currently im pregnant and i would really like to breastfeed it seems like a better and healthier choice for me and my child. I would like to know what things can make you unable to breastfeed your child im wondering because my mom wasnt able to with me!
2007-09-11 12:32:30 · 10 answers · asked by ashley 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
I agree with Ny_attitude also, except for one thing- you cannot and do not need to "toughen" your nipples. That's an old wives tale that unfortunately still pops up from time to time. If you are nursing correctly, breastfeeding does not hurt. It might be a strong suction, but with no pain. Pain is a sign that something needs to be changed.
You have a great attitude about breastfeeding. It is what's best (for your baby and for yourself), and I'm sure you'll be able to breastfeed & will do great. The first few weeks can be tough, but stay committed and before you know it, you'll both have the hang of breastfeeding. Good luck & congrats~
To answer your question, not many things at all honestly make a woman unable to breastfeed. Common reasons women give are a low supply. This is most often easily fixable, and is only made worse when women supplement with formula. One of the few times a woman honestly has a low supply is when she has become pregnant again (although it's much more likely that even then she can continue nursing).
Another reason women cannot breastfeed is that they need to take certain medications, including ones used to treat cancer. Although again, you can work with this- many, many medications are safe to take while nursing, or a type of a medication you may need is available. Always check and double check when your doctor says a medication is safe or unsafe to take while breastfeeding- doctors are very often wrong about medications' safety. Having breast surgery can sometimes make a woman unable to breastfeed, it just depends on what type of surgery. Often the woman can still breastfeed, but may need to supplement.
Check out http://www.kellymom.com it's a great breastfeeding site (if you haven't already) and so is http://www.lalecheleague.org
2007-09-11 13:26:13 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
All issues can be fixed. You have to set it in your mind that you WILL breastfeed. Read, do research on what to do and when.
Get ready now:
1. Go braless as often as possible to toughen up your nipples.
2. Get a tube of lansinoh ointment- it doesn't need to be wiped off before nursing.
3. Get a good pump- even SAHM's need a pump. I have an Ameda and love it. It's easy to use, easy to clean, and painfree.
4. Read- I recommend: The Breastfeeding Book by Sears. It's really user-friendly and easy to use.
5. Understand that your baby in the first 6 weeks is going to nurse and nurse a lot. It's NORMAL. You do not need to supplement with formula at all. Nurse on demand. Put a schedule out of your mind- the baby will formulate their own.
6. Introduce a bottle after the 5-6th week when nursing is underway. You may have to try a bunch of different brands to get the one your baby likes- so get one of each. Our baby loved the Dr. Brown's- it's the only brand she would take- the wide bottles.
Both of mine were born tongue-tied. We opted not to fix it because it can cause other issues in speech down the line. The lactation nurse at the hospital was worried I'd have issues nursing- not at all.
I work full-time and pump. I went back when she was 10 weeks old- and she had never needed formula at all. I was stunned. It can be done- and it is work, but so worth it- she has only had 1 infection- she got pink eye when I had it. She is 13 months old now and doing really well, nursing 3 times a day.
If you introduce formula- wait. Until at least 3 months of age. At that point, your baby will find it easier to digest. Do not supplement in the early weeks.
Rest and relax- and get comfy in the first 6 weeks. Plan meals that are easy- or made beforehand. I had a lot of sandwich stuff in that time for both and it helped a lot!
Good luck!
2007-09-11 12:52:00 · answer #2 · answered by NY_Attitude 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I have heard that if you have breast reduction surgery it can make it so you have a lot of trouble breastfeeding. Also, if you have inverted nipples you can always use nipple shields. They work very well!
From my own experience, I have breast implants and could breastfeed. However, I didn't have a large milk supply. I believe it was because of the implants.
Once you give birth, have the lactation consultant come into your room and help you. You could also attend a breastfeeding class before you give birth. It helped me a lot!
You can also visit la leche league's website, they give a lot of helpful tips and have a number where you can call a lactation consultant in your area just about any time you have a problem!
Their website is:
http://www.llli.org/
Good luck!
2007-09-12 03:14:17 · answer #3 · answered by quanticomommy 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The doc thought I might not be able to because of inverted nipples, but I said I wanted to try anyway. I had to use a shield and pump for the first week, but with all that baby sucking away, they've popped out, and now we're nursing just fine with no help at all.
I do know that if you need certain medications you shouldn't breastfeed because they can poison your baby, but other than that, even if the doc thinks you might have troubles, I suggest you try it anyway...you may be pleasantly surprised like me.
2007-09-11 12:42:39 · answer #4 · answered by daisyk 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
It really is quite rare to be unable to breastfeed. NY_attitude had some great suggestions. The biggest saboteur to breastfeeding tends to be other people. People will tell you that you are not making enough, or that you should supplement, you are causing yourself too much trouble, etc. Do not listen! You have the right attitude and if you are truly determined to breastfeed, you will be successful!
2007-09-11 13:18:33 · answer #5 · answered by Daala2 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Having breast reduction surgery greatly reduces your ability to breastfeed. Often, the surgery involves cutting and/or removing the milk ducts surrounding the nipples and they cannot reconnect together. it can be frustrating for someone who has the surgery and did not know about this.
2007-09-11 14:56:22 · answer #6 · answered by Rocky Raccoon 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Can you pump and still give him breastmilk? When are the Dr.'s going to fix his tongue? Maybe he'll latch on after if they fix it soon. Good Luck! I'm a breastfeeding mother, so I know I would be really disappointed if I couldn't do it. My friend's little boy wouldn't latch on so she pumped exclusively for 6 or 7 months and gave him breastmilk in a bottle.
2016-05-17 09:51:18 · answer #7 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
breast deformity or injury, Inverted nipples (which can be corrected). Most women who cannot produce enough milk to exclusivly breastfeed can still nurse their babies and suppliment with formula. We tend to think its all or nothing, but there are options that will allow mothers to nurse as much as they can, and still ensure that their babies are thriving. Good lcuk
2007-09-11 12:45:25 · answer #8 · answered by parental unit 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋
The only reason you would not be able to nurse is if you could not produce enough. and actually you still can you would just have to supplement with formula.
You can nurse with implants-there might be damage.
And you can nurse with inverted nipples.
2007-09-11 12:41:57 · answer #9 · answered by Sarah K 5 · 0⤊ 4⤋
inverted nipples, or breast implants
2007-09-11 12:38:33 · answer #10 · answered by Marie 5 · 0⤊ 5⤋