- Pregnancy
- Baby & Toddler
- Parents
- Getting Pregnant
- Baby Names
- Product Reviews
-
Registry
- Community
-
More
Want a personalized experience?
Download the free app
January 2013 Moms
PatsyGK21
member
A couple BFing ?s.
PatsyGK21
member
Been reading LOTS of material about BFing, since I missed my oppertunity to meet to a LC, I had to turn to the internet. From what I gather, you need to get over a "hump" before BFing become managable (for a lack of a better term). How long did it take you to get over the hump? Also, nipple sheilds...are they a must have, or should I wait until I see how LO does before purchasing them? TIA!
Warning
No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
This discussion has been closed.
Re: A couple BFing ?s.
There was a breastfeeding class a week ago with an LC that I coudn't get into, and the next one isnt till after LO is here. And the hospital does have a LC for one on ones, but you can only get in by appointment after a problem has arised. My hospital is all ass backwards. I hate it, but I'm stuck there thanks for TriCare!
Ditto to this. You should be able to meet with an LC right after you deliver.
I'm a FTM as well, but but both my breastfeeding class and my childbirthing class (not taught by the same people) were very against nipple shields. They both think they are a great thing when necessary and there are problems (not just sore nipples), but they feel that they are way overused and "passed out like candy" with no real instruction on weaning off them. The problem apparently comes when the baby learns to breastfeed using them, and when you try and stop using the shields, the baby has problems latching.
So according to them, no, don't start using them unless you have true issues with BF. But, like I said, I'm a FTM hearing this in classes, so take that for what it's worth.
BFP 8.14.15 ~~ Due 4.22.16
Ugh! That sucks! I'm sorry. Hopefully you can get some good answers here
Are there no other BF classes you can take in the area? Maybe at a different hospital or through an independent person? You may have to pay out of pocket for it, but they usually aren't too horribly expensive.
BFP 8.14.15 ~~ Due 4.22.16
I had to supplement with formula from the beginning because DD had issues with weight and jaundice, so that affected BFing. It took us 3 months to really get it down (just in time for my supply to go down even further). However, that's with me mostly pumping and bottle-feeding for about a month. This time, I'm holding off on supplementing if at all possible because the more you BF, the better baby and you get at it.
Also, most of my friends that used nipple shields only did so because they had sore nipples (not recommended). If you put lanolin and a little breastmilk on after each feeding, it helps to prevent that soreness from happening. I did that even after pumping.
This!!!! I never used a nipple shield. You are going to feel like giving up. I remember sitting on the couch crying. I was so tired, my nipples hurt, and I was always worried DS wasn't getting enough. My DH turned to me and said "if you still feel like this in a week, we will give him formula. Keep going for now."
Of course, that's what I told him to say to me bc I knew that was going to happen. :-) I went on to EBF for 14 months.
Also like pp said. Most hospitals have a LC that works for the hospital and I highly recommend seeing them even if you don't have any problems. They will give you lots of advice but mine also gave me to manual breast pumps that I would not have known was covered by my insurance.
I'd say the hump was somewhere around 3 or 4 weeks. It became super easy after her 2 month growth spurt though. It was all cake from that point on. I did have to use a nipple sheild for the first 2 weeks or so because I have one flat nipple. The LC gave one to me for free in the hospital so I never bought one.
You should contact the local LLL for some advice and if you're on a military base you can talk to WIC (even if you aren't on WIC) to get breastfeeding help too.
The hump was about 3 months for me, and I had heard 3 months from several of my friends as well. It can be hard, and if it's something you feel strongly about doing I recommend finding a good support network. For me it was my mom and a couple of other friends who were also new moms.
I would wait to purchase the nipple shield. It makes nursing a lot more frustrating and less convenient if you have to use it so I would try and avoid it if you can!! I had to use one the whole time I breastfed because of inverted nipples.
DD (5 years old) from IUI in 2012
TTC 3rd and final!: IUI #1 in progress!
It took me about 6 weeks to become totally 100% comfortable breastfeeding, and after that it was totally smooth sailing and effortless.
I never used nipple shields.
I was really lucky and didn't really have any problems with breastfeeding. I would wait on the nipple shields, I never used them. If you need them, get them at that time.
Also, your hospital will probably have a LC that will see you while you're there, they are very helpful.
That stinks. Maybe tell your nurse that you are concerned about how BFing is going and would like to see the LC and they can get you an appointment? White lie, but worth it to get access!
yes my hospital also had breastfeeding help for new moms after birth
I took my BF'ing class this past week and there was no mention of a hump and I don't even know what a nipple shield is, you probably have learned more than I did by educating yourself on the Internet. The biggest lesson was 1) it's not supposed to hurt or leave you raw and sore and 2) call the LC while you are in the hospital even if you think everything is working. At my hospital the LC is free during your stay, afterwards you may have to pay depending on your insurance.
