HELP!!! I don't know if I can do this!!!!

As most of you know, I did not have a successful breastfeeding experience with Kieran and we ended up on a bottle.

Things with Ansleight are going great. She having good diapers and all, but I'm a WIMP!

I could handle the labor and delivery but this is kicking my butt. I'm hurting. The lactation consultant was out of town for the weekend. So, the nurses tried to help me. Everyone has said that she's latched on correctly- so...

WHY DO I HURT???? It hurts when she starts and some as she continues. I can't get her to open her mouth very wide and she's so sleepy it's nearly impossible to wake her up. This afternoon I've only been able to get her to nurse 15 minutes on one side. She keeps going to sleep and I've tried EVERYTHING to wake her. I feel like giving up. I think my milk is coming in too because I'm hurting bad and feeling full. It got better after she nursed. I just don't know if I can do this. I'm hurting and hormonal. It hurts when she nurses. I keep getting different information. It hurts some, it is not suppose to hurt. I don't even know if I'm nursing right. Anyways. I need advice.

I'm very close to giving up. I'm so glad I already threw away the formula samples they gave me... Well she's crying right now. I think she's finally ready to eat. She's been sleeping ALL day it feels like...

HELP :crap

If you need me to come by call me.

Try to get ahold of Denny Rice. She's a member here and a certified Lactation Consultant that helped Jessjillbolyer. I'll try to find her website for you with her info. on it.

Here it is:


http://home.earthlink.net/~dennyrice/dennyricernibclclactationconsultant/

When did you deliver? I must have missed that notice...been off line.
Firstly, congratulations.

Secondly, I would contact the lactation consultant or your doula...mine was there for lacation assistance afterwards....

Some discomfort is normal...until your body knows how much to produce for this baby...and nipple soreness isn't at all uncommon.

Wear a button up shirt and nuring bra....whan you can...leave your bra flaps down and shirt unbuttoned. After nursing place some milk on your breast and let them air dry. You can you some Lansinoh ointment if your nipples are cracked.

Let me know if I can help. I know it is hard, but dont' give up...it is worth the discomfort...

Again, congratulations!

Please don't give up on yourself yet! :hug
It is hard in the beginning, and it will hurt for a little while! This will pass, I promise!
Don't be too concerned about how long or what side, either. She is far too little to be predictable yet! Both of my kids were little one-boobers, it happens. It is normal for a 3 day old to be sleepy, think of what she's just gone through! Just keep on nursing her when she is awake. Remember that for a while, she may want to nurse constantly! Don't doubt your self or your supply. She just wants to be close to you, and have sweet, yummy comfort food!
I hope you can get some help from an LC soon. Most L&D nurses don't know much at all about bf'ing.
I PROMISE it gets so so much better. You just have to get past this little rough beginning part. Women have been doing this for ages and ages, don't overthink it. Just nurse, whenever you or baby feels like it. Keep on asking questions, there are plenty of people here that are willing to help- me included!
And Congratulations on your new baby girl!

I just wanted to add one concern:
When you say it hurts when she starts, is it like- "Ow, someone is sucking on my nipple pretty hard," or something different? I know you said everyone is saying your latch is OK, but you say she won't open her mouth, so I worry.
With Jacob, we would kinda pull his chin down, and then pretty much shove him onto the breast quickly, while his mouth was wide open. If she is not getting enough in her mouth, that will make you pretty sore.
I really hope you can get someone over there to help you soon!
Best of Luck!

If you have the time (Ya right!) you might look at breastfeeding.com, or nursingmom.net. There are tons of very experienced nursers on both that can give you lots of great advice!

Have someone come check out your latch and give you some hands-on help. I agree that a little nipple sensitivity is normal, a lot of pain or soreness might signal a latch where she's not getting enough in her mouth.

Have Shanna come over, call an LC, or I'm willing to come help too. You've got a lot of support to help!

Babies sleep a lot at first. Also, if you're engorged from your milk coming in, you might pump off a little first so you feel more comfortable, and it's easier for her to latch on.

How are things going so far this morning?

Everyone has given such fantastic advise! All I can say is keep it up, you are doing a fantastic job! Congratultions again Astreia!

the best trick i ever learned for nursing actually came from my (male) ob. when nora was hungry and screamed, he sort of JAMMED my breast into her mouth. it was more forceful that i ever would have done, but the lactation consultant later told me it was a good way to make sure she had a mouthful. it definitely helped with the initial pain, because she was not just sucking the nipple. nipples sometimes crack and bleed until they toughen up. i remember having to suppress screams of pain when nora was a newborn. it'll get better quickly, i promise. keep switching sides, and you can get a little relief by pumping if she doesn't eat as much as you need her to eat. i'm not an expert, but i've successfully nursed 3 kids. i'll be happy to help when i come over with dinner.

