Pregnant with 2nd child and want to sucessfully breastfeed

[Angela1968]

Hello,

 I am new here and I am hoping to get some advice on breastfeeding before baby is due in June 12'.

My history is that we had one son 13 years ago. Very healthy pregnancy, labor and baby. Both of my older sisters breast fed all their children and I assumed I would have no problem in doing so. Well for all I thought I knew it didn't add up to much!

At our son's first month appointment he had lost about 9 oz. (When he was just 3 weeks old I had to have emergency surgery to remove my gallbladder) The doctor questioned me if I was feeding him and said I have to supplement with formula. He was not a fussy baby and didn't 'act' hungry. I wanted to be sucessful at breastfeeding and was trying all I could, I even went to a specialist who gave me a device that I strapped a little tube to my breast and let formula drip in while he was nursing to get him more interested. I would try to pump too but couldn't get much out. So of course I supplemented bottles with formula and I soon dried up.

I was so disappointed with myself but I think I know some of the reasons it wasn't working. Even though I 'knew' all about breastfeeding I just wasn't too relaxed about it. I was thinking that right from the start I could just do it anywhere at anytime and I really didn't take time to just 'learn' with him. I had never heard of or even felt what a 'let down' was. I would let him sleep for 4 or 5 hours between nursing as I thought this would make more milk come in (wrong).

Though it is scary having another baby after so long I feel much more calm and I am looking forward to being able to nurse our new little one but I just wanted to get some advice and ideas as what more I can do or apply to my situation.

Also with my first child and this one so far my breast never got much bigger at all, they are not big/full type but more what I think is called 'cone' shape, could these have anything to do with it?

All shared info is appreciated, thanks and have a blessed Christmas season!

Angela

[Petite Mama]

Have you contacted an LC? From some of what you have said, it sounds like maybe you don't have enough glandular tissue, also called IGT. That is the cause of my BFing problems. I've never experienced a letdown, engorgement and had very little breast growth during my pregnancy (maybe 1/2 cup size). My DD is 4months old and we use a supplementer for feedings.

[Megan73]

Congratulations on your pregnancy!
You might or might not have insufficient glandular tissue (IGT) - Google "breast hypoplasia" and have a look at some of the pictures of breasts of women who have it.
I agree that it would be a good idea to have a prenatal consultation with a International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. If you want, she can palpitate your breasts to see if you have enough glandular tissue.
I thought that I had mild IGT because I always had to supplement my first son with about 8-10 ounces of formula a day in a Lact-Aid (www.lact-aid.com), although he nursed until he was 18 months old. I have a wide space between my breasts and my right breast appears conical.
But I've been able to develop a full supply with my second baby!
I did the same things with both babies - pumping,domperidone, supplementing at the breast - but my second son had his tongue tie clipped immediately and wasn't sleepy and "happy to starve" like my first.
All this to say, talk to an IBCLC, come up with a plan on what you'll do if you have problems again (for example rent a scale, hospital pump and buy Lact-Aids) but don't give up hope that you might have a full supply this time. If you do need to supplement, your babe can still be 100% fed at the breast with a Lact-Aid or other supplementer.