Hi everyone

Our third, and final addition is due in May and while i exclusively bottle fed my first two, i have decided to try breastfeeding for the 3rd. I just don't want to regret not trying it with this being our last baby.

Any tips as I am quite nervous.

I'd start by asking your hospital/midwife about breastfeeding classes. Most large hospitals have a lactation consultant that holds classes once or twice a month, if not they may be able to direct you to where classes are held. GL!

I would say, don't have any expectations. It takes practise for both you and baby, for something that is so 'natural' it doesn't necessarily come naturally to you.
the first few weeks, sometimes months can be hard but I just think, give it your best shot. it may work splendidly, it may not, but at least you gave it your best.
oh and invest in some nipple cream - it's on a purple tube can't remember name sorry - it's great.
and - correct attachment is super important - ask as many questions as possible while in hospital. all the breast (ha ha, i'm hilarious i know smile )

Congratulations on your pregnancy smile

The best advice I can give is to join the aba and attend 1 or 2 meetings before bub is born. They will help you prepare and the mums are more than willing to help with any questions you come up with at the time. smile

Don't be nervous, your body has it all sorted. Just remember it's a learned skill and give yourself and bub time to coordinate (can take weeks) if you're putting a heap of pressure on yourself to "get it right" from day 1, you could be setting yourself up to fail.

and of course, if you run into trouble... ask huggies smile I have gotten so much breastfeeding advice and valuable links from ther women who come and go on this site. Doesn't matter what the issue, there is sure to be someone on here who has been through it and come out the other side smile

GOOD LUCK!

Don't get worried if your baby doesn’t latch on when you first try or even the first few times.

If you nipples get sore as mine did it doesn’t last long, it will feel better =)

When you breastfeed if feels like that is all you do where is on the bottle you have certain times I know if feels draining Breast feeding all the time just remember they don’t get full of breast milk like they do on formula and the older your babies gets the fewer breastfeeds he/she will want.

Don't get worried if your baby doesn’t latch on when you first try or even the first few times.

If you nipples get sore as mine did it doesn’t last long, it will feel better =)

When you breastfeed if feels like that is all you do where is on the bottle you have certain times I know if feels draining Breast feeding all the time just remember they don’t get full of breast milk like they do on formula and the older your babies gets the fewer breastfeeds he/she will want.

Thank you all.

I have spoken to my midwife about this and she has left it out of my folder for the time being so that i dont get bombarded with people shoving things under my nose every time i go for an antinatal appointment. i have to admit this is a blessing as i have seen some of the organisations "at work" while waiting for my appointment.

I have been reading up and even talked to other mums who have breast fed and some times i feel like my head is going to explode.

I know that it might not work and that I might have trouble. I have no expectations for myself as I know that formula is available if it doesnt work out. At least if i have tried it, i cant regret it.

I read a really good book called breastfeeding; real mums tell you how; I brought my copy off ebay, but book shops should have it.
The book is really good cos first section tells you the techniques and the second section gives you real mums stories on breast feeding.

Hi there,

I formula fed my first two boys and was determined to give breastfeeding a really good go third time around, i watched breastfeeding videos on you tube and i read alot, and even went to a breastfeeding class at the hospital I was going to. My DS3 is now 10 1/2 months and im still successfully breastfeeding him and he has never had a drop of formula, although im obviously not against formula as i fed my first two this way, im so proud of the fact that Justin has only had my milk.

In hospital I took nipple shields with me and lansinoh cream and NO FORMULA (which is what i did with my second son, took formula just in case and i ended up using it before i had even left hosptal) My son latched on fine and was quite a natural at it, one of the midwives also taught me how to feed laying down which was a gods send! i found this position the most easiest and i believe is what helped me keep breastfeeding and i still feed laying down whenever I can, DS enjoys it and relaxes just as much as i do.

Another tip, always relax your shoulders when feeding, you may find because your so anxious to get your nipple in your bubs mouth you will find yourself hunching over, drop your shoulders and you will find attachment alot easier.

Also, like animals, babies know how to breastfeed, its us that stop them from doing whats natural, so another thing i did (once i got home) was to take my top and bra off, strip bub down to just a nappy and put them in the centre of my chest facing towards me, bub will then smell your milk and bobble down to whichever breast they prefer and you just need to help guide them on, they will find the nipple themselves and latch on without much help from you, give it a go, its called baby lead attachment, there are lots of videos on youtube.

Good luck!

I would recommend having nipple shields on hand just in case, they were a lifesaver for me

Also a U shaped breast feeding pillow was a great help.

Ask the midwifes to show you different feeding positions, they did with my first baby and you will find which position you like best, I used the football/twin style position mostly

I don't know where you are but our child health centre has breastfeeding sessions that you can book with a midwife/lactation consultant (for after you have bubs) you might want to find out if there is anything like this in your area