Breastfeeding is hard...

scarew · 06-17-2007, 12:24 AM

I can see why so many people give up and just use formula. It is really difficult. Its incovenient in so many ways. Jorja latched on perfectly just 2 hours after birth. But over the last 2 weeks she has developed a blister on the inside of her mouth. It makes her only want to eat for a couple minutes, until the hunger is satisfied, then it starts to hurt her (I am theorizing) and I can't get her to take it anymore. My mom says its because she is not latching on properly (sucking too much on the end of the nipple). So I have tried being really really good about making sure she gets a big bite the last few days. Its just so hard. Sometimes she just fusses right out and cries so that I can't give it to her at all. She has no problem taking pumped milk from the bottle, so I know its something to do with the latch. This sucks...

ElektraHere · 06-17-2007, 12:29 AM

Perhaps you could pump your breast milk until her blister heals. After that you might have better luck at her latching on.

My friend just had a baby and breast feeds too. She called today to tell me her breasts were clogged. OUCH!! She said its the most painful thing. I didnt know breast milk can clog in the breasts. I digress sorry.

I would pump until the blister is healed.

Congrats on the new little one

Scout · 06-17-2007, 12:38 AM

Have you heard of La Leche League? It's a voluntary lactation support group, and they have local resources/chapters everywhere. Look 'em up, they can probably give you some good advice on how to deal with this.

That being said, I've read several breastfeeding stories on enotalone that make me very nervous about my own upcoming experience with this (I'm due in September.) I so want to be able to breastfeed because of the convenience and health benefits, but it definitely sounds harder than I realized.

**avman** · 06-17-2007, 01:33 AM

It is harder than using the bottle, but I think the rewards all around are greater. The baby gets nutrition more suited to their body, they get mom's antibodies for longer, it's always the right temperature, etc. But for sure, it's not as convenient as formula.

It's something every mom has to decide for herself. The La Leche league is a great resource. They can provide you support and information when you run into these kinds of snags. It's certainly a lot easier to do it when you have knowledgable help.

scarew I'm sure you are doing just fine. It's easy to get frustrated when the baby is sitting there crying her head off and you just want to feed her so bad. Take a deep breath, and be patient. You two look adorable in your photo.

WhiteForest · 06-17-2007, 02:15 AM

Was she being bottlefed before the blister? This could be a reason she is having trouble...the sucking technique is completely different with a bottle than with a breast. They highly recommend not bottle feeding a breastfed baby when it is still young because it can cause them problems with breastfeeding. I'm not sure if it can cause a blister but it seems possible if the baby was trying to suck differently on your breast...could have rubbed the mouth raw somehow.

Definitely check into LaLeche League...they're the breastfeeding experts.

Good Luck!!!

BornToResist · 06-17-2007, 02:35 AM

You know...it sounds weird but I would push (only a little bit) on my baby's nose and he'd open his mouth wider. He'd like, chase my finger and then I'd just stick him on there.

It's perfectly normal to develop blisters too.

Breastfeeding IS very, very difficult. My kid latched on perfectly from the getgo and didn't have many problems, but I still couldn't get it to work perfectly (clogged ducts, owww). It's a learning process and don't get down on yourself. I read it takes about 6 weeks to get the hang of it.

I also think you should call a lactation specialist. You could probably call up the hospital you delivered at and talk to the woman's unit, they'd have all the numbers you need.

If you decide to go with formula, there's nothing wrong with that either.

Good luck!

**Hope75** · 06-17-2007, 01:42 PM

Sarah,

Just wanted to lend my support.

Hang in there!

Ash · 06-18-2007, 09:00 AM

M has large nipples which caused some issues with a latch. Not sure if you do, not going to ask, you don't need to say, but whether you do or not (and there is some contreversy surrounding this apparently) perhaps nipple shields could help. Perhaps it's worth looking into.

Stick with it dear, I know it can be tough, it was for M. Supplementing with a bottle is perfectly okay if she isn't / can't get enough from you for the moment. We had to supplement all along, and our little guy is large, solid as a tank, healthy and sharp as a button so he certainly did not suffer in the least.

We're all proud of you, this isn't as easy as you think.

