Breastfeeding Dilemma

KristenT · 03-18-2007, 01:06 PM

Hi, I don't start threads very often, and I'm embarrased to admit I just found this forum,I wish I had started posting months ago in the pregnancy threads, but I've been researching my butt off, and could really use a bit of input. I want to try breastfeeding, but I'm honestly scared to death. When my daughter was born 6 years ago, I tried and tried, even had consultants come over,but we had so many problems latching on, it was extremely painful, and had to give up due to both breasts having clogged and infected milk ducts. I was too scared to try when DS was born, and I really do want to give it another try. It seems so simple and natural, and I know without a doubt it benefits the baby tremendously. If you have any tips, advice, or even words of encouragement I sure could use them right now, the more I think about it, the more I start to panic as my due date gets closer. Thanks in advance.

mandyhoward · 03-18-2007, 05:07 PM

Every baby is different and just because one gives you fits with it doesn't mean any subsequent kiddos will.

Make sure baby is able to nurse ASAP after birth. I have even heard of moms who will delay the whole getting weighed and wiped down thing to nurse first. Also, just because baby nurses all.the.time doesn't mean you aren't making enough or s/he isn't getting enough. Babies do that to increase your supply or to pacify themselves.

If you google breastfeeding you can come up with a million great forums with moms who are experienced with nursing and give out great advice.
Best of luck!

CrystalBlueFire · 03-19-2007, 06:26 PM

Contact your local La Leche League asap they'll be more than happy to help you with your nursing fears. Go to the next meeting so you can talk to the women in person. They can also hook you up with breastfeeding "mentor" after the baby is born while you're in the hosptal.

I nursed both my kids and it was not easy at first. It hurt alot at first but I stuck with it and I'm happy I did. There's a nursing cream you can put on your nipples to help prevent chaffing etc. Warm compressess help with the ducts.

Get the book "The Womanly Artof Breastfeeding" that helped me alot as it's a world of info.

Best of luck!

jkj123 · 03-20-2007, 02:24 PM

I tried nursing my first two children and was unsuccessful. I was determined to nurse my third...my problem seemed to be I had "flat" nipples. (Sorry TMI) A friend told me to take a regular nipple from a bottle, and place it over my nipple, and let the baby succle (sp?) that way. It drew my nipple out, and over time, we were able to go au-natural. I don't know if this will help you, but if you were like me, I was willing to try anything. PS--by doing this, your baby still gets milk through the nipple....

jdprecious · 03-20-2007, 02:28 PM

my advice is to swaddle the baby super tight while feeding.. this helps with squirming and them fighting you (which i am having an issue with currently)

if the baby has a latch problem.. i highly suggest medela nipple shields... they have worked wonders for me and jamisyn the past few days

and advice from my pediatrician i got today was ....absolutley no artificial nipples...finger feed or cup feed.. and get baby naked when you are putting her to the breast... skin to skin

KristenT · 03-21-2007, 04:54 AM

Thanks for the advice

I spoke with my Ob yesterday, and she told me that the Womens' and Babies hospital I'm going to has La Leche League consultants there who help and will also come to the house if need be. It's getting closer to the big day now (planned C section) and I'm starting to freak out about stuff.

malibu03 · 03-21-2007, 09:11 PM

Congratulations on your soon-to-be-here baby!! Since you have a scheduled c-section, I am wondering if you will go to the hospital a day or two earlier than the surgery for pre-surgical testing. That's the way we do it where I work (I'm a labor and delivery nurse). If you do go early for PST, make sure they know you want to meet with the lactation consultant, she may meet with you before the baby is due to help put you at ease.

Good Luck with the baby and breastfeeding!

MicheleS · 03-29-2007, 07:37 AM

I second the advice to go to a LLL meeting while still PG. Tell them your concerns and they will help you! Also remember that nursing in the 1st 2 weeks is HARD. I've nursed all 3 of mine and am always suprised that it is difficult to get going each time but after you pass that 2 week mark it should be smooth sailing!

Good luck!
Michele

03-18-2007, 01:06 PM	#1
KristenT MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 2,387 Gallery: KristenT WOE: Atkins Start Date: August 15 2005, restarted 12/31/07	Breastfeeding Dilemma Hi, I don't start threads very often, and I'm embarrased to admit I just found this forum,I wish I had started posting months ago in the pregnancy threads, but I've been researching my butt off, and could really use a bit of input. I want to try breastfeeding, but I'm honestly scared to death. When my daughter was born 6 years ago, I tried and tried, even had consultants come over,but we had so many problems latching on, it was extremely painful, and had to give up due to both breasts having clogged and infected milk ducts. I was too scared to try when DS was born, and I really do want to give it another try. It seems so simple and natural, and I know without a doubt it benefits the baby tremendously. If you have any tips, advice, or even words of encouragement I sure could use them right now, the more I think about it, the more I start to panic as my due date gets closer. Thanks in advance. __________________ Kristen 32 yrs old Proud Mommy of Jenna 8, Jared 7, and Jacob 1.

