New at Breastfeeding...Please help?!

Jamie - posted on 07/10/2012

Hi Abby, I've noticed that all of these suggestions from ladies are very helpful. They have all said what I would suggest too. But remember, the baby drains the breast better than a pump. Pumping is good when you need it but try to get the baby to do it too. Relax also, if your all tensed up the baby will know this. Just to let you know, in case you don't know, mastitis will make you feel like your starting to get the flu. You'll get very achy, a high fever, a hot and hard spot of the breast where it is infected and it becomes very painful to breastfeed (to the point of crying). I've had it once with my first child when she was around 6 weeks old and once with my second child when he was about 6 months old. Your more likely to get it if your stressed, not getting enough rest, not draining the breasts and between 6-12 weeks post-baby.
I'm not an expert but this is what I have learned. Good luck! Glad your breastfeeding your baby! You'll get over that hump in no time, it gets easier I promise!

Ashley - posted on 07/09/2012

My lactation nurse told me to only feed from one side and pump the other (alternating sides with each feeding.) The soreness wasn't as bad after I started doing that because it gave me a rest between feedings. That way you also don't have to time both sides and your little one can drain the breast which helps the milk production become more routine for your body.

Try taking a hot shower and massaging the side that your little one won't feed from. After the shower try offering that side.

Stick with it. It does get better. Good luck!

Samantha - posted on 07/02/2012

I alternated the breast I offered.

One trick my Aunt gave me helped a lot. She told me to express/gently squeeze out a little milk before offering the breast to the baby. When I did the baby latched better and did not pull as hard initially. If he/she could taste the milk they were not as aggressive at the beginning and my nipples were not as sore.

I also got soothing eye pads that you could refrigerate/heat and placed those on sore nipples as needed after nursing.
http://www.amazon.com/Zink-Color-Blue-Co...

They were soothing and a nipple saver.

Katie - posted on 07/02/2012

Try a chiropractic adjustment for your little one. Could possibly help with getting him on the other breast. We were having the same issue, my little guy got adjusted, we went home and he nursed on both breasts! :)

For pain - have you been using niple cream and gel pads? Ice packs (even peas, baggie w/ ice cubes) too!

Amanda - posted on 07/01/2012

When the supply is left in the breast for extended periods of time it releases a hormone that tells the breast to stop producing milk, so definetely pump. I agree with Lori, some babies have a hard time latching to an engorged breast. Does he actually latch on and then pull off (as possibly an overactive letdown that baby can't keep up with?)

My children did this, they favored my left side and I had the same problem with engorgement in my right breast, but I kept my freezer full of milk becasue I could pump that side knowing they generally were fulfilled on my left breast alone.

Lori - posted on 06/30/2012

Do you alternate which breast you offer first. At one feed offer the right first, at the next feed offer the left first. Have you tried different positions while offering the left. Football hold, cradle hold, side laying, laid back, etc. Sometimes babies just don't like the way they are being held and won't nurse that way.

If you pump the milk out of the left side that will help prevent you from being engorged, and yes it will help prevent mastitis. Some babies ultimately do decide that they're only going to nurse from one side. And most mom's can produce enough milk off that one side to keep baby growing and thriving. I'd say at 5 days old he's too little still to know if he'll continue to reject that side though. Pumping that side will help keep your supply up. And you can freeze and store any milk you pump so you'll have it to use if you need to be separated from your baby.

It may also be that the breast was engorged when you offered it to him. Some babies have a very hard time latching on to an engorged breast. If you either pump or hand express a little bit of milk out so that your breast isn't as hard anymore, then offer it to your baby, he may be willing to latch on.

http://www.intuitiveparenting.org/onesid...

http://kellymom.com/bf/concerns/child/fu...