Help with breastfeeding

[jmountain]

Ok my daughter is 2 weeks and some odd days old and i have been breastfeeding her but having a hard time at first with not latching on properly so i saw a lactation consultant and she reccomended a nipple shield which work very well, then my nurse said that baby doesn't get enough milk that way so i am trying without it again, I got one side craked and sore again, I am just really stressing out and dont know if i should just give up and i have had so much help but she just doesn't want to latch on properly or i dont know how.
Should i give up, or how long is long enough? Help me, I have tried everything.

[waitingwithhope]

The best website that answers all sorts of questions is: http://www.kellymom.com/bf/start/basics/index.html
With a nursing shield, a baby does get less milk and it is used only as a temporary measure but it is better than not breastfeeding at all, but you may want to try it on the sore and cracked side. The other option would be to pump milk until your breasts heal. I recommend the Medela pumps, they work really well.
Also, there are some great creams out there that you can put on your nipples that really help. All this can at least help the healing process.
With her latching on, you may want to go back to a lactation consultant or a breast feeding clinic in your area. They will try and help you determine if your daughter is putting your full nipple in her mouth. Sometimes problems result when the baby only puts part of the nipple in and their mouth is not wide enough.
Those things aside, breast feeding in the early weeks can hurt, but you shouldn't be cracked and certainly not bleeding (if you get that way). Also, if you experience fever, you should see a doctor.
I would encourage you to continue, but only you know how much you can handle. If you think it is time to switch to bottles, allow yourself to do that. There is also what people call a "nursing holiday" where you pump the milk out and allow your breasts to heal and you either give your baby the pumped milk or formula from a bottle. Allow yourself too to have the option of switching to a bottle if you find that nothing else works. It might be disappointing, but in the end so long as your baby is happy and getting enough milk, that is what really is important.
Make sure you get her weighed frequently too if you think she might not be getting  enough milk. With one of my kids, I actually rented a scale to weigh him before and after a feed because I was worried about it.

[AnnieBrooke]

Medela makes a lanolin (I think it is called PurLan 1000) that comes in a tube and you can buy at Babies R Us, and it works really well and really fast to heal nipples.  It's also safe if baby gets some in his or her mouth.  

I breastfed and bottlefed my son.  It began that way because he had jaundice and the nurses at the hospital were insistent he needed more fluids, and we just went on that way.  If you do decide to bottlefeed, it can be just supplemental to breast feeding without problems.  Use a first-level (infant) nipple, so the flow from the bottle will be the same as the flow from the breast.

Don't hesitate to talk with the lactation consultant again.  Often it takes several visits before things get squared away.

Good luck!

[waitingwithhope]

I agree with AnnieBrooke that lanolin works wonders.

[jenstam]

I used the lansinoh and it worked very, very well! You should get some ASAP. The first few weeks are rough, as any mother who has breastfed can agree with but after the rough time it is so rewarding and almost like second nature once you both get it down! But definitely use the lansinoh!! Make sure her latch is right also. It should not hurt or pinch or burn. If it does, break the suction with your finger in the corner of her mouth and try again. Squeeze the whole areola area like a sandwich and when she opens her mouth, shove it in (: Again, it will become second nature but it should not hurt. If it does, you need to work on the latch. Good luck and ask more questions if you need to. Breastfeeding is one of the most rewarding things I've done in my life! It was not easy in the beginning but worth the trouble!

[spade22]

"then my nurse said that baby doesn't get enough milk that way so i am trying without it again"

is there reason to think that your baby isnt getting  enough milk????  Is she putting on weight?  Is her urine/poop output ok?

[houseofgirls]

If you can, buy Soothies!  They are gel filled pads that you put into your bra in between feedings.  I used those after my first was born, and they really did help.  I've seen them at all different drug stores, and maybe even at target.   If you get them, put them in the fridge for a while first.  When they are cold, it helps even more!

[waitingwithhope]

Oops, I think I meant Lansinoh like Jenshim said...I just went and looked in my medicine cabinet. Here is the product online:
http://refs05.securesites.net/snap038/index.php?src=directory&view=Products&category=Breast%20Therapies&query=category.eq.Breast%20Therapies&refno=19&srctype=Products_detail
It's great!!

[babypooh]

I agree with the comments above, but would also encourage you to keep trying :) Good luck! Congratulations on your baby :)

[jmountain]

no she gained more then enough weight with the shield, but the nurse said my breast wont get enough milk so i didnt want to use it to long and so i tried without. but yea i think i am goin back to it cause i cant handle it right now. I have read online also that some ppl have used it for months and thier baby was fine.

[spade22]

If your baby is putting on weight and not showing obvious signs of not getting enough milk, it sounds like things are going just fine right now.  I dont have any personal experience with nipple shields and do know enough about them to comment on what it "might" to do your milk supply - this is something you might check with a lactation consultant on.  For now though, it doesnt sound like its causing an issue and its more of an issue to NOT use the shields.

I would also recommend posting this in the breastfeeding forum as you will likely get some excellent advice/further insight there.  Here is the link:

http://www.medhelp.org/forums/show/233?camp=msc&;personal_page_id=715

[babydreams9]

I used a nipple shield and still do the majority of the time for numerous reasons; DS is now 17 weeks. We have more problems when he doesn't use it. Its inconvenient, but better than not BFing at all. DS hates bottles too, so the shield was our answer and I'm so grateful for it! He gets plenty... healthy weight gain and very happy. Make your own judgements on if your DD is getting enough based on those things, and do what works for you!! Hang in there - it WILL get easier!!