When does it get easier?

lmlee15

LO is just over 3 weeks old and wants to eat every 1-4 hours. Sometimes i feel like she isnt't satisfied even when i offer both sides and we have occasionally given her a formula bottle to supplement. I am frustrated bc i dont want to give up but ive had mastitis on the one side which blew and then almost had it in the other. I am tired/exhausted and just needing the reassurance that this gets easier bc i am on the verge of tears sometimes when she latches on the one side it starts awfully and im so cracked even w use of lanolin and the hydrogel pad thingies. (And im using the shield bc i have flat nipples oh joy!) when she nurses in the last 2-3 days its like she wants to nurse and suckle to fall asleep/for comfort. Sorry for the rant just looking for reassurance from you all that have been there that i wont lose my mind andthat this gets easier.

surpriseaddition

For the first 6 weeks, it is so hard and uncomfortable that you can't help but think....how the h*ll can people actually do this for a year!?!? I really think 90% of women end up in that boat. But, like PP said, right around 6 weeks (unfortunately right when a lot of women throw in the towel) things get so much better. LO can effectively nurse faster, so it no longer seems like you are nursing the entire day. Plus, your breasts finally get used to it, and the pain goes away and the leaking improves, etc. Hang in there! You can do this! I would try to avoid supplementing unless absolutely necessary due to failure to gain weight, or not enough wet/poopy diapers. The first 6 weeks establishes your longterm supply and it's best to just nurse. Your supply will automatically increase even if LO is nursing and not getting anything. If your nipples need a break, try offering a paci especially if some of it is just comfort nursing.

Nikkipal82

A lot of nursing moms break down crying at la leche league meetings at 3w pp. If you have a local meeting you can get to, I highly recommend it. It's so helpful to have other nursing moms tell you they've been there and they understand how you feel. I agree 6w is a big turning point. Keep small goals in mind and hang in there.

Elaina22

Hang in there Momma! You're doing great!

I agree on seeing a lactation consultant for support and possibly advice on latching. My LO had a terrible latch and I had thrush, so the first weeks were miserable. Things improved between 6-8 weeks for me, and now at 4 months it's all a distant memory. Hang in there!

lmlee15

Thank you ladies. I know im not crazy and wasnt losing my mind. The lc that saw us in the hospital said her latch was great. She was in nicu the first several days so they had me pumping and since then my nipples never fully recovered. (Tho they have drastically improved). I will keep working bc i do not want to give up. Thanks again. Oh... There is a support group at my local hospital that i will try to go to this week!

becominggold

Hugs mama! I too had a hard time the first few weeks. I was nursing my 4 mo old yesterday and was sitting there thinking how easy it has become. ..and has been for a long time now! I was glad I didn't give up

Ihope

What happens/changes at 6 weeks. I am at 4 weeks and feeling delirious, sleeper deprived and worry that I'm not doing things right. When do the feelings get shorter? I do 20 min per side for a total of 40 min each session right now.

Pankers

Hang in there momma!!! I just hit 10 months and I had a real tough time; flat nipples, Raynauds, low supply, poor latch/tongue tie. To be honest it was 8-10 weeks before it got easier for me. We used to take nearly an hour to feed, 20-30 minutes each side. It probably took until 5 months before my LO got more efficient. We do 25 minutes in total now. It is worth continuing to try if you can. I second what others have said about LC/LLL. I had a fantastic LC and it really made a difference. Good luck!

gremaud07

This is what I needed to hear. But I am exclusively pumping due to my dd having a problem with latching. It's been a long two weeks and my boobs are hurting soo bad that nothing can touch them but my nipples don't hurt. Plus my supply has taken alittle dip.

ccegla1

My doctor prescribed me a compound ointment for the pain. I was crying every time LO latched on. Within 4 days of applying the ointment to my cracked nipples, no pain! I highly recommend it, so much better than lanolin, but expensive.

Bigboneded

I was told to use coconut oil on my nipples by LC. My pump doesnt hurt my nipples really, but girls had tongue tie and dont latch well. So we struggle with that, some pain between... if I pump too long(40 minute sessions- 2 in a row or more) or when the girls have a bad latch that can leave me sore for a while....
they started on formula in the NICU, and nipple shields, and pacifiers- and bad latches, not diagnosed there... :-( we are almost 8 weeks, I feel like I'm just starting, after several weeks of just pumping and formula supplements.... but we have good sessions and I know it will get better. One day I believe we will use no formula and I can skip bottle step....:-)

Aliki

For me, I don't think things got easier until 6 - 8 weeks, and then easier again at 3 months. By 6 months, I couldn't imagine not having BF when I see other moms out with bottles, warmers, wipes, etc.

Their latches can change, so even if the LC at the hospital said it was great, babies can change their latches over time.

Join a LLL group and the support you get is great!!!

babym6705

Pankers said:

Hang in there momma!!! I just hit 10 months and I had a real tough time; flat nipples, Raynauds, low supply, poor latch/tongue tie. To be honest it was 8-10 weeks before it got easier for me. We used to take nearly an hour to feed, 20-30 minutes each side. It probably took until 5 months before my LO got more efficient. We do 25 minutes in total now. It is worth continuing to try if you can. I second what others have said about LC/LLL. I had a fantastic LC and it really made a difference. Good luck!

It also took me about 8-10 weeks too.