Breast feeding disaster, need encouragement/advice.

Hopeful715 · August 2015

My sweet girl was born 8/5, on the third day of induction. After all those hours in labor, this Mama was so relieved that at least breast feeding came easily (perfect latch, no issues the first two days). Went to first peds appt and they said she lost over 10% of her birth weight, and were going to put her back in the hosp if I didn't supplement. Went home sobbing and gave her a bottle. My milk came in later that same day. A week later, we can sometimes breastfeed with nipple shields but little girl def prefers bottled breast milk. We've got her weight up, but latch is extremely shallow and painful (uses the shields like straws). She cries every time I try to breastfeed, fights and arches away. Lactation consultants gave me lots of things to try, but nothing is working. I'm feeling devastated that they made me give her a bottle, and about ready to give up on breastfeeding all together. Anyone out there have similar probs and get their baby back to the breast?

ecloho · August 2015

I am also trying to get my boy back up to his birthweight. I am supplementing with breast milk in a bottle after every other breast-feed… I am having no problems with him though breast-feeding. I use the nipple shield when I feed during the day during the night I don't because it's too much trouble and he is fine either way. Don't give up I wish you the best

mrsrep123 · August 2015

Sounds like my situation. After 2 weeks of exclusive pumping, I got some help from a lactation consultant and reintroduced the breast over the last 24 hours. It's definitely a challenge and takes dedication. However, DH and I decided this afternoon that we are going to go back to exclusively pumping - baby boy is still getting mommy's milk but without the stress and drama. It would take forever to get him to latch properly (even with all the tips and tricks) and he would be fussy and crying because he just wanted to eat.

This is not to discourage you by any means - just my experience. It's definitely doable though.

klirwin82 · August 2015

I was having problems with my boy arching his back, screaming, a shallow latch, constant unlatching/relatching. I was so stressed I would cry then I think my baby could feel my tense up and he'd get even more upset etc. So I took a break for a few days and just pumped and gave him a bottle. It gave my nipples time to heal and it gave me time to reassess the situation and go back to BFing in a more calm state. Now the latch is better, he's still unlatching ( see my post about how the hell do I BF in public) but overall those days break helped a lot.

charmon816 · August 2015

Same thing happened to me. In the hospital I felt like my lo was finally starting to get the hang of breast feeding on our last day but the pediatrician said he had lost 9% of his body weight and if it hit 12% he'd need to be hospitalized. She had me do hald breast feeding half pump and give bottle. Now he def prefers the bottle and bfing is near impossible without a huge meltdown for him and me. We tried nipple shields but they are just so frustrating to use. Now I'm exclusively pumping.

audi681 · August 2015

I'm sorry that it's not working out how you planned, but he's getting your milk! That is awesome! And the bottle feeds are still intimate. He's still going to gaze at you, smell you, and connect that you are his provider. I would focus on the positive, because there is so much of it!

vdesaxe · August 2015

Same thing happened to me. Son lost 14% body weight and I've had to supplement since but my milk never fully came in but I totally understand the devistetion!! I've actually become quite depressed over it.

NYMominCA · August 2015

Has your LO been evaluated for a tongue tie and lip tie?

We have had a rough go of breastfeeding until finally an IBCLC looked at DS's mouth and discovered a high palate (causing him to pop on and off if the nipple doesn't touch the roof of his mouth), a posterior tongue tie (basically his tongue doesn't move as it should because there's a thick band under it), and a lip tie (lip attached to the bottom of his front gums so he can't flange out his top lip). All together it was causing issues. We have laser surgery scheduled on Wednesday to repair it.

NewMumzy25 · August 2015

For me the first couple of days in the hospital (had an emergency c section so was there 3 days after baby boy was born) were easy feedings, he was a dream baby, quiet and alert, slept awesome. Then the third day rolled around and he turned fussy and started losing weight. The lactation consultant came in and since my milk hadn't come in yet they made me pump to help and I had to supplement with formula as well as breast feed. He was at 10% weight loss by the time we left the hospital. I had another app with the consultant and my milk came in the next day of getting home. Well they had given me a nipple shield in the hospital to see if that helped so while at home I tried feeding without and that was a nightmare. By the time we had our app he was at a 12% weight loss. So I was put on a feed, pump and then supplement with expressed breast milk or formula if he needed more. It was ALOT of work but worth it. He was finally going up when we had our app with the pediatrician and then two days later at our lactation app he was down from the pediatricians. Turns out I had a perfect position and then something changed and I guess I couldn't find just the right spot so he wasn't getting milk just sucking.

