What was your biggest breastfeeding challenge? - Page 2

[Violasmiles]

After 3 months of nursing I started having trouble producing milk from my left breast. I went to the doctors, got the tests done etc with no idea what was wrong. Now I have only one milk producing breast. I have been EBF for 8 months. It can be done. I want people to know you can do it. It was and still is very hard. Because she nurses to sleep and naps and for comfort my one breast gets very sore. Also, my one breast is always so much bigger and it looks awkward. I am sometimes very embarrassed. This has been a very big challenge. But there was one more challenge. At about month two I really felt like I was 'confind to my rocking nursing chair'. I want people to know that that period ends quickly you get better at it and so does your baby and it then takes very little time to nurse whenever and where ever. 

[GISDiva]

I had a sleepy baby with a disorganized suck, a horrible LC, conflicting advice, uncooperative breasts, little support, and probably a bit of depression thrown in there about it all.

I ended up EP'ing with the help of domperidone and being able to produce some milk for 10.5 months before I just couldn't physically and emotionally do it anymore.  He got about half and half breastmilk and formula.  I could have done worse.  

Hoping this time around is better, of course.  My breasts are waaay fuller for this pregnancy I'm going to take that as some sort of sign.  Don't tell me it's not.  

[skycheattraffic]

GISDiva, you are amazing. I was going nuts with 10 weeks of EP; I can't imagine what it was like for you! Big hugs!

[MommaGoose2013]

I could only produce 3 ounces a day. That's it. We started seeing LC's from day one and everyday for two solid weeks, including the great Kathleen Huggins herself! We tried supplements, I drank the tea, I pumped after nursing every two hours, and drank so much water. My husband worked 13 hour days ao i was alone most of the day, everyday. After three weeks of this I was so heartbroken that I could not feed my daughter. I ended up being put on medication and that's when I decided to EFF. My little girl is a healthy, happy, 9 week old beauty. I feel like I'm a better mom because I'm not falling apart all day trying to feed her now. However, I don't think I'll ever fully get over not being able to give her the best

[kyne]

right now!

tandem nursing a 3 year old and a 3 month old.

the boys love to nurse, but sometimes the sheer time and patience it takes from me to be nursing both boys on demand (im stay at home mom & a solo parent!) is very tiring.

i know this is the best thing for them & i am so glad that i am able to provide these years of moments full of unconditional loving mothering care.

i hope that someone will read this and see that you can nurse through a pregnancy & beyond if your children need you to.

and nevermind those odd stares you get on the park bench. your kids are worth more than some strangers' uninformed judgement!

ha

but it is still challenging! mothers are awesome.

[susanmary]

LOVE your post kyne! :-)

[rgarlough]

For my first ds, I also struggled with him taking my right breast and he ended up only nursing from my left breast for almost 4 years.  So yes it can be done but it sure did a number on my breasts.  I struggled with uneven breasts and trying to get them to 'look right' which was a battle but my vanity didn't stop me from nursing exclusively for the almost four years.  Our other struggle was that he refused a bottle so I couldn't return to work as scheduled.  I had to go back PT and only my mother and sister could watch ds since he refused to eat at all if I was away.  He would go 6 hours between feedings at 4 months during the day so I was at least able to go back to work.  As the primary income for the household, it was a huge financial stressful situation.  Lastly, with ds not taking a bottle, paci, just my left breast, I would experience resentment regularly because I was the only source of food, comfort and security for ds.  He was very high needs and I had accept him for who he was/is which 9 years later, he is an amazing young man.  

For my second ds, an emergency csection, slow to come in milk supply, breast aversion, fatigue from my 'advanced' age (lol) since it was 9 years since my first son was born... all contributed to a rough start.  I worked HARD pumping around the clock to get to almost 100% ebm for my son.  We still go through cycles based on my ability to produce where he'll be sometimes getting 50% ebm 50% formula.  My hormone levels seem to affect my production a lot.  So certain times of the month, I'm pumping 1/2 of what I may pump the next week.  I'm happy to say we've made it 4 1/2 months now and my goal of EP till 6 months may get pushed to 9 months because I'm so used to pumping 7-8 times per day and it works for us.  

