Feeding and Nutrition

Re: need help with brestfeeding

LaithAdam — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 22:17:41 GMT

Insist on having a lactation consultant to guide you. Most hospitals have them.A nurse tried to convince me that she knows what she is doing but I requested a lactation consultant and it was miraculously smooth. I had a problem like yours with my first newborn however I did manage to nurse her for 20 months. The second time around I thought I am a pro and to my surprise I struggle to help my son latch. He was different and he latch and still nurse different than my daughter. Even though babies are born with a sucking instant they still need guidance. Lactation consultants had ton of tricks to help.

Re: need help with brestfeeding

CurlyPorkChop — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 16:32:04 GMT

My son wouldn't latch on either so the doctor gave me a nipple shield. Its a rubber cone to put around the nipple that makes it easier for babies to eat. they have them online and in Wal-Mart stores.

Re: need help with brestfeeding

shilohleah — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 15:29:16 GMT

Yes, La Leche League is great. They have wonderful volunteers online that will answer your specific questions, tailored to exactly what you are going through. I had an pretty easy time with the latch, but had some other supply issues afterward and they were so great and kind and helpful

http://www.llli.org/

Also check out your hospital for free breasfeeding classes, the more tricks you have up your sleeve the better. I did a lot of reading with pictures showing exactly how the baby's mouth should be and about bringing her to the breast instead of the other way around, tickling her upper lip with your nipple until she opens her mouth and plopping her on that way....anyway I wish you tons of luck. YOU CAN DO IT!!!

Re: need help with brestfeeding

shawnacamryn143 — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 17:12:51 GMT

Contact a lactation consultant rather than the nurses, they have them available at the hospital and they are so patient and understanding and will also help you after you leave the hospital as well! Ask your OBGYN for lactation consultants in your area or ask the hospital who they have available and maybe you could touch base with her beforehand and get some advice.

Re: need help with brestfeeding

AleshaG — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 19:02:38 GMT

I am not sure if the hospitals where you are have them but there is s little tube that is connected to something that looks like a pump I am not sure what it is called but wish I did. The nurse puts just a little bit of formula in what looks like the pump and it comes out very slow through the very small tube and you place that small tube on top of your nipple and it helps them to suckle. They are not really fussy because they are getting food and it helps you to relax too so that you are able to help them to latch on. Right after I had my first son he tried to latch but was latching wrong and it hurt so I was having a problem letting him I guess. I asked if they had anything that could help him to latch correctly and know that he is getting fed so he would want to be a boob baby (as I call it) and that is what they brought in. I know that most hospitals have special women that the only thing they do is help mothers to be able to breastfeed so you might want to find out if the hospital you are delivering at has anything like that too!! They help so much its not funny and they can give you books about it before you deliver so you can learn all of the tricks! My second son was breastfed also and I the only thing I can say is practice makes perfect!! Good luck and congratulations!!

Re: need help with brestfeeding

kleinhs — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 16:02:06 GMT

you may be having the problem due to inverted nipples. i know i had the same issue with my son and have large breast as well so i went and bought what is called a nipple guard and it helped alot i was able to breastfeed until my son was about 8 weeks then had to switch to formula due to milk drying up. Never give up trying to breastfeed often or not you are doing nothing wrong it is just that the baby is still learning to eat and you are still learning to feed them.

Re: need help with brestfeeding

tonjaneka2010 — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 01:53:37 GMT

Which my first one i had the same problem with the milk supply but i made sure i was pumping also and taking prenatals, once i done that i was makin more than enough milk

Re: need help with brestfeeding

APmomma — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 00:21:14 GMT

There are lots of confusing terms out there--lactation counselor, lactation specialist, etc. There is only one certification that requires a special test and lots of specialized knowledge--International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC).

That's not to say that other cannot help you. It's just that IBCLCs are very specialized in the profession. Not everyone needs the specialty help of an IBCLC. It's just that you don't want someone with a "lesser" certification if you have a special concern that needs to be addressed.

Re: need help with brestfeeding

dcbh9908 — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 22:04:26 GMT

Look for a Lactation Specialist. I have a three year old and he latched on with no problems, but our second one born June 1, was a different story. I was so frustrated with my nurses because they just wanted me to give up and formula feed, I kept telling them not a chance. My sons pediatrician was a great help too, she kept encouraging me not to GIVE UP! He's three months old now and has only been nursed and given a bottle when I went back to work, pumping is work, but its the best thing for him!. I have dd breasts, so if I can do it so can you! I finally asked my ob/gyn when she came in if the hospital had a lactation specialist, and they did. Come to find out my newest song Anthony has what they call "tongue tied" Where he doesn't put his tongue down to suck the breast in. I worked three days in the hospital with my lactation specialist and the whole next week we drove to the hospital to have help with a couple feedings a day. She was the best thing in the world, she'd help me latch him, watch him swallow, showed me how to hold his chin down to help give him a solid latch, she gave me a couple different tricks to help him learn to latch. One of the easiest was to put your fore-finger into the mouth, nail towards the tongue and see if he starts suckling on his own, if he/she doesn't, then slowly give his jaw the upward push to instigate sucking. Once they have this going pretty good, slowly pull out your finger and be ready to insert the breast, as much of it as you possibly can to keep him suckling. Hope this helps you a little! It's natural, but they still don't know how to make a good latch all by themselves. Good luck and CONGRATULATIONS!

