Tips for Planning Breastfeeding

Rachel - posted on 11/09/2009

Quoting Debra:

Another thought on latching, I know it can be hard for the baby to latch sometimes when your breasts are too full. If you can express some milk by hand or pump when they become too full, that might help. Early in breastfeeding you sometimes get too much milk.
Latching is just painful early on...I would alway cringe and my toes would curl for the first 30 seconds, and I would try not to cry. It got better after 2-3 weeks for me. I just stuck with it despite the pain. I wish I had some tip to make it not so painful. The Lanisinoh cream helped mostly my scabby nipples from sticking to my bra/pad. It doesn't solve the problem but it helps a little.
When you had problems earlier, cracking for months, were you breastfeeding exclusively? Mine always cleared up in a few weeks (I have four kids and breastfed all) but I breastfed only and every 2-3 hours.
I hope it works out for you this time...it's so worth it!!

Ah, expressing when they are too full would have been good to know the first time around.  I felt like they were balloons about to pop all the time! lol.  I will definitely try this option.

I knew that latching would be painful early on.  My two sisters-in-law shared their experiences with me ahead of time.  So, I was prepared for that.  I can handle pain pretty well.  My problems was that the pain endured the entire time my son was feeding.  It never stopped.  I would sit there, crying, trying not to scream the whole time.  It was awful.  Everyone just kept telling me to deal with it, that it would eventually go away.  But, it was just as bad at 5 months as at 1 week.

Re: your question of breastfeeding exclusively with the cracking for months: yep.  That is, I was breastfeeding and pumping.  I went back to work when my son was only 5 weeks, so started pumping pretty early.  I had a really difficult time letting my milk down either way - and I wonder if that caused some problems for my poor nipples due to extra sucking from the baby and long pumping times.  We would feed and/or pump for half an hour at a time - and that is pumping both breasts simultaneously.

I'm very hopeful for a better experience this time.  And I love all the ideas and support from you ladies!  It is so encouraging!

Hannah - posted on 10/28/2009

Hi
Like you, I had a hard time trying to feed my first daughter and ended up switching to formula, but I am fully feeding my second daughter, she has never touched a drop of formula, so please be encouraged that it is a LOT easier second time around!
Now you have an idea of what to expect and what can go wrong, I'm sure it will be a better experience for you from the start, and you are certainly determined enough!
My tips would be to look out for mastitis and thrush which can cause a painful latch on, catch it early if you think you may have it, don't think it just hurts and accept it, sometimes there is an underlying reason.
Most mums I know found it got better after around 6 weeks, so it helped me to set that as my initial goal to aim for, and then set another after that.
Good Luck and let us all know how you get on!

Debra - posted on 10/28/2009

Another thought on latching, I know it can be hard for the baby to latch sometimes when your breasts are too full. If you can express some milk by hand or pump when they become too full, that might help. Early in breastfeeding you sometimes get too much milk.

Latching is just painful early on...I would alway cringe and my toes would curl for the first 30 seconds, and I would try not to cry. It got better after 2-3 weeks for me. I just stuck with it despite the pain. I wish I had some tip to make it not so painful. The Lanisinoh cream helped mostly my scabby nipples from sticking to my bra/pad. It doesn't solve the problem but it helps a little.

When you had problems earlier, cracking for months, were you breastfeeding exclusively? Mine always cleared up in a few weeks (I have four kids and breastfed all) but I breastfed only and every 2-3 hours.

I hope it works out for you this time...it's so worth it!!

Rachel - posted on 10/27/2009

Thank you so much for the great advice and encouragement!!! I've copied a lot of these responses onto my computer so I can refer to them over the next many months. I don't want to forget anything! :)

I did use Lansinoh nipple cream last time (the stuff that was kind of like Vaseline) and it helped some, but not significantly. This might be tmi, but I had dead skin on the tips of my nipples. The cream helped soften the cracks and reduce bleeding, but I ended up digging the dead skin out of my nipples so that milk could flow better. It was gross and painful. Everyone kept telling me that my nipples would harden and it would stop hurting so much, but it never did, even after so many months.

When I find a lactation consultant in the next few months, I'll ask her questions about stuff like that.

In the meantime, would anyone like to share their experiences and how they dealt with the pain, latching or other things that came up? I'd love to hear your experiences!

Katie - posted on 10/25/2009

Make sure that your pediatrician has a lactation consultant or that you have a number of one ahead of time. you can attend lll meetings before you have the baby in prep and normally they will have a bunch of material.... alot of which is free. Make sure that you set a goal for yourself.... with my second I said 6 weeks no matter what. (I had a lot of trouble with pain right after delivery.) Make sure that you know ahead of time that it can be painful when you first feed after delivery and do not fear taking something to ease the pain. It will get easier.... enlist the troops and face the battle head on. You can do it! You already have the motivation that it requires... good luck!

