Idiots guide to breast feeding a newborn

[vj32]

Please can someone show me where I can get more information or just explain things to me.

I think I know how to get the baby latched on correctly and midwives in hospital said he was. But I'm getting very cracked and sore nipples.

I think my milk is coming in today and I know this can make things more difficult but...

Short of walking around topless all day how do I stop my nipples sticking to bra/breast pads? I am using nipple cream - how does this fit with advice that they always be clean and dry before you get dressed?

Also - will the baby take less milk than colostrum or if he is doing this does this suggest something is wrong?

ok is a fantastic website with lots of great info on how the normal course of BF goes www.kellymom.com/bf/index.html Well worth a read.

You shouldn't have cracked nipples if the latch is right. This site has some good vidios to show what a good latch should look like www.nbci.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=6&Itemid=13

I take it your still under the care of the midwifes at this stage. Give them a ring they are always willing to come out to new mum's if your having problems.

To help your nipples heal you need to get the latch sorted and then keep them moist at all times, so yes nipple cream or even vasaline works to. This is called moist wound healling. But if the latch isn't right they woun't get better.

If for some reasion you don't have much luck with your midwife then ring one of the BF helplines. Someone can talk you though things and if needed they may be someone local who can come and see you.

www.nhs.uk/Planners/breastfeeding/Pages/help-and-support.aspx

Hi, vj - hope we can help :)

If you need cream, just use it and it does not matter if this means your nipples are not clean and dry - never heard that, anyway. Who told you nipples should always be clean and dry before getting dressed?

It is deffo worth getting observed feeding again. Sometimes, babies can look as if they are on comfortably to an inexperienced eye, but if it does not feel comfortable, something may well need amending.....occasionally babies have a tongue tie that makes comfortable feeding harder, but more often, it's just a case of changing the way the baby takes the breast (have you tried letting him self-attach? See biological nurturing).

Usually babies increase the volume of milk they take when the milk comes in, but they may well feed very frequently, even so. I'd be concerned about a baby who is on day 3-4 and is actualy feeding less often than before but not sure if this is what you meant , sorry.

I'm sure someone will have better advice than me but i recommend the lying down position. Google 'laid back breastfeeding' there's a site all about it and how it helps avoid soreness etc.

In my experience you do have some pain earl on before your nipples toughen up but I hadn't heard of the lying down position when DS was newborn.

I never wiped off the cream (are you using lansinoh? I think it is the best).

Baby will probably feed more as their stomachs increase in size quickly and exponentially. I would expect him to feed every hour to two hours during the day and be latched on almost permanenently in the evening.

If you're very cracked and sore then the latch could probably be improved - google "Biological Nurturing" for another perspective on getting the baby latched on.

Has the baby been checked for tongue tie?

Midwives aren't always experts at breastfeeding - might be worth calling the National Breastfeeding Helpline or the NCT breastfeeding line for some advice, or trying to get to a group or baby cafe in your area.

Best thing for healing cracks (other than improving the latch/positioning) is keeping them moist - lansinoh is really good, and you can use breastmilk on them too. Keeping clothes off, or using breastshells to keep clothes off your nips can help.

The baby will take more milk than colostrum. Do you mean the baby is now feeding less often or for shorter periods?

What do you mean by taking less milk then colostrum?

When your milk comes in there is more quanity then colostrum, so babies then can go longer between feeds. But I'm not sure that's what you mean. Hand expressing a little milk first to soffen the breast can help you latch them on if this is a problem.

I'm sure someone will have better advice than me but i recommend the lying down position. Google 'laid back breastfeeding' there's a site all about it and how it helps avoid soreness etc.

In my experience you do have some pain earl on before your nipples toughen up but I hadn't heard of the lying down position when DS was newborn.

I never wiped off the cream (are you using lansinoh? I think it is the best).

Baby will probably feed more as their stomachs increase in size quickly and exponentially. I would expect him to feed every hour to two hours during the day and be latched on almost permanenently in the evening.

sorry about double post.

My nipples don't stick to the Lansinoh breast pads, I really recommend them. Lanisnoh cream before and after each feed, and I never wipe it off.

I sometimes squeeze my nipple (at the areola) between my index and middle fingers (imagine doing a scissor action) to make it more mouth-shaped when latching, and find that makes it easier for the baby to latch on properly.

You sometimes get a bit of a sting when latching but once latched it shouldn't hurt. That sting does go as your nipples toughen up and get used to feeding after a few weeks.

Thanks for the replies, I will look at the websites and investigate the Lansinoh breast pads.

I do have proper milk now so think that may have been the problem. I will call the midwives if I still have a problem after the weekend.

I am still on strong pain killers and very emotional so think I was just panicing and tensing up which was making things worse.

Cracked and sore nipples suggest that your latch could be improved. Some discomfort is normal, but not pain.

This website has very useful videos. However the most useful thing would be for someone to have a look at your latch. Do you have a breastfeeding support group near you? If you google, it should let you know.

There are also helplines. The Breastfeeding Network Helpline is 0300 100 0210. There are others.

There are good lanolin rish buirns dressings available in chemists that will help keep cracked nipples moist (which is a good thing). ALso, expressing a little breast milk on your nipples after a feed will help.

some good advice here.

Just want to point out that sadly not all mw's are bf experts...by a long shot.

If they are giving you contradictory advice or are man handleing you their training is out of date. If so please seek advice from a proper bf councillor...try the nct helpline (sorry i don't have the number to hand...google maybe?)