Scout, you too will do fine when you get there. There will perhaps be tough times but you know where to come for advice and moral support!

under_my_amberella · 06-21-2007, 07:52 PM

yeah, breastfeeding sucks. at least in the beginning until you get it right. it's all about the latch. once you and baby learn how to latch properly, then the sore nipples will heal, your ducts won't clog, and she'll be able to suck efficiently and get all the milk she needs from a short feed. Just keep trying until you get the latch perfectly. Sometimes I used to try about 20 times before I'd feel like she was latched on right and then let her feed. Those were rough days. But now she knows how and she does it free style. I just bring her face to my boob and she does all the work. it's awesome. I never thought I would enjoy it but I love it now. Trust me, it does get easier

scarew · 06-21-2007, 11:46 PM

Thanks for your support guys!

I miss coming on here. The days just go by so quickly! I love my little one so much, its amazing. Anyways, breastfeeding has gone a little better for the past couple days. I figured out that every time she cries or wines it doesn't necessaryily mean she is hungry. She could be lonely, need a change, have gas, want the pacifier, anything! So now I try everything else before feeding her, and if I still see that she is upset, I know its hunger. This way she feeds for a longer time leaving longer intervals in between feeding. I hope it doesn't make it sound like I starve my baby! It is just working better this way for both of us! But all is well. She is quite gassy these days, but still healthy as a horse. We have her 3 wk appointment tomorrow. I'm sure she will be fine, but I think I might have a UTI. We will see tom. CHEERS!

06-17-2007, 12:24 AM	#1
scarew Offline Gold Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Canada Gender: Female Age: 24 Posts: 806	Breastfeeding is hard... I can see why so many people give up and just use formula. It is really difficult. Its incovenient in so many ways. Jorja latched on perfectly just 2 hours after birth. But over the last 2 weeks she has developed a blister on the inside of her mouth. It makes her only want to eat for a couple minutes, until the hunger is satisfied, then it starts to hurt her (I am theorizing) and I can't get her to take it anymore. My mom says its because she is not latching on properly (sucking too much on the end of the nipple). So I have tried being really really good about making sure she gets a big bite the last few days. Its just so hard. Sometimes she just fusses right out and cries so that I can't give it to her at all. She has no problem taking pumped milk from the bottle, so I know its something to do with the latch. This sucks... __________________ I love my baby Jorja

06-17-2007, 12:38 AM	#3
Scout Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Colorado Gender: Female Age: 40 Posts: 7,288	Have you heard of La Leche League? It's a voluntary lactation support group, and they have local resources/chapters everywhere. Look 'em up, they can probably give you some good advice on how to deal with this. That being said, I've read several breastfeeding stories on enotalone that make me very nervous about my own upcoming experience with this (I'm due in September.) I so want to be able to breastfeed because of the convenience and health benefits, but it definitely sounds harder than I realized. __________________ If your dog is fat, you're not getting enough exercise. * * * One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon instead of enjoying the roses that are blooming outside our windows today. - Dale Carnegie * * * Bob Ross rules! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOpF_ZGD4Ps

06-17-2007, 01:33 AM	#4
avman Offline Administrator Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Minnesota Gender: Male Age: 42 Posts: 6,526	It is harder than using the bottle, but I think the rewards all around are greater. The baby gets nutrition more suited to their body, they get mom's antibodies for longer, it's always the right temperature, etc. But for sure, it's not as convenient as formula. It's something every mom has to decide for herself. The La Leche league is a great resource. They can provide you support and information when you run into these kinds of snags. It's certainly a lot easier to do it when you have knowledgable help. scarew I'm sure you are doing just fine. It's easy to get frustrated when the baby is sitting there crying her head off and you just want to feed her so bad. Take a deep breath, and be patient. You two look adorable in your photo. __________________ "Children are a wonderful gift . . . They have an extraordinary capacity to see into the heart of things and to expose sham and humbug for what they are." Desmond Tutu

