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piggy007
Mommy of 2!!
Member since 11/08 1742 total posts
Name:
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Having a hard time BFing my 4 day old DD...need advice please!
DD is 4 days old and I'm having a hard time getting her to latch on to my breasts. For every feeding I try to get her to BF...sometimes she latches on for 1 or 2 sucks, sometimes she can stay on a breast for 10minutes. She's not probably latching on and will eventually get so frustated she's not getting fed enough she starts to scream and i either supplement with formula, or have DH watch her while I go pump for 15minutes bottle feed her what I've pumped. Somtimes even what I pump is not enough for her and I have to giver her some formula.
Feedings can take me over an hour and a half, when I'm practicing BF'ing with her, that goes nowhere, I pump, feed her what I pump, and then at times have to give her some formula too.
I need some advice...its so frustating!
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Posted 5/30/10 12:12 PM  |
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mommyIam
Member since 7/09 9209 total posts
Name:
Shana
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Re: Having a hard time BFing my 4 day old DD...need advice please!
One thing I learned, that when you try to latch don't aim your nipple to the middle of her mouth, aim it to the roof of her mouth.
Think of your breast like a giant sandwich and think about how you fit a giant sandwich in your mouth, squeezing it flat and aiming for the roof of your mouth.
Also are you in a comfortable position? Make sure you have a well supported chair and can sit and nurse for long periods of time. This was crucial for me. since my DS was nursing for an hour at a time, each time, for the first 4 weeks.
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| Posted 5/30/10 12:49 PM |
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LJSMommy
Love him!
Member since 10/07 3189 total posts
Name:
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Re: Having a hard time BFing my 4 day old DD...need advice please!
I had such trouble until I got a lactation consultant to come & show what was happening. DS was about 6 days old when I did this.
Things that help ME & that she taught me:
I had flat nipples & needed a nipple shield LINK ....this helped TREMENDOUSLY for me & DS....I had no idea about them until the LC told me about it!
I ALWAYS sat on the sofa......or any good rocking chair....something supportive!
Aim the nipple at the roof of the mouth and get as much of it there as possible!
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| Posted 5/30/10 2:56 PM |
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MamaLeen
:)
Member since 10/09 4594 total posts
Name:
E
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Re: Having a hard time BFing my 4 day old DD...need advice please!
Posted by piggy007
DD is 4 days old and I'm having a hard time getting her to latch on to my breasts. For every feeding I try to get her to BF...sometimes she latches on for 1 or 2 sucks, sometimes she can stay on a breast for 10minutes. She's not probably latching on and will eventually get so frustated she's not getting fed enough she starts to scream and i either supplement with formula, or have DH watch her while I go pump for 15minutes bottle feed her what I've pumped. Somtimes even what I pump is not enough for her and I have to giver her some formula.
Feedings can take me over an hour and a half, when I'm practicing BF'ing with her, that goes nowhere, I pump, feed her what I pump, and then at times have to give her some formula too.
I need some advice...its so frustating!
I have no advice but I JUST wrote the same thing on the BF thread, I am having a similiar issue w/6 days old DS. He knows how to latch on though, sometimes he does it perfectly and 15-20 on each side but a lot of the time he gets SOO angry and frustrated and screams for over 2 hours. It's so hard, I know exactly how your feeling right now 
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| Posted 5/30/10 3:04 PM |
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Janice
Sweet Jessie Quinn
Member since 5/05 27567 total posts
Name:
Janice
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Re: Having a hard time BFing my 4 day old DD...need advice please!
 everything is still so new.
are you engorged?
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| Posted 5/30/10 3:38 PM |
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DRMom
Two in Blue
Member since 5/05 20223 total posts
Name:
Melissa
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Re: Having a hard time BFing my 4 day old DD...need advice please!
Also take your breast from the outside and cup your hand in a c shape to match the shape of her mouth, then guide it in and make sure you have a good latch, if not break it with you rpinky and try again. You can go to the La Leche League website and e-mail the leader for advice. I had 2 e-mail me back on Thanksgiving Day!
