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Original poster

Breastfeeding advice - posting for traffic

86 replies

desperateforhelpfff · 03/05/2022 23:21

Sorry to post here, but responses are usually fast...

My DS2 is almost 1 week old.

I had him latched on in hospital from the moment he was born basically. It was all fine but then my nipples started hurting so much, I could barely continue.

I managed to struggle on, screaming in pain each feed. The midwives checked the latch and said it was fine. Then both nipples started bleeding. Anyway, I gave my breasts a break for 24 hours and gave him formula when I got home. I braved putting him on again today and it didn't hurt as much.

My issue now is that the breast alone isn't enough for him to get full. He was feeding for a good hour each side and was still starving and extremely frustrated. So I topped him up with formula after. I don't want this to affect my supply. But he really was just so angry and actually getting frustrated at the breast by the end, because he was hungry and nothing settled him.

My first son got so frustrated at the breast by the end, that he refused to latch on at all. This is bringing back horrible memories.

How can I prevent this from happening again ? He just doesn't seem full, even after 2 hours of feeding. Something must be wrong ! Any tips ? Sorry if this doesn't make much sense. I'm really tired.

OP posts:
Original poster
desperateforhelpfff · 05/05/2022 20:53

It's still really hard to get the fipple method down every time. I'm exhausted from a 45 minute feed and he's still hungry and it does still hurt somewhat. My boobs seem bigger. Maybe it means that tomorrow I'll have more milk.

I'm honestly exhausted. I don't understand how women make this work at this point ! It just seems SO difficult ! It's a full time job. Even just getting his little arm in the right position is a massive fight. So tired now.

OP posts:
Vikinga · 05/05/2022 21:02

Hi op. I breastfed my 4 and one of mine never latched on properly. Had to be relatched every single time. They shouldn't suck on the nipple - you have to stuff the breast on their mouth so they're suckling on the breast.

Breastfeeding babies will want to spend a lot of time with you and before a growth spurt they will suckle and then fall asleep at the breast and cry if you move them. This is so that your body generates the supply they need. Just relax and dont worry. As long as your baby is having wet and dirty nappies and is growing , all is fine. I loved kellymom.com for all things breastfeeding btw.

KatieKat88 · 05/05/2022 21:03

desperateforhelpfff · 05/05/2022 20:53

It's still really hard to get the fipple method down every time. I'm exhausted from a 45 minute feed and he's still hungry and it does still hurt somewhat. My boobs seem bigger. Maybe it means that tomorrow I'll have more milk.

I'm honestly exhausted. I don't understand how women make this work at this point ! It just seems SO difficult ! It's a full time job. Even just getting his little arm in the right position is a massive fight. So tired now.

It definitely takes practice (for him as well as you!) Don't be worried to unlatch and try again if it doesn't seem right. It's a lot of effort now but it becomes much more natural over time.

Vikinga · 05/05/2022 21:03

Oh and in my experience the first 7-10 days are the hardest and then it gets easier. But if you want to do mix feeding because someone else can do it too, then go for it, dont worry.

Original poster
desperateforhelpfff · 05/05/2022 21:05

Vikinga · 05/05/2022 21:02

Hi op. I breastfed my 4 and one of mine never latched on properly. Had to be relatched every single time. They shouldn't suck on the nipple - you have to stuff the breast on their mouth so they're suckling on the breast.

Breastfeeding babies will want to spend a lot of time with you and before a growth spurt they will suckle and then fall asleep at the breast and cry if you move them. This is so that your body generates the supply they need. Just relax and dont worry. As long as your baby is having wet and dirty nappies and is growing , all is fine. I loved kellymom.com for all things breastfeeding btw.

This is what he does ! He falls asleep and then cries when I move him.

OP posts:
Original poster
desperateforhelpfff · 05/05/2022 21:07

Vikinga · 05/05/2022 21:03

Oh and in my experience the first 7-10 days are the hardest and then it gets easier. But if you want to do mix feeding because someone else can do it too, then go for it, dont worry.

Hope so !

OP posts:
Lady1576 · 05/05/2022 21:13

OfstedOffred · 03/05/2022 23:31

Get him properly checked for tongue tie - look for a local IBCLC etc.

Try nipple shields in the mean time, it will take away the struggle to latch, help him drain the breast, relieving his frustration and helping your supply.

I second this advice!

Jonesy88 · 05/05/2022 21:21

Good luck in your journey.

just popping by to say I found applying cream to my nipples to be super painful and instead was recommended multi-mam compresses from boots. Honestly it was so soothing for me - might be helpful for you.

Dippydinosaurus · 05/05/2022 21:23

I feel your pain the first four (sorry!) weeks were awful. Mastitis and thrush were so so bad. I read one tip which was to keep going for just one more day and that kept me going. My dd wouldn't take a bottle or dummy so I had no choice but to persevere. Cluster feeding lasted about 6 weeks which was also hell. But at 4 weeks the pain suddenly went and it was so easy. No heating up milk and carrying bottles around. I did have to use nipple shields occasionally because of the pain and use lansinoh after EVERY feed it's amazing. If breast feeding doesn't work for you at least you tried

Dippydinosaurus · 05/05/2022 21:26

Also I ended up breast feeding until she was 2 which I never would have imagined at the start as I would have happily swapped to bottles but she wouldn't take them (I tried lots of teats).

WulyJmpr · 05/05/2022 21:34

It helped me when the HV said that as well as me having to learn to breastfeed the baby, the baby is also learning how to breastfeed from me.

So it may be a little uncoordinated at first but you will both soon become real experts!

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