https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 27 Jul 2026 08:09:00 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-learn-to-breastfeed#post-1034766 Wed, 21 Aug 2013 16:35:07 +0000 Vegmama 1034766@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thank you ladies!! You've made me realize that we need to do some research, look into LC's, and prepare to learn along the way. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-learn-to-breastfeed#post-1034697 Wed, 21 Aug 2013 16:05:23 +0000 skipra 1034697@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had no clue about breastfeeding until LO was born. The nurses and a lactation consultant helped in the hospital getting him to latch and telling me what to do about the sore nipples. My midwife had a few tips about the sore nipples at my first postpartum appointment. At first we had some issues with getting him to latch in the middle of the night so I met with a lactation consultant at my doctor's office and she gave some tips. Things worked out great for several months but then LO just became too distracted to nurse sometimes (most of the time now at 11.5 months) so rather than fight it I just started pumping and giving a sippy cup when he wouldn't nurse. I probably should've gone back to see the l.c. again. There are also free breastfeeding support groups at our hospital and I know some women that went to them. I'm sure there must be some at other hospitals too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-learn-to-breastfeed#post-1034684 Wed, 21 Aug 2013 16:00:08 +0000 skibobrown 1034684@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The best thing is to have someone give you some hands-on help soon after the baby is born. If you have access to a lactation consultant in the hospital, try to have them come by and watch you nurse. Also, see if there are any breastfeeding groups or support groups in your area, and try to attend those regularly after the baby is born. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-learn-to-breastfeed#post-1034679 Wed, 21 Aug 2013 15:56:36 +0000 emg86 1034679@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Vegmama: I had a homebirth 3.5 months ago and have been able to EBF. I worried more about breast feeding than labor so I spent months reading everything I could. My midwife was incredibly supportive, so was our doula &amp; pediatrician. We took Bradley classes that covered breast feeding and one of the midwives who works with our midwife is a lactation consultant and taught a class. If I were you I'd talk to your midwife and see if she knows of any classes or maybe attend a couple of LLL meetings. I surrounded myself with a group of mamas who have successfully EBF. They shared their stories--good and bad and offered support. I read most of the books that others have mentioned too. The Leaky B@@b on Facebook is also filled with tons of information. I would try to find a LC before baby comes so you have someone on hand and maybe have an initial visit with them so they can cover basic stuff and look at your nipples to see if there's anything that could cause an issue. For example,<br /> I have a flat nipple and mentioned it to my midwife so starting in the second trimester she gave me this little device that would draw the nipple out. By the time my baby arrived that nipple wasn't nearly as flat and she's latched on to it with no issue or shield or any other type of assistance. </p> <p>It's hard work, but you can do it! Everyone told me the first 4-6 weeks would be the hardest. I only struggled the first two weeks. I did get mastitis right away when my milk came in and it was horrible but I pushed through it and used coconut oil like crazy--I never had cracked or bleeding nipples, thankfully. My baby has an upper lip tie, but she's been such a great nurser we haven't messed with it yet but I know a lot of people struggle with breast feeding when babies have ties, so be on the look out for that to catch it early. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-learn-to-breastfeed#post-1034636 Wed, 21 Aug 2013 15:37:47 +0000 sarac 1034636@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I read all the LLL books and such, but really, I learned from the LC in the nicu, and just from my daughter. Some women and babies just do it naturally, and some need a little help. Your midwife should be able to assist you, beyond that, do you have a mother/sister/dear friend close by to give you some pointers? I found that I didn't have a clue when the time came, despite all my reading. I needed someone with experience to give me a little help. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-learn-to-breastfeed#post-1034618 Wed, 21 Aug 2013 15:32:40 +0000 maybebaby 1034618@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh man. Trial and error. Lots of trial and LOTS of error. I wish I had had a CLUE how hard it would be for me. I thought I would be one of those lucky women who just came to it naturally!</p> <p>Have the name and number of a great LC on call in case you need to contact one after the baby arrives. Take a class if you can, read a book. But a lot of it just depends on your particular baby.</p> <p>Good for you for being so proactive! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-learn-to-breastfeed#post-1034532 Wed, 21 Aug 2013 15:05:51 +0000 Dandelion 1034532@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I took a lot of classes before I had DS and read up a lot on it by joining breastfeeding groups online.</p> <p>By the time I had DS, I had read so much it was easy to apply it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-learn-to-breastfeed#post-1034515 Wed, 21 Aug 2013 14:59:44 +0000 Kemma 1034515@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p><a href="http://www.thealphaparent.com/2011/12/timeline-of-breastfed-baby.html?m=1" rel="nofollow">http://www.thealphaparent.com/2011/12/timeline-of-breastfed-baby.html?m=1</a></p> <p>The above is a great link about breastfeeding as your baby grows from a newborn to a toddler, lots of good info!