Debra - posted on 10/25/2009

There is so much information here, and that can be so overwhelming. (So after reading and consulting) My advice would be to relax and try and let it come naturally. It's amazing how the baby really knows what to do. If you get frustrated with the baby not latching, stop trying so hard, get your nipple close to the baby and let the baby do the work. They do a surprisingly great job. Nurse every 2-3 hours no matter what (no water or formula ever, and no pacifiers) and treat your sore nipples with lansinoh. They will be fine in 2-3 weeks.

Rebecca - posted on 10/25/2009

Totally agree with all the ladies here, find a LLL meeting place and go there before and after baby to get any information and help that you might need, as well see if there is a breastfeeding support group that you can go to weekly for support and to check babys weight gain. Make your birth wishes known, you want to nurse as soon as baby is born, NO formula, baby to be with you at all times (unless medically needed), snuggle skin to skin as much as possible even if babys isnt nursing, ask your Dr for some All Purpose Nipple Ointment, this is way way better then lanolin cream out there. Make sure that you know how to latch baby well before going home from the hospital, alot of moms have troubles once they are home (usually due to nervousness of being alone to do it all by themselves) know that baby will nurse all the time! Every hour sometimes even less, and that it is totally normal and that is dosnt mean you dont have enough milk. Ask for help when you need it, dont try to "fix" things on your own. Make sure you have a great support group in place (spouse, family, good Dr ect) because right after baby is born your hormones are all out of whack, coupled with the lack of sleep you can get frustraited and down very easily and feel that the whole breastfeeding thing just isnt working out for you. Baby can tell if mommy is unhappy and that can definitely effect breastfeeding. And dont worry, what happened last time wont happen this time because now you have the knowledge you need. Sometimes things happen for a reason (even if they are not always good things) to help you deal the next time it comes around. You did what was best for your last baby and will do the same thing this time around too! Congratulations on your up coming bundle and best wishes in your breastfeeding journey!!! A journey that it is! take care!!

Elle - posted on 10/25/2009

Enlist the help of your hubby/ support person for while you are in the hospital. If you are too exhausted or medicated or whatever your hubby can make sure baby isn't given any formula. I had to have general anesthesia with my c-section and baby had very low blood sugar, my hubby syringe fed her a few milliliters of formula til I woke up then had to help me hold her so I could feed her. Your support person can really make a difference if, for whatever reason, you can't demand the kind of care you want.



Also see if there is a breastfeeding class in your area before you give birth. Meet with a lactation consultant ahead of time. When you are looking for a doctor for your baby pick someone who is supportive of breastfeeding. I really liked Dr Sears book on breastfeeding (actually I have liked all his books so far).



For you nipples you might want to look into Lansinoh. I've been using it since my daughter was born - almost 2 months ago - and have had very little soreness and no cracking or bleeding.

*Fluffy Bunnies - posted on 10/25/2009

One thing my lactation consultant told me that helped was you can always say "no." If you just got your baby latched and the pediatrician wants to see him/her you can tell them now is not a good time. These days newborns don't even have to leave mom's room, ever! (Unless there is a medical reason of course). You can talk to your pediatrician ahead of time and have them come to your room to do everything. It helps with breastfeeding to have your baby so close. Keep your newborn on your chest as much as possible. My lactaction consultant calls that "the kitchen" because how many times are you in the kitchen and don't want to eat? As far as nipple pain and cracks, you may or may not have that again. I had aweful cracked nipples on both sides, but you can push through. I wore breast shells (by Medela) in my bra which kept my nipples from rubbing on my clothes. I also got Soothies which you can put in the fridge and then put on your sore nipples. Remember that it's hard in the beginning, but it does get easier. Good luck!

Minnie - posted on 10/25/2009

Buy this book: The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding



And peruse this website top to bottom: http://www.kellymom.com



You've GOT to make your wishes known before the birth. Insist upon immediate breastfeeding if your baby is healthy- tests and cleaning can wait. Keep your baby with you constantly- no cleaning, no tests apart from you, or your husband.



Go to some La Leche League meetings before you have your baby. Go to some after your baby. If you see a lactation consultant, make sure she's an IBCLC and not just a nurse self-stylized as an LC. Call your local LLL leader whenever you have a question.



Really read the above book and website. You'll find that there are many myths and misconceptions to dispell regarding breastfeeding. You'll feel a lot more confident with that information under your belt.

Lyndsay - posted on 10/25/2009

wow! I am so sorry you had so much resistance from the hospital staff after your first child was born! I am glad you are delivering somewhere else this time! There are MANY hospitals that encourage breastfeeding and try hard to stick to YOUR birthplan!

My biggest recommendation is to absolutely contact a lactation consultant ASAP! Mine was a lifesaver even before I delivered my daughter, she prepared me for any bumps I may encounter right after my daughter was born. (most hospitals also employ LC's that will come to your room and work with you and your baby shortly after you've given birth! I also had one of those, but had a private Lactation consultant that, if I called her today, 5 months after my daughter was born, would be at my home tomorrow afternoon!)

Things are so much smoother with the right support! Good for you trying again after such a horrible experience the first time!