How hard is breastfeeding for the first time

I breastfed both my babies and i'm so glad I did. My first baby was premature (only by 4 weeks) so i did find it hard and she wouldn;t latch on and I struggled, but I perservered and got the hang of it. Everytime I felt like giving up and phoned a breastfeeding helpline (they exists and are really good) and a mum would advise me on what to do. i ended up breastfeeding my daughter for a year. I'm so glad I did because she was tiny when she was born and I thought she needed all the help she could get. Now she's a strapping three year old and doesn't have excema or asthma! When my second daughter was born I was able to breastfeed her straight away, in fact she latched on in seconds! It felt good that i'd got the hang of it so quickly. I think you should try to do it, it's such a positive experience and so good for your baby (and for your weight loss!!!). It's important to get your latch right and i agree try different positions and try to get a midwife to help you. Whenever you have a bad day phone the breastfeeding helpline as they are really handy. Soon it'll be like second nature to you! Good luck

Hi I struggled with breast feeding and ended up expressing and giving my LO milk via a bottle as she was a very poor sucker. Don't let the bad experiences put you off as when you do manage to feed them it is so rewarding and feels lovely. The one tip i will give you is that if you are struggling and are worried about LO not having any milk express a little and give it to them via a spoon so they 'lap' at it like a cat - its supposed to help them get the correct action rather than give it them via a bottle which can make them latch on incorrectly and it that hurts!

I breastfed my daughter and she was my first. It was difficult to begin with as I'd had a c-section so it made it harder to find a comfy position. I had a couple of rough days in hospital as Emma was feeding all night and sleeping all day and it's not easy to sleep in a hospital ward during the night nevermind the day!! By the third day my milk had come in but so had the baby blues and I literally cried the whole day and night for another two days! After we got the first week out of the way, things settled down and my nipples were no longer sore. If you do get sore nipples, put plenty of nipple cream on and try to do a whole feed just from one side so that each side gets a slightly longer rest between feeds. Also, check the baby is latching on properly as a poor latch can make you extra sore. I found it was so easy during the night to just pop the baby into bed next to me and let her feed while I was still laying comfy in bed. When she moved into her own room at 5 weeks ( no room for a cot in our bedroom and she didn't like the moses basket) it was great to just nip in and feed Emma when she woke up instead of having to muck about with making or warming bottles. I carried on feeding her exclusively for a few weeks then gradually introduced bottles one feed at a time. By the time she was completely on bottles, she was sleeping through the night (13 weeks) and everyone was happy. I know that many people breastfeed for a lot longer than 3 months but I felt I'd done my best and given her a good start. If you really want to feed your baby, give it a go and see how you get on. Persevere for a couple of weeks if you feel it's not working and make sure you ask for some help. If it really doesn't suit either of you, don't feel guilty about going on to bottles. Ultimately, you have to do what's best for you. Your baby will be happy as long as you are. Good luck. xxx

Also perservere (sp) with it. My LO gets agitated if she doesnt latch on right right away or if milk doesnt come out instantly lol- meaning she graps at my breast and pushes it away (she doesnt mean to) an she'll scream which is hard to handle sometimes, but as mentioned try to stay calm as gettin agitated yourself makes it harder x
my MWwas fab with advice etc, an my childrens centre runs sessions about breastfeeding too xx

I will be honest with you, I have had absolutely no problems at all. My wee one latched on straight away and has been fine ever since, she is now 17 weeks and has only ever had my breast milk. I know that will annoy a lot of people as I know many people have problems. The hospital staff and midwives are really good I hear though if you do have problems. Also in Aberdeen there is specialist breastfeeding advisors, or something like that, attached to the hospital. In my opinion a positive atitude helps. Unfortunatly the more you get stressed and worry that you won't be able to do it, the harder it will be. You really need to have a calm and possitive atitude.

: ) thanks ladies! xxx

My baby latched on right away, then had troubles only because my milk didnt come in x
My advice is to try different positions as some baby's dont like certain ones

well i didnt breastfeed 1st time wiv my son but am guna try expressin wen twins r born! im not guna lie i dont know 1 person tht has struggled wiv breastfeedin! wot i wld do i wen ur in hospital make sure u ave sum1 there helpin u wiv breastfeedin, showin u the correct positions 2 put baby on breast cuz if u get the wrong angle i no it can b painful! all u can do is try! xxxxx