Why is Breastfeeding so hard.

Sallioth · May 2011

LJ's been a great baby but I just can't get him to latch on and stay on. So for now I'll just keep pumping.

sparkymcgeee · May 2011

Eliza had a hard time latching on until she was about a week and a half. It would take her 15 or 20 minutes sometimes just to get latched. It was really frustrating but she eventually got it. Its a PITA but it does get better.

NothingLikeBarbie · May 2011

I hear ya. I BF but I can't do it without a shield. I know its gonna be a pain to wean him off the shield later, but my poor cracked nipples cant handle it any other way!

novilise · May 2011

I had a hard time, too, and it was really painful.

But the Medela nipple shields really helped.

tokenhoser · May 2011

Have you got any in-person help?

If you can, meet with a LC or LLL leader. You don't just have to figure it out alone.

JUSTBEYOURSELF · May 2011

is your nipple inverted maybe? you may need the nipple sheilds. Also tricks that have worked for me. take your whole boob in your hand, get a firm grip of your boob. Squeeze so your nipple and areola are plump and squeeze to get some milk out on your nipple, get your baby to open up wide. I can get mine to open big by touching her chin or making her root for my nipple. try not to over pump either cause if there is nothing in there they lose interest also I rub her hands and feet to keep her nursing and not sleeping or keeping her focused. also if she latches wrong keep correcting her by removing her and have her try again. I hope that this helps you. good luck.

BabyBebe1 · May 2011

tokenhoser:
Have you got any in-person help?
If you can, meet with a LC or LLL leader. You don't just have to figure it out alone.

This. It sucked for us, and I cried for days and days because I could not do it period. But after 2.5 weeks of pumping and bottle feeding, I met with a LC and it just clicked. After that day, there was no going back. My LO weighs almost 10 pounds now and nurses perfectly every 3 hours during the day, and at night we get one 5-6 hour stretch and then another 3. I can't stress enough how glad I am I went to see a LC. Seriously I want to send the woman on a vacation.

Huge hugs to you and hang in there.

CanuckFan03 · May 2011

I hear ya. My baby has been latching well, but I found out today I'm not producing nearly enough milk and we're worried about his weight. Sigh. If its not one thing, its another.

Mrs.Saxy · May 2011

Yep...which is why DS is being FF exclusively.

Stephcara · May 2011

JUSTBEYOURSELF:
is your nipple inverted maybe? you may need the nipple sheilds. Also tricks that have worked for me. take your whole boob in your hand, get a firm grip of your boob. Squeeze so your nipple and areola are plump and squeeze to get some milk out on your nipple, get your baby to open up wide. I can get mine to open big by touching her chin or making her root for my nipple. try not to over pump either cause if there is nothing in there they lose interest also I rub her hands and feet to keep her nursing and not sleeping or keeping her focused. also if she latches wrong keep correcting her by removing her and have her try again. I hope that this helps you. good luck.

Ditto the all this. I always said that nursing is one of the hardest things I ever did. This time around it is easier. Keep putting something on your nips to help with the cracking and take it one day at a time.

As pp mentioned, contact LC if you are still having troubles and give yourself some credit, it really is hard.

hang in there.

UndecidedChange · May 2011

I can't rave enough about the nipple shield. Really. BEST THING EVER.

NothingLikeBarbie · May 2011

CommonName:
I can't rave enough about the nipple shield. Really. BEST THING EVER.

THIS! My shield is my best friend

LawLove08 · May 2011

I definitely recommend talking to a LC or trying to find a LLL meeting. ?You don't have to do this alone! ?Does your pedi have an LC on staff? ?Lots do, and it's a great resource. ?An LC could talk to you about nipple shields, inverted nipples, etc.

I'm not sure how old your LO is, but if your milk has come in and you're at all engorged, you may want to try pumping a little bit before beginning to breastfeed. ?It will relieve the engorgement a little, so your LO can latch better. ?It will also get your nipple nice and popped out (TMI, I know). ?Hand pumps are great (and very convenient) for this. ?I had to do that for a week or so after DS was born, until the engorgement eased up.?

virgospiderette · May 2011

hang in there sweetie! it gets so much easier!!!! if theres a will, theres a way.... your baby will not starve! your LO has come too far to not eat!!! call loving support 24 hr hotline- 1888 451 2499

Temp38995750004016 · May 2011

tokenhoser:
Have you got any in-person help?
If you can, meet with a LC or LLL leader. You don't just have to figure it out alone.

Yes They can help with your technique.

heysupnatalie · May 2011

I have the worst time getting him to latch. I cried ALL day yesterday because I was so upset about not being able to do it. I currently have to just pump because he rarely rarely latches. I try to breastfeed before giving him the bottle but he just puts it in his mouth and goes back to sleep and never even eats. I have to literally wake him up during the day just to get him to eat. The LC never came to my room at the hospital so I have to call for advice. I am so glad that everyone else has advice/problems too (as mean as that sounds) because I felt SO alone.

tokenhoser · May 2011

heysupnatalie:
I am so glad that everyone else has advice/problems too (as mean as that sounds) because I felt SO alone.

The biggest thing I learned from the LLL meetings I went to pregnant was that pretty much every woman that breastfeeds has some problems sooner or later. It's normal. It's hard. And if you make it through, it's awesome and you feel like you climbed a mountain or something.

There's nothing wrong with you if things are hard - it just means it's time to ask for some help.

JUSTBEYOURSELF · May 2011

tokenhoser:

heysupnatalie:
I am so glad that everyone else has advice/problems too (as mean as that sounds) because I felt SO alone.

The biggest thing I learned from the LLL meetings I went to pregnant was that pretty much every woman that breastfeeds has some problems sooner or later. It's normal. It's hard. And if you make it through, it's awesome and you feel like you climbed a mountain or something.

There's nothing wrong with you if things are hard - it just means it's time to ask for some help.

I was very "I am not going to want anyone seeing my boobies etc" but when I was in the hospital I am glad I changed my tune. I was as well as dh PROUD of myself to ask for help. Had I not I would be here upset and frustrated. I am so happy that I asked and got the help I needed so I could continue feeding my baby. like token said eventually everyone has some kind of problem, you are not alone. ALOT OF WOMEN do not ask for what ever reason and struggle. why struggle when you can ask and get some really great advice.

I hope things work out for you! huge hugs.

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