Guessing this was discussed but the thread is so long couldn't find it. Do sore nipples go away? I gave birth last week and LO latched on great first few days. The problem is the initial latch during feedings became more and more uncomfortable to the point where I ended up with cracked bleeding nipples. I decided to supplement with formula and pumped breast milk for a few days while my nipples healed. Then today went to my hospital's breastfeeding support group. Wasn't much help. They latched on baby which I'm also able to do but the initial pain to my nipples is almost unbearable. It lasts about 60-90 seconds then subsides. I've bfed LO twice since and I can already feel my nipples becoming super irritated. So my question is whether this is just a phase thay I need to fight through and will eventually get better? I need some hope!!
Have you used some kind of nipple cream like lanolin?
@preggoandglowing It should pass as long as the latch is right. This time with DD as my nipples healed it would only hurt a few seconds and after a couple weeks not at all. With DS it took much longer because he sucked so hard, nothing wrong with his latch. Have you seen a LC? Maybe a nipple shield would be beneficial if nothing else is working.
As far as healing- you can apply a little expressed milk or balm. There are also gel pads that are helpful. They're cooling which can be soothing and help reduce friction from clothing.
@preggoandglowing yes! I was ready to throw in the towel. I was literally bawling in pain sometimes when my LO latched on to my right side. My left was really painful as well. I had scabs and then they would come off and I would just be completely raw. I'm 10 days in now and it is so much better, you just have to push through. There is also a nipple cream called "all purpose nipple cream" that you need a prescription for that you may want to try. It's got an antibiotic and steroid in it so its not ideal to use obviously but if it's going to mean the difference between you bfing or not then I think it's worth it. Apparently it's a miracle and will heal you really fast. Although I've gotten by with just lanolin and I'm on the mend. Anyways my point is yes it gets better!!!
@enigmaanjel SHE GAINED!! 8 oz in 8 days! The last week has been the most trying week of my life - emotionally, mentally, and physically. Breast feeding is HARD, and I was so unprepared for how difficult it would be.
I questioned whether I should just give up and formula feed every day, often multiple times per day. I'm so proud of myself for sticking with it, and now feel like I have a renewed determination to keep going!
Thank you to everyone on this discussion - it has kept me going knowing I'm not the only one struggling!
So now that I finally got the latch worked out for the most part and I'm not in excruciating pain while nursing, I now seem to have developed an overactive let down. My milk shoots out super fast and when LO latches she either unlatches immediately, or coughs/chokes/cries while nursing. It takes a lot of time to get her settled on the breast. A lot of times I'm having to express some milk out in the middle of a session to ease the pressure for her. It's very frustrating for both of us. I feel like it's been nonstop hurdles.
She will also nurse for a long time -- sometimes 40+ minutes, and is not always satisfied with that. She will cry and root for more. Then she's hungry again in an hour or so. I basically nursed her for two straight hours today and I think she still wanted more.
@sardavbak yay!!! So happy to read that! I guess it's harder on bf moms because we don't have hash marks on our breasts and can't get a reading on how much LO is getting. Mine pees and poos good but the weight thing bothered me. I am still giving .5-1 ounce of supplement almost every feeding with the sns. I want to be ebf soon! So bad. I have cried so many times over this stuff.
I have a hole in my nipple. It's smallish but noticeable. Like tip of a pen. My breast doesn't hurt and neither does feeding. Should I be concerned you think?
Could this be a crack??
Where is this hole? The tip of the nipple, the side or somewhere else?
On the upper side
Mmm a blister that is healing maybe? did your baby have trouble latching or have shallow latch on the beginning? If it isn't harming flow or production and doesn't hurt then brig it up at your next appointment if you are concerned. Until then I wouldn't stress too much over it.
@breezypip I have the same issue with letdown. I'm not sure how well it up works but I make sure I have a clean burp cloth or towel close and when DD pulls back because it's spraying too hard I put the cloth over my nipple and apply pressure. After a moment or two it seems to slow the spray so she can latch back on. If she still acts hungry after I offer a bottle. Although with the doctor wanting her to have more formula to help her gain it's been easier pumping and giving her bottles.
