So, unless my baby turns in the next couple of weeks (still hoping for that), I may end up with a c-section at Baptist Hospital. I'm looking for some advice on the best way to go about breastfeeding, given the constraints at the hospital. As I understand it, the situation is:
1. I have written exclusive breastfeeding in my birth plan, but I know that with c-section I will not be able to get off the bed till the next morning and because I am going to be in a ward, they will not bring the baby to me. Therefore, I can start breastfeeding the baby when I am capable of going to the nursery myself.
2. In the interim, I'm assuming they will supplement her in some way. I heard some hospitals use glucose water. I wrote 'no glucose water' on my birth plan but if my choice is between glucose water and formula, which is better? (i am aware that neither is ideal).
3. I will request cupfeeding to avoid nipple confusion but realistically, I don't know if they will comply. Therefore, I was wondering if I could bring my own bottles/nipples that are closest to the mother's breast. Any thoughts on this?
4. To avoid engorgement, what should I be doing? I can carry a pump but I heard pumping might not be the best idea...Should I be handexpressing? With handexpressing how does one collect the collustrum...in a cup/bottle/something else? How soon after the c-sec should one start this and at what intervals should I be handexpressing?
Other than that, any tips for successful breastfeeding given the many constraints I have to deal with? Once I am able to get to the nursery, is there anything I should be doing to make up for the fact that baby will probably have been fed formula from a bottle?
1. I have written exclusive breastfeeding in my birth plan, but I know that with c-section I will not be able to get off the bed till the next morning and because I am going to be in a ward, they will not bring the baby to me. Therefore, I can start breastfeeding the baby when I am capable of going to the nursery myself.
2. In the interim, I'm assuming they will supplement her in some way. I heard some hospitals use glucose water. I wrote 'no glucose water' on my birth plan but if my choice is between glucose water and formula, which is better? (i am aware that neither is ideal).
3. I will request cupfeeding to avoid nipple confusion but realistically, I don't know if they will comply. Therefore, I was wondering if I could bring my own bottles/nipples that are closest to the mother's breast. Any thoughts on this?
4. To avoid engorgement, what should I be doing? I can carry a pump but I heard pumping might not be the best idea...Should I be handexpressing? With handexpressing how does one collect the collustrum...in a cup/bottle/something else? How soon after the c-sec should one start this and at what intervals should I be handexpressing?
Other than that, any tips for successful breastfeeding given the many constraints I have to deal with? Once I am able to get to the nursery, is there anything I should be doing to make up for the fact that baby will probably have been fed formula from a bottle?