- Pregnancy
- Baby & Toddler
- Parents
- Getting Pregnant
- Baby Names
- Product Reviews
-
Registry
- Community
-
More
Want a personalized experience?
Download the free app
Breastfeeding
I have some questions... please help!
I'm sorry if my post annoys any of you. I'm pregnant with my first child and I'm very new to all of this. I've been "lurking" on the boards for awhile and I find that out of all of them, this section is the most helpful. I'd be so grateful if someone could answer my questions below and allow me to file some of my wonders into my "aha!" and "oh, duh!" sections of my brain.
1. I know that breastmilk doesn't "come in" for a few days. How does the baby get nourished until then? Will the hospital supply formula if my milk doesn't come in before I am discharged?
2. What brand and type of pump do you think is the best?
3. Were any of you able to see your "nipple hole" prior to giving birth? So far I see nothing on my nipples.
4. Do you feed off one breast and then pump off of the other in the same time period? If I empty both breasts at the same time will I have a replenished supply in time for the next feeding?
This discussion has been closed.
Re: I have some questions... please help!
1. I know that breastmilk doesn't "come in" for a few days. How does the baby get nourished until then? Will the hospital supply formula if my milk doesn't come in before I am discharged?
You will produce colostrum...that's all the baby will need the first few days. My milk always came in the day after I left the hospital. Unless you have a preemie or some other health reason, you just nurse a lot and the baby is fine until your milk comes in around 4-7 days after birth. No formula needed (in most cases). FYI babies will lose weight after birth. That is normal. It's not a worry until they lose more than 10% of their birthweight and/or don't regain it at 2 weeks post-birth.
2. What brand and type of pump do you think is the best?
I love my Lansinoh pump. If you are working you need a double electric to pump quickly. If you are a SAHM you can probably get by with just a manual pump.
3. Were any of you able to see your "nipple hole" prior to giving birth? So far I see nothing on my nipples.
You will actually spray milk from several holes on your nipples, not just one. I can't see mine even now, and I've nursed for a LONG time between DD and DS. Only when I'm pumping do I see the holes.
4. Do you feed off one breast and then pump off of the other in the same time period? If I empty both breasts at the same time will I have a replenished supply in time for the next feeding?
I feed on one side at a time when I'm nursing, but pump both sides at work. It'll depend on what works for you, but yes, your boobs will refill in time for the next feeding even if you empty both sides completely.
1. I know that breastmilk doesn't "come in" for a few days. How does the baby get nourished until then? Will the hospital supply formula if my milk doesn't come in before I am discharged?
Before your milk comes in, you have something else. It's called colostrum, and it's the perfect food for newborns. Colostrum will be present in your breastmilk long after your milk comes in.
Read this for more info about colostrum:
https://www.llli.org/FAQ/colostrum.html
2. What brand and type of pump do you think is the best?
This depends on your life. Will you be working full time? Part time? Will you be a SAHM?
3. Were any of you able to see your "nipple hole" prior to giving birth? So far I see nothing on my nipples.
There's not one 'hole' that milk comes out of... even now, after two years of nursing, there are no apparent 'holes' on my nipples.
Look at this to help:
https://www.breastfeeding.com/helpme/helpme_images/anatomy1.jpg
4. Do you feed off one breast and then pump off of the other in the same time period? If I empty both breasts at the same time will I have a replenished supply in time for the next feeding?
I did this when I was pumping and was fine, but everybody's different.
I know I really need to get a book, but I'm so afraid to do invest anything until my second trimester.
The library is great for that. I recommend The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding or So that's what They're For
Good luck!
I am the 99%.
1. My milk came in on the day I left the hospital. The colostrum is all the baby needs. It just looks like clear-yellowish water. But yes, the hospital will supply formula but you probably won't even need it.
2. I work part time, so I really only need a single pump. I have the Medela swing pump and it's great. I pump once at work and once before I go to bed.
3. Nope, I can't see any nipple holes at all. The milk comes out in a bunch of little streams...it's wild!
4. When I'm nursing at home, I usually feed her on both sides-10ish minutes per side. If I'm out I usually only feed from one side just to minimize the "hassle" of baby/nursing cover/switching/burping etc. It's not really a hassle, but it's just easier to do one side in public. When I do it this way, I just feed her from the other side first at the next feeding.
I wouldn't invest in a book yet either. Check out some books from the library!
You got some fantastic answers, so I just wanted to add a few things.
If you will be working full-time I would really recommend the medela pump in style. Its expensive, but worth it if you need to pump a lot (I pumped 3 times per day, 5 days per week from when my DD was 5 months through 12 months - so for me, it was worth it).
Also, I loved The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding. Its put out by the LLL.
I also wanted to say that hospitals definitely provide formula, and if you are really committed to breastfeeding, sometimes the issue is that you have to tell them repeatedly that you don't want formula (not all hospitals push it, but some women have had this problem).
You have a lot of time to learn about breatfeeding, so don't worry about having a lot of questions. The more you educate yourself now, the more likely you will be sucessful in your attempts to breatfeed. Good luck!
Don't appologize, we all have had plenty of questions when we were first becoming mothers!!
You got great answers. I just wanted to add a few things as well. My DD was born on Thursday and my milk didn't come in until Monday. Until then, you just breastfeed to help stimulate your actual milk to come in.
I pump exclusively because breastfeeding was so frustrating for us because of latching problems and her falling asleep... etc. Pumping took less time for me and it relieved the engorgement and leaking. UGH! I have a medela manual single pump ($35) and then I bought The First Years miPump double electric pump ($80), after debating to buy the $280 double electric medela and I'm SO glad I went with the one I did and saved the $200. I love it. The cups are softer and flexible and the Medela is more rigid and has started to warp (I only used it for a few days). It takes me about 10-15 minutes to empty and I definitely pump more than she eats so I have a nice stock already and she's only 4 weeks old. It also has 8 power levels. I'd recommend it. I'm so happy I got it.
Good luck!!