Finally took a BF class today

Sascha3 · December 2011

I am completely clueless about breastfeeding so I was so glad to get any information I could.

The things that stuck out to me the most were about trying to feed within the first 30-60 minutes. And also about feeding as often as possible in the first 6 hours. She said there are scientific reasons that link this crucial time period to how much milk you will be able to produce 4-6 weeks in. She said if there were any complications where you were not able to have your baby in that time frame, that you should use a hospital pump to stimulate those hormones (or whatever it was that needed to be stimulated...prego brain)

She also said that skin to skin contact was especially helpful, so unswaddle the baby and to lay back and relax and let the baby get comfortable feeding that way, rather than sitting and putting your nipple in the baby's mouth.

So now I feel even more anxious and not excited about the number of visitors that will be at the hospital. My husband's family is so large, and it is such an expected routine that they are all there. I am just going to have to be adamant that I need alone time to do the feedings. I will not tell anyone not to come, as that would cause a huge ruckus, but I will have to be clear when I need people to leave the room for a bit. I don't want an audience when I am learning new things.

Lhand11 · December 2011

They definitely emphasized stimulation at my class as well. I am not worried about visitors because I am not expecting anyone other than immediate family and my bestie to come to the hospital. I know those family members will be completely respectful of my time with the baby. Those first few hrs/days are more important for mom and baby than aunt and baby.

I was amazed at the latching part. I am worried the baby won't be able to get its tiny mouth around my areola! (which has grown significantly this pregnancy, tmi sorry)

Sascha3 · December 2011

Lhand11:

They definitely emphasized stimulation at my class as well. I am not worried about visitors because I am not expecting anyone other than immediate family and my bestie to come to the hospital. I know those family members will be completely respectful of my time with the baby. Those first few hrs/days are more important for mom and baby than aunt and baby.

I was amazed at the latching part. I am worried the baby won't be able to get its tiny mouth around my areola! (which has grown significantly this pregnancy, tmi sorry)

Haha...my areolas have always been bigger, but they are out of control.

It will just be my husband's immediate family too, but unfortunately in addition to his parents, there are 11 siblings, and most of them have spouses. So it a good 20 people I expect to be in the waiting room. I hope I deliver in the middle of the night. Of course I am excited for everyone to meet the baby, but I think I am going to want/need at least 8 hours to myself.

Jessiree · December 2011

Is there any way you can just not tell them you're in labor and just call everyone after the baby is here and you are ready for visitors? I know they really expect to be there, but I know for me, the idea of that many people chomping at the bit to get back to see the baby would be absolutely overwhelming and stressful - which is not anything any mom with a new baby needs!!

Sascha3 · December 2011

Jessiree:

Is there any way you can just not tell them you're in labor and just call everyone after the baby is here and you are ready for visitors? I know they really expect to be there, but I know for me, the idea of that many people chomping at the bit to get back to see the baby would be absolutely overwhelming and stressful - which is not anything any mom with a new baby needs!!

I could do that, but I feel like it would be a really big deal and I would be talked about forever. I need to discuss it further with my husband. Maybe I am overthinking it, but I really feel I may seriously offend everyone, which I do not want to do at all.

I am definitely the type to be overwhelmed in big situations, and like a lot of alone time. Before my wedding I would not allow anyone in the room while I was getting ready because I was on the brink of an anxiety attack and needed quiet time.

kaybe24 · December 2011

I took a BF class last weekend and on the video we watched all the mothers had a full hour of skin to skin contact with their babies to help them latch on and feed and I too was wondering how to keep all our family away to give us that time.

Eleni&Josh · December 2011

I agree about waiting to tell people until you're ready for visitors. I don't want lots of people in the waiting room when I could be in labor for hours, and I don't want to feel pressure to let everyone in to see the baby immediately after birth. I am waiting until after I have had bonding time with dh and lo to tell everyone to come to the hospital. I agree with you about needing privacy during feedings as well. I am not comfortable with anyone being around during that other than dh. My mother is not too happy about this, but I feel that my sanity is slightly more important than when everyone else gets to see the baby.

ambs21 · December 2011

Pretty sure I didn't do any of that right with DD, and my supply was fine. I didn't have lots extra, but I hated pumping anyway! I BF for 11.5 mos. when DD just self-weaned. I know there are real researched reasons for these practices, and, of course, they are best, but don't stress about it! I think stressing about BFing is probably the most detrimental thing. For me, it was pretty easy. I know it's not always that way, but it can be. No need to worry about it now! (I know easier said than done!) I just think people are so quick to tell horror stories, and I wanted to try to encourage you with a positive one! (Not to say that it didn't hurt or become frustrating at times, but overall it was pretty seamless, even with a c-section and not getting to feed for a couple hours after birth!) Good luck!

Sascha3 · December 2011

ambs21:
Pretty sure I didn't do any of that right with DD, and my supply was fine. I didn't have lots extra, but I hated pumping anyway! I BF for 11.5 mos. when DD just self-weaned. I know there are real researched reasons for these practices, and, of course, they are best, but don't stress about it! I think stressing about BFing is probably the most detrimental thing. For me, it was pretty easy. I know it's not always that way, but it can be. No need to worry about it now! (I know easier said than done!) I just think people are so quick to tell horror stories, and I wanted to try to encourage you with a positive one! (Not to say that it didn't hurt or become frustrating at times, but overall it was pretty seamless, even with a c-section and not getting to feed for a couple hours after birth!) Good luck!

That's really good to know...thank you!! I am so nervous about it all and it's good to know that things can work out just fine even if I don't get to follow all the proper steps:)

theladyjess · December 2011

I'm not sure how many people are planning on showing up at the hosptial but we're going to make it known before hand that we will be spending *at least* one hour after birth alone with our new daughter to bond and BF. If visitor's don't like it, oh, well!

Newborns are most alert during the first two hours after birth. After that they tend to fall into a deep sleep and are hard to rouse for feedings. Visitors can see LO and hold her during this time. My hubby and I need time with her when she's most alert.

Discuss your wishes with your husband before the birth and then inform the family so they know what to expect and aren't surprised when they're not allowed in the room immediately after LO is born.

RNmommyof2 · December 2011

Did they show you the video where the baby is skin to skin and moves itself to the breast? That is really cool.

Sascha3 · December 2011

RNmommyof2:
Did they show you the video where the baby is skin to skin and moves itself to the breast? That is really cool.

Yes! That was so cool:)

FarmvilleLover · December 2011

I'm trying not to, but the thought of BF'ing is what gives me the most anxiety. I reallllly want it to work out, and have to prepare myself for the difficulty of it or even the possibility that it doesn't work out. The class I took was really helpful though.

SoonToBeMsP · December 2011

We had a similar take away message from our BF class. I was always up for skin to skin, and so I'll probably limit the number of visitors for the first few hours. I wouldn't care if my mom/sister came, and realistically they are the only ones we'd have to "worry" about being nearby when she comes.

If you want that time alone, kick people out. It's YOUR baby and therefore YOUR rules. Do what you want to do and don't feel bad about it!!!

DEBBIE33CASEY · December 2011

FarmvilleLover:
I'm trying not to, but the thought of BF'ing is what gives me the most anxiety. I reallllly want it to work out, and have to prepare myself for the difficulty of it or even the possibility that it doesn't work out. The class I took was really helpful though.

this is one of my biggest anxieties as well. BFing didn't work out for DD and I and I ended up EPing. We didn't do a lot of these things that pp mentioned b/c of complications with the birth and then visitors. I will be much more picky about the way things go (that I have control over) this next time.

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