Need advice New Mom and Breastfeeding

Hello Ladies,

Being a new mommy of a 3 week old I have been breastfeeding. But the first week had issue with latching on and sore bleeding nipples stuck thru it and now at 3 weeks old I feel I do not produce enough milk. I had to start pumping my one side because of cracked nipple and now I only get out if lucky 1-2 oz and I try to pump at least 2-4 times a day. I have to start giving her formula which upsets me but I have to feed my child.

Can any one recommend there formula the predatricican gave me similac sensitive?? How is that formula?

Thanks ladies just needed to vent and I still want to give her breast milk but I think I will have to start to give formula as her main source of food now. By 3 weeks you should feel a let down of your milk right? I never have that feeling.as soon as I take her off the breast for almost 20 mins her hands are right back into her mouth like she is hungry again.

Re: Need advice New Mom and Breastfeeding

DO NOT use how much you get from a pumping session to gauge how much your baby is getting. I have always been a terrible pumper. I never get more than a couple of ounces from each breast. The first few weeks I was so stressed out by this, constantly worrying if they were getting enough. The ped was happy with their weight gain, and they were doing well, so I knew they were getting enough. I stopped pumping for about a month, and I felt so much more relaxed after that.
I DID have to start supplementing DS at four months because he lost weight. This wasn't because my supply was low - DD was doing fine - but because he had some other issues that prevented him from nursing well.
Now they are both very happy, healthy babies at 6 months old. I STILL only pump a few ounces at one session, but thats just the way my body is.

Is your DD gaining weight? Is your ped happy with her weight gain? Is she happy? These things are the telling factor of how much she is getting, not how much you pump, or her putting her hands in her mouth. Babies put their hands in their mouths just because they can. It doesn't necessarily mean they are hungry (or teething), even though everyone will say "OH she must be hungry."

ANd I RARELY feel let down while I am feeding them. I remember in the beginning DH and I were reading the breastfeeding books and he read out loud the part about let down and I worried I didn't feel that. But my milk WAS letting down and my babies were eating.

Listen for swallowing while you are nursing. If she is swallowing, she is eating. Look for the suck-suck-pause motion of her jaw. WHen she pauses she is swallowing - which means she is eating.

I just re-read your post and pumping 1-2oz per breast every few hours is a totally normal amount.
If you want to start feeding your DD formula, then there is no problem with that. However, from your post, you sound upset that you think you have to do this.
I think a lot of moms think like you - they don't have enough milk so they need to give formula, when in reality, they don't.

I wouldn't give it up. If she is gaining weight, and is happy, she is doing fine.

Re: Need advice New Mom and Breastfeeding

Re: Need advice New Mom and Breastfeeding

Don't give up! My ped said that as long as DS was nursing well for ten minutes per side he was getting enough. At first I was only pumping about 1-2 oz also but by month two I was getting 3 or 4. My left breast always produced more milk.

Re: Need advice New Mom and Breastfeeding

I am new at this too but I agree with the previous posters if the ped is happy with her weight gain then she is doing well.

I usually only nurse DS on one side and he is satisfied. When I do pump I get about the same amount as you between 1 to 3 ounces but usually around 2. It sounds like that is average for pumping.

Good luck whatever you decide

Re: Need advice New Mom and Breastfeeding

Like the previous poster said.. don't let the amount of milk you pump scare you. I have never been a good pumper and DD gained weight fine.

There is a nipple cream.. lansinoh by medela that helped me a lot in the beginning.. Also make sure that the baby is not latching on to your nipple. Their lips should look sort of like a fish. In the beginning I would fix DD's bottom lip with my finger to open up more.

Everyone's let down is different too. I feel mine sometimes more than others and a friend of mine doesn't feel hers at all.

Despite all that.. it can be stressful and it's not for everyone. It worked out for DD and I, but like you said.. you have to feed your child. Try not to let it stress you out so much. If you have any questions.. everyone here is very helpful and supportive.

Also.. it takes a while for both of you to get used to things. DD was great the first few weeks, but then it got a little challenging. I stuck through it and when my supply evened out and DD got used to things, everything sort of fell into place.

Lastly... I really worried because DD is a very fast eater. She only eats for about 3-4 min on each side. I was worried that I didn't get enough but PEd said that as long as she is gaining weight, she is an efficient eater.

Good luck!!!

Re: Need advice New Mom and Breastfeeding

Dont give up. It will hurt for the first month and then trust me will get better. The benefits will outweigh the pain. Buy Lasinoh cream for your nips. Also if u are pumping that much at 3 weeks u are doing well. Just keep putting baby to the breast when hungry. The reason why your nips are sore is because they need a chance to harden and get used to the babies suckling all of the time. Also join a support group that really helped me. I joined the La Leche support group and i think i would have given up without them. Once you get the hang of it you and your baby will love it! Good Luck

Re: Need advice New Mom and Breastfeeding

Thanks ladies for the support I"m not giving up just yet. I did relax yesterday and gave my boobs a break and just pumped both sides and get 4 oz total so that was one bottle for her and then also supplementing with formula which is working out so far. At least I know I have other options. thanks again
Denise

Re: Need advice New Mom and Breastfeeding

Everyone has given you great advice already. DS was born 6 lbs. 10 ounces and dropped down to 6 lbs. 4 ounces. He gained steadily, even though at times it was small. He is now almost 9 months old and has only been breastfed (never had formula). I don't always feel my letdown and am not a great pumper. As long as your DD is eating and the ped. is happy, she is good. Kudos to you for keeping at it!