06-17-2007, 02:35 AM	#6
BornToResist Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Gender: Female Posts: 1,844	You know...it sounds weird but I would push (only a little bit) on my baby's nose and he'd open his mouth wider. He'd like, chase my finger and then I'd just stick him on there. It's perfectly normal to develop blisters too. Breastfeeding IS very, very difficult. My kid latched on perfectly from the getgo and didn't have many problems, but I still couldn't get it to work perfectly (clogged ducts, owww). It's a learning process and don't get down on yourself. I read it takes about 6 weeks to get the hang of it. I also think you should call a lactation specialist. You could probably call up the hospital you delivered at and talk to the woman's unit, they'd have all the numbers you need. If you decide to go with formula, there's nothing wrong with that either. Good luck! __________________ “Wisdom is nothing more than healed pain.” - Robert Gary Lee

06-17-2007, 01:42 PM	#7
Hope75 Offline Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: kitteh ville Gender: Female Age: 33 Posts: 12,504	Sarah, Just wanted to lend my support. Hang in there! __________________ Muffin cats need love too. Please refer to the forum rules before posting: http://www.enotalone.com/forum/forum-rules.php Mama to a beautiful baby girl born 6-25-09. :)

06-17-2007, 12:29 AM	#2
ElektraHere Offline Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: West Coast Gender: Female Age: 37 Posts: 2,379	Perhaps you could pump your breast milk until her blister heals. After that you might have better luck at her latching on. My friend just had a baby and breast feeds too. She called today to tell me her breasts were clogged. OUCH!! She said its the most painful thing. I didnt know breast milk can clog in the breasts. I digress sorry. I would pump until the blister is healed. Congrats on the new little one

06-17-2007, 02:15 AM	#5
WhiteForest Offline Silver Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: In a Hollow Tree Gender: Female Age: 28 Posts: 372	Was she being bottlefed before the blister? This could be a reason she is having trouble...the sucking technique is completely different with a bottle than with a breast. They highly recommend not bottle feeding a breastfed baby when it is still young because it can cause them problems with breastfeeding. I'm not sure if it can cause a blister but it seems possible if the baby was trying to suck differently on your breast...could have rubbed the mouth raw somehow. Definitely check into LaLeche League...they're the breastfeeding experts. Good Luck!!!

06-18-2007, 09:00 AM	#8
Ash Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Ontario, Canada Gender: Male Age: 46 Posts: 1,868	M has large nipples which caused some issues with a latch. Not sure if you do, not going to ask, you don't need to say, but whether you do or not (and there is some contreversy surrounding this apparently) perhaps nipple shields could help. Perhaps it's worth looking into. Stick with it dear, I know it can be tough, it was for M. Supplementing with a bottle is perfectly okay if she isn't / can't get enough from you for the moment. We had to supplement all along, and our little guy is large, solid as a tank, healthy and sharp as a button so he certainly did not suffer in the least. We're all proud of you, this isn't as easy as you think. Scout, you too will do fine when you get there. There will perhaps be tough times but you know where to come for advice and moral support! __________________ Wisdom can come with youth ... my friends here prove it everyday.

06-21-2007, 07:52 PM	#9
under_my_amberella Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Gender: Female Age: 28 Posts: 5,035	yeah, breastfeeding sucks. at least in the beginning until you get it right. it's all about the latch. once you and baby learn how to latch properly, then the sore nipples will heal, your ducts won't clog, and she'll be able to suck efficiently and get all the milk she needs from a short feed. Just keep trying until you get the latch perfectly. Sometimes I used to try about 20 times before I'd feel like she was latched on right and then let her feed. Those were rough days. But now she knows how and she does it free style. I just bring her face to my boob and she does all the work. it's awesome. I never thought I would enjoy it but I love it now. Trust me, it does get easier

06-21-2007, 11:46 PM	#10
scarew Offline Gold Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Canada Gender: Female Age: 24 Posts: 806	Thanks for your support guys! I miss coming on here. The days just go by so quickly! I love my little one so much, its amazing. Anyways, breastfeeding has gone a little better for the past couple days. I figured out that every time she cries or wines it doesn't necessaryily mean she is hungry. She could be lonely, need a change, have gas, want the pacifier, anything! So now I try everything else before feeding her, and if I still see that she is upset, I know its hunger. This way she feeds for a longer time leaving longer intervals in between feeding. I hope it doesn't make it sound like I starve my baby! It is just working better this way for both of us! But all is well. She is quite gassy these days, but still healthy as a horse. We have her 3 wk appointment tomorrow. I'm sure she will be fine, but I think I might have a UTI. We will see tom. CHEERS! __________________ I love my baby Jorja