HELP!!!!! BF/pumping related... UPDATE, kinda...

Hi Mommies!!!
New mom here, Baby Shane will be 3 weeks on Wednesday, and I'm REALLY struggling with the BFing. I've been SO sore that I've had to supplement with a bottle of formula every day but I'm trying to get out of that habit... SOOOO I'm using the medela pump in style breast pump, and I'm SO frustrated - after 2 marathon pumping sessions today, doing both breasts, I have a grand total of 1 ounce of milk.
Am I just not meant to Breastfeed? I'm really on the fence about whether I can keep going, the pain is better but still pretty bad, I dread feedings right now and I'm so worn out by 10pm each day that I can hardly make it through these long nights ahead...

Any advice on the pumping? Are there any secret techniques that might help get more juice???

Thanks for any advice,

UPDATE - 10/1 7:38pm
Ladies, I can't thank all of you enough for your kind words and advice... I was seriously at the breaking point with this post and you kept me hanging in there for another few days... BUT now I'm really losing confidence, I have been NON STOP BFING for 2 days now and my little guy seems hungry ALL the time, pumping gets DROPS no matter how long I give it and worst of all, he's only having one poopy diaper a day now. I just changed him about 1/2 hour ago and he's got a runny greenish poop, not the healthy yellow "seedy" kind he's supposed to be having at this point. I'm so sad and frustrated, I'll call the doctor tomorrow morning, but I just can't bear thinking I'm starving my little baby, KWIM???

Message edited 10/1/2008 7:38:29 PM.

Re: HELP!!!!! BF/pumping related...

I am in the SAME exact boat. I have basically been slacking, giving up, and supplementing more and more but I just wasn't getting enough and couldn't take it. Honestly, I feel really sad and bad about it now and I feel like it's too late. All I can say is drink tons of water. I had no idea what an impact that had until now. It makes a huge difference. Try not to give up. They say the first 4-6 weeks are the hardest and most women start to enjoy it at the 3 month mark. I don't know if I am going to make it though.

Also, a friend of mine who BF for 2 years said she was never able to pump much but her DD never needed to supplement. Maybe the baby can get more than the pump like they say. But I understand. I hate pumping, I love sleeping ( I don't commit to pumping every 2 hours to increase my supply even when she's asleep), and my nipples are always on fire.

Re: HELP!!!!! BF/pumping related...

O wow I'm so sorry for you too!! it s*cks, seriously.
-- Its just WRONG that this gets easier at 3 months -- as we go back to work!
-- How frustrating is it that the ONLY answer to the soreness is "BF more!" I just want to

Re: HELP!!!!! BF/pumping related...

Colette~ go buy yourself a nipple shield. They sell them at BRU in the breast pump section. It's basically a piece of latex that goes over your nipple and should help with the pain.

Also, have you called a lactation consultant? I SWEAR by using an LC. The LC will help make sure you have a correct latch- which is the main cause of nipple soreness.

Lactation Consultants

Re: HELP!!!!! BF/pumping related...

I agree with the breast shield idea, give it a try it might work. I stopped bfing at about 3 weeks, and moved to exclusively pumping, it hurt too much to breast feed and DS had a hard time attaching, i do supplement 1 bottle at the 3am feeding cause i am too tierd to pump. I at times have to mix in a little formula to make it 4.5 oz, which is what DS drinks. Just stay with it and be patient, it should get easier.

Re: HELP!!!!! BF/pumping related...

I struggled a lot with my DS in the beginning with latching problems and then with my DD with sore nipples and mastitis, but I swear it DOES get better! I'll be honest and say the first 6 weeks were VERY difficult, but after that it was SO much better.

For pumping...make sure you're drinking lots of water. Also I found it helpful to look at a picture of DC. check kellymom.com for great advice.

Message edited 12/10/2009 2:45:18 PM.

Re: HELP!!!!! BF/pumping related...

First, I'd like to give you some

DS is 3 months old and just last week I was able to officially announce my love for BFing.

I'm no professional but here are my suggestions:

The more you supplement with formula, the less time Shane spends latched, = less milk production. By supplementing and Shane not at the breast your body is thinking Shane is eating less. So you are actually decreasing your supply.

Try to remove all suckling items from Shane's day except the breast. Don't give pacis, bottles, etc. The aforementioned require a different latch than the breast and could be confusing Shane.

Your nipples may be sore because she isn't latching properly. Make sure majority of the bottom part of your nipple is in her mouth. DS latched like a champ from the beginning, then around 3 weeks my nipples were so sore they felt like they were burining. I discussed it with my sister (who is now EBFing her 3rd) and she said "check your latch". Sure enough I had gotten too confident and he wasn't latching properly.

