Being successful at nursing...

I was hoping that some breastfeeding mama's could help me out on tips to be successful at it. I am due in May and determined to do it. I nursed my oldest for only a couple of weeks and didn't nurse my 2nd or 3rd. I am really wanting to stick it out but I have heard so many things such as it you introduce a bottle the baby may choose to not nurse, but I had planned to pump so DH could feed at times as well. My SIL did extended BF for one of her daughters and nursed her until she was 3 1/2. I would love to just make it to 1 year. Any tips?

don't introduce a bottle/paci until 6 weeks.
(so i've heard, i'll be a FTM, but that's one of the tips I've heard makes a huge difference.)

There are NUMEROUS ways your DH can bond without feeding LO. I wouldn't introduce a bottle till after 6 weeks.

My LO never had a bottle he is almost a year. He drinks from a sippy just fine, though.

Just don't give up. The first couple weeks are rough and you will feel like you're nursing forever. It get's easier.

good luck.

Give your milk time to come in, mine took 5 days and baby didn't starve. A lot of people I know say they gave up when their milk didn't come in.

Be more stubborn than you baby! My son refused to latch until after he was a month old. He was on a bottle of pumped milk until then. Seriously our issue though was he just didn't want to. We'd have battles, he'd scream and scream and I'd get him on and he'd suck, get some and get lazy. Just kept at it. It can be a real battle of wills sometimes.

My tips are;buy a tube of Lanisoh (pure lanolin) and apply it religiously
dont let anything get between you and your baby
skin to skin - as often and for as long as possible it REALLY helps
if you have trouble then ask for help - la leche league, lactivists.
dont listen to anyone who tells you FF is easier/better
dont get your baby weighed too regularly - it is misleading and can lead to being told to supplement with formula

The number one tip I can offer is just to relax and follow your baby's cues. Don't get hung up on a schedule or watching the clock; just nurse on demand. Baby knows when he/she is hungry and full. Lanolin will be your friend the first couple weeks. Try not to give LO a bottle for at least a month if you don't have to, to avoid nipple confusion. Make sure you drink plenty of water. And skin-to-skin helps.

Quoting ℳary ℐane:" There are NUMEROUS ways your DH can bond without feeding LO. I wouldn't introduce a bottle till after ... [snip!] ... don't give up. The first couple weeks are rough and you will feel like you're nursing forever. It get's easier. good luck. "

Thanks! I think one of the things that made me stop with my first was that I wasn't certain that he was getting enough, if anything. He would nurse 10 minutes and fall asleep and I know t is much easier to get it from a bottle and it takes longer than 10 minutes to drink a 3oz bottle for a newborn. I just felt like he was always hungry and I felt like it was my fault. But I have seen so many people be successful with it and I want to be one of those people.

Quoting willoughfam:" Thanks! I think one of the things that made me stop with my first was that I wasn't certain that he ... [snip!] ... and I felt like it was my fault. But I have seen so many people be successful with it and I want to be one of those people."

If your LO is having wet/poopy diapers no need to worry. A newborn's tummy is the size of a small marble when they are first born.

with new babies you do worry if they are/arent getting enough but the only way you know is if they are having wet/dirty nappies and its NOT 6 per day, i panicked about this with Meg I recently read on alphaparent that its more like one to 2 for the first two days as colostrum is mostly absorbed, once your milk is in this increases but it will be gradual.

Do not give up on yourself! Believe in yourself and your baby! Stay away from pacifiers and bottles as long as possible. Dd had to have bottles in nicu it just about killed me. Even if that does happen to you too be determined and ask for a lactation consultant. It was what really helped us. If you have problem keep asking for help till it's figured out. Some people have the lactation consultant title but know next to nothing. I would have been better off taking advice on nursing from a priest than some of the ladies the hospital sent. You just have to keep asking and working. Get a boppy and coconut oil for your nipples. It hurts at first but gets so much easier after the first month or so.

Thanks so much ladies! I am writing all of this down. I think I need to just refrain from buying bottles so that I am not tempted! I'm really excited, I know it is a great way to bond.

Quoting willoughfam:" Thanks so much ladies! I am writing all of this down. I think I need to just refrain from buying bottles so that I am not tempted! I'm really excited, I know it is a great way to bond."

Im not buying any this time, I bought them early on with Meg and if im honest I probably would have ignored thw HV much more if they hadnt been in the house,

Quoting willoughfam:" Thanks so much ladies! I am writing all of this down. I think I need to just refrain from buying bottles so that I am not tempted! I'm really excited, I know it is a great way to bond."

Im not buying any this time, I bought them early on with Meg and if im honest I probably would have ignored thw HV much more if they hadnt been in the house,