kdmalk
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I have had a bit of trouble nursing him on the right since day 1, but we managed.
Baby has terrible jaundice, so we ended up having to supplement to make sure he was getting enough to help clear it up. Once we introduced the bottle, he got so lazy about nursing that he completely quit. He would just sit at my chest and scream bloody murder. After about 24 hours of having to pump and feed every 2 hours, I couldn't stand the constant dishes and amount of time and prep to feed him just once, so I resolved to return to exclusively BFing and only supplementing when absolutely necessary.
The problem is that LO will not latch on the right side whatsoever now. My nipple is a little flatter on that side, but he was able to deal with that before. And now we have the issue of him literally pushing and launching himself off my breast just when he might get a good latch. And I can't get him positioned right AND hold his hand out of the way AND position my giant boob in the right spot. And he will fall asleep if I swaddle him to keep his arms out of the way. He is almost impossible to keep awake at the breast. I got a nipple shield from the hospital, but that flailing arm of his will knock it off every time while I am trying to adjust everything else. So it is completely useless and just makes both of us more upset.
I went to the lactation consultant just today and got everything worked out. My first sentence at the door was that everything people showed me at the hospital just stopped working at home. So we got comfortable with some easy holds, he latched like a champ, and we went home with some hope. And now we are back to taking only one side and screaming bloody murder on the right. Both of us are so frustrated. And I am back to having to feed him on the left only and then pump the right side, which is already starting to produce less. I always offer the right first now to try and encourage him when he is hungry, but no luck.
Hubby has been so fantastic through all this and just completely crushed me by questioning why I can't just make it work after so many people have showed me what to do. I explained that breastfeeding wasn't as simple as just putting the baby up there and everything being all magic and rainbows and he seems to believe that I am crazy. He thinks that it's like building a piece of furniture with instructions and that if you follow the instructions, you will build a piece of perfect furniture. After sitting here listening to LO scream each time for 15 minutes or more when I offer the right breast, you might think he would understand that it isn't that simple. I don't cry and he almost had me in tears when he questioned me like I just wasn't trying hard enough.
*update on this:* he apologized shortly thereafter. He felt absolutely terrible. We talked about it and he understands that encouragement is the best way to help me be successful. We have had 2 SUCCESSFUL feeds since then and dh has been great about offering to help in any way possible. I feel much better about him understanding why I am struggling after our chat!
So the real question... What do I do? Do I let one side dry up and just use the left and be lopsided on size? do I keep trying and pumping one side? I just don't know what to do. Help!!!!!
Baby has terrible jaundice, so we ended up having to supplement to make sure he was getting enough to help clear it up. Once we introduced the bottle, he got so lazy about nursing that he completely quit. He would just sit at my chest and scream bloody murder. After about 24 hours of having to pump and feed every 2 hours, I couldn't stand the constant dishes and amount of time and prep to feed him just once, so I resolved to return to exclusively BFing and only supplementing when absolutely necessary.
The problem is that LO will not latch on the right side whatsoever now. My nipple is a little flatter on that side, but he was able to deal with that before. And now we have the issue of him literally pushing and launching himself off my breast just when he might get a good latch. And I can't get him positioned right AND hold his hand out of the way AND position my giant boob in the right spot. And he will fall asleep if I swaddle him to keep his arms out of the way. He is almost impossible to keep awake at the breast. I got a nipple shield from the hospital, but that flailing arm of his will knock it off every time while I am trying to adjust everything else. So it is completely useless and just makes both of us more upset.
I went to the lactation consultant just today and got everything worked out. My first sentence at the door was that everything people showed me at the hospital just stopped working at home. So we got comfortable with some easy holds, he latched like a champ, and we went home with some hope. And now we are back to taking only one side and screaming bloody murder on the right. Both of us are so frustrated. And I am back to having to feed him on the left only and then pump the right side, which is already starting to produce less. I always offer the right first now to try and encourage him when he is hungry, but no luck.
Hubby has been so fantastic through all this and just completely crushed me by questioning why I can't just make it work after so many people have showed me what to do. I explained that breastfeeding wasn't as simple as just putting the baby up there and everything being all magic and rainbows and he seems to believe that I am crazy. He thinks that it's like building a piece of furniture with instructions and that if you follow the instructions, you will build a piece of perfect furniture. After sitting here listening to LO scream each time for 15 minutes or more when I offer the right breast, you might think he would understand that it isn't that simple. I don't cry and he almost had me in tears when he questioned me like I just wasn't trying hard enough.
*update on this:* he apologized shortly thereafter. He felt absolutely terrible. We talked about it and he understands that encouragement is the best way to help me be successful. We have had 2 SUCCESSFUL feeds since then and dh has been great about offering to help in any way possible. I feel much better about him understanding why I am struggling after our chat!
So the real question... What do I do? Do I let one side dry up and just use the left and be lopsided on size? do I keep trying and pumping one side? I just don't know what to do. Help!!!!!
