Can I give a second thought to breastfeeding?

[missjess]

I had given up breastfeeding on the second day of my hospital stay because my nipples were feeling so sore and my breast wouldn't express much.

Now I've got massive breast and they leak like a faucet so I'm guessing there is a lot of milk in there, maybe it'll be easier this time to feed him properly. My nipples are still a bit sore, but I was thinking of trying to breastfeed in the beggining of next week. Would it be too late??

I also drank a beer last night... Is that gonna affect my milk if I start breastfeeding on monday?

Thanks in advance !!!!

 

[marley2580]

Go for it, it'll be hard work and will take a wee while to build up your supply, but just let him comfort suck and that'll do it. The sooner you start the better though. A beer won't affect your milk at all really, it's only if you get drunk that it's a problem.
What I would say is that your nipples will likely get sore again, it can take weeks for everything to settle down, but once it does it's fab.

 

[Margerle]

yah go for it!

your nipples will get used to it

 

[luckyme225]

I would try using lanolin for your nipples or soothies gel pads.

 

[lulu0504]

You could even try nipple shields if it gets too painful. Gotta love breastfeeding, so easy! No worrying about measuring out and warming bottles just stick em on and go. Good luck to ya and hopefully you get on great with it.

 

[missjess]

Thanks girls... I have a lactation nurse coming this morning, I've tried to breastfeed last night but he was very frustrated and wouldn't stop crying. Took soo long for him to latch on. He much prefers the bottle to the breast !

 

[marley2580]

The reason for that is that babies have to work to get milk from the breast, while the milk flows from bottles. He's still young enough to switch back though

 

[Samantha675]

I would say go for it, totally. Also you might look into a local La Leche group. From my understanding they can be a huge help when you run into problems BFing.

 

[Margerle]

The reason for that is that babies have to work to get milk from the breast, while the milk flows from bottles. He's still young enough to switch back though

I would say go for it, totally. Also you might look into a local La Leche group. From my understanding they can be a huge help when you run into problems BFing.

Resounding yes on both these points!

 

[bigbelly2]

well perserverence (SP) is what my mom would say *irritating isnt it lol*

good luck what ever you decide, youll know whats right for both of you

how are you gettin on by the way, have things kind of settled into a routine?

i bet your lovin it!!

h x

 

[missjess]

Well the breastfeeding specialist was really helpful and supportive, it was a success! I'm just gonna go with the pumping for now, but at least he's getting GREAT milk

 

[Samantha675]

That is great news Jess. My MW did a big lecture this week and last about BFing, methods, and such. She really made a point to say, 'this is NOT easy, you both have to work at it. The baby really has to work to bring in your milk. You have to really work at positioning the baby, and making sure not to feed in the same position each time. Patience was the biggest key, especially when the baby was fussy about the boob, and not latching on.' But she did say how worth it BFing is, as she BF'ed each of her children for several years. I really wish you the best of luck, I am so excited about BFing, and really hope my LO and I can work together to make it happen.

 

[kookie]

thats great jess it does get easier and all the pain at the start is worth it at the end good luck.

 

[Simon'sMum]

I wish you all the best with breastfeeding. Things didn't work out for us at the hospital and I basically had to stop. The nurses worried me about him not feeding well enough and with the fact that he was a preemie they made things seem impossible. I came home with bottles and cried everyday for months because of that. It never occured to me (nor was it suggested!) that I could try again in a few days. I wish I had. Whatever happens, you've tried different things and won't have any regrets. I wish I had been on BNB when this happened!!! Good luck to you and your beautiful LO.

 

[AquaDementia]

I had to take a break from it today because my nipples were too sore, and she just refuses to latch on to the left side. She wouldn't do it in the hospital at all!
I had to ask for temporary formula and today I purchased a pump because my boobs got so full I thought I was gonna die.

 

[Wobbles]

Good luck Aqua. My Caitlin would not latch on at the hospital or home

x

 

[missjess]

I had to take a break from it today because my nipples were too sore, and she just refuses to latch on to the left side. She wouldn't do it in the hospital at all!
I had to ask for temporary formula and today I purchased a pump because my boobs got so full I thought I was gonna die.

When my milk first came in, I thought my boobs were gonna to explode.. !!
Got a pump and I LOVE pumping... I know the exact amount Josh drinks and it really makes me feel more secure to know he's got enough.

Any of you got any tips on how to produce more? Seems like I can't express more than about 4-6 onz a day... ! I try to pump every 2-3 hours, but it doesn't come out as much as the first pump of the morning.

 

[kookie]

thats great that your enjoying it just keep your fluids up and your supply should increase as he starts to need more also express through the night if your not already sounds like your doing a great job though.

 

[Margerle]

Many women never get as much milk pumping as they would if they fed baby... but to increase your milk, try eating whole grain oatmeal and a single beer also helps bring milk in.

Fenugreek also aids in production of milk, you can make a tea or just add it to oatmeal or whatever.

Plus stimulation of the breast/nipple will increase production. Keep trying to latch baby on, the stimulation itself will help produce more.

 

[BurtonBaby]

I had to take a break from it today because my nipples were too sore, and she just refuses to latch on to the left side. She wouldn't do it in the hospital at all!
I had to ask for temporary formula and today I purchased a pump because my boobs got so full I thought I was gonna die.

Erica wouldn't latch very well in the hospital either, but we started to get the hang of it at home. She still has trouble latching to my left side sometimes too, but I will just switch back and forth if she is having trouble. If we start on the left and she has trouble I'll go to the right, and then switch back. Maybe a different position might work better for Mia on the left side? Erica was pretty picky for a while about how she would feed. Now she can pretty much do it in any position, but it took a while. Good luck, and both of you girls, try not to give up if its something you want to do.