No kids but I watched a lot of mom shows and they said the baby should have their mouth around the areola not just on the nipple and it shouldn't hurt that bad if you use that method. If you're still concerned I heard there's a program where they send lactating consultants over to help you.
I feel for you. Engorgement is not a joke. Soreness is from an incorrect latch (I know it's been said 100x already). Not sure exactly what is causing the poor latch (position, hold, baby's state, let-down, etc.) but don't be afraid to put your breast over the baby's mouth. It might look like you are suffocating the little dear, but their faces are actually flat and their noses kinda pugged for the purpose of breast feeding--it allows them to have a breast right over their face and nose and still breathe. Also, please avoid Vaseline--it can contribute to fungal infection and could be ingested by the baby (even after you wash the breast). If the baby isn't latching well, even when hungry and in quiet alert phase, try expressing a little milk and rubbing it around the nipple. (This can also help with any cracking.). You may also want to try different positions (football hold, side-lying, etc.) and feeding the baby with a blanket covering (it keeps baby focused on mommy's scent and blocks any sensory distractions).
For the engorgement, make sure to empty the breast at each feeding or whenever there's let-down. Cool compresses after feeding and warm showers between feedings can help with pain and preventing engorgement. (That came straight out of one my old nursing school books. In real life, you may not have time to get a shower between feedings. However, if pumping doesn't hurt, pump after you nurse if the baby doesn't empty the breast or if you let-down and the baby won't nurse. That should at least keep you from becoming engorged and developing an infection.)
Best wishes to you. Definitely seek the help of an IBCLC lactation consultant. The benefits for you and baby are many, but if nothing works--don't feel bad, do what you can (pumping, formula) and enjoy your baby.
Thanx ladies Im getting a pump today and some bottles so lets hope this helps! not really anti formula just feel like hey if the milks gonna come regardless then hey might as well use it !
Thanx ladies Im getting a pump today and some bottles so lets hope this helps! not really anti formula just feel like hey if the milks gonna come regardless then hey might as well use it !
Make sure you have a secure latch with as much of your areola in his mouth as possible and that your are holding him close to your breast/chest. If he feels strained to get to the milk, he will clamp down more. If you have done all of the above, you may just have to get use to nursing. I would advise to nurse as much as possible and hold off on the pump until at least 8 weeks to established a regular supply. When you do pump, only do it after you have nursed. Pump a few minutes past your hind milk to keep sending signals to your body to produce more milk. When sore, put some breast milk on your nipples. Your milk contains more healing properties than any synthetic gel. hth
I couldn't do it, meaning I couldn't bring myself to put my nipple in my child's mouth, the reason being my nipples are an extremely high erogenous (sp) area for me -- I could get my nipples sucked by my husband with no other sexual activity and be IN HEAVEN from the feeling, that's how good it feels when *I breastfeed* my husband. Even if he just touches them, it turns me on too much. So because of that, I wondered if that's how I'd feel if I breastfed my babies and because I didn't even want to try it to find out, I completely avoided the whole breast feeding thing with both kids, going directly to Enfamil without passing GO!!
Buy a nipple shield from Target, WalMart, Babies R Us, etc. it will cost you about $5, but it will help. You can also pump and put it in a bottle as a temporary fix.
My niece had trouble latching on, so my sister gave up and went to just pumping. This way the baby is still getting the benefits of breast milk and my sister is still burning calories.
Get in the hot shower and turn backwards. Let the water run over your shoulders down over your breast. Facing forwards where the stream in hitting you directly could be uncomfortable. Gave me a lot of relief over the first few days. Hand in there! My soreness went away within a week.
Also, be sure to alternate the breast when you start feeding. Little greedy babies always go harder on the first nipple. I remember my daughter looking up at me when I tried to detach to switch in the middle of a feeding like "Heifer! I am NOT letting go of MY tittay!" LOL !
Congrats! Please talk to a lactation specialist or your doctor because your son is not latched on correctly. Once he is latched correctly it doesn't hurt. Trust me I did it for 2 years, never hurt once. Try laying on your side and allowing the baby to latch naturally or the football position.
Call 1-877-4-LA LECHE 24 hrs a day for assistance Good luck
Linear Mode