</p> <p>I think one of the biggest things that will help is knowing what is normal when it comes to breastfeeding a freshly hatched newborn - stuff like colustrum, growth spurts, cluster feeding, engorgement, sore nipples, supply and demand etc. it might not help you with latching on but it will at least help you avoid bring completely blindsided like I was!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-learn-to-breastfeed#post-1034428 Wed, 21 Aug 2013 14:32:27 +0000 Vegmama 1034428@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@rattles: @mrskc: @sotofamilia: @allison: Thank you so much for the book recommendations! I knew there had to be some good ones. </p> <p>Overall, I know our midwives will help us, and I hope for a baby who latches right away (fingers crossed). It's more the mechanics and FAQ's that I am clueless about. I am sure these books &amp; resources will be amazing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-learn-to-breastfeed#post-1034263 Wed, 21 Aug 2013 13:32:34 +0000 sweetiek 1034263@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>There was a lactation consultant at the hospital who stopped by the room a few times while we were there and gave me some pointers like pulling his chin down so he had the more in his mouth. Then a few months later I joined La Leche League which definitely helped me feel more comfortable breastfeeding. I also got The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding from them to read. I feel like I was lucky though because I took the few pointers from the LC and we did fine. I know at my La Leche League they had numbers and emails where you can ask them questions and for help and they would answer anytime of day or come and help you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-learn-to-breastfeed#post-1034255 Wed, 21 Aug 2013 13:27:18 +0000 lovehoneybee 1034255@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I skimmed a book (I *think* it was The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, but I'm not positive). I was very lucky that he seemed to know what to do right away. I also saw an LC in the hospital, but all she really just sat with me for a while and watched him nurse, and gave some advice about how to interest him in eating if he was too sleepy and unresponsive (not a problem we ever had). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-learn-to-breastfeed#post-1034247 Wed, 21 Aug 2013 13:22:19 +0000 lindseykaye 1034247@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I took a breastfeeding class offered by our hospital (but anyone can attend regardless of where you decide to give birth), read Ina May's Guide to Breastfeeding, and watched some youtube videos to make sure she was getting a good latch and to learn about experienced moms 'tricks' and tips.<br /> The class was really helpful for me to see babies feeding, hear the sounds they make, and get expert advice about what is normal/how much they need. It was also good for DH to attend (even if he was a little bored) so that he knew how difficult it can be and how to support me by taking care of other things. It also reinforced the supply/demand relationship for him so that he didn't automatically think that I could just give her a bottle or pump whenever and have it be no big deal. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-learn-to-breastfeed#post-1034142 Wed, 21 Aug 2013 12:47:53 +0000 Bluebonnet 1034142@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I took a class at the hospital, read the Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, read hellobee, read KelleyMom, etc before LO was born. Afterwards I consulted with an LC over the phone.</p> <p>You know from hellobee that its hard, but you have no idea how hard (mentally, emotionally, and physically) until you're doing it. What prepared me the most is going to the class with DH. I think its really hard to be successful at breastfeeding unless you are 100% committed and you have a support system. </p> <p>DH wasn't committed to me breastfeeding (in fact he didn't get it at all). Once he went to class and understood the mechanics of latching and supply and demand, he was better able to support me. The LC that taught the class was awesome at helping the Dads understand their role in the process (supporting the Mom by taking care of everything else and letting her focus on recovery and feeding the baby). </p> <p>To increase your chances of success, make sure you have a great support system and you know where you can go to get help (should you need or want it after LO is born). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-learn-to-breastfeed#post-1034020 Wed, 21 Aug 2013 12:19:57 +0000 dagret 1034020@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I took a class. But really, I just shoved my boob in his face with no problems. You can hate me.<br /> ETA: I did obsessively google breastfed poop, and was attached to Kellymom, but other than an overactive letdown i figured it all out myself. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-learn-to-breastfeed#post-1033993 Wed, 21 Aug 2013 12:15:04 +0000 heartonastring 1033993@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I read The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding and it was also covered in our prenatal classes (the teacher is a doula and LC). Ultimately, the biggest help though was when my LC came and did an in-house visit. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-learn-to-breastfeed#post-1033952 Wed, 21 Aug 2013 12:06:53 +0000 BabyBoecksMom 1033952@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I took a class at the hospital and it was fantastic! There were SO many things I didn't know about and the LC was so good about making sure everyone felt confident when they left the class. