Has anyone experienced problems breastfeeding?

Question

im 33 weeks and afraid that I wont make enough milk plus people keep telling me that size im an A cup, it will be impossible to get the baby to latch on.

Answer 1

Don't anticipate problems that haven't happened yet. Read up on breastfeeding and see if your ob/gyn or midwife can put you in touch with a lactation consultant who can talk to you about your concerns. See what happens (both you and the baby may catch on right away!) If there are problems, I'm sure a lactation consultant can give you advise.

My second child had some initial problems with latching, but he caught on soon enough. Had a terrible time weaning him though! Didn't want to give it up!

Answer 2

Breastfeeding can be harder than it looks. I have 2 kids, I had trouble with the first one latching on (I'm a D cup) but I didn't have any problems at all with the second one. Don't let anyone tell you that your breast size will cause you problems. That is not true. You have milk duct inside the breast that carry the milk. I've never heard of anyone being too small to breast feed. Plus when the milk comes in your breast will get bigger. Talk to your doctor and see if they can recommend a lactation consultant. Congratulations on your baby. I hope that the breastfeeding will go well for you. Remember that it is best for your baby and even if it is a little difficult at first keep trying. But if for some reason you find you are unable to breast feed don't beat yourself up and don't let anyone make you feel bad about your decision.

Answer 3

Don't listen to the naysayers. Small breasted women have nursed babies for centuries, size is no indicator of milk supply or ability for a baby to lacth. if you have a nipple, you can nurse a baby.

Answer 4

Most hospitals have lactating nurses that will help you learn how to breast feed right. There are some causes where a women don't have a milk supply. I was one of them.
My breast are far apart from each other B cup. I was a C cup when younger.

It will be hard at first but give it time, it will all work out for the best. Below are some helpful information over breast feeding.




Get an early start: Nursing should begin within an hour after delivery, if possible, when an infant is awake and the sucking instinct is strong. Even though the mother won't be producing milk yet, her breasts contain colostrum, a thin fluid that contains antibodies to disease. It normally takes several days before the let-down reflex in your milk glands occurs. So don't be discouraged, particularly if you're a first-time mom.


Proper positioning: The baby's mouth should be wide open, with the nipple as far back into the mouth as possible. This minimizes soreness for the mother. A nurse, midwife or other knowledgeable person can help the baby find a comfortable nursing position.


Nurse on demand: Newborns need to nurse at least every two hours and not on any strict schedule. This will stimulate the mother's breasts to produce plenty of milk. Later, the baby can settle into a more predictable routine. But because breast milk is more easily digested than formula, breastfed babies often eat more frequently than bottle-fed babies. Don't worry if your baby loses weight during the first week of life. It is mostly water, and babies are designed to lose weight at first.


No supplements: Nursing babies don't need sugar water or formula supplements. These may interfere with their appetite for nursing, which can lead to a diminished milk supply. The more the baby nurses, the more milk the mother will produce.


Delay artificial nipples: It's best to wait a week or two before introducing a pacifier, so that the baby doesn't get confused. Artificial nipples require a different sucking action than real ones. Sucking at a bottle could also confuse some babies in the early days. They, too, are learning how to breastfeed.


Air dry: In the early postpartum period or until her nipples toughen, the mother should air dry them after each nursing to prevent them from cracking, which can lead to infection. If her nipples do crack, the mother can coat them with breast milk or other natural moisturizers to help them heal. Vitamin E oil and lanolin are commonly used, although some babies may have allergic reactions to them. Proper positioning at the breast can help prevent sore nipples. If the mother is very sore, the baby may not have the nipple far enough back in the mouth. If you have inverted nipples, make sure your obstetrician or midwife knows that you plan to breastfeed. That way, you can wear special cups while you are still pregnant to help the nipple stand out. Otherwise, you may find it extremely difficult to breastfeed after the baby is born.

The Food and Drug Administration is warning women who are breastfeeding against using the unapproved drug domperidone to increase milk production. The agency is concerned because of several published reports and case studies of cardiac arrhythmias, cardiac arrest and sudden death in patients receiving an intravenous form of domperidone. In several countries where the oral form of domperidone continues to be marketed, labels for the product contain specific warnings against use of domperidone by breastfeeding women and note that the drug is excreted in breast milk that could expose a breastfeeding infant to unknown risks. Because of the possibility of serious side effects, FDA recommends breastfeeding women not use domperidone.



DIFFERENT WAYS TO BREAST FEED
Tips on how to breastfeed your baby

There are many texts available to new moms to assist in the establishment of breastfeeding. The baby will usually indicate hunger by crying or moaning and fussing. When the baby’s cheek is stroked, the baby will move his or her face towards the stroking and open his or her mouth, demonstrating the rooting instinct. Breastfeeding can make the mother thirsty and can last for up to an hour (usually in the early days, when both mother and baby are inexperienced) – it is therefore common for the mother to replace lost water by drinking during the process.

Feeding and positioning

While for some people the process of breastfeeding seems natural there is a level of skill required for successful feeding and a correct technique to use. Incorrect positioning is one of the main reasons for unsuccessful feeding and can easily cause pain in the nipple or breast.

By tickling the baby’s cheek with the nipple the baby will open its mouth and turn toward the nipple, which should then be pushed in so that the baby has a mouthful of nipple and areola; the nipple should be at the back of the baby’s throat. Achievement of this position is referred to as latching on. Inverted or flat nipples can be massaged to give extra area for the baby to latch onto.

Many women choose to wear a nursing bra to allow easier access to the breast than normal bras.

The baby may pull away from the nipple after a few minutes or after a much longer period of time. Sometimes the baby will relatch on the same breast or mother may offer the other side. The fat content of the milk increases as the breast empties.


The length of feeding is quite variable. Regardless of the duration, it is important for the breastfeeding woman to be comfortable.

There are various positions which some new moms find more comfortable then others. These include:

Upright: The sitting position with the back straight.
Mobile: The mother carries her nursling in a sling or other baby carrier while breastfeeding. Doing so permits the mother to incorporate breastfeeding into the varied work of daily life.
Lying down: Good for night feeds or for those who have had a caesarean section.
Lying down on her back: Mother is usually sitting slightly upright; particularly useful for tandem breastfeeding.
Lying down on her side: The mother and baby lie on their sides.
Hands and knees: The mother is on all fours with the baby underneath her (not usually recommended).

There are many positions and ways in which the feeding infant can be held. This depends upon the comfort of the mother and child and the feeding preference of the baby – some babies tend to prefer one breast to another. Most women breastfeed their child in the cradling position.

Cradling positions:

Cradle hold: The baby is held with its head in the woman’s elbow horizontally across the abdomen, “tummy to tummy”, with the woman in an upright and supported position.
Cross-cradle hold: As above but the baby is held with its head in the woman’s hand
Football hold: The woman is upright and the baby is held securely under the mother’s arm with the head cradled in her hands.
Feeding up hill: The baby lies stomach to stomach with the mother who is lying on her back; this is helpful for babies finding it difficult to feed.

Lying down:

On its side: The mother and baby lie on their sides.
On its back: The baby is lying on its back (cushioned by something soft) with the mother on her hands and knees above the child (not usually recommended).

When tandem breastfeeding the mother is unable to move the baby from one breast to another and comfort can be more of an issue. This brings extra strain to the arms, especially as the babies grow, and many mothers of twins recommend the use of more supporting pillows. Favoured positions include:

Double cradle hold, Double clutch hold, One clutched baby and one cradled baby, Lying down