Breastfeeding help?

[yogamama74]

If you could only recommend one breastfeeding book what would it be?

I have a history of giving up on breastfeeding. It never seems to be easy for me but with each baby I managed a bit longer than the one before.

I have light skin, pink nipples and am very skin-sensitive. My milk never seems to flow like it should and the second time, it didn't really come in at all.

I have a hard time relaxing which probably inhibits the whole let-down reflex and I could never get comfortable with breastfeeding. I don't want that to happen this time and I want to prepare ahead of time.

Can anyone recommend any good websites or a great all-in-one book?

[mom0810]

I referred to Dr. Sears' The Breastfeeding Book often in the early months of breastfeeding.

I know that LLL has some good recommendations. But the BB is the only one I bought specifically about nursing. Except for my Tandem Nursing book, which is on the shelf now that I've had to wean ds due to contractions while nursing.

Good luck this time!!

[cheeseRjedi]

The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding. I believe it's a LLL publication.

I suggest getting a boppy or something that will make it easier to relax as well. Good luck!

[MCKH]

Not in your DDC but I highly recommend Nancy Mohrbacher's "Breastfeeding Made Simple: Seven natural laws for Breastfeeding Mothers." It specifically deals with establishing breastfeeding and the first 40 days after birth; I think it would be a total Godsend to a mom struggling with not giving up during those difficult first few weeks.

Hope it works out this time - I can tell you from personal experience with an extremely rocky start that it is SO worth it!

[crystalalene]

I have to second the vote for the Womanly Art of Breastfeeding.
Yes, its put out by LLL and it covers just about everything.
Also, you should go to LLL if you can. Having the leaders to help me really saved us. I waited to go until dd was 8 weeks old. I wish I had gone earlier. We still struggled, but it was with a purpose and confidence, and that can make all the difference.

Best of luck

[mittendrin]

Originally Posted by crystalalene

I have to second the vote for the Womanly Art of Breastfeeding.
Yes, its put out by LLL and it covers just about everything.
Also, you should go to LLL if you can. Having the leaders to help me really saved us. I waited to go until dd was 8 weeks old. I wish I had gone earlier. We still struggled, but it was with a purpose and confidence, and that can make all the difference.

Best of luck

Exactly what she said. You can read a lot of books but having a LLL Leader help when you're in trouble can save your breastfeeding relationship. Go to your local meetings during you 3rd trimester

[sorteep]

as all above said.. PLUS make sure your partner is VERY supportive as well as educated on the topic.. same with family.. only supportive BF talk allowed in the house! for milk supply, have you tried the Mothers Milk tea by traditional medicinals?? worked well for me.. also a classic homeopath might be able to help normalize milk supply as well as gat a handle on your tenseness about it?? just some thoughts.. hugs.. I had anearly impossible time with Evan for about 2 mos (despite LLL, and many lac consultants ans tons of support) but we persevered and nursed and pumped very succesfull for two yrs.. rough go in the start tho.. many hugs..

[monocyte]

Womenly art...but, I love love love Jack Newmans Ultimate Breastfeeding book and refer to it often. Kellymom.com is an amazing site.

This may sound silly, but are you having breast changes with pregnancy? Have you talked with a LLL yet?

eta - i might have a copy of womenly art for you, let me look around a bit.

[GinaRae]

I am right there with you!! I have a terrible time breastfeeding too. With Jack I finally made it to almost 6 months. I mourned ending BF'ing for TWO years after that!!

I am determined to go MUCH longer this time, but know it will be hard. I am very light skinned and sensitive and it was SO PAINFUL, I cannot even tell you. Like burning needles or scalding water on my nipples when he would latch on.

And I never worked hard enough to find good positions or comfortable places to nurse. I had to pump at work and I may have been sensitive to the Lansinoh I was using but didn't know it.

I seemed to have a ton of milk, lucky me, so I am hoping that happens again. But that was also a problem as I was constantly leaking and when I would uncover my breast, I would dribble or squirt milk all over the baby or anything else in the way. Getting out of the shower or sex without nursing bra and pads was ridiculous! I could get full bottles from pumping and leaked for many months after stopping BF'ing and could squeeze drops for a couple of years. 2-3 maybe!

I am very large breasted, so that's a problem. I had shoulder dystocia when I was born so a damaged brachioplexus nerve in my left shoulder (causes a weaker, slightly shorter arm with less mobility, especially when I don't work out, so I have to work on that!) prevents me from being comfortable in certain positions, etc.. It's hard to use my left arm to guide the baby or nipple, hold the breast, etc..

Anywhoo, I feel ya. We'll be nursing buddies.

