Anybody had trouble breast feeding?

sarahbethrn · September 2009

My son is a week old today and I have been trying to breast feed. In the past couple of days, he has decided he doesn't want to try anymore. When I try to nurse him he will latch on for a couple of sucks and then turn his head and refuses to latch again. I have been pumping and giving it to him in a bottle, but as of now with both breasts combined I am only getting about half an ounce to an ounce every four to six hours.

The pedi said in the next couple of days one of two things would most likely happen. Either I would get my milk in or it would dry up. Anybody else have milk production, just not enough? I asked the doctor about a lactation consultant but he said that without enough milk production, DS is getting frustrated very quickly and this is why he won't nurse, so a LC won't do me much good at this point.

VAannie · September 2009

First, congrats on your LO! Second, your siggy pic is HUUUGE! Third, make an appointment with an LC TODAY. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200. Your pedi doesn't know what he's talking about. An LC will be able to diagnose the trouble and offer you dozens, most likely, of things to try. Try to get an appointment for TODAY. GL!

Geek_Girl · September 2009

Maybe a silly question, but did your milk come in yet? If not, that would explain the lack of milk at this point.

gris~gris · September 2009

Have you tried a nipple shield? If he's doing well on the bottle, the shield may work well. I would talk to an LC, regardless, too.

Good luck!

madhatter2003 · September 2009

ignore your pedi and see an LC IMMEDIATELY. For one thing, only pumping every 4-6 hours will not bring your milk in. They can correct latch issues and figure out why your DS won't nurse, or give tips on getting him back to the breast as well as assuring that you are doing all you can to get your milk in.

Pedis like this make me so mad...sorry to vent on you but at a week in your supply is too early to decide its 'not enough'....as your milk is still coming in!

Aug Bride · September 2009

I had that problem to. My milk never fully came in. DS was getting some BM but not enough. I went to a lactation consultant to see what I was doing wrong but it did not help since my milk never really came in. I tried all the herbal supplements to get the supply up and nothing. I finally said forget this and went to formula.

sarahbethrn · September 2009

LOL. Yeah that siggy pic was a little out of control. I'm still trying to get the hang of things. My milk has come in, it's just not coming in in the amount that it should. Doc seemed to think I should be producing about 2 ounces every 4 hours to satisfy LO. I will definatly call a lactation consultant today. Thank you.

Pesky · September 2009

Ditto pps -- see a LC at once. They can help with the latching etc. His frustration is likely due with the production issues, not that he hates BFing. IF you can up your production, you will likely not have that issue. If you have to supplement or go to FFing, not the end of the earth. But if you really want to BF, you should talk to a LC ASAP.