Is there anything I can do now...

Liz,
This is only MY experience so take it for what is worth.  A good lactation consultant can make or break your BF experience.  Utilize them at the hospital and don't be afraid to call them (OFTEN) afterwards.  You can also go in person for appts. 

With my first child, she was in NICU for a week and a half after birth.  I tried to pump but was super discouraged because I could only pump a few drops even after my milk came in.  We tried to BF after she came home but it hurt so bad that I gave up.  I should mention that she had some formula from the get go due to our unusual start and I think that this hindered us a bit.

With child number 2, she latched well enough and I could have probably stuck through the owie phase but I was so overwhelmed with my toddler too (she was 23 months at the time), that I gave up early. 

With this last baby, I made a committment to myself to make it through the adjustment period.  I promised that if at humanly possible I would make it to 6-8 weeks.  I'd be lying if I said that I didn't consider supplementing on the nights where she ate every 1.5 hours and my boobs hurt so bad that I would cry when she did.  But here we are.  Little Gabi will be 3 months old this week and we are doing great.  I also went back to work (took 12 weeks off) and am pumping during my breaks.

I feel very accomplished especially after having 2 really tough experiences.  It's very hard work but extremely rewarding.  I would also recommend scoping out who in your family or friends has breastfed before.  Having support can be invaluable.  I have never been, but I hear that the La Leche League is also wonderful.  Maybe go to a meeting before the baby is born so that you can get an idea of what to expect and also to ask questions?

Thank you SOOO much ladies! I am making tons of notes and ordered a few books today. I would love to be able to breastfeed my baby and just hope that everything works out and I can. I am sure that I'll have a 1000 more questions as things progress. I can't tell you how much I appreciate your stories and advice.

Liz

Liz,
I sincerly hope that you keep us all updated of your journey after the baby is born. I too plan on breastfeeding, and even though I have children, I have not breastfed before. I am looking forward to it, but have just as many ?'s as you, and am slightly trepiditious about it. I look forward to hearing how things go for you!!

Thnaks! I sure will keep everyone posted :) Good luck to you too!

As for parenting books, the "What to Expect During the 1st year" is pretty good. As for sleeping, back or side is best but when my babies are newborns, I let them sleep in an inclined position usually in their bouncy seat. I get scared that they will choke on their spit up so I want them in an inclined position. When we are still in the hospital (since I'm usually there for a while due to c-sections), I always incline their little clear bassinet as well. After this baby comes, I think I'm going to prop the mattress with a pillow UNDER the mattress to give it a slight incline.

Good luck. Hope this helped a little.

Using a pump OR hand expression before baby is born is a BAD idea. Any kind of nipple stimulation of this kind can cause contrations of the uterus. Only the release of the placenta from the body will cause the milk to come in, the original let down response is caused by a release of hormones, and then after that it the supply is regulated at the breast by the babies supply and demand.

thanks for the info!!

Good thing I never tried that. Only had heard of it and you know what they say about things you hear.