Afraid of loosing milk supply

My son is 4 wks old.  On the first week, I breastfed him exclusively but my nipples were raw and bleeding after four days.  I started to use a hand pump but I got tired of it and decided to see a lactation consultant.  She was able to boost my confidence but it only lasted for about a week, my nipples were getting raw again.  I then bought a Medela Pump in Style and pumped exclusively for about 2 weeks and my milk supply was up in the beginning then slowly started to go down (went from 8-9 oz to 4-5 oz).  I tried to pump more often but my nipples were so tender from getting rubbed on the horns on the same area that it felt like my nipples were never going to heal.  On the fourth week, I decided to go see a lactation consultant again to see if I can reintroduce breastfeeding but I can only get him to latch on correctly on my right breast.  I have the hardest time trying to get him to latch correctly on my left breast (even tried nipple guards), and when I finally get the courage to use my left breast, it's always so sore during and after.  One time it bled so much that his spit-up had blood in it.  I was so scared.  So now, I breastfeed on one breast and pump the other but for some reason my milk production seems to be getting low.  To top it all off, I had a mild case of mastitis 4 days ago and my Dr put me on 2 kinds of antibiotics.  I'm really trying not to quit but it's hard!!!  I've spent all this time and money on this and I would be so disappointed if my milk production just stops.  Please help!      

[tiredbuthappy]

OK- there's several things you can try

first of all- try different positions on the breast he can't latch on to. My little one has more trouble with righty, especially if i'm full. 2 things help- first i try a different position. the football hold works almost everytime i can't get her to latch on other ways. if that fails, i pump a little to draw out the nipple which makes it easier.

for the other issues-
~blood is scary, but won't harm him. once we were suctioning clumps of blood out of dd's mouth. eew.

~when i was bleeding like that, the following healed my sores- 1st i dipped the nipple in a saline soak (warm water with salt dissolved in it) and let it air dry. then i wore a nipple shell (different than nipple shield you used to help with latch- these are domes with air holes that you wear to keep fabric off of nipple but allow circulation- aids in healing). sometimes i would also add lanolin. rubbing breast milk on nipples & ltting them air dry helps a lot too. try combining some of these techniques to see what works for you.

~to reduce friction while pumping, rub a little olive oil around the base of your nipple to lubricate it. it is safe for baby. (LC recommended it to me)

~try a different sized pump horn. I found the gentlest/most comfortable are the pumpin pals angled shields. You can find them online. However, you can also find larger horns at baby stores too. Most women don't fit the "standard" size that comes with pumps.

~try a lower pump setting. it shouldn't hurt too much.

my hands are full of baby right now, and it's hard to think/type. if i think of more, i'll add later. good luck, and it can/will get better. try some of these tricks.

[Tennesseegirl]

I would maybe try not to pump as much and just let DS keep working on you. Its both you and him that will  build up the milk. I ate alot of oatmeal and drank instant breakfastes as snacks. it helped me alot.

personally.. I could never pump..my body and mind just couldnt relax enough I guess.. my milk would drop some..maybe 3oz.. and then would just stop, and that was with 30 mins of pumping.

maybe try cabbage leaves for your nipples, and let air dry as much as possible.
but we all are diffrent and every case isnt the same. your nipples will get tougher and heal wonderfully. oh... how I can remember the pain though...I too scabbed and hurt..

I just wanted to let you know Im so proud to see that your really trying and wish you both the best of luck.try to hang in there.. the both of you will work it out somehow..  

Congradulations on the first four weeks!!! and many to come...Perhaps others will share and you can find what helps...

[lyn2b]

Thank you ladies for your suggestions.  I will definitely try some, if not all, of your suggestions.  Hopefully I'll be able to get through this hump.

I just signed up for this website yesterday and I have to say that it's nice to know that there are others out there going through the same thing.  It can get kinda lonely and depressing when all you think about is the baby and breastfeeding,  My husband tries to help but it's not the same.

Thanks again!!!

[Tennesseegirl]

once you guys work out the bugs... you will be saying OMG.. how could I have not??? Its such a wonderful way you and your child can bond, among other wonderful reasons. Hang in there.... It will get better.

This and other sites will be your bible form here on out. makes a person wonder how we got along without the eithernet.ha ha I have an 18 year old and didnt have this information on hand. boy oh boy It sure would of made my life easyer then. smile.