New to Breastfeeding? Need help/suggestions - Page 2

desertmom · 06-27-2008, 01:28 PM

As soon as you get to your room, ask about a lactation consultant. I had many problems w/my first (not knowing until years later it wasn't my fault - he had muscle problems w/the mouth), but we learned together and we nursed until he was 3.

With my second, although I had it down, I still asked for a lactation consultant as soon as I got to my room after delivery, just in case I had problems. She ensured me all was fine, but it was nice to have her there, and she checked in a couple of times. It takes me 5 days for my milk to come in, and both babies were hungry, so with the second, after having the experience with the first, I simply nursed her for the colostrum, but gave her formula for the hunger, because once again, I saw signs that the colostrum wasn't enough, plus she was born with low blood sugar and had to have formula right away.

So if you need to, do both in tandem - nursing and formula. I learned to ignore the militant bfers, because my kids would have starved. AND I ended up back in the hospital with complications 2 days later, so DH had to give her formula before my milk came in.

We did end up successfully weaning her off formula quickly when I found I had enough milk, and I ended up w/too much milk.

Pumping: They were horrible with you! When I had complications and went back to the hospital, I requested a hospital pump. They had NO idea how to hook it up and turn it on, and refused to bring up anyone from the postpartum area until I pushed. I did figure it out (the first pump was busted). You can set it to a stronger or weaker pumping strength. I had an electric Medela pump at home and ended up not using it w/ DD (used it all the time w/DS when I needed to) because the Avent Isis manual pump was just easier to grab. Pumping can be easy. A Nursing store can help you, too.

So can we!

3girlsathome · 06-27-2008, 01:55 PM

Do you have any Mom friends with new babies that are nursing? It is always great to have the encouragement of a friend especially a seasoned one that has been through what you soon will go through.

I had a rough go with my 1st - but I told my self I would evaluate week to week - well after the 6 week hump it was not painful and super easy that I never did bottles and went to a cup at 9 mo.( I still nursed for quite a while after that)

I wish you all the best.

lizer3 · 06-27-2008, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeeMP22

Sam, the most important thing is latching on properly. If not, then you'll end up sore and it will be a bad experience for both of you. What I did was kind of tease them with it so that they open up real big. Once she opens, shove it in so she gets a big mouthful. If she grabs only the end, it's gonna hurt. Once she's latched on, make sure you hold the breast to her mouth, don't let it hang. Yeah, it's easier to let it hang and read a book with your free hand, but trust me, you need to support it. Get a boppy pillow to support her and bring her up to the right level and relax. If you're nervous, she will be too. And make sure you're in a quiet room with no distractions. Trust me, I know all of this because of the mistakes that I made the first time I tried. It was a much better experience with the second once I learned to correct the mistakes I made with the first. Good luck! You know I'm here if you need me

I agree with LeeM Sam. You need to relax and be comfortable with Breast feeding. If you get too wound up about it the little princess will be too. You have to get a boppy! They are so wonderful. I had one for each of the boys. Sammy still uses his to play on. If you have anymore questions you know you can ask away. I breast feed Bradley till he was 8mos Shane till he was 18mos and Sammy till 12mos.

misse336 · 06-27-2008, 09:33 PM

Another thing to consider is does a local hospital have any bf classes? I knew that I wanted to bf with my first child and was able to take a 2 hour class at the hospital that I delivered at prior to delivery. It was really helpful and helped me relax and know I could do it. Relaxing and latching on are key IMO. I'm sure that there are some great books and/or websites out there too with practical and helpful information (although I don't know the names of any).

ks23 · 06-28-2008, 04:06 PM

I had a bad experience in the hospital with trying to BF. I tried to BF the whole 4 days we were in the hospital. we had a few problems: DD was born with low blood sugar & needed formula right away; I had a very hard time getting her to latch; and one night the nurse brought her to me from the nursery with a pacifier- which I had requested that she not have bc I didn't want her to get confused. Instead of the nurses bringing me a lactation consultant, they gave me a nipple sheild to use. That sort of worked, but I was never sure how much she was really able to get. Our last day in the hospital my milk came in & i was PAINFULLY engorged. The nurse that day tried everything to help me & told me to get rid of the nipple shield (where was she on day 1??) by the time we got home, I was in so much pain & she wouldn't latch at all so we just used the pump. I tried a few more times to BF but it was frustrating for the both of us. So, I have been pumping ever since. For the first few weeks my mother kept bugging me to "keep trying", as if pumping was not good enough. As long as she got my milk I didn't care! It is really a chore, but I really wanted her to BF, so I plan to keep it up for as long as I possibly can (& I have a good stock in the freezer!)

I am hoping that if we have another baby that I will have more luck (just more convenient) but I would do the same thing all over again if needed, I just wouldn't let myself get so upset next time around.

Good luck!!! I hope it all works out for you!

Samantharae · 06-29-2008, 03:29 PM

Thank you everyone for the support/listening to me vent... I can't take a BF class because my insurance doesn't pay for it..

I do not have any friends that breastfeed let alone friends... Like I said in my family breastfeeding isn't the way things are..

MY SIL does breastfeed but she recently moved and is now 14 hours away.

KayleezMom · 06-30-2008, 09:09 AM

Most hospitals have Breastfeeding classes for free. Look on their website and try to sign up. They are usually taught by lactation consultants and go over breastfeeding and pumping.

lizer3 · 06-30-2008, 01:01 PM

Sam let me know if you need any help. I cna try my best at helping you and at the very least supporting you.

goodnightmoon · 06-30-2008, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ks23

. So, I have been pumping ever since. For the first few weeks my mother kept bugging me to "keep trying", as if pumping was not good enough. As long as she got my milk I didn't care! It is really a chore, but I really wanted her to BF, so I plan to keep it up for as long as I possibly can (& I have a good stock in the freezer!)

Good luck!!! I hope it all works out for you!

I'm not sure if I've ever responded to another one of your posts but I am also a exclusive pumper so I totally understand the work involved but it is also *very* important to me that dd has breastmilk. Just because you have one baby who doesn't nurse doesn't mean that it's hopeless for future babies. I EPd for my 1st baby, exclusively breastfed my 2nd, did both for my 3rd and am back to EPing for #4. I still consider myself breastfeeding just not at the tap. Have you visited the EP board at ivillage?

OP, one of the most awesome breastfeeding resources is at kellymom :: Breastfeeding and Parenting. There are even breastfeeding message boards.

mamaofsix · 07-22-2008, 12:06 AM

If there is a La Leche League in your area they are all about breast feeding and nutrition. My first one was easy. But my second one wouldn't latch on for her first 9 hours of life ... she caught on and nursed for 14 months. I had one that was born jaundice... he had to have formula in the hospital to clear him out. He then nursed for 15 months. If you can make it past the first two weeks everything usually works its self out. Your body will start producing when on babys time schedule. I found bf to be easier. No bottles to wash, or warm and formula to mix. It was always ready and the right temp. Target sells a nursing bib which is nice cause baby cant pull it off.