One thing that I learned in my breastfeeding educator classes that has helped several moms is the asymetrical latch, which can help insure she has a mouthful. Line up nipple to nose. That way when she opens her mouth and you latch her on, the nipple is pointed upwards, towards the roof of her mouth.

I think you might feel better once your milk comes in. Question was she jaundice at all? I only ask this because this will make babies very sleepy! Both of my girls were, anyways, I have found that I am sore in the beginning but once my milk came it, it was SO much better if I had a good latch. Keep trying the first few weeks are always the hardest in breastfeeding for most woman.

I don't have any advise since you have already gotten a lot, but please don't give up!!! You have to set it in your mind that you truley want to BF for you child. If you really want help call Denny I know she is great!!!

Thanks everyone. I had another emotional break down today. My milk is going in and I'm hurting... Getting this latch thing down is HARD!!! Oh my goodness. I'm not quick enough when she opens her mouth... ARGHH!!! I'm trying hard to be positive but...

Anyways, I better go for now. Another update later in the drama that is my life. :)

eventually she'll be hungry enough to scream, and that mouth will open. i'm sorry you're having such a rough time. she sure is beautiful. gord couldn't believe how tiny her ears are! be sure to let me know if you need anything. even if you just need to drop off kieran for a while.

It's okay. If you make it pass the first few weeks the rest is a breeze. I produced a lot of milk, and my daughter only nursed about 5 minutes. Everyone is different. As long as she has the wet diapers, you're doing a great job. It's hard with all the hormones. My milk came in with a vengenence and started shooting all over the living room. My daughter started crying b/c it was too much for her to eat. Then I started crying b/c it freaked me out. My husband came in the room and couldn't stop laughing because here I was topless with milk shooting everywhere and both of us crying uncontrollably. Just remind yourself this is how you are going to feed your baby.
Check this image out. Even in the Renaissance, their milk was shooting everywhere. It's called The Milky Way by Reubens.
http://home.comcast.net/~ammawell/peterpaulrubensthemilkyway.jpg
Keep up the great work. YOU CAN DO IT!

Well I'm back here again. I think this is finally IT. I just CAN'T DO IT. ARGH. My nipples are hurting soo much. They are cracking and are about to bleed, and my breasts are so hard. I just keep crying all day. She's so hungry. I just can't do it. My mind is crap over this. This is not mothering. I'm a horrible mom over this. I'm practically living in one room of my house, I'm hurting, I'm hardly getting to play with Kieran. This isn't how it is suppose to be. I didn't b/f Kieran and he's good- I guess that is the way it'll be with Ansleigh too. Thanks for everyone trying to help. I just can't do this...

astreia, take a deep breath. BREATHE! you're not a horrible mom, no matter what decision you make. if your breasts are hard, use that pump to get some relief. kieran will be okay in the next room, or he's welcome to come over here any time. my kids would love playing with him. it sounds like she's nursing okay. maybe you could pump a bottle and give yourself a break for a while? it's not the end of the world, girl!

Asteria-

I would HIGHLY recommend having a LC come to you or you going to see one. If you want to continue you need to see one soon. My offer is still there if you would like for me to come to you. Let me know.

You can do this. We all have had hard times when it comes to nursing. It is not something that is just known you and Ansleigh both have to learn how to do it.

It is up to you what you want to do just let me know. I can send you Denny and Sharon's numbers if you would like them.

I can help when I come over tommorow, if you'd like. I agree calling Denny or Sharon would be a good idea, too.

I've got experience with rock-hard engorgement. It's not fun. Pump some of that off. I promise it will help. Call me if you need to, otherwise I'll see you tomorrow.

I called Denny. She came out on Monday and Sean called her tonight while I was a "wreck" and we drove out to see her. It really helped. I thought I was doing horrible but Ansleigh's gained 4 ounces in the last 2 days. That made me feel better. The latch is something I have to practice. This is by far the hardest thing I've ever done. I can go to school and have kids, work full time, etc- but this latch is kicking my butt. It gets hard to keep trying to do it right when my poor baby is crying from hunger. I just give in and then I pay for it later with lots more pain. I have to be strong and just keep correcting it and hopefully REALLY soon- it'll be right. Please keep me in your prayers. I still have the rest of the evening/morning. Did anyone else have a hard time with latching on?????

Asteria-

I so know your pain. I hate to say it but it took me 4 children before I got it down right. But, with Dalton I flat refused to allow anyone or anything to keep it from working. The first couple of days were very hard but we made it through and our nursing relationship lasted 22 months.

You are an awesome Mommie and wow on the 4 ozs!!! That is AMAZING!!!!

It is hard work but so worth it in the end. When you get it down and all is working well you will be so glad that you stuck it out. I will be praying for you!!!!

I would recommend not waiting till she is crying to start nursing. If you notice any signs of hunger (rooting, putting hands to mouth, moving mouth like she is sucking, etc..) then I would start then rather than waiting cause then it is so much harder on you and her.

Let me know if you need anything.