In the hospital, the LC also suggested leaning back at a 45 degree angle. That way gravity is supposed to help it not spray quite as hard that way.
So now that I finally got the latch worked out for the most part and I'm not in excruciating pain while nursing, I now seem to have developed an overactive let down. My milk shoots out super fast and when LO latches she either unlatches immediately, or coughs/chokes/cries while nursing. It takes a lot of time to get her settled on the breast. A lot of times I'm having to express some milk out in the middle of a session to ease the pressure for her. It's very frustrating for both of us. I feel like it's been nonstop hurdles.
She will also nurse for a long time -- sometimes 40+ minutes, and is not always satisfied with that. She will cry and root for more. Then she's hungry again in an hour or so. I basically nursed her for two straight hours today and I think she still wanted more.
Does anyone else have this issue?
It sounds like I've had all the exact same issues as you. Struggled with latch issues that were excruciating but now that we got that worked out all my son wants to do is eat and will feed a LONG time and still want more. Last night I was so frustrated because I fed him from one breast for an hour and he was still franticly rooting like he NEEDED more and I just wanted to go to bed! I maybe threw a semi tantrum but I'm just so damn tired, we're at the point where the past few days he's *only* waking every 2ish hours to eat but then he feeds for an hour so I'm only getting maybe an hour of sleep in between! He'll be 3 weeks next week so I'm going to try to start pumping so my husband can help out some but he eats so much I just don't even know how that will put a dent in his feedings. I use an app to track feedings and we nursed for over 9 hours yesterday. 9 hours!!!
Oh also, I had that fast let down happen once causing him to choke and it was so scary. I'm not sure the solution but I do try to sit more reclined when I nurse so maybe that helps?
@rachel10488 it sure sounds like we are in the same situation! I track my feeding times too and I average about 6 hours/day and sometimes longer. 9 hours is crazy... I thought 6 was bad. She's worse at night so I really don't get any sleep and struggling with her to feed on no sleep is frustrating to say the least.
I've wanted to pump some bottles so I can leave the house at some point... Or sleep, but I'm worried I may have over supply issues as well since she can nurse forever on just one side, and if so I hear pumping can make that worse. I'm not quite sure what to do. I'm a slave to the boob right now :-/
@rachel10488 it sure sounds like we are in the same situation! I track my feeding times too and I average about 6 hours/day and sometimes longer. 9 hours is crazy... I thought 6 was bad. She's worse at night so I really don't get any sleep and struggling with her to feed on no sleep is frustrating to say the least.
I've wanted to pump some bottles so I can leave the house at some point... Or sleep, but I'm worried I may have over supply issues as well since she can nurse forever on just one side, and if so I hear pumping can make that worse. I'm not quite sure what to do. I'm a slave to the boob right now :-/
Yes, I'm worried about the same thing with pumping but I'm hoping I can maybe chest it by pumping right after one of his shorter feeds. Sometimes he'll fall asleep eating after like 20 minutes and since I clearly have at least 29 more minutes of milk in there I'm thinking that may work. I will prob only pump once a day, if that, just enough to get a small supply so I can have a break already
Sometimes I skip the nighttime feeding and pump instead so SO can feed baby and I can sleep longer. He nurses forever at night because he's a lazy/sleepy eater. He even drinks the bottle slower at night. I haven't had any issues with engorgement or oversupply, but I did have a clogged duct a couple weeks ago which I believe was related to the pumping bra I tried that was too tight.
Hey ladies... I want to give up! I am exclusively pumping, my daughter is a chewer and has a hard time latching and was destroying my nipples so I decided at a week and half to just start pumping after talking to a LC. I know that breast is the best but I don't know how much longer I can do this. Everyday I say I'm done then I feel guilty and continue pumping. I'm only getting about 4 ounces total at a time if I'm lucky and I'm pumping for at least 45 minutes each time every 2 hours ( which is also exhausting because by the time i finish pumping and wash my parts and take care of my baby girl it's time to do it all over again) so I'm having a hard time keeping up with what she wants to eat. Ive been taking milk thistle and fenugreek to help my supply for over a week and I haven't noticed much of a difference. I also am worried about being able to pump at work. Yes I know they have to let me but I work 12 hour shifts on a very busy medical floor as a nurse and I just don't know where I'm gonna find the time to pump and take care of my patients and get everything done without being there till midnight... I am just really having anxiety and a hard time with this everyday I'm a puddle of tears all day and it's really wearing on me. Please tell me I'm not alone in wanting to stop? I hope I get it together because right now I'm an emotional wreck.
