BF'ding/Pumping mama's

MandaPa · May 2012

Hi Everyone,

I have been breastfeeding Reilly since her birth date (she is 11 days old) but just a few days ago one of my nipples got really sore and cracked and then I developed an infection and am now on antibiotics. I am still bf'ing with both breasts as everyone recommends but just yesterday Reilly couldn't seem to get a good latch on my bad nipple so I was using a nipple shield (which I worry actually does more damage to my poor nip then good)

I finally got my breast pump today and was wondering for those mama's both breast feeding and pumping, how you manage to do both, how it's going and any tips. I'm going to attempt to start tomorrow but I have to say the pump is intimidating to me at first glance without having used it before. But I desperately want to give my sore nipple a break and time to heal, I'd also like to introduce the bottle soon so daddy can have some quality bonding time wiht his baby girl.

Thanks ladies!

DeepaHale · May 2012

I had to start pumping when Meera was 2 days old because she had to stay in the NICU. I was given the Medela manual pump. The first day I was only able to produce maybe a few milliliters but now (5 days later) I can fill up to 2 ounces per breast. It might be easier for you since you've been breastfeeding for longer than I was before I started pumping.

I decided to stick to alternating between breast feeding and pumping because I wanted to make sure she was getting enough. I mainly breast feed when I think she just wants a snack instead of a meal. So if she just had a bottle and 30 minutes to an hour later she starts fussing I'll give her the breast. Also sometimes at night if I don't want to get up and warm a bottle I'll breast feed her. I wish I had some scientific formula/set schedule that I could tell you about but so far that's what I've been doing.

Also, I don't know what kind of pump you have but I have a single pump and every time I pump one breast the other one starts leaking like crazy. I hated wasting all that milk so what I do now is when I first start pumping I hold a small bottle under the breast I'm not pumping to catch the excess drip. I don't have to worry about holding it under the other breast afterwards because I've already pumped it out.

I don't know much about cracked nipples (other than ouch and I'm sorry your going through that), but I know I'd probably try to stay away from that breast while pumping. Also this might just be a weird thing I had going on but when I first started pumping I felt like air was coming into the pump and I had weird gas like pains in my chest.

Sorry for the long reply. Hopefully some of it was helpful. Look forward to seeing what other moms have to say.

danakatiepfoltzer · May 2012

I still have an inside baby, but I can just share info from the breastfeeding class I took.

1. Despite the pain, breastfeeding on the sore nipple will actually help it heal more AND it will keep your supply at a good level. Some tips: put warm compress on your breast before you feed LO.... and take a tylenol 30 min before you feed LO on that breast.

2. Make sure to put either breast milk or pure lanolin cream on your nipple after you feed, and try to air dry before you put your shirt back on.

Hope that helps the info was from the certified lactation consultation/RN who did our class

JAP09-02 · May 2012

I was in the same situation as you over the past weekend - to the point where I was crying at the thought of getting her to latch, and when she did it was so painful I thought I was going to vomit.

I started just feeding her off my right side and pumping the left at each feeding. I did that beginning Sunday afternoon and continued through until I saw the LC on Monday afternoon. Over that period of time it seemed to heal up quite a bit. The pumping didn't hurt at all. The LC I saw said it was fine to continue pumping until it healed, although I may see a dip in supply. I figured a small dip was better than giving up all together.

As far as being intimidated by the pump, don't sweat it. You probably won't get a huge amount, but that is fine. Just stick with it, relax, and pump frequently. I switched to EPing with DD1 around 6 weeks because I wanted Daddy to feed her, I was eventually going back to work, and initially it just seemed easier. In the long run, it was a lot more work! You have to pump, then still feed the baby, wash the pump and bottles. I'm not saying not to pump, but just be forewarned about the initial attraction of pumping.

alkmetz23 · May 2012

The pump and nipple shield (which I'm using for various reasons) both hurt one of my nipples immensely at the beginning of each pumping session/feeding. However, the pain subsides after awhile. I have been applying Lasinoh lanolin, and it has really relieved the pain and I would recommend it. I hadn't heard of PP suggestion of tylenol, but I'm probably going to try that now too. GL

fisherseamon · May 2012

My baby had to go to the nicu so I was forced to pump right away. He is 11 days old today. The lactation lady suggested I rent a hospital grade pump to get my milk flow to come in better for the first month. My little one was feeding every 4 hours so I would breast feed him and then pump 2 hours later and then feed again 2 hours later. I was told that it was not good to go 4 hours when my milk was still coming in so that's why I pumped. The lactation person said that the more empty I could keep my breasts the more it would help me get in a good milk supply. I am still doing this now we are home.

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