why am i obsessed with breastfeeding my newborn?

Question

and why isn't it working? he's only 11 days old and we were forced to supplement with formula due to bad jaundice. now we're having significant problems with feeding but i just won't give up and it's really stressing me out. i don't know what to do!

Answer 1

It's natural. Keep trying! You'll get through it.

Answer 2

First if you really really want to BF abandon the formula feedings and get another Dr. oppionion about the formula unless the janduice is SOOO bad that the baby needs to actually be in the hospital b/c of it it's okay to BF in conjuntion with jaundice, something I wish I would have known with my 2st born b/c the same thing happened to me and I lsot my supply and was heart broken I could no longer BF, so before we had our 2nd i researched it and talked to differant Dr.'s and got a little more educated about it just incase it were to happen agan, the FACT is you CAN BF YOUR BABY WITH JAUNDICE it will just take longer for it to go away which is OKAY as long as your followig all the other directions like trying to keep the baby in the sun through a windown during the day time with only a diaper on and letting the sun light help you out you CAN DO this don't give up and get a 2nd oppinion. Another thing is that if your baby had been bottle fed now for awhile it might take him a little bit to get used to the breast i'd suggest not giving him a bottle or pumping your milk w/ and electric pump and then giving it to him if your really having problems but eventually he will come around and take it straight from the source bit i'dtry to avoid bottles and pacificers for at least the first 6 weeks until your have a good supply est. and he can nurse well enough. GOod luck and don't give up!

Answer 3

Well since you already did the formula for jaundice I won't get into why that is wrong.

At this point the best thing to do is take a nursing holiday: you and the baby in BED for at least a week and do nothing but breastfeed and eat, sleep and go to the bathroom. Maybe shower. You should both be naked as much as possible.

Make sure you get help from a lactation consultant or La Leche League too.

Answer 4

Try not to get stressed coz your baby will feel it and might make it worse. Were you expressing whilst he was having supplements? If not it might have affected your milk production. Try and get rest, drink plenty of fluids, spend lots of time cuddling your baby. Pursevere its worth it.
From babycentre.co.uk:
feeds can take anything from seven to 40 minutes, pick a comfortable place for breastfeeding. Atmosphere is very important, especially in the early days of breastfeeding when you're still trying to get the hang of it. If you are easily distracted and disrupted by noise, find somewhere quiet. If you are easily bored, you may want to feed in front of the television, but only if breastfeeding is going well for you and your baby. Try different spots until you find what works for you.

Hold your baby in a position that won't leave your arms and back sore. Add support around you with plenty of cushions. Many women find the cradle position works well, although it really depends on what is most comfortable for you. Get yourself and your baby in a relaxed position before you start feeding. Pay attention to how your breasts feel when your baby latches on. She should take in a big mouthful of breast tissue. If latching on hurts, break the suction - by inserting your little finger between your baby's gums and your nipple - and try again. Once your baby latches on properly, she will be able to do the rest.

Answer 5

Be patient, relax and be consistent. Your stress will show while you are nursing. Relax.. Breastfeeding is a learned art for most. I remember my first tries. I was in tears. It will eventually come naturally. Talk to a lactation specialist. Call the hospital to see if they have a program for nursing moms. Most do. Are you trying different positions ie football and cradle. Football worked best for me at first when she was soo small. As time went on I went to cradle position. Hope this gives you some ideas.

Answer 6

What problems are you having? My middle boy had problems breastfeeding due to jaundice, it made him so sleepy he just wouldn't wake up to eat, then by the time he got over the jaundice he had a hard time learning how to latch on.

Is this your problem or something else?

Answer 7

I understand that you want your child to have what is best. Breast milk is best. So, it makes sense that you do not want to give up. There is no reason to give up completely. You have options. You can continue to try to get the child to take the breast. You can pump and feed with that. There are also devices that you can buy that will assist you in giving your child the breast milk and not the breast. You may want to talk to a lactation consultant or try googling for La leche on line.

Good Luck

Answer 8

because you want to provide the best for your child you can. I had similar issues with my son. You could try pumping and feeding out of a bottle, that may make it less stressful for you, yet allow you to provide the nutrients you want. If you aren't producing enough milk, you can do 1/2 breastmilk, 1/2 formula to make enough. That's what I had to do with my son...It helped reduce stress alot, he ate better and I wasn't going insane anymore.

Answer 9

supplementing just freaks me out... and if he is eating from a bottle your nipples aren't gettting the proper stimulation to help your milk come in... if he is eating from a bottle he could eat from you... and if you doc insists then pump... and feed him that first and if there isn't enough supliment with formula...

find somebody who did breastfeed and ask for their help... with tricky kids the position of the chin and nose is important for proper latching on... and if you have big breasts they can be harder for the kid to latch on if your breast tends to try to cover his nose...

Try putting your hand like spoc V around your nipple to introduce... then make sure his chin is into your breast... and the nose clear... you can remove the bottom fingers but may want to keep the top fingers there to make sure the nose is clear...

Also you should be able to see/touch the part of the lip you would put lipstick on... the top they usualy get right... the bottom is the problem... he may suck his bottom lip a bit... pull it down with your thumb when introducing...

Good luck and keep at it...

Answer 10

Sometimes it this desarate point when things start to turn around and improve.... other times, breasfeeding just isn't going to work. It's normal to feel guilt about it, and to feel like you have failed as a woman. The purpose of boobs is to feed your baby... when it doesn't work out, it's very frustrating.

If you need to give up, don't feel bad... your baby is going to be just fine on formula. When I had to give up on breatfeeding on day 9, my doctor told me, "Formula fed babies still go to Harvard".

Good Luck!!

Answer 11

if the baby wont take to the breast you could at least pump and put the breast milk in a bottle so your baby still has the best start in life, good luck!