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A little BFing help is needed...

MrsDe2008MrsDe2008 member
in Breastfeeding

Hi, I posted yesterday about the Medela Nipple Shield and how my DD actually was able to latch on with it, but after using it a few times, it's getting a little frustrating. It doesn't seem to want to stay on or in place. I tried the breast cream trick, but that didn't work...I even tried scotch tape (lol DH's suggestion) and that didn't work either. Any tricks on getting this thing to stay on? Also, being I've been pumping since she's been born (she was a NICU baby), I can't figure out a schedule/routine. With the bottle, I knew exactly how much she is getting and when she was full, but now when I put her to my breast, she sucks a little and then falls asleep (I guess the skin to skin is comforting). Do I just stop using the bottle and just give her the boob whenever she is hungry? I thought BFing would come so natural and be so easy...boy was I wrong. =/ TIA...

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Re: A little BFing help is needed...

  • smo321smo321 member
    Cant help you with the nipple sheild problem.  If you want to EBF then I would stop the bottles.  As far as not knowing how much you LO is getting, as long as LO is gaining weight then she is getting enough.
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  • AliciaCMAliciaCM member
    I agree with pp, if you want to ebf you have to stop giving bottles. If LO is gaining then she is fine! Remember you can't have output without input, lol. Watch the diapers and you will be able to tell if she's getting enough. On average about 6 wet diapers a day is recomended. Good Luck
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  • emberlee3emberlee3 member

    Check out this page on the Medela website if you haven't already:

    https://www.medelabreastfeedingus.com/tips-and-solutions/112/nipple-shields

     

    Try to keep baby awake during feeds.  It is hard for the first few weeks.  Have you been working with a lactation consultant?  Is there a breastfeeding support group near you?  BFing can be very challenging at first.  It helps to have a lot of support around you.  

    DS born 8/8/09 and DD born 6/12/12.
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  • detroitblondiedetroitblondie
    I briefly used a nipple shield with both my sons.  Maybe you could try a different one?  I do know that they come in different sizes/styles- maybe check Babies R Us?  If not, you might just have to hold it in place as you nurse for now.  Nursing is SO HARD for the first several weeks and as frustrating as it is now, it will get better and you WILL get to the point where you can pop her on with one swift movement and be good to go.  Now, it's all time consuming, stressful, takes both hands, etc. etc.  I'm not sure why you're using a nipple shield, but if it happens to be for pain, I would only occasionally use it.  Try and suck it up (the pain) and only use it when you absolutely can't bear the pain anymore.  Maybe every other feeding- that way you guys can both get used to nursing without.  It WILL get better- I PROMISE.  Secondly, if you can- I would totally stop giving her a bottle and try and keep her awake while she's feeding so that you know she's getting as much as possible at each feeding.  One really good thing to measure whether or not she's getting enough is if she poops after every single feeding.  If that's happening, then she's getting exactly enough.  :) 
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