My 2 week old is still having trouble latching on. And Im in pain.

Anna - posted on 10/30/2009

And I would say that the manual pumps are brutal. But there are other ways around these issues. I used a nipple shield for 14 months with my first because he wouldnt open his mouth enough. And I wouldnt wish that on anyone but it is better then pumping. It doesn't sound like you are in a situation where your at your last resort. So call a nursing consultant and keep at it. Know that most of us experience a hard tie in the beginning but if it continued people wouldn't nurse for a year. So it obviously gets easy.

Candi - posted on 10/30/2009

Just wanted to add that exclusively pumping is HARD work but like I was told...she's getting the same present just in different wrapping. In my case, the frustration of her not latching correctly was just making things worse so pumping took the pressure off and enabled both of us to relax and I firmly believe that that is what made it possible for me to get her back on the breast.



Definitely contact a lact. consultant, they will be able to help.

Pamela - posted on 10/30/2009

I decided to pump from the very begining. My nipples quickly healed, and my husband was able to help feed our daughter during the night. Plus, you can leave the house without the baby...freedom!:) I also like how you know exactly how much she is eating. I have been pumping for almost five months now and I am just now starting to add formula to my breast milk so eventually I can dry up. I was pumping a lot! I have a hudge stock pile of milk in my freezer. Anthor perk to pumping. I lost 50 pounds without even trying:) Good luck

Sara - posted on 10/30/2009

I had the same problem with my youngest baby. He wasn't opening his mouth wide enough to latch on correctly, finally I just had to pump & feed him that way. If you do decide to start pumping use the manual one not the automatic one, those things are brutal!

Barb - posted on 10/30/2009

I did have pain when first latching on for about 2-3 weeks, but it should go away after a few seconds and that is normal. But if it keeps hurting, which it woulds like definately see a Lactation consultant ASAP - helped me alot in the hospital!



In the meantime there are gel things called Soothies and they are wonderful for sore nipples and they work also for breast pads. I wore those constantly for, like, a month. :) You can get them at drugstores. Hope you can find help because after about 6 weeks everything is sooo much easier and remember bfing is free and formula can be $40 a week!! Yikes!

Anna - posted on 10/30/2009

I also would not recommend pumping. It can confuse your body and baby. Especially only after two weeks. You just need a little support. And it will change dramatically after about a month.

Anna - posted on 10/30/2009

Yeah agreed. Never put honey or for that matter jelly on your nipple. Bad advice. Most peads say no honey until 2. But its not the baby thats having problems wanting your nipple its the latching. So this wouldnt help anyway. Please dont listen to that!

Jenifer - posted on 10/30/2009

Try this website for latching and positioning advice:
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/start/basics/...

Yes, I think you should keep trying! I had trouble getting my son to latch properly as well - he wasn't opening his mouth wide enough, and it was causing me some pain. The trick was in waiting for him to open his mouth really wide before latching him on. Breastfeeding does take some time for most moms and babies to figure out. I think that as long as the doctor isn't concerned, you should keep trying. After 2 or 3 weeks, it got a lot easier for me. And by 6 weeks, I couldn't have imagined doing it any other way. Get some help from a lactation consultant, and best of luck!

Anna - posted on 10/30/2009

I had problems with both of my boys. Youre not alone. I would highly recommend finding a PRIVATE nursing consultant. You are going to pay but it is the best thing I have ever done. Your probably not knowing how to latch on correctly. And lots of nursing consultants teach different things so you need to go to someone that will know the best for you and your baby.

Jenn - posted on 10/30/2009

To comment on an earlier post. Please DO NOT put honey on your breast to encourage breast feeding. Honey can cause botchulism and is not recommended any child have it until the age of 1. This is standard advice from paediatricians.

