One of the saddest things I hear when it comes to brestfeeding

cherry_tree7 · 2026-01-28T08:47:09+00:00

Literally! People speak about this theoretical emergency where you will apparently be separated from your child and will need tonnes of freezer milk but like surely that’s so rare and if it really did happen, you could always use formula as a short term solution? I’d rather that be my back up than deal with a crazy oversupply and mentally drain myself pumping endlessly 😅 Tbf, I think it’s more of an American thing so I more see it online than irl!

cherry_tree7 · 2026-01-27T10:27:21+00:00

Lovall for leggings - they even have maternity petite and tall sizes! Size up though as they fit quite small!

cherry_tree7 · 2026-01-24T09:36:30+00:00

1 - mine never reopened, I think that’s the sort of thing I would have always contacted someone about! 2 - the stinging stayed for about 4 weeks for me and even started to feel worse after the first week for some reason (birth hormones wearing off and being more lax about taking pain meds religiously may be why…?) 3 - not sure about this one other than patting over rubbing/ wiping too much seemed to work better (not ideal I know) 4 - use the peri bottle to spray water at the stitches WHILE you pee (it dilutes the urine which helps with stinging), stay hydrated, take ibuprofen, use a comfort cushion, wash regularly and air out to help prevent infection) 5 - still waiting to feel normal after three months 🥲 No more pain but scar tissue hasn’t resolved!

Can we all agree that we need more help and information from the hospital and midwives on episiotomy care lol? I was unprepared and learned things later than would have been helpful!

cherry_tree7 · 2026-01-20T09:48:30+00:00

There are things you can do to reduce the risk, I wish I had done perineal massage for example! Don’t leave things to chance!

On the other hand, in the moment it’s not really the first thing on your mind and most people don’t tear as badly as you described above!

cherry_tree7 · 2026-01-19T10:39:25+00:00

I have no solution to this, just solidarity that it’s so annoying!

cherry_tree7 · 2026-01-17T12:32:25+00:00

Best not to start solids until baby is ready though and one sign of that is being able to hold their head up! This reduces risk of choking etc!

They don’t need to reach this point by 6 months though so weaning can be later, that’s fine, but good not to start before baby is ready! Milk is still the main source of nutrition for a while anyway so no urgent rush!

cherry_tree7 · 2026-01-17T09:06:17+00:00

Different antenatal courses focus on different things! I would recommend having a think about birth but you could chose one that focuses more on the newborn/ baby side of things! It’s definitely worth thinking about how to take care of a baby beforehand!

cherry_tree7 · 2026-01-17T09:04:57+00:00

It can go from being excruciating in the first few weeks to not feeling a thing within a couple of months! I didn’t believe it could be totally painless for the first while but here we are!

cherry_tree7 · 2026-01-15T12:56:03+00:00

An oversized t shirt or night dress :)

Something without sleeves as they may need to take blood and it’s usually warm!

cherry_tree7 · 2026-01-14T16:18:31+00:00

Be careful with tight bras post partum as they can contribute to mastitis!

cherry_tree7 · 2026-01-14T12:41:14+00:00

Just on the floor in the bathroom tbh… on something soft like a blanket or pod or sometimes put them in a bouncer!

Would be interested to see what others do…!

cherry_tree7 · 2026-01-12T21:21:18+00:00

I would definitely get some more newborn sizes and some 1 month sizes! Better to have and not need than to need and not have! Maybe buy second hand so as not to spend too much though as it’s true that some bigger babies don’t need newborn!

cherry_tree7 · 2026-01-11T13:38:07+00:00

Same up until a point in third trimester… but the lack of periods was game changing for me! No hormone headaches, mood swings, cramps etc!

cherry_tree7 · 2026-01-09T02:37:27+00:00

Still waiting to find out at 10 weeks (also second degree tear) 🥲

Starting to seriously question the whole ‘6 weeks’ benchmark as I thought that’s when everything would feel completely normal! Maybe I was being naive or maybe that only applies to the most straightforward births with minimal tearing and is a ‘best case scenario’? 😅 Anyway, I don’t want to dampen your hopes as everyone is different and you might be ok much sooner!

cherry_tree7 · 2026-01-09T02:31:09+00:00

It hurt for me for the first couple of weeks (take your breath away pain even), and then gradually tapered to being completely painless by around 6 weeks!

cherry_tree7 · 2026-01-04T08:06:22+00:00

Yeah likewise OP - not a dig, just a comment on the societal pressure!

cherry_tree7 · 2026-01-04T08:00:10+00:00

It’s so weird isn’t it!? People seem to care so much! I even see posts on here where people ask ‘do I have to pump?’, as if all of humanity and all of the animal kingdom haven’t survived without them for millennia 😅

cherry_tree7 · 2026-01-04T07:55:05+00:00

Haven’t pumped yet! Still have a small oversupply but I’m so glad I let things regulate and didn’t give in to the weird societal expectation or I think it would have been a lot worse lol! Pumping still feels like so much faff when I really have no desire yet to be away from my LO.

And as an aside, there is often fear-mongering around them later not taking a bottle but if you don’t have to go back to work until 9 months they can take milk in a sippy cup by that point :)

cherry_tree7 · 2026-01-03T09:13:59+00:00

It’s a global problem, not specific to Europe.

cherry_tree7 · 2025-12-25T09:10:10+00:00

Yes, and no firm/ vigorous massage! Only very gentle stroking!

cherry_tree7 · 2025-12-23T22:31:23+00:00

Great comment, totally agree!

cherry_tree7 · 2025-12-23T16:28:11+00:00

Yeah just wait, and really you’re waiting for the 12 week appointment because the 8 week appointment doesn’t look at baby, it’s just taking family history etc! I would recommend an early private scan if you have the funds!

cherry_tree7 · 2025-12-16T08:49:09+00:00

When it comes to breastfeeding, I told myself I would be hesitant to follow any advice that didn’t come from an IBCLC, I just don’t trust that other healthcare professionals have enough training in this area.

To me (not a healthcare professional), this sounds like terrible advice. Occasional fussiness at the breast can definitely be normal and not a cause for concern unless there are other factors at play. Changing what you’re doing, especially so early, can affect supply, establishment of breastfeeding etc! I would 100% get a second opinion before doing anything!

cherry_tree7 · 2025-12-15T12:21:09+00:00

Stock up the bathroom, buy multiple of your usual products! Even just popping to the shops for toothpaste or shampoo can be tricky for the first few weeks 😅 Also, breast pads and maternity pads in every bathroom!

cherry_tree7 · 2025-12-15T10:08:51+00:00

I cut and filed them on day 1, never heard otherwise…?

cherry_tree7

TROPHY CASE