I went through some really rough emotions coming to grips with my lack of bf'ing ds2.  But he has a whole different expectation for his emotional needs and how he prefers to be comforted.  I've also never had a baby that would SLEEP in a crib, let alone NOT in my arms... one that is comfortable fussing for a few minutes then putting himself to sleep and can end up fussing MORE if I'm holding him.  The amazing difference between my boys has opened my eyes to the extreme personality differences and how I can appreciate both boys for who they are.  

[effulgent7]

Hands down, biggest issue was milk protein allergy with my first child.  I was a serious dairy drinker/eater and it was really hard to adjust at first, and then exhausting to maintain the label reading, cooking most of my own food, etc. that came along with it.  But I did it for almost 18 months until she could tolerate some dairy in my diet (we nursed for 28 months total).  And it led to a lot of positive dietary changes in my family, we eat very little dairy now and follow a mostly plant-based diet.

I also struggled with pain from cracked and bleeding nipples due to poor latch in the beginning- but changing my diet was harder!

[Jessica Roland]

My biggest challenge was having a premature baby. I was determined for her to have breast milk only. Emotionally it was so hard to sit in my hospital room and pump instead of being able to nurse my baby. She was able to come home after 2 weeks in the NICU but still wasn't strong enough to nurse until she was 6 weeks old. Every 2-3 hours I would pump then try to nurse her so she could get the hang of it. It was the longest 6 weeks of my life but in that moment when I knew she was latched on and was really nursing it was such an overwhelming feeling of joy! Never give up!

[MMF03]

These are so helpful! As a soon-to-be first-time mom, I am trying to prepare for anything and setting up LC resources in advance. Of all the new adjustments, I think I'm more concerned and overwhelmed by the issues that can crop up with BFing. 

[Briana659]

My baby was a natural at feeding. From the very first time I put her to my breast she knew exactly what she was doing. I thought I was going to have such an easy time. Then at four weeks she refused to eat. She would just scream when i put her to the breast and she just wouldnt do it. She is now five months old and still will not eat when i put her to the breast. i have to spend twenty minutes getting her to sleep, and when she is finally sleeping i take her pacifier out and she will eat. but she will not eat while she is awake.

[DrezdinsMama]

Originally Posted by Violasmiles 

After 3 months of nursing I started having trouble producing milk from my left breast. I went to the doctors, got the tests done etc with no idea what was wrong. Now I have only one milk producing breast. I have been EBF for 8 months. It can be done. I want people to know you can do it. It was and still is very hard. Because she nurses to sleep and naps and for comfort my one breast gets very sore. Also, my one breast is always so much bigger and it looks awkward. I am sometimes very embarrassed. This has been a very big challenge.

Same for me!  One breast has inverted nipple, and at 1 month old my son would cry when I tried to nurse on that side.  I went to a LC and she suggested supplemental nursing by injecting breastmilk from the other side via syringe into my nipple shield ... well, that was such a major pain/struggle (esp. at 2am) that after a week I gave that up.  Had soreness/redness for 2 weeks while supply on that breast dwindled. I tried for another month to get him to latch on that side, and finally figured that we might as well just go with my better side.  He's 31 months old and still treasures the milk/comfort from the good side.  I bought removable breast pads to 'even things out.'

My other challenge was strong nursing aversion (on my part) around 2 years.  I was still nursing on demand and he wasn't that big into solids, and I wanted to transition him to daycare.  I started to resent nursing.  I also noticed that nursing was uncomfortable when I'd ovulate.  So I worked with my nanny to offer him food first when he wanted to nurse between breakfast/lunch/dinner.  He learned to like solids eventually and we went from 8-10 nursings/day to now 2/day.  I also learned to just accept the discomfort (and relax, relax!) during ovulation and to shorten the nursing sessions.  I am a much happier person!

[let it grow]

My biggest challenge doesn't feel so serious after reading all these other posts, but it was proper latching on. The first few days, we just couldn't get the hang of it and I felt so bad that my little guy wasn't getting enough to eat! I had a homebirth and live in the middle of nowhere, so I didn't have much help - until a friend told me to try the 'pizza' technique. You pinch your nipple flat and place it in the baby's mouth (like a slice of pizza) - their little muscles aren't strong enough at first to get a good suck, so pinching the nipple flat (and holding it that why while they nurse) helps them latch on. It worked like a charm and I've been recommending it to every expectant mother I know ever since! 

I also felt like my breasts were constantly leaking - for months. I remember feeling like I was just covered with milk all the time. Eventually I got one of those reusable silicone pads and those worked pretty well. 

