new to this ... how should I start?

[JenChaffee]

I am pregnant for the first time, due in January, and there are two in there. I have no idea what I am in for when it comes to breastfeeding. I hear that BF does not come as naturally as one might expect. So, I am looking for advice on where to start. I have looked up a lactation consultant in my area, and I found the local LLL. Thus far, I have only made it as far as sending out a handful of emails.

What are your thoughts on LLL? What about lactation consultants? Are there qualities that I should look for in a LC? Are there other resources that I should look into? Books I should read?

I appreciate any thoughts on this!

[calebsmommy25]

Here is a great website to check out: http://kellymom.com/

I learned most of what I needed to know from researching on the internet. I had a nurse and a lc at the hospital who were quite helpful. For me, it was mostly learning on my own and figuring out what worked best for us. We had a rough start when my son was in the nicu, but stuck with it and he is now almost 17 months and still going strong. It can take time and patience, but well worth all of the work you need to put into it. It was very important for me to have support and encouragement from those around me and for those times I couldn't find the adequate support I needed in my life, I came to MDC!

It sounds like you are doing great. I would say educate yourself the best you can with as many resources as you can. Check out the lll and possibly a lc. Are there any people in your life who have breastfed and could help you out? Good luck Mama, you are about to embark on a beautiful journey. :

[lthw]

Originally Posted by calebsmommy25

you are about to embark on a beautiful journey. :

I agree!!!

I wholeheartedly recommend that you start attending LLL meetings while you are pregnant. That's what I did when pregnant with my first, and when I was ready to come back to the meetings after my baby was born it was nice to already have a sense of where the meetings were, what to expect there, and to see familiar faces. Especially when I had questions, it was great to already feel comfortable with the leaders. Also, LLL is a great way to meet other moms going through an experience similar to yours - I met friends there that I know I'll keep for a lifetime.

Good luck to you!