My baby is CONSTANTLY rooting and sucking. I feed her non stop but she will not stop sucking her lips or hands or blanket or whatever is near. It's making her gassy which makes her fussy and impossible to put down. Does anyone else have a rooting baby?
@heatherkennedy021 Don't be so hard on yourself! While breast is best, it is not for everyone. I had to stop at 3mo with DD for a lot of reasons and I was a better mom afterwards because I wasn't stressed. Don't let your guilt or any outside pressure prevent you from trusting your mommy instincts and doing what is best for you and your baby. While I'm not telling you to give up, I am telling you to trust your instincts. Deep breath Momma - you got this.
@eliseandbaby I'm with you! DD constantly does those things and will start flailing her head all over the place. I've found that burping her excessively and going straight to a pacifier has worked. I think the pacifier actually helps with gas. I'm worried that I overfeed her/let her use the boob as a pacifier bc I can't tell when she's actually hungry or how much she's getting when she eats. Do you deal with that at all?
@eliseandbaby my LO is rooting a lot, so I gave in at about a week old and let him have a pacifier. Life saver. He sucks on it a lot, and has had no problems with nipple confusion/latching, so I'm so glad I gave in and let him have it. Try a paci maybe?
@eliseandbaby I have a fast let down so DS feeds really fast (since it is like drinking from a fire hose) I am semi convinced as a result he doesn't get to enjoy suckling enough because sometimes he will continue rooting when I know that there is not possible way he could eat more so if he is still fussy after a good feed I will let him have a pacifier, sucking on it seems to sooth him or settle his tummy. Sometimes cuddling him with his legs tucked-up seems to help his digestion too.
@mhubbar5@esscapelle SO doesn't want to try a pacifier yet but I'm so desperate and I did buy one so I'm happy to know they work with this. She flails her head so much looking to latch even if I just fed her for 45 mins.. I'm at my wits end with breast feeding and she's less than a week old... Do you guys feel that way at all?
Hey ladies... I want to give up! I am exclusively pumping, my daughter is a chewer and has a hard time latching and was destroying my nipples so I decided at a week and half to just start pumping after talking to a LC. I know that breast is the best but I don't know how much longer I can do this. Everyday I say I'm done then I feel guilty and continue pumping. I'm only getting about 4 ounces total at a time if I'm lucky and I'm pumping for at least 45 minutes each time every 2 hours ( which is also exhausting because by the time i finish pumping and wash my parts and take care of my baby girl it's time to do it all over again) so I'm having a hard time keeping up with what she wants to eat. Ive been taking milk thistle and fenugreek to help my supply for over a week and I haven't noticed much of a difference. I also am worried about being able to pump at work. Yes I know they have to let me but I work 12 hour shifts on a very busy medical floor as a nurse and I just don't know where I'm gonna find the time to pump and take care of my patients and get everything done without being there till midnight... I am just really having anxiety and a hard time with this everyday I'm a puddle of tears all day and it's really wearing on me. Please tell me I'm not alone in wanting to stop? I hope I get it together because right now I'm an emotional wreck.
I'm sorry you're under such stress to keep your baby fed. First of all, whatever you decide is best is absolutely fine as long as your baby is getting fed. In my opinion mom's sanity comes before breastfeeding. Now, 4 oz per pump session is actually pretty normal and more than most get, the amount to look at is how much you get in 24 hours vs how much baby is eating in that time. It is very easy to overfeed a baby breastmilk. How far PP are you and when will you go back to work? I know around 12 weeks is when EPers usually drop a pump and extend the time they go between sessions. If you can make it that far then you might be able to keep going. If you can't keep up with baby and only produce maybe half of what she eats you can always supplement.
