This is a vent and a need for some suggestions. Some may be TMI.

I am pregnant with my second child and would like to breastfeed.
Here is the story of my first:

I was VERY VERY young with my first and my mother wasn't all into my wanting me to nurse. Well, she almost got her way when my son was born, he ended up having a few problems and I was told he needed to be bottle fed (so they can measure intake and outake). So I pumped for 13 days. (while he was in the hospital).. Did anyone show me how to pump no, a male nurse came in gave me a pump, and a female nurse came in and said here's some books (two) read them it will help. (how am i supposed to finish reading two books, when my DS needed breastmilk right away). Well, I was extremely full and pumped almost every hour (I didn't know when to pump, just that when the boobs were hard its time to pump). I produced more than enough for my one child because the lack of help I received. The pumping was so painful I cried everytime but wanted my DS to have the breastmilk. I had the painful extra painful sore nipples. After two weeks I gave up, because NO ONE supported me like I think they should've.

So my questions is please tell me problems that you encountered while trying to nurse and the ways you overcame it. I've read books, I've read alot, but hearing from others is always good. Tell me things the books won't tell me please.

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September Coupon Savings: 11.00 as of 9.1

I BF with both my girls and was glad I did! however do not fel bad if it doesnt work out!! the imp thing is the holding and loving and making sure your baby gets fed!!!

with that said!!

with my oldest I had to learn it on my own thank god I had a friend to call
the nurse in the hospital was NO help at all! I barely saw them to be honest!
to me I just dove in and let her latch and it was much easier than I thought.
just make sure you are comfortable and the baby is too also make sure you have some water near by.
anyhow good luck

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Kelly mom to 2 gymmonkeys!!!

With my first son i just couldn't get the hang of it. He wouldn't latch and when he did he would fall asleep two minutes later. I called him my little nip and napper. I ended up pumping for a few months and then moved to formula.

With my second he had no problems. He was even in the NICU for three days getting supplemental bottles and he still was a champion nurser. He nursed for 18 months.

Call around now and see if there are any support groups for nursing. We have one called "The Breastfeeding Coalition" in our area. They helped so much.

I guess my advise would be stay calm. It's a very natural thing and there is no need to worry. They have some wonderful creams for the sore nipples now a days.

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Jodie....Wife to Andrew (1995)
Mommy to Riley (2000) and Wyatt (2003)

SERIOUSLY consider calling a lactation consultant to get pointers. You can usually get your ob or the hospital to give you the number for one. Also, LeLeche League has them. I only nursed my oldest for 4 weeks due to the same type of problems you are talking about. (A male nurse told me to hold her like a FOOTBALL while I nursed..gee, wonder why that didn't work!?!) However, after talking to a lactation consultant while pregnant with my second child ,I successfully (and long term) nursed all the rest of my children (if you don't know, I have six total!! LOL).

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Shaking in my boots (well, if I was wearing them in the middle of summer!), but glad to be back!

One other note, I don't know if you qualify, but most WIC offices also have a lactation consultant on hand. WIC is a huge "Breastfed is best" supporter.

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Shaking in my boots (well, if I was wearing them in the middle of summer!), but glad to be back!

With my first son the lactation consultant from the first hospital told me I was too young and it would be better to bottle feed. And at the second hospital (still my first child) the lactation consultant never came up to the room, no matter how much I asked the nurses.

Im scared Im going to get the same treatment, (I'm still quite young).

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September Coupon Savings: 11.00 as of 9.1

We DO NOT qualify for WIC... But thank you

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September Coupon Savings: 11.00 as of 9.1

Go start searching and asking NOW! I mean it.

And, if I can be of help at all, please say so. A long time ago I did help another mommy on here breastfeed, but she only did it about 6 weeks. And, as far as being young, I was 18 when I had my first...23 with the next. I totally understand.

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Shaking in my boots (well, if I was wearing them in the middle of summer!), but glad to be back!

Sam, the most important thing is latching on properly. If not, then you'll end up sore and it will be a bad experience for both of you. What I did was kind of tease them with it so that they open up real big. Once she opens, shove it in so she gets a big mouthful. If she grabs only the end, it's gonna hurt. Once she's latched on, make sure you hold the breast to her mouth, don't let it hang. Yeah, it's easier to let it hang and read a book with your free hand, but trust me, you need to support it. Get a boppy pillow to support her and bring her up to the right level and relax. If you're nervous, she will be too. And make sure you're in a quiet room with no distractions. Trust me, I know all of this because of the mistakes that I made the first time I tried. It was a much better experience with the second once I learned to correct the mistakes I made with the first. Good luck! You know I'm here if you need me

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come visit me in Grocery Bargains- click here: http://mommysavers.com/boards/grocery-bargains/ it rocks!

For the first week I use gel pads(sorry, I'm not sure what they are really called) My hospital had them in the store on the labor and delivery floor, they were about 10 bucks each and they were so much more soothing to me than the Lansinol cream-which is great too, but you can't use them at the same time. Then my milk came in too fast and would choke my baby so I had to get a breast shield so he could regulate how much he took in. (They also work to help improve the babies latch). With my last baby it continued to be painful for a couple weeks until he got the hang of it, but the discomfort shouldn't last too long. Also, in the hospital, the nurses I had helped me tons more than the lactation consultant. And if you are going to read any books, I'd read the more irreverent ones because they tend to be easier to understand and talk about personal experiences. Best of Luck to you