Where to start?

Preggochic86 · January 2014

FTM here and the first in my family to try BF. For those of you STM who BF where should I start? I'm looking online and there's so much information. What books would you recommend? Any advice would be a great help.

otter1103 · January 2014

I asked the same question on the Breastfeeding Board (great info there btw) and the ladies there mentioned Kellymom.com as a great online resource for articles and what not.
A book recommendation was "So that's they're for"
I troll that board pretty regularly now, reading different posts on issues and ideas.

mattscountrygirl · January 2014

I wasn't able to bf that much because my supply was very low. I do recommend purchasing nipple cream and pads. If you intend on pumping, I have the medela double breast pump and it works great.

I also second Kellymom and the breast feeding board.

LegalLadyBug · January 2014

Find out if your local hospital has a lactation clinic or offers bf classes.

tbmadeamistake · January 2014

Kellymom is fabulous, and really easy to search. The hospital where I deliver has a lactation consult see all moms to check in on the first day, and you can set up an appt. with them at that point if you think you might want to go back (even if just to check and there's nothing wrong, per se). They were great. Definitely ask about whether or not they have that at your hospital.

I think the biggest is to trust your instinct. If you feel like something is off, look into it. I knew that C was drowning in the mornings and starving at night, and no one else could really see it. I started pumping because she also had latch issues and I was right! Totally overproduced in the mornings and had barely anything at night, which was of course when she wanted it the most. Totally strange. For me personally, it was easier to pump once I had to for work anyway. Both of us were happier. As I'll most likely be quitting when Charlie is born, I intend to try a lot hard to make nursing work because pumping all the time was a bitch.

I'd also scope out local mom groups, they often have a La Leche League connection (people you can literally call at 1 in the morning to ask for advice when your screaming baby won't feed properly). Warning, LLL tends to be very "BF is the ONLY way", but they are also very supportive. I'm not sure if you have pay dues, it's been a long time since I've looked into it.

KeyLime81 · January 2014

I didn't do a lot of preparation ahead of time, and it ended up working out okay. I attended a 2 hour class that the hospital lactation consultants offered about a month before my due date, and that was it.

I did tell my dr that it was important to me to get a good start BFing at the hospital. They must have noted that on my chart because all of my nurses were great about asking me how it was going, giving me tips (they know a lot, too!), and offering to call up the lactation consultants for me.

Once we got home, I think I had the Kelly Mom site constantly open on my laptop! Also, the BFing board is a great resource. The women there supported me through each little bump in the road.

dragonfly711 · January 2014

A friend who had twins last year told me to get the book Dr Sears breastfeeding guide. I have not read it yet so not sure how it is, she just told me about it about 1/2 hr ago.

MegRN2008 · January 2014

I agree with everyone else... I would look into taking a breastfeeding class through the hospital you plan to deliver at and I would ask if they have a lactation consultant that can see you in the hospital after the baby is born. When my first son was born I also found my local La Leche League chapter and kellymom.com to be great resources.

Also just wanted to commend you for being open minded and wanting to try breastfeeding even though you are the first in your family to do it. Everyone has to make the choice that is best for them and their baby, but so many people won't even try because people in their family didn't breastfeed so it is not the norm for them. I think it's great that you are wanting to make it work and looking into it now!

christinemurray91 · January 2014

Nothing at all, lol. When you're in hospital, they teach you how and make sure you're doing it right and baby is eating well before going home. I read some BF posts here on the bump and had seen family do it, but its a really natural, simple thing once you get latching down.

I did set up an appt with our doctor's lactation consultant while I was in hospital because I was struggling with positions, but it was 3 days after DD was born and we were fine by then.

Its something I feel like you learn through practice, but I'd suggest going To The BF board and lurking for a bit, which is what I did

Runningmomfam · January 2014

My hospital had lactation consultants and nurses who helped me with positioning and latch right after my son was born. I asked for help at every feeding while I was in the hospital. it really helped us get a good start. Also room in with your baby so you get all the night feedings established. Oatmeal and mothers milk tea helps with supply. Kelly mom is also a great resource.

Preggochic86 · January 2014

Thank you everyone for your advice

flerlgirl · January 2014

Also look up the kellymom website. Lots of good info there!

Orrrr I could just not suck and link it for you. Der. Enjoy! https://kellymom.com/

edit: lol, that's what I get for not reading all of the posts. Clearly kellymom has been recommended a few times

But I linked it. YEAH.

flerlgirl · January 2014

@babywear - nope, I was answering the OP. I didn't see your question until now, and I don't know the answer to it

Maybe ask the BFing board for their thoughts?

ncbelle · January 2014

Definitely kellymom.com - loads of great links and information.

I also liked So That's What They're For - a sort of funny take. The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding has a more traditional tone but is also great.

Find an IBCLC in your area in case you need one. Many hospitals do have LCs but not all hospitals have IBCLCs (who have very specific breastfeeding training).

Breastfeeding USA and La Leche League are two great mother to mother support groups.