Best ways to help a friend who is on the fence about giving up nursing

[viviensmama]

Yesterday I ran into a friend who just had her baby a week ago and is already thinking about giving up nursing. She is a single mama and has basically no help, plus she had some complications from delivery and is in a lot of pain. I think she is having a hard time with latch and soreness and is convinced baby is getting nothing when she nurses. I tried telling her my milk didn't come in for almost eight days but she just seemed so discouraged. I gave her the card of my LC because she spoke to a nurse at her hospital who told her sight unseen that some babies just don't like nursing and want a bottle (uhhh, right....).
Anyways, how else can I help her. I offered to try to help out with the baby some during the day as did my mother. I can't imagine going it alone and trying to nurse! I begged her to keep trying for at least another week before thinking about quitting. How else can I help her?? Any advice, ladies?

[GoldmanBaby09]

Good for you for trying to be as supportive as possible for your friend. It sounds like you nursed your own baby? Would you feel comfortable looking at her latch? If not, find the local La Leche League leader and she will be more than happy to help. That is a disgusting response from the hospital LC and I would discourage her for looking for help there. LLL is a great resource and it also gets her in touch with other mothers who have overcome breastfeeding struggles. Some times all it takes is hearing from another mom who knows how hard it can be.

Remind her that in the beginning, it is really hard. But you have to take it in increments. By two weeks, nursing felt significantly easier and my baby and I developed our pattern and felt more at ease with each other. By 6 weeks my nipples were toughened up and nursing didn't hurt at all anymore. Now nursing is so easy, I don't even give it a second thought. Everyday she nurses, she is a little closer to that point where it starts to get easy. So many moms seem to quit within view of that finish line!

You should also remind her, from a financial prospective, that formula is crazy expensive! If she is a single mom and doesn't have a great source of income or support, how much harder will it be when she has to pay all that money for formula every week, plus bottles and cleaners and all the other related paraphernalia. Plus her kid is less likely to get sick and be healthier over all, which saves her dr bills now and later. The prep of formula is also time consuming and adds to sleep deprivation. If she is tired and in pain now, how much harder will it be for her if she has to get up every few hours all night long to make a bottle up for a screaming, hungry LO? She will have a much easier recovery staying in bed and nursing her baby.

Hope these tips help and the best of luck with your friend.