Anyone NOT had problems BFing?

hecallsmecat · January 2012

I'm getting a bit nervous about BFing my new baby (did it for 2 weeks with DD but had to stop). I'd like to do it for at least a few months, but all I hear about is mastitis, blocked milk ducts, etc. Has anyone successfully BFed without any horribly painful issues?

Kougl Wife to Be! · January 2012

Pick this girl - Flame me if you will, but seriously as a FTM I had a relatively easy go of it. The worst for me was the first two weeks (as it is for everyone) and then when she had nursing strikes around 4 months and 6 months. We nursed and pumped while I was at work and it worked perfectly, i'm working on weaning now that she is nearly 10 months and I have quite the freezer stash. Now that I am pumping strickly (for the last two weeks) my nips hurt again but its so worth it. Good Luck and don't be nervous, get a good Bf-ing book, ask the girls on here, but I always recommend "So thats what they are for"!

jcameron2010 · January 2012

I haven't had any problems like that. My only problem was sore nipples for the first couple weeks, but I think that happens to every woman who BFs. We have had a very easy time and 8.5 months later, we are still at it. GL to you.

tangerine1126 · January 2012

If you're reading this forum a lot, then yes you will hear a lot about BF problems because people are here asking for help and encouragement. But those who have not had problems are not going to post about their success (at least not usually). FTM here and I didn't have any issues besides the discomfort for the first few weeks.

Keep in mind, it's what your boobs were made to do! It's always worth a try, don't let your fear limit what you want to do, especially for your baby

ksulli · January 2012

It's been great for us. No infections, no blocks, no latch issues ever. She has two teeth now and it's still no problem- she hasn't bit or even seemed like she was thinking about it. My nipples hurt quite a bit the first few weeks, but Lanolin works wonders. She's 7 mos next week and has been all BM and some solids lately.

You'll mostly see people posting about problems on here becuase when all is going well you don't need to ask any questions.

Stuckinthemiddle · January 2012

I've had a pretty easy time so far. (knocking on wood as I write this)

I had a tiny crack in one nipple within the first two weeks, but it went away after a day or two. I just used the nipple cream to clear that up. I also learned that I had to make sure DS's head was tilted above his tummy when nursing to prevent soreness from a bad latch. I had a little pain when my milk came in from engorgement, but it wasn't that bad compared to recovering from a C-section.

I have not gone back to work yet, but I am pumping once or twice a day. So far I have over 500 oz, and I didn't experience over supply issues. I've just been very slow and steady with pumping, so it has not been a problem.

We gave DS a bottle of pumped milk once a day, starting at 1 month old. We also introduced the paci (which he really doesn't take that often) at about a month too. I think waiting to do both of those things has helped.

I suggest that you do as much research as you can, and start to build a support network of a few people who recently breast fed who you can go to when you have questions. Use your LCs as much as you can at the hospital, and don't be afraid to call them with questions too. The first two weeks are very tough, and I think half the battle is mental more than any one thing. Good Luck!

kcl22 · January 2012

I had very sore nipples for the first few weeks but other than that I've been lucky to not run into any issues (other than lower supply later on; pumping while working full time). It's been almost 15 months and we're still at it.

Matt Dvorak · January 2012

On a board like this people are more likely to post when they're having problems - people don't come on to tell everyone how easy they have it :-)

It hasn't been that tough for me. It was a bit frustrating getting LO to latch at first, but we had it pretty well figured out by the time we left the hospital. I never had mastitis, blocked ducts, or painful nipples (never even touched my nipple cream I had on hand). My supply has been fine.

I've still had questions now and then - like if I should be worried about green poop or how the heck do I get DS to take a bottle (the daycare providers were the ones to succeed with that).

tokenhoser · January 2012

I've never had mastitis, blocked ducts, nipple trauma, etc. Really, it's gone fairly well.

We had some pain initially, but just for the first few seconds of a feed and it went away by 3 weeks.

Go to a La Leche League meeting while pregnant. Go to a few! It helps so much to a) see normal breastfeeding babies and b) hear stories about getting over problems and continuing to breastfeed. Seeing some real, live moms breastfeeding helped my confidence a lot.

kylayton · January 2012

Breastfeeding has been a smooth ride for us. No latch problems, clogged ducts, etc. I had the normal pain the first few weeks but it's gone now. The only hard thing has been pumping for a freezer stash.

katcarls · January 2012

It's almost impossible to avoid some soreness the first few weeks while your nips adjust, but I never found it horribly painful. I never had any problems with cracked or bleeding nipples and my only issue was one plugged duct, which wasn't a big deal at all. I BF DS for 13 months and it ended up being much easier than I expected overall.

Sometimes things are out of your control, but I think it's really important to set yourself up for success by educating yourself and being well-prepared. Do some reading, take a class, etc. There are things you can do to help with the initial soreness: know what a good latch is and establish it right away, use lanolin cream after every feeding and before showers, and pick up some Soothies gel pads.

hey_little_bird · January 2012

oh man, this thread makes me feel so much better!

good to hear some success stories!

blu-eyedwife · January 2012

Breastfeeding has been really easy for me. He latched well from the very start and I never had any nipple pain at all. No mastitis, no blocked ducts, no infections. He's gaining weight right on schedule.

