Moms with outside babies... bf help!
Rachel5782
member
I'm really trying to stick with this bfing thing. However, after 5 days, I'm already starting to give up. 
( My nipples are in so much pain... more pain than I felt with labor contractions. Yesterday I was so shocked with pain, I almost slapped his face away. No of course I didn't do it, but that's how much pain I felt. Jacob was a little jaundice from day 1 so the docs had us supplement bfing with a little formula. It's so tempting just to move on and give up on nursing. My boobs are leaking like crazy, and I tried to pump today... but it seems like my supply isn't that great yet. It took me like 20-30 min. to pump only 1 oz. When I nurse (through the pain), he is constantly looking for more. The pediatrician today told me not to nurse moer than 10 minutes on each side.. and not more often than every 2 hours, timed from the start of the nursing session. I'm afraid he's not getting enough milk. This is really putting a downer on the whole experience is really making me feel miserable.
Anyone else having issues with bfing? Ugh. It doesn't help that my mom is giving me a guilt trip about doing anything OTHER than bfing. DH supports whatever decision I make.
Yes, I could call a lacation specialist to come in. I had several sessions when I was in the hospital, and it helped a bit, but I'm afraid they'll tell me more of the same info.
Re: Moms with outside babies... bf help!
I'm so sorry you are having trouble! I haven't had this baby yet, but I nursed my other 4...I agree wiht PP, I don't know why your pedi would tell you only 10 minutes on each side... when my LO's were first born they could spend 30 minutes on each side sometimes! It go less as they got older, but in the beginning I always let them stay on much longer.
I don't know if this is TMI or not, but are your nipples just sore, or are they cracked/bleeding? If it hurts when they are sucking they might not have a good latch, I was VERY engorged when the LO's were first born so I had to squeeze some of the milk out, (kind of flatten my nipple) so LO could get his/her whole mouth around it and get a proper latch. I also found squeezing a little bit of BM on my nipples after nursing and letting them "air dry" for a second really helped keep them moist (better than any other nipple cream out there).
As for only getting an ounce out, don't worry, they don't each much at this age, (I think my LO's did an average of 1 oz per hour when they were this little (so if it was 2 hours between feedings they would drink about 2 oz) just keep it up and make sure you drink a glass of water with EVERY nursing/pumping session (in addition to what you are already drinking). I also pumped right after all of my feeding sessions during the day (I wouldn't get more than 1/2 and oz out because LO ate most of what was in there) but it did help me get my milk (and stored supply) up.
Good luck and I hope that helps! Don't let any one tell you what's right for you and your baby. If this doesn't work for you, your baby will still be happy and healthy!
I replied in your other thread.
I am so angry at that stupid nurse, you need to erase everything she told you from your brain. She should not be a nurse.
Brady Phoenix, 8.29.09
Claire Zoe, 10.26.10
I am so sorry you're going through this! Take a deep breath and know that it's OK and fixable and happens to the best of women. I went through hell when I began breastfeeding DS. I completely sympathize. The pain from breastfeeding was MUCH MUCH worse than recovering from my c-section, I barely noticed the c-section stuff because my nipples hurt so much. They were cracked, bleeding, I was screaming out in pain every time DS latched on so trust me I know how horrible the pain can be and how difficult it can be to work through it....but you can do it!
-You should not limit feeding to only 10 minutes on each side. Feed on demand for as long as LO wants. Maybe switch breasts after 20-25 minutes to help him drain both breasts (if one is more sore, cracked or bleeding than you can pump from that one instead of have him latch on). If you feel comfortable enough to not supplement with formula than I would recommend it to get LO to help with your supply. The first 2-4 weeks of BFing are essential to your overall supply. Don't worry about only getting an ounce, just keep at it and your supply will increase. Plus babies are more efficient at getting breast milk out than any pump would be, so I am sure he is getting more through latching than what you get through pumping.
-Make sure LO is latching on correctly! That is super super important. DS was born with a tongue tie (which greatly interfered with Bfing) and latched on wrong the first couple of times and he destroyed my nipples and that';s when all the trouble began. Take the time to make sure he opens his mouth wide, that he takes in not just the nipple but some of the areola. You can gently rub his chin to get him to open his mouth wide and then bring baby to your breast and not your breast to baby! So lift him and bring him close and make sure he latches on well and then hold him close to you in that position. Put pillows or whatever you can to help you prop him up like that, and maybe just hold his head in your hand the whole time to ensure he keeps a good latch and doesn't move or tug on the nipple.
Here is advice given to me directly from the 4 different lactation consultants I saw to help nipples heal:
1) Give a boob some rest. So breastfeed from one boob, the one that hurts the least, and pump from the other one. You can pump from the one boob that's cracked the most for a day or two, but make sure to pump every time you feed him from the other breast so your supply doesn't diminish. Then the next day, switch boobs. It allows the one to heal a little.
3) Rub some breast milk on the nipples themselves because it has natural healing powers for the nipples. I did this, don't know if it helped or not, but I just did EVERYTHING they told me to do to make sure something worked.
4) Buy a gel pad to put on your nipple. This is VITAL! I used to bleed and then my cracked nipple skin would adhere to the bra and when I would pull the bra down to breastfeed I would rip the skin off. PAINFUL!! In the hospital they gave me these medicated gel pads, I forgot their name, but they were awesome! I tried to buy other ones when I got out of the hospital but couldn't find them so instead I wore Soothies. They're not as great because if you leak a lot it will get soggy after a few hours of wear, which gets pricy after a while, but I still bought them and wore them since I needed anything that would help with this pain! And the gel pads are a must if you are cracked and bleeding. Really! Take my word for it.
