Silly newbie question-- how to breastfeed by yourself?

[texmati]

I mean, without any other adult help? How to you manage all the pillows, and hold the baby at the same time?

DH has been waking up/present for every feeding since DS was born. I need someone to hand the baby to me once I get all my pillows set up ect. He's going back to work tomorrow, and I'm a little nervous.

What's your breastfeeding routine?

[Bokonon]

When I'm sitting up, I use a Boppy. When I'm in bed, I use the side-lying position. I hardly ever actually hold the baby while nursing, as she is supported by the nursing pillow or already laying down.

[thixle]

Congrats!
I couldn't help but smile when I read this... those tiny babies sure can be intimidating, huh? I was nervous when Dh went back to work/school with both of our girls because I'm the worst baby-burper in the world

What is your set-up right now? How many pillows, and are your shoulders or arms hurting? Are you working around a c-section? Large breasts/small baby? Small breasts/large baby?

With my first (a petite babe) I would hold her up almost on my shoulder with one hand (still in a cradle hold though-- hard to describe), grab the pillow with the other. Then I'd sit and jam the pillow up under my arm and the babe and re-position from there. With the 2nd, it was easier to use the boxy "pillow" from the back of the new couch bc I could just sit next to the pillow, move babe over on top of it, then slide both toward me...

HTH! You will do just fine!

[ASusan]

All the d@mn pillows! Things got much better when my Brest Friend arrived.

Did not do side lying for several weeks (few months?) because we didn't want to set up a bad latch. That's all we do now (at 24 mos - he even asks to lie down and nurse for his morning nurse before daycare)

[HikeMama]

I always held my daughter in the cross cradle position and after my c-section healed I was able to do it without pillows by sitting indian-style. I also did most of my breastfeeding on a comfy arm chair or couch that I could use for support. You could also wrap your baby or use a sling. HTH. Congratulations.

[ZoraP]

Have you tried using the football hold? I found that easier to set up by myself the first few days with dd1.

It will get easier, and quickly...hang in there!

[ErikaS57]

I think things really changed around 6 months... she was getting too long to do the football hold easily, and her head control was good, so we switched to cradle. When i feed her on the left, the arm of the couch provides perfect support. When it's time for the right, I bunch up a fleece blanket under my arm/elbow, or switch to the other end of the couch.

[Heba]

You might like to consider a "laid back" nursing approach:
- baby-led attachment www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bfinfo/bla.html or
- biological nurturing http://www.biologicalnurturing.com/Pages/howtodoit.html

Good luck, and I'm sure you'll soon get the hang of nursing with just the two of you and enjoy your special times together you

[texmati]

Originally Posted by thixle

Congrats!
I couldn't help but smile when I read this... those tiny babies sure can be intimidating, huh? I was nervous when Dh went back to work/school with both of our girls because I'm the worst baby-burper in the world

What is your set-up right now? How many pillows, and are your shoulders or arms hurting? Are you working around a c-section? Large breasts/small baby? Small breasts/large baby?

I'm a horrible burper too! right now, the only place I seem to be able to nurse well and consistantly is our rocker recliner, with the breast friend and an extra pillow. I did have a c-section, but I've been doing the cradle hold with the breast friend. The section makes it hard for me to get out of bed/turn over so side lying is out for me right now. And my boob is about 4 times the size of my son's head. And we have yet to master latching without tears.

normally I get everything ready, and dh will hand the baby to me. The one feeding today that I've done he just had to wail while I got myself out of bed, got the breast friend on, picked him up, got over to the rocker, got my extra pillows, and then tried to get him latched on.

I hope it gets better. I just don't see how long I keep this up if it's such a struggle every time.

[justmandy]

Oh, mama, it does get better. So much better, infact that soon you'll do this in your sleep...literally.

Those first few weeks are hard all the way around, sleeping, feeding, moving, just everything.

You'll get into a groove. Give yourself some time and know it's okay to not be thrilled with everything right now. You will find a set up that works for you. Don't try to look too far into the future. Just decide to do the next feeding.

If you are still having trouble and feeling like you can't do this, call your LLL. They will help you so much.

Good nursing vibes.

[Earth Momma]

every day will get a little better - hang in there, you can do it!!!!!!

[mamazee]

It does get easier. It gets very very easy at some point. How old is your baby?

[texmati]

oh thanks you guys! belive it or not, life seems soooo much better on this side of a nap.

DS is 18 days old, but this is my first day trying to go solo. He's abandoned his 3 hour schedule and now seems to be waking up every 2 hours (and it takes about an hour to feed him and put him to bed.)

Today was kind of a flop. DH works from home, so he ended up coming in to help waaay more than he should have. Now he'll be working this weekend as well.

I keep telling myself that bottles wouldnt make it too much easier. He'd still wake, poop and pee, and I'd have to pump and do dishes (I hate dishes). And who knows if he'd latch any better with bottles. Maybe the crying at feeding is just how he is for now.

[HAddison]

Have you tried the cross cradle hold? (Holding your breast with the hand on the same side you are nursing on, baby with other hand) with a boppy or other pillow. That's what I do. I have big boobs that smother my ds if I don't hold my breast. I rarely ever use the cradle hold because my boobs are so heavy the pull right out of ds's mouth. (ouch) Plus you are better able to aim your nipple so baby latches correctly. This is how I've had to do it with all of my kids. Once I knew that trick, breastfeeding was a breeze. Even with ginormous breasts.
Good luck! Stick with it!!

[Carlyle]

One thing that I never really realized until my dd was much older was that if I started trying to feed her before she was crying (when she was just starting to root around), then it worked better and we could both settle in faster. Good luck to you--it does get SOOOOO much easier Congrats on your little one

[DangerMom]

It will get so much easier. When I started, I had to use pillows, the Boppy, etc. and get all set up to nurse. Before long, I just needed the baby and it was no big deal. At this point I think I could BF while marching in a parade while playing drums!

I needed the pillows at first, but soon discovered that they made it become so much more work than necessary.

In the meantime, try the My Brest Friend. Stupidest name ever, but I used it in the NICU and it was very helpful. I think it's far superior to the Boppy, and it will make things easier for you than arranging pillows.

Hang in there! You can do it!

[Super~Single~Mama]

I don't have much advice, other than to say that if your DH is working from home and you need the help TAKE IT!!!

Your baby is so young, and the learning curve is steep. It will get much easier as you heal from surgery, and your baby will get better at latching and won't need as much help!

If you really need the help though, ask for it and don't feel guilty! Maybe get a friend or relative to come over and help for a few days if your DH can't continue to help. Give it time, and it will get easier. Nursing is well worth the challenges of the first month or so!!