Re: need help with brestfeeding

irispetals — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 06:47:25 GMT

Let me start at the beginning of my BF story I had my lil girl in Aug of 09 and she was perfect she was on a schedule and she ate and gained weight beautifully I didn't worry. I Bf for 4 months I wanted to longer but I had to go back to wrk and I didn't have a supply to keep her fed while I was at wrk, so I switched to formula and I tried staying with BF as well but once she got use to the formula she didn't want me anymore so I stopped. I was so disappointed that I couldn't do what I wanted, which was to give my child breast milk for an entire year.

So when we found out we were pregnant I knew it was my opportunity to try again and do more this time. But my son who was born on Aug 13 of 2001 has had his issues as well. Unlike my daughter who ate a lot (which is why I couldn't build a stock), he doesn't eat as much, he is more of a snacker. But my milk supply came in really good and fast like last time but only better this time I could feed him and pump a supply. I got a pump because my breasts were so full i didn't want to waste it so I would have a stock this time and keep my supply up until he went through a growth spurt.

He's picked up on eating more but it has been really hard worried he wasn't eating enough and continuing to pump so I would have this awesome supply for I go back to wrk and to have so I can catch a break now and then. But were pulling through he's eating more and I'm still able to pump I feel like a dairy cow with all the milk I'm producing lol. I just need to add a lil bit more to my supply of stored away milk then I wont pump anymore till I go back to wrk.

Just know you can pull through weather it be BF exclusively or formula or a mix of both you just be happy with your decision cause your mom and you know what is best for your baby!

Re: need help with brestfeeding

funkywendell — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 16:17:34 GMT

I had a bad experience with the breastfeeding help at the hospital and I didn't even know it. The lactation consultant came to visit in my hospital room but she just stood across the room with a clipboard asking questions like how are you feeling? how long are you nursing each breast?

When we were discharged my baby was slightly jaundiced and it was very important for her to eat a lot so she can pee. what I didn't know was that she wasn't latching very well so not eating much. During our first doctor's visit, we found out that she lost more weight and she had uric crystals in the diaper (she was dehydrated). Their lactation consultant immediately came into the room and helped me nurse hands on. Really, literally showing me how to hold my boob and listen for the gulping or swooshing liquid sound to ensure she's eating properly. With this hands on education, I was able to start nursing properly and she's gained back her weight. It was so bad that at the appointment we were told if she doesn't pee by that evening we were to report to the ER. Thank God we didn't have to!

It's not easy breastfeeding for the first time. No one really shows you how to do this even at the class (I attended while I was pregnant) so I think it's crucial that you get a real hands on help to make sure you are doing it right at the hospital before you get discharged.

It will be okay! Don't give up. Good luck with you and your baby. Enjoy each moment :)

Re: need help with brestfeeding

Alainas_mommy — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 19:31:24 GMT

When my daughter was born i had a lot of trouble with her latching on she just wasnt getting it either what ever u do do NOT use a nipple guard the nurses gave one to me and it hurt very bad when she tried to latch on it would pinch and i couldnt take it. My nipples cracked and bled and she wouldnt drink the milk because of it. I had to pump and bottle feed her my milk for the past 3 weeks but i keep trying everyday to get her to latch on after i pump and shes gettin back into tha pattern of it.

Re: need help with brestfeeding

kellyb67 — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 02:00:16 GMT

I have been breastfeeding for 6 months. I got the help of a lactation consultent while in the hospital. She came in the room and helped teach me positions that help with breastfeeding and even helped my little guy latch on. It was great! Once I got home I was very engorged and he couldn't latch. So I had to pump them down to get rid of the fullness and he was able to then latch on. The softer they are the easier it is for them. Your breast size shouldn't have anything to do with it. Hoep this helps :)

Re: need help with brestfeeding

pearskm1 — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 11:06:00 GMT

try stimulating your breasts 3 days ahead of time with the pump to get your milk to come in early that way the day your baby is born it will be easier for him/her to latch on

Re: need help with brestfeeding

merkscloset — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 14:24:59 GMT

I suggest u take a breast feeding class and get your dr.. on board my baby was born early and small and i had a lot of pressure for her to be bottle fed, it took her a few days and many tears from me but we got it, perserve and get a good support system especially w your OB and your family dr.