@mhubbar5@esscapelle SO doesn't want to try a pacifier yet but I'm so desperate and I did buy one so I'm happy to know they work with this. She flails her head so much looking to latch even if I just fed her for 45 mins.. I'm at my wits end with breast feeding and she's less than a week old... Do you guys feel that way at all?
@eliseandbaby my LO is rooting a lot, so I gave in at about a week old and let him have a pacifier. Life saver. He sucks on it a lot, and has had no problems with nipple confusion/latching, so I'm so glad I gave in and let him have it. Try a paci maybe?
@heatherkennedy021 I wish I could give you a hug! Poor thing. I know how you feel on so many levels. Every time I feed I think the same thing, and then the guilt sets in. Please do what is best for YOU and your baby. You have to take care of yourself too. Know you are not alone in your thinking.
Okay, so I've found plenty of resources about storing breastmilk, how long it's good, etc., but I can't find an answer to these two scenarios involving taking milk in your diaper bag. I know that freshly expressed milk stays good for a few hours, but what about:
1. Milk taken directly from the fridge. Must it have an ice pack of you're taking it with you? Or can it last at room temp?
2. Milk thawed from the freezer. Again, do you need to use it right away?
I'm just trying to plan ahead for upcoming appointments/outings. My supply seems to have dropped, so I can't pump the 4 oz I used to get all at once after nursing.
Okay, so I've found plenty of resources about storing breastmilk, how long it's good, etc., but I can't find an answer to these two scenarios involving taking milk in your diaper bag. I know that freshly expressed milk stays good for a few hours, but what about:
1. Milk taken directly from the fridge. Must it have an ice pack of you're taking it with you? Or can it last at room temp?
2. Milk thawed from the freezer. Again, do you need to use it right away?
I'm just trying to plan ahead for upcoming appointments/outings. My supply seems to have dropped, so I can't pump the 4 oz I used to get all at once after nursing.
1. Warmed milk is good at room temp for 4 hours I believe. On ice it is good for 8. (Someone correct me if this info is wrong).
2. Thawed milk must be used within 24 hours.
I doubt your supply has dropped, more likely it has regulated to what your baby needs therefore you aren't producing as much
I'm sorry if this was asked/answered.. Haven't really been following this thread entirely. But my three week old has been throwing up a lot after feedings (he's ebf) last weight check we had was about a week ago and he's gained but he threw up a few times today which is making me a little worried. Anyone else's LO throwing up after nursing? He has his one month check up coming up but if he continues I will take him to see his pediatrician earlier. Just thought you guys might have suggestions/recommendations.
I have a hole in my nipple. It's smallish but noticeable. Like tip of a pen. My breast doesn't hurt and neither does feeding. Should I be concerned you think?
Could this be a crack??
Where is this hole? The tip of the nipple, the side or somewhere else?
On the upper side
Mmm a blister that is healing maybe? did your baby have trouble latching or have shallow latch on the beginning? If it isn't harming flow or production and doesn't hurt then brig it up at your next appointment if you are concerned. Until then I wouldn't stress too much over it.
Thanks! Yeah I think I have overactive flow and he tries to get a shallow latch to help regulate it. Thanks for soothing my worries.
I want to thank you girls, reading through everyone's questions and answers has helped me so much. Today me and my son had our first stress free breastfeeding day where we finally got a good position and a good latch and we're both much happier! This thread has been a life saver
So I'm a first time mom and my baby is only 2 days old. I'm sorry if this question has been asked before, but there were so many posts I really didn't want to go through all of them.
We just got home. My milk isn't in yet but we've been doing pretty good. His latch isn't perfect but we are working on it. He fed pretty well at the hospital. I fed him right after he was circumcised at 11 ish, and then he slept pretty much strait until 2:45, including in the car on the way home.
I decided to wake him and try and feed him because I thought we had gone way too long, but he has no interest. In fact he fell asleep in my arms.
I'm a little worried. He fed a couple of times this morning and isn't fussy, just sleepy.
