breastfeeding cream, which one to buy?

Chell

inkie wrote: »

Chell, have you had your community midwife check the baby whilst feeding? Get them to have a look if they haven't already as there are certain things that are indicators of a correct latch.

She has seen me feeding and didn't mention a problem. I'll ask her next time she comes out.

2cats1kid

gemmaj wrote: »

Midwife told me camillosan had an ingrediant derived from peanuts. Not sure if that could possibly be true though - there is no warnings on the box. I bought lansinoh and would recommend that, but maybe just go with the free sample from health visitors - you don't need much!

So either this was a long time ago or she has been a midwife for a while, as yes, camillosan used to have peanut oil in it. However, they changed the formulation at the time I had my baby and some shops had old stock in so you had to check the box to ensure you were getting the new formulation. My DD will be 11 next month, so I'd suggest that your MW is a bit out of touch!

SammyD_2

I used vaseline, but only needed a few times - like others said, things do "harden up". Also, rubbing breast milk over the nipple was helpful...I really think there is no one size fits all for breast feeding - everyone is different, and that can include every baby - first baby a dream to breastfeed, second baby a nightmare from start to finish 2 years later.

jkmum

Def Lanisoh but only if you get any problems, in which case you can get it on prescription. Proper attachment is the best preventor of most problems. Make sure you tell your midwife that you want to breastfeed and find out about local antenatal breastfeeding classes and postnatal support groups.

keelykat

Im going to be giving b-feeding a try too, but if i do get sore i'll have to avoid anything with lanolin in as im allergic to it!

Off to a class soon-apparently not latching on is a main cause for soreness?

keely.

war_baby

Lots of good advice already re making sure you get feeding technique correct (don't forget the baby's never done it before either & even though you might think it would come naturally, it doesn't always!). Find out if your local hospital has a breastfeeding support team and you know how to get hold of them if you need them & make sure you get to an ante natal class on breastfeeding.

Definitely follow the advice re breastmilk/colostrum rubbed on nipple after feed and left to air dry and making sure well-fitting bra etc (which you can't plan in advance, as you don't know what size you'll be when your milk comes in). I found washable breast pads more comfortable than disposable (& more 'green'/cheaper).

Re what to use if you do need any creams for sore nipples- Kamillosan is also lanolin-based (like Lansinoh); personally I didn't like the texture of Lansinoh (too greasy) but I know lots of people swear by it. I used the Boots 'Expert' nipple cream as well as breast milk etc during the first few months and after that was fine and didn't need to use anything.

Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy and with your new baby-I hope breastfeeding goes well for you. I was really keen to feed but it wasn't easy for the first 2-3 months, despite a lot of support BUT we got there in the end and I've just recently finished feeding her (after 1 year and 6 teeth!) and it was REALLY worthwhile and a great experience (in the end!)

jkmum

It is really hard at first - don't underestimate that - but so worth it in the end - just in terms of cost and convenience (both going out and nighttime feeds) and it also gives you a chance to have a break - 20-30 mins sat on the sofa, which I always saw as my time to sit, read a book, watch a bit of tv etc. I had problems with both mine - not enough milk and an unsupportive hv who wanted me to quit cos lo not gaining enough weight with first and mastitis with 2nd. But if you are determined you can get through it and I fed both until 9 months, keeping up 1 evening feeds until 12 months. It is definitely worth perservering through the difficult 1st few days (esp when 'milk' comes in just after you think you've cracked it!). I'd start talking to partner and relatives about how you feel about feeding because they'll see you through the hard times and keep you going when you think you can't go on. I know it all sounds rather scary - you'd think it would be the most natural thing in the world to be able to feed your own baby - but I think if you start off with realistic expectations you're more likely to continue.

redballoon_2

wow thanks guys and gals for all your feedback and guidance! it has all been really helpful and quite reassuring to know that it shouldnt hurt too much if i get it right.

I will find out if there is a breastfeeding support group around and go from there. I dont think i will buy any creams for the moment until baby is here and give it ago. I think i'm more worried about not being able to feed my own baby myself than the actual birth!

My mil tried to breastfeed her sons and gave up after a few weeks, which is a shame and she regrets it now. So i am determined to bfeed as I know how good it is for baby.

Im quite strong minded so i know i wont give in at the first hurdle, BUT i was thinking of getting a small tub of formual so use as well as breastfeeding as hubby feels he will be left out of the feeding process. will it be ok to formula feed once or twice a day as well as breastfeeding if i do this from the start or will it hinder me and the latching process?

Barneysmom

I think it might depend how big your baby is.
My son was 9lb 13oz. He was huge so my milk wasn't enough after a couple of weeks.
I gave him formula at night as he slept better, and it meant hubby could feed to (not that he did lol!)
Well done on deciding to breastfeed though, it's a bit tricky at first, but persevere, you'll be fine and your baby will have loads of immuno-type protection for life! xxxx Hope it goes well.

tsstss7

redballoon wrote: »

wow thanks guys and gals for all your feedback and guidance! it has all been really helpful and quite reassuring to know that it shouldnt hurt too much if i get it right.

I will find out if there is a breastfeeding support group around and go from there. I dont think i will buy any creams for the moment until baby is here and give it ago. I think i'm more worried about not being able to feed my own baby myself than the actual birth!

My mil tried to breastfeed her sons and gave up after a few weeks, which is a shame and she regrets it now. So i am determined to bfeed as I know how good it is for baby.

Im quite strong minded so i know i wont give in at the first hurdle, BUT i was thinking of getting a small tub of formual so use as well as breastfeeding as hubby feels he will be left out of the feeding process. will it be ok to formula feed once or twice a day as well as breastfeeding if i do this from the start or will it hinder me and the latching process?

Hi redballoon

I'd advise against doing this in the first six weeks as that is when your milk making capacity (so to speak - I expect there is a more scientific term for it) is built....I had loads of problems with breastfeeding (not least a partner with little or no understanding of how it works and the support I could have done with) and so "supplemented" with ff initially for the 9pm feed. Problem is I found that baby started to take more and more of his daily milk needs at that one feed and with less demand at the other times my milk supply dwindled.

I ended up going to a breastfeeding councillor (aswe had other problems too that hindered b'feeding) and with her help I now fully breast feed (9mths on!!) but I do think that my partners insistance that he would feel excluded from his LO's life if he didn't get to bottle feed made me feel I should follow a ff supplment regime which was prob better suited to when baby was a bit older and breast feeding was well established.

Ironically too as soon as we became settled with a night time bottle and started to follow a bedtime routine (at 5mths) OH lost interest in doing the last feed as it also meant putting LO to bed and that is a mare at the mo!!!!! Finding all that bottle buisness a pain I have since dropped the night time bottle and we do a nice b'feed before bed and so get less wind problems too...:T

Oh and forgot to say my pal has twins and fully b'feeds them (born 6 10 and 6 14 so not small) so you shouldn't worry about not having enough milk ...just be aware that b'feeding isn't nicely spaced out like bottle feeding as initially you feed LOTS to increase supply and during growth spurts you may feel like a walking milk machine you feed so often!