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| Posted 5/30/10 4:54 PM |
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KennysMommy
Never knew LOVE like it before
Member since 3/10 2640 total posts
Name:
Danielle
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Re: Having a hard time BFing my 4 day old DD...need advice please!
You should def listen to all the great advice already given. I wanted to add two more things:
1) invest in a $7 nipple shield (Medela makes one) to help. It'll give your DD a nipple shape like a bottle nipple but allow you to BF directly. After a while, you can slowly wean her from that. (after a week or two)
2)I don't know where you live, but there's a BFing support group that I go to in Huntington through NorthShore/LIJ. A nurse named Ethel runs it and it's VERY helpful. FM me if you need more info. She meets with everyone every Wed. from 1:30-3:30. Lots of people bring newborns too.
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| Posted 5/30/10 8:16 PM |
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shiv
Twinsanity!!
Member since 5/07 4747 total posts
Name:
Shiv
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Re: Having a hard time BFing my 4 day old DD...need advice please!
I had the same problem. My DS would not latch on and eventually we had to give him formula on day 2 because he hadn't eaten in 36 hrs. I started to pump at every feeding and eventually caught up to him and he was on all breastmilk by day 4- about 1.5 to 2 oz a feeding in the beginning. I would attempt to BF before each feeding but he would not latch and get so upset. Then on day 5 I went and bought the medela nipple shield, slipped it on and he immediately latched! I don't have flat or inverted nipples so it can be used for latch issues also. DS is 5 weeks now and I'm still using the shield, although I don't need to- he can latch without it so its more for me now than him. It hurts a lot less with the shield and I think its easier for him to control the intake with the shield- without it he coughs and spits up more. It just takes some babies time to learn how to latch.
How much milk are you pumping a feeding? Newborns don't need a lot the first couple of weeks- what you pump should be enough. Just make sure you pump at every feeding. But I would highly recommend the nipple shield- it saved us!
I'm sorry I know how frustrating and sad it can be- I was a mess before it finally all started working!
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| Posted 5/30/10 9:19 PM |
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Momma2Be
Mommy of an angel
Member since 10/09 5911 total posts
Name:
Dina
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Re: Having a hard time BFing my 4 day old DD...need advice please!
I agree with trying a nipple shield, and if you are able to work with a lactation consultant, it is so worth it. I had the same problem with DS in the beginning and I ended up pumping also.
I would also recommend not feeding DD with a bottle when you are giving the pumped milk but with a dropper or some other bottle alternative. You don't want her getting used to the bottle nipples, it may affect her ability to latch on to your breast effectively--I found this out the hard way myself.
Try not to supplement with formula and just give your pumped milk, you don't want your supply to diminish.
Most of all, keep up the good work!! I know how difficult it is but you CAN do it!! It took DS 8 weeks to finally BF effectively. I wanted to give up so many times but I'm so glad I stuck it out. Good luck
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| Posted 5/31/10 11:29 AM |
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tann22
LIF Adult
Member since 6/05 2421 total posts
Name:
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Re: Having a hard time BFing my 4 day old DD...need advice please!
Nipple shields helped me tremendously!
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| Posted 5/31/10 11:34 AM |
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MamaLeen
:)
Member since 10/09 4594 total posts
Name:
E
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Re: Having a hard time BFing my 4 day old DD...need advice please!
Posted by tracy22
Nipple shields helped me tremendously!
I just got the nipple shield today and he LATCHED like a champ!!!
I literally cried with happiness
Piggy, you should definitely try this, I was at my wits end and was just pumping and giving him BM for the past 2 days...
He drank so much that he passed out
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| Posted 5/31/10 12:22 PM |
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Porrruss
Nya nya nya
Member since 5/05 11618 total posts
Name:
Amy
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Re: Having a hard time BFing my 4 day old DD...need advice please!
Be careful with the nipple shield. It's essentially the same as a bottle and can cause confusion. It took me a very long time to get DD to latch to me rather than the shield. I cursed the day the nurse gave me one instead of just teaching me to latch.
If you are getting your little one to latch for even a few minutes, that's GREAT. It takes time for newborns to learn how to BF, just like it takes time for new mommies to learn as well.
ETA: Nipple shields can reduce supply, so make sure you pump after each feeding, even for a few minutes.
