XP - Giving up already??? :o(

Rachel5782 · May 2011

https://community.thebump.com/cs/ks/forums/thread/54029523.aspx

Edit: Jacob is 5 days old.

Sweets2005 · May 2011

Yes I had problems, too, as I am sure most people do. You are only 5 days pp, its not gonna be easy or fun or some special bonding time. Its gonna be painful and frustrating, and only a means to an end right now (to feed your baby). The first couple weeks were HELL for me- I cried every time I nursed her. The next 2 were awful. The next 2 were better and after 6 weeks it was good as gold. Now she is 7 months and still EBF.

Here is some advice, take it or leave it, but its good advice and so far the advice you have gotten has really sucked. The nurse who told you not to nurse more than 10 minutes needs to be fired immediately (and possibly shot!) !

Seriously, WHAT is she thinking?!?!? If you only nursed 10 min on each side, you would most likely only be giving the baby foremilk and he would never get a chance to get the rich hindmilk that he needs. And you can't time feedings for a 5 day old baby!!!! Nurse him for as long as he wants and as often as he wants. It will not only help your milk supply but newborns just need to nurse a lot. It seemed like my LO wanted to nurse endlessly some days! But they have a lot of growing to do! Next, put down the bottles. You don't need to pump, just nurse! The milk output when you pump is NOT a good indicator of milk supply. I never get more than an ounce or two when I pump- but my supply must be good because my LO is in the 95th percentile for weight!!!!

I would definitely see another LC. Maybe from the LLL or just somewhere different than you had seen. I saw the LC a few times through all the pain and it definitely did help. One thing I learned, finally, was to switch positions more frequently instead of just doing cradle hold every time. That way her tongue was not just rubbing the same spot, which was causing me to bleed. That was the advice that I needed that the first few LCs never gave me. So maybe if you see another LC they will have better advice for you that works.

Good luck, it gets so much easier!!!!!!!

shotzie · May 2011

Your pedi gave you horrible advice. Newborns nurse for 20-30 min per side each feeding. You should not limit baby's time on the breast. And you should nurse whenever he wants to, it might be only an hour after his last feeding, it might be two...follow his cues. You won't get a lot from pumping yet because your body isn't making a lot of milk yet. Your body will make more milk per feeding as baby grows. By baby nursing frequently, he's telling your body to make more milk to meet his growing needs. Definitely see the LC again, they're great for support and to help especially in these early days. They can also check baby's latch to make sure it doesn't need to be corrected. It's normal to have some pain at first, but if his latch isn't correct, that can make it hurt worse. Hang in there, it's tough at first, but I promise it gets better.

rosiemomma · May 2011

I am so sorry you are having a rough start!! The truth is this can be overcome and you can have great nursing experience! Like others have said you were mis-informed, don't feel guilty it happens more than it should that the doctor gives out mis-information. Baby needs to work on latching on to you so if you can eliminate any artificial nipple, It sounds like you could easily wean from the supplements if your breasts are leaking everywhere!! Pumps do not efficiently empty the breast like a baby! And it can make a difference what type of pump and flange size.

If you want to keep going you should focus on latching baby correct every time, put lanolin on your nipples and air them out as often as you can.

here is more I hope it helps:

https://www.nbci.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=6&Itemid=13

https://www.mother-2-mother.com/nipplepain.htm

https://www.mother-2-mother.com/supplement.htm

Good Luck!

SnoopyLuv · May 2011

Use lanolin! Get a nipple shield from BRU or Target (Medela brand). Be prepared to nurse around the clock.

Don't listen to your pediatrician for breastfeeding advice. They are only required to take a one hour lecture on BFing in med school (if that) they have no effing clue about nursing.

I'd stop with the formula supplementing, get a nipple shield and nurse all.day.long. I'm not exaggerating.

RunningGal900 · June 2011

I love my pedi and e is all about BFing, but seems to know little about it. He also said 15 minutes a side. Well DS would never have gotten any hindmilk at that stage in 15 minutes. Actually, we are just now down to 15 minutes. At 5 das old he nursed for hours. It was exhausting but it help build up my supply. Sometimes it was comfort sucking so to give my nips a break would offer my clean finger. The beginning is hard. I wanted o cry constantly. But wemade it and DS is thriving. Hang in there!

Erin2903 · June 2011

Everyone has given great advice. I just wanted to let you know that you are not alone. Those first few weeks were awful for me and I wanted to give up every second. I hated breastfeeding and it was so painful that I felt very resentful every time LO wanted to eat. We are now at a point where I actually enjoy feeding him and the time that we get to spend together so just know that it does get better.

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XP - Giving up already??? :o(

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