[Farangis]

Hi there,

I'm a Mom of a 2 yrs. old daughter and another daughter who is almost 11 weeks. I had a lot of issues with bfeeding my older daughter so I had to give up after 3 months. Well, I have flat nipples and I had a very bad breast infection (went to the ER with over 104 F fever and had to take antibiotics).
Now, having the newborn it's like a nightmare not being able to bfeed her. With this little one I already had 3 infections but fortunately, I have a great homeopath who could help me with remedies and I didn't have to take antibiotics.

Well, I have another big issus which drives me crazy. Everytime my baby cries while I'm nursing her I think I might not have enough milk. For the first few minutes she is fine but after that she moves back and forth with the nipple in her mouth being very fuzzy. And finally she lets go and starts crying. Of course, I try to burp her afterwards... Anyways, I started pumping like crazy and feeding her with the bottle when she gets enough of my breast. But as of today, she doesn't want to take my breast at all.

How can I help myself and my daughter? Do I need to give up?

I urgently need your advice... Thanks a lot.

BTW: Please excuse my English. I'm from Germany and moved to CA 3 yrs. ago.

 

[melbb]

HOw much does she take from a bottle after you breastfeed her? If it is a lot, then you may have a supply issue. If that is the case, she could easily get spoiled by the bottle and refuse the breast altogether. I would first try to determine if you do have a supply issue. Does she have enough wet diapers and poops? If you need to supplement, you would be better of using a SNS so that all sucking is done at the breast and she continues to associate the breast with food. I would consider seeing a LC, too.

 

[alegna]

I think the bottle is the problem. Babies who have bottles often prefer the faster flow of the bottle rather than the correct flow of the breast. I would get the bottles out of the equation. If you're pumping enough to give her extra bottles then I would think your supply is fine.

-Angela

 

[kozmickreations05]

That baby needs as much time at the breast as possible!! 24/7 breast time!

 

[sunnysideup]

I would take the weekend and work like heck to get the baby back to breast. If possible, have daddy take your older child off to have some fun so you can be with baby without distraction. Spend a couple of days with you and baby topless--the skin-to-skin contact can help. Get rid of all artificial nipples--no bottles or pacifiers! If the feedings need to be supplimented use a cup feeder, eyedropper or spoon.

Some people with flat nipples find it helpful to use nipple sheilds. If your baby has had a hard time establishing a good latch they might help.

Real life support and help can be soooooo important. Have you tried contacting your local LLL group? http://www.lalecheleague.org/WebUS.html

 

[SabbathD]

I use nipple shields. Even after 6 weeks of around the clock, on demand feeding, and using the breastpump a few minutes before feedings to pop my nipples out, my nipples are still flat as pancakes. I am pretty sure, that they always will be. I am probably wrong, but at this point, I see no end in sight!

I would cautiously recommend them to you as a great tool for flat nipples. That being said, I would recommend that you seek out a LC and use them under their guidance if you can. THE ONLY REASON I SAY THAT is that it can be difficult to wean your baby off of using them if your nipples start to take the shape that is needed and you don't need them anymore. My daughter will not feed without them, and in my case that's more than likely because my nipples are just really flat. But, a lot of women, whose women take on the shape that they are supposed to, have just an interesting time getting baby weaned off of nipple shields. I know that especially on these boards you may catch some flak for using them (I sure have), but they can be a great tool for some people, and I believe I happen to be one of them.

One other note on nipple shields, don't overanalyze, but just be aware of the fact that they CAN mess with your supply in a very small few that use them. The recent adaptation to a thinner silicone has all but that obsolete, the medela ones are the best, but just be aware that in a choice few people, it can mess with your supply (hence the reason I would recommend an LC if you can, that and the weaning off of them issue).

Just my .02. I use em, and need em, and love them. Made it possible for someone with such flat nipples to nurse! YAY!!