Need Help from Other Moms Who Have Had Problems Breastfeeding

Hey, I want to encourage you to keep nursing Leah. The first month is by far the hardest and most painful, but it will get easier, better, and enjoyable.

You hearing from someone who is still nursing my 2 year old son.

Some tips that may help...make sure you're relaxed when you're nursing - play nice music, sit down, get comfortable with Leah. Your milk actually comes down when you relax. A hot shower right before may also help.
It does sound like she is suffering from some gas. I don't have much experience with that, but I know it's difficult.

I'm starting an attached parenting group near College Park. Our first meeting will be Oct 28. There are lots of new moms signed up and perhaps you can get more advice there. Let me know if you're interested and I'll send you a link for more info.

Best wishes, L.

I had the same problem with my little girl. I had to change what I was eating because something in my diet was making her scream all the time. I did the "total elimination diet" (see Dr. Sears' website or any allergy website) where i just ate turkey, rice, squash, and pears for two weeks and then slowly added in foods to find out what was making her cry. After four days on the diet she stopped screaming and started staying on the breast. Some things that can cause fussyness are dairy, beef, citric acid, peanuts, soy, and alcohol/caffeine.

Also, please see a lactation consultant or call a La Leche leage member to get some support. Nursing gets much easier but it really takes commitment to get it right. You are being a great mom by nursing her.

Feel free to contact me if you have more questions about how to change your diet for nursing.

H.

Sounds like she's allergic to dairy - eliminate it and I bet it'll be SOO much better!

Hi, K.!

Try contacting a lactation consultant. Your pediatrician/midwife/OB should be able to refer you to one. Also, you might want to contact:

Beckman & Associates
1211 Palmetto Ave
Winter Park, FL 32789
###-###-####

They specialize in newborn breastfeeding/sucking/swallowing disorders. Not only that, but the government will pay for your consultation and visits because your child is under 2 years old.

I also had a hard time in the beginning, but got the help I needed and I am still nursing at 13 months. Good luck, and if you need more help, feel free to contact me personally!

A.
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Hi K.,

I breast fed my son for 11 months and my little girl is now 2 months and she is still breast feeding. I understand how dfficult it could be for the both of you.

My advice, try relaxing yourself first, remember that if your tense she will feel it. Find a quiet place in the house where there will be no interuptions of any kind. Also attempt different positions, like the football hold, this is where you place her underneath your arm as though you are holding a football, with her legs tucked underneath you(towards your back). This helps her latch on at a different angle. Also when you begin to feel her bite down and pull away( trust me I know this hurts!!) insert your finger on the side of her inner cheek and pull out words this way you release the preasure and she can latch off of you pain free.

If you can try finding the best time for her to feed, like as soon as she is up from a nap or so when she is calm(not when she is crying so hard she is frusterated herself.)if at all possible try and sing to her and talk with her before feeding to let time go by and she is hungry but not upset. Help her by using your index and pointer finger on your nipple and squeezing it between the two, then insert it into her mouth this helps her out a bit as well.

I wish you the best of luck and remember dont beat yourself up about not getting it the first few times its normal and okay, keep trying and dont give up. In the end if you see that she is still not eating enough its okay to pump and do formula she is still getting all the vitamins she needs and you are still bonding with her by holding her close and talking to her. Remember that what is important is that she eats and you enjoy eachother, you cant have a healthy baby if your both stressed out during supper time. :) Good luck hon!

One thing you should try is opening her mouth when she is about to feed with your finger and put as much of your nipple and aereola in her mouth as you can fit in there and that should help with the gas. You will also produce more because she will be getting more to eat. Good luck.