Support for Friends?

[MommaWannabe]

Hi All

I have several friends who will be giving birth between ANY DAY NOW and August. They are all planning to breastfeed, and I was wondering if there were any suggestions for ways to support them.

I bought nursing necklaces from Lori at http://LorisNursingNecklaces.com to match their nursery decor, and they are awesome.

Any other ideas, books to read, etc?

Thanks!

[Katie Bugs Mama]

The one thing that would have made BFing logistically easier for me in the beginning is a nursing nightgown of some sort. In the hospital, it was so hard to get the positioning right, and it wasn't until the first time that I put my own clothes on that I realized that half (or more) of the problem was because the hospital gown was not designed for BFing. : I was having as much trouble struggling with that #$%^% gown as I was figuring out how to hold Katie!

I would also recommend giving them a whole lot of Lansinoh. I used that stuff constantly the first few months and off and on for the rest of the first year.

[nancg]

Take them out of the house with their babies, and encourage them to learn to nurse in public. People who don't learn to nurse in public, in my experience, don't nurse very long.

What a great friend you are!

Nancy
mom to nurslings Emily (4.5) and Hazel (1.5)

[velcromom]

I found the Sear's Breastfeeding Book to be helpful and accurate. I like that it has info about the drawbacks to formula. I know that Sears is on a lot of bf moms' sh#t list since he now promotes formula but as far as the bf info in the book, it is still good quality. My copy is older so I don't know if the new editions are as informative on the formula issue.

The one thing I know would have helped me way back when ds1 was born, was to know more about the differences between formula and breastmilk. If I had known the affects to a baby's health, and that they last a lifetime, and the benefits of bf to mom's health, I know I could have made a more informed choice about when to stop bf. As it was, I stopped bf by 9 months and now wish I hadn't.

[Konur's Mom]

Glad you like the nursing necklace!


If they live close to you, make arrangements with friend of theirs and family to prepare meals for the new mom for at least 2 weeks. Someone comes in each day and fixes the meal for the family or they can leave something for mom to just pop into the oven. This way she can keep her mind on the baby and not the meals. Also arrange someone to come in once a day for light cleaning, either a professional or friends and family. Mom needs her rest!

[Sleepymama]

Lori's nursing necklaces are great! Also, maybe a neat water bottle that keeps water cold since they will need lots of water, especially since it will be summer. Your phone number next to their phone, and tell them that you'll come over in a minute if they need to take a shower or a nap or something.


Websites of BF support boards like here, parentsplace's BF board, BF.com, and BF info, like kellymom' site http://www.kellymom.com

Sometimes it's easier to look things up there than to go through a whole book.

And a boppy pillow, that one is a lifesaver!!

The first week is crucial, and reassurance is very helpful that she's doing the right things. Is there a breastfeeding clinic in your area? My local hospitals all have free breastfeeding clinics for new moms. Taking her there in the first couple of days just to check the latch and reassure her will be very helpful. Many moms get worried when the milk doesn't come in for a couple of days and often resort to formula then. Your help and reassurance in the very beginning will be good.

[magnoliablue]

My LLL group made me meals for the first couple weeks, they came just long enough to peek at the baby and check on me. LLL was definitely a huge support for me. I also recommend Lori's necklaces for anyone who nurses. The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding is a great book for them, and a copy of Mothering, or better yet, a subscription is also a cool idea. If they are going to get discouraged, it is going to be in that first week, so make sure you are there to support them when it gets tough. Peace,Karen

[MommaWannabe]

Thank you all, so much!!!

I will definitely be only a phone call away to help any way I can, and will make sure she knows that.

There is a LLL group here that I will tell her about. I'm also going to make a few meals as needed for them. I'm sure the church will be helpful in that way too.

The other day I went over to hang out with her (for over 2 weeks she's had contractions 5 min apart and been ready to go any minute) and she mentioned that she wasn't sure what to do about our small group and nursing. She was worried that the others in the group (especially the guys) would feel uncomfortable. I told her if it were me, I'd do it. I said that when she's getting used to it she could go in the other room to latch him on, and come back out to join us. I also showed her how the snugli she has is low enough in the front that she could nurse with him in that, and she was really excited about that. Then she said that she knew I would tell her to go for it on the NIP at group, and that's why she asked me.

I think I have the Sears book but if not, I'll put it on my list. Great idea!

I forgot about the Boppy too - will have to make sure she has that.

[eilonwy]

what would have made it easier for me?

two words: instant oatmeal. :LOL i practically lived on the stuff in the first month or two after Eli was born. I was too tired to cook anything, so something I could pour hot water over in a bowl was the perfect solution. you should know that oatmeal can increase milk supply, so be careful with it! I had no idea until i found out the hard way. :LOL

oh, and *covers* for boppy's! i'd have given my eye teeth to have some, especially in the early days when there was always milk dripping everywhere. if i could have removed a cover instead of sticking that whole thing in the washer, it would have simplified things immensly. lots of people think of the boppy, but two covers can make life much easier!

[Konur's Mom]

REALLY have to agree with the cover for the Boppy!!! I am getting another one for this baby and never thought to get a second cover, but it would be so much easier.

[MommaWannabe]

I just wanted to thank all of you again for your ideas. Both babies were born last week (Thurs and Fri) and both are nursing well! :bf

[chellemarie]

An inexpensive TV tray and a basket of goodies with instructions for setting up a "nursing station". In the basket: a book, some snacks, a water bottle, pen and notepad, gift certificates for pizza or other delivered food, etc.