03-18-2007, 05:07 PM	#2
mandyhoward MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Arkansas Posts: 1,553 Gallery: mandyhoward Stats: 195.5/195.5/140-ish WOE: Atkins Start Date: 1/1/07	Every baby is different and just because one gives you fits with it doesn't mean any subsequent kiddos will. Make sure baby is able to nurse ASAP after birth. I have even heard of moms who will delay the whole getting weighed and wiped down thing to nurse first. Also, just because baby nurses all.the.time doesn't mean you aren't making enough or s/he isn't getting enough. Babies do that to increase your supply or to pacify themselves. If you google breastfeeding you can come up with a million great forums with moms who are experienced with nursing and give out great advice. Best of luck! __________________ Proud mommy of Spencer (born @ 30 weeks) and baby Jack coming in March! Wife of a soldier.

03-19-2007, 06:26 PM	#3
CrystalBlueFire MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea Posts: 1,933 Gallery: CrystalBlueFire Stats: Built for comfort, not speed.	La Leche League can help! Contact your local La Leche League asap they'll be more than happy to help you with your nursing fears. Go to the next meeting so you can talk to the women in person. They can also hook you up with breastfeeding "mentor" after the baby is born while you're in the hosptal. I nursed both my kids and it was not easy at first. It hurt alot at first but I stuck with it and I'm happy I did. There's a nursing cream you can put on your nipples to help prevent chaffing etc. Warm compressess help with the ducts. Get the book "The Womanly Artof Breastfeeding" that helped me alot as it's a world of info. Best of luck!

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03-20-2007, 02:24 PM	#4
jkj123 Senior LCF Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: West Virginia Posts: 111 Gallery: jkj123 Stats: 210/169/160 5'9'' WOE: low carb Start Date: January 2007	I tried nursing my first two children and was unsuccessful. I was determined to nurse my third...my problem seemed to be I had "flat" nipples. (Sorry TMI) A friend told me to take a regular nipple from a bottle, and place it over my nipple, and let the baby succle (sp?) that way. It drew my nipple out, and over time, we were able to go au-natural. I don't know if this will help you, but if you were like me, I was willing to try anything. PS--by doing this, your baby still gets milk through the nipple....

03-20-2007, 02:28 PM	#5
jdprecious Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: jacksonville, fl Posts: 3,831 Gallery: jdprecious Stats: (220 preg high) 199 after baby/162 now/150 goal WOE: Moderate Low Carb Start Date: Over and over since Jan 2003	my advice is to swaddle the baby super tight while feeding.. this helps with squirming and them fighting you (which i am having an issue with currently) if the baby has a latch problem.. i highly suggest medela nipple shields... they have worked wonders for me and jamisyn the past few days and advice from my pediatrician i got today was ....absolutley no artificial nipples...finger feed or cup feed.. and get baby naked when you are putting her to the breast... skin to skin

03-21-2007, 04:54 AM	#6
KristenT MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 2,387 Gallery: KristenT WOE: Atkins Start Date: August 15 2005, restarted 12/31/07	Thanks for the advice I spoke with my Ob yesterday, and she told me that the Womens' and Babies hospital I'm going to has La Leche League consultants there who help and will also come to the house if need be. It's getting closer to the big day now (planned C section) and I'm starting to freak out about stuff.

03-21-2007, 09:11 PM	#7
malibu03 Senior LCF Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: KC Posts: 265 Gallery: malibu03 Stats: 180/165/140 WOE: Atkins Start Date: March 2007	Congratulations on your soon-to-be-here baby!! Since you have a scheduled c-section, I am wondering if you will go to the hospital a day or two earlier than the surgery for pre-surgical testing. That's the way we do it where I work (I'm a labor and delivery nurse). If you do go early for PST, make sure they know you want to meet with the lactation consultant, she may meet with you before the baby is due to help put you at ease. Good Luck with the baby and breastfeeding!

03-29-2007, 07:37 AM	#8
MicheleS Senior LCF Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 79 Gallery: MicheleS	I second the advice to go to a LLL meeting while still PG. Tell them your concerns and they will help you! Also remember that nursing in the 1st 2 weeks is HARD. I've nursed all 3 of mine and am always suprised that it is difficult to get going each time but after you pass that 2 week mark it should be smooth sailing! Good luck! Michele