Please help me prepare for breastfeeding

[Deleted]

Hi!  I hope you all don't mind giving me some advice.

I am due with my 2nd baby on April 12th and I'm delivering via repeat c-section.  My first experience with breastfeeding was horrible - DD latched in the hospital at first, but after a day or two, she had a lot of trouble with it.  Screaming, squirming, etc.  My milk never "came in" in the way that I've heard other moms describe.  I pumped, but got less than half an ounce in 20 minutes and could never seem to get any more - even after a few weeks.  When my daughter was 3 or 4 days old and had refused to latch for a full 24 hours (and it was the weekend so the lactation consultant's office wasn't available), we offered her a bottle of formula around 3:00 am, and she chugged that thing like she'd never seen food before in her life.

Trying to breastfeed and actually get a supply caused me so much anxiety that I quit after 3 weeks, cold turkey.  I never leaked or experience breast fullness.  

What should I do in an attempt to make it work this time?

Thanks in advance

[Dramaphile]

I would recommend a prenatal meeting with an IBCLC if there is one available in your area. They can help set you up for success, hospital lactation services aren't always the best advice. And make another appointment as soon as baby is born for whenever you'll get released. Even if things seem like they are going ok, it can be a confidence booster to get confirmation of that, or help with any issues. If you're on facebook, I'm in a great private breastfeeding support group and it can be really comforting to read other peoples' experiences and troubles and also get advice or sympathy even in the middle of the night. PM me if you want and I can invite you.

Do skin to skin as soon as possible after birth (in the OR if they allow it), and let baby latch as often as possible, it will help stimulate your milk coming in. Not everyone leaks or gets crazy engorged (I hardly leaked with my first child and had oversupply), baby's diapers are usually the best indicator if they're getting enough. Weight loss after birth is normal, and it can take a couple of weeks to get back to birth weight. Cluster feeding is totally normal and not an indicator of low supply, it's baby stimulating your breasts to produce more as they grow. Make sure you are well hydrated and eating enough in the days and weeks after birth.

I know of several moms who had a really hard time the first time breastfeeding and had an easier time with their second.

[Deleted]

Thanks Dramaphile! I never would have thought to see an LC before birth!

[lily]

Dramaphile had a great suggestion with meeting with your local IBCLC
uslca.org/resources/find-an-ibclc (this link is for the USA but IBCLC is an international certification so if you’re not in the states I can grab a different link)

Your local La Leche League group is another great place for support. Many LLL Leaders will do house calls to check basic positioning & latch. Also your Leader will be able to point you to medical professionals in your area if you need further help. You can start attending meetings now if your schedule allows. And you can certainly reach out to your local Leader already. www.llli.org/get-help/

I found it helpful to watch lots of videos on effective latching when I was pregnant & preparing to breastfeed. YouTube has a lot. Here is an article from Dr Jack Newman with several videos too
breastfeeding.support/breastfeeding-videos/

Lots of skin to skin
Let baby latch as much as she wants
Use nipple cream often!
Get help if it hurts the entire nursing session, if the pain is getting worse instead of better, if your nipples look like lipsticks or are cracking/bleeding - these are signs that something needs attention.

Since you’re having a C section, you’ll have significant IV fluids before birth. This can artificially inflate baby’s birth weight, so weight loss should be calculated from her weight at 24 hours old instead of at birth. Here’s an article from an IBCLC about it that links the scientific studies: www.nancymohrbacher.com/articles/2011/10/31/newborn-weight-loss-and-iv-fluids-in-labor.html

And I know I’ve already given so many links, but this kellymom article on newborn breastfeeding is so helpful in understanding what is normal and what is cause for concern
kellymom.com/hot-topics/newborn-nursing/

Hope the last few weeks of pregnancy aren’t too uncomfortable!

[Deleted]

Very helpful, thanks lily!!