breast feeding...for the love of god help me

edited July 2011 in Breastfeeding
I need help. Advice. Tips. ANYTHING!! Im so determined to do this but after only a few days the thought of letting her on my nipple is unbearable. The lactation people at hospital said she latches perfectly, but due to her nose constantly being all stuffed and swollen she can't stay on. This makes her mad she screams and screams and screams and by time she's calmed down long enough to get her back on she's trying to chew it off. My husband isn't being helpful AT ALL either, so its not helping me any. I really want to do this.
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  • My daughter was a premie and couldn't latch on, I pumped for the first two months until she could latch on. I know how frustrating it can be, just keep doing it. It will get much easier. The lactation nurses really helped me, maybe see if they can work with you more. Good luck :)
  • @MayBabyGirl I've been trying to pump as well so my nipples get a rest, but its never enough for her. I swear im feeding her every hour. Im trying to be patient since everyone says it gets easier, im just lacking a support system right now.
  • Try alternating other positions. That way she's not sucking on the same spot over and over. Put some breast milk on your nipples after each feed and let them air dry that will help heal them, also lanolin, pure lanolin like lansinoh is great on the nipples too. Just be patient , and relax while nursing as much as you can. I'm currently nursing my 2 week old and he tore my nipples up in the begining, but after the first week my nipples have healed and toughened up. Your doing great! Don't loose hope, and visit a lactationist when you can for added help/support. Good luck sweetie!
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  • dont give up.. u can do it.
  • Check out the le leche leagues website, I'm sure they have tons of info there. Also maybe call the hospital and speak to their consultants again. Don't give up, I think its a struggle for most women in the beginning ..good luck!
  • Have you tried cleaning baby's nose before feeding? I dont have many afvise since this will be my frist time breastfeeding...
  • Your doing great, I used the medela nipple cream worked wonders, lol, also as mentioned use your milk to help them heal. My hubby was supportive which made it easier, tell your hubby you need his support right now, I know if I didn't have the support of my husband and the lactation nurses I would have gave up a while ago. Congratulations on your baby girl :)
  • Yes it will happen. Just press with your fingers your breast back. They say not to do so, but nothing happens. Or what u can do is pump some 1oz milk and see what happens. But just press ur breast back for air. Trust me she is still getting her milk.
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  • After I nursed each time I would use nipple butter (by earth mama angel baby) and gel soothie pads (by lansinoh, I think) . I would alternate that with tea bags. The teabags help harden your nipples. It helped me sooo much this time around. It took me about 1-2 weeks to get comfortable while nursing. (Sebastian liked to cluster feed. Every hour or half hour for 5-10 minutes) it gets better!!
  • I would recommend clearing her nose with a bulb asperator before each feeding, then using your finger to keep your breast skin pulled back away from her nose while she feeds. Also try different positions at each feeding, so she isn't sucking on the same exaxt spot. I used Lasinoh lanolin cream & the Soothies nursing pads- both were wonderfully helpful, just don't use them at the same time; I alternated them & mostly used the Soothies overnight when I had a bit longer between feedings.
    Most importantly, DON'T GIVE UP!!! It IS really hard in the beginning, but if you stick with it, it WILL get easier & in no time it will feel like second nature. Good luck :)
  • Thank you guys so much. I nearly wanted to give up this morning. I pumped a bunch today and am waiting for her to wake up and try again. I can't use anything to clear her nose since her nasal passages are swollen. Sticking something up there will make it worse. She has to sleep at an angle to breathe. I've been trying the football hold...she doesn't seem to like it but im going to keep trying. Im having a long talk with my husband when my mom leaves. He seems to think im joking when I say I need all the support I can get to stick with this!!!!

    Also when she is calm and doing wonderfully she falls asleep 5 maybe 10 mins in. It never fails. I try to keep her awake but she knocks back out.
  • Use the lansinoh cream like all the time, almost more than u think u should (that's what I've been told) and maybe try using an automatic nasal aspirator before and after each feeding so her nose won't have time to get stuffed up between? I'm about to be a first time mom so that's prolly not much help, I'm sorry its been so difficult.
  • edited July 2011
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  • Newborns do tend to nurse quite often, but if you're worried about supply, you can try mother's milk tea, lots of water and relax - stress can interfere with production and letdown. (I know it's easier said than done...) We feel your pain and support your efforts! It will be worth it! :-)
  • My son is almost three weeks and seems to need to eat constantly too. Drives me crazy sometimes! But you will start hurting less in time; it took me about two weeks to stop feeling sore. Lansinoh is AMAZING, and if you can give yourself a few minutes to air dry after feedings that can help a little too. I was always more sore if I covered back up while my nipples were still moist from feeding.
  • @TricesBaby they actually told me to do that!! The lactation lady was with me for awhile and said to try it out.

    I've been pumping a lot today to keep up my supply so I can keep up with her crazy eating!! Im feeling a lot better about everything and im going to grin and bare it. I've been using the lanolin a lot and its finally starting to help out. But it leaves me sticking to my shirt and it hurts. I appreciate all the advice and help :) I need this
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  • It does get easier keep calling on that lactation specialist go to classes, la leche is amazing too. Keep it up you can do it. Take a break from pumping and just let your nipples heal. It takes a while to get used to it, it is a trial and error process. Use t that nipple cream or butter. I'd you needed any other help mention me. If you want my number ask. Your doing so well don't give up.
  • II have breast pads but they stick to that too! I use a little water to help lol. I mean I've been leaking like crazy so I have to change anyway!! Im going to try a bunch of diff creams maybe something works better. I've been feeding her all night and its getting better. I was having a really rough time last night. Being tired made me nuts. After freaking out I found out a lot of my friends actually breastfed so they gave me advice too. after getting some much needed sleep I feel a lot more optimistic about this!! :D
  • I'm still pregnant, so Idk if they work, but I registered for these nipple shells that you wear with clothes so your nips don't touch anything when they are sore. They have them at babies r us with all the breast feeding stuff. Maybe they will help!!
  • Oh and they have nipple shields too, that almost look like bottle nipples, and you can wear them while you feed to protect your nipples. I've heard from a few ppl they are a god send.
  • @starrxoxo9 I am so about to look into that!! I have so many people visiting this summer so can't really walk around with out a shirt as easy as that would be. THANKS!!
  • No prob!! Good luck!! :)
  • AAnother question for anyone who knows. What will help me produce more milk? My little piglet eats more than I can keep up with especially at night. She's drained me dry it feels like :/
  • Milk production is a supply and demand situation. The more your baby nurses the more milk your body will produce. Just make sure you drink lots of water and eat healthy and you shouldn't have any problems. Good luck! :-)
  • @mommyfesha so just feed her more frequently? That's what I thought but wanted to double check :) thanks tons. I've been so busy with her I keep forgetting to drink loads of water or even eat frequently. She's a week old today so im getting the hang of it :)
  • Fenugreek capsules and mothers milk tea will also help boost milk supply. You can find both online or at health food stores.
  • Yep! It's always a good idea to have a drink and snack next to you when you get ready to nurse or pump. That helps make sure you get the fluids and calories you need.
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