Can we talk about breastfeeding? Looking for resources and help!

thatlauragirl · July 2017

I know it's a little early in the game, but I'm a big planner! With my son, I just wasn't successful and have so much regret that I didn't put more effort into figuring out what to do. I was just overwhelmed with ppd, recovering from an emergency c-section and trying to figure out how in the hell to be a mom. This time, I'm trying to go into this as prepared as I can be.

If anyone has any books, podcasts, products or anything at all, could you share here?

missphil · July 2017

I recommend Kellymom.com as a website that has so much great information.
Podcast I recommend The Boob group
Youtube has some great latch videos (check out ones by dr Jane Morton)
Facebook- follow The Milk Meg and join a group called "Breastfeeding younger babies and beyond"
Good Luck!

sjis · July 2017

I second Kellymom.com! Also see if there is a mobile breastfeeding support in your area that will come to you.

https://lalecheleague.org/ Is a great resource!

SierraGood · July 2017

Third for Kellymom.com and also they have some amazing BFing groups on Facebook. Expressions lactation services is amazing and the ladies are so helpful.

jlemons-2 · July 2017

People are a good resource too! Use a lactation consultant and local Breastfeeding groups. Other than LLL, there are probably several more in your area as well.

cait5413 · July 2017

LLL has a book called The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding (I hate that title), which is a really helpful resource. I also second kellymom and our local LLL has a facebook page, which is helpful for support.

PoeMasque · July 2017

I agree with everyone suggesting LLL, such a good resource, also, find an IBCLC and go see them if you have trouble, even months into it. The one time they see you in the hospital is often not enough.

Also - it's good to note that around 6 weeks your supply goes from hormone regulated to "demand" regulated: meaning, you will make plenty for the first 6 weeks, whether baby is at breast much or not, after that, you have to have a good latch and lots of stimulation or your supply will dwindle. This is often the time women quit because the transition is sometimes really difficult. Know that this is coming and that once you are through it BF is SO much easier!

wabash15 · July 2017

Everyone has given you great advice. Also find an LC you like and don't hesitate to see them as often as needed. Some hospitals have this as a free service. Its also helpful to have a breastfeeding friendly ped.

oldersis · July 2017

Seconding finding a lactation consultant that will come to you. It was a lifesaver. And Kellymom is so, so great.

ml005 · July 2017

I had an aweome book. the womenly art of breastfeeding.

also,, research breastfeeding clinics or mommy and baby clinics in your area, they will be a big help!

disneyfan0511 · July 2017

Just echoing what others have said that in person is typically better than online resources. With my first, she was a NICU baby and we never got the latch down. I pumped exclusively for her for 6 weeks and then went to formula. My second was much easier but I was working with a LC from the start. I would see if your hospital offers this and ask your provider for good local resources for breastfeeding - just a side note, for me, my pediatrician was more helpful in that regard than my OB with providing in-person resources.

kaylawing · July 2017

I'd agree that finding a consultant in your area is a great idea. I wasn't sure it'd be worth it with the price, but she was great and I was able to follow up with questions any time. (Insurance will sometimes cover lactation consultant services, too). She came to my house and was available via phone or email after our initial appointment. (There is also a group she runs in our area where any of her clients can come a few times a week and just talk with other moms or do a weighted feed and she has snacks and other training consultants there to help with latch or other issues.) My pediatrician was great at helping me find a lactation consultant and other resources!

ShyTonia · July 2017

@thatlauragirl thanks so much for creating this thread. I don't have any advice to give you but I am a planner as well and am hoping to breastfeed successfully!

Can I add to this topic and just inquire about breast pump and bottle recommendations?
I have been researching like crazy and would love to hear everyone's experiences and pointers!

sjis · July 2017

@ShyTonia in regards to breast pumps, I used a Madela swing pump. It was fine for light duty, small, compact, but it was a bit slow. I think this time I'll use a hospital grade pump that is stronger/faster. Also be sure to use the correct size breast shield. The one that comes with the pump is usually too small.

Great to have is the Madela micro-steam bags! You add all your washed parts, add a bit of water, and it sanitizes everything in the microwave.

With bottles, I used Madela in the beginning which was fine. Eventually my DD rejected the bottle after just a few months so I was stuck nursing.

Buy as as you go/need and don't stock up right away. You never know what your baby prefers.

lavashiner · July 2017

This is all great advice. I would also add that you can go to a La Leche League meeting (or other breastfeeding group) before you give birth. Check it out, ask questions, get advice from moms in person.

I loved kellymom. I feel like every mom I know has had at least some issues with breastfeeding--no one had a perfect ride. For instance, My daughter had the have her frenulum snipped at 3 days old in order to get a better latch. Then we had thrush for 6-8 weeks. Ugh. It was the worst, but we made it through! You do the best you can under the circumstances, and I applaud you for getting armed with tools to make it easier!

