Before I jump out a window....I need BF help!

I'm very sorry if this is lengthy but I have been up all night researching and re-reading my books and I'm at my wits end.....This has been getting harder and harder. I enjoyed BFing so much in the hospital and shortly after. Unfortunately, I had to introduce formula for jaundice and I think it's all gone downhill since.

I have seen an LC (Beverley in Manhasset) and she has been helpful. She told me though that the larger flange on the breast pump may not be so good because it won't be stimulating enough for let-down. Until then, my breasts are SO sore, they almost feel bruised making any let down difficult and pumping awful. I barely get an ounce anyway.

Another problem is that DD is a VERY VERY sleepy baby and barely makes it through a feeding. Then cries when I take her off. Again, milk supply isn't what it should be and pumping is useless.

Yet ANOTHER thing is that I still supplement with a tiny bit of formula at night (sometimes a little after I nurse and one full feeding she gets formula). I'm told this may be contributing to her laziness I just can't let her starve!

Please share your insight, especially if you have been in this situation and gotten through it, I'd really appreciate it

Re: Before I jump out a window....I need BF help!

Don't give up.

My DD would not nurse at all for 2 weeks; so I began pumping & feeding her w/ the bottle. She would either always fall asleep at the breast or cry her eyes out.

She took the bottle & I'd try nursing once-twice a day when we were both calm.

Then about 2-3 weeks into it, I kept trying & she'd latch on no problem & would stay awake.

At the hospital they told me to undress her (if she's sleepy) or play w/ her feet.

Be sure to use Lanolin cream on your breasts after nursing.

It will get better

ETA: in the beginning I was only getting maybe 2 ounces, now at nearly 4 months I get 8-11 oz. per pumping session. My supply really increased around 5-6 weeks. Try eating oatmeal for breakfast or Fenugreek capsules to increase your supply.

Message edited 10/23/2007 6:24:45 AM.

Re: Before I jump out a window....I need BF help!

Posted by SweetCin

Don't give up.

My DD would not nurse at all for 2 weeks; so I began pumping & feeding her w/ the bottle. She would either always fall asleep at the breast or cry her eyes out.

She took the bottle & I'd try nursing once-twice a day when we were both calm.

Then about 2-3 weeks into it, I kept trying & she'd latch on no problem & would stay awake.

At the hospital they told me to undress her (if she's sleepy) or play w/ her feet.

Be sure to use Lanolin cream on your breasts after nursing.

It will get better

ETA: in the beginning I was only getting maybe 2 ounces, now at nearly 4 months I get 8-11 oz. per pumping session. My supply really increased around 5-6 weeks. Try eating oatmeal for breakfast or Fenugreek capsules to increase your supply.

Re: Before I jump out a window....I need BF help!

just wanted to send some hugs you way as i have no advice

hang in there

Re: Before I jump out a window....I need BF help!

My first piece of advice that was given to me was the best- don't give up before 3 weeks. Something happens around that time that makes it easier.

Oh, and when I first started using the breast pump (at 4 weeks), my breasts were so sore!! I remember those days. Its just part of breastfeeding.

For the first month, Jordana fell asleep at every feeding. I was so worried. But the nurses told me that if she is making diapers and gaining weight at her doctor's visits, she was fine. Jordana grew up to be a very healthy child.

Its hard. We are taught that breastfeeding is natural, so we think its easy. Its not. it hurts like helll and we have challenges. But you can do it!!

How old is your DC? Maybe you should stop pumping for a little while and just work on nursing?

Re: Before I jump out a window....I need BF help!

Re: Before I jump out a window....I need BF help!

Bumping, really asking for help/support here.

Re: Before I jump out a window....I need BF help!

I quit right at the 2 week spot and I wish I had kept on trying....like the ladies said, it gets easier.

Re: Before I jump out a window....I need BF help!

Once you reach the 4 week mark, trust me you will see a change. That was the turning point for me. Before then I felt the same way. I was tired, stressed, cried eveyrthing. I wanted to give up. But I am so happy that I didnt. Hang in there. Just keep pumping and putting her to the breast.

Re: Before I jump out a window....I need BF help!

The first 4-6 weeks are the hardest but it gets better. I had problems with DD#2 around 3 weeks and I would nurse her practically all day long and did not pump, as long as she can latch she needs to suck to help your supply increase. Just make sure she has enough wet and dirty diapers. When I did begin pumping around 10 weeks I used the larger flange on the pump becuase it was to painful to use the standard one.

Re: Before I jump out a window....I need BF help!

Hang in there they DO get better around a month or so. Keep letting her eat when she is hungry - but keep in mind if she is sucking on her hands etc she might just be doing it to suck and not because she is hungry. DD did that.

Re: Before I jump out a window....I need BF help!

I must advocate for the Medela pump here...it comes with a soft personal-fit shield that adjusts to your breasts and makes the pumping and let-down so much more easier...my DS nursed like crazy starting at 3 weeks so give it some time...she will be going through a grow spurt soon and will want to be fed more and more often. I don't think introducing the formula has contributed to your problem...you can always pump when you're bottle feeding. I skip the pumping here and there and when I do pump, I just have a larger milk supply for later (which makes night feedings easier).
As for the pain, I would apply the Lansinoh cream after every feeding and try to take a warm shower...it does wonder for when I have sore or engorged bbs.

Hope things get better soon...and if you have to FF then let it be so...things don't always happen the way we want them to...but don't give BF easily.

Re: Before I jump out a window....I need BF help!

its going to get better

I had a very strong supply with a very sleepy baby, I was engorged for the first 2 weeks. One day, he just woke up and decided to really eat. I rented a hospital pump and used a bottle...the LC suggested that him nursing so closely made him extra tired, so bottlefeeding seemed a little colder and less comfy.

Re: Before I jump out a window....I need BF help!

I understand too, ds wouldn't latch on right away at all, it took about 2 full weeks of H E L L till it got better. Dont give up on the pumping either, even though you aren't getting a bunch out, it'll help with the milk supply to maybe come in a bit faster. Also try some hot compresses or a hot shower. I supplemented in the beginning too i'd let him nurse, then gave him an ounce of or 2 of formula depending! It gets easier dont stress! Good Luck