Experienced breastfeeding mothers--- desperate need your help!

[Baby_girl09]

So ladies I need help. I had longgg labor, & ending up having c-section. I was in hospital since last Thursday & I got discharged today.  For the 1st few days I didn't have milk in my breast but last night it was full. After she was born Saturday, the next day I did breastfeed even though there was nothing, the nurses told me to practice & I did. Today my breast was sooo full & was hurting so I tried to breastfeed my baby. She refuses, so I tried to pump it out, & I gave to her. She drank but it wasn't enough, so I substituted with bottle (Similac). She seem to drink my milk fine when pumped to the bottle but doesn't like my breast when I put her on my breast. I thought it was natural thing, a baby will love mom's breast? At times she latches good, & drinks well & then loses the latch & refuses to try again. It's so frustrating especially since I'm in so much pain after surgery but I want to do what's best for my baby. I want to breastfeed her & also pump. I want her to drink my breast milk, I don't want her to drink Similac.  I feel like I can't do a simple thing as breastfeeding. Does it get better with time? Or it is a struggle each time?

[TheeMothership]

I won't ramble my story, get a nipple shield. It works!

[jaloveslorelei]

Everyone feels like the baby is not getting enough, they are though! The tickling thing suggested is great advice. I am so happy for everyone who was so persistant. It was sooo difficult for me too. They had me pumping constantly before my milk came in and there was blood in the breast shield from my nipples, it was so incredibly painful and those lactation consultants were morons... I think they were working for similac. Lol. Why is it the gals whose milk comes right in and who have no pain or problem latching only breastfeed for a few weeks or so and those of us who breast feed for a long time have a rough time. Not fair! Haha. It took 3 months for me to not cringe in pain every time I nursed! I loved nursing though and can't wait to don't again

[Baby_girl09]

Thank you. I will call the hospital & see if they have lactation consultants. So far she latches good & nurses well, but I feel she not getting enough milk from me.

[tat87]

I had an absolutely awful experience breast feeding my first, and will most likely end up with a repeat c section, so I have been doing a ton of research on the best methods and even watching tutorials! Most hospitals have lactation consultants you can see even after being discharged,  I would check and see if that's an option.

[Shohna]

I had the same problem with my daughter that she wouldnt sleep for more than a few minutes after a feed..for the first week she would only sleep being held and i was beside myself with exhaustion..my grandmother was a midwife and came and stayed with me..she taught me to do this (i dont know if u already are..but it worked!) when she was feeding she would get sleepy n doze off but wasnt full..so my grandmother said keep tickling her and waking her up..i would undo her sleepsuit and tickle her foot..she would then carry on feeding.when she would no longer wake at all..i would lie her down, change her and get her awake again..and do the same thing on the other side..when she fell asleep completely on the other side she would then sleep for 2-3 hours and i had a spell of five hours too one day as she was now getting full up! :) it honestly saved my life (or felt like it lol)

[bec_jae_martin]

If ur having trouble with the latch check out finger feeding. It could help u. Also, can u see a lactation expert??? Sounds like you'd both benefit

[mommyof1andanothersoon]

As long as there is 6-10 wet/poop diapers a day, you are fine. My son did that too for like 3 months, it was awful. He would only take like 10 minute naps at a time. He is 7 months now and takes real naps that are atleast an hour and it is amazing lol. She really just wants mommy and to be honest, you can't spoil a newborn who is only used to you and smelling you. Enjoy it while you can, they grow so so fast. Don't ever doubt yourself momma, you can do this!

[Jenni_1019]

I had trouble with all 3 of my kids with latching on. I ended up pumping for all of them.

[Baby_girl09]

Thank you ladies for sharing your experiences with me. I'm not giving up even though it's soo frustrating & feeling pain constantly isn't helping. Anyways, today I haven't given her bottle just breastfeeding. She latches good now, I'm worried if she getting enough to drink because when put her down to sleep, she wakes up. I changed her diaper & everything but she sleeps for few mins & wakes up. I'm not sure if it's because she is hungry or something else.

