my newborn has been strictly breastfed since birth (is now 1 month), and I have som pretty horrible, sore and never healing nipples. I only produce milk with one breast, so it doesnt really get a break at all...its in rough shape. It stings like someone is chopping my nipple off every time I feed, the whole time I am feeding and I cry from the pain. Would it be horrible for me to introduce formula mixed with breast milk into his diet? It doesnt hurt as much to pump, and breast milk is so much better for him, I dont want to strictly feed him formula. It makes me feel like a bad person to feel like doing this, I'm just in so much pain.
2007-12-12 18:16:01 · 12 answers · asked by krisindeed 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
FIRST OF ALL........
Can I just climb aboard my soap box for a moment?? WHY are mothers so DARN hard on themselves??? Do you love your little one?? Of course you do. Are you trying your damndest to provide a loving happy home? Of course you are. Would you breast feed if possible? Of course you would.
THAT said. Honey...you are in PAIN. I am absolutely guarenteeing you...your baby is MUCH happier when YOU are happy. I am also guarenteeing you that your baby will be JUST fine if you give yourself a much deserved break and feed him a good quality, nutrious formula. It's not the 1800's for goodness sake....Formula has come a HELL of a long way. It even has a lot of the same vitamins and nutrients now as breastmilk...such as DHA and ARA......while of course it's not exactly the same, it's still pretty darn good.
If you can pump some milk...even better. But please stop putting yourself through this torture. You are probably a wonderful mother....and you need to take care of yourself as well.
Good luck to you.
2007-12-13 06:29:45 · answer #1 · answered by saxcat00 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hi.... it sounds like your having such a rough time but I admire your determination. Have you consulted breastfeeding support lines? Maybe having someone look at the latch will help to improve not only the side that hurts but also the side that isn't producing milk.
Have you tried nipple shields? They will allow you to continue nursing but will give the nipple a break.
With regards to your original question... no it's not horible to introduce formula but it has to be a decision you are happy with. You have already given a great start by ebf for a month... I really hope you can find a way to cintinue because it sounds like thats what you want to do
All the best x
2007-12-12 20:12:43 · answer #2 · answered by Kimberley C 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like baby the baby isn't latching on correctly; you shouldn't be so sore and cracking. I would give the hospital a call tomorrow and ask to speak with a Lactation Consultant; or call La Leche League. You do sound very miserable. It would not be horrible to introduce formula with breast milk; but if you really intend to breastfeed, a month of age is a little bit soon to be introducing a bottle. Babies who are given a bottle this early will often refuse to breastfeed, because it is less work for them to get it out of a bottle. I'm sure at this point, you may even be wanting to give up breastfeeding, but getting some additional assistance may turn the situation around for you. Hope this helps.
2007-12-12 18:32:20 · answer #3 · answered by lucia 4 · 15⤊ 0⤋
You say that it doesn't hurt as much to pump which makes me think that your son isn't latching on correctly.
You might want to contact the lactation consultant at the hospital/birthing center where you gave birth to him or get in touch with your local La Leche League group. They can help you out.
You might also consider using a nipple shield. It might help you out until your son's latch improves.
I don't think it's horrible to incorporate formula into feedings, however it will have a negative impact on your milk production because it will interfere with the natural supply & demand cycles set by your baby.
2007-12-13 06:42:15 · answer #4 · answered by Quiet Tempest 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I was not able to produce enough milk for my little girl so instead of quitting and just giving her formula, I supplemented my breastmilk with a little formula so that my lil girl would still receive the benefits of breastmilk but also not cry in frustration after feedings since I wasn't producing enough.
On a different note, I did have a period of time when I had Thrush. It caused HORRIBLE pain. If your pain is that severe, maybe that's why?? Just a thought...
In any event, when I had thrush it was easier for me to pump so I just pumped all the milk, topped it off with a bit of formula and baby was happy :)
2007-12-12 18:36:16 · answer #5 · answered by thecarrs 2 · 7⤊ 0⤋
It sounds to me like you have a latching problem. Breastfeeding is not supposed to hurt, if it is being done properly. Can you get some advice from a midwife or breastfeeding counsellor?