@ShyTonia I had an Ameda Purely Yours pump I got for free at the hospital (covered under ACA) which was fine. But then a coworker who had twins rented a hospital-grade pump (I think the Medela Symphony) that was out of this world good. If you can swing it, I would rent a hospital grade pump. It was easier and faster. We had three of us going in on the cost, so it was something like $20/month each. Totally worth it! I also had a little hand pump for emergencies. Then I had an emergency with no pump and bought another hand pump. This time around, I'll keep one in my office and one in the car.

disneyfan0511 · July 2017

For those of you that received a pump through insurance how long did it take to arrive? I have the Medela Pump in Style but it is over 6 years old so I might upgrade this go around.

@ShyTonia bottles can be tricky for each baby. My oldest would only drink out of the Avent brand bottles - it had to be the wide neck. My youngest would only take the basic Medela bottle that I pumped right into - and she was so gassy when she had a bottle. We tried other brands but she rejected them. This time, I think I want to have some Born Free brand bottles on hand, but know that sometimes baby makes up their own mind on which bottles they prefer.

Pump advice - check to see if it is covered through your insurance. Make sure it's a dual pump and buy one of those funny looking bras that hold both bottles - this helped me immensely speed up pumps when I was back to work. I also had extra shields so I wasn't always washing. Those microwave bags are super helpful for sterilizing between pumps!

One other tip - I would make sure your SO's are involved in breastfeeding and attend at least one class on it so they understand how they can help you. It makes a world of difference to feel like they are being supportive in the process and you're not on an island feeding since they can't help much in that area. My DH would get baby changed and ready in the middle of the night (most nights, some nights I would tell him to sleep so he was rested if he had a big day at work, etc). Just knowing he was willing to help and was supportive made a huge difference.

kaylawing · July 2017

@ShyTonia as far as bottles, it totally depends on the baby. I tried so many the dd just rejected. We had great luck with the Lansinoh Momma bottle. She took to it right away and they are simple and easy to clean. If you're registering for bottles, I would register for a single bottle of a couple different brands and that way you can figure out what baby likes. I ended up with a whole Avent set that my daughter wouldn't take.

I had a Madela pumpnin style advanced that worked great for about 7 months. Then my body stopped responding well to that and I ended up rending a symphony which was wonderful! I'm looking around now to figure out how to get a symphony this time for less than 60 and month.

ShyTonia · July 2017

@sjis Thanks for the steam bag suggestion, those seem so convenient;) just added them to my registry! How will I know what size breast shield will work for me? Do they come in size according to bra cup size? Lol sorry if it's a silly question , so new with all of this.

@disneyfan0511 great tips thanks! I think the pump I'm leaning towards is the medela advanced pump and Style. And I'll definitely have to get one of those hands free bras. So the breast shields are used for what? They are something that attaches to the pump and then your boob?
My insurance gave us an allowance of 500$ and we could pick what ever we wanted. And then we will get reimbursed.
DH is pretty interested in being involved so maybe I will bring him to a breastfeeding class with me. Didn't see the use in it at first but you are so right.

@kaylawing Sounds like a good idea with the bottles. Thanks! I added a few different ines to my registry

sjis · July 2017

@ShyTonia I remember when I got the different size, an LC took a look at my breast and told me to get the next size up. It all depends on the size of your breast, areola size, etc. I recommend maybe asking someone at your breastfeeding class.

By the way, the bf class was super helpful for me and exposed me to so much I had no idea about. That's great you want to bring your SO along! When I went there were lots of SO's there. The more he knows the more supportive he'll be.

missphil · July 2017

@disneyfan0511 when the pump will arrive will depend on your insurance. I have heard some insurances send the pump as soon as you order it, while others wait until baby is here! I think I got mine when I was 8 months pregnant.

Medela steams bags are amazing and so practical.

Also check with your hospital because a lot of the time, they have free breastfeeding meetings where moms can come in with questions or support. You can also go while you're pregnant to get an Idea of what it looks like to breastfeed and what problems people tend to have.

disneyfan0511 · July 2017

@ShyTonia breast shields are what pump the milk. A LC can easily fit you - but wait until after your milk comes in. For me, I grow ANOTHER cup size after birth and milk and needed to buy a larger shield. Not everyone is the same though, but just my personal experience!

thatlauragirl · July 2017

I can't thank y'all enough. This is all super helpful and I'm looking into all of it. So excited to attend a LLL meeting beforehand and I'm definitely going to start searching for a lactation consultant so I'll have that in place beforehand.

ShyTonia · July 2017

Thanks everyone, so helpfu!

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