problems BF
I'm was having a really hard time breastfeeding, it always ended in DD screaming and me sobbing. My nipples are cracked and bleeding to make things even harder on us. I met with a LC while in the hospital but it didn't seem to help. her mouth is open as wide as she can and we have tried all the holds. I feel like such a bad mom because I can't give her what she wants. I really want to Breastfed and I don't want to give up. so I started pumping, I get about 3-4oz everytime I pump. I'm worried I'll stop making milk because everything I was told and have read has said not to pump till 2-6 weeks. I just feel so frustrated with everything and blame myself. I worry she isnt getting enough to eat, when I went in for her weight check 24 hours post hospital, they said she lost 8% (she was born 8lbs5oz) and she needed to be feeding every hour, but all DD signs tell me every 3 or so hours. she really is some what lazy and I have to wake her up to feed, other than at night. I'm going to talk to another LC soon so hopefully I can figure out how we both can enjoy breastfeeding or atleast pumping.
are there any of you that started exclusively pumping this early? Are there any tips you can give me or know of a place I can get INFO? I would also like any ideas on my over all problem on painful breastfeeding and how to move back after pumping and giving bottles. TIA!!!
Re: problems BF
DD was bottlefed the first 6 days of her life before she figured out how to latch. And we really tried everything. One thing that helped us and that might help you is to use a nipple shield. It helps protect your nipples and really is only a hassle for a while with cleaning (but bottles are worse) and if you aren't lucky weaning.
Also I had to pump to make sure my supply came in and stayed in until DD would latch and I've had no supply issues.
I would recommend talking with someone from La Leche League International.
https://www.llli.org/ to find a leader or group in your area.
It is totally free and they will come to your home and will help you with breastfeeding problems and questions. I got help from a Leader and it made a huge difference. I still talk to her about things and try to go to local meetings. They are a great resource.
I don't have any advice regarding exclusively pumping unfortunately.
The first 4 weeks I was in hell bc of this. V could not latch well and I seriously felt mangled. I used lanolin like crazy, massaged in the shower and with warm, wet wash cloths - everything. She lost 10 oz. in weight and didn't gain it back for over a week. I was told to not start pumping until at least week 2. (I cheated and did it at 1 week and 4 days...scandalous!) I can PM you the sheets that I was given by my LC. I scanned them and sent them to another bumpie and they said they helped out a lot.
get a couple shields! seriously, they saved me with my second! I was cracked and bleeding before I even left the hospital and I totally felt like terrible because things went pretty well w/ my first right from the start and lasted for 15 months! I was on the shields for 3.5 months with dd #2 and everyone said she'll never get off them now- found this article that was helpful when I felt ready to get off the shields, but she still was not:
https://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art17912.asp
I think she just had a tiny mouth and she had to grow into a big (correct) latch- at 10 months, we're still going strong!
You can do it and if you want to ask more questions, you can pm me!
Nipple shield. Drink a lot! KEEP PUMPING (try to pump after each bottle feeding, a pain, but it helps)!!! Your milk production is determined by stimulation. If the baby isn't nursing and you stop pumping, you will probably get a clogged duct (painful!!) and may lose supply. Plus, with pumping, you can give the milk to DD so she expects that taste as food, and gets the benefits of breastmilk. Give the baby time while you're nursing (feeding taking an hour is not unreasonable, especially when the baby is learning). Don't keep switching from position to position when one doesn't work at first (I had a LC in the hospital do this to me, frustrated DS-and me to no end). Be patient. 'Prime the pump' (milk on or beading on nipple) with the pump or manually before you try nursing DD. Try to go for lots of skin to skin contact (DS and I both spent most of our time shirtless when he came home). I reccomend stomach to stomach lying on the bed because it's very comfy for you both, especially if you are trying over a long period of time. Try bottle feeding some of the expressed milk, but not as much as DD eats at a sitting; try half, or enough so that she doesn't cry when you take the bottle away. Try to finish that feeding with BF. Almost everyone has a difficult time. DON'T GIVE UP. You can do this. It just takes time; it sounds like your production is awesome (I was ecstatic when I pumped 4 oz).
I started pumping about 2 days after delivery. DS had to spend a week in the NICU getting antibiotics, during which time he was fed formula and gavaged, and I was actively discouraged from BFing him (I had been planning on EBF). I pumped exclusively for about a week, then I tried BFing but really just wound up bottle feeding with formula because DS refused to cooperate (after almost every formula/bottle feeding, I would pump, then used the expressed milk at subsequent feedings), then tried BFing and pumping, and supplemented with formula. It took almost a month before he really got the hang of BFing. He is almost a month and a half now, and it's only in the past week that I haven't had to supplement with formula (He was 12 lbs at birth. My body needed to catch up to his needs). He was good at latching on when he was first born, but after some bad advice and the strict confines of the NICU, he started screaming when he saw my breast. Now I have a hard time getting him to let me wear a shirt. I really can't stress enough the need for patience and perseverance in this. I really, really think you can do this, you just have to get DD used to it. She's as new to this as you are. There is no shame in combining bottle and breast if that is what allows her to get the nutrition she needs. Don't give up!!
you are doing great. keep pumping! it does hurt like hell in the beginning. just stick with it. try a nipple shield
you are making the right decision pumping this early. i did not do that and i ended up wrecking my supply. don't make the decision to ep yet, though -- it's a long row to hoe. her latch will change as she gets bigger and once she regains her birth weight she won't be so sleepy -- believe me, i was in the exact same situation.
if you have to, use a bottle and a shield. take advil/lanolin/compresses for pain. hang in there!
I pump and bottle feed, nurse with a shield and supplement with formula. I HATED to give her formula, but I am not able to produce enough milk
I was in serious tears the first time I gave her the formula, but she was nursing for 45 mins at a time every 30 mins to an hour and not getting enough. She was always crying of hunger. I started pumping every two hours and I only get 1-2 oz.
BUT LO has no trouble going from a bottle to a breast with a shield. So good news for you, since you seem to have a good supply, is that your LO might have no trouble transitioning either. Our LC said to pump eight times a day and just mix the BM with the formula in the bottle. I am hoping to get my supply up with all the pumping.
The sheilds have been a lifesaver. They are relatively inexpensive so I bought quite a few of them.
Good Luck!!! BFing is hard!!!
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