The nurse at the hospital showed me how to breastfeed but I am stil having trouble with it. I have tried over 40 times but my little girl cant latch on. Im afrad that she will die if she doesn't get anything. Any tips??????????
2006-09-18 18:02:11 · 16 answers · asked by Jess _New_Mommy 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
And i dont want to formula feed
2006-09-18 18:04:21 · update #1
she is 4 days old and she could only get a little bit. There is a hospital near by but it is 5 hours away. My family lives ages away from a hospital so a nurse wont b able 2 come
2006-09-18 18:09:39 · update #2
I'd say that you need to head to your local urgent care or doctor's office. It's a hassle, but you'll sleep better knowing that you've gotten professional advice. I hope she starts getting the hang of things soon :)
2006-09-18 18:04:09 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
keep trying! Don't give up. You can always call the hospital. They usually have lactation specialists for new mothers, and I'm sure they'd meet with you to help you. If they don't think it's possible, they will refer you to a doctor. How old is your baby? If she is not eating anything at all, and it's been more than 3 days, be seen, or start feeding her something else. Babies are born with enough reserve to last 3 days without feeding (for the mom's milk to come in) If she is eating a little bit, and it doesn't seem like enough for you to consider eating, you'd be amazed at how little it takes at the beginning! If you're unsure, call the hospital or your doctor. I'm sure it's not the first time they've had the question.
2006-09-18 18:07:04 · answer #2 · answered by Mrs. Lucky 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
If you're really worried about her not getting enough, go to your local grocery store and buy some little paper cups, or a flexible silicone cup, like the size you'd put in a bathroom dispenser. Hand-pump some milk, and feed your baby with the cup. She can sip as you keep the milk towards the edge of the cup. Or if you don't feel you can do that well, try dripping it in with a simple medicine dropper. Either method helps to prevent the baby from getting accustomed to bottle nipples. This is good to prevent nipple confusion, but also, as you may know, infants who are breast-fed, or cup-fed, to age 2 rarely need orthodontic treatment later in life.
If your baby is wetting 8+ diapers a day, she's actually getting enough, even though it may look like a bad latch. But, the way they say is best is to tilt baby so that her lower lip and chin area are making full contact with her skin, and she looks kind of like she's got her forehead tipped backwards away from the nipple.
Contact your local La Leche League for help on getting your baby to latch on. They may have somebody in your area, or they may be able to help talk you through it. www.lalecheleague.org is the website. You can call or request help with an online form.
If there's no La Leche League member in your area, and you really need some live, in-person help, contact your doctor, or your baby's doctor. A woman in their offices may have enough knowledge to help you out. Or, contact a church or religious group in your area, and ask them for help. I know our church is loaded with grandmotherly types who know about these kinds of things, and would be happy to help out, whether you're a member of their organization or not.
Nursing a baby is a learned art, not an inborn skill, and you've probably grown up in a place where you've never really seen a woman do this, so don't take it personally that you're having trouble. Just about everybody has trouble getting the hang of it.
2006-09-18 18:26:26 · answer #3 · answered by Gen 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a hospital is 5 hours away?? Wow you may need to supplement some formula because she needs to eat. My son had a hard time so I supplemented formula. Have you tried pumping and feeding her through the bottle some just to get food in her system? It my son a good month to learn it. It was so frustrating but we worked hard and he got it but if she is real hungry she won't want to breast feed because it so much harder and she will get mad trying to get the milk out. We also would sprinkle formula around the breast so my son could taste the milk then he would latch on better. You need a lacatation consultant to help you. Good luck.
2006-09-18 20:23:15 · answer #4 · answered by anjelahoy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow, where do you live that the closest hospital is 5 hours away??? You need to take your daughter to the pediatrician or to the hospital (no matter how far it is) b/c there is a chance she can get dehydrated; which is extremely dangerous for an infant. I understand your intense desire to breastfeed, but it's not always possible for every woman and every baby. If you do end up needing to switch to formula, it makes you no less of a woman. And a formula fed baby is better than a dehydrated, hospitalized baby.