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-learn-to-breastfeed#post-1033867 Wed, 21 Aug 2013 11:43:26 +0000 sorrycharlie 1033867@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>trial and error! and thankfully, an old friend's sister was an LC and was willing to come help me for free. she totally saved my nipple. i swear. LO was not latching well on one side and at some point, something was gonna give! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-learn-to-breastfeed#post-1033861 Wed, 21 Aug 2013 11:42:07 +0000 travellingbee 1033861@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I took a class, had a hospital LC, hired our own LC, recommended through a friend (but you can just google it- best money I've ever spent, BTW- she came to us and it wasn't expensive), read a lot online. We had a hard time for the first 6 weeks and now things are super. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-learn-to-breastfeed#post-1033820 Wed, 21 Aug 2013 11:30:47 +0000 Boheme 1033820@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>La Leche League meetings, Kellymom.com, trial and error, and the LC at our pediatrician's office. Find an LC before baby is born so you don't have to hunt down names and numbers. There are several pediatricians in my area who are also LCs, which has proved invaluable for us. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-learn-to-breastfeed#post-1033770 Wed, 21 Aug 2013 11:16:23 +0000 Mrsbells 1033770@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Vegmama: One of the nurses who cared for me after my c-section really helped me get a hang of things, and then I read a bit about it when I came home. I wasnt really prepared before hand because I wrongly thought it couldnt be too hard. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-learn-to-breastfeed#post-1033752 Wed, 21 Aug 2013 11:11:57 +0000 allison 1033752@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This article helped me a lot: <a href="http://www.mobimotherhood.org/mm/article-milkflow.aspx" rel="nofollow">http://www.mobimotherhood.org/mm/article-milkflow.aspx</a></p> <p>And the LC in the hospital taught me what his latch should look like (no dimple, etc). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-learn-to-breastfeed#post-1033742 Wed, 21 Aug 2013 11:08:38 +0000 autumnlove 1033742@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I took a class and lots of trial and error. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-learn-to-breastfeed#post-1033738 Wed, 21 Aug 2013 11:07:59 +0000 Bookish 1033738@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't read anything beforehand, or take classes. There was an incredibly helpful nurse when we were at the hospital, and we learned a lot from her. Other than that, it was just trial and error! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-learn-to-breastfeed#post-1033737 Wed, 21 Aug 2013 11:07:56 +0000 Maysprout 1033737@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I read blogs and asked questions on there, the nurses at the hospital gave some guidance and a couple days after she was born I read Womanly Art of Breastfeeding since there were lots of questions that arose. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-learn-to-breastfeed#post-1033731 Wed, 21 Aug 2013 11:05:54 +0000 Pepper 1033731@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't read any breastfeeding books or go to any breastfeeding classes while pregnant. I had read threads on here, so I had picked up a few things here and there, but really the nurses taught me how to do it. I also had a visit from lactation while in the hospital, and that really helped me. </p> <p>After the hospital, I found a lot of support on here, and found more information from reading Kellymom. I also visited an LC a few times. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-learn-to-breastfeed#post-1033702 Wed, 21 Aug 2013 10:58:06 +0000 Mrs. High Heels 1033702@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We took Bradley Classes and I read The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding. My doula was also a lactation consultant, so she stayed for awhile after my labor/delivery to make sure we got the latch correctly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-learn-to-breastfeed#post-1033692 Wed, 21 Aug 2013 10:54:31 +0000 Smurfette 1033692@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I started reading a book a day or two before my water broke. Then I had a LC in the hospital help me but that was all. Everything else I read about here on HB. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-learn-to-breastfeed#post-1033683 Wed, 21 Aug 2013 10:51:03 +0000 sotofamilia 1033683@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh, and I had an AMAZING lacation consultant in the hospital that really helped us get started with latch, positioning, things like that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-learn-to-breastfeed#post-1033681 Wed, 21 Aug 2013 10:50:28 +0000 sotofamilia 1033681@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Vegmama: I read Ina May's Guide to Breastfeeding before my son was born. Then I watched a ton of YouTube videos the first night he was home because I was determined to make it work. Plus, I went to a weekly breastfeeding support group that my hospital sponsored (but anyone can go) - that moral support made a huge difference. Also, make sure you husband, mom, any family around you are as on-board as possible - that helped a lot too. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-learn-to-breastfeed#post-1033677 Wed, 21 Aug 2013 10:48:25 +0000 mrskc 1033677@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I read breastfeeding make simple while I was pregnant. That gave me a great understanding of what's normal. You can look into local Le Leche League meetings. You can even start attending while pregnant. I also learned a lot on here and Kellymom. </p>