first time breastfeeding

Lauren - posted on 06/19/2011

Your body will adjust, the cabbage leaf thing really works. Don't rely on the pump too much to relieve the pressure though because your body will make milk in response and you don't want that if you are already too full! Also, try a little breast compression (google it) while baby is nursing to empty them out and to get more milk into baby. It takes a few days to even out, but hang in there. I got off to a really rough start, but now 17 months later I am still nursing my daughter.

Rach - posted on 06/19/2011

There is amazing cream you can get from healtheries stores called Super Cham, I swear it is the best thing ever for sore breasts and nipples and thanks to my sis got me through the pain side of things no worries. Also when you shower let the heat run on your boobs and squeeze them out a little to ease them in there too, be extra careful to check for lumps and massage them out under heat , as you don't want mastitis its terrible. You really will adjust soon it just takes a bit for baby and your boobs to get acquainted :-)

Jessica - posted on 06/18/2011

Try taking a hot shower, warm as you can stand it and massage your breast, starting at the top and kinda pushing down towards the nipple, it really helped me in the beginning, the milk would just run out and it gave me relief.

Lindsy - posted on 06/17/2011

Oh I know it hurts at first but it really does get better. Try expressing some milk with you hand or with a pump ( you can buy one or rent one from the hospital, get the BEST quality one you can afford , your boobs will thank you). Pump for a minute so your baby can get a good deep latch on your nipple. It will look like you'll choke him with your boob but you won't. Most stores that sell breast pads have a product called lanolin. It helps soooo much with painful, cracked nipples.
Trust me , most everyone feels this way at first, I just had my 3rd baby and I still felt it for a little while.
And you can never feed a BF baby too much, but if he doesn't seem interested anymore then he's probably full.
Best of luck hon! Hang in there , you can do it!

Kate - posted on 06/17/2011

Cynthia, the best advice I received when we had Zachie was that, you can't over feed a breastfed baby and your nipples won't drop off! We have a product here in Australia called Lanosil which is a lanolin based ointment that you can rub on your nipples which may help, if you can't find anything similar then just squeeze a little breastmilk out and rub it on your nipples, try and get a bit of topless time and let the air get to them.
Hang in there though, it's definitely worth while, cheaper and better for your baby, expressing is a great way to help relieve the pressure and you can build up a supply which can be stored in the freezer. If you need some more advice check out Pinky McKay, or Elizabeth Pantley who is in the US. Good Luck! xx

Shannon - posted on 06/17/2011

pump after each feeding your doing a good job, keep that in mind dont get discouraged by the pain.

Amy - posted on 06/17/2011

I always had to pump for a couple of minutes to get relief when I got engorged, and also my daughter wouldn't latch on if I didn't pump because it was too difficult for her to latch. So it's ok to pump a little to offer yourself relief, but it does get better!!!!

Amanda - posted on 06/17/2011

Tough it out. It gets easier.

Sorry I dont have a better answer.

Karli - posted on 06/17/2011

If they get too full you can also try stuffing cabbage leaves in your bra, I know it sounds crazy but it is instant relief. Your body and baby will adjust over the next couple of weeks. Pump some out and freeze it until you feel relief, your body will produce more to replace it. Pump and try the cabbage and your body will do the rest. Just don't give up, you will get into a rhythm soon enough.

Janice - posted on 06/17/2011

Unfortunately, discomfort is the name of the game for a few days. Your newborns tummy is tiny so I'm sure he is taking enough for him but it will take a bit for "eager boobs" to adjust. If he is not ready to eat when it is at its worst them pump and put it in the freezer, if you plan to go back to work then you will need it. Otherwise just try to deal with discomfort, I promise your breasts will adjust soon. You can try ice packs too.