Few questions about BF

[Sophie_P]

I've decided to try breastfeeding when baby is born, but I have a few questions if anyone can help
*How do you feed baby if milk doesn't come in straightaway? Just formula or is colostrum enough for first few days?
*When can you start to express
*When can you feed baby via bottle of expressed milk?
Thanks

 

[Nat26]

At first their tummies are absolutely tiny and colostrum is all they need, its like liquid gold - amazing stuff Its important to not give formula as this could delay cause problems with your milk coming in. The suckling helps bring the milk in.
You can start to express straight away (if needed) but its best to try to establish breastfeeding first other than offering a bottle. By 4-6 weeks things settle down and that's when its good to start expressing for bottle feeding if you want to. Hope this helps a bit.
My advice would be to prepare yourself to have a few struggles to start with, find out now about your nearest bf support groups, Its amazing what support you can get when you look for it. Also don't forget here, all the ladies are great!

Good luck!

 

[Sophie_P]

Thanks, really helpful advice.
I would definitely want my other half to help feed via a bottle as soon as possible(if this is possible) xx

 

[Sophie_P]

Thanks, really helpful advice.
I would definitely want my other half to help feed via a bottle as soon as possible(if this is possible) xx

 

[Nat26]

I express a bottle a day at the moment although its actually not for my lo, I donate it to my local special care baby unit! Once you've established a good supply you should be able to express no problem. I think they advise 4-6 weeks just to ensure lo doesn't get nipple confusion (i.e will take bottle but not breast) however its important to introduce a bottle sooner rather than later as I know some lo's reject it, although not sure how common that is.

Its worth investing in a good pump if you haven't already. If you are planning to use it everyday its well worth the money Breastfeeding can be really hard to start with so definitely read up as much as you can and be prepared is the best thing!

 

[L2310]

Hiya, as others have said colostrum is always produced straight away and feeds the baby until the proper milk comes through on about the third day... Its the best start for them as it contains the antibodies they need to protect them against disease. My LO didn't have much of an appetite in the first few days anyway but there was plenty in there for her.

In terms of expressing you could do this straight away if you wanted to because you can always freeze it until your ready to introduce the bottle. Expressing will encourage more milk to come through.

Introducing a bottle is recommended between 4-6 weeks but that's to give you and baby time to get the breastfeeding well established so the baby doesn't get 'nipple confusion'. It takes a baby more effort to suck from a nipple because they have to use their jaw muscles (which is quite tiring) whereas the teat is a lot easier for them as it just flows out with little effort needed so introducing too early could mean they refuse the nipple.
However in my case I had no problems with breastfeeding - my LG took straight away, no pain or latch problems and I expressed and gave a bottle after two weeks. I'd wait and see how you go before deciding hun.
Also expressing isn't as easy as it sounds! I thought I'd do it every day so OH could share feeding but it takes a while to express and its finding the right time - once when i was feeding on demand I fed on my right boob then she fell asleep, so I expressed my left boob for her to then wake and want a feed so had to end up giving the expressed bottle!! Xx

 

[Alleig]

Breastfeeding may be the hardest thing that you ever try to do. In the early weeks you'll probably feel like it's not working, as if the baby is constantly feeding and that you can't possibly keep up with demand. The demand on your time is relentless and thankless. This is what your body needs to go through to get a good milk supply going. Unfortunately, your mind and sanity are along for the ride! Introduction of a bottle can be very tempting but it can also be very disruptive to this process. It is natural but it doesn't come naturally.

Remember, the number of women who don't produce enough milk is naturally, with a good diet, less than one per cent of women in total. You will produce enough. Babies are born with sufficient fat to make up for the weight loss that will occur while the mother's milk comes in. In the meantime, colostrum is enough for them. They have to work extra hard for this and it helps to establish the breast feeding skills they need as well as encouraging your supply. Do try to respect this process and resist the temptation to interfere. That sounds harsh, but it's true. It is a painful, exhausting process and you need to accept that going in if you are going to keep going. It is hard but it is so good for them and you feel so proud of yourself when you go to baby clinic and they've put on weight that's all thanks to the nourishment that you and you alone have provided. It does eventually get easier.

Good luck.

 

[Sophie_P]

Pfft. Wow. Very hard then! X

 

[SaraLouise]

Its the hardest thing I've ever done, but worth every moment & every bout of tears when you see how they are growing & thriving & its all because of you!

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[vinandbella]

I had issues with my lo latching the first couple of days but luckily since she's fed like a star. I'm not going to lie at 3am in the morning it's bloody lonely but I wouldn't swap for anything.

Best piece of advice I got was from bf councillor who said yes bf is natural but so is giving birth and that wasn't very easy was it?

Eat well drink plenty get a comfy place on the sofa and snuggle up with your babe


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[Sophie_P]

Thank you all for your advice, nothing has put me off
I'm still willing to try breastfeeding and will of course, expect obstacles.

 

[Sophie_P]

Thank you all for your advice, nothing has put me off
I'm still willing to try breastfeeding and will of course, expect obstacles.

 

[Alleig]

Thank you all for your advice, nothing has put me off
I'm still willing to try breastfeeding and will of course, expect obstacles.

Good! That's the way it should be! x

 

[vinandbella]

Thank you all for your advice, nothing has put me off
I'm still willing to try breastfeeding and will of course, expect obstacles.

Best way good luck hun xx.


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[SpinSugar]

Hey Sophie, good for you. Just wanted to add, be wary of day 3-5 when your milk comes in no one warned me! Your baby will feed and feed and feed and cry and cry and its so tempting to reach for the formula but keep going, this part is essential to get that milk coming in
Get all the support you can and find out what's available.
good luck!

Xx

 

[Sophie_P]

Sounds like a pretty nasty hurdle but once you've done it you're glad you stuck with it x

 

[MumHaley]

Good job on deciding to nurse your baby!

My thoughts:

1 - Yes, colostrum is enough for the first few days. Milk doesn't usually come out until after a few days or sometimes, after a week. And that's really ok since your baby's tummy is very, very small still. So do not fret about this when it happens. Colostrum is THE golden milk.

2 - You can start expressing when you like. But I personally suggest that as you start nursing, you do so by directly latching on your baby. This will stimulate your body on how much he/she nurses and how much milk your body should be producing. Expressing right away is quite unnatural so give it a try with your baby first. If you have difficulty latching and so on, you can express so to stimulate your breasts to produce milk.

3 - I have read that the recommended age for when you introduce the bottle is around 8-10 weeks minimum, to avoid nipple confusion. Thankfully when I had to bottlefeed my son very early on, we didn't have any nipple confusion and was able to get back to directly nursing.

 

[Sophie_P]

Thing is, I want my OH to feed and bond too and this is not possible straightaway.
I wouldn't want to solely express alone, can this be done when baby asleep? X

 

[Sophie_P]

Thing is, I want my OH to feed and bond too and this is not possible straightaway.
I wouldn't want to solely express alone, can this be done when baby asleep? X

 

[tiggy85]

For the first six weeks (or so) there are other things your partner can do to bond with your baby. As soon as your finished feeding there is the winding, nappy changes, bathing and settling him/her to sleep. And the all important skin to skin cuddles! When breastfeeding is established then by all means expressing and the odd bottle will be great.

It depends on the baby but I know my baby is quite lazy and if he had too many bottles he would then not bother with the breast as he has to work harder to get the milk.


Before i gave birth I wanted my partner to feed him a bottle a day but actually he is more than happy doing his bath, cuddle and put to bed on a night. And it's a faff to express, so it's much easier to feed him myself then hand him over!

Yes you can express when baby is asleep but I would enjoy the rest in the early days!