CommunicationIn preparation for breastfeeding, have a talk with your husband. Find out his expectations and express yours. Make sure you are both in agreement about duration of nursing, supplementing with bottles and the sexual implications nursing might have.One of the most important factors in successful breastfeeding is having a good support system. Your husband is at the top of thelist. You should know before you even get started if he is going to be there if you need him. Make sure you are in complete agreement. There is nothing more horrible than starting off with animosity. Some men do have trouble with the idea of the baby having access to your body more than he does. But then on the flip side, somemen find breastfeeding sexy and become more attracted to you when you nurse. Who knew? My husband was kind of in the middle. He was happy to see my daughter so content with “the booby juice” as he called it, but often would make comments about how he never got to have access to them anymore. I was secure enough in our relationship to know this was a temporary thing and he would get over it. So, we just did not make an issue of it. I would flash him with my breasts every once in a while and he would say, “Wow Christmas came early”, with a smile. Referring to my especially large milk filled breasts. You gotta have some humor. In this next paragraph, I do discuss sexual issues. I try to keep it prudish and technical but do feel it necessary to include to help avoid some common challenges.I did mention above that there could be some sexual implications from breastfeeding. Sometimes libido can be affected by nursing you baby. Is it the exhaustion or the hormones? Who knows. But it can make you more amourous or less or there can be no change at all. And all of the above are "normal". But just having this discussion ahead of time can be a huge help if you do encounter some changes.Also, childbearing and lactation can have effects on your ability to self-lubricate. Even if you had no issues with this before, it can become an issue. So think about it and prepare for it just in case. And lastly, it has been known to happen: for your milk to let down during an orgasm. It would be wise to wear a bra the first few times you have intercourse to be on the safe side. Otherwise your mate might get a face full of milk. I can hear the giggles now.... Next, in preparation, you must make sure everyone who will be involved in the birth experience knows you will be breastfeeding. Be very clear about your wishes. This is especially important if you will be having a hospital delivery. Home deliveries run a much lower risk of "interferance". Tell your obstetrician, pediatrician, the labor nurses, the nursery nurses, the post partum nurses, and your family! Everyone. Tell them you want your baby to be breastfed only. Explain, that means no sugar water, no formula, no bottles, no cup feedings, and no syringe feedings. Nothing but the breast. BUT you must be a little flexible. If your baby is born in a hospital, many have strict policies concerning issues like low blood sugars requiring supplementation. Yes,these first few days are critical to good latch on and milk production but sometimes supplementation is necessary. At least ifyou verbalize your wishes they will be asking you BEFORE giving the supplements. I probably said no to supplementation 10 times during my 2 days in the hospital. Even though they new I wanted to breastfeed, they still asked. “let us feed her so you can sleep”. Ummm, No thanks. A very important step for breastfeeding success is choosing a pediatrician. This step is often overlooked. Not all pediatricians aresupportive of breastfeeding. And this can be key in the first few weeks. Here are some tips in finding the right pediatrician for you. Go from Communication to Prepartation for breastfeeding main page |
Click here to pay for chat now
