hi
my baby is due in feb and i would really like to breast feed but im panicking as ive heard it can be painfull and i have really sensitive nipples as it is, also my midwifes seem to have no time for me and i was wondering if anyone can tell me if you need to wear breastpads the whole time you are breastfeeding or if its just for the first few days/weeks and i would also like to express my milk so that my partner can help out and i can take bottles when im going out but there seem to be quite a few different types and makes of breastpump and i really have no clue which to get.
is there anyone that can give me any advice or recommend anything?
i would be so gratefull for any comments,
thanks, kelly

Hi really concerned that you not getting support from mmidwife. I have two children and breastfed them for 1+ years each and have trained as breastfeeding peer supporter which means i have completed a 12 week course simular to NVQ2 and help mums to get over problems. There are peer supporters though out the country if you contact your nearest sure start center they should be able to put you in contact with a supporter or a breastfeed group, groups tend to have diff pumps to try I recommend the Medela mini elect breast pump it is a bit expensive but is hosp quality easy to use and quite small for taking out and about ( can use batteries). Breastfeeding should never be painfull if it is you should ask for advise on position from midwife , health visitor or peer supporter it is usually very easy to put right. Even just the first feed has enormas benifit to baby and mum so try it, theres no time limit you can stop if you dont like it. A warning regarding expressing you shouldn't express b4 baby is 6 weeks as this can alter milk production and it is usualy quite diff to do . Good luck i bet you take to it easy, it just sounds scary X

Get one!!! The best present I was given was one of the support cushions from mothercare, the v shape one. it's £20 and you can use it to support your bump in pregnancy, breast feeding and to support your baby when they start to sit.

Ellie.x

My son was born 8 weeks ago and it has been really hard work breast feeding. I don't feel like I got the support I needed at the hospital in the first place! Kieran was 8 weeks on Thursday gone and I still have one crack left on my nipple which is just bearable when he feeds...Breast pads are essential - I leak all the time (I'm a 34H)I prefer the chicco ones as they are the only ones that feel dry next to my skin, even when they're soaked in milk. I have the avent isis manual breast pump as I wanted my OH to be able to feed him occasionally too - so glad I did because when my little boy was 3 weeks old he had a tummy bug and didn't have the strength to suck on my nipple and I ended up engorged, in quite a bit of pain so out came my pump and I got 4.5 oz off one boob! And that was at 3 weeks. My baby actually prefers breast - he seems to struggle with the bottle sometimes but it is nice for my partner to feed him sometimes although I have to express at the same time anyway!

Good luck with it - it is very rewarding and I know that I'm the only one who can provide it for him.

Message me if you need any more help!

Ellie.x

Feeding the baby isn't very painful. Pumping the milk can be though. You'll most likely need breast pads the whole time. Sometimes the milk is so pleantiful that cutting a maxi pad in half can be more useful. The most embarassing thing is going out in publc and all of the sudden having a soaked shirt. This is the part that no one ever warns you about.

ok erm its not easy to begin with so if you have visions of a quick go on the breast pump and getting oh to do it before hes 4-6 weeks old forget it. sorry but its impossible and in a group that i went to out of 23 of us 2 managed to express a bottle before 6 weeks. simply because they want feeding so much and your milk needs to establish a routine. its soooo hard, i tried and tried but it just didnt happen if i did manage to do a 4 oz bottle id be empty for the next feed and have to give that to her and a top up off me so dont stress your self out by trying to do it. but once your milks in and your starting to feed a little less then you should be ok. personally id recommend getting an electric pump hand ones take too long and are more difficult to position. ok they are more expensive but i believe the effectiveness is worth paying for. you can get them for about £80 but if you dont mind having a second hand one (they are easily sterilised!!!!) you can get them for about £30 but if you dont want to use an electric then the avent hand pump is fab a bit tricky with the bottles but really good for pumping.
however when you breast feed you leak a little from the other breast as your feeding now if you have a hand pump that bit gets wasted and just goes in the breast pad but if you have an electric pump you can pump off as it can fit in easier around bubs to express off.

hope this helps. pm with any questions and if you want help finding a electric pump i know some sites where you may be able pick one up i got one practically brand new with unopened bottles for £25 inc del.

