My niece only gained 1 oz.

[4daughters]

I'm trying to help my SIL out with her new baby with nursing. She had problems latching on, unfortunatly I can't spend all my time with her I have 4 children. But I went through everything with her and she saw a LC one of her nipple was bleeding. Her LC told her not to nurse on that side and give it a break only to pump. (I don't know if I agree with this) I told her to be sure she pumps it out every 2 hours to keep her milk supply up. I'm afraid she has a mind of her own and is stretching out the babies feedings only because she had nipple pain or can't take the pain don't know. But she went in for a 3 wk check up and the baby gained an ounce in 2 weeks. He wants to see the baby again in a week.

Any other advice I could give her. She called me sobbing. I told her she needs to nurse 12 or more times a day and explained to her 1 feeding consisted of both sides, at least every 2 hours. She explained she was only feeding 8x a day but sometimes only one side. I'm concerned for her and the baby. But I feel she gotten all the info possible, through books, LC, hospital and me.

[ferra]

I think you are right about her avoiding nursing on the injured side. Getting a good latch should reduce the pain and then she'll have to hang in there while it heals. Breastfeeding is hard work especially at first. May I ask where you are located? I know some wonderful LCs here in Portland, Oregon. They helped me loads in the first couple weeks with my little guy. She may be able to get some phone advice from out here in Oregon. 503-232-baby this is the number for Beyond Birth. They may have some advice or some info about good LCs in her area. Good for you for offering her support! New mamas really need it.

[4daughters]

I'm in NJ .. thanks for the info. I'll continue to support her all I can. I know she doesn't want to give up. But I do think her baby needs to gain a few more ounces in order for the Dr. not to push her to take formula. Which I'd hate for that to happen.

[ferra]

Instead of giving formula she could pump after every feeding and finger feed what ever she pumps to the babe. My son lost almost 2lbs in his first week. The LCs told me to nurse on each side twice, then pump, then finger feed with a syringe. To finger feed you stick your finger in baby's mouth and then slowly give them the milk through a plastic syringe and keep feeding baby until s/he will not take any more. Getting the milk supply up helps a lot in addition to a good latch. It totally worked for my little one he started gaining over 2oz a day.

[4daughters]

Now that sounds more like the info she should be getting from her LC. Thanks!

[4daughters]

After giving my SIL some of your advice and seriously told her not to spread her feedings anymore,,, my niece gained 6 oz this week!!

[TurboClaudia]

yay! tell her to keep going and to only pay attention to breastfeeding advice from well educated breastfeeding experts, i.e. an Int'l Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) or a La Leche League Leader.

~claudia

[Ruthla]

That's a great update!!

Before noticing the date on the post, I was going to suggest getting her an SNS so that, in case she did need to supplement, she wouldn't have to use bottles and risk nipple confusion. It sounds like that won't be necessary!

[4daughters]

She's a month old and now weighs 8lbs. My SIL is still experiencing pain when latching on though. After her recent visit with her LC she told her that 20 min was too long to nurse on one breast??? If the baby only has 5 mins that fine and the to switch to her other breast. I am no LC but I have nursed 4 children and my question is how does the baby get any hind milk. Plus I would think that the hind milk is very important at this point for her to gain weight. I don't want to interfere, because she did make a comment to me once "You know this doesn't come easy to all of us." and that is why she is seeing a LC. I feel as though I was pushed away. But I did tell her husband he should mention to contact LLL just to get another point of view.

[ferra]

So glad to hear she is still nursing. I think contacting LLL is a great idea!