was born... The other thing you can do is try to insist upon having your baby remain with you immediately after they're born-- start breastfeeding right away, and be sure that someone helps you get the baby latched on correctly as soon as possible-- a poor/incorrect latch will be very uncomfortable for you (painful) and make the baby's suck less effective...
As for who to turn to for help, La Leche League is wonderful. Look online to see if there's a group in your area. That's free, relatively easy-to-get support. If you can't find a LLL group, you can find a Lactation Consultant or someone at the hospital who should be able to help you... Are you in CT? There's a great place in Stratford called Breastfeeding Resources, you would see Dr. Smillie...

As for co-sleeping-- yes. It makes it so much easier to sleep-- the baby just lies next to you (you will NOT crush him/her, here's one of a zillion articles about this: http://www.nd.edu/~jmckenn1/lab/overlaying.html) and when s/he wakes you can just pull him close and nurse and you don't have to get up, dont have to sit in a chair, don't have to go in another room, etc. The 2 things I'd recommend the most for a new mom re: nursing -- ok the 3 things-- 1)make sure the latch is correct 2)nurse a lot. don't be obsessed with a schedule-- nurse the baby whenever they seem to want it, even if it's every hour-- this will help them gain weight, improve your milk supply, keep the baby happy, etc.... 3) learn to nurse lying down. That'll make everything so much easier :)

There is so much support out there, read books, find a good pediatrician, find LLL if you can. GOOD LUCK!!!! Your baby is very lucky to have such a caring mom already looking out for his/her best interests! :):)
S.

Hi A., I am a first time mom and have a happy 10 month old boy who is strictly breastfed. I come from a family that does not believe in breastfeeding so I had no help there. Through my local hospital (Centra State Freehold, NJ) they offered parenting classes and a breastfeeding class. I found then useful and the teacher was great for questions afterwards. There is also the Le Leche which some find to be a little hard core to breastfeeding only. The most important thing is to do what it right for you and your family and you are the only one that can make that choice. My husband was very helpful and supportive from the beginning. If he wasn't I don't know if I could have stuck it out. So by now I am sure you have read about and heard the pros and cons, but here is what I wish someone told me to be ready for. My son was a baracuda and nursed constantly in the beginning. Not all babies are like that though. I did not leave my house for the first 2 months really. I also had a tramatic birth and he was in the NICU for a week so I did not have he constantly with me. Another thing as soon as you give birth and are ready for it try to nurse your baby and have a pump brought in asap. Try pumping for 15 min every hour to bring in your milk. It is a little uncomfortable when your milk comes in at first but it goes away quick. Breatsfeeding is a commitment. I did not use a bottle in at first because I was afraid of nipple confusion so now he will not take one. The bad part I could never leave for that long because he would have to eat. The up side the look your baby gives you because you are his sole provider and the bond that grows from nursing. I don't want to scare you from nursing but I wish someone would have told me what a commitment and hard work it really is in the beginning. The important thing is that if you really want to breastfeed you can and will dispite whatever trying things in the beginning...latch problems, positioning, etc...just ask for help and if you do not like your nurse or whoever that is helping you get someone else. I could ramble forever about nursing because I love it, but I will stop here. If you do need someone to talk to though please feel free to contact me.
I bought my breast pump, pump and style advance, from Hackley Healthcare equipment. They were the cheapest I found, are brand new in packaging and ship quickly. They say to use only cotton washable breast pads, but I switch to the medela disposable because I leaked a lot until we got scheduled and I would go through to many washables a day to keep up.
I used a craddle in the beginning and it was fine. I now use the co-sleeper original and love it. Yes he is 10 months and still in my room. I moved him to his crib at 3 months and he was fine. Then at 5 months between his curiosity and teeth he was not eating enough throughout the day so would wake up for night time feedings. I then bought the co-sleeper so I did not have to get up to get him. My husband and I both are happier with him in our room though. THe original one is the size of a pack-n-play and holds the baby up to 30lbs in the bassinet form and 50 lbs as a play pen. The mini is smaller and only holds the baby up to 22lbs in the bassinet. I wish I would have purchased the co sleeper from the beginning because it would have made it so much easier to get to him and I had a c-section so getting up fast was not easy.
I hope this helped and if you have any questions please email me. Also, my hospital offers a breatfeeding support group for pregnant moms and moms that are nursing, see if yours and any local to you offer anything like that.

best thing to do is just relax! im still nursing my 7 month old and in the beginning i was stressed and nervous. dont count minutes and worry about how your holding your baby etc..it will all just come so naturally!! it is such a beautiful experience and dont worry about it too much. your hospital should have a lactation consultant that you can talk to if you have questions. check out the medela website if you have questions about breastfeeding, pumping, storing etc... http://www.medelabreastfeedingus.com/for-nursing-mothers

remember first and foremost...just relax and enjoy! email me if you have any questions!! D.

