Breastfeeding advice please..?

Question

So I am pregnant with baby #2.. I tried to breastfeed my son but he was born at 35 weeks and couldn't suckle properly so I gave up after my milk dried up rather quick... 
I would like to try and breastfeed again this time and wondered if there's anything I can do to prepare in advance, anything to help my milk flow at this stage etc.... Any advice would be great, what worked for you guys? I'm 18 weeks today by the way.... 
Thanks in advance

Answer

Get yourself a good pump. That way if baby struggles to latch you can still pump and bottle feed and retry latching again after. My daughter was difficult to nurse on an empty tummy. My son latched 5 minutes after birth and hasn't quit since lol. Personally I don't believe in nipple confusion. I was so afraid of that with my daughter and finally said whatever, worst case scenario I pump and bottle feed... she had no problem going back and forth. With my son I had his dad give him BM in a bottle at 2 days old so he would get used to it and I'd know he could do it by the time I returned to work.i can tell you by doing that I saved myself a ton of stress. He still prefers the boob, but he will drink from bottles and even cups. It's comforting to know they aren't fussy and hungry in your absence.

Answer

Take a breastfeeding class before you have the baby so you can get a bit of knowledge. Meet with an IBCLC as soon as you have the baby for some help and support. Know who to reach out to when you are feeling like you can't do it anymore. Your local Le Leche League is another good support system. There is nothing you can do before having the baby as far as your milk goes. The placenta detaching from the uterus is what triggers your body to make milk.

Answer

If you really want to, don't give up. If you need support, there are breastfeeding groups, sometimes through the hospital you can go to as well.

Answer

I don't think there's much you can do at this stage apart from read up, do a course and look into what can go wrong and how you'd solve it. 
I breastfed successfully and we had a lot of issues at first. An emergency c section for a start, then tongue and lip tie, then thrush, then severe reflux, etc. 
I did absolutely loads of skin to skin over the first two weeks. It really helped my supply and I believe this helped me EBF a baby who maintained 98th percentile on growth charts. I made sure I fed every 3 hours at that stage as well to stimulate his appetite (he then fed every 1.5-2.5 hours until I weaned). I honestly believe that not feeding enough or having enough skin to skin time causes low supply. I always fed from the nipple as well, I couldn't express a drop! 
I knew the symptoms of thrush and took action with medication, etc as soon as I noticed the symptoms. It was incredibly painful (like cystitis in your nipples) but because I was treated quickly it was manageable for a few days.  I had already bought a hot/cold compress thing just in case I got mastitis (I was very lucky to avoid this). 
I did a great course with my mum so she could mentor me through breastfeeding. I'm in the UK though and I know I was lucky that my NHS area provides this for free.

Answer

What I found most helpful for me was to see a baby breastfeeding. Either someone your super close and comfortable with or a video about breastfeeding.  La Leche League has a great web site.

Answer

Don't. Give. Up. The biggest mistake I see a lot of moms king is that when things get difficult or they get worried, the supplement with formula. As long as your pediatrician is okay with your baby's health and weight, PUSH THROUGH. Don't fall into the trap of losing your supply from supplementing. Good luck, Mama! You got this!

Breastfeeding advice please..?

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