Agreed! I nursed my first two kids and am very pro-BFing (though I do recognize that it doesn't work for some people for a variety of reasons). Anyway, unfortunately a lot of pediatricians just don't seem to be very knowledgable about BFing. The advice your pedi gave you is not helpful. At this age you can and should nurse on demand... no time limits.
It does sound like your baby may be having some latch problems. You can call a LC or look up your local La Leche League leader and call her. I didn't make a call when DD1 was a newborn and, in hindsight, I should have just called. We were having latch issues and it took me a while to teach DD how to latch on properly (I watched a bunch of videos that I found on kellymom.com to figure out what we were doing wrong, but having someone here who knew what she was doing would have helped more).
Also, no worries about only pumping an ounce. Think about how little your baby's stomach is at this point. 1-2 ounces per feeding are probably all your baby is eating, so that's all you'll be able to pump too.
Keep it up! I know it's hard at the beginning, but it DOES get better. The first 4 or 6 weeks with my first DD were so hard. Once we got past all that, it became enjoyable and a good bonding experience, but those first few weeks were painful and difficult.
Hang in there!!! I know it hurts supper bad, but I promise it will get better! What I did with dd ( I have very large boos, 34 H right now) is I only nursed her one side for one feeding that way they had more time to "rest" in between. It didn't affect my supply at all and I did it until she was one.
A lactation nurse might really be good right now, they are very understanding and if anything may give you encouragement, which I think can make a huge difference!
DD2 | June 2011
DS1 | Oct 2013
ADD3 | Oct 2014 (April 2001)
DS2 | June 2016
DS3 | Dec 2018
Due with baby blob August 2021
I don't have an outside baby, nor do I have BFing experience. However, I have been reading "The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding" which is published by LLL. I have really appreciated the perspective given regarding what is "normal" and when to ask for help. It also has detailed information regarding how to gauge when your LO is getting enough milk based upon dirty and wet diapers.
I would encourage you to check out this book - it's a super easy read too. I think it's helped me understand a lot and also has given me tips for DH as to how he can help support me during the difficult times.
Have you tried a nipple shield? This really helped me!! Also the Medela nipple cream is amazing. I totally understand how exhausting it can be...you are not alone. After having a premie with jaundice issues that would not stay awake to nurse I decided to start EPing. They were having me BF, then pump, then supplement with formula...he was so sleepy he wasnt getting enough nursing and it was very exhausting on both of us. By the time we finished the whole process it was time to turn right around and do it all over again. He was and still is having to eat every 3 hrs. I talked with our pediatrician and she completely supports our decision. She told us that we have to do what keeps us sane. Do what you need to do and dont let anyone pressure you into anything.
I would definitely stick with it if that was your plan. I had some issues when I started with DS and he lost weight because he wasn't eating enough but we stuck with it and he is a happy, healthy boy. I even nursed 14 months while working full time. It does get easier. I also went to a support group at my hospital that was free for moms with babies up to 6 weeks old. It helped me feel better about things and got me through the first few difficult weeks. I would definitely look in to a group or call the LC.
A couple of the best lessons I learned with DS was to not be afraid to ask for help (it is o.k. not to be Super Mommy right off the bat) and when it comes to BFing, the more stressed out and irritated you are, the worse it is. Your body and your baby react to your feelings so try to relax and have a positive attitude.
No matter what, do what is best for you. No one can tell you what is best for you because you are the only one living through it. That is another thing I've learned over the past 3 years about parenting. You have to do what works best for you and your family no matter what your mom or anyone else says.
I hope things look up for you soon! Hugs!
Sorry you are struggling. Nursing is hard in the first 4-6 weeks but it is so worth it. Not just from a health perspective but as a way to comfort and soothe your little one. Early on leaking is normal just pop in some breast pads and don't worry about it it is a sign you are making milk. I found early on nursing was consuming enough and I didn't even consider pumping till LO was 2-3 weeks old, if you don't need to pump I would leave it for now and take a bit of unneeded stress away. Sometimes it may be a bit uncomfortable when LO first latches but if it really hurts the latch isn't right. Pop your pinky in LO's mouth to break the suction remove him from the breast and try again. Initially we would sometimes try up to 10X in a row to get a good latch.A good latch shouldn't hurt. Don't let LO keep sucking if the latch is bad it is painful for you, and he isn't getting a lot of milk if he isn't latched well. Having a public health nurse come over and check my bfing was one of the best things I did early on. It helped me so much at a time when I was ready to give up bfing. Also try different positions like the football hold to get LO into a position where you are comfortable. Also don't listen to the pedi, right now LO should nurse for as long as he is interested in during a session, it is his whole job. Good Luck, it does get easier.
This. I am also struggling with BFing and was ridiculously stressed that my little man was starving because he would BF for over an hour and still scream in between feedings. I started getting depressed and was constantly crying. I have been supplementing formula because it is more important to me that my baby doesn't starve than he gets exclusive BM. In my opinion, there is WAY too much pressure on women to BF. Do whatever works for you. As my pedi and OB told me, he will be just fine if he is fed formula and he will be healthier and happier this way, as compared to if BFing caused me to develop true PP depression.