Is my baby getting less milk from latching on my breast poorly?

Question

Im still learning how to breastfeed..this is my first baby shes only 2 weeks old..i've been giving her straight breast and my nipples are very sore..

Answer 1

Your nipples may just still be tender because you are only two weeks into it. Is that the only reason you feel she could be latching poorly? Have you been using Lansinoh on your nipples? That will help you. Have you had baby's latch checked by a La Leche League Leader or a Lactation Consultant? A LLL Leader will help you for FREE and may even come to your home since your baby is so young.

Let's not worry about "less" milk but instead if she is getting "enough" milk. Does she have plenty of wet and dirty diapers? Is she gaining weight? It's normal for them to loose some weight in the first week, but we like to see the birthweight regained by 2 weeks of age. See the links below for good info.

Answer 2

I know what you are going through, i have three children of my own, the youngest being five months. This is the first time i have breast fed as well. I have gone through the pain that you are experiencing now and i made it through. The fact that she is latching on wrong could mean that she is getting less milk than she should, not because you are not producing enough but because where you nipples are sore when she latches on your body may be tensing up or you may be pulling away because of the pain. To alleviate some of the pain expose your breasts to the air as much as possible this will help the nipples heal, as well ask a pharmacist about a cream it is called purelan it helps the nipples to heal. When latching her on rub your finger or breast on the side of her cheak she will automatically have the reflex to open her mouth,as soon as she opens her mouth put the nipple including a fair amount of the aereola into her mouth this will prevent her from just sucking on the nipple. A baby has to compress the area around the nipple in order for them to get the milk down, also watch the side of her face when she is feeding, if you can see her jaw line moving chances are she is latched on properly, if her cheaks are being sucked in(like if you are drinking from a straw) then she is not on right, remove her from the breast and try latching her on again. She will feel better and so will you when she is on right. As well when taking her off the breast when feeding put your pinky into the corner of her mouth this will cause her moth to open and release the suction on you breast, otherwise you may be pulling her off and this can cause the soreness as well. Hang in there things will get easier the more you practice doing it.One more quick thing if the pain is really bad talk to your doctor you may have a yeast infection in your breast which is quite normal for women who breast feed. once on an antibiotic for this the pain will go away and both you and your baby will feel much better at feeding time.

Answer 3

If your nipples are very sore you are likely not getting the best latch possible.

1) Contact La Leche League and find your local meeting: www.lalecheleague.org

2) Make sure her lips are flipped out not sucked in

3) You get naked and strip the baby down to a diaper-get a warm but light blanket(s). Sit propped up in bed leaning back 30-40 degrees (if that makes sense lol) put the baby belly to your belly with her head below your breasts. Stay there for awhile she may crawl over and self latch. Repeat until you get it worked out. (Use the blankets to keep you and her warm). I wish I could find these pictures for you.

4) Ummm try a different hold

5) Really you need someone in person who can help you. If you can't find a local La Leche League find a lactation consultant or in some areas a public health nurse will come out to you.

Some good resources:
www.kellymom.com
www.askdrsears.com

Good Luck!

And stick with it, it WILL get better I promise. I had cracked nipples before I got it right. Also once the baby has head control it is much easier.

Answer 4

your baby may have a bad latch and that will cause her to remove less milk than she should and your body will start making less cuz your breasts are not stimulated enough.Call a lactation consultant or la leche league and take care of this issue quickly....great job for breastfeeding your peanut she deserves it.

Answer 5

call a lactation counselor. they'll be able to help and give you tips. they will also measure how much baby is getting. also check webmd.com