First time breastfeeding mommy!

Chelsea - posted on 05/29/2009

Quoting Lisa:

I think people misunderstood what I wrote. I did not say that solids should not be introduced before 12 months, but that they should not be given IN PLACE OF a breastmilk feeding...bad wording on my part

Lauren, it's fine for you to have thoughts and to disagree with things, but there simply are things that are facts. Co-sleeping has been the default sleeping arrangement for our species for as long as we have been around. In fact, co-sleeping plays a very important part in an infant's health and development. It regulates breathing patterns, sleep cycles, metabolism, and the baby's internal temperature. It reduces the risk of SIDS. It also (and this might surprise you) promotes healthy sleep habits- baby is always there to see how and when and where mom sleeps. They associate the bed with sleep. If an infant is allowed to naturally make the transition to his own bed at his own pace he will do it easily. You wont' have to force your 16 year old out of your bed.

I also suggest you read the book Breastfeeding: Biocultural Perspectives, by Katherine Dettwyler. It will help you understand my basis for saying that a child may indeed need to be nursed even at seven years. She is an anthropologist who has done extensive work in the biological process of breastfeeding and human development. Again, it is your personal opinion that nursing a seven year old will harm a child's mental and social development, but it is not a statement backed up by fact.

Lisa,

Very nicely worded.  Co-sleeping is beneficial to both mother and child.  I wish more than anything that my 8 month old would still co-sleep.  At 3 months of age...far before I was ready she began to wake often, toss and turn and wake us both up.  I would carry her to her crib reluctantly and she would snuggle in and sleep wonderfully.  I get a nap here and there with her if she wants some snuggle time.  I'm so glad you are giving the right information.  Babies do not have to be forced out of our beds they do it on their own time line.  

Toni - posted on 05/29/2009

I would like to add to make sure you take care of yourself, drink plenty of fluids, eat nourishing meals, and get enough rest. When you yourself are taking care of, youll be more positive about your progress, im sure being well balanced is good for your supply. I also am a new mommy, My baby boy has issues latching as well, the lactation consultant at the hospital told me to offfer the nipple, and if the dont take it right away or get really fussy then pull them away, talk to them, rub their back then offer the nipple again. It seems to really help my son who is a squirmer, he doesnt liek to be forced to stay on the breast and is more relaxed with the process that i just described. supplementing with formula isnt bad if you are pumping regularily to keep your supply up. Im having breast pain as well, but i think mine is more due to my milk just coming in. I would definatly get in touch with a lactation consultant or check into support in your area, there useally is something or someone who can help you if you get really overwhelmed or confidence starts to drop. You can do it :). Keep at it!

Minnie - posted on 05/29/2009

I think people misunderstood what I wrote. I did not say that solids should not be introduced before 12 months, but that they should not be given IN PLACE OF a breastmilk feeding...bad wording on my part



Lauren, it's fine for you to have thoughts and to disagree with things, but there simply are things that are facts. Co-sleeping has been the default sleeping arrangement for our species for as long as we have been around. In fact, co-sleeping plays a very important part in an infant's health and development. It regulates breathing patterns, sleep cycles, metabolism, and the baby's internal temperature. It reduces the risk of SIDS. It also (and this might surprise you) promotes healthy sleep habits- baby is always there to see how and when and where mom sleeps. They associate the bed with sleep. If an infant is allowed to naturally make the transition to his own bed at his own pace he will do it easily. You wont' have to force your 16 year old out of your bed.



I also suggest you read the book Breastfeeding: Biocultural Perspectives, by Katherine Dettwyler. It will help you understand my basis for saying that a child may indeed need to be nursed even at seven years. She is an anthropologist who has done extensive work in the biological process of breastfeeding and human development. Again, it is your personal opinion that nursing a seven year old will harm a child's mental and social development, but it is not a statement backed up by fact.

Jacklynn - posted on 05/29/2009

One more thing...while breastmilk or formula is certainly a baby's primary and most important nutrition before 12 months, I feel that solids should be introduced at some point after 6 months of age. Every baby is different and yours will let you know when he/she is ready.