Theres some excellent advice on this website:
http://www.breastfeeding.com/helpme/helpme_common_ques.html
Its not "horrible" to supplement with formula if you need to do so. Formula was developed for when breastfeeding isn't possible or when a breastfeeding mum needs a little help! Its when people just "choose" not to breastfeed I feel its wrong.
Bear in mind though that your milk production is linked to your baby's suckling and using formula might decrease your milk supply even more.
I would get some advice on your breastfeeding technique first before you start supplementing, but if you have to do so then its not wrong at all! You're a great parent because you made the decision to give your baby to best start in life!
2007-12-12 18:34:05 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 11⤊ 0⤋
oh sweetie you aren't a bad person for wanting to supplement with formula! Its totally understandable!
Don't mix the formula and breastmilk together just give him formula when you just can't feed anymore. Maybe at night and the daddy can do it to give you a break. Bubs will probably sleep a little longer then too as formula tends to fill them up a little better. But keep breastfeeding as much as you can to keep your supply up!!!
Now in the meantime you need to contact a lactation consultant ASAP. It sounds like you really want to breastfeed and should try speaking to someone expertly trained in this area. You need to find out why one breast is 'working' so to speak because you can't continue to only feed from one side.
I got a lactation consultant from the Aus Breastfeeding Association to come and help me with my first and it made ALL the difference! Within 2 weeks things were working perfectly and it was worth all the pain. If you are in the states contact the Le Leche league or look up doulas or midwives in your area as they will definately be able to give you contact details of an experience lactation consultant.
Don't give up, these things take time to get established.You can try to ease your nipples in the meantimes by airing them out (no top or bra on so they dry properly) inbetween feeds and in bed at night if you can. Blast them with a hairdryer to really dry them so they can heal properly too after a shower. Don't use soap on them. Use a nipple cream called LANSINOH as this works wonders and can be left on whilst feeding as it 100% lanolin and very safe for baby.
For the blocked breast try laying some warm but a not too hot, damp washer or hand towel over the breast to encourage flow. Then gently massage the breast to encourage it to flow. Gently latch your baby onto it everyday to see if anything comes out.
Lastly, you can try nipple shields till your nipples heal but they can be tricky to use and then wean your child from.
I wish you the best of luck and don't give up! Get some help from a professional today!
2007-12-12 18:44:26 · answer #7 · answered by Cindy; mum to 3 monkeys! 7 · 5⤊ 2⤋
You Need HELP!! You have a bad latch, that is what's causing the pain. I can't see what you are doing wrong over the computer, so I'm going to link to some online videos you can watch.
I highly recommend you go see a certified lactation consultant, they are at your local hospital and can help you in person. If you don't want to go that way, contact your local la leche league, the volunteers can help you in person too.
If it hurts you are doing it wrong!! You just need a little help.
ETA: LadySuns, my breast fed baby has been sleeping through since he was 6 weeks :)
2007-12-12 18:36:55 · answer #8 · answered by maegs33 6 · 11⤊ 1⤋
It is not bad at all. I had to do that once I went back to work cause I could not pump more than the baby waned to eat. Every single one of them is very smart and has no problems. Don't feel bad!
2007-12-12 18:40:12 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
wow ladysunshineau has read my mind, i totally agree with her and dont let people make you feel bad for formula as long as you are feeding your baby full stop thats all that counts and both you and bubby have to be happy.
If you do use formula though everytime bub has a bottle make sure you express to keep your milk supply up, and you will have a couple of bottles of breastmilk you can use in place of the formula once you have a routine sorted.
What I did was hold an ice pack over the nipple to numb it before a feed and just shove the whole thing in babies mouth sometimes that worked but not everytime.
2007-12-12 18:35:31 · answer #10 · answered by M 5 · 3⤊ 5⤋