Latching Problems.. Support/Advice Please!

ChocolateDiamond1

Good Afternoon ladies!  

My LO is 10 days old today and we are having latching problems.  We have been to see a lactation specialist twice and are going for a third time tomorrow.  We have tried about every position imaginable - or at least it feels that way to me.  I am exhausted trying and then after feeding her a bottle - either formula to supplement or what I have pumped - I then have to pump to try to keep up a little supply in the fridge - my milk supply is not great - I get about 3oz every time I pump (thats a 20min pump with an electric medela pisa) -

 Looking for any advice you ladies may have or just a little support to keep trying. I told myself we would do this - that i was dedicated - but the more frustrated she gets with trying, I start to feel bad and just give her the bottle.  

Thank you ladies! 

cyprissa

I'm sorry you are going through this! We too had a really hard time in the beginning. DS had a really shallow latch and mangled my nips. I had to feed with a nipple shield, then pump, then DH would finger feed him with a syringe. It freaking sucked and I got no sleep for the first 2+ weeks. Once my nipples were healed, we worked on latch and his frenulum stretched and it got much better and by the end of the 3rd week, we were off the nipple shield and by 3.5 weeks I was able to stop pumping after each feeding.

Now, at 8 weeks, he's gaining plenty and feeding totally on the breast and I only pump to build a stash for work. I never thought that I would make it in the beginning but I did and so will you!!! Keep at it.

Also, pumping 3 oz at 10 days is really good. Your supply sounds fine to me. Also, beware of formula supplementing...it can take a toll on your supply. I'm not anti-formula but if you really want to EBF then you have to really carefully guard your supply in the early days. 

Good luck and stick with it. Things really go get easier at around 6 weeks! 

 

Athena0809

Sorry to hear you're going through this! DS and I had a hard time in the beginning. He hurt my nipples so bad that even after we fixed his latch I was hurting so much I used to cry from the pain every time. But it did get better, now at 5 weeks while he's on My Brest Friend and eating I'm Bumping! 3 oz at only 10 days pp sounds great to me I just started pumping and the most I get is 2oz so you are doing great! I understand the frustration when your LO is crying and you feel so bad you wanna do anything to make it stop, but don't give up keep trying, it will get better and you'll feel awesome afterward! My only advise to you is, have you tried nursing your baby in the early stages of her cues, as soon as she starts sticking her tongue out or just starting to root, so you catch her before she gets to the screaming and starving stage, that way you both have a couple min to play around with position and such. GL to you both!