good evening mamas!
I know I'm 8 weeks away from having my little one but I keep getting anxious about breastfeeding already! how did you know where to begin? I'm trying to read as much as I can but there is just a LOT to learn. any advice in advanced would be greatly appreciated!! 
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I took a breastfeeding class which was a good introduction. The nurses and lactation consultants at the hospital will provide a lot of guidance to you once your LO arrives. I found it overwhelming because everyone offered a slightly different strategy. After leaving the hospital, I saw the lactation consultant at the pediatrician's office at my LO's first appointment there. Hellobee is excellent resource and there are also videos on youtube. You'll see what ends up being right for you and your baby - it's something you can only figure out in the moment of it all happening.
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I read Breastfeeding Made Simple on the weeks before delivering. A lot of the advice was to keep bf-ing as much as possible, but I still found it really helpful.
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Just keep at it! Even if they seem hungry still let them fuss at your breast, it helps....ask questions a day trust the process!
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I took an online class. The LCs at the hospital were great. We had some issues and went to see them 1x a week for 7ish weeks, we are going strong at nearly 5 mo. I'd say just educate yourself and don't stress about issues until you have to deal with them. It may go great. Enjoy your last couple weeks of freedom
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We took a BFing class at the hospital we were delivering, I was still pretty clueless though and just went with the flow (no pun intended). I followed the LC while in the hospital on getting LO to latch, etc. then when my milk didn't come in right away we had to supplement with formula for a couple days. Once it was in, LO and I figured out the latch issue in a day or so and we had a successful BFing journey to 13 months.
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I took a class before E but it didn't help; I was unable to breastfeed her.
When T was born, I was asking for help from nurses and LCs for EVERY feeding. Also a friend suggested a BF support group at a nearby hospital held every week that was invaluable. I wish I had known about it pre-delivery. See if something like that exists. For me, the constant hands on-ness and tinkering and reassurance every time I asked "is this right? Is this normal?" Was helpful
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Thanks ladies! What's everyones best piece of breastfeeding advice for beginners, I am complying everything I learn into a word document to look back on later!
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@youboots: do you remember what website you used for the online breastfeeding class?
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@paigeface: I will be honest and say that bf is not going *super* well for us but we are making improvements...
I think the best thing you can do is be prepared for all different scenarios: your baby could latch on like a champ and never have bf issue, you might have slight adjustments to make, you might have big hurdles. Just go into it with an open mind and not dreading it...bf is so psychological so just be calm and feel good about the fact that whether it be bf, ep, FF or a combo, baby will get fed. Best of luck to you! -
@paigeface: I would take a class at the hospital and bring your SO. I didn't feel at the time that I learned a ton from the class, but I know my DH did. When I was in a newborn fog, it was extremely helpful to have him there to offer suggestions from the class. I would recommend an in person class over an online one, since you get the opportunity to ask questions and hear other's questions.
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My best advice would be to follow your baby's cues, don't try to create any kind of schedule, or minimum or maximum amounts they should have. Surround yourself with knowledgeable people!
And you'll do great! Hugs!
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Kellymom!
This page has a gif of the correct latch: http://kellymom.com/ages/newborn/bf-basics/latch-resources/
Also, talk to the lactation consultants while you are there and get them to help you. Don't be afraid to go BACK to them. And don't hunch over your baby when you breastfeed - get that baby latching and then lean back and pull the baby to you.
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I literally just read EVERYTHING I could, good or bad, so that I have an idea of of things to come. With that said, you really just don't know till you get there! But I'd def say that in any circumstances, do not give up! I gave in and gave formula a few times, but after that, I knew that I really just had to keep nursing! Def figure out where you can see an LC.. The one in the hospital wasn't that helpful, but the one I saw after was. I mostly got my info from HB, Google, and FB groups haha! I took a BF class at the hospital too, but honestly I felt like I already knew from stuff I've read. Kellymom is a GREAT website!
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I would say step one is don't stress. No matter what your baby will grow and thrive, even if he or she drinks some formula. I didn't take a class but it might have helped. I did as much skin to skin as possible and just fed fed fed during those first few weeks. Know it's going to be hard until your milk comes in. And make sure you keep trying to get a good latch. Sometime I would get lazy because he was latched on and didn't want to make him mad by starting over even though it hurt. Don't do that! I think getting as much support from lactation consultants after is the best. Find one you like. I think if it's stressing you out befor you might want to just take a class and move on until you actually start because you can't truly prepare until you have the baby!
I know you can do it!
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I second the recommendation of kellymom. It's awesome! I would also suggest lessons. My mother used to teach it, so I had then with her over Skype, but any lessons can increase confidence.
My biggest piece of advice is to see a lactation consultant if anything goes wrong. Ours is the reason I'm still breastfeeding at 10 months
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Dr. Jack Newman's guide to breastfeeding is a video that helped a lot. It shows women actually breastfeeding and what a proper latch should look like.
I also took a breastfeeding class at my hospital.
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@paigeface: I read one book (or a chapter of a book) about breastfeeding and i had literal nightmares about flat nipples. So I just stopped reading. I bought a pump and that was about it.
Everything turned out fine because I was willing to learn as I went along. I went to a BFing support group twice a week to do a weighted feed and see a LC.
Cliche advice is to never quit on a bad day and to set small goals.
Practical advice - babies change SO fast (for good and for bad). So more everything is just a phase. As a STM I was able to not stress and enjoy it all a bit more.
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@paigeface: I took it online through Providence. I had a class scheduled and the instructor had a family emergency. I think an in person class would have been better. But DH and I did it together. It really is so dependent on you and your baby and how it all works together.
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