Help - Irving,TX

I found it difficult to breastfeed at first as well. I had bleeding nipples for the first month and a painful case of thrush. I was getting discouraged and complaining about the pain, but I kept thinking that I could tough it out. I was able to do so by remembering my good friend's words - One day, C., you will "emerge" and she'll be a whole new baby. And, after a while, things did get better. She is now 3 months old, sleeping through the night, and breastfeeding like a champ.
Like another responder said, don't feel bad if you decide to go with formula. Do what you think is right and what works for you. But, do remember that it won't always be so painful if you decide to continue breastfeeding. Good luck.

So is the baby a month old? Breastfeeding is hard work and has challenges as the baby ages as well but if she is a month old she probably is not teething, especially since it sounds like she was early. My 5 month old still sleeps alot during the day so don't worry about that. Just when she is awake make sure to let her have some sunshine and activity so she knows it is the day. I try not to ever wake a sleeping baby.
Make sure she opens her mouth really wide before she latches on and make sure her lips are pursed out, not tucked in. I have found a website www.kellymom.com extremely helpful in all breastfeeding matters. It is run by a lactation consultant. Keep up the good work. Breastfeeding is such a gift you are giving to your daughter. After you get through the first 2 months it really seems to get so much better and easier. Good Luck!

Try going to Harris Methodist (HEB), they have a breast feeding facility that is wonderful.

hi A., there is a GREAT support group in Arlington if you dont mind driving. I would totally recommend, esp. if you are having troubles with BF.

Please email, ____@____.com and in the subject said, FOR BABIES SAKE GROUP...ask her to direct you to where the group meets and ask her any questions you have about breastfeeding. Tell her K. Martin sent you. She is really knowledgable and friends with lactation consultants ..
Please dont hesitate casue you dont know her (or me!) but she will be very helpful!

Breastfeeding is a wonderful thing! Congratulations!

Blessings!

There is some soreness at first, and often preemies have trouble getting latched on properly. Work on the latch and positioning. There are several books (like The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, The Nursing Mothers Companion, etc.) that you can get at the library. Also, our local library hosts La Leche League meetings that I'm sure would be a huge help to you.
The hospital where you delivered also probably has a class or at least can put you in touch with a lactation consultant. Your OB could also probably recommend a lactation consultant.
Don't get discouraged! Breastfeeding is somethingyou have to learn, and it can be hard to do that first month, but once you get a groove, it's smooth sailing.

All that said....you're not a failure if you use formula. Sounds like you might have a bit of the baby blues, which is normal. Breastfeeding trouble can compound that and make you feel even more down in the dumps. I'd say call about lactation help, then pick up a can of formula and use a bottle while you wait for your appointment day.

I would suspect that she may not be latching properly. When I was nursing my boys I knew they were latched on correctly when it didn't hurt. My twins were a bit premature, just over a month. It took them about 10-12 weeks before they would sleep more than 2 hours at a time. Perhaps you could consult a lactation consultant for some advice. Good Luck!

D.
www.myfamilymyfuture.com

Agree with privious poster, contact Harris Hosp. Breatfeeding Center-you can talk to a specialist for free over the phone or a walk in but if you make an appointment for real one-on-one, there is a fee. However, if you are real concerned, the appointment is WELL worth the money (I think it was around $50 or so) and SOOOOOOOOOOOO informative. They actually watch you feed your baby and weigh your baby before and after the feeding to know how much he/she consumed! And they offer a great large packet of wonderful information and suggestions about nursing! They also have a toll-free phone number you can ask for if it is long distance for you!

Don't get too frustrated quickly and be kind to yourself-it takes a while to get in a goove. And just by you nursing, you are doing the best thing for her! I nursed 2 and both were different nursers and, though I had little problems, I too was still not at ease until a good 6 weeks to 2.5 mos. It is just hard to know with any baby how you are doing early on since they are all different and what is normal with one may not be with the next!

You can also find help from other Lactation consultants in the area or LaLeche League. But give yourself time and relax. And teething can cause changes and pulling, so don't rule that out either-my son got his first tooth at 3 mos. on the dot and was pulling for weeks prior. When that tooth popped threw, it all made sense to me like I saw the trees through the forest!

Best luck and remember you are doing great!

T.

Hi A.,

I'm not sure how old your little one is 2-4 months? Anyway, I have a 5 month old and I went through a lot of pain during the initial period of breast feeding. My breast's were bleeding/chapped and very uncomfortable especially when trying to wear a bra. I pretty much nursed through the pain as I expected this on some level- the comfort for me was knowing that my baby was getting adequate feeding and I knew this from the gulping sounds/ burps with spit up's and ofcourse weight gain.

I am not advising you to nurse without any professional help, but if you think that your baby is eating well and is putting on weight then it maybe that your breast's are still toughening up.

Good Luck.