Breastfeeding Advice?

1 - At first it doesn't hurt it's just a tugging. If the baby has an improper latch then your nipples begin to feel sore. Otherwise the act breastfeeding should hurt. Pain may be caused by engorged breasts (when there's too much milk in there, you'll usually start leaking) or mastitis (it happens but it doesn't happen to everyone).

2. They say to wait with the pumping. Let your baby regulate your milk supply first and then pump. I pumped 2 weeks after giving birth which gave me an overproduction of milk (and it happened to be too much foremilk (the milk baby gets first, hindmilk is the fatty milk you want them to get)which turned my babys poop green and gave her bouts of gas issues) and it made me leak everywhere!

3. We use the playtex drop ins, Their nipples are wider and bigger and you can get flat nipples which my daugther loves. The Adiri bottle is also great, it's supposed to "replicate" the breast ... lol, don't know about that, but it works

4. Me too! I'm really big too, and I'm all nipple/ areola. lol. How I breastfeed is by laying baby down on the pillow lengthwise on her side, with her head facing the breast I want her to feed off of. I have to hold my breast otherwise her face would be engulfed in boob (lol) so If I'm feeding from the right breast I hold my breast with the right hand. You can also do the football hold. She gets enough of the areola to stimulate the flow of milk. Who ever says big breastest women can't breastfeed is a crock.

5. Can they assign a conference room to you for your use? I pump about 10oz in 15 minutes. After 5 minutes of pumping my breast feel relieved of pressure from the milk.

6. That's perfectly fine. Even 2 weeks is great! If you want to pump I would let baby regulate your supply first. And in the bieginning I found it really tough. In the hospital I gave my daughter bottles because we just couldn't get the hang of it. At home I was determined to percevere with the breastfeeding and gave her abottle once. After that she didn't like the taste of formula. I almost quit on the breastfeeding but am glad I continued.

7. As I said, In the beginning, you're wondering what the hell this is and who invented it! haha, but it does get better. I promise. For some people it doesn't work out either due to lack of motivation or lack of milk production (Which isn't anyones fault). After we got the hang of it, I found it great, It made me sit down and relax and enjoy my baby. For nights with our baby we worked soemthing out because my husband doesn'thave breasts lol, he would get up for diaper duty and I would do feedings. It worked out great and still works out. I would recommend getting a breast feeding pillow since you're on the chesty side. I did it without a breastfeeding pillow at first and just used a regular pillow and when I switched I was beating myself up for not getting a breastfeeding pillow! Just remember to relax and take it slow. If she doesn't get it take her off, take a break and then try again.

If you have any questions just e-mail me!

Best of luck! Sry for all the spelling mistakes haha.

eta- http://www.kellymom.com/bf/start/index.html

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/bf-links-excpum...

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/engorgemen...

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/mastitis.h...

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/baby/back-to-b...

http://www.breastfeedingbasics.com/html/Large_Brea...

http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/mom/mom-foods.ht...

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/index.html

1.) Is it going to hurt like hell? I hear so many stories about the pain

It may hurt a little at 1st, but it won't last. You need to make sure your baby is latched properly, an improper latch can cause pain. Also, make sure baby is not tongue tied. A tongue tied baby cannot draw the nipple far enough back in the mouth to suck properly.

2.) When can I start pumping? DH wants to be able to feed DD when she comes too and he has already told me to pump for night time feedings as they tend to be his specialty. I know not right away, but how soon to keep him feeling involved?

I started pumping at 3 weeks, but many people suggest waiting until six weeks. Remember, a pump will not extract as much milk as a baby, so if you only pump an ounce or 2 don't think that is all you are producing. It is important for you to do night feedings (if your hubby does one that would probably be ok) so your body knows how much milk your baby needs.

3.) What kind of bottles best replicate the nipple? We haven't bought any yet.

It really doesn't matter what kind of bottles you use. Just try to buy ones that say they are for babies that go btw breast a bottle.

4.)Sorry if TMI but I read that if you have nipples larger than a quarter then you could have a hard time BF. Well I am in a 38 G and my boobs are all nipple, they are huge! I am scared it won't work because of that. Anyone else in my boat?

I don't have that problem, but it is still possible to BF in that situation. Don't be discouraged.

5) I don't know if I will be able to pump when I go back at work. We only have a large public bathroom and I don't know where to go. I only work 5 hours a day but with commute I won't be home for 6 hours, what should I do?

Is there an office or computer room? You could also pump in your car. Explain to your boss that you will need a place to pump, and ask for suggestions. You will probably only need to pump once during that 6 hrs away from baby, so you don't get engorged.

6) I am still kind of a little iffy on BF, it never felt like it way for me in a sense, I can't really explain, but I truely want to do what is best for DD (not to offend anyone). I don't want to give up, but I don't think I will do it past 6 months unless it is just pumping, will that affect my milk supply when the time comes. Who knows I may love it, but I just get kind of weirded out thinking of a live person eating from my boobs. Even if it is my baby, it scares me.

You might be surprised by how normal it feels once you do it. I felt a little weird about it until my daughter was born. Now it seems like the most normal thing in the world.

7) Is there anything I need to know, especially for those first crucial weeks. Am I going to be beyond exhausted from it? I worry about DD and being too tired to function.