Message edited 5/31/2010 2:23:52 PM.
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| Posted 5/31/10 2:23 PM |
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piggy007
Mommy of 2!!
Member since 11/08 1742 total posts
Name:
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Re: Having a hard time BFing my 4 day old DD...need advice please!
DH went out and bought me a nipple shield. I tried it today and it worked. We breastfed for an hour and a half, but during that time we had to change a diaper and she fell asleep for part of it...and had to get her to wake up. I could tell she was still hungry afterwards because she kept putting her hands in her mouth and started to cry. She was defintely frustrated and tired from BFing so DH gave her a little formula in a bottle and she felt satisfied and she went straight to sleep!
I'll have to try the nipple shield for her nex feeding, which is very soon. Hopefully all goes well
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| Posted 5/31/10 8:51 PM |
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KellyNYC
LIF Adolescent
Member since 10/05 650 total posts
Name:
Kelly
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Re: Having a hard time BFing my 4 day old DD...need advice please!
One thing that helped me was to look at the shape of DD's mouth when she latched on. Someone told me the mouth should look like fish lips. And sure enough, every time I can tell she has a really good latch, she looks just like a little fish. They take in way more of the nipple than you think they should.
Good luck and hang in there!
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| Posted 5/31/10 8:56 PM |
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KennysMommy
Never knew LOVE like it before
Member since 3/10 2640 total posts
Name:
Danielle
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Re: Having a hard time BFing my 4 day old DD...need advice please!
I'm happy the nipple shield is working for you! I would use it for a week or so but then try to wean her from it. I would start with it and when she's actively drinking, try slipping it off and have her relatch to your breast directly. It will work only some of the time in the beginning, but over time, she'll get the hang of it. It may take a week or so to wean. BUT in the end, this is saving you the step of pumping so, it's much easier! GL!
ETA: don't always feel the need to top her off with formula either. Offer her your breast again (the other side) so that you start to make more milk. If you always supplement with formula, you won't ever produce enough to satisfy her. It's all supply and demand!
Message edited 6/1/2010 9:17:35 AM.
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| Posted 6/1/10 9:15 AM |
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SweetTooth
I'm a tired mommy!
Member since 12/05 20105 total posts
Name:
Lauren
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Re: Having a hard time BFing my 4 day old DD...need advice please!
Have you tried offering her the breast again instead of the bottle? She just may want to suck and is not necessarily hungry. You can also try a pacifier.
She will always drink from the bottle because it is easy. Giving her a paci will let her suck, which can soothe her to sleep (which is why she probably fell asleep after the bottle.)
To try to keep her from falling asleep while she is BFing, get her naked.
When you get her to latch, make sure her mouth is open wide and your entire nipple and areola are in her mouth. I never used a nipple shield, but DS had latching issues in the beginning. It took some practice, but he he became a champ!
Hang in there!
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| Posted 6/1/10 9:57 AM |
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Momma2Be
Mommy of an angel
Member since 10/09 5911 total posts
Name:
Dina
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Re: Having a hard time BFing my 4 day old DD...need advice please!
Posted by KennysMommy
I'm happy the nipple shield is working for you! I would use it for a week or so but then try to wean her from it. I would start with it and when she's actively drinking, try slipping it off and have her relatch to your breast directly. It will work only some of the time in the beginning, but over time, she'll get the hang of it. It may take a week or so to wean. BUT in the end, this is saving you the step of pumping so, it's much easier! GL!
ETA: don't always feel the need to top her off with formula either. Offer her your breast again (the other side) so that you start to make more milk. If you always supplement with formula, you won't ever produce enough to satisfy her. It's all supply and demand!
ITA with this. You have to be careful supplementing with formula, you don't want your supply to decrease. Easier said than done, I know. But the good news is that you saw an improvement. It will get easier as time goes by, I promise. Keep up the good work!!
PS. My DS used to nurse for over an hour and a half also and still be hungry because he'd end up falling asleep on the breast. My LC recommended tickling him under his chin or his feet to get him sucking again and if that didn't work, wipe his face with a cool, wet tissue.
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| Posted 6/1/10 2:08 PM |
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