Finding a good & inexpensive nursing bra was also a major hassle. I ended up mostly using those stretchy microfiber bras that come two in a pack. 

I'm pregnant again and kind of dreading all the hassle that comes with breastfeeding - but that amazing connection with your baby makes it totally worth it. 

[silvercloud3]

using a nippple suction cup the size of your nipple and half the size of your aerola will bring your nipple out and it will stay out as long as you use the suction and continue nursing...after 2 months my wifes stayed out and became normal looking ....good luck

[sally21heather]

Sore nipples even with a good latch. I get especially sore after having to pump at work. Once I got smaller trumpets for mg pump it helped a little. With my ds I struggled because he wanted milk throughout the night and it was difficult to get restful sleep.

[mommyemma]

Tonguetie. I gave birth to my first, a girl, almost 5 yrs ago. It hadnt been a year since i got married and moved abroad, a place almost completely foreign to me. The language still is hard to speak and understand, tho i have come a long way already. So, with a not so pleasant hospital birth(i was so vulnerable at18) in a "strange" country where they dont know super good english-yes, they speak english, but i had a hard time understanding quite a few of them in the hospital- and being pretty much alone, i mean no family except my new husband! It was a learning, bjt difficult experience. Baby was probably tired from the pain relief i got during birth. She was small, 2.9kg(here if they are under 3kg they are watched closely-at least blood sugar levels) and poked continuosly in the foot for blood samples. Milk didnt come, had to supplement. I was in the hospital for 5 days. Reg length of stay is 3. She slept. And slept and slept. I had to wake her up to eat every so often and try to keep her awake. The first month was so hard. Trying to get her awake-flicking her heels, taking all her clothes off, rubbing/tickling her back- it really seemed like nothing helped. I dont remember anymore how old she was, but no more than 1 month. We called the hospital if someone there could help because things were just not working out. She wasnt gaining weight. They offered no help. Sorry-they offered to weigh her before she ate, i breastfeed, then they weigh her again to see how much she got. I was clumsy-didnt know much on breastfeeding and still a bit embarrassed sitting in front of this lady staring at my breasts while i fed my girl. Anyhow, she didnt get much out of there. Like, only a couple grams. "sorry, we can't do anything to help" was the answer-not even suggestions!! Right before we left(i was a wreck) the lady(was she a secretary or what? I dont know....) she mentioned a breastfeeding "expert" would be visiting this teaching hospital to give lessons/lectures(and whatnot) to the nurrses there on breastfeeding. That maybe she could spare a couple minutes to come talk with us-how would you like to? We jumped at our chance. She spoke excellent english(the "expert) and studied in Canada from a well known place(cant remember the names! But its my home country!!!) and i trusted she knew what she was doing. Baby was SO sleepy. She said as soon as she startes to fall asleep on the breast, to change sides. At the same time massage gently downwards to help the milk flow. This was great advice. Also, little by little reduce the amount of formula. This actually worked for 2 weeks. I was SO happy!!! That finally i get to breastfeed my baby! But then it backfired and i had nowhere to turn to. It was probably after this my mom came to visit. She stayed in our 1 bedroom apartmdnt with us for a couple days. I think she was super stressed out that i was giving my baby formula-i had no choice-she wasnt gaining on my milk- seeing as she exclusively breastfed all 5 of her children. And was very much against formula. Anyhow, she was determined to help. Made all the meals and made me sit down and breast feed my baby every time she woke up and started to cry, bringing a big glass of water to drink each time. It was great help. At all these check ups and"control" appointments these health care workers made me go to, they would write in her little book that she is gaining slowly and needs more formula. But the week my mom was staying with us......"awesome weight gain!!" but i wasnt able to do that alone. I had to make myself food and take care of the house by myself, and it obviously affected our breastfeeding, even though i was a feed on demand mom!! So, breastfeeding my first never really worked. It was so stressful, i was always scared when we went for checkups that shes not gaining enough, my husband said enough times shes not interested,etc. And now i notice she cant stick her tongue out. Its stuck and points downwards. And i can see a little heartshape forming when she tries to stick her tongue out like the rest of us..... Am i silly? I have been thinking this is the problem i never knew about-why didnt any doctor or health care provider ever check or think about itt!?!? It almost brings tears to my eyes when i remember that short while. And feel it has somehow affected our relationship to this day. With my next, a big boy, i stayed in the hospital for 4 days and my milk didnt come in. I had to give him the dreaded formula too. I get so stressed in the hospital, like i have to meet their expectations in breastfeeding(which imo are very high). One old crabby nurse wanted to do the weigh-feed-weigh thing. He got 5grams and she said something along these lines with a hmph! "He's not gonna get fat on THAT!". So, lots of crying, patience, until i could leave for home and relax. I bf-ed him 18 months. When my third, a boy, was born. I left the hospital the same day, 6hrs after birth, on our request. And i had no problem with him. It was a very enjoyable experience. But i feel i missed out on so much with my firstborn!! Am i thinking strange that it could still have an effect on our relationship? Like i wasnt able to bond with her like i did with my boys?! I guess the birth was slightly traumatic for us all, and when the breastfeeding didnt work either... I feel positive it is the tongue tie that was the problem, but i guess ill never know. Americans/Canadians are so lucky to have so many more resources. Where i am (if i have learned enough-or then i have honestly learned nothing!!) you cant get much "extra" over here, at least in health care. You really need to dig to find, and you might not find anything. In other areas of health i have searched for "help" here, but its not to be found. America had it all:-) Nowim expecting our 4th and (we) are looking forward (maybe mostly me) to steering away from the hospital altogether.....of course unless we need help or intuition tells otherwise. So farmy pregnsncy has gone well-im some 21weeks along. And hoping to exclusively bf for a long long time!!!:-) sorry this is so long:-)