A.: Kelly H has given you great advice the couple of things I would add is that nursing is a lot of work and it is a commitment. A big one that no one talks about is that it is really not that great at the begining b/c it hurts every time the baby latches on, and if you get sore nipples forget it but this will all go away and you will nurse as you eat and as you do some minor chores :o). To alleviate this issue you have to use the cream to prevent sore nipples constantly, put it on before and after you breast feed it won't eliminate it completely but it will help a lot. I gave my daughter a bottle with expressed milk as early as 2 weeks, as I didn't believe in nipple confusion. I gave her a bottle once a day once a week. This really paid up and it worked beautifully when I had to transition her to all bottles of expressed milk during the day for daycare and had no issues. Where I come from nursing is very natural so I would nurse anywhere with no problems so I would go to the mall all the time and be out and about, nursing didn't stop me from going anywhere. I bought a nice jacket "poncho" style that I would use to cover myself in public and I can tell you I would walk the mall while the baby nursed.

I made the commitment to nurse as soon as I found out I was pregnant, and I didn't even had formula in the house b/c I didn't want to have a fall back and my husband was extremely supportive. At night while I slept he would grab the baby, changed her and then put her to my breast, this gave him something to do and made him part of the nursing process. This is also the reason I started to give her a bottle once a day once a week so that my hubby could feed her too as he was dying to do it.

Also keep in mind that whatever decision you make is perfectly alright. I strictly nursed for the first 6 mo and then when I got back to work my milk production went down as I was taking in as much water and couldn't pump as often. So I started supplementing with formula first one bottle a day, then two and them three until I only kept the morning and night time feeding and this truly was more for me as I loved to nurse my daughter. She weaned herself out at about 8 - 9 mo and I was very sad, she was ready but I was not :o(.

So again do what works for you and your family but if you decide to nurse you won't regret it as it is the most wonderful experience you will ever have, this is the one thing that you are the only one that can do it and it is your time together it is amazing. If there is anything I can help you with let me know.

Re breast pumps if you decide to nurse you will need an electric pump as it will make your life that much easier, they are pricey but well worth it. If you can borrow one even better just buy all the attachements new which is not expensive at all. In regards of books there are a lot out there I read the breastfeeding book by Dr. Sears it is quite good. There are many others just remember that all will have a different perspecitve on the same subject. Good luck!!!

I am an older mom with grown children...I wish I would have had the advice for nursing with my first child! By all means, 'prime' your nipples starting 6 weeks before birth. I used (with my 2nd and 3rd) a towel and just brusquely rubbed my nipples daily...what a difference it made with breastfeeding. I did not have the sore, cracked, tender nipples I did with my first...my poor first baby...every photo I have of her nursing during the first weeks has me with my teeth gritting and my eyes wide open in pain! Good luck to you...

L.

hi A.! i'm so glad you're on this resource asking these questions. breastfeeding is by far the best nutrition for your baby and the best health practice in every way for both of you. there are even more new studies that have appeared in mainstream media, like on The Today Show, showing that breastfeeding helps prevent obesity in childhood and adulthood, helps mothers become more educated about nutrition, promotes intelligence and bonding, and reduces incidences of reproductive cancers. and if i sound like some kind of crazy infomercial so be it; i really believe in breastfeeding.

i've been breastfeeding my 2.5 yr old son since he was born of course and he still nurses to sleep and on waking, and i nursed him right through my pregnancy w my daughter, who is nursing strongly and almost 1. they are both bright, healthy, huge, and gorgeous (if i do say so myself.) :)

that said; the MOST reliable resource for breastfeeding info is your local chapter of La Leche League Intl. which you can easily find on the web. just google it and find a meeting, or if you have trouble locating a schedule, call your local chapter leader; there should be a phone number on the site. they really have the most accurate and up to date ,time proven information and mother-to-mother support.

look for other breastfeeding mothers around you, tho, as well; you will find that La Leche also has a significant parenting philsophy which is excellent for many families but not right for everyone and you may feel that you need other points of view in a different context. so feel free to talk to other moms that you see nursing; all nursing moms love to talk about breastfeeding, it's just about always true. i have learned a lot from talking to moms from other cultures as well.

i could go on at great length here about all your questions but it might be more expedient if you would like to speak on personal email; send me a message here or email me directly at ____@____.com if you like. i will try to post to you again because i have colelcted good information from LLL and my own experience that i would like to share here with everyone, just don't have time right now.

good luck to you and you are already doing a great job!
J.

http://www.breastfeeding.com/
http://www.aap.org/healthtopics/breastfeeding.cfm
http://www.motherwear.com/br/index.cfm

http://www.llli.org/

http://parenting.ivillage.com/baby/topics/0,,4rh6,00.html...

http://www.moonlily.com/breastfeed/

All of these have there own great information, most is the same though.. I love the LA Leche League and moonlily.com.. Look in your yellow pages for lactaion consultants in your area. Hands on help is always the best, or contact the LLL and they will help you find someone!!! Best luck!
M.