i breast fed my daughter for 10 months. i am at best a b cup (thats when im full of milk) i had no trouble. i think aslong as you get shown properly how to latch them on and you feel confident doing it youll be fine. if you stress your baby sences it so just stay calm and everything you experience is normal.
breast pads yes you wear them for as long as you breast feed cuz you WILL leak about 10 mins before baby wants a feed youll get tingly boobs and start to leak. the amount of times i fell sleep and forgot to wear a breast pad and woke up in big pools of milk.
just get a few good bras the clip ones are fab but get measured thats very important cuz once they start filling youll need th support. then find a comfy place and those pillows are fab. hv and mw say rest with your feet up but its not really that comfy and harder get baby in a good position. but after a few weeks youll be fine id get some of the lanosil cream tho and boots does a good home brand one and just keep them clean and dry as poss.
when i had done it for a few weeks i got quite good at hiding it and would feed on the bus while shopping, in asda cafe, its so easy and convienient. i bottle fed my first son cuz he was too demanding and really do believe breast is best. right ill do another on expressing cuz its long

Hi Kellyv1982

I'm as anxious as you about breast feeding - I've heard people say that it is more painful than giving birth - not exactly positive or helpful comment.

My sister recommends the lansinoh breast pads as they are impregnated with lanolin. She found they were the only ones that did not stick to her nipples - other sorts were painful to remove. I've no experience myself (yet!) but the thought of having to peel off breast pads from already sore nipples does not sound nice!

I think it will be breast pads for a long time for us!

Kaz 33+2

hi hun, my little girl is now nearly 4 weeks old and we're just getting into it properly, the first week or so was hard for me, my nipples were cracked and sore but now we both got the hang of it it doesn't hurt at all. i used the avent moisturing cream you dont need to wash it off before feeding which is good and i also got some gel pads from mothercare that you can refridgerate then put in your bra...sounds odd but its lovely and soothing. i now express using the avent isis hand pump and use the tommee tippee closer to nature bottles, its quite a good pump and find it usefull if we're going to be out for a while. as for breastpads i've gone thrugh about 10 boxes already!!!at first i didn't need them but when my milk came in properly my boobs leaked loads and i need to change them often...night times are worse as my boobs dont stay put in my bra when im on my side so i always wake up with a wet bra! also proper nursing bras are good rather than struggling with normal bras, its easier to be more discreat if you have visitors or if you're out, dont buy them too soon though (i did then ended up buying more cos i grew loads) its amazing how big you're boobs get when milk comes in!
hope that helped a little,
good luck and take care x x x x

hi hun, my little girl is now nearly 4 weeks old and we're just getting into it properly, the first week or so was hard for me, my nipples were cracked and sore but now we both got the hang of it it doesn't hurt at all. i used the avent moisturing cream you dont need to wash it off before feeding which is good and i also got some gel pads from mothercare that you can refridgerate then put in your bra...sounds odd but its lovely and soothing. i now express using the avent isis hand pump and use the tommee tippee closer to nature bottles, its quite a good pump and find it usefull if we're going to be out for a while. as for breastpads i've gone thrugh about 10 boxes already!!!at first i didn't need them but when my milk came in properly my boobs leaked loads and i need to change them often...night times are worse as my boobs dont stay put in my bra when im on my side so i always wake up with a wet bra! also proper nursing bras are good rather than struggling with normal bras, its easier to be more discreat if you have visitors or if you're out, dont buy them too soon though (i did then ended up buying more cos i grew loads) its amazing how big you're boobs get when milk comes in!
hope that helped a little,
good luck and take care x x x x

I too had sensitive nips and thought I would have trouble...it's uncomfortable at first, but not unbearable - that will pass, give it 2 weeks max and you will be fine...there is nothing like gazing at your baby while they are feeding - its so gorgeous!

No matter how many midwives tried to latch my baby on to the boob, they couldn ... wasn't until I was completely alone with my baby that I got him latched on, yeah it feels weird and may feel uncomfortale...but just remember it shouldn't 'hurt', if it hurts you may not have baby attached correctly, nipple feeding caues cracked nipples as well.

Cracked and bruised nipples may be a problem, but that will pass in 2 weeks or so...I used Lansinoh gel on mine frequently, that soothes them! I was ready to give up the day my milk came through, I was a hormonal mess and felt like a failure and had bruised nipples - I am a big wuss too!

I hired an electric pump for the first week as I was scared I would starve baby if I couldn't feed him, only needed it for a week after that I was confident without it. I now just have a manual pump that is great...I express if I have a drink with DP, and have a small stash of milk in the freezer. I dont know what brands you have over there, but I have heard the Avent Isis is great..as good as electric...check out Ebay or something!!!

Feel free to PM me any other questions - I hope its helped!

Good luck!!!