@stephaniearthurs Is he having wet diapers? Or do there seem to be fewer than in the hospital? My baby was very sleepy at 2.5 days and was getting dehydrated. He had wet diapers but very little pee. The same thing happened with my first, and they had both lost 12 percent of their body weight by the day 3 weight check. If you are concerned, and he just won't wake for a feeding you can pump to keep building your supply up, and schedule a weight check tomorrow with a lactation consultant. They can even check to see if he is transferring any milk at that appointment. Then you will have a better idea of how well he is feeding.
So I'm a first time mom and my baby is only 2 days old. I'm sorry if this question has been asked before, but there were so many posts I really didn't want to go through all of them.
We just got home. My milk isn't in yet but we've been doing pretty good. His latch isn't perfect but we are working on it. He fed pretty well at the hospital. I fed him right after he was circumcised at 11 ish, and then he slept pretty much strait until 2:45, including in the car on the way home.
I decided to wake him and try and feed him because I thought we had gone way too long, but he has no interest. In fact he fell asleep in my arms.
I'm a little worried. He fed a couple of times this morning and isn't fussy, just sleepy.
Any advice?
I would suggest to undress him down to his diaper and try to feed him. Rub his legs, feet, back all to get him to try to eat. Also he might have his days and nights backwards and will be wide awake tonight, so the more you can get him to eat during the day and be awake periodically during the day the more he "should" sleep during the night.
Well he's had pretty wet diapers every day, and actually peed a ton on the doctor this morning when he started the circumcision. I just got him to latch on one boob so hopefully that helps
@stephaniearthurs Is he having wet diapers? Or do there seem to be fewer than in the hospital? My baby was very sleepy at 2.5 days and was getting dehydrated. He had wet diapers but very little pee. The same thing happened with my first, and they had both lost 12 percent of their body weight by the day 3 weight check. If you are concerned, and he just won't wake for a feeding you can pump to keep building your supply up, and schedule a weight check tomorrow with a lactation consultant. They can even check to see if he is transferring any milk at that appointment. Then you will have a better idea of how well he is feeding.
Well he's had pretty wet diapers every day, and actually peed a ton on the doctor this morning when he started the circumcision. I just got him to latch on one boob so hopefully that helps
@stephaniearthurs Is he having wet diapers? Or do there seem to be fewer than in the hospital? My baby was very sleepy at 2.5 days and was getting dehydrated. He had wet diapers but very little pee. The same thing happened with my first, and they had both lost 12 percent of their body weight by the day 3 weight check. If you are concerned, and he just won't wake for a feeding you can pump to keep building your supply up, and schedule a weight check tomorrow with a lactation consultant. They can even check to see if he is transferring any milk at that appointment. Then you will have a better idea of how well he is feeding.
I would say let him sleep. My LO passed out after his circumcision because they used sugar water as a pain reliever. I think he will wake up when he is ready to eat. Just my opinion.
BFP #1 April 14th, 2014 MMC at 17weeks with a baby boy D&E
BFP # 2 March 23rd, Rainbow Baby Boy Jayce Michael born 12/9/15
BFP#3 January 26th EDD October 9th! Hoping for my girl!
My daughter is EBF and poops maybe once a week! She's gaining weight like crazy and has wet diapers everyday, but this no pooping thing is making us anxious.
I've read it's "normal", but anyone else here experiencing this?
My daughter is EBF and poops maybe once a week! She's gaining weight like crazy and has wet diapers everyday, but this no pooping thing is making us anxious.
I've read it's "normal", but anyone else here experiencing this?
Henry will go 3-4 days without pooping then just explode. His ped said it was normal for BF babies to have weird pooping schedules. He doesn't act constipated or really strain when he does poop, so it hasn't concerned me much. He seems to go longer between poops during a growth spurt so maybe thats something to do with it.
Re: Breastfeeding advice, questions, ect
As far as healing- you can apply a little expressed milk or balm. There are also gel pads that are helpful. They're cooling which can be soothing and help reduce friction from clothing.
I questioned whether I should just give up and formula feed every day, often multiple times per day. I'm so proud of myself for sticking with it, and now feel like I have a renewed determination to keep going!
Thank you to everyone on this discussion - it has kept me going knowing I'm not the only one struggling!
