Breastfeeding | My first experience and essentials

If you want to read up about advice or find stories on breastfeeding, the best resource you’ll ever have is someone whose been there and done it. You can watch the videos, you can read the books, but to understand realities about breastfeeding, look no further than a mum whose breastfed.

I’ll be honest. I only breastfed exclusively for 6 weeks with Toby before I started combination feeding and eventually stopped around 4 months when I began to wean him on to solids . I have nothing but respect for those who continue to do it for years, it isn’t as easy as it looks.

As soon as I’d given birth to Toby, I knew he’d be a hungry baby, especially if he’s anything like his dad, because he started looking for food almost the minute he was on my chest. After theatre, I was been moved into the side room, with nobody to show me how I should actually be doing it. I’d attended the classes, had in depth conversations with my midwife, had read and watched record amounts of material and been to the workshop, but I still wasn’t sure what I was supposed to do.

I took a deep breath, thought ‘how hard can it be?’ and did what I thought was right. From what I could see he had a pretty good latch and was feeding nicely. It was just one day later, when I was still in the hospital, that feeding Toby became a really painful experience for me. It wasn’t until 4.30pm the day after he’d been born that a midwife came round to check everything was ok and asked me to show her how I’d been breastfeeding. Unfortunately, the damage had already been done.

He wasn’t latched on properly at all, although “my hold was very good”, but my nipples had already split and cracked – agony! Together, with her basically ripping my boob from my chest and ramming it down his throat, we got it right, but because of the damage to my nipples the first 30 seconds was horrendous and I’d cry because it hurt so much.

I hadn’t got any nipple shields to help, but a friend had gifted me some “miracle nipple cream” and at I hoped that it’d better bloody work because I was going to need it! Once you’ve applied it, your nipples practically die and go to heaven. There are lots out there you can choose from, so choose one within your price range and that’s suitable to your needs. Not only do they help heal existing cracks and sores, but protect against any further damage. A little goes a long way, and the one I used I didn’t have to wash off before feeding either, which is great.

I’ve not exactly been blessed with the biggest boobs, so wasn’t sure if I’d actually be able to breastfeed full stop. Looking back, I clearly had nothing to worry about. It’s quite amazing how big those things get, and even if they don’t get big, just how much milk you’ll produce. They’re not the prettiest of things, but they are the most comfiest, yes I’m talking nursing bras. Don’t try and get away with a normal bra, you’ll seriously want to treat yourself. I’d recommend getting measured twice, at a reputable department store or a specialist independent store. Somewhere around about a month before you’re due and about a week after you’ve given birth (because who’s up and out before that?) because it’s no secret they get bigger when your milk is in, around day 3 – I went up around 3 cup sizes.

You’ll need breast pads, and a lot of them! I probably got through 8-10 pairs a day! I’d suggest doubling up at night too. I can’t tell you the amount of times I woke up and had leaked through the pad, bra and pyjama top I’d been wearing. Put an incontinence pad down between your sheet and mattress too, especially if you don’t want to stain your mattress – which I did! You can get reusable and disposable ones, it’s completely up to you. I was happy to try lots of the free samples I got sent from several companies and even store’s own brand ones to find ones that suited me, and I never tended to stick with the same one.

I’m not going to make it sound like it’s all rainbows and butterflies. Breastfeeding was, by far, the most testing and exhausting job I’ve ever done, though certainly I would never change it. The only problem you might find is that nobody else can do it for you! Yes, you can express milk to be helped out with the night feeds, which I did on several occasions after the first 6 weeks, but otherwise you’ll be the one who’s up all day and all night, for hours.

Day 3 is the worst and I was ready to give. The constant feeding for an hour at a time, on both boobs, with about 30 minutes rest, was about to break me. I rang the midwife at 2.30am in the morning and broke down in tears on the phone asking them why he wouldn’t get off me. They reassured me it was because he was doing his job – telling my body to make his food! Hand on my heart, I can say that I know why some women don’t carry on. The morning after the tears there was no stopping the flow, of milk that is, not tears. It went everywhere. Through my breast pads, and soaking the entire top half of the top I was wearing.

You will probably need some cooling pads or cabbage leaves because boy do they throb and ache when they’re full. God forbid you hear another baby cry, because that’ll soon get you going. In the shower or bath, you’re like the leaky tap that drip, drip, drips, and there’s almost no stopping it. Oh, the tingling nipples…

My advice is don’t give up! If you’re struggling you must ask for help. Whether it’s your mum, midwife, partner, health visitor and even, yes I’m really about to say it, your mother in law. Any advice is good advice right? (It doesn’t mean you have take it, you do what’s right for you).

By the way.. here are a few things you might find handy:

Muslins, muslins, muslins! It’s impossible to have enough. Pop them under your boob so if you leak during a feed, it’s not going down to your foot! Use them for winding baby, catching sick and wiping away the cute milky dribble from the side of baby’s mouth.

A breast pump. I borrowed a manual one from a friend first (you can also be loaned them from some breastfeeding groups too) as I didn’t want to spend lots of money on one if I couldn’t feed! I’ve heard electric ones can be noisy, but are apparently the most effective too. It’s about choosing the one that’s right for you (just make sure it fits your bottles).

A nursing pillow. Lovely, comfy lifesavers. Rest your baby on them to feed, use them before you give birth as a pregnancy pillow. You can feed baby and have a little snooze. Just make sure your partner is around in case you really doze off!

Water. And LOTS of it. Keep a bottle topped up with you wherever you go. Breastfeeding is thirsty work and it’ll help keep up your supply. It doesn’t hurt to keep your diet balanced either. Now is not the time to think about fitting back into those jeans!

A hairband. Because it’s always handy to know what side you fed from last time though some health professionals suggest offering both boobs at every feed. Or obviously tie your hair out of the way with it.. nothing worse than a breastfeeding baby yanking on your hair and boob at the same time!

Friedas Feeding Food. A tasty and nutritious food bar specifically designed for breastfeeding mums. Rich in Omega 3 and Omega 6 which are good fats for baby and you! They contain something called galactalogues, which is a food/substance that may help with your milk supply. Really handy if you’re pumping too. As long as you keep up with the breastfeeding, maintain frequent breast stiumlation and have a healthy, balanced diet, you need these! Hospital bag, changing bag, handbag, make sure you have them to hand

There are lots of cool breast feeding products out there to make your life easier. I’m due with baby number 2 shortly and intend to breastfeed again. I’m going to be putting some of these new, and innovative products to the test. Last time, I never used a nursing scarf and tended to hide away in a café for somewhere to feed, so I’m quite excited!

Jade x