i’ve been breast feeding my daughter but my nipples are sore as can be i don’t wanna give up can i pump and give it in a bottle is there really a difference? and how much do i pump and how much should she get each feeding o and she is latching on rite the hospital said they said my nipples gotta toughen up
October 13th, 2009 at 9:27 pm
I would most likely call the hospital back and as to speak with a lactation consultant. Most have them on staff now for your needs.
I know I was sore with all three of my kids but only for a short time. Maybe two weeks. Then all was well. I would bet she is having a latching problem.
Pumping isn’t bad for her, but it may not be great for you.
You do not get as much pumping as you would from nursing. Your milk supply will also dwindle off slowly from pumping because it’s not the same amount of stimulation to your nipples that a baby would give it. Some medical grade pumps are close, but those are very expensive. Sometimes, however, you can rent them for a monthly fee.
Also, think about the amount of time it’s going to take to pump for her every feeding….then feed it to her. What about when you are out? If you are nursing, you just let her eat. If not, you have to have your pump handy, find a place to pump, feed it to her and then clean everything. Those kinds of issues end up making alot of people just formula feed.
Take it from me, finding out what the problem is from a consultant now will save you tons and tons of time and frustration down the road. It may also keep you nursing much longer than you would if you decide to pump.
My suggestion if you do pump Pump until 5 to 10 min after the milk stops coming so that your breasts get plenty of stimulation. Give her how ever much she wants. A newborn can eat from 1-4oz on average. Make sure you have a slow flow nipple. Breast fed babies suck harder and may choke or get too much with bigger nipples.
Good luck!
October 14th, 2009 at 1:41 am
My baby was having difficulty latching on also. I got frustrated and so was my baby so I went straight to pumping. I think pumping works great for me because I know exactly what amount of milk she is having. I was told to pump 15 minutes every 2 to 3 hours. As for feeding, you should feed the baby till she falls asleep or refuse(turn her head or push the nipple away with her tongue) to take anymore milk. Also, make sure you burp her well after each feeding. My baby starts with about 1to 2 oz when she was 1 to 3 weeks and now she is having 4 oz(9 weeks old). But every baby is different. I heard some baby can eat 4 to 5 oz when they were 4 to 5 weeks.
October 14th, 2009 at 2:31 am
My nipples were both sore for a week, one nipple was sore for 2 weeks. I thought it was going to kill me, it hurt so much. I got a pump to use when one of my nipples was ok, then I used a pump on the sore nipple for a day or so to relieve the pain.
I would try to hang on with the breastfeeding as it gets so much easier. I gave up with the pump as it was too much hassle. Getting it out, putting it together, washing it, sterilizing bottles…etc.
You definitely need a good nipple cream. I think the best one is Lansinoh which can be found in most pharmacies. Put it on after each feed. You don’t need to wash it off or anything. Also if you give your baby too many bottles it can get nipple confusion which might make breastfeeding more difficult.
When your baby latches try to pull down it’s chin a little bit, this means the mouth will open a bit wider. This helps them to latch on correctly.
The breastfeeding should become much much more easier and pain-free I promise. However if it’s been more than 2 weeks then your baby mustn’t be latching on correctly, even if they though the baby was in the hospital.
October 14th, 2009 at 9:15 am
Try putting on a cream specifically for nursing mothers to relieve the soreness. I nursed my son for 2 years & it was the best thing i’ve ever done b/c I bonded w/ him & the closeness we shared cannot be compared to giving a bottle. If you can nurse, do it for as long as you can b/c it’s be best thing you’ll ever do for your baby.
October 14th, 2009 at 1:40 pm
i highly recommend you use a Nipple Shield for the soreness. it works great. Mine is made of silicone its very flexible it covers most of the ereola and it has 4 holes at the tip for the milk to flow freely, oh and use LANSINOH HPA LANOLIN it helps keep the shield in place, it heals and its safe for your baby girl. no need to wash it off before breastfeeding. If you do get it remember a little goes a long long way!!! as for pumping you wont have the same benefits as breastfeeding! for me it wasn’t easier pumping than breastfeeding its still takes about the same amount of time. plus breastfeeding is a better connection with your baby girl!!! USE THE SHIELD AND THE LANOLIN!!!!!