I used a lactation consultant at my local hospital. They are a wealth of information. And the plus for me was that they were available to help me right after my delivery. I was unsuccessful nursing my first son. I think much of it was due to frustration, lack of sleep and lack of support. My second son is now 9 months and I am still nursing. I just set my mind to it this time. I stayed calm. I used the visiting nurse in my area for assistance when I got home from the hospital. I used the internet for answers to many questions. I was given information from a breatfeeding class that was conducted at the hospital. And finally , I had a few friends who had been successful at breast feeding. They offered me encouragement which is all I really needed to stick with it. Hopefully this helps.

I recommend Bev Solow in Manhattan's UWS (phone: ###-###-####
email: ____@____.com). She is a wonderful lactation consultant who is also practical and not as millitant as others can be. She offers breastfeeding support groups and I attended a session when I was pregnant. I'm so glad I did, because it was there that I learned that even those who had previous breastfeeding experience had trouble with babies because each baby is different. I learned that while breastfeeding is natural, it isn't always easy. I breastfed both of my babies--each for a year; and both times, in the beginning, it hurt like he**. I also had to supplement with formula for both babies, and that worked really well for our family because it allowed my husband, grandparents and other caregivers feed, too.

I hope this is helpful to you,
Stacy

Stacy S. Kim, Ph.D.
Work-family researcher, consultant and coach
www.StacySKim.com

The hospital I delivered my baby at offered the service. You should check with the maternity ward in the hospital. I had several one on ones with a nurse that was specially trained to help new moms get started with breast feeding. She can also spot other physical problems, and let you know what to do for certain circumstances. Do not co sleep with a newborn, you or your soft pillows could sufforcate the baby. Use a basset at the side of the bed, or better yet, put the crib in your room. It will be easier to move the baby back into his or her room with a familier bed.

I was pretty much winging the whole nursing thing until I got my first case of mastitis...not fun...I called the local La Leche League and one of the members called me back and was so helpful that I started to go to the weekly meetings. I can't tell you how valuable the whole experience was. You can find one just about anywhere and if that is not an option, you can visit their site online which is also very helpful. Other nursing moms would probably be more than willing to help.
I never really "prepared" myself. I also never used any fancy products with the exception of a handheld pump. I believe it was the Aveda and it worked find for the few times I had to pump. My son slept in a basinet next to my bed and I would simply put him next to me to nurse. It is all a matter of what you are comfortable with. Any way you look at it, it's easier than getting up and preparing a bottle;)
The most important thing I can tell you is don't give up. You may hit some hurdles like a breast infection or maybe even someone trying to discourage you with offhand remarks but I can assure you that it is all worth it in the end. My son has no allergies, has never had an ear infection (he's 4 now) and I got my pre-pregnancy weight back withing a few months. The benefits are endless and you will recognize them as you go. Good luck!

In the hopspital when you deliver their should be a lactation consultant that will assist you, and they sometimes will give you their number for when you leave the hospital and return home. Another source is LeLEche, they have people all over that will assist you - just go to their website.

As for the products, I personally used a Medela Electric Pump, however for the first 2 week of breast feeding I did rent an industrial size pump (as was recommended to me from my dr.) to use after I fed the baby to help my milk come in, it worked great. I bought my other supplies at Buy Buy Baby or Babies R Us.

I didn't co-sleep, but I did have my babies in a cradle right next to me, so it was easy to just pick them up and nurse.

Good luck and the best advice I can give is DON'T give up, no matter how hard it is, keep going.

