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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 46 TX, USA!
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OP
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 46 TX, USA! |
Hi All,
I am not sure where to start here. I want to breastfeed my new baby, due in Feb., but am worried that I will have trouble like I did with my son. I tried to breastfeed him for over two weeks, but apparently my milk never came in and he was starving, we had to switch to a bottle. Our ped actually said to just supplement once in a while, but once he started on a bottle he never went back.
My question is, how can I make sure my breast milk will come in? Is there anything I can do now, or closer to my due date, that will help ensure I have breast milk for my baby? I am also concerned about the pain involved. I guess with Brennan since my milk never really came in he was maybe sucking harder then he would normally have to, therefore causing me an excrutiating amount of pain. Is that normal? I was miserable for several weeks even after he stopped.
Any help anyone can give me would be more appreciated then you can even imagine. I have always felt guilty about not being able to breastfeed Brennan and want to make sure that I do everything possible to give this one every chance possible.
Thanks!
Barbi
Mom to Brennan (www.geocities.com\outside26)
Cautiously expecting #2 - 2/4/04
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Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,176
extra helpful experienced member
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extra helpful experienced member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,176 |
lBarbi,
It may have not been you. Breastfeeding should not hurt. Your son might have had a bad latch that did not allow for proper stimulation of your breasts. There is nothing you can do til your baby is born. If you are worried about it. I would get a lact-aid just in case. Then make sure you see a LC at the hospital for a proper latch. If your milk is slow coming in.. then you can supliment with the lact-aid at the breast. Stay away from bottles. You can also pump between feedings after your baby is born to help bring in your supply
Adoptive mommy to 4 , Last 2 adopted nursed. Youngest nursed till she was 5! Raising 2 grandbabies, as infants they were raised on donor breast milk 
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 135 Idaho
experienced member
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experienced member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 135 Idaho |
Barbi, It does sound like your first baby was not sucking properly. Any pain of breast-feeding should go away within 20 seconds of baby latching on--if it lasts the whole feeding, something is wrong with the latch-on. The baby should not have a purse-lipped look like he is sucking on a straw, but rather sucking with a wide-open mouth, taking in your nipple as well as part of the areola and breast. The best thing you can do is find a lactation consultant in your town to meet with once before birth, and then get assistance from her once your baby comes. She will get you off to a good start--I bet if you get your baby sucking right, you will have a much better supply this time around. It is darned hard to produce milk if baby is sucking poorly and you are in misery. Best Wishes for great success this time around!!!!!
Mary in Idaho, mom to 7, including 2 from Korea, and Emily Zion (1�) coming home from Ethiopia in February!
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Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 272
extra helpful experienced member
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extra helpful experienced member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 272 |
You should read Dr Newman's book, The Breastfeeding Book of Answers. It talks about all kinds of problems, and how to fix them. And definitely talk to a lactaction consultant when the baby is born. If the one at the hospital isn't very helpful, find one through La Leche League. Often, the consultant at the hospital is just the nurse who knows more than the other nurses. They don't necessarily have any training, which may, unfortunately, mean they don't know how to fix many problems.
wife to Jim, mommy to Daphne and Jeran and Jalen
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Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,347 Canada
extra helpful experienced member
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extra helpful experienced member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,347 Canada |
Hi Barbi, I'm sending you a private message too because I want to be sure that you get this. As the other ladies said, breastfeeding should not hurt. If your son was "sucking too hard" it means he was only on the nipple, not on the breast and therefore not withdrawing your milk adequately. The BEST thing you can do is get in touch with a board certified lactation consultant. You can find one here www.iblce.org. Just click on either the US Registry or the International one depending on where you're located. Once she assists you with latch and positioning it will be as if a new day has dawned. Please keep us posted. Fondly,
Lenore Goldfarb, Ph.D.,CCC,IBCLC
Wife to Rob, Mom to Adam aged 13, and Ethan aged 9, both born via GS and breastfed via Regular Newman-Goldfarb Protocol.
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