[Momma Aimee]

so that is what they are for.....

It is an easy read, has good information and is FUNNY and fun to read, aslo a fast read.......

written by by Janet Tamaro (Author) -- a working mom --

I thought it was the BEST thing i read.

I also liked the Sears look for how easy it is to look things up -- lots of section titles and so on. Easier to me than the Woman's Art (though THAT too is something eveyone should have) -- faster reference....

Aimee

[crunchywannabe]

Originally Posted by Aimee21972

so that is what they are for.....

It is an easy read, has good information and is FUNNY and fun to read, aslo a fast read.......

written by by Janet Tamaro (Author) -- a working mom --

I thought it was the BEST thing i read.

that is my favorite book too, and what I would have recommened.

I had SERIOUS issues with breastfeeding. Emotional/physical/supply etc.

This book actually made me want to try again, and gave me confidence to do so.

Also, I would very much recommend The Nursing Mothers Companion
if you have issues with breastfeeding, I feel this is the best explanation...question/answer book that doens't make you feel stressed even more. She takes you through the first few days, then the first few weeks, months etc......it is a great read.

I would NOT recommend LLL's book. It is pretty in your face and guilt inducing if you have failed before...I also found it harder to find the information I needed

[*Lindsey*]

I love the Womanly Art of Breastfeeding from LLL.

[mothragirl]

i think getting a support group is more important than any book you'll read. start attending la leche league (or some other support group) now, get to know nursing moms, watch babies nurse. make contacts that you can call at 3 am when you're freaking out. you can't get that stuff from a book.

[Valerieg]

Definitely "So That's What They're For" and "The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding"!!! I referred to the womanly art so many times as well over the months of BF.

Also, almost any question you could ever ask about BF is answered on www.kellymom.com and there are links to other websites if the information isn't found right there. It's an excellent resource.

I also took a BF class at the hospital and attended LLLI meetings. Become familiar with the leaders in your area so that you can call them if you need help or have questions. The best thing you can do is get support on your side.

And, teach yourself how to relax now. Learn how to meditate and go into your own special place. Find a relaxing CD. Achieving let-down is all about relaxation!

[Curlita]

I really like the Nursing Mother's Companion also. Highly recommend it! It also helps to have support people/systems to turn to. Our doula was GREAT about offering BF support, and we also utilized the hospital's lactation advisors (while in the hospital, and afterward both by phone and in person).

I second the idea of taking a class and also making sure your partner is somewhat prepared to be supportive and informed. I DID NOT want to go to formula, but there were days that I remember sobbing into the lapels of my husband's bathrobe and having him bolster my resolve to continue breast-feeding.

And take this with whatever sized grain of salt you deem appropriate... the Sears book has a lot of good information, but in my post-partum paranoia, it really freaked me out. My milk came in late and we had to supplement for a few days, which left me really panicked about my son getting enough to eat. It seemed like whenever I turned to Sears as a reference, the information struck me as, "Do this or else this bad thing could happen and your baby won't get enough to eat and your milk will dry up!" It really fed my anxieties. And this might be a completely personal experience based on my own bouncing hormones, but I found that I was much happier with nursing when I stopped going to Sears for info!

[Momma Aimee]

attended LLLI meetings. Become familiar with the leaders in your area so that you can call them if you need help or have questions.

get ready so you KNOW someone -- so you have someone to call.....if you are having a hard time it is sooooooooooo hard to call some COLD ....

Aimee

[yogamama74]

Thank you so much for all your replies, they've been so helpful. I am determined to make breastfeeding work this time. It will be strange for me for awhile, being as I grew up with all males and now find myself as a mother, surrounded by boys and men. They will think its strange at first to see me breastfeeding. They really think all mommies feed from bottles, because that's all they've really seen in life and on TV. Isn't that sad? I also don't know any mothers that breastfed. My SIL never even tried with her two, and my mother never breastfed us either. My boys never saw any of their little cousins being fed anything but a bottle either so they think the whole concept is silly, but I've been talking about it with them a lot to prepare them.

Gina, I would love a breastfeeding buddy! Not only do I have those very sensitive nipples, but most of my issues are psychological/emotional. I'll need help!!

Thanks again ladies, I'm off to check out some books!

[Momma Aimee]

Gina, I would love a breastfeeding buddy! Not only do I have those very sensitive nipples, but most of my issues are psychological/emotional. I'll need help!!

we are ALL here for you

Aimee

[Momma Aimee]

monocyte -- is this the one you are refereing to???

http://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Breas...4017090&sr=8-1

[StacieM]

Also try http://www.thehappybreastfeeder.com/ for some free tips.