breastfeeding

I was just wondering if anyone had problems breastfeed their first child.  


My son would not latch on to me when he was first born and I got discuraged very easily, and well, I was still out of it the whole stay at the hospital that I just went to bottle, I was wondering if you guys have any tips to take or do before the baby is born and after...and would it be too early to start pumping milk at like 8 months in a half? and then store it for when the baby is born

[njeosys]

I don't know about pumping because nipple stimuli can cause you to go into labor. And while you may be eager for baby to be here, you really shouldn't do something that could cause early labor just in case baby's lungs are not developed yet. The lungs development is the last thing to take place during this time. Also, you don't even have breastmilk yet. You have colostrum which is important for baby's first feedings. And lastly, you will have enough milk for baby without having to store it.

Anyway, I had probs breastfeeding both times with my girls because of smaller/flat nipples. It was so very discouraging to me. You need to just keep trying and trying. Your BEST bet is to have a lactation consultant see you at the hospital. You can read all you want about nursing but it isn't the same as actually experiencing/trying it.

Do not get discouraged until you try for at least ONE month. I tried for 2 months to get my daughter to latch on and I had to use a nipple shield. It takes babies an adjustment to try to nurse just as it does for you. While movies always show a baby just latching on to Mommy and suckling away, the reality is that it is not like that! It's a learning experience for both of you.

Your BEST bet, like I said, was to have a professional lactation consultant help you. They should visit at your hospital, or you can call the La Leche League and they will help you.

[1confused233]

Thanks I appreciate it...No I don't want to go into labor early.  Breastfeeding came very easy to my sister, but she also had a 9 in a half lb kid LoL..I know that doesn't mean a thing...I'll try a lil longer this time round.  I just don't want the child getting attached to the bottle.  I want to be able to have that experience of breastfeeding...since my son well, I just don't think he liked it..he was only 5lb 7oz  so he wasn't very big, but then yet I'm very small for my age!!  well, thanks for the advice!! :-) I appreciate  it!

[njeosys]

Well, small babies have a harder time nursing! Just keep trying. It'll take a few tries before baby gets it. Though some babies just latch on like pros and some babies need to work at it. You should definitely have your sis there to help you if she's able!!!!

[1confused233]

i'll try having my sis their...its questionable though, she works 2 jobs and has a dead beat husband, and a 2 in a half ur old! and we're not very close...we've like almost 2 yrs apart but very different!!  

[Michele, Katy, TX]

I completely agree with njeosys.  There will be a lactation nurse that will come and see you in the hospital.  I have 5 and have nursed all of them.  Infact, I am still nursing my 6 1/2 month old.  As njeosys said, you don't have breast milk yet.  Your milk should come in about 2 to 4 days after delivery.  Until then, you will have the colostrom only.  The baby will get what he/she needs until your milk comes in as the colostrum is packed with fat and nutrients.  

When are you due???  If you have any questions that I may be able to help you with, please don't hesitate to message me.  This is one area I may actually be able to help someone.  LOL!!

Oh, and the breast milk storage thing.  I do do that once the baby is born for when I have to be away from the baby.  When your milk comes in, it will REALLY come in and you will start out with more than what the baby needs.  So after the baby would eat (mine) and go to sleep, I'd just pump the extra milk and store it.  You can store it for up to 6 months.  But I don't recommend giving the baby a bottle until the baby is about a month old.  This will help the baby from having any nipple confusion.  Then the baby may prefer the bottle because he/she will not have to work for it as they do with you.  But I truly love breastfeeding.  But it is a personal choice for all and it is just that.  It is a choice.  No one should try to make you feel guilty if you decide to go with the bottle.

[kcs08]

My baby was only 4 pounds 14 ounces and didnt have strong cheek muscles (the lactation consultant had a medical word for that) to nurse very well.  To latch her properly she said to always wait until her mouth was wide open, then latch on.  After feeding I ALWAYS had to pump.  She was so tiny that I was feeding or pumping every hour!  It was hard work and it STILL is hard but she's 8 months old and I'm still BF!  Mine never experienced nipple confusion w/bottle, pacifier, or my nipple.  DEFINITELY see the consultant in the hospital!

[christine613]

A lactation nurse helped me in the hospital and I was able to call her from home. One of the best tips she gave me was to kind aim your nipple toward the top of your baby's lip which gave him the que to open his mouth wider and then you put yur nipple in his mouth. It really helped him latch on. Of course, then, my son would fall asleep and it made me want to scream. I used to have to strip him down to keep him cool and awake.