Jacklynn - posted on 05/29/2009

I agree with the information given by Lisa, but I would also encourage you to listen to you instincts. You will know what's best for your baby and you will know better than anyone else. My biggest lesson in becoming a new mother is listening to my gut. I also really like the advice of Dr. William Sears. He's a big proponent of breastfeeding and co-sleeping. I'm doing both with my son.

http://www.askdrsears.com/html/2/T020100...

I had a very hard time with breastfeeding in the beginning. I had to use a nipple shield for the first 4 months and thought about giving up countless times. But we made it!! And we no longer need the nipple shield. I think the most important thing with breastfeeding is feeding your baby on-demand. You will feel like it's A LOT for the first couple of months, but your baby will establish your milk supply this way. Good luck to you!

Lauren - posted on 05/29/2009

I agree with some of the things being said here, and some things I don't agree with. For one, I think it's important that a baby be introduced solids before 12 months, as breastmilk doesn't contain enough iron and other minerals to support baby's growing needs. I also think it's a very bad idea to co-sleep. You are setting yourself up for a hard time when your baby gets older and needs to be on his/her own at night, plus you risk rolling over on your baby in your sleep. Not to mention that it will be much harder on your child at an older age than it would be if you set up good bedtime habits now. I also think that if your baby sleeps through the night, let them sleep! If they are hungry, they will wake up on their own. Don't wake your baby up, just let them be. Your supply will not be effected if you don't, my son sleeps through the night and I have plenty of milk for him. I think that a person that lets their baby breastfeed up to age seven is nuts... Sorry if that offends you, but a child that age should not be breast fed, it's not good for mental or social development. A child should learn independence and self-comfort, and if you are breastfeeding up to age seven the child is still depending on you for comfort and isn't developing these very important habits. I also think that some amount of pain is to be expected for the first couple of weeks, no matter the latch or position, but a bad latch can make it worse. After a while, your nipples will bcome used to your baby and nursing, and the pain will go away.



That being said, I think it's a good idea to talk to a lactation expert, and have someone come to your house for a face to face visit. A lactation specialist can look at what you're doing, and give you advice on how to make it better and easier.



For the pain, I used Lansinoh Lanolin, you can get it pretty much anywhere... I got mine from Wal-Mart. This stuff was wonderful! It healed my cracked nipples, helped with the pain, and best of all, it won't hurt your baby. You can use it before and after each feeding without having to wash it off, it's hypoallergenic, and it will keep your nipples from drying out.



I know that a lot of literature has said that nipple shields shouldn't be used, but for people like me who have flat or inverted nipples, it's a life saver. I couldn't get my son to latch because my nipples were flat, so I used a nipple shield for the first 6 weeks... My supply was unaffected, Jonathan latched easier, and it helped pull my nipples out. After about 6 weeks of using the shield, my nipples stayed out permanently, and I was able to stop using it. Don't let anyone talk you out of using one to help you... The nurses at the hospital where I delivered tried to tell me that it was bad, and it was actually my midwife who convinced me otherwise.



The best advice that I can give you however is to relax, stay patient, and don't give up. The pain will pass in a few days, the cracks will heal, and your baby will have the best start in this life. Enjoy your time with your little one, cause it goes by so fast! Good luck! :)

Lucy - posted on 05/29/2009

For the soreness try lansinoh nipple cream , it is heavenly! Im a first time breastfeeding mummy to my 7wk old little girl and it took us 2 or 3 weeks to get it right so that i wasn't in pain. Keep at it, don't give up!

Charlotte - posted on 05/28/2009

I agree with Etta that you really would benifit from seeing someone face to face in real life for help. For me public health nurses were very helpful, and I also was in contact with 3 different LLL leaders in my area. If you can't find a free LC and money is an issue, an LLL leader is kind of the "next best thing". LLL leaders are highly trained and very knowledgeable as well as expirenced in nursing thier own child or children. If you go to the LLL website, you can find an LLL leader near you. Of course, you can see an LC as well as an LLL leader; LLL leaders are very supportive and are a great resource.



If you have any friends or family who have breastfed they can also be a great help. I know I really benifited from talking with my mom in the early weeks with my first baby. I had no idea how much pain and difficulty she had had to deal with and her stories were really inspiring.