[susamor]

I also had a long labor and emergency csection. I breastfed her but needed to supplement in the hospital. I ended up with bruised nipples and just gave her bottles for a few weeks until my nipples healed. she wouldn't even latch on though after she got used to bottles. I remember crying and being very frustrated because of the surgery pain and how much work pumping was as opposed to just feeding straight from breast. But whats truly important is that your baby is eating what she needs to be healthy. No matter if its breastmilk, or formula even though it is very depressing not to be able to breastfeed as planned and yes you can't help but take it personal. So what i did was start to pump every 3 hours to increase my milk supply, even at night to avoid breasts hardening and hurting. I gave my baby my pumped milk first and if she was still hungry i gave her formula too. Because at first i only pumped about 1 oz both breasts. With time and persistence i ended up pumping 4 oz and eventually didn't need formula. I took mothers milk plus capsules to help me make more milk and after a couple times of taking them i didnt need them anymore. I kept trying for her to latch on and finally around 3 months she did. I nursed her while walking around carrying her. It was the only way she would latch on. Eventually she got used to nursing other ways more comfortable for me. So dont lose hope. With lots of patience and persistence you can do it too.

[jaloveslorelei]

I agree... no formula or bottle, at least not right now. I was so paranoid with my first that I fed her from a syringe before my milk came in. The bottle is so much easier, so they do prefer it if exposed to both at first. Sucking for them is hard work and exercise at first. Its so rare for that to actually be an issue. Right now may be but that's just your body getting to know how much to make for a feeding and supplementing will just decrease your supply further. See if there are any support groups around!?

[kelley_bump]

I had the same problem with my baby girl not latching when my milk came in but pumping a little solved that problem...she also wouldnt latch if i had nipple cream on so if you're using that try to wipe if off before a feeding

[kelley_bump]

It gets so much easier just hang in there! try  not to give her any more bottles until yall get the hang of breast feeding. If she still acts hungry after you breastfeed put her back on dont offer a bottle or pacifier, letting her suck at the breast will stimulate your body to produce more milk. Once yall get the hang of breastfeeding then you can start reintroducing the bottle IF you want to. Also if your breast are really full and hard its hard for baby to latch on so try pumping first to make them softer then offer her your breast. If she lets go and doesn't want to latch back on try burping her and offer the other breast if she doesnt take ot shes probably full  

[ktroutman0513]

It does get better. Hang in there and try to relax.  Also, look up cluster feeding.  Congratulations on your new baby.

[mommyof1andanothersoon]

Never ever think it isn't enough! Babies don't need much at all honest to goodness I wish we could post pictures on here to show you just how small their stomachs really are! Your breasts will regulate, it is just hard the first few days after your milk comes in, I used cold wash cloths to help with the pain. If you have a Facebook get on BRAS- Breastfeeding Resources and Support they have lactation consultants and they can help you with everything!

[mamichalke]

Put her in the football hold. I struggled with my first and this position seemed to work best for him. Just have patience and keep calm. She'll get it.

[chloegc1023]

I'm breastfeeding my second baby born Wed last week and have to admit, were having somewhat b if a tough time.  my boy has no problem drinking milk from my breast but his latch is shallow causing me pain on my nipples. And since I have pain, and my nipples are sore and bleeding, my milk supply has been compromised.  I totally didn't expect this cuz successfully breastfed my first son for 10 mos and didn't have any of the problems I'm having with this second baby, all because of a poor latch.  My first was an expert at latching on right from the get and my milk supply was abundant.  With this second, my supply isn't even 1/4 of what I know I'm capable of producing.  I have been watching YouTube vids on trying to get him to latch better and it's helping, but we still have a ways to go before we see major improvement.  I also heard that as they get bigger their latch gets better so I'm sticking it through.  Goodluck.  Oh and I've also been supplementing once aubergine twice a day.  Goodluck.