Where the heck do I start?

carrielee99

I'm new to the breastfeeding board. There are soooooo many questions on here that I hadn't even thought of. I guess I've been so busy planning other things for the baby that I didn't think breastfeeding would be that complicated. Now I'm starting to get a little worried. My Mom breastfed me and I just figured I'd depend on her for advice and also assumed that the doctor or nurse would tell me what to do. Is there a really good book I should get on breastfeeding or will my doctor/nurse give me enough information. I hate reading, but I better get on the ball if that's the only way I going to learn this stuff. How did you learn it all?

meganet22

I really liked So that's what they're for.  The section an latching and positioning is alot easier to follow than most books I read.

Others who have breastfed are a great resource as are lactation consultants, doctors and nurses are not always the best resources especially if they know little about bfing.

Stacyc625

take a breastfeeding class.

however just get a lot of help from the lactation consultant after you deliever.

this is really not something you can learn from a book.

carrielee99

Stacyc625:

take a breastfeeding class.

however just get a lot of help from the lactation consultant after you deliever.

this is really not something you can learn from a book.

Sorry if this is stupid but does a lactation consultant come and talk with you. Neither my SIL or any of my friends breastfed so this is all new to me.

cooperl788

The La Leche League put out a really great book called The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding which I thought was really good.  A little crunchy, but still really great for troubleshooting and helping with the latch.

Stacyc625

Not stupid at all.

yes most hospitals have lactation consultants on staff. and you can always check out a local La Leche League. they are very helpful as well.

you can also call a lactation consultant to come out to your home after your baby is born and you go home if you are having difficulties.

Beasley17

I really liked "So That's What THey're For".

Sign up for a BFing class.  Take your DH.  That will prepare you the best.  It isn't really something you can learn from a book, but you can prepare yourself.  Also find out if the hospital you are delivering in has lactation consultants.  Mine did and they were sooooo helpful.

 

carrielee99

Stacyc625:

Not stupid at all.

yes most hospitals have lactation consultants on staff. and you can always check out a local La Leche League. they are very helpful as well.

you can also call a lactation consultant to come out to your home after your baby is born and you go home if you are having difficulties.

Please tell me this is included in the bill. lol

Stacyc625

hahaha- if you use them in the hospital yes.

if you need them to come to your home- no. that costs around 75-125.00

 

mlh21

My friend sent me to this site https://www.kellymom.com/

There is a lot of really helpful information on there.

mominatrix

I'm going to ditto the PP on LLL...

you can go to a meeting now, as a pregnant woman... 

I just went to a meeting yesterday, and there were two pregnant women there... the meeting turned into a discussion of "what do you wish people told you when you were pregnant?"

If you have problems, LLL leaders will consult with you; some will even go to your house and help you out, for free (they're volunteers)... if you can't afford a LC, they're a great alternative.

BananaPancake

Definitely seek out a LLL chapter in your area!

My favorite book was "The Nursing Mother's Companion." It has troubleshooting sections for as the baby grows and the latch and positioning examples were great. I still use it constantly and I'm a veteran BFer.

I would NOT rely on having a LC in the hospital. Some of them are just terrible. I would seek out support before delivery. I would definitely suggest kellymom.com, and possibly look around some message boards for some experienced BFers in your area and have THEM show you the ropes. LCs often suggest supplementing when it's just not necessary, Hospital LCs, that is. I would definitely find some crunchy BFers and use them for support. I would also really start talking to your DH and tell him that you want to BF and need his help to stay on board when the going gets tough, which it WILL. I had about three weeks of pain with each baby, but BFing is by far the best part of spending my time with Molly right now and the bond just grows and grows. It's rough at first and I never would've gotten through it with #1 without DH asking me to try it "just once more" over and over. This time around, I knew the pain would end soon and it was really a different ballgame, but with the first, you really need the extra push sometimes.

Definitely email me if you have any questions or want to talk. I'm a major lactivist and would love to help!

BananaPancake

Duh. My email is wmdcookes@gmail.com!

marrymemylove

There are a number of books people rave about but I haven't read them. I did do the breastfeeding class. 

I think as long as you go in saying I will bf and I won't quit, and you know it WILL hurt for weeks or months and that doesn't mean you're doing something wrong, you'll be fine. Most of the women who seem upset about it on here seem to be surprised that it hurts. Even I was surprised at hte time how much it hurts and for how long. But I stuck it out and after 12 weeks or so it was fine.

Also get a lactation warmline ph to call. 

charlatti

Stacyc625:

take a breastfeeding class.

however just get a lot of help from the lactation consultant after you deliever.

this is really not something you can learn from a book.

Ditto this. Don't feel like you have to know everything now -- most of the questions won't make any sense until you're doing it anyway.

susiederkins

I visited an LC a couple times after I left the hospital. My insurance paid for it. They just billed it as a generic office visit.

Mrs.JRF

Hi - I will ditto most of the pp suggestions. (except I disagree that the hospital LCs push supplementing - mine didn't at all! she must have had a bad experience.)

Before my first baby, I went to a LLL meeting. It was great to talk to other women in person about BFing. The leaders are available to call if you have questions after. Find one near you here: https://www.llli.org/WebUS.html

I also recommend reading the LLL book - The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding.

The LC's at my hospital were wonderful. They came to see me both days I was in the hospital to offer advice and answer any questions I had. I also went to see one at the hospital after I delivered as an outpatient since I was having nipple pain and latch issues. It was billed to my insurance. Very helpful.

GL! be committed to it and you will be fine!