ugh first hard night

[texaspeach]

I can't get Wy to stay on the breast. It seems like he hasn't really eaten in hours. I'm getting engorged and express milk to soften things but he won't suck more than a few times before he freaks out and pulls away. I've got milk in gallons over here but he hasn't figured it out yet. Even with the tricks the LC showed us we're still having a really hard time... and dh is at work today and I've got no one to help me (we have someone coming tomorrow). last night was the first night things were truly a lot of work and today is no better. I'm just feeling frustrated and need a hug.

[Abraisme]

Hugs! Olivine does this same thing if she needs to burp or has an upset tummy. You might try pumping his legs around (bicycles) to move any gas in his tummy or some really firm pats on the back. I would just try to relax and give him more time. It will pass, he will nurse. Stick with it!

[chi_mama]

Amanda, that's hard. I had a similar problem w/ ds1 in the first few weeks. Sometimes IV fluids can also be responsible for engorged areola tissue (I'm assuming they gave you IV fluids during the c-section). Also it could be that your milk letdown is a little overwhelming to him and that's causing him to come off the breast. I often had to hand express quite a bit of milk before nursing to prevent that.
There is also a technique for reverse pressure softening. I always used the techinique they describe as the flower hold.
Have you contacted LLL? usually they're available to do home visits, sometimes just the support of an experienced mama can help.
It will get easier. Learning to breastfeed my first son was the most challenging experience of my life, and in the end the most rewarding relationship.
Try to nap and take it easy on yourself.