Breastfeeding help

• By beckyandplacido
• Reply 1958697
• February 8, 2011 at 1:49 am
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I would have a lactation consultant with you next time you can try it, and each and every time they let you try nursing. They can be an amazing resource!

• By Anna5
• Reply 1959270
• February 8, 2011 at 10:32 am
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What is her actual age right now?Most of them have a lot of trouble with latching until their due date and beyond that.My daughter was a 27 weeker and she didnt completely breastfed until she was about 2 months past the due date even though I started trying in the hospital.It can take a lot of time and patience but well worth it in the end.One thing that helped her and me with latching was a nipple shield which you can get from lactation consultant.I did add bottles with pumped BM until she fully switched to the breast.

• By sunshineuribe
• Reply 1959395
• February 8, 2011 at 11:36 am
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I used the nipple shield with my son. I would start with it and then halfway through remove it and he seemed to do well with it. Also, they would weigh him before I bf and then afterwards to see what he took in.

• By nicumomof27weeker
• Reply 1960098
• February 8, 2011 at 5:01 pm
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She is now 4 months/ 5 weeks. We have been home for 6 weeks. The lactation specialist at the hosp was no help. She was an her phone for half the time and texting the rest. I will try a shield and see if that helps. Sometimes I want to just stop giving her a bottle until she gets it. But I worry that she won't get what she needs. Im worried that we wont get it bc I have to go back to work in March.

• By dpoohbear82
• Reply 1962934
• February 9, 2011 at 8:00 pm
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not sure if you get WIC or not but the one around here helps new moms that need help breastfeeding their babies..my appointment took over an hr because the women in front of me needed help with breastfeeding and they helped her and also made an appointment with her to call her the next day and even if needed go to her house and help her there. Also is there another hospital near you that could help?

• By Zaksmom
• Reply 1963178
• February 9, 2011 at 9:51 pm
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We also used the nipple shield until Zak finally latched on properly, then there was not stopping him. It was very frustrating trying to nurse him before we started with the shield, he just didn't seem interested at all and only wanted the bottle. I am sorry to hear that your lactation consultant is of no help, as this is a very trying time. If possible I would find another hospital. Good luck, I know you guys will get the hang of it!!

• By iismomma
• Reply 1963194
• February 9, 2011 at 10:01 pm
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I agree with trying to get in touch with WIC or a local Le Leche League group lactation consultant. I am still breastfeeding my daughter 11months/8 1/2 actual. She is my second child and she was much more difficult to start breastfeeding. Sometimes I think it's just a matter of letting your child learn. When we came home I was BF only except for one bottle at night when she would get too tired to nurse. Of course the first few weeks she was nursing nearly every hour and a half, but honestly after the first week of doing so, she was nursing soooo much better than the last few days before we left the hospital. If your milk is letting down and she's nursing for a solid 20 mins you may want to try and just stick to the breast instead of offering more by bottle and then feed again when she's giving you hunger cues. My firstborn was a quick eater and nursed usually only 10 -15 minutes, while my second would take 30-40 mins.
As for getting her to open wider, my lactation nurse recommended expressing a little milk with your hand as she was latching on to get her to pull the nipple in further.
Good luck! hope everything gets easier for you.

• By rainysmom
• Reply 1965264
• February 10, 2011 at 6:02 pm
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Keep at it, be patient, and read the article recently posted here by ddicenza about breastfeeding preemies. It took a lot of focus and effort for me, more than I would have ever imagined.

• By madrose124
• Reply 1983410
• February 18, 2011 at 2:47 pm
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I have heard it to be common for a nursing baby to take a full bottle afterwards. Despite how much they got. Supplementing can be bad for milk production ad the breastfeeding process. What you can try to do first is buy a scale, I hear the red cross one at babies r us is a good one, and weigh your baby before and after a feeding to see how much she's getting. I agree the nipple shield could help.

A way to get a good latch is to hold your boob like a samwich with your thumb on top and fingers below the nipple and areola. Squish it and rub the nipple on her bottom lip to get her to open wide and with your other arm aupporting her bring her onto you. That should ensure the best latch with more areola. It may take a few tries but don't get discouraged. Its better to get a good latch than let her go on with a bad one.

I have experience with bfing my FT son for 13 months and bfing now exclusively my preemie who was a 30wker he started to dry nuzzle around 34 wks but it wasn't until about 37 or 38 that he nursed well. Now at 7wks adjustted he is a pro.