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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Original poster

Feeding problems

5 replies

StaceyK001 · 31/08/2013 08:50

Hi, I am a mum to a week old baby boy.

I have been trying hard to continue with breast feeding but I am having a few problems. I have flat nipples and have struggled to get DS to latch on so started using nipple shields. This worked well to start with but it feels like my nipples are pinching and has caused my nipples to crack and bleed when feeding. This means that DS is drinking some blood. When they are at their worst I feed him formula.

I spoke to my midwife about the issues and he has said that if I am going to give him formula I need to express the same amount to keep the milk flow normal. So bought myself a Medela Swing on recommendation of a few people. The process is very slow. I have just expressed from both breast for about an hour and have only managed to express 50ml, should I be able to express more in this time?

Also the milk still seems to be the foremilk and I don't seem to be getting any hindmilk.

Please could someone let me know if this is normal, as I am starting to get a bit stressed and just need it to start going right.

I would go to a breastfeeding clinic or even the docs but I had a caesarean and I am not able to walk very far or drive.

Thanks

OP posts:
JiltedJohnsJulie · 31/08/2013 10:30

Congratulations on your new Lo and well done for continuing to bf with such a tough start Thanks

Has the mw recommended anything for the cracked nipples? If you google kellymom cracked nipples, some good information should come up. Kellymom is a good resource for bfing mums Smile. Sorry I can't do links at the moment.

Have you spoken to a Bfc too? Have you got the helpline numbers or a phone number for a local Bfc? Could you afford to see a lactation consultant?

JiltedJohnsJulie · 31/08/2013 10:39

Sorry about that, I can do links again now. The details of the Bfing Helplines to speak to a BFC) and how to contact a LC are here, towards the bottom of the page.

JiltedJohnsJulie · 31/08/2013 10:42

There is some info on inverted nipples and cracked and bleeding nipples here. Sorry for doing the posts separately, ipad seems to be playing up.

JiltedJohnsJulie · 31/08/2013 16:51

Forgot to say. How much you can express is absolutely no indication of how much milk you are producing. If you want to know if you are producing enough milk you need to look at the nappy count.

How are things now?

Bunnychan · 31/08/2013 20:16

I had cracked and sore nipples that bleed. I had a Breastfeeding support worker come out to me and it was a god send. I'm happily exclusively breast feeding now and my LO is 13 weeks old but god I struggled in the beginning. Have you been using lanolin cream or Vaseline- both of which helped me. Also, you can buy breast shells which can help to get clothes of them and let them air too which will promote healing. Try breast feeding in a football hold, this is what I was told when I was sore. The blood won't bother you're LO. As for expressing- try looking at your baby of a picture to help. Massaging the breast might help as might warm flannels. I think most people find they can express more in the mornings rather than the evenings. Also, please don't worry about how much you express as worrying about it can make it worse. It does get easier- I promise! X

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