Breastfeeding Blues

I had every intention of breastfeeding. I'm trying to still. While in the hospital recovering from the csection, baby and I had a horrible time with breastfeeding. My breasts were so swollen he could barely latch on. Plus he was very sleepy and wouldn't keep sucking for more than a minute or two. We continued to try feeding every 2 or 3 hours regardless of the issues. Two or three times he was able to suck for about 10 minutes on one breast. His sugar got pretty low and he lost a lot of weight. I hadn't slept for 5 days at this point (our little guy arrived earlier than expected so I wasn't very prepared) and we finally allowed them to give him some formula and take him to the nursery so my husband and I could sleep long enough to be able to hold him without fear of falling asleep. I continued trying and worked with a lactation consultant for the rest of my stay there. She kept telling me not to give up and that supplementing did not mean I wouldn't have to quit breastfeeding and could hopefully finish using formula as soon as my milk properly came in.

We've now been home for 2 days (he was born on the 18th) and I'm a mess. My areolas are like leather and my nipples get lost in all of the swelling. I'm still trying but I'm getting very disheartened that it isn't going the way I had hoped. I'm pumping every 2 hours to try to get the hardness and swelling down while my milk VERY slowly comes in.

Any advice I might not hear from the doc? I just want to give this little guy the best I can as far as nutrition and I feel like I'm losing ground quickly.

((hugs)) It can be hard, I know.

Are you using the lanolin cream stuff? That stuff works wonders. Also, I would hand express some milk before offering your breast to your LO. That way, your breast is softer, and it is easier for your LO to latch on (and the milk is already flowing, so less work to get the milk.)

And just remember, the more you nurse...the faster your milk will come in. It will take much longer if you aren't nursing on a regular basis. Good luck.

I'm sorry it's not going so well for you guys. Contact your local la leche league and see if they can come and help you. I would agree with what the other mama suggested about hand expressing some to make it easier for LO to latch and using lanolin.

It sounds like your milk might be in if your breasts are engorged. Lanolin cream should help with nipple discomfort, do you have some? Massaging your breasts in a warm shower might bring a little relief. Cold compresses can help with welling and discomfort between feeding and a breastfeeding safe anti-inflammatory. Nurse on demand to get your supply to come in properly. If you feel like you have to supplement you should pump while the baby gets a bottle so that your body still knows how often the LO will be nursing. How much weight did your LO lose? Up to 10% weight loss is normal and okay. You can also try stripping your LO to a diaper and nursing to keep him awake. The skin to skin contact encourages nursing and a little gentle massage will help too.

I am so sorry you are having a rough go at it! With my first LO I had inverted nipples and had to use these soft shell things called supple cups ( I bought them at target, or the internet). Until I got them I was so discouraged, but after getting those breastfeeding became so much easier. Now on my 3rd baby my breast and nipples are ready for another round of breastfeeding

Just curious, did you have high blood pressure, edema of the feet, hands, or face, or preeclampsia?

Once my BP came down my breasts were able to let down a lot better. I was exclusively pumping for donation after the stillbirth of my daughter.

That first week you pee a lot and get rid of a lot of extra fluids.

Ask about getting the supplemental feeding system? Some hospitals make their own. Medela makes one as well. http://www.medelabreastfeedingus.com/products/51/supplemental-nursing-system-sns

A good friend of mine has supplemented with her own breatsmilk, donated breastmilk, and formula at times with this device so her son has never had a bottle.