We worked on position and slowly got off the shield. I'm happy to say there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I put in WORK lol and at my 5 week mark at our lactation app I'm proud to say we got rid of the shield and I no long have to pump unless I want to and he has finally gained all of his weight back and is now 6 ounzes past birth weight.

Trust me I know how devastating and heart wrenching it feels. I bawled alot thinking i had done something wrong and how much trouble I was having made me very emotional. You will get through this! But also know your limits. You need to be sane for you and baby. If you need to throw in the towel and go to formula that's okay too. They made sure to always tell me to know my limits. And this is coming from a breast is best thinker. But yours and baby's happiness is most important. Good luck momma you're doing what you can!

NewMumzy25 · August 2015

I had an induction resulting in an emergency c section 17 and a half hours later.

Oh and sorry for the novel response lol didn't realize how long it was till I hit send and saw it.

Knottie73253386 · August 2015

Like most moma things were good at the hospital and then his weight went down got put on the shield and now I can't seem to get him off of it! It's such a mess! But never the less it's getting easier and I even BF in public with the shield. Its hard momma! I know. BUT keep at it!

jtenkorang · August 2015

I had to give up o. Breastfeeding as well. But my doctors and everyone said we were doing great especially for twins. I just couldn't do it anymore I wasn't getting any sleep and my nipples weren't healing. I had a horrible time with switching to exclusively pumping and giving formula at nigh but over all it has been great since the transition. As long as your baby is getting the right nutrition don't worry. So what's best for you and the baby. It shouldn't cause you stress. So just do what you have to do and enjoy your time with your little one. They don't stay this small for long

Hopeful715 · August 2015

Update: we passed our weight check (made birthweight back & 2 wks old tomorrow) and the Dr wrote me a script for another lactation consult. Seems like most of our issues stem from my stress as baby nursed straight from the breast when my mom was here. She calms me, so hoping to find more ways to relax and get back on track. Managed to feed with shield with much less screaming today, and got her on the naked breast once! Dr said ok to discontinue formula, so now just trying to pump enough for backup. Thanks for your responses, all very helpful!

NewMumzy25 · August 2015

Good job momma! It's hard work and stressful for sure but youre doing great!

bridgitd · August 2015

I think you'll find things continue to improve from here! Once we reached birthweight and I had pumped some back up milk my stress levels decreased hugely and things improved so much. You're doing so well! There will surely still be some days where it doesn't go so well but there will also be great ones, so try not to get discouraged again. You're doing awesome!

shantelleyrae · August 2015

Don't give up!! My lil guy didn't start latching until he was 3weeks old!! He was small and and tired easily working to get breastmilk. So I pumped for 3 weeks, but I never gave up trying to breastfeed. And he finally got it!! Now at 5 weeks old refuses the bottle and pacifier!! Try nursing in the bath. That did wonders for us.. It calmed both of us down!!

mirrenrue · August 2015

I am an exclusive pumper and actually it just worked out that way after he was born. I latched him and all but didn't feel he got enough to eat. I started pumping the night he was born for my own self assurance. I pump 7 times a day and bottle feed him but produce twice the amount he eats per day. I have a supply for him stocked up and also provide for his needs. Taking the food from your tit does not make it any better. Promise.

njteach0414 · August 2015

My LO was extremely tongue tied and I had no idea. He lost over 10% from his birth weight and ended up in ER four days old because of turning blue from screaming from breastfeeding while having reflux come up at same time. I was so upset but determined to make this work for my LO. We had the tongue tie procedure and used a nipple shield for three weeks. Just recently he is able to ween off the shield and has went from 7 lbs 13 oz to 9 lb 1 oz... I still supplement with a little formula throughout the day and don't feel guilt at all.

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Breast feeding disaster, need encouragement/advice.

Re: Breast feeding disaster, need encouragement/advice.

DS1 7/24/15

DS2 5/7/17

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