Breastfeeding 2.0

Have you read Breastfeeding and the Fourth Trimester by Lucy Webber? I would really recommend it. Also Lucy Webber on social media is wonderful and has so many helpful and reassuring posts. Have a research and find a local breastfeeding group/cafe. I went to one ran by NCT and they were amazing and just helped me so much with latch, support and general morale boosting! I do think being as informed as you can really helps and helps you advocate for yourself too. I had a horrendous time with my son when he was born due to tongue tie and weight loss but I advocated for myself (my husband did in my really low and weak moments) and I’m so lucky to have been breastfeeding my son for 17 months now! Good luck xxx

Speak to as many people as you can. The midwife’s helped me in hospital as much as they could but the best advice I got was from my aunts (one of which has breastfed for 8 years consecutively 2 different children). I ended up discharging myself from the hospital because they only wanted to keep me in to help with breastfeeding but I knew I’d get more out of my family than them. Have a pump. Not an expensive one in case it’s not the right one for you but having it there can give you that little break without disrupting your supply if you need it because I found a pump less painful than her actually feeding. Good luck xx

My best advice is to attend a free local breastfeeding support session as soon as possible post birth and continue going until you’re 100% comfortable. I went 5 days after birth (via bus which I slightly regret!) and every week for 5 weeks. They did a tongue tie assessment and referral on the NHS for us and helped with latch post division too. Definitely wouldn’t have had the same beginning without them. They did provide free home visits for those struggling with mental health/weight gain but luckily it wasn’t necessary for us and I went in person.

I struggled the first month breastfeeding. I was really stressed out. Look into colostrum harvesting. I believe you can begin at 37 weeks but def ask your provider. You’ll need sterilized 1ml syringes (I got mine online, haakaa makes colostrum collectors too) and you can store them in the freezer until you need them. Store in a freezer safe bag or get syringes that have caps on them(and add date on them). You’d have to hand express the colostrum (not breast pump). first massage your breast then two fingers away from your nipple and having your hand in a C shape then express. You don’t have to fill the 1ml syringe in one sitting it can be done throughout the day as long as you put it in the freezer or fridge after you’re done.I am currently doing that now so that I am not stressed out when my second baby is born. I also tried nipple shields to help my baby latch on and so that my nipples would heal and stop bleeding.