HELP! Breast feeding question!?

Question

I just had my baby on saturday. I wanted to breast feed him, but I couldn't get anything to come out. I tried to manually get something out, but all I got was like 3 drops. Yesterday, I could slowly feel them swelling and now they are super hard and sore! I tried using a breast pump, but again, still nothing but sore nipples. My son won't keep sucking b/c he doesn't get anything out. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

First of all, go take a nice hot shower and let the water run on them. It is harder for the milk to come out if you are extremely engorged. The softer the breast, the easier it is for baby to latch on properly. After the shower, the breasts should be softer and that's when you want to give it a whirl with baby. For the first few days here - try nursing baby every hour to hour 1/2. Just to get those breasts kicking and you avoiding engorgement. When the supply comes in steadily - then nurse on demand.

Second, call your hospital back - they usually have a lactation consultant on hand that you can express your concerns with. Most have traveling consultants, and most insurances cover it!! Check into that! They'll come out and check on your progress and help you if you have questions.

Last, don't give up. I know it seems really rough right now but if this is something you've always wanted to do for your baby - hang in there. Breast is best and kudos to you for doing what is best for your little one!!!

Answer 2

OK first, you need to just relax. Remember, your body was MADE to feed a baby, and you will get through this. It will be ok! I promise!

Second, DO NOT SUPPLEMENT WITH FORMULA. Period. You will only diminish your supply and be starting a battle you may lose.

Thirdly, DO NOT use the pump as a "point of reference". Your baby gets out MUCH more than a pump ever will. Plus, in the first few days, your body is making colostrum. It is thick, and there is very little of it. Your baby only needs as much as you make!! Don't worry about it so much! Your body will make what your baby needs.

Take a hot shower before you nurse. Or use hot towels on your breasts. Massage them while you shower and while your baby eats. Concentrate on any hot, hard, or sore spots you may have. It might take a little time, but your baby will learn to latch on even with them a little engorged. Your nipples are going to be a little sore because of the engorgement, but to help prevent bleeding and scabbing, express a little of your milk onto your nipples and let them AIR-DRY. Lanolin, such as Lansinoh helps too. Also, Soothies are great to help with sore nipples.
Take an ibuprofin if the pain gets too bad. It will also help with the inflamation. Also contact a lactation consultant ASAP. or a doctor or midwife.

Answer 3

A newborn stomach is the size of your pinky fingernail...that's a fact. The first milk is called colostrum. It is clearish yellow. This milk helps line the throat and digestive tract for infection protection. Babies who do not get colostrum are colicy and have a host of other digestive problems. Remember, your nipples WILL be sore. Get some Lansinoh 100% pure lanolin. It's safe to even not wash off before feedings. Just a little bit will relief chaffing and cracking. I also recommend a warm wet washcloth to place on your breast during feeding. This will help the milk release. Also a half a glass of wine (about 2 oz) for yourself will also allow the milk to release, and won't harm the milk for your baby (that is same advice from 3 different doctors) Your baby's sucking will be the most help in getting the milk to release.

Answer 4

Relax. Your let down is taking a while, since you gave a breast pump, pump your breast until the let down reflex gets going then put your baby to the breast. It'll get better as time goes on just keep trying and remember, try to relax and be calm as this helps the milk come down faster.
Also make sure he is latched properly because an improper latch not only leads to sore nipples but won;t stimulate the milk ducts properly.

Answer 5

The rules of milk: Supply on Demand. Although your only getting a small amount you should keep pumping. The more you pump the more milk you will produce. You should be doing this three times a day at least fifteen minutes on each breast. If your baby is going to be drinking formula you want to use a rubber nipple that will feel and be shaped similar to your nipple. That is if you want to breast feed after you get your milk in. After you have your baby your colostrum comes in. It's thicker, yellow colored, and you'll only get about a couple of millimeters of this. Than when your milk starts to come in that's when the amount will increase. The more you use it the more there will be. The less you use it the less there will be. You can even have your doctor prescribe you hormones to help increase lactation.

P.S. If your breast do become extremely hard and swollen you can put hot packs on them, and massage them. After you've warmed the up, you can also use a warm wash cloth, with your hands start from the top of your breast slowly massage your way down until you reach your nipple. Keep doing this. It will help you so much.

Answer 6

I agree with using warm washcloths or taking a shower and using heat therapy on your breasts. Try a hand pump as they're much gentler than electric pumps and continue to put your baby on your breast (use the pump after you've tried to nurse him). You'll have sore nipples no matter what so don't give up. If you have any fever or really painful breasts though, call your doctor immediately as you have a breast infection and should be treated immediately. Good luck!

Answer 7

The reason you couldn't get anything out the first few days is because the only thing that was there was colostrum, the first milk which contains antibodies.
Now your breasts are full of milk and engorged which is normal just try to get your baby latched on and don't use formula as a substitute because then your body will stop making milk. Just keep trying to get baby latched on.

Where do you live? Your doctors really should have educated you on this

Answer 8

I had the same thing when I had my son few weeks ago. Try this, it works! A nurse in the hospital taught me that.

1. use a hot pack (or hot towel) to cover your breast for 3 to 5 min. Make sure it's real hot (but not burning hot) and don't cover more than 5 min.

2. message your breast a little bit

3. pump the milk out (better to use electric pump than manual pump)

4. use cold pack (or cold towel) to cover your breast for 10 min. Make sure it's cold (but not icy cold).

In this way, you will able to get the milk out and ease the engorging and pressure out of your breast.

Be sure to get a good supportive bra to help your lower back. You don't want to have engorging pain and back pain at the same time.

Hang in there. But day 5 or so, you will have more milk coming out.

Answer 9

Do not give up first of all.
Go take a hot shower, relax - try manually massage. If that doesn't work try the pump. It will probably hurt until the milk gets going. Have your baby keep trying too.
Call your lacation consultant at the hospital OR go to
www.lalecheleague.com - good website with contact information on there as well.
Good luck! I know it's painful, but don't give up.

Answer 10

Pumping is a skill that you need to develop, obviously if your breasts are hard they are FULL of milk/colostrum.

IF your son is latching on correctly he is getting plenty, probably more than he needs as his stomach is so small.

You REALLY REALLY need to get some help to make sure your son is latching on and to teach you to know when he is getting milk. There is a way that a baby's ear moves when they are suckling and they pause and then swallow. But it is really hard to explain over the internet. At the very least watch these: http://www.thebirthden.com/Newman.html