Another breastfeeding post

Re: Another breastfeeding post

• ElleMF728 member

  September 2015

  Was your LC able to help you get a deeper latch when she was with you? What hold are you using? Have you tried swaddling while you feed? I can control DS much better that way and take my time with his latch rather than fighting with his crazy arms.  What sort of things have you tried with no success so we know where to start?

  

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• amiller386 member

  September 2015

  She wasn't able to get a deep latch. I started crying and that's when she said to just a break. I do sometime swaddle him, I should that more though bc those fighting those arms is no fun! I do cross cradle. I've watched a million youtube videos on how to hold his head and how to aim for his mouth. I think the problem is he doesn't open his mouth wide enough. I know it can go wider bc when he cries it's opened big but when we go to nurse he barely opens it. Also I'm pumping every 2-3 hours so hopefully my supply is ok for another day or so

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• emmacake08 member

  September 2015

  Sounds like you do need to give yourself a mental and physical break. Be really diligent about pumping and when you can stand it (or once your breasts are healed) have LO nurse once (or more depending on how much you can take) to practice and for you to gauge when he's doing better. My twins took 4 months to nurse and it just took time. Be easy on yourself and take it day by day and let yourself heal. There's nothing wrong with BM in a bottle in the mean time.

  

  

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• louiseambrose member

  September 2015

  To treat your nipples, try coconut oil and/or All Purpose Nipple a Ointment (prescription only). 2 oz is pretty good if LO is still only a couple weeks old-- you'll just need to pump 10-12 times a day, just like LO would be eating 10-12 times a day. Keep with it. LO is learning just like you. It gets better! Do you have a La Leche League you mean go to? Or does the hospital where you delivered have a breastfeeding support group? Having other mamas to talk to makes a huge difference!

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• candicejeff2013 member

  September 2015

  I promise. Pumping helped me... It brought out my nipples because I had the same issue. I pumped for about 3 days. And BF at night. My nipples come out looking flat too but it's just the initial latch that hurts. Keep with it...seriously.

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• ElleMF728 member

  September 2015

  Being stressed out can make it more difficult, if you need a break just make sure you are pumping when she eats.  My LC (who knows my struggles BF my first)  She suggested that I keep trying several feeds a day for the latch but if we are working on it for a few minutes and still aren't getting it then to give him a bottle of pumped milk and just try again next time.  Eventually we have gotten to a point where he usually is pretty easy to get on correctly.  

  
  

  Try getting to him before he gets too hungry so you can both be a little more calm as you practice.  I definitely recommend swaddling or at least wrapping his arms until you get more comfortable with it. 

  
  

  I was just like you with my first, the pain from a bad latch can be so intense.  

  

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• kettlekitten member

  September 2015 edited September 2015

  I feel your pain. Second baby here , 4 weeks pp and same deal - painful nipples and low supply. I wish I had some useful advice for a quick solution but unfortunately for me it was just time with my first baby. A few things though...
  
  1. I suggest that you do take that break and supplement with small amounts of formula if baby is still hungry. If you're pumping two hourly you should be able to get a little bit ahead of baby's feeds are spaced longer than that. If you can, get a hospital grade double pump (you should be able to hire them from hospital or pharmacy) as these are more efficient at drawing the milk out and maintaining supply.
  
  2. During the break see a physio who does laser treatment on nipples. I did this during my first break and two 15 min seasons across the two days healed them completely.
  
  3. Once cracks are healed and you're ready to try again, try a nipple shield. These can be annoying but can protect your skin somewhat and help prevent cracks and grazes (unless you have a strong sucker like I did that pulls your nipple through the end of the shield!)
  
  4. Continue to express if that works for you and try a BF once or more a day depending on how comfortable it is, just to keep baby latching.
  
  5. If your supply does not increase, try...- cookies or smoothies with Brewers yeast, linseed/flaxseed and oats; fenugreek capsules; or see a dr/lc to get a prescription for a supply boosting medicine.
  
  Give all these a try and if it's still not working for you, maybe it's time to try formula. Number 5 is where I'm currently at, so if that fails, I think I'm over it! Managed to BF first baby til 20 months so we will see...
  

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• heidi8992 member

  September 2015

  Have you tried a nipple sheild? My DS was not latching far enough in the hospital and it was so painful that the sheild helped me tremendously. The only thing is weaning him off of it is a struggle and it does take away the convenience of BF, but 3 weeks in and I don't have a problem.

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