Decided to bf last minute - advice welcome!

[FartnissEverbeans]

Hi everyone! Looking for some basic advice on bf because I have no clue. DS is a week old.

Initially I was happy with a few colostrum feeds but I’ve been trying to keep it going with the goal of mixed feeding.

But we don’t know what we’re doing! At the moment I’m using nipple shields and he seems to be latching? It feels uncomfortable but not too painful and I can see he’s getting something as there’s milk in the shields. After 10-15 mins, either on one boob or each, I top up with formula and he’s still taking a good bit of that. I tried pumping but got maybe 10ml in total.

I know I should probably stop topping up but he’s jaundiced and I don’t want to stop using formula anyway - I’m pretty battered up after the birth, haven’t been sleeping and really need DH to be able to help with feeding. I’ve found if he’s super hungry that a bit of formula at the start actually helps him latch on because he’s calmer.

To add another layer of difficulty, I think I’ve got DMER so every time he latches on I get really upset and sick for a few minutes and then periodically throughout the feed. Every time I feed him I think I can’t do it again.

Also, I don’t have any engorgement at all and very little leakage. Is that normal? I seem to have a lump in one breast that I’m sure wasn’t there before - I’ll ask my dr at the next appointment but is that normal?

It’s hard work isn’t it! I found it a bit uncomfortable at first but it did get better.

A few bits of advice:

Dry your nipples and apply Lansinoh nipple cream after each feed - the last thing you want is sore cracked nipples

Will he latch without nipple shields? If he will it’s probably better not to use them - if he won’t then it’s fine to use them.

Try feeding him when he’s sleepy or asleep - just rub your nipple on his face. The feeding instincts are stronger when they’re asleep so you might get a good latch.

Don’t worry about pumping - best to try to get the baby to suck as often as possible - you produce more milk that way compared to pumping because of the hormones.

The lump could be a blocked duct - when you’re in the shower, give it a good firm massage - if it is you need to get it shifted so it doesn’t turn into mastitis.

It’s so tough, you’re doing amazing! I had the shields but found that they slowed my production. Pumping can really help, I only got about 5ml at the start but after a month of doing 15 mins a day I was getting 140ml. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself and be really proud of every feed you do, any milk is amazing for your baby xxx

p.s. if the lump is a blocked duct, as well as massaging it in the shower, also massage it when you are pumping and feeding

It gets easier to the point of easy!

Lots of skin to skin to get your milk
Supply up.

Don't worry about pumping as babies are much better at getting milk out of you than any pump.

Drink plenty.

Google any probables you have with Kelly Mom tagged onto question. That we sure has all the answers.

The breastfeeding network is fantastic for knowing what medicines you can take when breastfeeding should you ever get ill.

Stay home, stay in bed and snuggle that baby. All you need to know is what you are doing already.

Thank you everyone! I think we’re improving slowly but I don’t think my supply has been established yet and his latch, although it looks good, is now causing me quite a bit of pain! I’ve pushed through it and my nips are a bit sore but it seems to be getting better. The DMER feelings are reducing too.

@GemmaRuby I’m still using the shields. I don’t know if this is the case but compared to all the women on the YouTube videos I’ve watched my actual nipples seem very small? I don’t know if that’s maybe causing problems as he won’t latch without the shields. Need to grab some Lansinoh! Thank you x

@Athomewiththehales89 Im going to aim for fifteen minutes per day then! Thanks

@pompomsgalore Thank you, that’s reassuring I’m really chuffed with our progress as I had originally discounted the idea completely and didn’t want anyone to even talk to me about bf (my husband even spoke to the midwife about it beforehand so that nobody would mention it) but the birth went so well that I felt confident to try it. Completely unprepared though!

Nip these problems with the latch in the bud now or you will be in total agony with 48 hours.

Do you have a responsive feeding team in your area? If yes they will contact you and are utter experts. Ask the midwives what support is your area.

Get every midwife that visits to check your latch. Unfortunately they can be hit and miss with advice and expertise on feeding. (I'm not midwife bashing but I think their training covers so much the bf isn't a priority). Google latch and watch you tube videos.

Also meant to say yes get that cream ASAP. Honestly it's worth the money.

But the absolute best thing is to bathe your nipples in your own milk after each feed. If some milk collects in the shields let them sit in it. It's the best ointment fro healing.

You are doing so well and to keep going we just need to get your latch sorted and the it'll be a breeze.