breastfeeding hell?

Question

this is the deal, my son is 3 days old, i can't get to latch on for the life of me, he does and he does it so good, and then hell let go right away, so i decided i would try to pump. after one hour i only got 1 ounce!!what can i do, i really want to breastfeed him, but i am so frustrated i only want to cry/

Answer 1

Lots of people will tell you this and I agree...Don't give up and contact your local la leche league. You can search them online.
Until he does latch, continue to pump in order to build your milk supply. It's extra work, but it's worth it.

Answer 2

First thing you should know "supply and demand" in order to produce milk, your breasts need to know to make more, they learn by your child drinking all that is available, it stimulates them to make more. the best advice I ever heard was to "hamburger" your breast, hold your breast between your like you are offering a hamburger to your son (four fingers on bottom, thumb on top, squeeze, and latch) while you are squeezing your breast, latch him on at an angle tilt his mouth from the bottom of the areola up to the top that way he can take the whole nipple in his mouth, his mouth should engulf most if not all of your areola, and the tip of your nipple should be toward the back of his tongue. this may take a few tries, pumping is a good idea, it stimulates production, right now your breast are producing colostrum, which is very good for your baby, even if it is received in small doses. Stick with it! You will get there, also try these websites to find a lactation consultant in your area, she can come to your home if need be and personally demonstrate how to latch, and point out if there are any potential set backs, such as your son having a high pallet. Good luck!

http://www.lalecheleague.org/

http://www.lalecheleague.org/WebUS.html

Answer 3

Take your time- he will get it. Have him latch on with an open mouth- his mouth should have lips down- lower lip down around the outside of the aerola- and tongue should be seen just on top. The more he nurses, the more milk you will have- pumping does not empty a breast the way that the baby does. It's not always perfect at first- takes practice.

See if you can get someone at your OB's office or a lactation consultant to come in and help you. I had a hard time with our son- and my midwife and a nurse at the OB's office helped me out.

Get in a comfy place- and make sure you are relaxed...get him latched on and comfy- and let him nurse. The more he nurses, the more milk you will have.

Good luck sweetie! I hope it works out for you!

Answer 4

you are only 3 days into this.......today should be the day or perhaps tommorrow that your milk is in

it's absurd at this point to start even mentioning formula or saying you don't have enough milk

the pump is at this point is NOT an accurate measurement of your milk output right now nor your potential output

DO NOT give him a bottle right now......if he continues to not keep latched then you need to finger syringe feed him....the lactation consultant or nurses at the hospital will help you with this

keep at it....the first month can be very very rough to get thru for first time breastfeeding mamas but it is worth every ounce of effort in the end

Answer 5

I know what you are going thru. 3 days after giving birth 1 ouce isn't bad. And remember you child at this point will probably feed more often because he can't take in more then that. Then the more he gets the hang of it the more you will produce and your problems will be gone. So just try to be patient. And don't worry that you child will starve, as long as he is making wet diapers everything is ok. In the beginning i was constantly feeding my baby, but i hung in there and my milk productions was established. It just takes a little while. Don't be too hard on yourself. Just be patient. You don't have to suppliment with formula unless your baby isn't gaining weight. talk to you dr. Also call a lactation consultant. They even come out to your house. Good luck and hang in there!

Answer 6

take a deep breath and calm down. the fact that he has a good latch is the best start. He may pull off because he's impatient, try expressing a little at first to get the milk going before he starts nursing. At 3 days your milk may not be fully in, have you had any engorgement? Call the hospital, they have a nursing specialist who can help you(or have someone call for you, since you have alot of other things to do.)

Answer 7

Hang in there, you're doing ok. Keep at it, it will get better. Feeling like you want to cry is understandable. Get some support right away. I recommend either a lactation consultant (check your hospital) or your local La Leche League (www.lalecheleague.org). Some La Leche groups even have a 24-hr hotline you can call, so don't delay! They offer free info/advice/support. Dr's don't have good education on breastfeeding so they are not the best ones to ask for these kinds of problems. Best of luck!

Answer 8

congrats !~ my son is 8 days old and I used a nipple shield while in the hospital. It helped him latch on. Call the hospital where you delivered and speak to the lactation specialist. She should be able to help you. One stayed in my hospital room for an hour to help me. I rented a pump form the hospital and the more you pump the more milk your body will produce so it will get better .Don't worry I still cry sometimes.

Answer 9

It's o.k. to be frustrated; it is a very hard, stressful thing to teach yourself and your newborn. Just keep trying and with time you will both relax and it will be a natural thing.
Before pumping try taking a hot shower to help with let down. But if the baby is latching on then I would just keep attempting to nurse. He will draw more milk out of you then the pump. Don't be hard on yourself ~ with time you will be a pro.
Good luck!!!

Answer 10

Believe me I know how you feel. Let me tell you that it does get easier. At 3 days old baby isn't that hungry yet and one ounce is ok. You just have to keep offering him the breast and try to stay away from giving him a bottle. He can get confused and it'll make it harder for him to take to the breast. If he lets go just put him right back on. A good source for breastfeeding information is at www.kellymom.com. That website helped me get through my first weeks of breastfeeding. I have now been nursing for 7 weeks and it's not big deal now. Just stick to it. You're doing the best for your baby!!

Answer 11

hang in there...it gets easier! With my first i had a cracked nipple the first week after she was born..it bled everytime she nursed for 3 days. And I cried everytime it hurt sooo bad! That was 13 years ago and I still remember how bad it hurt. But it healed up, and more than the pain...I remember the wonderful warm and fuzzy feelings of love and pride I had each time she nursed. I breastfed # 2 also, but only for a few months..BUT>>>if you can't do it....FORMULA IS OK...don't let the lactation nazis bully you into doing something you don't feel you can manage. It's a personal choice that can be very rewarding BUT any time that you spend cuddling and nurturing your child is rewarding. Best of luck!