My only 2 issues have been

1) when my milk came in I had engorgement under my arm (tail of spence) which was uncomfortable, but a little warm water and massage and it was gone.

2) leaking - but another easy fix of breast pads.

I attribute the ease to both luck and having fabulous breastfeeding resources in my area. The class I took answered just about every question I could have, every nurse at my hospital was a trained lactation consultant, and my pediatrician is a big supporter of breastfeeding.

karinothing · January 2012

I have had no problems. Baby latched perfectly within an hour of birth. Milk came in on day 2. Never felt engorged. Never leaked. Baby has gained weight like a champ.

Nipples were a bit tender the first couple weeks. It wasn't painful....just tender.

rockdragon · January 2012

My only problem has been with the pump. I EBF DD1 for 12 months, no formula and we weaned onto cow's milk. That was 15 years ago and I was very young, but no issues then. This time I have been EBF DD2 for almost 4 months now and again no issues what so ever as long as its DD. But I have had to return to work this week which means pumping and hello issues. Still no pain I just have a hard time letting down for the pump but with practice and patience I am figuring it out.

mrs_kelly1014 · January 2012

So far, I haven't had any problems at all. And, I'm pretty darn hopeful that this will continue because at this point with DS, I was in in huge amounts of pain and hating every single moment of BFing. I'm absolutely loving it this time.

cmb0118 · January 2012

I'm only 7 weeks in but have had no trouble yet! *knocks on wood*

Tink112011 · January 2012

As a FTM, I had prepared myself for the worst after hearing all the horror stories. But honestly, I haven't had any problems. It has been easier than I anticipated. The first week or so was painful due to engorgement and I had a painful let-down in the beginning, but nothing that made me want to quit.

The one thing I was unprepared for was how all-consuming BF is in those first weeks. You will feel like all your LO does is eat. Your LO will be attached to the boob a LOT and that is normal.

TMS1980 · January 2012

kylayton:
Breastfeeding has been a smooth ride for us. No latch problems, clogged ducts, etc. I had the normal pain the first few weeks but it's gone now. The only hard thing has been pumping for a freezer stash.

This exactly for me!

JKTTC1 · January 2012

FTM...had a little trouble with the latch when he was a few days old. One visit to tHhe LC and it was fixed. No other issues and iI can nurse whenever. wherever. LO was on steroids once it was a rough 4 days but iI hung in there and we have been good since. Im getting readt to go back to work so hoping we both hang in there!

MiamiMergers · January 2012

This was my experience as well. Once you get past the first 2-4 weeks, it gets easier for a lot of people!

nosoup4u · January 2012

I have only had one blocked duct, and a mild case if thrush in the 3+ years total I've been breastfeeding. I was pretty sore for the first few weeks after DS1 was born, but it was smooth sailing by 10 weeks with him. I never had any problems with DS2.

ns1 · January 2012

I've only been at it a few months now, but I've been lucky to have everything gone smoothly! I had sore nipples for a week or so, but I think that's totally normal, and it wasn't anything excruciating. I'm also working and pumping at work and nursing when I'm with LO, and everything is going well with that too.

Best wishes to you!

rmwt001 · January 2012

Since you asked . . . . DD is a year old today. We are still breastfeeding and thankfully have had it very easy - no blocked ducts, mastitis, etc. Had a bit of an overactive let-down for a while but I block fed and it cleared up. I have several friends who have also been this lucky.

Angela814 · January 2012

No problems here. There was nipple pain, but I don't think you can bf without nipple pain in the beginning.

I nursed DD1 for 3y2m, and DD2 is still nursing at 18 months.

OUKap · January 2012

I've had a few blocked ducts but they were not bad. A good heat pad helped.

keeshondowner · January 2012

I'm a FTM and haven't had any problems. My nipples were a little sore the first week, but BFing has been relatively easy for both DD and I. Recently, she went on a nursing strike for part of a day, and there were a few days where she was pretty gassy, but that's it.

keeshondowner · January 2012

Tink112011:

As a FTM, I had prepared myself for the worst after hearing all the horror stories. But honestly, I haven't had any problems. It has been easier than I anticipated. The first week or so was painful due to engorgement and I had a painful let-down in the beginning, but nothing that made me want to quit.

The one thing I was unprepared for was how all-consuming BF is in those first weeks. You will feel like all your LO does is eat. Your LO will be attached to the boob a LOT and that is normal.

I agree with all of this, especially the bolded.

Lisa102304 · January 2012

jcameron2010:
I haven't had any problems like that. My only problem was sore nipples for the first couple weeks, but I think that happens to every woman who BFs. We have had a very easy time and 8.5 months later, we are still at it. GL to you.

This is me exactly.

I also work full time (went back when she was about 13w) and pump. I only have to pump twice a day - once at home before work and once at work. I BF at home exclusively. No supply problems, no supplementing, not one problem past sore nipples in the beginning.

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