The best advice I can give you is to make sure you pack a tube of pure Lanolin (Lansinoh makes a good one) in your hospital bag and the minute you pop the baby out, start applying it to your nips. Apply it every time you are finished and it will prevent your nipples from getting cracked and sore. Because of this, I was able to get over the first few days without a problem and really got a hang of breast feeding my son from the get go. The other advice I can give you is to learn how to breastfeed lying down as soon as you can. I didn't try it for about month in, always getting up in the middle of the night to breastfeed, but the moment I learned how easy it was to latch my son on, while sleeping, I was able to breastfeed him in bed while catching up on my sleep. I didn't co-sleep, but I did use the Mini Arms Reach co sleeper, which is designed for the baby to sleep in their own space, but right next to your bed, so you can reach over, and slid the baby next to you to feed and then you can move them back into their bed. We used the Mini Arms Reach as our sons's bassinet until he out grew it at 4 mos. It was great because it had wheels, and we could move him from room to room. The other item that was also a must have necesity was a great nursing cover called Bebe Au Lait. It covers your child, but it has a unique flelxible rod on top so that you can peek down and see your baby while nursing. I bought two and brought them everwhere, and they were a must have when traveling on a plane. I took our son on his first plane ride at 2 mos, and had him under the bebe au lait nursing cover most of the flgiht, and the flight attendants didn't even know I had a baby underneath my cover. They thought I was wearing an attractive shawl! Here is their link: http://www.bebeaulait.com/
Good luck!

Your local chapter of La Leche League is your best resource. Can even be more helpful than the lactation nurses. They can be found at Lelecheleague.org . They are very knowledgeable and have a libary of books to loan. I suggest you find the chapter before the baby is born. Start a relationship with them. It will be much easier to call on them day or night if you already have talked to them. Many of them will be willing to help with a problem even in the middle of the night. Every baby is different. But breastfeeding does not always come natural. One thing I found that helped was to get the baby to nurse within minutes of birth. I did it with my 2nd an 3rd. It made a big difference. Also If it is your first. I Strongly suggest that you have someone a lactation nurse( most hospital have one on staff) or La Leche League Rep come to the Hospital. Positioning of the baby can make a big difference in how sore you may get.Also have the baby room with you. If you do opt to let the nurses take the baby to the nursey so that you can get rest. Make sure that you instruct the nurses no bottles. A baby may nurse a lot in the beginning. I mean alot. It is natures way of getting your milk to come in. If the baby is in your room He/She can nurse whenever.

If it were not for the Jenn from the La Leche League I don't know how long I have had problems with my 2nd. I figure I knew what I was doing. So when I just kept getting more and more sore I went to the doctors more than once for help. Jenn saw that he baby was tongue tied. The doctors disagreed. I knew something was not right. Jenn sugested a Specialist. He got me in immediately. Took out a tool to measured and agreed with Jenn. He took care if right there.I immediately noticed a change for the better when I breast fed right there in the office.

I can tell you that breastfeeding is not always easiest in the beginning. Hang in there . It gets easier. It creates a great bond between you and your child. It is the best thing you can do for your baby. It is much better than formula. Not to mention the money you will save. Any other questions you have refer them to you local La Leche League Chapter.

I did co sleep with all 3 of my kids. My youngest is 4 months. Me and my husband never took any medications or drank while co-sleeping. Some of the big advantages of co-sleeping were feedings at night and while our babies were sick. It was real reassuring to be right next to my baby when a cold was affecting thier breathing or any other problems they had.

I read a lot online about breastfeeding. I took a bf class at the hospital when I was pregnant with my first. It was more of an information session than a class.
kellymom.com is a great resource.
I swear by avent. I love the isis manual pump. I had a generic electric pump. I hated it. I bought most of my avent products at babies r us. Avent nursing pads are terrible, however. The first years were my favorites, but hard to find.
I sorta co-slept. We had a bed side sleeper for both kids. When they would get up I would nurse them back to sleep and put them back in the sleeper. As they got older I could latch them on laying down. And I would go back to sleep. When I woke back up and they were sleeping, I would put them back in the sleeper.
It was important to me that they knew they had their sleep space and I had mine.
Breastfeeding is such an amazing bonding experience. Sadly, I am done. :) You are giving your child truly THE BEST possible gift. Good Luck on your new little on.
Oh, I almost forgot. This site is a great resource as well if you ever need any support! :)

Hi - co-sleeping is totally up to you - different for everyone - never would have worked for me because my husband works insane hours. I did have her sleep on my chest for tehe 1st 6 weeks. As far as resources - I found the web and the Leche League the most helpful. If can avoid buying too many products that would be good - unless you know you need to pump. If you have to pump regularly - I suggest investing in a good breast pump (Modela - approx $250+) If you only need to pump once in a while - so you can go out to dinner, leave the baby for a few hours once in a while - then go for a smaller battery operated pump. Sometimes it's worth it to wait and see how it all works out. The topic I found the least info about is weening from the breast. I wanted to stop after a year and found it really hard to find info. Talk to your pediatrician for help too.

