Breast feeding

[scrub-jay]

There are vast differences in lactation consultants. I had one with over 6 years of training. However, she called herself a "lactation consultant" whereas the nurse in the hospital went to two seminars and used the same title. There can be a huge difference. I am here to offer you encouragement. I struggled too, A and I took at least 2 weeks to feel comfortable, it is OKAY. Those "soothie" (Lansinoh maybe?) are amazing to use if you get latch blisters (from improper latch). Do what you need to do, and remember that you are an amazing mother. The emotions you are feeling are all amplified by hormones... so be nice to yourself. Stick with the nursing (if that was your goal) and it'll come. ((big hugs)) Get help if you need it (check training - try LLL to understand differences in LC) and be flexible. You two will learn together. I have faith in you. However, although I really do think you can do it, if for some reason you can't, then be nice to yourself, parenting is all about flexibility and adapting to new situations. No matter what happens, remember that you are doing what you have to do to do the best for your daughter and to keep her healthy.

[ladymoreta]

DS had so much trouble at first, and the nipple shield was a life saver! It took forever, about 45 minutes to an hour each feeding, but he'd get plenty to eat. I kept trying to get him to latch without it, but he wouldn't until right around 6 months. One day, he reached up and grabbed it, pulled it off, latched on, and never needed it again. I should have talked to a LC, but I wasn't impressed with the one at the hospital, so I just lived with it. I had lots of time to read and play on iMSN...

[Urowife]

you've gotten great advice so far - I don't have much to add except that breastfeeding was difficult for us at first, as well. The LC at the hospital did help, although I started to question some of the advice I was getting from her. In our situation, DD was having trouble latching and transferring milk efficiently at first. She was a very sleepy nurser. The LC wanted her to stay awake for her feedings so that she would get a good amount of milk in a reasonable amount of time - the LC also questioned my milk supply. I did everything I could to try to keep her awake, and I was also having to pump and supplement her at each feed. After awhile, I just gave up trying to keep her awake, and just let her sleep while she was nursing. I also quit the pumping and supplementing and instead just let her nurse very, very frequently and for long periods of time. Well, turns out, she just preferred to sleep through her feedings! She would sleep/nurse for long periods of time, but she gained weight well, so I went with it. It was so much more relaxing and I was able to enjoy DD much more since I was no longer nursing, pumping, and supplementing at each feed.

So, I guess my advice is to seek help, but don't give up if you feel that the help is not helping you Bounce ideas off of us here, and maybe look for a different LC or visit LLL to get their opinion. Hugs

[Deebs]

When I worked in prenatal ed, we used to tell parents that their only job in the first two or so weeks was to learn to feed the baby. It's a learning curve for both of you. Use the resources around you to get help and give yourself a break. what seems like something that should be simple and "natural" is actually pretty tough!

My main issue is getting her to latch on. Even with a nipple shield. And if she does latch she will not suck

[Urowife]

Def seek help from an LC, preferably a board certified one (IBCLC). But, things you could try... Will she suck if the milk is flowing? Perhaps you could try pumping a little to get the milk flowing first? Or try breast compressions/massage to help push the milk out for her. Latching is tricky - my guess is that she (and you) will get the hang of it, but here is where the help of an LC in person would be the best. They can help determine if there are any tongue tie issues and help with positioning. Sometimes, just a small change of position can make all the difference. Hang in there!!

[DCJenn]

Krystal-

I think from the consensus here is 1) it takes weeks to get it and 2) call the lactation consultant sooner rather than later and 3) it's not at all intuitive. Don't beat yourself up- you did what you needed to do to get her here and everything from here on out is a cakewalk. (well, apparently not the tween girl thing but you've got a while before that happens.)

Your assignment today is to call the LC and report back.

Jenn

There is so much advise out there. And when my three boys were babies I received a ton of it. I think you just have to go with what works for you and your family. My three boys were breastfeed and formula feed and they are doing great. I think the biggest thing is not to beat your self up about it. If it works great if it doesn't then it is not the end of the world. We live in a great time when we as mom's have so many options.
And if any of those "better than thou mom's" give you any trouble tell them to " mind there own business". Trust me i get a ton of it from members of my family and I just tell them "you raise your kid and I will raise mine".
P.s. Good luck there is no owners manual on being a mom.

She latched on and fed for 5 min today. Certainly progress. I held her to my side like a football instead of across my body.

[HouseofWool]

The football hold really works well when they have no head control. The stereotypical position across your body worked better (for me) when the kiddos were a bit older.

One other thing to remember with nursing is that your body is actively pushing the milk out, so while she may only feed for 5 minutes, she is probably getting what she needs. Judge by her satiety and wet diapers not by the amount of time spent nursing. Some are super efficient at it.

[Michele]

I read about a preemie taking 5 months to learn to latch/breastfeed. It was really important to me to feel like I gave it my best effort. (my own opinion for me - I'm not trying to be judgmental). So my initial plan was give it 6 months. It only took a month. But it took that full month of being home and actively working with him, an LC (10+ yrs experience and a NICU nurse), and my LLL friends. And some days I just didn't even try to latch him bc my feelings would get hurt too badly....and I'd just end up in tears and it wasn't good. But we got there. It wasn't a gradual progression. It was more sudden. Once he latched and fed well, he kept doing it. He even refused a pacifier after he nursed at the breast.

Hang in there.


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Things are getting better!! Up to about 5 min of nursing. Progress is slow. But it's progress! She does like to pull the nipple shield off though. A friend of mine suggested a nursing necklace to give her little hands something to do other than pull off nipple shield Anyone here heard of or used one? Do u recommend it??

[diggitydot]

Sorry, I don't have any advice to offer, just

Sorry, I don't have any advice to offer, just

I will take that too!

[Urowife]

You could try swaddling her to keep her hands away from the nipple shield.