Advice 🫶🏼

I have a long essay I wrote at the beginning if you want a read 😝

@Kinga here for any advice🤣

Ibclc certified lactation consultants to follow https://instagram.com/olivia_lactation_consultant?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== https://instagram.com/mamas.milk?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== https://instagram.com/lucywebberfeedingsupport_ibclc?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== https://instagram.com/emmapickettibclc?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== https://instagram.com/mother.shaheda?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== https://instagram.com/hannahcroftibclc?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== https://instagram.com/themilkrebel?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== https://instagram.com/kathrynstaggibclc?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Be mindful they are sharing generic information and not tailored advice, but there's a wealth of information there

You shouldn't pump before birth, it doesn't have an impact on supply as it's the birth of the placenta that causes your body to transition from colostrum to milk. Colostrum collecting usually advised from 37/38 weeks by hand expressing. Pumping adds in a whole layer of difficulty/work and isn't usually recommended before 6 weeks as you need to regulate your supply. Best thing to build supply is stick baby on the boob whenever they want, lots of skin to skin, and make sure you're well hydrated and eating plenty.

I pumped colostrum using a haka as hand expressing took too much time and you’ll find yourself getting trusted and not wanting to do it. I also pumped since birth and never had issues with it, made my recovery from a C-section so much easier as my husband could feed. Everything is dependant on how you want to do it. No one can tell you yes or no that’s why I didn’t listen when people tried to steer me clear of pumping. Literally let me be able to sleep

My advice is to not be surprised if it's hard and potentially very sore at the beginning! But if you can get through initial few weeks it's amazing... I just wasn't anticipating how much it hurt to start with!!

my advice is do not pump or give a bottle for at least a month. you want baby to be most comfortable on the boob. get a haaka milk collector to catch your let down from the boob baby isn’t nursing on, and save everything you collect! one of my regrets was wasting extra milk in the first few weeks. get a good nipple cream and reusable nursing pads, cause you will leak a lot in the beginning

I never collected any colostrum with both my pregnancies. Milk came in about day 3/4 both times. Not gonna lie it is super hard work, it’s normal to be a bit uncomfortable with sore, cracked nipples but a good nipple cream will help loads and persevere it gets better with time x

I bottle fed my first as I couldn’t understand breastfeeding and thought baby wasn’t getting enough but he probably was 🙃 I would advise not to pump as it will add another element of stress and confusion. Baby will naturally build your supply with cluster feeding at the beginning and you want them to have a good latch. Those first few days are hard but if you keep putting baby on the boob, things will settle down sooner. I had to collect colostrum in the hospital as my baby was very sleepy and also had a lot of mucus she was trying to get up which was effecting her appetite. The staff in the hospital helped me hand express colostrum into a syringe. It took a while but was so worth it. The second time they helped me, I got so much out. Baby has such a tiny belly and will not need a lot at all. Invest in some nipple cream for sure and apply after every feed to avoid nipples cracking. I was lucky my baby had a good latch so I did not get cracked nipples like with my first.

Ask if there are any lactation specialists at your hospital in the daytime and use them as much as you can!