4th child, 1st time considering breastfeeding.....HELP!!!

[kimscorner]

 I have never breastfed any of my previous children.  I had a breast reduction in 1997.  My first child was born in 1994, and I did not breastfeed him because I was soooo huge, I was afraid of suffocating him.  My next two children came long after my surgery, and I assumed I probably couldn't breastfeed, so I never even attempted it.

I just gave birth Monday evening to my 4th child.  I am leaking, alittle, and very sore.  I'm now wondering if it's possible to breastfeed....if it is, I would really like to.  But I've never done it.  With the weekend, there's no where to turn to help, such as lactation consultants or whatever, so I don't know what to do right now.  I tried the other night, and my daughter had no problem finding my nipple.  How hard is this to do?  Does this sound like a dumb question?  I'm not going to feel stupid about any of this, because if you don't know, you should ask.  I'm 40 years old, and this will be my last child.  I would love to have experienced this with at least one of my children.

Please, any advice until I can get some in person help.

[larissalarie]

Yes you can nurse! Just start putting her to breast every time she acts hungry. Watch her diaper output, if she has at least 6 a day she's getting enough. If she has less (consistently, not just occasionally), then we can help you figure out what to do to get that output up, or supplement with formula.
Congrats!

[Amberleigh81]

It is a learning process for sure, but good for you! If your baby latches, that is half the battle! Next, feed baby until she unlatches on her own.. no clocks! And count diapers... at least 6-8 per day...

Congrats on your wee one!

[kimscorner]

 I had thought I couldn't because when I squeeze my nipples, very little comes out.  More like just alittle drop or something.  Is it possible that it just took longer for my supply to come in?  Like I said, I had her Monday evening, and I just started to notice some of this yesterday.

[proudmum23]

Yes you can do it. And check out kellymom.com they have good info on nursing.

[Amberleigh81]

Squeezing your nipples doesn't stimulate your milk ducts like your baby suckling... you want a big mouth on your areola, not just the tip of your nipple, then you want to watch your baby's throat for swallowing... so.times you'll hear a soft "k" noise if you're delivering milk... but that is hard to listen for...:)

[Aydnsmommy]

Yes you can!!! I would google breastfeeding proper latch and see what you can find. There are diagarams that can halp you understand how to make sure she is latched properly. Try to give her more breast than bottles until you are comfortable and confident with nursing her. And watch diapers. She should have 6 in a 24 hour period. Dirty diapers count as 2. Congrats!!!

[proudmum23]

Def. possible mine took 3 days to come in after my dd was born.

Quoting kimscorner:

 I had thought I couldn't because when I squeeze my nipples, very little comes out.  More like just alittle drop or something.  Is it possible that it just took longer for my supply to come in?  Like I said, I had her Monday evening, and I just started to notice some of this yesterday.

[kimscorner]

 This is good to know, and now makes me wonder if my other 2 after my surgery could have ever been breastfed.

I'm going to attempt it the rest of the weekend until I can get in to see someone somewhere Monday.  I'll offer it, and hope she gets something at least.  I'm just afraid I'm still going to have to give her a bottle, because I don't want to be doing this wrong, and her be hungry the rest of the weekend.

Quoting proudmum23:

Def. possible mine took 3 days to come in after my dd was born.

Quoting kimscorner:

 I had thought I couldn't because when I squeeze my nipples, very little comes out.  More like just alittle drop or something.  Is it possible that it just took longer for my supply to come in?  Like I said, I had her Monday evening, and I just started to notice some of this yesterday.

 

[Estherooni]

Yes you can do it read lots of information online try to stick with it don't supplement with formula it's pointless I did it and it was only because I felt like I was losing my mind because of the lack of sleep. It's not easy and every baby is different but if your willing to put in the hours and sacrifice your sleep you can do this. Are you going back to work? Also your going to need a few things good nursing bras, nursing pads for when you leak, a good pump, drink lots of water, a bobby pillow or even a regular pillow, try to find a good lactation consultant in your area, good slow flow bottles for when you pump and want your DH to help you, and maybe even a good book. But there's lots of good websites like kellymom.com that are very informative. Hope this helps.

[Amberleigh81]

You don't need a pump necessarily ... and right now, focus on putting baby to breast. Everything else can wait.... :)