2006-09-18 19:24:59 · answer #5 · answered by Marie K 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First CALM DOWN. Go to a quiet place, take your whole top off, sit as upright as possible get your boppy or pillows situated and start with the cradle hold. Baby across you tummy to tummy. Your hand closest to your breast you need to hold your breast thumb the same place as babys nose fingers towards the chin around 2 inches back from your nipple (on the dark part), you will gently compress your nipple so it squishes kinda flat. Your other hand should be behind the babys head. Bring the baby into your breast chin pointing to your breast and SHOVE the nipple in there. You can try gently rubbing your nipple on the babys chin to get her to open wide. Its hard at first but you have to teach the baby to latch and if you dont know how its harder. If you cant do it try 2 oz of formula and call the hosptial you delivered at they will set you up with a lactation consultant. Just relax and keep trying. Good luck hon, The hormones SUCK right now too. You will get it and look back at this in a month or so and think wow look how far i've come. Also as long as she is peeing and pooping you are fine. Try Kellymom.com for photo examples of how to latch and advice on how to get started.
2006-09-18 18:15:14 · answer #6 · answered by shannonlbuck 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Ohhh keep working on it girly! At least you are still trying! I had a baby 7 weeks ago and I had the same issue, and they said something about a baby isn't designed to work for their food when they are that little, so its better if your let-down is really good so the milk is RIGHT there for the baby to get. Was she premature at all? My daughter was 3 weeks premature and that created a bit more of a problem for b/feeding, so they say.
But don't give up! I'm proud of you for keeping at it! Your baby will not die. My daughter is 7wks old and is mainly bottle-fed but before *every* feeding and even inbetween I put her to my breast. She gets SOME, and I've been pumping in between to try and get my supply built up. Good luck girl and enjoy your baby!
2006-09-18 18:44:38 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It takes time for them to learn to latch on properly and since each person is different, it can take some longer than others. One thing to remember is if YOU are upset or anxious while trying to get her to feed, she will sense it and have trouble. Make sure you are calm before you begin breastfeeding. Go into a quiet room or play soothing instrumental music if you need to. Then slowly get her into position and begin touching her lips to you. Again, don't get upset if she doesn't latch right on, but keep trying. Sometimes it helps to tickle their nose or upper lip and cause them to open their mouth, then put the nipple in. If you still can't get her to eat, call your doctors office or your local Le Leche League. The doctor may want to see her to check her. The League may be able to send someone to your home to help you.
You can find the Le Leche League by going to:
www.lelecheleague.org
2006-09-18 18:20:51 · answer #8 · answered by jigsawinc 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well I would say go to your local er and see if they can help you.
with my first he had trouble latching on cause he was so small and my nipples are soo big. and i had to pump to feed him and then I dryed up and couldnt feed him anymore so I had to go to formula. I would say to keep a can of unopened powerd formula in the house at all times incase you find you have dryed up and cant feed her to avoid trying to send out at 2 am for some because she cant feed off you. (been there)
some women just cant breast feed! and others it takes time. all I can say is hang in there as long as possible and seek a doctors or nurses advice.
2006-09-18 18:13:41 · answer #9 · answered by naightengale 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She will not die. Sometimes it could take a couple weeks for the baby to get it right. It took my daughter almost 2 weeks to get the hang of it. As long as she is getting something, she should be fine. If you are still worried, try pumping some for her. Plus, they have nurses that you can always call upon. Hope all works out.
2006-09-18 18:05:11 · answer #10 · answered by staysee921 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Oh, I'm so sorry you are going through this. Please don't give up on nursing. Look in your phone book and get the number of a lactation consultant immediately. You can email me and I will give you the name of my lactation consultant and you could call her for advise.
Your pediatrician may have the name of a good lactation consultant.
Also, tilt your baby's head back and latch her on like a bottle opener. Make sure her mouth is very wide and taking in most of the aeriola (sp).
Good-luck--and don't give up!
xoxo
MORE: Please update to let us know how you are doing.
2006-09-18 18:13:10 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