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Andie 
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Joined: 01 January 1900
Location: New Zealand
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 Topic: nervous about breastfeeding
Posted: 10 January 2009 at 9:23am |
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BFing by first baby wasn't a pleasant experience, all 9 months of it. I had a lot of pain in the first 6 weeks, bleeding nipples, etc... thankfully I was spared any of the infections that people get (so I'm aware it sure can get worse). And after that settling-in period, it was unpleasant for different reasons - she was a very difficult feeder.
So now that baby #2 is due soon, I'm nervous about how feeding is going to go - mostly about the pain, as my nipples are so much more tender during pg than they were first time round. Is this an indication of how sore feeding is going to be? Honest answers, please! I have some supplies at the ready to help with it all, so I'm bracing myself.
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Andie
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caraMel
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Posted: 10 January 2009 at 9:45am |
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I was really scared about trying to feed second time around.
I had latching issues, blocked ducts and grated nipples and wound up expressing all of her feeds from about 4 weeks as my poor nipples were unrecognisable and I still couldn't get her to latch.
I was so scared of having to go through it all again, I knew I wouldn't be able to do it with Ella to look after as well.
My nipples had been super sensitive throughout my pregnancy too, and I worried that it was a sign of the pain to come.
I got my MW on board and she promised to give me as much help as she could.
We had lots of skin to skin when Benjy was born and he found his own way to the nipple for his first feed.
MW asked the hospital midwives to come in and watch me feed through the night if I wanted help or advise.
She came around and stayed for feeds for the next week or so and gave me lots of different techniques to try to save my nipples.
They did get really sore again and I had a little bit of bleeding but no nasty cracks or sores like I had with Ella.
After 6 weeks I was much better and by 3 months feeding was a really lovely experience.
I really hope that your wee guy is a great feeder and that BF is much more rewarding for you this time around Andie.
GOod luck!
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Mel, Mummy to E: 6, B: 4 and:
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katie1
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Posted: 10 January 2009 at 1:52pm |
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I can understand why you feel nervous when you had all of those experiences the first time around. I just wanted to say though that for me the second time has been WAY less sore. I was all armed with nipple cream and breast shields this time around - all packed in my hospital bag as I could remember how sore it was to start with the first time around with cracked nipples etc. I haven't had to use them though this time and the pain has been nothing like last time at the beginning.
Like Caramel said, keep asking the hospital midwives to help you with latching on. I got a lot more help the second time and I made sure I asked them to check each time I fed and I am sure that helped me a lot.
I hope the second time around is easier for you too.
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busymum
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Posted: 10 January 2009 at 4:34pm |
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Hi Andie, I was a poor latcher but didn't know it and got cracked nipples for all of my girls. When I was pg with #3 I said to my mw, I don't feel that I have ever properly figured out bf for a newborn so could you please give me all the hands-on as though I were a new mum - don't just leave me to it. Also I stayed in hospital for a couple of days so that I could call the staff nurse every time I latched until I truly felt that I had got it. It worked far better.
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kebakat
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Posted: 10 January 2009 at 4:43pm |
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I had a horrid time trying to feed Daniel... not with cracked nipples or anything like that, just with trying to get the boy to feed. It was horrible. I hated it so much so I've developed a little plan already for this one.
1. I want lots of skin to skin time at birth. I'll be telling both DH and my MW that I don't want the hospital staff to just decide to dress him/her. It will be me that says I'm ready for that to happen because I got almost no skin to skin with Daniel.
2. I have set myself a goal of 4 weeks of BF. If I make it that far and I'm unhappy about how its going we will be going to formula because it's far less stressful and make us both happy in the end however if DH decides that its getting me down he can make the call. Because I didn't realise I was getting quite down about the feeding thing but he could see it before I did
3. More help initally. My MW was good but also busy and didn't show me how to latch so I had all the hospital MWs showing me a different thing each time when really what I needed was a consistant approach from one person.
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Andie
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Posted: 11 January 2009 at 5:55pm |
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I like the plan, Stacey!
OK so I'm thinking now (thanks, ladies!), need to discuss this more with my MW... well, will discuss it with the one I have now and the one who takes back over in a week. My usual MW knows I'm apprehensive and why, but the other one doesn't. *TMI* I also realised yesterday I might have developed thrush on my nipples already so I want that seen to at my next appointment, 'cause if I can possibly treat it before baby is out, that'll save him the grief. I'm not sure if it's that or not - I hope not, but if so at least I can treat it asap.
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Andie
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pikelets
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Posted: 11 January 2009 at 7:24pm |
I am not looking forward to the first intial weeks next time I hv a baby either.
I think you are on the right track by telling your MW how you feel and that you would like to be helped as much as poss.
Good luck with BF Andie. I know how hard it can be to start with.
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 3 Angels - Dec10 / Mar11 / Dec11
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nervous about breastfeeding