? for BF moms...

......Did you do anything before to get ready for BF? Any help would be appreciated

Make sure you have the baby at the right height to BF without your having to lean down into the baby. A Boppy pillow or even a regular pillow should get the baby high enough.

Get the baby's arm that is closest to you, under your armpit. Sounds like it wouldnt be possible with a tiny newborn but it's possible. You want the baby facing your breast as much as possible and that helps it.

Make sure the baby's mouth is completely covering the areola otherwise 1) baby wont get any milk/colostrum and 2) ouch! really really hurts!

Make sure the baby's nose is not covered by your breast. You may need to use your other hand to push your breast down right near baby's nostrils at first so s/he is getting air.

Definitely speak with the lactation consultant at the hospital. The nurses may not know what they are talking about with it. Believe me, based on my experience (and finding out that others have had the same experience) sometimes the nurses just want to shut the babies up and will give a bottle in the nursery despite your wishes. Not trying to give you worry, I'm just saying be adamant about giving them 'BF only' instructions (if that's what you want) and check the baby's feeding chart to make sure they are not going against your wishes.


HTH

Thanks

Since I'm still new at this and have had more difficulty than anticipated, all I can say is I wish I had read more and talked to more people. Do all that you can now. I read so much about labor, pregnancy, delivery, etc. but not much about BFding. I wish someone had told me that it is very normal for a newborn to want to nurse ALL the time. The first few nights, DH and I couldn't understand why she was crying, and we kept thinking she just ate an hour ago, how can she be hungry again?

Defintely see what kind of lactation specialists your hospital has. Mine only had them during the day, they were very helpful then, but when I look back, I wish someone had been there to help me at first night in the hospital. The ped nurses are very quick to suggest formula.

FYI - I do most of my research online at Babycenter they have tons of info and also a place to chat with other moms going through the same things as you.

no personal experience here,
but I've heard from friends that it helps to 'prep your nipples' -by applying lanolin in the weeks leading up to delivery. Cuts down on the liklihood that they'll crack and bleed once you start nursing.

I am taking a free class at Stony Brook in September and I have been reading. I know BRU also does a free breast pump demo- but that could be a product pitch- not sure.
Niha- are the night nurses helpful? Didn't Barbara help you that night?

READ all you can..
very good book:
the complete bk on breastfeeding by marvin eiger and sally wenkos olds

very helpful

realize that the baby is going to want to eat almost every hr when they get home from hospital. their tummies are tiny and fill up fast...and bmilk is quickly digested...therefore they need to eat again.

Realize that it takes 2-3 days for your milk to come in...so they first week was pretty hard for me until the milk came in...then it was mUCH easier.

make sure hubby and family are supportive of your decision. you are a bfing FAMILY. if they do not support, or have comments like: you are starving your child unless u give a bottle...direct them to the la leche league site. maybe your dr has some handouts for them to read . you def need their support.
our Bradley instructor had great handouts that targeted grandparents and dads...

STIck with it! if you can, it has been shown time and time again what the benefits to your little one are ...and ALSO TO YOU!