BF... help?! I want to try... is it too late?

Question

I’ve never breastfed my daughter (who is a week old tomorrow). I also did not breastfeed my oldest, who is a year old, next week! My family just doesn’t breastfeed... so I never considered it. Long story short, my newest addition, I can tell is dying to breastfeed. Constantly searching, and shows dissatisfaction with the bottle. I just got my supply in two days ago. I am scared to breastfeed because I don’t know how. I also don’t want to feel shame for BF and would like to supplement in front of friends and family, and BF my little one in private. Is this something that can be done? I didn’t feel the pressure to BF my first, because she wasn’t constantly searching for it. But I feel like this LO needs that bonding. Please help!

Answer

You can totally do it and supplement on the side but you need to start doing it and get how much she will need to eat so your supply can get to where it needs to be. But go ahead I have four kiddos and I nursed every one of them and I also lived the bonding experience it gave me with them. But the sooner you start the better or your supply will dry up!!

Answer

See a lactation consultant. Mine was amazing when my baby girl was a week old and just stopped latching. She got us breastfeeding without issue again very quickly and I think one could definitely teach you and your baby to breastfeed (: I wouldn't start supplementing just yet, though. Give it a couple of weeks for your milk supply to settle and in the meantime express milk to bottle feed your baby when around others. I feel quite similarly to you on that. Personally, I think breastfeeding is a private thing between my baby and I, and while I don't care how other mothers choose to feed their baby -each to their own- I'm not comfortable breastfeeding around others, so when this situation presents itself (maybe once or twice a week) and I can't go off somewhere private to breastfeed I give my baby girl a bottle of formula. This has been approved by doctor and I'm hoping it will help her to transition to formula, too, when the time comes for us to give up breastfeeding (:

Answer

For sure! Just start. It's a little awkward at first simply because you're not used to it but it becomes normal very quickly! I'd recommend offering her the breast every time she acts hungry and your body and her will normalize how often she eats. As far as other people... who cares what they think? But I do understand... best way is to nurse her right before you go anywhere and bring a pumped bottle along. Chances are unless you will be around them for long periods she won't even need to eat while you're with them. Good luck momma! Breastfeeding is so much easier once you get the hang of it!

Answer

Your baby knows what to do. Baby will latch if you let them.

Answer

No one I've known in my family has ever bf and I'm ebf almost 6 months in. Everything I've learned has been from Pinterest and trail and error.

Answer

It can be done, i think. But you better get to it NOW, before your milk dries up if it hasnt already. If you have a pump, use it NOW! If you dont have a pump, you can get it for free with insurance - but while you wait for it GO GET A MANUAL!!! Put that baby on your boob immediately to get some oxytocin flowing.

BF... help?! I want to try... is it too late?

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