Is it possible to breastfeed from bottle on day 1?

[Emma.b]

Hi ladies?

I have a quick question for you, and hope someone can give me some info please

I'm expecting my second baby and would like to give breastfeeding a go, only problem is i have stupidly sensitive nipples even when not pregnant TMI but i can barely take OH 'playing' with them Also as stupid as it sounds the thought of baby sucking from my breast freaks me out, not sure why, i know thats what there for!

However i still want to try and give baby breast milk, so i'm thinking of expressing and feeding straight from the bottle, is this even possible from day one? I will attempt to breastfeed in the hospital, but if i can't get on with it or it's just too uncomfortable then can i express? And maybe top up with formula if needed?

My first baby was formula feed from the start, i was on to many meds to even try and the midwives never attempted to even speak to me about breastfeeding, i was a young mum and kinda just left in the corner!

So i'm doing this from new, and have no idea were to start! Any tips ladies?

x x x

 

[Princess81]

Yes it is possible to express from day 1. I had to do that initially because my lo was in special care. Just got strapped up to a pump by the midwives.
I suggest that you find a local breast feeding consultant or google la leche league and see if there are any local to you, or a breast feeding support group who may be able to give you tips on latching.
Also, Lansinoh nipple cream, life saver x

 

[knopk@]

I have the same problem hun. I actually coudnt use the pump cause it hurt. With breastfeeding, it was difficult in the beginning(around 6 weeks), to the point of wearing a bra in the shower cause water hurt but perseverance and Lansinoh did the job and they toughened up and i.was able to enjoy breastfeeding as experience. Make sure you know how to.hand express as it was the only way for me.
And good luck. A lot of it is about mindset, we have Cosmicgirl who.had a hole in her nipple and is still Bfing exclusively.
Its tough at first but it does get better.xxx

Tapatalking so cant see signatures

 

[giz]

Yes you can, but until your supply comes in and it's just colostrum you might be better off hand expressing and trying to feed it by spoon because it's such a tiny bit.

Or try and give breastfeeding a go for the colostrum.

Your nipples do toughen up, so don't be too put off.

----------------
baby giz born 6th Feb 2011
next one due 12th Aug 2013

 

[Emma.b]

Thanks ladies.

I've actually been giving this a lot of thought and i've decided i'm really going to try and breast feed at least long enough for bubs to get the colostrum.

It's not so much the nipple cracking etc that puts me off breast feeding, it's having LO latch on for a feed that scares me. I just can't stand my nipples being mauled! lol I actually punched OH once for playing with them! Lol Opps!

I have horrible visions of latching baby on and reacting in a 'Oh my god get your hands off me' kinda way....absolutely stupid i know, but that's how much it irritates/hurts/freaks me out!

But either way i will try to breast feed the colostrum at the bare minimum. Then take expressing from there and see what happens.

How long does the colostrum part last for before milk comes in? Lol

x x x

 

[CARNAT22]

Milk normally comes in around day 3 hun, at which point it is much easier to express.

xxxxxx

 

[Emma.b]

thank you. I'm sure i can last 3 days xx

 

[knopk@]

Dont dwell on it hun, see how it goes. The thought of giving my baby such a great start out weighed thw pain. Even though i wasnt able to exclusively BF, i managed 14 months and its great experience.
It can be tough in the beginning, you need support (esp from your OH) and make sure you have local Bf groups details/lactation consultant number on the fridge.
If you have a good mw, i would speak to her too. And there is always PF xxx

Tapatalking so cant see signatures

 

[Nicnax]

I was exactly the same, and I won't lie, the first few weeks were tough. We even ended up in A&E when she was 6 days old, as we thought she was vomiting blood- turned out it was my blood, & some capillaries in my brerat had burst because her suck was so powerful! There was more than one occasion in the first two weeks when I considered giving up, but now, 6 weeks on, it's a doddle. So easy just to gert on & feed, rather than worrying about mixing up formula. We introduced a bottle of expressed breast milk per day at 3 weeks, so that hubby can help out, and sge is thriving!

Use the expertise of the midwives in hospital- grt them to check babies latch, and your positioning etc. I also use a widgey pillow, which is great for getting her at the right height without killing my arm! & lots of Lansinoh, from day 1- it really is a lifesaver! Good luck!