Need tips on Breastfeeding

Sarah - posted on 01/22/2009

Hi Cristin,

I really would agree with Alisande. Nipple shields or nipple protectors are fantastic things. Not to protect yourself necessarily, but because it will be a closer shape and feel to the bottle for baby so he will feel better about it. That is the way to start and then eventually you will be able to remove the shield/protector and he (maybe with a little difficulty) should latch on. I breastfed Thomas within minutes of him being born and it came so naturally but the next time i tried it didn't work and i found it impossible. I think because i thought about it too much and was too tense. Let your instincts take over and try to stay completely relaxed. I really, really would recommend trying the nipple protectors. Baby will thamk you for it and you will finally get the closeness you want with your beautiful new son.

Hope this helps, let us know x

Julie - posted on 01/21/2009

Just keep with it! It is SO hard at first, but you will get the hang of it. You are both learning how to do this. One thing that really helped me was putting my feet up on a stool, making sure my shoulders were back and relaxed. I was always hunched over, with my shoulders and arms very tense (because it hurt, and I just wasn't sure if I was doing it right!). Having my feet up and shoulders back helped a ton.

Sara - posted on 01/21/2009

No advice here, because it sounds like you have a ton of advice to work w/, I just wanted to wish you good luck. It truly is a wonderful experience that only a mother can have w/ her baby. Don't forget though, if you're not able to nurse, there are so many other ways to bond w/ your LO, even if it just means cuddling and rocking him to sleep. I hope you and your LO are able to figure out the whole breastfeeding thing, but if not, enjoy all the time that you do have w/ him!

Samantha - posted on 01/19/2009

When you're trying, is his mouth wide open?  You want him to open it really wide, like a little baby bird.  His tongue needs to be underneath, cupping the breast.  Keep tickling his lips or even his nose with the nipple until he opens really wide, then rapidly (but gently) "push" him onto the breast.  His jaw should jut into your breast, and his nose should be free to breathe.  He should look like he took a big bite out of a sandwich.  Make sure you use enough pillows to prop everything up, and support the breast.  One hand will be guiding his head, the other supporting the breast.  It's easier to visualize what I said using the football hold.

Bethany - posted on 01/19/2009

I know you've gotten a lot of advice. The only thing I wanted to add was that when I weaned my six week old from the nipple shield I would nurse her when she was sleepy and way before she was really hungry. When they're tired instinct seems to kick in a little more so they naturally latch on better. Also, get in a warm bath with baby. Get baby wet, put a washcloth on his back and keep him close so he's not cold and just have him close to the breast. Those two things really did it for my daughter. She's 7 1/2 months now and an excellent nurser. She's my 4th and I never nursed my others and now that I've been able to it makes me so sad that this is the only time I'll get to do it. I know it's so hard and frustrating. Keep going, your doing good. I wouldn't always believe the Dr's and weight. Yes, there are babies who aren't thriving, but my baby girl is only 13 lbs and totally healthy. Once you start to supplement it's very hard to stop. Have you talked to an actual La Leche League leader? You can find one online with her number and everything, they are going to be the most helpful and supportive. Good luck, let us all know how it's going.

Rachel - posted on 01/19/2009

I had great success doing the football hold when I first began breastfeeding. I held the breast in a C and Make sure you wait until your baby's mouth is wide open. I read bring baby to breast not breast to baby but I did half and half. Put as much of the dark part the areola in. I also held my breast in a C the whole time until we both got used to the process. I also found it helpful to use a boppy pillow or any pillow to help raise him up closer to the breast. Once you get the football hold down you can then start to master any position.

Chel - posted on 01/19/2009

I'd also recommend working with a lactation consultant, there may likely be free support groups through your local hospital. Otherwise, someone told me (which I thought was a great point) was it'd be cheaper to pay for a consultation than to buy formula. Also, if you have a local La Leche League, they are wonderful. They have support groups, LOTS of info on their website, and will come right into your home if you need it at no charge.

Jamie - posted on 01/18/2009

as for pumping, this bra helps: http://www.easyexpressionproducts.com/ because you do both breasts at the same time. how old is your baby? The first few weeks are challenging, I thought of giving up so many times- the sleep deprevation makes it even harder, I would force myself to get up and go to Le Leche meetings, but am so glad I did.

