Best Breastfeeding Tip you've learned (either through experience or education)

Third&goal · May 2014

For those of us hoping to have a successful breastfeeding journey, what is the best breastfeeding tip, trick, or resource that you have either learned through prior experience breastfeeding or just something you've learned through books/classes/online for FTM.

ungraceful13 · May 2014

Lactation consultants are the bomb. Some hospitals, doctors offices, and other stores have them. They totally saved me being able to bf.

MollyHooper · May 2014

Lactation consultants are great.

the best tip I got was that when they are first born you want to use your nipple to tickle their upper lip that makes their mouth open and when it does you pop it in.

Vieve831 · May 2014

Nurse on demand. Sometimes baby will want to nurse every hour (or more!) - it's totally normal for a newborn. they have constant growth spurts. Trust your body - don't obsess over whether you are making enough milk. And I second the lactation consultant recommendation!! Use them in the hospital (if available) and if you are struggling reconnect!

kcatboston · May 2014

Undercover mama nursing tank tops. Before I found those I was really uncomfortable nursing in public because there was so much exposed. They are under shirts that you can attach to your nursing bra so they fold down with the cup. You can wear a normal top then and pull the top up (the undershirt covers your stomach) and that covers the top of you part of your breast. It also saved me a lot of money since they make almost any shirt a nursing shirt.

Raclla · May 2014

Get the medicated Rx nipple ointment!!!!!!!!!!! Your OB can call you in a prescription.

Imagine eating a hamburger. Smoosh your boob so it fits in the babies mouth like they're eating a burger turned the proper direction. If it's the wrong direction, things don't go well at all.

Third&goal · May 2014

I agree seeing a Lactation Consultant (LC) is great, however, I would also suggest that you find a breastfeeding support group, preferably with a LC. One visit may not give you all the answers you need. The breastfeeding relationship continues to evolve and change, especially those first 3 months. As issues come and go, you may need to continually get support.

The main reason I attribute my success with LO#1 to breastfeeding for 18 months, including pumping while working full time for 10 of those months was because of the support group I found. While on maternity leave I went to the support group (with the LC) twice a week. It was great to connect IRL with other moms that had newborns too! It was a no pressure class, just come in, weigh your baby, sit in a chair and nurse, and weigh your baby afterwards. The LC was there for any questions and other moms were friendly. I had no idea my hospital offered it until after I delivered. There are often LaLeche League meetings around too but they may be more "official meetings" depending on your area.

marathonmommy82 · May 2014

Don't give up if you want to BF!

DS wouldn't nurse so I EPd for the first 3-4 weeks .. And then tried again. Took the boob like a champ !

MC03 · May 2014

It is going to be very very hard in the beginning. Stick with it, it's sooo worth it! An LC is the best when you are having issues and helped save me when I was on the verge of quitting multiple times. My best advice though is don't make a decision to quit on a bad day!

Third&goal · May 2014

MC03 said:

It is going to be very very hard in the beginning. Stick with it, it's sooo worth it! An LC is the best when you are having issues and helped save me when I was on the verge of quitting multiple times. My best advice though is don't make a decision to quit on a bad day!

Thats a good one, don't quit on a bad day and set small goals.

Raclla · May 2014

LC's are awesome. I forgot to add that.

My hospital had them available every day. Even after delivery I could call and make an appointment to come in...any day....free of charge.

Unknown · May 2014

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blushingbride_08 · May 2014

Breastmilk can cause cavities. I had read many articles that said otherwise but now I know from personal experience. I was shocked that my ds got a cavity at 1 year old. I had bf him for 15 months. He didn't eat junk food or juice and I brushed his teeth daily. But bc of the frequency of his nursing (I think from night nursing) he got a cavity on his front tooth. This time around I'm going to try to stop night nursing ASAP and clean her mouth after every nursing or give her a sips if water. I'm also not purchasing any special nursing tops. I will just wear a tankini under my regular tops and lift my shirt to nurse. It was so much cheaper this way.

violajack · May 2014

Kellymom.com

MC03 · May 2014

Another one. Nursing tops aren't necessary. I wore a cami under my regular shirts. Then just pull the shirt up and the cami down over your boob. Then your stomach is covered and your shirt covers the top and you show very little when NIP.

4PrivetDrive · May 2014

PunkieNight said:

LoisLayn23 said:

Power through. The first 2 weeks are hard and painful and uncomfortable and you are enforced and leaky, but it gets so much easier.

This. The first few weeks were very painful physically, and I had trouble adjusting to having a baby attached to my boob for what felt like all day every day.

Yep.

It can hurt like a bitch and in the middle of the night when your SO/DH/FI is laying next to you sleeping peacefully, you will want to stab them as you are up feeding on demand and the pain hurts so badly that it radiates down to your ankles. I was not prepared for how much it hurt, but a friend had told me to push through at least two weeks. So I focused on that. And then a week more. Small goals are good.

