Breastfeeding help wanted

[joeysmommy]

I'm due in exactly 2 months with 2nd son. I REALLY want to succeed at breastfeeding this go around. With first one nearly 5 years ago, he only got breast milk for 2 1/2 months w/ some supplementing of forumula after the first 6 wks or so. He didn't seem to latch on well and frankly, I just kinda gave up. I even rented a hospital grade pump from medical supply place to assist, but I seemed to "slow down" even with that. I really want to try 100% this time. A big question I have is after delivery should I again rent a pump and how long should I rent before buying one? Part of me is saying because I'm so determined to make it work this time that maybe I should go ahead and purchase a really good one prior to birth. But I'd hate to do so then it be a waste. Any advise??

Any general advise regarding being successful? Encourgement?

TIA

[freshbasil]

I found that a pump didn't work very well for me. One thing I did different with my second child was that I didn't supplement with formula, I would just feed her more frequently if she seemed to still be hungry and that increased my supply. I have nursed her for 11 months now and am still nursing. I just got pregnant again, though so we'll see how my supply does. The biggest thing is to not supplement and skip nursings, this will decrease your supply more than anything. If you need to be away from your baby, pumping is a good second, but unless you get a hospital grade pump, it doesn't stimulate your production the way your baby does. Hope this helps. Also...for me I had to really concentrate on my baby while nursing to let down. I had to relax and tickle her little legs and arms and then I let down better.

[nateNnatsmommy]

Avoid the pump and supplementing for as long as you can, and just keep trying. Don't let the baby get too hungry before putting her to breast; as she's more likely to get frustrated and give up. And then EVERYONE will be more frustrated.

Remember not to give up; my first baby was like your son, and I wasn't able to really nurse him. That made me more motivated than ever to nurse my second. Things started off GREAT with her, then they had to take her into the Newborn Intensive Care for 10 days; she forgot how to nurse, and when she came home it took ALOT of work to get things back on track, but they got there, and it was TOTALLY worth it.

Also, if you end up getting a pump, I would recommend just renting one from the hospital. Those are by far the best to use. Ask for the kit (with the tubes and bottles) while you're still a patient there, and you're insurance will pay for it :)

[brandee]

My daughter had some trouble breastfeeding in the hospital because she was so tiny (5lb 6oz) and my boobs were so huge!!! The lactation consultatnts gave me a nipple shield to assist with her latch. It was a life saver!!! However, it is not meant for permanent use. I don't know if it is carried at Babies r us. I bought extras at the "Breastfeeding" shop at the hospital for $6.

[mommasbabydaddysmaybe]

I'm due in 2 months also (Sept 5), with my daughter I breastfeed for about 3 months before I started getting low. The doctor told me it was because I was pumping more than just letting the baby latch that had caused me to slow production. I would still get a breast pump (nothing expensive though) because the average mother only breast feeds 3 months before giving it up. But this time I'm going to suck it up and let him latch instead of reaching for the pump. Hope this helps. GOOD LUCK! CONGRATULATIONS!

[megsmommy]

I completely agree with freshbasil! I just weaned my son at 15 months. I didn't really like pumping, so it was very easy for me to just nurse more frequently! We didn't supplement with him until he was 6 weeks old. I also noticed with my supply would decrease if I didn't drink enough water (which was all the time!!! Dr. Pepper = YES / H2O = NO!). So make sure you're getting enough to drink, focusing on your precious little one, and not stressing out about it! You'll get it! Good luck!

[joeysmommy]

Thank you all so much for the great advice. I love the suggestions of maybe tickling feet and arms and "don't just run to a pump", but rather keep trying to have him latch and feed to help with production. I've jotted the suggestions down on a notepad to remind me. Thanks.

Also, sidenote. I read where some insurance companies pay $ toward pumps, but HUMANA does not. I called and asked.

[nateNnatsmommy]

I think that the general rule, as far as insurance companies paying for the pump rental, is whether or not there is a medical need (basically medical reason that you're separated from the baby and unable to just nurse) My insurance paid for it while my baby was still in the hospital. But it's just $1/day at our hospital. If you're not using a good one, your milk will dry up, or the darn thing will just stop working.

[nateNnatsmommy]

One last suggestion; use those lactation nurses at the hospital as much as you need, that's what they're there for; and at most hospitals you can go back to visit them even after you're discharged, or you can call them. Good luck!!!!

[MamaBird06]

I would definitely stay away from pumping. I honestly hated pumping, but i did it to try to increase supply and rented a hospital one for3 months, i still had to continue supplementing ds though. I am not sure why, there may be a lot of factors, but mainly i think i didn't know what i was doing and i got some bad advice from the ped. and forced me to bottle feed him at his first visit and sent me home w/formula because he had lost too much weight she said, anyway, he was nearly weaned at 3 months until i decided to call la leche league, and got advice from them and went to a few meetings. I would get in touch w/a lactation consultant and keep in touch in the first few weeks after birth.

What i have learned is to let them nurse alll the time if they want, ds was my first and i had a hard time with always nursing, just rent some movies, surf the web, read a book etc. Also, get a good sling, so you may have an arm free and be able to do other things while lo is nursing.

Some things that are suppose to help increase supply: oatmeal, enough water, fenugreek-ask la leche league or visit their site for more info.

And if for whatever reason you do have to supplement, remember you don't have to completely stop breastfeeding, you can do both. Good luck, we're hear to help you out!