stressed and tired of it

Tristine - posted on 06/14/2009

Read my post on here called, The Truth About Nursing: Expecting the UNexpected. I went through all of this and got some very helpful tips that work miracles!! Hope all is well and you haven't thrown in the towel yet.

Jennifer - posted on 06/14/2009

" what is good for colic aside from gripe water?"



Lots of love, snuggling, and patience! From what I understand there is not much you can do for colic except grin (or frown, I dont' see why you can't frown :) ) and bear it.

Renee - posted on 05/25/2009

All 3 of my kids got sqirted in the face during let down in the early weeks. Once we had a regular schedule and my milk supply was established, it didn't happen anymore. It took a month or two, but it cleared up without intervention.

Rebekah - posted on 05/25/2009

He may also have gas/ colic someone suggested! I put him on my boppy pillow and he seems more happy..yet he has his moments. what is good for colic aside from gripe water?

Elizabeth - posted on 05/24/2009

Quoting rebekah:

thanks for the help and encouragment! i tried him on my boppy and put more of my lower nipple in his mouth. he seems to be doing better(hope i didn't jinx myself). he still crys blood murder if i have to get his sibling a drink of juice and some food, before i feed him. but he will be ok ! would a nipple sheild make my breast not squirt at him?

I used a nipple shield and I produced less milk.  The plastic prevented the right kind of stimulation so my boy didn't get as much as he would have without it.  When I switched back to just breast, my milk increased and he was satiated.  I also noticed being more sore with the shield, but that may have just been me.

Teresa - posted on 05/24/2009

I have nothing helpful to add. Just support to hang in there!!

Tamara - posted on 05/24/2009

Sounds like you *may* have overactive let down. First, take a deep breath. Next, are you babywearing? This helps with being able to do things and nurse at the same time. At 3 weeks old, baby needs to eat more or less all the time. Their tummies are tiny and breastmilk digests in an hour and a half. Now IF you have OAL, you may try expressing some into a breast pad or something before you latch your little guy. I'd also see an IBCLC to evaluate your letdown, etc. HTH.

Laura - posted on 05/22/2009

my lactation consultat told me to try leaning back when the milk lets down so that it doesn't come out so fast and flood he little guy. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't, but it's worth a try if you're still having that problem.

Rebekah - posted on 05/22/2009

thanks for the help and encouragment! i tried him on my boppy and put more of my lower nipple in his mouth. he seems to be doing better(hope i didn't jinx myself). he still crys blood murder if i have to get his sibling a drink of juice and some food, before i feed him. but he will be ok ! would a nipple sheild make my breast not squirt at him?

Stacy - posted on 05/21/2009

omg, I am having the same problem. My daughter is 2.5 and couldn't breastfeed with her cause we had trouble latching and not enough support. My son is 9 days old and we are having so much trouble. He has problems latching, and when he does he does it good, but falls asleep all the time and my milk hasn't really come in all the way. So I now try and breastfeed, then bottle if I need to, then pump. It's so frustrating and so much extra work. Exspecially when your going on no sleep. So many times I've wanted to give up. I'm really trying to stick in there cause people tell me it gets better. Anyway good luck!

Lisa - posted on 05/21/2009

i felt exactly the same i wanted to quit so many times and still do but iam still breast feeding my 8month old daughter 3 times a day i can't belive i did it this long it was like toucher at the begining time flys and don't give in just think about how hard bottle feeding is washing sterlising bottles night and day boobs are always accessable if you get relly sore nipples try the plastic gaurds for a couple of feeds the saved my life when Zoe was 3 weeks old i have inverted tiny nipples and DD breasts and i did it you can too good luck and remeber it will get easier

Bridget - posted on 05/20/2009

Ok, I'm going to address each issue seperately.

my son is 3 weeks old and he is awful at nursing! At 3 weeks my girl and were awful at nursing, I wanted to quit at every feed. On, off, on, off. OW! As he gets the hang of it (and as you do to) It really does get easier. between 3 and 6 weeks was the worst for me. Nearly a year on, I'd do it again.



