All these breastfeeding posts...

are making me antsy, lol! I didn't get to breastfeed my daughters and I'm so excited to get to have that bond with my son (circumstances permitting, of course).
If you have any advice you could give a first time breastfeeder, what would it be? Something that you wish someone would've told you and you're glad you know now.

Get as much help as you can from the lactation consultants in the hospital after you have your baby, they helped me a TON.

No one told me that it doesn't always come easy. My daughter went straight to NICU when she was born and went from an OG tube to a bottle, so she had latching issues. My advice would be to keep at it. It can be difficult at times, but don't give up!

*watching*

In case I can stand to use any of the tips some mommas throw out.

Don't let anyone in the hospital bully you to supplement. If they aren't certified LC', don't listen to them and always get a second opinion.

That as long as my newborn passed the meconium, he may go his first couple days without a wet diaper and it's normal.

Quoting Squeaky McGee:" No one told me that it doesn't always come easy. My daughter went straight to NICU when she was born ... [snip!] ... to a bottle, so she had latching issues. My advice would be to keep at it. It can be difficult at times, but don't give up!"

Yes! That was my problem with both of my daughters. They were born at 32 and 34 weeks, went straight to NICU and from the tube to the bottle. My milk hadn't come in no matter what I tried either. I tried when they finally got out of the hospital but they wouldn't latch and I just didn't have the patience or knowledge to try more than a month.

Coming from a mom who herself didn't, let me rephrase couldn't with the first and didn't with the second, breastfeed her oldest two but is currently 2 months into breastfeeding her third, expect soreness and pain the first few weeks. Expect bad latches at the hospital. ASK FOR HELP in the beginning! Everyone told me that there wouldn't be any pain if you were doing it right. WRONG! We dealt with bad latches, pain, bleeding, you name it, the first few weeks to where I was crying and wanted to give up. It passed after a few days once we got the hang of it ourselves at home. She will be 2 months on the 4th and I still get sharp pains in my nipples at times. Honestly, no matter what works for you vs others, as long as you and baby are healthy and happy, who cares! lol I wish I could have/would have bf my older ones, our bond is so much closer (infant age I mean) I can't wait to reach our first goal of 6 months. Good luck momma. Feel free to PM me if you want to talk  

dont give baby a bottle in the beginning bc your frustrated, just keep trying and eventually he will get it. and when you do get frustrated just take a deep breath and remember its new for both of you.

One, if you're having trouble, find legitimate help. A certified lactation consultant, someone who successfully breastfed, etc. Misinformation is common and can damage breastfeeding success.
Two, unless there are extenuating circumstances, most of the time supplementation is not needed.
Three, if you choose to supplement, try to pump or your supply may suffer.
Four, there is absolutely nothing wrong with exclusively pumping if that's what you want to do.
Five, mixed feeding is not a horrible thing to do. I'm currently having to do this.

Quoting Taylor Migliano:" Yes! That was my problem with both of my daughters. They were born at 32 and 34 weeks, went straight ... [snip!] ... got out of the hospital but they wouldn't latch and I just didn't have the patience or knowledge to try more than a month."

I got lucky that my DD had a great latch, she was in the NICU for the first week and although it took me over a month and a half to fully get my supply, I still do fully breastfeed her. I did have to supplement her at first too, I got lucky it didn't interfere.