She also showed us the rooting reflex, to wait for baby to really open wide, how 'fish lips' are supposed look, and how to squeeze your boob with two fingers parallel to baby's lips to get things going. She recommended the 'cross cradle' position to give you the most control during the first couple of days.
I was a SAHM and EBFd last time.
First two weeks were the hardest. I got very engorged on day 3 o r 4, so much that DS couldn't latch. Had trouble expressing by hand.
Then I hit the 'my nipples feel like they're about to fall off' stage and pushed through.
DS was a good eater and gainer though so that helped.
By six weeks things got a lot easier. I'd learned how to nurse lying down with the help of my midwives and that was such a win to get some rest.
Then by three months it was really easy. Around four months DS and I learned how to nurse with him in the Ergo carrier - score!
Call an LC in early if you have any concerns. IMHO $$ spent on a home visit by an LC, or two or three, is well worth it.
Are there any La Leche League groups near you? I missed the breastfeeding class my hospital offered as well, but I went to a La Leche League meeting and that was SUPER helpful. They have a website https://www.llli.org/ [CLICKY!] that can tell you where the closest meeting is. They also have a book called "The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding" that I have found very helpful in calming my nerves.
I don't have a lot of friends who BF their kiddos and my mom was unable to with us so I don't have a lot of people to ask. These resources have helped me a lot.
Thanks for all the advice in this thread. I too am trying to prepare myself with as much BF info as possible.
One piece of advice I got re: the LC in the hospital is that even before LO is born, ask the nurses if the LC is available and tell them you want to see her asap after the birth if you can. I'm hoping to see the LC asap, because it can't hurt to have her there observing the initial latch, etc.
This is what I was going to suggest.
I went to a LLL meeting before I delivered DD. It was helpful, and it was also great, bc I had contact info for help after DD was born. I utilized the LCs in the hospital, and when I got home, I was still in pain, so I contacted my LLL leader.
My hump was about 4 weeks. It was painful every feeding during those first 4 weeks. It was bc of hormones. The latch was fine. After those 4 weeks, it was smooth sailing for 14 months.
At 4-5 weeks, DS went from taking about an hour/feeding, to only 15-20 minutes. I asked the pedi about it, and she said that is to be expected because baby has become good at it by then, and you have also become a good team.
My nipples were very sore starting about day 3, and were nearly bleeding. I opted to power through without the nipple shields, and never bought any. I plan to do the same thing this time, and play it by ear. If my nipples get so bad that they are bleeding, then I will get them.
A few tips that I wish I'd known/though of last time:
Use your own breast milk to help your nipples heal. Rub a few drops all over your nipples/areola after each feeding and let them air dry.
Take the time and effort to get a good latch, every time even though it can be frustrating taking the baby off an on the breast. For us, it was one or two bad latches that started my nipple problems, and it took a week or so for them to heal.
If you end up with sore nipples, don't feel bad if you have to pump instead of BF to give your nipples a break. I choose to dropper feed for these kinds of feedings rather than introduce a bottle (we also chose to supplement a couple of feedings while we were in the hospital because he was hungry and my milk wasn't in yet, and my nipples hurt, it's what worked best for us)
Good luck, I recommend making the commitment to really give it a good effort for at least 4-6 weeks before giving up because, as you said, of the "hump."
BFP 12/19/08- DS born 8/25/09 9lbs2oz via Zavanelli Maneuver
BFP 8/26/11- Missed miscarriage discovered 10/19/11 at 11w2d, measured at 9 weeks gestation w/ no HB. D&C 10/21/11
BFP 3/17/12 at 12dpo CP 3/21/12
BFP 4/23/12 at 10dpo Stick my little one! Beta #1: 83.3 @ 13dpo Beta #2: 197.7 @ 15dpo
Our little man is getting bigger every day!
My BFP Chart
Pretty much this. Even though DS took to BFing pretty easily, it still took me about a month or so for the twinges of soreness from BFIng to go away completely. And it took another few weeks to get comfortable with BFing in front of friends and family and out in public. Baby steps, but I would wait to see how LO does before just assuming and introducing anything that could inhibit.
I had issues the first 3 months. My milk didn't even come in for ten days and I had low supply due to some latching issues, so I'm not the standard. However, I stuck it out and am sooo glad I did! I ended up bfing for 19 months! You don't need to buy nipple shields. They are incredibly hard to wean from (been there, done that!) and not necessary for most people. If you need one, the LC or nurse at the hospital can provide one and instructions for proper use. They can contribute to low supply also.