Since I had such trouble with my six year old the Dr thinks I should take classes before I have this one in May. Problems are, they are on Monday afternoon when I'm at work 60 miles away and I have no babysitter for my son (DH works swing shift). Do you think I NEED them or that I might not have the same trouble as last time? The hosp. had a LC that tried to help but she said I was flat or inverted and the Dr this time said I'm not so I don't know what I can do. The main issue last time was he wouldn't latch on right, he wouldn't open his mouth wide enough. I'm a little scared to try again and at the same time really really want to. My son adn DH will want to feed the baby too though and we used playtex dropins last time can we use them again if I pump? Can I pump right away for them to help or what? I have so many ???

Ok... where to start.
 


#1. All bf expiernces are different. Don't let the first bad expiernce turn you off to a successful bf expience. If your nipples are sort of flat, pinch them a tiny bit to get the to stand up before nursing. IF you have problems nursing, then go to the class as time doesn't allow you to now. Get as much help from the LC IF you need it. Remember all babies are different, and he/she may suprise you.
 
Classes can't hurt, BUT don't stress and give up at bf before you start, because you didn't go. KWIM?

#2. YES, you can use drop ins when using bottles. That is all my kids have. Ashlyn will NOT take a regular bottle.... They also have an adapter so you can pump directly into a dropin...

#3. You can pump and serve right away, pump refridgerate if used within 7 days or pump and freeze. It would be up to you...

BUT, I would wait until your breastfeeding relationship is well established (may take a day a week or 6 weeks) before you start the bottle. My kids got the hang of nursing right away (well Kevin was a bit more difficult, as he had problems with latching at the begining too) But you can work through those problems... remember the first 6 weeks are the toughest, then something just clicks.
 

 
hi there and welcome. If the problem is your nipples, you can get some shields to wear now that will help them come out more. If its the latching problem every baby is different and you will have a better idea this time around what to do. Is there a LC in the hospital you are delivering in? I took a class before my first child was born and it helped alot, but if it doesn't work with your schedule I would read up and rent some videos from your local library to learn as much as you can. You can still have the baby bottlefed with breastmilk, but I would wait about 6 weeks to avoid nipple confusion.
 

 
what they said about waiting six weeks.
Also, it might be helpful for you to join a BFing mom's support group such as
 
you can bring your ds to the meetings and get help from experienced moms.