[Taryn237]

Originally Posted by MommaGoose2013 

I could only produce 3 ounces a day. That's it. We started seeing LC's from day one and everyday for two solid weeks, including the great Kathleen Huggins herself! We tried supplements, I drank the tea, I pumped after nursing every two hours, and drank so much water. My husband worked 13 hour days ao i was alone most of the day, everyday. After three weeks of this I was so heartbroken that I could not feed my daughter. I ended up being put on medication and that's when I decided to EFF. My little girl is a healthy, happy, 9 week old beauty. I feel like I'm a better mom because I'm not falling apart all day trying to feed her now. However, I don't think I'll ever fully get over not being able to give her the best

Google "Insufficient Glandular Tissue".  That is what caused my low supply in addition to baby's posterior tongue tie.  And not all IBCLCs are created equal.  The ones I saw with my first did not catch either problem.  He nursed until 2 though with the help of an SNS and formula.

Low supply again with both daughters for the same reasons.  But again both nursed (18 mo. and 22 mo. and counting) with the help of an SNS and supplement (formula for DD1, donor milk exclusively for DD2!).

[Homeopathy Mom]

It's been a couple of decades since I nursed my babies, but I remember my biggest problem well. I had enough milk to feed quadruplets!  My poor babies choked and drowned on all the milk.  Meanwhile the side they weren't nursing on gushed like a fire hydrant.  It was a huge mess and source of frustration.  That was in the time where moms were taught to be SURE and nurse on both sides at each feeding.  That was a major source of frustration for me, too.  I wish I had known that one side at a feeding would have worked better for me with my overabundant supply. 
 

[Sibyl29]

Cracked nipples for the first two weeks, now pulling her head away before letting go and biting during teething -ouch!  Other than those minor issues, my biggest challenge has been pumping enough milk for her for the three days a week that I work. She nurses so often that I'm finding it difficult to get much in-between feedings or finding the time to pump.

[kayjay]

My biggest challenge was with my first who had posterior tongue tie. I didn't know why I was in so much pain, and why I was so cracked and raw. On top of that I cried every day, had mastitis several times and an oversupply causing him to choke during letdown. He was diagnosed by a LC at 6 weeks, and "clipped" at 8 weeks by an experienced dentist (Dr. Notestine in Dayton, OH).

What helped me was being persistent in finding help... my second LC knew what the problem was (she had just learned about it at a training conference), but it was up to me to find a doctor who could do the simple "surgery." We wasted time going to two specialists who were NO help before getting a recommendation for the dentist. I also nearly exclusively pumped just so I could heal up, and used APNO liberally. We nursed until 21 months after that! (And I work full time).  My son also has a lip tie but I didn't know enough to get that clipped, so I still felt some discomfort from time to time.

If you suspect tongue tie, ask close relatives to stick out their tongues. We found two who could not even lick their upper lips.