Breastfeeding advice wanted. I failed with #1!

ZombieStarfishZombieStarfish
edited March 2011 in Breastfeeding
My daughter was early and slept a lot.. I made the mistake of letting her sleep because I was exhausted.. by the time I had her I had been without sleep over 24 hours and didn't get mch in the hospital.. she had a great latch but didn't want to work for the food.. she got jaundice at 6 days because she wasn't getting enough and never went back to the breast after they gave her formula..

Im 15 weeks now and don want to fail again.. any success tips? I plan to offer the breast at least every two hours.. we wont have home visitors for a week as well which I believe helped my failing last time.

I did pump two weeks after the jaundice but my supply tanked and pumping hurt worse..

Comments

  • HeatherHeather
    I failed with my first baby also. Once they give em that bottle it's really hard. I made sure NO bottles in the hospital with my next two and no problems. I nursed until about 15 or 16 months old with both. The only problem I had was getting through the pain in the first month. No pain with the second baby I nursed:) :) call the la leche league with concerns or doubts. They're free and are wonderfully supportive. I loved them. Also buy lanolin! Safe for the baby and very soothing.
  • ZombieStarfishZombieStarfish
    Thanks! I think lack of support did it the first time too.. my husband thoght I was nuts when I wanted to try again.. I was a hot mess after the first.. I bawled when she wouldn't eat then beat myself up for giving up.. totally going in positive this time :) ill get their number!
  • erianna1982erianna1982
    Breastfeeding is painful at first but so worth it. It's important to know that at times it will seem as though your not making enough but as long as you keep up the breastfeeding and pumping you will not dry up. The first month can be stressful but after you get it down it's so convenient and worth it. Definetly easier with baby #2. Good luck and don't give. Also don't stop because they need a little extra help with a bottle. My daughter got used to a bottle forf awhile but I didn't give up and kept pushing the breast and she eventually went back.
  • HeatherHeather
    I don't know much about bottles together with breastfeeding. Since I stay home it was SO much easier to do strictly breast. No washing bottles, don't have to find the space in your kitchen, only have to bring diapers and a cover blanket along when you go somewhere, FREE, less time consuming, etc. I found pumping wasn't worth my time, but I didn't work and he wouldn't take the bottle for his dad anyway.

    I used to say when someone asked if I was gonna breastfeed this one "I'll try but it didn't work with my first". Then one day someone said to me "no, your either going to do it or your not" it perked me up and I said "oh, then yes!" It was the perfect motivation for me. And when I didn't think the pain would stop I would call the league:)

    it's also helpful to get advice from someone with the same kindof breast size a you. I know it sounds silly but babies latch differently to different sizes. I'm LARGE and when I saw my friend having some difficulties I told her to lift her nipple a little and it made all the difference in the world... for her:)

    I know you can do it:)
  • MonicaMonica
    Lanolin helps with the nipple pain as far as the outer area. If breast start hurting inside, may be pumping too often. Happened to me. Another pain that cant be avoided is in the beginning breast feeding causes the uterus to contract to become smaller. Hurts but usually last a few day to week.
  • MonicaMonica
    I think u still could have had guest. I found it best to wear shirts that showed a lot of cleavage. That way can cover with a blanket and just whip out your fun bag/ food supply.
  • HeatherHeather
    Lol! Good advice @monica
  • pooh22pooh22
    @monica n @heather I have a question this is the 2nd time I been pregnant first baby I m/c at 4 weeks dnt feel bad back then I thought it was a blessing so wasn't ready but that happened around the end of aug n around july yes a entire 11 months later my boobs started leaking milk!! Yes no baby but boobs were really leaking milk clear as day my dr even confirmed it so n e way I'm def on the bigger side of the boob chain n I'm wondering in ur opinion will brestfeeding b easier for me I jus wana provide plenty of milk
  • MonicaMonica
    I am a DD. the thing about big breast is you have to make sure you arent covering the babies nose. It was easy for me comes in handy for night feedings, not having to fix a bottle. The easiest and laziest for me was laying baby on side of me, he will find the breast and latch on, without even having to turn on the light. They will let go when finished.
  • pooh22pooh22
    Lol u might think this is nuts but that's y I wanna brestfeed so I dnt have to get up n can still feed but I was or am n been a DD before pregnacy so I kinda think imma b bigger @monica I no this might b tmi but did ur brest grow to b DD's or did u get bigger??
  • MonicaMonica
    No were already DD just got fuller. After baby comes they will swell up and look like implants. with my first I went from a C to a D. Second baby I went from a D to a DD.im not trying to get any bigger. Huge breast run in the family, and mine look like tater tots compared to the women on my biological dads side.
  • pooh22pooh22
    Lol @monica both sides of my family is big brested but my mom is little awkward right? Jus dnt wanna sagg or get jus get bigger to the point my backs hurts kinda scared
  • fmcnealfmcneal
    I tried with my 1st and couldn't get it so I gave up when I left the hospital. My 2nd I tried again and did it for 2 weeks and he didn't seem to be getting enough. So ya, I failed with both of mine. I also had to be around a lot of my husbands fam. He was july1 and there was a big party. This one suppose to come right after thanksgiving. So we will see. Good luck to you all.
  • MindyLouWhoMindyLouWho
    The best advice I got last time was to request a lactation consultant in the hospital, and stick it out for the first 6 weeks, no matter what. That's the hardest time, because you have to learn how to breastfeed while teaching your baby. They have to learn it all from scratch each time for a few weeks. I had every nurse work with me, the lactation consultant a couple of times, and a feeding specialist at the pediatrician's office before we got through the first week. We ended up breastfeeding for 17 months. I think part of my problem was also being too shy to kick people out of the hospital room to feed.
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User]
    The user and all related content has been deleted.
  • HeatherHeather
    I started at a big c and get as big as a ee:P they do go back down but it takes a long time and exercise really helps. Unfortunately for me boobs are the last thing to go. But if you are big enough your insurance will cover a breast reduction. Just wait until you're at a comfortable weight and are done having kids cause weight loss and pregnancy will screw up the work. And with big breasts I found that a boppy is pointless. it raises the baby to high for our big breasteses:)
  • vette_devilvette_devil
    Most hospitals have lactation consultants who can come right to your room; I felt awkward at first, but they were very helpful & I attribute that a lot to my success with my first.
    You can also inform them at the hospital to NOT give your baby formula or sugar water. And don't use any bottle or a pacifier for at least 4 weeks until your baby & you learn the tricks of the trade. :) And definitely buy lanolin (like Lasinoh) and/or Soothies patches for soothing sore nipples... they're a lifesaver!
    Most of all... don't give up too soon! There were a few days in the beginning where I didn't know if I could do it, but I am so glad I hung in there! :) Good luck!
  • vette_devilvette_devil
    ...by the way... the My Brest Friend pillow is MUCH better than the Boppy for breastfeeding. It clips behind your back & has a great lower back cushion that felt great... the Boppy tends to be too low or too high & slides off your lap easily.
  • MindyLouWhoMindyLouWho
    LOVE the My Brest Friend pillow! I'm a plus size gal, and the Boppy seems to be made for a size 2. Never could get it situated right. After I got the Brest Friend, baby and I both relaxed and things got easier. I took it everywhere for months. With large breasts (went from G to K), I always had to hold up the nipple. I envy women who can breast feed hands free.
  • fitmamafitmama
    I breastfed my first two babies and plan to breastfeed this one also (due in Sept.)If you can get past the first two weeks of nipple pain, it gets better after that. Have patience. It's the best thing ever!!! Good Luck to you!
Sign In or Register to comment.

© Vanilla Keystone Theme 2024