Going to attempt Breast feeding again

[Mommie020307]

I attempted it with my first and it was AWFUL. He just didn't want to latch right and i dreaded every time it was for him to eat(at the hospital) so i gave up and said give him a bottle.
So when i had DD i decided not to....then i had another and i figured what the heck i will try it again but this time it was actually too late cause he was 3 mo old and i had very little left. I could get him to latch on the right way with no problems. I even rented a hospital pump and my dr prescribed me something to boost my milk supply...It didn't work...So once again i feel like i am a failure.
So i am going to attempt one last time. My DD isn't due to be born in Sept and i really really want to give it another try. My DH keeps telling me...Hopefully you will be able to stick with it this time...and making me feel like crap cause i wasn't able to the last times and i just gave up cause i was just frustrated. The lactation person was this OLD lady and she just really rubbed me the wrong way...felt like she was man handling my breast and it hurt like hell. Hopefully its a different lactation person this time(8 years ago) Same hospital 8 years later now.

[Katie T]

I wish you the best of luck this time. It is doesn't always come natural and that is ok. I think if you can find a good support system that will really help boost your confidence and give you proper support should you need it. Look up Le Leche League International. http://www.llli.org/
They have groups that meet usually once a month and you can go the the groups during your pregnancy and after the birth (bringing baby with you) and at least here they give out their number so you can call and ask questions and they will even come to your house and help you.

On their site you can ask questions and have them answered by a leader as well. I would also look up and have lactation consultants handy should you need it. The best advise I have as far as those first weeks is that it is normal for it to be mildly uncomfortable but should not be painful.

Remember, we are here are well! Hope you have a great experience this time.

[zinemama]

Don't wait around to see what kind of lactation consultant you end up with at the hospital.

Ask around and find a good independent LC, the kind who will come to your house and help you get started. Make an appointment with her NOW. Or at least have a good long talk on the phone (something most are happy to do for free). Discuss your past issues. That way when you have the baby she will know you and your situation and will be able to come to your house as soon as you get home from the hospital and help you get the right start.

Here is a link to a list of IBCLC's in Maine.

http://www.breastfeeding.com/directo...tes/maine.html

[SaoirseC]

Also talk to your hubby about his role. He probably really wants you to succeed, but doesn't know how to support you. Let him know that his opinion is important to you, but the past is in the past, let's look forward! your previous experiences don't set the outcome for this one.

[Mommie020307]

Thanks for the tip, Some of those i cannot afford. I have medical insurance that covers a LC to come into the room at the hospital. I am able to see them afterwards as well for no fee. The ones on that list they had fees and i highly doubt they would take my insurance Its MaineCare.

[zinemama]

Never hurts to call and ask about insurance, or whether they have a sliding scale fee system.

[jildez]

i had an issue and started calling the lactation consultants i found on the website, and was getting ready to pay the fee, two called me back within 20 minutes (one left a message while i was talking to the other), and both were willing to do phone consultations for free, and the one i didn't deal with had a sliding scale for in home visits. the one i did talk to, fixed my problem and told me she did all her appointments for free, now this is iowa, but please please call, you deserve to be well supported when you breastfeed this time. You don't need to feel like a failure for not having been as successful as you wanted to be before. the fact that you tried repeatedly says that you are a momma who wants so much to give all your children the best, and i am sure you do each day. Before, you didn't get the support you needed, i hope you get that support this time, so you can feel successful.

[RiverSky]

La Leche League is free and if you find your nearest chapter now, you will be able to go to one of their meetings (sometimes monthly, sometimes more frequent) and meet some of the other moms, get some advice and info, and you will probably find that someone will come visit you in the hospital or once you get home, for free, too, just to help you out.

Best of luck! You can do it! The more you surround yourself with support and breastfeeding knowledgeable and experienced people, the easiest it will be. You will likely make friends at La Leche League and be able to go to playgroups they have after your baby's birth, too, so that you can get even more support.

Once you find yourself surrounded by breastfeeding mothers just plain doing it, it seems like the most normal, natural thing in the world (even though you will still know that there can be struggles and more tricky parts in the beginning).