He crys bloody murder if my breast milk comes out to fast or is squirting him. This is normal behaviour, and as hard as it is on you, it's not as bad as it sounds for him. He just doesn't have a better way of expressing "oh my god there's milk in my nose!!"



If he is not feed right at the time he wants and he starts to cry..he is unconsolable and won't eat tll he relaxes. I hate to say it, but at this age he really does need it then and there. His tummy is still learning about hunger, he's never experianced anything like it before 3 weeks ago. Are you able to judge when he's getting hungry? If you feed him at the start of hunger signs rather then letting him get "starving" (as he sees it), it may be easier on you.



He also falls asleep alot during nursing. Is he really asleep or does he look asleep? If he still has suction, he is awake. Some babies will close thier eyes and stop sucking while they wait for a let-down. If your nipple falls out he is asleep, and if that is the case have you tried changing his nappy when he starts to get sleepy? It can help because it will wake him back up so he eats more before he goes to sleep.



And yes, you will be tired. You should also be proud of doing such an amazing job. Eat well, drink lots of water, don't worry about the housework, sleep whenever your little boy does. The first 6 weeks are the hardest.

Rebekah - posted on 05/20/2009

thanks! sometimes, i wonder if it is the binky the hospital gave him while he was in the nicu. or the bottle that i had to give him so they knew how much i was feeding him at the hospital that made him feed weird. i would pump, but when do i have time with a 19 month old that I also have to take care of? she is good, but i need to watch her to make sure she doesn't hurt herself!

Jennifer - posted on 05/20/2009

Hey Beks! I know all about fussy babies...can't speak for the breast feeding end, but I am sure that is extra frustrating because of the nature of breast feeding. First of all you are a terrific mom...I can see how much you and Matt love Lily! Secondly, from a developmental standpoint, it can take up to eight weeks for a concept to become a habit. Give both of yourselves a break...you are getting acquainted with each other and that will take a little time. Also this was REALLY hard for me to do when Em was in her colicky period, but try to remind yourself that this is only a phase...there will be a day when he will be grinning at you from the high chair cause he just mashed bananas in his hair for the umpteenth time. Try to envision those happier times ahead. One thing that helped me through her fussiness was the picture of her first smile...I would look at that and think "Happier times are coming". And thirdly, if you need to bottle feed to keep your sanity do it...it does not make you any less a wonderful mom. Hang in there and I will pray for strength for both of us! (((HUGS)))

Wendy - posted on 05/20/2009

Your let down sound like it is to strong. Stimulate your let down (massage the breast) before you put him on.



Babies tell you they are hunger long before they start to cry, so look for rooting, hand sucking, lip smacking, etc. Feed the baby before he starts to cry and nursing will go much better. You are doing a great job, you can do this ((HUGS))!

Shanna - posted on 05/19/2009

Hang in there! Up until my daughter (now 10 months) was about 3 months I wanted to quit. I never knew how much she was getting, and she would always fall asleep, break her latch. How much does your boy weigh? If he is big for his age, I would just try waking him by rubbing his cheecks or feet, maybe getting him naked, but, if he doesnt wake up just let him sleep. He will let you know when he's hungry again. I knwo thats easier said than done because I was always so worried about my daughter not getting enough to eat but they wont starve themselves. I remember try to breastfeed my daughter in the summer time when she was only a few weeks to 2 months old, 40 degrees celcius, both of us sweating - I HATED it...I really enjoy it now, after the first couple months you both will really get the hang of things. Hang in there a bit longer - it WILL get better :)

Shelby - posted on 05/19/2009

My son fell asleep a lot while nursing in the beginning too. Rubbing his cheek instigates the suckling action and would get him going again. Or rubbing his back to stimulate him. As far as the difficulty you have with him being so upset, I agree with Karina. Pumping can be a big relief for both you and baby, especially if you have sore nipples from more frequent feedings due to him falling asleep mid-meal. He gets the crucial benefit of breastmilk while you don't have to stress about him being so fretful. They can sense your mood so if you are more relaxed, he should be as well. Good luck!

Karina - posted on 05/19/2009

What do you think about pumping so he can have the benefits of breast milk but you can deliver it from a bottle? I'm proud of you for doing what's best for your baby, even though it's not what's easiest for you!