The best advice I can give about breast feeding is - it takes patience - it took me 6 weeks to feel comfortable and confident. Best of luck. I'm glad I did it.

Hi - I did not co-sleep and it was a bit tough but I think it was better in the long run because she got used to sleeping by herself. I supplemented my breast milk with formula so that the transition to formula would be easier when I was done breastfeeding.

There are many lactation consultants that can help you. Check with your ob/gyn or the hospital for names. You can also contact the Le Leche League. They have plenty of resources...

Good luck!

hi, I didnt really prepare at all for breast feeding because nothing in the world can prepare you for the joy and i will admit pain of your first feeding-you may not have this problem but my little one was called baracuda for the first 11 months of his life.

if you are in upstate ny I recomend trying to deliver at wilson hospital. one of my regular post partum nurses was a lactation consultant and was great in helping me learn how to nurse him. they also give you a nurse direct number you can call if you have any questions.

my husband and i tried co-sleeping for about a week and found that it was not for us. max slept in a basinet next to my side of the bed, this was so we could all sleep 2 adults one jack russell terrier and an infant does not make for a very restful night. I tried asking my mom for help with nursing but shes a very hands off mom so it didnt help much. WIC has breastfeeding support groups in most areas so you can check out those as well.

as for breast feeding products I liked the gerber breast therapy i didnt have to wash it off before nursing and its lanolin free so that was nice. and it also works on chapped cheeks for your little one so its less to remember.

i hope this helps,
K.

I do not know where you are located but in Buffalo, NY "The Care Connection" on Harlem in Amherst is the best. I would look for Lactation Consultants in your yellow pages(also under breastfeeding) for resources in your area. Also friends that have gone through it are great.

I have 2 kids and breastfed both. I had them in a bassinette right next to my bed and that worked out great they got used to sleeping alone and I did not have to go all the way to their room to get them when they needed me. They went into their own room when they slept through the night. The oldest I was blessed 5 weeks and he was all set. The youngest 10 months.

A couple of my friends and I went to the LaLeche League mtgs in our area often(beginning in 1982!!) and learned A TON of things, BUT, looking back now, I wish I hadn't fallen for all the extras(other than basic breastfeeding help). I was the type to eat the entire elephant and not spit out any bones..... Pick up their book and read it yourself - lots of help there, but still be careful of the prochild, antihusband attitude it tends to emit.
Now co-sleeping, that's BIG for LL and it's not always a bad thing - there is a balance with this topic. What does your husband think of it? I think cuddling with my baby/toddler was the sweetest of times but my husband didn't always appreciate it, so as mom/wife we need to decide where our priorities lie and go with our convictions(preferably with our husband's priorities, as well).
Blessings, M. H.

Hi. Use somebody you trust. Even though my both boys nursed well(I nursed my older one to 13 months and I am still nursing my 7 month old) I know that it may get tough. Be patient - it takes 3-4 days for your milk to come in and the more you stress, the harder it gets. I used my mom - she is a midwife and has 4 kids. You can buy all your nursing products (like pads) at any store that carries baby stuff - BabiesRUs or Target. For clothes, they have them at MOtherhood stores and a catalog called Motherwear. I am a stay at home mom so I have three short sleeved tops and one long sleeved one for when I travel on the plane. I did not co-sleep when they were tiny but when they started rolling over and got a little bit bigger, I found it much easier and convienient to have them close and sleep instead of sitting in their bedrrom and falling asleep in the rocking chair. But this is something you have to decide for yourself. I hope this helpes. Good luck.

I would recommend La Leche League. I have been involved with them as a member and then as a leader for more than 20 years! My kids are grown-26, 24, 21, and 17 . LLL is a wonderful support group that meets monthly, has lots of good reading material, and leads to many friendships and playgroups. More info check LLLI.org

As many of the moms have already stated, relax and be patient with the process. It doesn't always come as naturally as we would like. Our hospital is very pro-breast feeding and my daughter was put to the breast as soon as her cord was cut!
I did take a breast feeding workshop prior to delivering which was helpful - the only UNHELPFUL piece of advice was "It will only hurt if you're doing it wrong" Untrue - every mom I know laughed at that statement. Just know that it will stop!!
Supplies I found indispensable:
Lansinoh - pure lanolin ointment
Medella Harmony manual pump
LilyPadz - breast shields - I can't say enough about these. I'll admit I was skeptical, but they are so much better than the cotton pads.
Nursing Nipple shield - my daughter had trouble latching on and the nipple shield really helped her "focus in"

Good Luck!!

www.kellymom.com has been very helpful for me. i also took a breastfeeding class from the hospital and spoke with a lactation consultant at the hospital.