When does it get easier??

brazzale · March 2012

I'm a FTM with a 9 day old little man. He's wonderful & easy, but I'm still really struggling. He is mostly BF with a bottle of formula in theAM & before bed. I never thought I'd BF, but decided to give it a try - but it stinks. My nipples are so sore. I feel like 9 days isn't long enough to have fairly given it a try. Also, when he takes the bottle. It takes longer & he's much fussier. I have so much anxiety about it...when does it get easier?

huber22 · March 2012

It will. That's all I can say.

Don't feel bad if you don't want to BF. "I don't want to" is a good reason to FF. BFing did get a lot easier for me after the first month or so.

DS and I lived in my bed for the first week or so. Don't try to do too much, but make sure that you are taking care of yourself.

sarahsunshinebride · March 2012

It got a lot easier for me around 2 weeks, and now at 1 month breastfeeding is just part of our routine, not at all the challenge it was previously. It's definitely worth it - hang in there if you can. Pumping and an occasional bottle of formula helped me get over the roughest patches when my nipples were cracked and bleeding, then scabbed (ouch!). Lanolin was helpful too. Once my nipples healed, things got a lot better. Good luck!

sap05e · March 2012

I had anxiety until 2 weeks then kept struggling with it til 5 weeks. I finally quit after getting sick and my supply dropped. Don't feel guilty or bad - it just doesnt work out for some moms.

MLSF · March 2012

Have you tried a nipple shield? Helps tremendously. Also if you have access to a lactation consultant make an appt. I had no issues BF DD1. So I figured BF DD2 would be like riding a bike. Not so much. Saw a lactation consultant which helped w/ DD2 latch. Lansinoh is also key!

GL!

cschembera · March 2012

My nipples hurt so bad in the beginning. I would cry every time it was time to feed LO. I just kept at it because I knew it was best for baby and me. Now, it's second nature. She is actually eating right now and I can have my hands free. I never thought that would happen in the beginning. I thought "how is that possible?" But, it is! Ultimately it's your decision, but I would try to keep at it for atleast another month. If it doesn't work out it doesn't work out. Atleast you can say you gave it your best shot. Good luck!

silvercamaro77 · March 2012

I saw a LC at 1.5 weeks and stopped crying during feedings around 2.5 weeks. After I saw the LC it was generally better immediately but it took us both some time to get it down and for me to heal. Even now at 4 weeks DD still does a pretty crummy latch especially during the night feedings. It also helped a lot that DD has a little more control if herself as well- she consistently opens her mouth twice as big as she did the first 2 weeks and she can handle my oversupply a little better.

A LC is well worth the cost and fore it really wasn't expensive $25 - $50 depending on if I went to her or she came to me. I would have paid triple that for the amount of relief she helped me get.

Try to take it one feeding at a time. Just focus on that getting through it and worry about the next one when you get there. You can also ask your Dr for an RX for Dr Newmans Nipple cream and use breast shells. The cream was $25 without insurance and my insurance covered it so it was less. It helps you heal abd has a pain reliever. The shells let air circulate around your nips which helps healing and they keep your clothes from rubbing against them.

michelle_1221 · March 2012

I almost gave up too around 1 week, but am so glad I kept at it! For me, it got better at 2-3 weeks, and by a month, it was so much easier. I now have no pain and she eats more quickly. It's now so nice to be out, and all the planning I need to do is to make sure my nursing cover is in the bag. Also, I pumped some early on so I'd know how much she was getting. This helped take some dread out of some of the more difficult feeding sessions. Hang in there if you can. Good luck.

SoonToBeMsP · March 2012

Well, DD had latching issues, so it didn't really get better until around 7 weeks (I had a cracked nipple that WOULD NOT heal). Now it's pretty much a cake walk, even with pumping at work.

If you want to BF, I'd keep sticking it out. It will get easier. Promise.

lisac1017 · March 2012

You are both going through a huge learning curve. Remember to be patient with yourself as well as DS. My nipples were SO sore that if someone had told me at 2 weeks that by the time I hit 3 weeks the pain would be gone, I'd never have believed them. But it was. I personally prefer Earth Mama Angel Baby nipple butter to the lansinoh. Good luck - I hope things get easier for you soon.

Saltina11 · March 2012

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