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Breastfeeding
Please tell me it gets better
My son was born on Wednesday night and is just perfect, but we are having a really hard time breastfeeding. My initial latch was horrible so my nipples are raw and cracked. Our doula/lactation consultant is coming over today to help us with the latch, but I was up all night trying to feed him and crying in pain.
He also is not pooping very well at all. He is majorly gassy but no poop.
If anyone can offer any similar stories or words of encouragement, I would appreciate it. I want this to work so badly.
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Re: Please tell me it gets better
We were having the same problems. I had my baby last Friday via c-section, and we were not able to get a good latch and suck going until just Thursday. We had the LC visit us in the hospital and nothing seemed to help. The hospital sent us home with some formula, just to suplement and that seemed to help us a little bit. I was ready throw in the towel too, but didn't and am glad I didn't. Now I know he's getting plenty because I'm seeing the milk drip down his chin and he's burping a lot more in between breasts. I have also found a friend in the lanolin lotion.
The other option we were going to try was to pump and then that way I knew he was at least getting enough food, and we wouldn't have to go to formula. I pumped once and it seemed to work for both of us.
I hope it gets better for you. I know how frustrating it can be. I felt like I was failing my baby, but he's doing much better now and it has made for happy mommy too. If you have any other questions, let me know. I'm new to this too, so I'm no expert by any means, but I totally feel your pain.
Hang in there- it does get better and much easier!! You are doing great and the lactation consultant will help A LOT!
My nipples were raw, cracked and bleeding in the beginning. It hurt so bad, but it does get better. Use lanolin as much as possible and let your nipples air out. I know it sounds weird, but after the nursing session sit with your nipples exposed so they can dry before putting your clothing back on.
Regarding the gas, it could be something you are eating that is making him gassy. Do you eat/drink a lot of dairy? Dairy can cause gas in little babies, especially in the beginning.
I just completed 1 year of breastfeeding my daughter. It wasn't easy- there were many ups and downs, but it does get easier. Set yourself short term goals. I told myself I would breastfeed for the first week. When that was over I said I would breastfeed for two weeks, then 1 month, then 3 months, then 6 months, and then 1 year. Take it one day at a time and get as much support as you can. Look into a breastfeeding support group, continue reading online forums and seek the help of a lactation consultant. You can totally do this!!! Good luck!
I used the Newman's ointment, too, and it's FABULOUS! You have to get it with a prescription at a "compounding" pharmacy.
Yes, it'll get way better. For the first 2-3 weeks it felt like LO was mangling my nipples and I actually yelled at her a couple times to "open your damn mouth!!" so I had to talk myself into each and every feeding. She just kept doing this slurping thing to take the nipple in and then would slide down off the areola every single time. I had to repeatedly force her chin down so she'd open wide enough. But it was worth sticking it out and now (5 weeks) we're doing great.
Thanks for all of your words of encouragement. The lactation consultant just left - he is not latching wide enough on the bottom so I have to work with him to get his mouth open at every feeding. She recommended syringe feeding with pumped milk after putting him to the breast just so he maintains his weight.
I feel much better after meeting with her and reading all of the stories above. I do feel bad for my poor nipples though.
Ella had a HORRIBLE latch at first. What saved me was switching between regular bf and using a nipple shield. The shield gave my nips a chance to heal. I also SLATHERED them in nipple cream. Both of these items you should be able to get from the LC. I'd give them a call and ask about both before you are discharged, the sooner the better. My LC, who is also my Aunt, told me that the shield would also encourage Ella to open her mouth more. The best tip she gave me was to wait until Ella was mid cry and shove as much of my breast/nip in her mouth as I could, making sure not to cover her nose of course
It is hard. But the rewards are so great. We have been nursing for over 16 months now and I am so glad we stuck with it. I had set myself an initial goal of 6 months, unsure if we would make it, and now I'm so proud of us and so happy.