Help, new mom and milk won't let down

[bebestar7]

My son is five days old and has had trouble latching on as my breasts are extremely large for his mouth.  However, he was managing okay even though I was in extreme pain every time he nursed.  Now my breasts are engorged and won't let down.  I have tried pumping, hot towel, hot water in the sink, hot shower, frozen cabbage leaves, red raspberry leaf tea, visualization...  nothing is working.  I'm frustrated and he's hungry!  

[PatioGardener]

sleeping baby in arms so can't write much.  have you tried this?

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/rev_pressure_soft_cotterman.html

also, sometimes bowls of hot water (dunk breasts) and then cold cold water, or reversed, will help with let down.

hand expression works better than a pump too for many women.  http://newborns.stanford.edu/Breastfeeding/HandExpression.html

hang in there!  is your baby doing ok?  it gets better!

[bebestar7]

Thanks! i will try this next feeding, hadn't yet come across it!  baby is fine, was finally able to pump out of one yesterday and have been bottle-feeding with that, but I am worried that will make him less likely to try to breastfeed.  My mom is now giving me the silent treatment because I got mad at her for pushing me to give him formula (after no sleep for four days). He is gaining weight and hardly crying so I don't think its tiime to resort to that yet.  No one tells you it will be this hard, but I guess that's a good thing.  Thank you for the kind words.

[PatioGardener]

gaining weight at 5 days is awesome!

hang in there - you'll work it out and once he starts to nurse well you guys will rock!  try the breast every feeding, and don't hesitate to ask for help from an lc or a LLL leader.

it does get better!

[Asiago]

Are they too firm for him to latch? Perhaps express a little milk out to soften the breast a bit to help him latch. Even rubbing milk on the nipple for him to smell and taste.

Stimulating the opposite nipple by rolling it between your fingers also helps 'let down'. Once baby is older they do it themsleves. It may seem they are just playing but truly they are so smart, they are trying to get the rush of fatty milk from 'let down'.

I agree about calling a Le Leche League leader, it's a very helpful support.

Finding your local leader: http://www.llli.org/WebUS.html 

Your mom probably means well but may not understand the implications of 'just a bottle of formula'. It changes the immune system in the gut as the bacteria change, it may lead to a reduction in your milk supply since it is in the early phases, and it doesn't have the important living cells and immune factors of breastmilk that are vital to a newborn (you likely realize all of this already!).

Best wishes to you, you are doing a fabulous job.

[prone_to_wander]

Are you sure you aren't letting down? I never felt anything when I let down, the milk just flowed.

[bebestar7]

thank you for all the responses/advice.  I was sure I wasn't letting down because no milk was coming out and it was engorged to the point of being painful.  Things are getting better little by little, I broke down and paid to rent a medical grade pump and that has been helping increase the milk on the once side and finally got a tiny bit out of the other.  Baby finally breastfed TWICE yesterday, I've been feeding him breastmilk from a bottle since he was about three days old.  9 days old today.  Thank goodness for small victories, still trying and in the meantime pumping away.  :)  The herbal supplements( blessed thistle, fennugreek, nettle, fennel,)really seemed to help.  He's gained 7 oz since birth so woohoo!  Thanks again!

[PatioGardener]

Fantastic!  Keep offering the breast.  If he is frantic and won't latch, you can try to start the feed on the bottle, and then transfer to the breast once he is no longer desperate. Don't get frustrated if you can't get a whole feed at the breast, but if you try each time he'll get better at it. Are you able to feed lying down yet? That makes night feeds SO much easier! And baby is often more willing to latch when asleep or sleepy.

[Asiago]

You are doing great!! Thanks for the update.