It always seemed like I didn't have enough milk and I told her I wanted to give the bottle even though I was dead set on nursing him. She told me flat out- you just have to get used to feeding this little guy around the clock. I laugh now because at the time I had NO CLUE how true that really was. For the first few months of life that is ALL we did.  Best of luck to you!

[pmocab]

I had a great lactation nurse in the hospital with my first one and I also used a private company that offered consulting and supplies, it was wonderful, they also turned me onto Reglan (metoclopromide), a medicine that I commonly gave patients for reflux. When I went back to working in the trauma er, my milk supply suffered, They gave me the recommending dosing and I got an RX from my family md and I was pumping 12 ounces at a time within 36 hours. You have to taper on and off of it but it was wonderful. I set little goals for myself, starting with, I'll try it for 6 weeks, then 3 mos, then 6,9 and eventually made it to 10mos. Trying to say I would breastfeed for a year was way to overwhelming for me at first but as I reached each little milestone, it motivated me to meet the next one. I am so happy that I sacrificed for this because my 2 boys are healthy, one is almost 4 and has never been on antibiotics and one had heart defects and wasn't gaining weight but we pushed through because the cardiologist said it was best for him, he's happy, healthy and almost 2 now. I do disagree with a previous post, I did not demand feed either of mine, even though the lactation consultants acted like that was the only way. My ped md and cardio both said that when babies feed for a few minutes every hour or so that they never get the fatty hind milk that your body lets down after the baby nurses for a while. They also said that's why some mom's give up when their baby's don't gain weight. We did demand feed for about 2 weeks and then used the book BABYWISE to help get the boys on schedules. They were much happier when they knew what to expect and got lots of sleep.

[lmrsoldier]

I had a lactation consultant come in to see me in the hospital, and although she was very helpful, neither of my kids could be breastfed because I couldn't produce milk, and I tried for almost 3 months with both. If you are able to produce the milk, don't get discouraged, just ask for some assistance before you leave the hospital, and keep trying. Good luck to you

[4boys1girl]

I breastfed my four boys.  My first son had breastfed for about 8 weeks.  My 3 other boys I was able to breastfed them until they were about 1 year.  I will tell you that even though I have nursed 4 babies for me it was challanging for the first few weeks so be persistant and determined...it is sooo worth it once you have this established.  There are things that you will learn that people ussually do not offer to tell you.  First.....I could not agree more that meeting with a lactation consultant is very benificial.  She will help you on a indiviadual basis and ussually there is not any charge for this.  Just ask while you are in the hospital.  You could even meet with her before the baby to get an idea what breastfeeding involves.  I was very modest before I had my first child and what little modesty I had left after I was done giving birth....was done away with when I met with the lactation con.  HAHA  Latching your baby on correctly will determine if you are successful with nursing your baby.   The baby should have the whole nipple as well as a majority of the areola  in the mouth while the are feeding.  If your baby latches on poorly you could end up being very sore and a frustrated baby.  I have a heart condition that requires me to have antibiodics during birth. This resulted in each of my babys  getting trush (thrush) in thier mouth.  I would also get this on my breast which makes them very tender until you are treating the infection.  (trush (thrush) is a yeast infection in the mouth)  If your tender there is ussually a problem.  Once you have gotten the baby to latch on properly feeding your baby should not hurt or be uncomfortable.  You should find that it is very relaxing and you will release endorfans (? spelling).  When my first son was 8 weeks old I found my grandmother deceased.  The shock of this did something to my milk supply and my son would not nurse from me the same.  I ended up giving up and was extremely disappointed!  Be aware that stress will alter your supply.  Try to stay calm and relaxed while you are nursing.  I had a really enjoyable time breastfeeding my sons.  I never had to pack bottles or keep them cool or warm them up.  Never had to wonder if the milk was too hot.  I always was prepared when my baby was hungry.  I did have some apprehensions when it came feeding my baby in public but I think over-all society is becoming more aware of its benifits and hopefully more acceptable.  However...you will probroly encounter some loud mouth that thinks it is rude...or it should be done in a bathroom.  I would respond to them that next time they were going to eat dinner try sitting on the toilet.  (this was even if I gave a respone to someone being ignorant.  I was always very modest about feeding my baby in public.  I would always have a blanket over me and was never exposed.)  
I hope you are succesful but if not it is not the end of the world...Good Luck
Kris

[1confused233]

Thanks very much, I will try my best and we'll see how things go! I appericate your comments, they have helped me and have given me a bunch of insites!! :-)