Pumping.....only pump (before 6 weeks) if you want to increase your supply. And make it a habit/schedule (most pumpers get the most in the morning since babies usually go their longest stretch between feedings at night). I have never been a successful pumper and only keep a few days worth of bottles in the freezer gosh forbid there is an emergency.

Lastly, don't get discouraged. I know easier said than done but we have all been there. Especially in the beginning. They cluster feed, and cry, and you begin to feel like a cow. Anytime you get frustrated, drop me an FM...I'll boost your confidence You'd be surprised at what a "I think you are doing an amazing job" can do!

Message edited 9/29/2008 9:12:52 PM.

Re: HELP!!!!! BF/pumping related...

All the above advice is good..

One thing that seems like such common sense that I read about pumping was that when you first get started you should lean back a little bit - not lying down, but just a comfortable lean back. That helped increase the amount I pumped.

Also, hate to tell you this, but the middle of the night pumping session is a must.

And just so you know, I pumped exclusively for the first 2-4 weeks and then got her back on the breast - it took a lot of patience, but it worked for me. There were a couple of reasons I did this but one of them was that my nips were super sore and needed the break! Good luck!

Re: HELP!!!!! BF/pumping related...

I am kind of in the same boat. DS is just over 2 weeks. he did not latch on, so I've been pumping one to one and a half ounces at a time, so frustrating and exhausting. I feel like giving up, I'm so tired and my boobies are sore all the time. I'm going to give it a couple more days and see how it goes. I tried the nipple shields but he doesn't like them since He has only had the bottle. Good Luck to you!

Re: HELP!!!!! BF/pumping related...

That is completely normal. Drink lots of water, that helped me. And try not to sopplement. The more you BF the better it will get and the more supply you will have. The first 6 weeks of BFing was the hardest thing I've ever done.....but once you get thru the beginning it's worth it.

Re: HELP!!!!! BF/pumping related... UPDATE, kinda...

HI Girls, bumping wiith an update...

Re: HELP!!!!! BF/pumping related... UPDATE, kinda...

My LC said that greenish usually means a food allergy. Dairy is the first to check with that. Have you been having a lot of dairy? Make sure you are drinking a TON of water, I would supplement after BF to make sure DC is getting enough, but than pump after to tell your body to produce more.

You can NEVER get the same amt of milk from a pump than a baby can get. They are much more efficient.

Good luck!

Re: HELP!!!!! BF/pumping related... UPDATE, kinda...

I know greenish sometimes means a food allergy... but for me it was what I was eating. One day I had alot of salad... and he pooped incredible hulk green.


It took me 6 weeks to feel comfortable with BF. Hang in there!

Re: HELP!!!!! BF/pumping related... UPDATE, kinda...

Hi,

I usually lurk on this site, but I had to register and log in to give you support!

I know exactly what you are going through, and so feel for you. I went through the same thing. My son had a terrible latch, and was way fussy -so I was convinced he wasn't getting anything. And of course, when I pumped and hardly anything came out, it just fueled that idea. Not to mention that my nipples were bleeding and ridiculously painful. But I am happy to say, he is 19 weeks -16lbs and totally breastfed. Let me share what I've learned along the way.

First thing I found that really helped my situation was finding a way to increase my supply. Your baby suckling will do that, but I needed more. Guess what will help -Oatmeal! It does amazing things, seriously. A bowl in the morning everyday will really increase your supply. Also, there are two herbs when used together increase milk production -Fenugreek and Blessed Thistle. I bought them at GNC, they are just capsules. That site kellymom has a ton of info about it: http://kellymom.com/bf/index.html

Also, Get that breast sheild. I used one, and it helped my son latch and stay latched. The first time I tried it, my son ate like I had never seen. I finally experienced him being 'milk drunk'. He pulled off when he was done, very satiated and dazed. My nipples, which were beyond sore, didn't hurt at all with it on, and had time to heal.

The other thing I can tell you that really helped, was not being stressed while breastfeeding. It is amazing how much less your body will produce when stressed. And nothing is going to stess you out more than watching how many ounces you are pumping out.

A lactation consultant told me another brilliant stragedy to pump more effectively -drink a dark beer an hour before you pump. It supposedly helps with production, but also relaxes you before you start. It did wonders for me.

I recommend you stop pumping for a while though, your baby can get out more than a pump ever will. That sheild will totally help you manage the pain!

Re: HELP!!!!! BF/pumping related... UPDATE, kinda...

I have a 3 week old and am EBF. I had a sore nipple about a week ago that I think was a clogged milk duct. I used hot compresses and hand expressed and it felt better the next day. Try using the compress and massage to help with milk flow. Also hot showers. Also try nursing your baby with no clothes on your chest and baby in just a diaper that helps increase supply. BF is the hardest thing ever. If you need any support fm me! Also try attending laleche league meeting!