Need some advice & support!! New breastfeeding mother....

[~Trish~]

Wow, you are doing SO fanatastically Ren! You should feel so proud of yourself for perservering the way you have been .

That's great you have booked her into the paediatric chiro, I really hope they are able to help you. I had miraculous results with both my boys after taking them and lots of my friends have too.

Keep it up, you are doing a sensational job!!

[Georgi]

Hey REN.. I just wanted to comment about what the LC said regarding it being in your head. I wonder if she means that you're not relaxed about the feed therefore Ava 'feels' you being uptight which in turn leads her to not being comfortable. I would have to say that I felt this happening with me & Byron alot. I was so nervous about feeding from the left that I was uptight & I believe he sensed that. It also happens if i'm feeling stressed for some reason & sit down to feed. He can sense it & doesn't feed well. Just a thought.

Also, maybe your flow is too fast now with the extra supply. Again Byron always got fussy if the flow was fast. Now that would be a nice thought wouldn't it.

It took me months & months to get the feeding right on the left side. Even now, I still get a sore nipple on that side. It does get better, I guess your nipple does step up to the plate. But it really can take some time. I don't think I will ever have the left side as good as the right. It's probably a combination of things. When one issue is right, the others come in to play IYKWIM.

Big hugs to you hun xx

[Shanti]

Georgi - thanks hun I definitely think you are right re: when you're stressed they know. Perhaps sometimes I still feel a bit of stress when it comes feeding time and may tense up without realising.... thing is though, the R side is the painful side and that is the side that i cringe on when she latches on (well used to its not so bad now) and the L side is the flat nipple but not painful so each side has it's own set of problems!! LOL
But finally after 6wks, i already feel it's getting easier and i now KNOW that I will be exclusively BF'ing very shortly.... no longer needing as many top ups the last 3 days.

Well, girls, I have some happy news. Since Friday afternoon I've been offering the breast at every feed first and each side 20mins only (any longer and she starts falling asleep and getting lazy) and then top her up with EBM if she needs it but since Friday she hasn't really needed many top ups!!! Occasionally but hardly as much anymore!!! I'm so happy about this. And I have enough EBM now (finally caught up with her) and no longer need to give formula. ALthough I won't rule out formula completely it does come in handy for top ups sometimes and I don't feel bad about giving it.... kinda she's getting best of both worlds
So this means two things, my milk supply is back! And Ava is feeding more effectively. And I'm offering her the breast more often.

Trish - thank you, I'm glad a Paed chiro helped you and the boys I hope it helps Ava if that's what she needs. Lying down sure has helped her to not fuss so much on the L side.

[Heaven]

Well done Ren!!!!!!!!!
So happy for you!!

[Janie]

WOOHOO Ren!!!!!!!! You sound fantastic today it's so good to hear! You've sure had a bumpy ride, but I'm so pleased you can see the light, and feel that you will be breastfeeding exclusively quite soon . I feel ridiculously proud of you, and all that you have accomplished. You have done, and are doing, such a wonderful thing for your little girl.

There may still be hiccups, but you know you can face them, and overcome them. And we will always be here to cheer you on So happy for you Ren

[Lenny]

I don't feel bad about giving it.... kinda she's getting best of both worlds

Never feel bad about giving her anything that works and that you need to do. You are already pareenting by heart and doing everything that is best for her.
Sounds like it's all going a lot better and soon you'll be looking back thinking, wow - I did all that!

[onthefly]

great work!

[MantaRay]

I'm so glad to hear how well things are going Ren. Great work hun.

[Jennifer13]

Good work, Ren. Looking forward to hearing more progress as you get along. The first six weeks is definitely the hardest with bfing hassles, so take heart!