Wanting to breastfeed

If you want to breastfeed you stand the best chance by being prepared - read up as much as you can about breastfeeding and what to expect (The womanly art of breastfeeding book is great). Find out if there’s a support group near you so you know where to get help if needed. When your baby is born you will already have colostrum - this is ALL baby needs for the first few days until it turns into milk. This usually happens around day 2-5. Dummies are not recommend in the first few weeks, same as pumping- it can lead to engorgement, and it isn’t an indicator of supply as babies are more efficient at removing milk than a pump. The more you put baby to breast the quicker your milk will start to mature and your supply can start to become established. It is normal for baby to be attached to you most of the day and night for the first few weeks (cluster feeding) so they can regulate your supply. It doesn’t mean they are still hungry or not getting enough.

Hi! Congratulations on your pregnancy- breastfeeding is truly an incredible journey and not always an easy one for sure! If you do feel that you can’t or don’t want to breastfed your baby once they arrive the hospital will provide you with milk already bottled up for you! Are you having the baby in the grange? X x

@Kat thank you, i have done some research and attended an online class but will definitely look up the book you have recommended x

Some midwives and health visitors have very little training in breastfeeding. If you are experiencing any issues, it is best to speak to a lactation consultant.

@Kirsty thank you 😊 I really want to try it and give it my all but know it's not always successful and want to be as prepared as possible. Thanks for letting me know about the hospital having milk if needed. Yes I will be going to the grange x

It will depend on your body. Your milk may not come in for up to three days possibly but the baby will still need to eat my first child I had via a C-section and she needed formula for three days until my milk came in my second child, born via C-section needed formula For up to three weeks I was pumping and giving her bottled breastmilk, but it took around three weeks for my milk to really come in and I was able to breast-feed her and this was because of a traumatic birth and I was in a lot of pain. Breast-feeding is incredibly hard at first, but if you truly want to continue, you will.

The hospital will have milk and bottles. If you want to breastfeed then support should be available in the hospital. I had a C-section and there was lots of support but ultimately I did have a bottle pushed on me while we were there because he wouldn’t latch. I started pumping on day 1 and left the hospital with nipple shields on day 2. He’s been ebf since. I wouldn’t advise taking bottles because they may assume that’s your preference and not offer the same breastfeeding support if it’s easier for them to just let you get on with bottle feeding.

Put your baby on your boob as much as possible every single time

We took the ready made SMA formula cartons with us as I wasn't planning on breastfeeding (I'm now doing both). Really easy, no faffing with bottles.

I planned to breastfeed but baby was early so couldn’t latch yet but the hospital provided the bottles! Then I managed to breastfeed the following day x

Speak to a lactation consultant! There are things you can do to prepare and express your colostrum before baby arrives!

Thanks all for the information and guidance, I really appreciate it x

I know this has already been said but truly get a lactation consultant! Don’t rely on the consultant at the hospital. In my experience, they’re really busy and go for a quick fix. Also, if you seat have a consultant, you can go to them with any questions in that first couple of weeks. Congrats! You’ll do amazing!

@Natasha will definitely look into one then, thanks so much x

Be prepared for it to be hard and painful but don’t give up it’ll get easier overtime