Jenn - posted on 10/30/2009

I agree with other posts that suggest seeing a lactation consultant and seeking support from a group like La Leche League. I went back to the lact. consultant 3 times till I felt I really got it. Watching a video really helped. Remember, it's not just YOU learning to do it, your baby is learning too and it really does take time! I was ready to give up at about 4 weeks, then at 5 weeks I finally felt improvement. For all the difficulties, I'm glad I stuck too it, because now it is so comfortable, easy, and rewarding. It felt impossible and now it is second nature. I think the rewards are so great (for you and baby) that's why breasfeeding has such a big cheering section! Also, a lactation consultant can also check to make sure your baby isn't tongue tied, and might be having a problem latching due to that. Best of luck to you!

Monica - posted on 10/30/2009

Hi Kinsey, I know what is that I suffer lot of pain, when breasfeeding, you are not alone, but please be sure isnt the baby, cause she could be latching well, still hurts, just be brave and breasfeed this is very important to your baby, believe me the pain will stop once you get acostume to it, and then you will like it, I was in pain for a whole month and stressed, but till the second month baby and me were just happy, and Im agree with Susan ask for help with a lactation consultant usually they are free from the hospital you gave birth. :) Good luck.

Marie - posted on 10/30/2009

i was thought a trick to place the bottle nipple over my actual nipple and it worked for that time

Meaghan - posted on 10/30/2009

You could continue trying to get baby to latch on, and in the mean time, talk with your obgyn to see where you can rent a breast pump and start pumping your own milk out. You can actually freeze breast milk for quite some time. It is always the best option for baby vs. formula and it will offer some quick pain relief for you.

Jamie - posted on 10/30/2009

this might sound funny but I had the same prob and I put just a little grape jelly or honey and she started getting better and better at latching on, and the pain got better as she started getting used to doing it, good luck!.....Jamie



oh yeah try diff holds like the football hold or a bimbo pillow.

Amy - posted on 10/30/2009

My baby girl wouldn't latch on very well and the pain was to much but I gave it another week and we got thought it. but I'm making the change to formula soon because I can't supply the amount of milk she needs, so never feel bad about doing whats is best for you and your baby if your in pain the baby can feel that. Do what makes you feel good and you will have a happy baby.

Lindsay - posted on 10/30/2009

my daughter was NOT a good nurser.. i would get to full so everytime i nursed her i would have to pump first then it was easier for her to latch on.. but i would say go to a lactation consultant.. in the hospial that helped me out alot.. once i was home my mom helped me.. but i agree keep trying.. nursing was a struggle for me and my baby but i am glad i did it as long as i did.. hope that helps..

Amber - posted on 10/30/2009

try the Le leche league they are great the web sit is LLLi.org. I go to meeting and they are very helpful. Please dont stop. keep on trying.

Kerryn - posted on 10/30/2009

hi,

you may find that the pain is due to not getting the correct position....my aunty recently had a baby and found the same problem, however her son was what they called tounge tied and had to have under his tounge snipped since then he latches on fine.



When i had my daughter 12 months ago i found i was also having trouble getting her to latch on properly, a lot of that had to do with my size and how i was holding her. it took a while for me to get it right and when i did the pain stopped



the best option is to go have a midwife watch you breast feed and they can show you where the problem may lie....ie wheher its incorrect posture while feeding or baby is having issues.

Candi - posted on 10/30/2009

Keep trying...it IS possible! My 7 week old would not latch for the first month so I pumped and feed her BM from a bottle but still tried to latch her at each feeding. One day she just did it!



For sore nipples I HIGHLY recommend Jack Newman's All-Purpose Nipple Ointment...it should be called wonder cream! When Maya finally decided to nurse I was in so much pain I was in tears but after just one application it felt so much better!

Samantha - posted on 10/30/2009

As long as the doctor says your baby is doing fine keep trying. I was in pain with cracked nipples and used Lanolin oil, it is safe for the baby if there is any left and really heals you quickly. Try that and a good nursing bra for support.

Susan - posted on 10/30/2009

Please keep trying. Speak to a lactation consultant. Have you tried nipple shields? I've never used them myself, but my sister-in-law swore they helped her little girl learn to latch on. Getting the hang of nursing can be really hard for both of you, but please don't give up after two weeks. Good luck and hang in there!