Also, laying down and side-nursing is awesome, and a great way to get a little extra sleep while nursing.

OkieMama · May 2014

When in doubt (and you probably will be a lot at first) nurse! Don't obsess about keeping a strict schedule, or worry that you're spoiling your baby, or feeling like you're being used like a pacifier for comfort (you probably will be sometimes.) Nurse, nurse, nurse! You may feel like you'll be a prisoner forever, but it will get less and less demanding and your supply will thank you for the time you put in early on.

schnookee · May 2014

I've posted this before but Earth Mama Angel Baby nipple butter is amazing. I swear by it. I had absolutely no pain breastfeeding and I swear it's because of that stuff. I used it during pregnancy after I showered and then would use it after I fed my daughter. Get it!

Also, definitely take advantage of the lactation consultant. Do not hesitate to ask them anything.

cappleby · May 2014

I actually had a really easy time breast feeding which I almost feel bad saying because so many people have problems, but in wish someone had told me it didn't have to be that hard. Hopefully it will be the same this time! I will say that I had horrendous after pains after that were brought on every time my son nursed. Even if you get that keep going! It not only let me have more than an adequate supply because we nursed so much in the first two days but the pain was my uterus going back to size. My stomach was almost flat by the time I left the hospital and I could button pre pregnancy jeans two weeks later (not comfortably). Completely from all the nursing cauising my uterus to contract in the hospital. I would also second Kellymom and using lactation consultants and to just relax! (Please don't hate me because it was easy, I absolutely think I just got really really lucky and am hoping I don't have a terrible time this time!)

lookame3639 · May 2014

Have an electric breast pump on hand (not a manual single pump) even if you are a stay at home mom and exclusively breastfeeding. You never know if your LO becomes allergic to milk.protiens and requires you to abstain from dairy while you pump and dump for the week.

absterboss · May 2014

As a FTM, thank you for posting this, and thanks to everyone who responded, there is some really good info!!!

Unknown · May 2014

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Russiandea12 · May 2014

PUMP. My son had an attached tounge and had trouble latching. I didn't pump much because I was so sore, but by the time he could latch my supply had been affected. Had supply issues entire time I was nursing. This time my pump will be my bff.

missmiss307 · May 2014

To offer a slightly different perspective (of a mom who was unable to continue bf'ing the first time due to a lot of extenuating circumstances), I would also encourage FTM to give it their best, stick with it as long as you can but also know your breaking point. We've all had "breast is best" drilled into our heads, so there can be a lot of guilt in giving up breastfeeding. But if it is interfering with your ability to be able to care for yourself and your baby, it can be better in some instances to switch to formula, and you absolutely should not feel guilty about doing what's right for your family.

That being said, I'm hopeful BFing will work out for us this time! I really appreciate all the tips in this thread!

caybeh · May 2014

In the few first weeks, all you'll do is nurse. As others said, their stomachs are really little and it takes them awhile to nurse. Don't get discouraged as this is short lived.

Don't let them sleep for long periods of time during the day without nursing. The more you encourage eating during the day, the better they'll sleep at night. Also, I've heard it helps to get their days and nights straighten out. DS never had trouble with days and nights, but I was very anal about making sure he ate often during the day.

Saying that though, nurse on demand. It will help with your supply. After a few months, your supply will be established.

tamarar5 · May 2014

Don't give up if you really want to do it. Even if you've nursed before, i've learned the first few weeks are painful, though less so the second time around. And anyone who says that breastfeeding shouldn't hurt in the beginning had never breastfeed.

Also, DON'T try to push through the pain if you get cracks that bleed. Baby won't like the taste if you're bleeding and the crack won't heal. I had to pump and dump for about a week with both kids, but the very day I switched to the pump, the crack felt a hundred times better! Luckily, the painful period doesn't last long!

bcbuzzafsu · May 2014

Google the lactation consultants. There are three at my hospital. One is amazeballs awesome. Another came into the room after I delivered DS, grapped by boob roughly, said "You have PCOS. You won't be able to nurse" and drug in a pump. She was awful. If she is there for this kid, I'll politely tell her to stuff it and leave.

I BF DS successfully for 16 months. There was nothing wrong with either of us.

Valancyy · May 2014

I got this tip from the book "Breastfeeding Made Simple" (highly recommend, will be re-reading before this baby comes). When feeding the baby make sure his whole body is touching yours. This is supposed to act as a feeding cue. Don't allow open spaces between your bodies.

Also, you may NOT have any nipple pain. I never did. I kept waiting for it and it never happened.

