BREAST FEEDING
BASICS

   Although many people don't believe it, breastfeeding is back, and surprisingly high among teen mothers.  I breastfed my daughter and enjoyed every minute it gave me with her.   Breastfeeding is NOT instinctive!  Some mothers can be naturals, but it takes work to become good.  The most frustrating part inthe beginning is just not being able to prepare for it.  You take labor classes and read pregnancy books, but nothing can tell you if your baby will want to be held in this position or if it will even want to nurse.  So, I can give you some tips that I picked up in class, from books, and first hand, but the best way to learn is to be patient and relax.

First, get ready before the baby comes.  No matter how embarrassing it sounds, rubbing your nipples with a wash cloth after taking a shower can be the best thing you ever do.  This will help get you conditioned for your baby's vigorous sucking and possibly prevent major pain later.
Next, buy some nipple cream.  Yes, it sounds rediculous, but it really means the difference in excruitiating pain and minor discomfort.  Lansinoh, or the Jonhson brand works great.  Don't be scared by the prices, a little goes a LONG way.  (Tip, start using in your third trimester.)

Third, take a couse if at all possible.  They can't tell you the exact way it will feel to hold your baby, but they can give you a general idea.  More htan anything they give you moral supprot that you might need.
Fourth, If you haven't figured it out yet, it will hurt some.  How could almost constant friction not cause some soreness?  But it will get better!  It usually peaks at around the 20th feeding or so.  With good preparation and the right cream, you can ease this to minor discomfort.

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Then, get your wardrobe together.  Don't worry abou nursing shirts and dresses, just get the good bras.  You need extra supprot when you nurse and a good nursing bra does the trick.  K-Mart and Target sometimes have good brands for about half wht the hospital and other places have.
Last, let me warn you about fissures.  I had never read anything on these pesky little things before I developed them myself.  A fissure is a cut or tear in the skin that is not healing.  This occurred when my daughter continually sucked on a very sensitive nipple to the point of causing an open wound.  Do nurse on it or your milk supply will be diminished.  The lest little bit helps.  Usually after the first couple of seconds the pain settles down.  Do continue to put cream on it; it will not hurt you and it is perfectly safe for the baby.  DO NOT use a pump to keep your milk supply up!  I made this mistake and it took longer to heal.  The pump can pull on the skin more and cause healed portions to reopen. 

You will get past the first couple of tries!  Hang in there and remember, I breastfed Morgan until she was eight months old.    It can be done and you will survive.