I didn't find BFing exhausting at all. I think it is a lot easier then formula feeding bc when she is hungry all I need to do is lift my shirt.

Don't be surprised if baby is on the breast a lot for the 1st couple weeks. That is normal and does not mean baby isn't getting enough to eat.

You said your daughter had digestive issues, if this baby seems to have similar problems I would suggest you do an elimination diet until the offending source is identified (ie cut dairy out of your diet, or soy, or whatever you think the problem might be).

I would also encourage you to find a good breastfeeding book for a Reference guide.

Lastly (I know, you never thought this would end ;) ), if your hospital has Lactation Consultants on staff USE THEM!!!! and if you are having trouble find help right away, don't let the problem get worse.

Many people BF problem free but it is best to be prepared.

I am really nervous about it.

1.) Is it going to hurt like hell? -- It hurts, it's defiantely not worse then child birth. Take a wet wash cloth try to toughen up the nipples now, it helps!

2.) When can I start pumping? -- As soon as your milk comes in you can start pumping and storing, it's a great idea to freeze milk now if you're going back to work soon.

3.) What kind of bottles best replicate the nipple? -- I used the playtex and the adiri, the adiri were a pain in the butt. The playtex naturalatch nipple. I didn't do much bottle feeding after the first month.

4.) I have large boobs, and huge nipples, when you're learning to breast feed they tell you to get all the areola in the mouth, I couldn't and still can't do that. As baby gets bigger it gets easier. I had issue with breast feeding the first month, my daughter lost to much weight so we had to supplement with formula and bottles, your doctor/peditrician can find you the help you need if you have problems.

5) I didn't have this problem, but you can buy a breast pump that has a plug that can go into your ac adapter in your car? Not suer if that helps... Just an idea :)

6) Not sure I understood this question, when you stop breast feeding you milk will dry up.

7) Best advice don't give up, if you need help try the hospital for a breast feeding class, like I said I had HUGE issues the first month, once I got her to latch correctly, and learned how to breast feed in public it's been a amazing experience.

PS-- This website may be helpful..

http://www.kellymom.com/

It will be uncomfortable and painful at first, but it passes. Using lansinoh cream will help ALOT!.

Do not start pumping until your supply is well established which may take anywhere from 1-3 month. (everyone is different).

No bottles really do a good enough job of replicating the breast. Babies use a completely diffferent sucking motion for a bottle than they do a breast which is why I do not suggest using a bottle until breastfeeding is fully established and any problems have been worked through.

I've seen women with some awefully big nipples successfully breastfeed, and since the nipple rests basically in the back of the baby's throat it he can get it in his mouth than it's not too big. You won't know until you try.

Talk to your employers about pumping and check out the local breastfeedin glaws for your state. Some states have laws that require certain employers to provide adequate pumping areas and times for mothers.

Last. Stop worrying. Relax. If you want to go past 6 months, great! If not... alright! You can decide when the time comes, no need to worry about it now. It will be hard. You will probably have issues, but you can work through them and it will be worth it!

Check out the site below for tons of great info on breastfeeding! Good Luck!

Personally, if you have all these questions, you really need to get yourself a good book about breastfeeding basics and go to a breastfeeding support group where you can get live answers to your questions... LLL do groups worldwide as to some hospitals, midwifery units, etc.

To find a LLL group near you go to http://www.lalecheleague.org./

For a quick fix:

(1) It should not hurt like hell, if it does, something's not right and you should consult a lactation consultant (preferably IBCLC) or LLL leader;

(2) You can pump from the start, but ideally you should breastfeed exclusively for 12 weeks then slowly introduce alternatives (if you are away). Never replace a nursing session with a bottle as you need baby to nurse to stimulate milk supply.

(3) No bottle can replicate the nipple. To avoid problems with nursing, if you have to do a non-breastfeed before 12 weeks use a regular cup

(4) Women's breasts and babies' mouths are all different sizes. If you are concerned, call a lactation consultant and/or LLL Leader BEFORE the baby is born and check out photos of a good latch. LLL books and Dr. Jack Newman's books and websites have good resources.

(5) The question is WHEN are you going back to work. If you are gone for 6 hours when baby is 6 months old, you won't need to pump at all -- you feed immediately before you leave and immediately when you get home. If prior to 6 months of age, you might need to leave enough for one or two feedings while you are away and you'll want to pump at work to maintain supply. Ask your supervisors now where you can do that. Check out LLL http://www.llli.org/ and Kellymom http://www.kellymom.com/ advice on working and breastfeeding for more advice.

(6) Breastfeeding is the most natural thing in the world. Read up on it and be prepared for the normal course of breastfeeding and you'll do fine.

(7) Get baby to try nursing right away even if you don't feel like you have any milk, you do and it'll come the more you let baby suckle. Nurse frequently for first days. There are growth spurts to watch for at 7-10 days, 3 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and 9 months. Read http://www.llli.org/ and http://www.kellymom.com/ for advice on "the normal course of breastfeeding". Get yourself a good book.

Breastmilk is the best food for baby and breastfeeding is best for you too. Formula can never compare -- it's dried cow's milk with added vitamins and minerals. Breastmilk has so much more biological components. It is catered for your baby and what she needs.

Good luck.