Oh, and don't be afraid to ignore advice from people when you know it's wrong. The NP at our pediatrician's office told me to make sure the baby's getting enough milk by offering a bottle after breastfeeding to see if he'd take any. No, no, no. They'll usually take some no matter what. I just ignored it.

shevaCC · May 2014

Once baby opens her mouth, aim for the roof of her mouth when you insert your nipple. And if she latches on to your nipple, not your areola, or the latch hurts after the first few seconds, unlatch her and try again.

lckcdc3 · May 2014

Before you milk comes in Lanolin was the BEST EVER. It helped so much. Also soothies that were in the refrigerator are amazing in the beginning. You would think that cold gel would be the worst but it feels good. The only crap shoot with the soothies is that you have to wash the nipple before breastfeeding. With Lanolin you do not. When your milk comes in, after the baby nurses, express a little milk and rub it on your nipples and let it dry. Your own milk is the best natural healer ever.

Lansinoh was my favorite lanolin: https://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2668339&cp=&parentPage=search

Soothies: https://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3956438&cp=&parentPage=search

cutekate · May 2014

Lots of heathy snacks and drink lots of water, making milk really makes you hungry and without properly feeding yourself you will have trouble keeping your supply up.

I think my co sleeper really helped with the middle of the night feeds Bc I could feed her side lying and slide her back over into her bed when we were done.

Also bamboobies breast pads- they lay flat, are machine washable and they don't roll or become unstuck, I think they are the least obvious too.

marathonmommy82 · May 2014

SecretAgentKate said:

another thing from the emotional perspective: i wish someone had told me that breastfeeding is not always the euphoric bonding experience everyone says it it. i know that for a lot of women breastfeeding is a great way to feel bonded to your baby, but this has never been the case for me. i have breastfed my children because it was cheap and way more convenient and absolutely superior from a nutritional standpoint. but the times where i would nurse my kids and feel this overwhelming bond with them were very few and far between. i felt like i was doing something wrong and that i was failing them in some way. it wasn't until i was 9 months in to nursing my third son that i finally admitted this out loud to someone and was told that it was totally ok and that plenty of women don't experience that. turns out i could have spent a lot less time feeling guilty.

Me too! I BF because it was free (although the pump, bags, cleaning supplies, etc. added up!) and healthy and it helped with weightloss. I never really felt that "mama earth" bonding experience. It's okay.

[Deleted User] · May 2014

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lexxctpx · May 2014

bcbuzzafsu said:

Google the lactation consultants. There are three at my hospital. One is amazeballs awesome. Another came into the room after I delivered DS, grapped by boob roughly, said "You have PCOS. You won't be able to nurse" and drug in a pump. She was awful. If she is there for this kid, I'll politely tell her to stuff it and leave.

I BF DS successfully for 16 months. There was nothing wrong with either of us.

What a total betch.

tahitiansun · May 2014

If you are a reader, load up your kindle/nook or stock up on books! Or load up your DVR and Netflix queue. When LO goes through growth spurts, you will spend the majority of your day feeding. It's nice to have something to read or watch.

kcatboston · May 2014

tahitiansun said:

If you are a reader, load up your kindle/nook or stock up on books! Or load up your DVR and Netflix queue. When LO goes through growth spurts, you will spend the majority of your day feeding. It's nice to have something to read or watch.

I seriously read a 19 book series while on maternity leave because DD was such a grazer. I have no idea what I am going to do with a toddler running around if LO is the same way.

gris37 · May 2014

I failed at BF the first time, but I have a strong desire to succeed this time around. Anyway, I found some cool tutorials on pinterest on how to make your own nursing shirts and bras. I know someone mentioned the shirts weren't necessary, but do you feel theres an alternative to nursing bras?

MC03 · May 2014

@gris37 I do think the nursing bras are necessary. It's pretty hard otherwise to whip it out when you need to.

Maybe if you had a front-closure bra it wouldn't be too bad, but really, I think I would splurge on a few of those. I bought a ton from bare necessities - they have a pretty big collection - and then just returned those that didn't fit. I think it was free shipping for returns if I recall correctly.

+RBL+ · May 2014

Ask your nurse in the hospital for a manual pump, especially if you haven't received or bought an electronic pump. It's part of your hospital stay and helpful to reduce engorgement.

Laur110 · May 2014

cutekate said:

Lots of heathy snacks and drink lots of water, making milk really makes you hungry and without properly feeding yourself you will have trouble keeping your supply up.

Ditto this! My mom BF my brother and I successfully for many months and she stresses staying hydrated. She would keep a glass of water close by whenever bf'ing, really thought it helped her.

kcm3 · May 2014

Know that it's going to be hard in the beginning. Know the pain and hard times will pass. Try and relax, stress is damaging to the supply and won't make your journey any easier. Definitely have someone make sure you are doing your latch correctly and have plenty of lanolin ointment on hand. Good luck!