Etta - posted on 05/28/2009

Go to www.ilca.org to find a lactation consultant near you if your hospital doesn't have any on staff. The advice here is great, but I've found it a great help to talk to some one in person and have them show me breastfeeding techniques. I just didn't get it from books and written descriptions.
Until your latch improves, nursing can be very painful. Using lanolin can help heal sore nipples.
Good luck and stay with it!

Minnie - posted on 05/28/2009

Pain when nursing is usually due to an improper latch. Try different positions, ones that help you support your baby so that he or she gets as much of the aereola in his mouth. Try the hamburger latch that I described above...there is also a 'flipple' technique (these names are hilarious)...what you do is use your nipple to press down on baby's bottom lip and to press his tongue down. Then you can sort of roll your nipple and aereola into baby's mouth.

Sara - posted on 05/28/2009

Thanks everyone!! I have been breastfeeding for a little bit but it hurts a lot so i have been using a breast pump most of the time and want to stop but not sure how to get from not being sore when i nurse.

Minnie - posted on 05/28/2009

Awww, thanks Emma! Yes, I second the kellymom.com website- it's packed with excellent breastfeeding information.

Also, this book is really good:

Breastfeeding: Biocultural Perspectives, by Katherine Dettwyler

Emma - posted on 05/28/2009

I totally agree with Lisa, she has some amazing advise, in all the posts I've read of hers. all I will add is if you have big boobs you can pop a rolled up pair of socks under your boob to help elavate it so you have more hands to help you get a good latch, I'd also advise reading the pages on Kellymom it is a great bf site with heaps of good info also Dr Jack Newman good luck and don't be afraid to nurse in public :0)

Amber - posted on 05/28/2009

I would say to read everything you can and make sure you have someone there right away to help you. Nursing was not natural for me or my baby and everyone acted like we were both just naturally supposed to know how to do it. My baby was small and just wouldn't latch and my chest is very large and made it difficult for me. I got no help I couldn't even get a nipple shield at the hospital to help me no lactation consultant as it was the weekend and the nurses wouldn't even help me. I became so stressed out my baby would cry and I would cry and I ended up pumping exclusively which is much more work and much harder to get your milk supply to increase. When I finally told everyone how difficult it was for me others finally told me of their problems as well. I would have liked to have known that ahead of time so that I would have just kept trying. Some people have an easier time, but if you have a difficult time it is normal too and just keep trying you will both learn and get some help read a ton.

Amber - posted on 05/28/2009

I agree with Lisa. Always have water nearby!! I'm a first time breastfeeding mom to my 5 month old son. Good luck and keep it up!!

Minnie - posted on 05/28/2009

Are you nursing already? Or haven't had the baby yet...





I think the biggest complaint/worry that nursing mothers have is that their infants want to nurse A LOT more often than they think they should, or that others have told them. Human milk digests in half an hour and a good supply is dependent on nursing more frequently than every two hours. It is very normal and realistic for your baby to want to nurse even four times an hour.





Don't supplement with formula. That sets up a vicious cycle with your supply reducing and early weaning.





Even if baby didn't bother you to nurse one night doesn't mean that he should or can do that every night. Infants are expected to receive at least 25% of their nutritional requirements at night until at least 12 months.





Get a sling or a mei tai and wear your baby to nurse during the day so you can get things done.




To get a good latch, squash your aereola like a hamburger and get baby to open wide then bring baby onto your breast like he would chomp a hamburger. Make sure to get as much of the skin below the nipple as possible. Not so much above. This is called the hamburger latch, lol.


Babies don't self-wean before a year. When you hear of that happening it is usually mothers who begin feeding solids and replacing feedings with solids (which shouldn't be done until at least 12 months) and baby ends up filling up on them. Older babies can become very distractible, but it isn't a sign of weaning.





Don't be afraid to nurse in public. We have to make it normal.





Co-sleep in bed with your baby. It's natural, good, and you will get a lot more sleep that way.





Comfort nursing is JUST as much a need as is nursing for nutrition.





There is a biological minimum age of weaning, and that appears to be about three, but can be as high as seven years depending on the individual child. If someone tells you that your child doesn't need your milk after 12 months then they are dead wrong.





Stick with it! If you put baby to your breast whenever he wants it, irregardless of when he last ate you will not have to worry about your supply.