Breast feeding Qs
Hi Ladies,
I really want to bf my baby but have a few concerns.
I'am worried that coz iam small busted i wont have enough milk to satisfy. Ive heard of women being told in hospital that they wont be able to bf coz they dont have enough milk. Is this true?
Also can i buy the medula swing expresser to boost my milk supply in the begining and carry on using to let hubs bottle feed baby after bf is establised?
thanx
xx
I really want to bf my baby but have a few concerns.
I'am worried that coz iam small busted i wont have enough milk to satisfy. Ive heard of women being told in hospital that they wont be able to bf coz they dont have enough milk. Is this true?
Also can i buy the medula swing expresser to boost my milk supply in the begining and carry on using to let hubs bottle feed baby after bf is establised?
thanx
xx
0
Replies
Breast size has absolutely no bearing on how milk you will produce. Some ladies produce loads, and some not as much. If you want to bf, then the hospital should support your decision. If you need extra support - ask for it! Hopefully your hospital will have someone who can help you.
Expressing can boost your supply but i was advised not to express until about 6/7 weeks to let my supply settle. I never had a problem with supply though, so i would suggest that unless you are struggling, wait a few weeks before expressing. Enjoy your baby and sleep for those first weeks - worry about expressing later. I was so exhausted that the last thing i felt like doing was expressing. It was so much easier just to put baby on the breast as and when it was needed. However everyone is different and you will find out what work for you.
Good luck!
Lx
I expressed in my first week as my right boob became totally engorged. At the time I had the TT electric pump (which broke after 4 weeks) and so bought the medela. Its definitely worth the money.
Good luck xx
I agree, leave the expressing till your midwife gives you the go-ahead. The most important thing you can do is make sure you feed on demand and that way your boobs will produce enough milk. If you skip feeds or introduce formula your supply will be all over the place.
Hospitals arent the best place to support you with bf to be honest, overworked midwives obviously have babies to deliver over supporting nursing mothers. My friend desparatley wanted to bf but had difficulties with the intial latch and no one was available to help. In the end a midwife said baby was far too distressed and needed a bottle of formula!
Do you have a bf support group as part of a surestart centre? They're great to visit and chat to mums who've been there or are still bf. They'll put your mind at ease with a lot of questions/worries.
xx
When you express do u store it in fridge or freezer or give to hubs to feed straight away? Sorry so many qs but i really wana be clued up. x
Re storing milk, once you have expressed, you can leave in the fridge for 3 days (not in the fridge door though) or in the freezer for 3 months. Invest in some bottles and a steriliser. If baby is hungry, you can transfer the milk straightaway into a bottle and your hubby can feed then and there.
xx
Make sure you are as rested as possible and eat and drink well. Make sure you have something to eat and drink (even if only fruit) between each feed - you need to keep your strength up! Baby will feed little and often at first - but it will regulate after the first few weeks.
Don't worry, even if you don't feel like you are producing enough milk at first - during the first few days it feels like baby is getting nothing! But they are - they get the colustrum at first - which is packed with antibodies and gives them the best start!
When I had my 3rd baby, it took 5 or 6 days for my milk to come in - and it was quite a frustrating time for me. I put it down to having 2 older children and a house on the market! Don't stress, keep putting baby to the breast and be patient.
Check out you tube, I think they have videos on there showing how to help your baby get a good latch. Good luck - it isn't always easy to begiin with but it is well worth it!
xx