breastfeeding problems

Tiffany - posted on 08/20/2009

Just stick with it. It will all get better. Things didn't start getting better for me until four weeks old. Just think about giving that baby the healthest food you can to help them grow strong. That is what got me through the pain and thinking that I did not have enough milk. It gets easier as they get older.

Eloise - posted on 08/20/2009

thanks for all your comments they are all so helpful, its nice to see that other mothers are going through the same thing.



Unfortunately my milk supply has now dried up so i cannot put my daughter back on the breast and she is now on full formula, but is growing so fast and putting on weight like anything!!



and last night she slept for almost the whole night so me and my partner are very proud!!



I feel a lot better in myself now that I have read some other comments and knowing that other mothers are going through the same problems, these comments have made going onto full formula a lot easier and it helps me feel a lot less guilty



So a big thank you to everyone who commented!!!



xxx

Krystal - posted on 08/20/2009

It's not too late to try again. Find a good lactation consultant to help you start "relactating". Follow your motherly instincts here. You did not fail, you did your best. If you feel like you should still be breastfeeding, keep trying.

Sarah - posted on 08/17/2009

If you've tried as hard as you can, and only you know what that is, then don't feel guilty. I experienced a drop in supply (my dd wouldn't nurse long due to reflux), but was able to bring it back with Reglan (prescription) and pumping after each nursing. She was supplemented with formula until I got back up to full supply (I'd give her a bottle with a little in it AFTER each nursing and used a supplemental nursing system while nursing, too. Now she is growing like a weed! For me, that is what I needed to do to try to stick with it and it paid off. If you want to stick with it, I do recommend trying to find a good lactation consultant.

As for clogged ducts (& the resulting mastitis) - I had a huge problem with clogged ducts - one or two a week. My lactation consultant recommended taking lecithin (soy-based, so if you're allergic, don't) - it is a dietary supplement pill you can find in most grocery stores. She said take 2 a day - that improved things, but 3 was what finally helped me say goodbye completely to clogged ducts. I haven't had one since!

Monique - posted on 08/17/2009

I am actually bf my third child but with my 1st it was difficult I had pain and I also caught mastitis which u know is also very painful if u feel up to it though try again it's not to late u are never a failure mainly because u thought enough of her and urself to even bf so take ur time, relax and keep trying and if continues with the formula it is ok :)

Becca - posted on 08/17/2009

ok, first I am soo glad to hear your story! I also got mastitis 7 weeks ago. The most horrilbe thing I have gone thru!! My first daughter I bf for 2 months.. she got lazy and refused to nurse from me, so when I had my second daughter I was determined to do this! Day 3 she got jaundis and I was forced to give her a bottle ( the start of my down fall) and suppliment to help her get her bili ruben back up. Then I got mastitis at 3 weeks. 105 fevers. I couldn't even sit up let alone put her to breast... needless to say I went from making 3 oz a feeding to 1/2. My daughter was very frustrated. It was only 2 days off breast and that screwed me. She had gotten soo used to the bottle and preferred that. I have been to many classes and talked to many lactation nurses. The only advice I get is to keep her on my breast and keep pumping with the hospital grade pump. Well at this point my daughter wants nothing to do with my breast.. doesn't come fast enough. I am doing all I know to do to keep it going. I am taking this herbal drug found at GNC called Fenugreek (ask dr first) and it has helped my production come back a little. I think that if my daughter would latch back on my milk would come back ten fold.

I know exactly how you feel. I have spent many days crying and feeling like a failure. We just have to keep telling ourselves that our babies are healthy and will love us regardless how we feed them. It is a tough thing to go through and I honestly know and feel your pain! I hope everything works out for you!!

Melanie - posted on 08/16/2009

I had a plugged duct and it is so painful but the dr. told me to keep on letting them nurse on that one and I also would pump it but I had to use a warm washcloth first and it hurt soooo bad but eventually it did get better. Hang in there and if you want to continue nursing you really have to grin and bear it, sorry for the truth, hope this helps:)

Brandie - posted on 08/16/2009

I know exactly how you feel. I tried breastfeeding my first baby and only did it for 2 weeks. It was such a hard decision for me because I felt so guilty for giving up and switching to formula. However, once I made that transition I was so much more happier. You have to think of yourself and your sanity. I am now on baby #2 and she is almost 8 wks old and I am breastfeeding her. We do give her a bottle of formula here and there at night and we often give her breastmilk in a bottle. I also got mastitis about a month ago...it's not pretty. It was so painfiul, I had a fever and chills and the pain and engorgement was unbearable, but I still stuck with it. Right now I have a crack in my nipple and I am trying to heal it and ignore the pain. I also have one breast bigger and producing more milk than the other now. I just don't like breastfeeding. I am not the type of woman that enjoys it. And I've come to find out that there are some women out there that don't like it. I am going to try and breastfeed for 4-6 months. I have thought of going to formula so many times these past few weeks, but I am still hanging in there. Formula is fine! My first baby (now almost 3) is so smart and ahead in her age. Don't beat yourself up over it. Your baby will be fine. AND....you can still bond with your baby while bottle feeding. My first baby is so close to me and always has been. We have a strong bond. I know that breast is best, but I often feel that people put so much pressure on women to breastfeed that it makes us feel guilty if we don't. You need to do what is best for you too.

Angelique - posted on 08/16/2009

Well, I hope this helps you because I know how lonely and frustrating it can be having problems with breast feeding.



Mastitis is one of the most common reasons for women stopping or supplementing breast feeding. If you are still producing milk, might I suggest that you start pumping (the Medela pump worked great for bringing in my milk after C-section) as this might boost your milk production. The key is to avoid getting mastitis again. Wear loose non wired nursing bras or tanks. Learn how to massage your breasts in a warm shower to help relieve plugged ducts. Change damp nursing pads for dry ones and avoid shields as they can sometimes cause a problem. You might be able to get a midwife or lactation coach to help you make sure the baby is latching correctly. A lot of mothers, including myself, felt pain or discomfort even with a perfect latch. Unlike what many breastfeeding pamphlets will tell you, pain is not always caused by the mother not doing something right. Sometimes the mom just has really sensitive breasts. I found that massage really helped with this.



If you are no longer producing any milk, then do NOT feel guilty. Though breast is best, formula nowadays is pretty darn good. You are taking care of your new baby and giving her all she needs. Try "kangaroo care" for bottle feeding by holding your baby against your bare skin while she feeds. The number one thing your baby needs now is your love and your care. You are the best mother for your little girl. Period. Good luck to you.