Need a Little Inspiration!

[dislocator3972]

I'm BF'ing for the first time, and having a lot of problems. My LO is 5 weeks today, and I'm still engorged almost to bursting, my nipples are still blistering and peeling and hurting, my breasts are so painful and hard and plugged up, my body is hinting that I'm on the verge of mastitis again, my daughter suddenly stopped gaining weight, and our latch is still screwy.

So tell me that it's possible. Tell me what you overcame and why you stuck it out. Tell me that it's worth it in the end and that my daughter is better for all the effort and frustration and disappointment.

Please?

[stephanie95]

Hang in there! My nipples cracked and bled too. I have been spared mastitis (touch wood) but my DD & I survived 6 weeks of non-responsive thrush! Then when she got teeth she was a biter and my nipples would bleed and nothing I did really ever changed her behavior.

My saving grace and the reason I was confident and comfortable to continue nursing was because of my La Leche League group. If I were you, I'd find one and fast. You can connect with the leader. They are so kind and helpful. They will have ideas on how to improve your latch, ways to avoid mastitis and how to manage your engorgement.

I was adopted and my mom never had natural children. I had no women to go to for information or support. I nursed my son exclusively for 2 weeks, and then did bf-ing with formula until 6 months when I quit nursing. I ended up nursing my daughter for 2 years which was great because just before she turned 2 she caught salmonella. The DR said if she hadn't been nursing, she would have been hospitalized on IV. I found the support of a good friend to be beneficial too.

If you aren't already, try using the lanolin on your nipples. You don't have to wash it off before you nurse and it acts like a barrier for moisture so your skin can heal. You can also express some bmilk after you finish nursing and rub that into your nipples. That will help them heal too.

The La Leche League website has lots of good ideas too. Here is a link to their page on mastitis and other breast problems http://www.llli.org/NB/NBbreastproblems.html

I hope this helps. Hang in there. I am sure you will get many more responses with encouragement.

[Heba]

Oh hun, hang in there! It *will* get better, especially if you're being proactive about addressing your issues. I was chatting to a friend about this just recently, and she said it was such a shame that many women find nursing so difficult initially that they give up within the first few weeks, as shortly after that most problems resolve and they can really enjoy breastfeeding.

I definitely second the suggestion of connecting with LLL or other qualified support, if you haven't already (you don't say). Poor latch can result in all the problems you mention, and there are many possible reasons for that which can be successfully addressed with appropriate support.

*Hugs* and let us know how you do!

Best wishes
Heba

[twins+1]

Breastfeeding in the beginning is very frustrating and difficult in the beginning. It sounds like you still need some work on the latch. Are you block feeding at all? That could help if you aren't. Try only nursing your dd on one side for the entire session, burp her and then offer the same breast. Offer that same breast for a couple hours before you offer the other one. If the breast taking a break is too uncomfortable express just enough to feel comfort.
Try side-lying nursing? That was super helpful for me and my baby in the beginning.
Watch Dr Jack Newman's breastfeeding videos of some visual help
http://www.nbci.ca/index.php?option=...id=6&Itemid=13

I agree to get help from your hospital lactation consultant, LLL or a private lactation consultant with the latch. Is her tongue tied?

Once you get over this hurdle I think you'll be SO happy you stuck with it. My first 6 weeks were tough due to some other reasons, but I am SO loving nursing. It is so easy now at 4.5 months old. His milk is available an ready 24/7 no matter where I am. When he is upset it calms him. When he is fighting sleep it helps him relax. And its adorable when he gazes up at me when his belly is full.
It is tough in the beginning but you two will figure it out.
I gave up with my twins when they were newborns and I forever regretted it. I tried to get them to nurse at different stages and it never worked out. I ended up pumping for them (which was a pain) for almost a full year, but breastfeeding is so much easier once it gets sorted out.

Go day by day and try to get some help. Keep us informed please!

[gillibean]

Originally Posted by twins+1

Are you block feeding at all? That could help if you aren't. Try only nursing your dd on one side for the entire session, burp her and then offer the same breast. Offer that same breast for a couple hours before you offer the other one.

Block feeding is about the only thing that kept me from getting overwhelmingly engorged. Also try different positions if your nipples are sore. I would switch between cradle, football and lying down.

[Tee25]

Yep, in the beginning it sucks. Least for me...my LIFE was consumed with breastfeeding and breastfeeding problems! My LO is now 3 months old and it is SOOOO easy now and worth it. Feedings take like 5 min. Before I would be feeding for 45min to an hour no joke. I hardly even think about it now except when LO is hungry. I think once I hit 6 or 7 weeks, did my LO and my boobs finally get the hang of it. FWIW, I did have a pump and I also used a nipple sheild for a few weeks.

Hang in there, I know how much it can suck but everyone is right. It truly does get better.

[Beauchamp]

It DOES GET BETTER. I promise. It's true.

My newborn BFing stress was mostly all mental on my part, but I did have some major engorgement. Which I pumped away completely. ***sigh of relief*** ...which made my body make even MORE milk.

I sat submerged in a warm bath and watched the milk pour out of me. It was kind of cool in a weird sort of way. Helped a bit, too. Warm bath, gentle breast massage.

It's sooooo good for your LO. Keep going, Mama! I don't have a lot of great advice. Just some hugs.

p.s. it started getting better for us around 6 weeks. Now at 16 weeks it's an absolute joy. I LOVE BFing and I am so glad I stuck it out. You will be, too!

[Heba]

How are you doing now, Sarah?