Jamie - posted on 01/18/2009

not sure what suggestions you've gotten...as I mentioned, getting your nipple longer/harder can help (use nipple shield- this really helps, ice, rolling it in your fingers). Trying different positions (the football hold is a good one when they are younger since you control where the head is more). Those first weeks, I would sometimes have my husband help- it would take four hands to keep his head where it needed to be to latch on! My doctor suggested offering breast, breast, bottle (expressed) so that he was always at least trying, but never missing out on a feeding. Then I'd pump, so that we had something for the next feeding and the supply/demand wasn't thrown off. I know this sounds strange, too, but I put on calmng music- I know that he would sense when I got too upset. If that didn't help, I would have my husband give him the bottle and I'd go pump, so that the baby wouldn't get upset, too. This website is really helpful: http://www.kellymom.com/bf/start/basics/...

Cristin - posted on 01/18/2009

As for feeding my son I'm pumping and giving formula since the doctor said he was loosing too much weight in the hospital. I've tried a few times again and again for him to latch on but it's just ends up being too stressful for the both of us. We both get emotional. I've gotten advice from lactation specialist, nurses, doctors, friends, everyone. All the advice I've gotten doesn't help. I practically need a le lache person with me at all times. I'm to the point of giving up trying, but pumping takes so much time. Ugh!!! Any advice on him actually latching?

Jamie - posted on 01/18/2009

I had some difficulties as well and went to my local le leche league- the leader spoke to me on the phone and was very helpful and then I went to the meetings for additional support. A few tips: try a nipple shield, or even using your fingers or ice (crazy, I know!) to make your nipple easier for him to latch on to. good luck!

Allyson - posted on 01/18/2009

I've had almost every issue so far... tight frenulum, nipple shield, bad latch, too much milk, not enough milk. It's exhausting! I went to a lactation consultant who did help me get over a few of the humps. I recently had the issue of low supply and started taking Fenugreek. That really worked (just in case you end up having to pump instead of breastfeed).

What I did: try to latch for 10 minutes, but no more, then go to expressed milk bottle. I kept trying until she would come to the breast. That's what the LC told me to do. Keep trying, keep offering the breast, don't give up! However, the top priority, no matter what, is FEED THE BABY! So, if it's breast, expressed or formula, that's the most important piece.

Alisande - posted on 01/17/2009

I took a breastfeeding class at my local hospital before delivery and from that actually realized that I have inverted nipples, so they like to dimple back in, instead of stick out like normal. I picked up a couple nipple shields by Medela. I have one by Avent too, but it's a thicker plastic I think, and he doesn't like that one. But the other works great. I've been able to breastfeed from the start, but only because of this. Without it, he cannot latch on at all -- I can't get enough of me in his mouth.

It may be worth a try. =)

Samantha - posted on 01/17/2009

My advice is read, read, read!  I've read a number of breastfeeding books that have helped me tremendously.  The best are "The Nursing Mothers' Companion" and "The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding".  Both will suggest to help a less-than-enthusiastic baby to latch by using skin-to-skin contact.  This helps to bring out baby's natural instincts.  You can get in bed and do this, and wrap a blanket around yourselves if you think baby is cold.  Also, if he's having a hard time getting milk out, do a lot of research on how to latch.  Make an appointment with a lactation consultant at the hospital you delivered; this service should be free.  Make sure he's got a good mouthful of areola (not just nipple).  Sounds funny, but it should look like he's taking a big bite out of a sandwich!  Try to practice this when he is less voracious; otherwise, he will be way too upset to learn this.  Maybe try an hour or two after giving him a bottle so he's a little hungry but not starving.  Practicing in a quiet, tranquil room will help both your stress levels.  Using your mind to create a relaxing state will help tremendously.  I know when I'm stressed and trying to breastfeed, my son senses it and fusses more.

Julie - posted on 01/17/2009

oh - tips ... get a nursing pillow ... it really helped us with positioning!

Julie - posted on 01/17/2009

My son and I had the exact same experience! We needed to get a lot of help - from the hospital's lactation consultants, from laleche, from anyone who would listen to me! But, by 6 weeks, my son had caught on, and although it was a bit of a struggle, he'd nurse. And now, by 4 months, he's an expert at it!!!