She will also nurse for a long time -- sometimes 40+ minutes, and is not always satisfied with that. She will cry and root for more. Then she's hungry again in an hour or so. I basically nursed her for two straight hours today and I think she still wanted more.
Does anyone else have this issue?
In the hospital, the LC also suggested leaning back at a 45 degree angle. That way gravity is supposed to help it not spray quite as hard that way.
He'll be 3 weeks next week so I'm going to try to start pumping so my husband can help out some but he eats so much I just don't even know how that will put a dent in his feedings. I use an app to track feedings and we nursed for over 9 hours yesterday. 9 hours!!!
Oh also, I had that fast let down happen once causing him to choke and it was so scary. I'm not sure the solution but I do try to sit more reclined when I nurse so maybe that helps?
I've wanted to pump some bottles so I can leave the house at some point... Or sleep, but I'm worried I may have over supply issues as well since she can nurse forever on just one side, and if so I hear pumping can make that worse. I'm not quite sure what to do. I'm a slave to the boob right now :-/
I want to give up! I am exclusively pumping, my daughter is a chewer and has a hard time latching and was destroying my nipples so I decided at a week and half to just start pumping after talking to a LC. I know that breast is the best but I don't know how much longer I can do this. Everyday I say I'm done then I feel guilty and continue pumping. I'm only getting about 4 ounces total at a time if I'm lucky and I'm pumping for at least 45 minutes each time every 2 hours ( which is also exhausting because by the time i finish pumping and wash my parts and take care of my baby girl it's time to do it all over again) so I'm having a hard time keeping up with what she wants to eat. Ive been taking milk thistle and fenugreek to help my supply for over a week and I haven't noticed much of a difference. I also am worried about being able to pump at work. Yes I know they have to let me but I work 12 hour shifts on a very busy medical floor as a nurse and I just don't know where I'm gonna find the time to pump and take care of my patients and get everything done without being there till midnight... I am just really having anxiety and a hard time with this everyday I'm a puddle of tears all day and it's really wearing on me. Please tell me I'm not alone in wanting to stop? I hope I get it together because right now I'm an emotional wreck.
his digestion too.
Now, 4 oz per pump session is actually pretty normal and more than most get, the amount to look at is how much you get in 24 hours vs how much baby is eating in that time. It is very easy to overfeed a baby breastmilk.
How far PP are you and when will you go back to work? I know around 12 weeks is when EPers usually drop a pump and extend the time they go between sessions. If you can make it that far then you might be able to keep going. If you can't keep up with baby and only produce maybe half of what she eats you can always supplement.
https://forums.thebump.com/discussion/12651628/pacifiers-for-newborns-when-breastfeeding#latest
I wish I could give you a hug! Poor thing. I know how you feel on so many levels. Every time I feed I think the same thing, and then the guilt sets in. Please do what is best for YOU and your baby. You have to take care of yourself too. Know you are not alone in your thinking.
1. Milk taken directly from the fridge. Must it have an ice pack of you're taking it with you? Or can it last at room temp?
2. Milk thawed from the freezer. Again, do you need to use it right away?
I'm just trying to plan ahead for upcoming appointments/outings. My supply seems to have dropped, so I can't pump the 4 oz I used to get all at once after nursing.
2. Thawed milk must be used within 24 hours.
I doubt your supply has dropped, more likely it has regulated to what your baby needs therefore you aren't producing as much
This thread has been a life saver
We just got home. My milk isn't in yet but we've been doing pretty good. His latch isn't perfect but we are working on it. He fed pretty well at the hospital. I fed him right after he was circumcised at 11 ish, and then he slept pretty much strait until 2:45, including in the car on the way home.
I decided to wake him and try and feed him because I thought we had gone way too long, but he has no interest. In fact he fell asleep in my arms.
I'm a little worried. He fed a couple of times this morning and isn't fussy, just sleepy.
Any advice?
Good luck, momma!
BFP #1 April 14th, 2014 MMC at 17weeks with a baby boy D&E
BFP # 2 March 23rd, Rainbow Baby Boy Jayce Michael born 12/9/15
BFP#3 January 26th EDD October 9th! Hoping for my girl!
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I've read it's "normal", but anyone else here experiencing this?