*I posted this in another group and,thought afterwards that this might be a better place for it*

I need some help from all you mamas that BF your babies but especially those of you who had a baby in the hospital for at least the first week of life.

My first spent around 8 days in the hospital, half of that in the NICU, so she was strictly formula fed. This time around I already know in advance my baby will spend at least a week there and possibly a few days in NICU.

I'm new at BFing, I know next to nothing about how I should do things, researching it has made it seem like a daunting task that you need to know so much about and about which I know nothing, and I didn't even plan on doing it at first but really want to try it. I know the benefits and hear it can reduce the length of hospital stay (which is the main thing that changed my mind).

How do I go about BFing though if I'm not there with baby the whole time, and if baby does end up in NICU? (I really want to do kangaroo care as well but I'm unsure of the NICU policies). I have never delivered in this hospital before.

(I plan on going for a tour and asking these questions ahead of time) but for now how did you moms work around NICU care and long hospital stays and still BF successfully? I hear the first week is the most crucial for establishing your milk supply and getting baby to get the hang of it.

Did you strictly pump/bottle feed, did you do both, were you able to feed directly from breast (in NICU cases where baby WAS NOT extremely ill and obviously not allowed to be held or anything)

Any other advice you have for a breastfeeding rookie would be gratefully received also.