Congrats again PZ. You're doing a great job and it's good to hear (read?) you're still thinking positively despite tackling a few very normal obstacles
I had flat nipples too and a very sleep baby (who was useless at attaching, grew tired sucking as she was so little - 2.9kg - and constantly fell asleep while on the job ) so I understand what you're experiencing. I found that expressing really helped to bring my nipples out so I never ended up using a nipple shield (although I have several friends who have had a lot of luck with them and I agree, Medela seem to be the best from what I hear) and once DD got bigger and stronger from all her BF and top ups (we did EBM in a bottle from about 2.5-3 weeks), my nipples stayed 'perky' (for want of a better word!) and attachment improved dramatically.
I too saw a LC when we first realised we had issues and she was a god send! That will really help you out. Your milk supply sounds great so at least that's something you don't have to worry about. Remember that your DD is getting all that goodness to help her grow bigger which will definitely aid her sucking technique. Keep trying her at the breast though despite the fussing. It sounds like she may have already worked out the 'easy' way to get her milk so you need to remind her where it's coming from. Skin on skin really works a treat and a day in bed with lots of breast snuggles will do you both the world of good. I noticed a huge difference with our feeding after a solid day in bed together
Although BF is natural it's often difficult for a lot of women and it can be very stressful but know you're not alone and what you're experiencing is common. Also know that many women, despite issues in the early days, go on to have a wonderful BF relationship. DD and I went to hell and back with a whole array of BF related issues but things finally fell into place around the 10-12 week mark and I'm pleased to say I BF her until she was 2 weeks shy of 1 year
This may sound weird, but have you tried changing the direction you're coming at her mouth from? I tried the running-nipple-up-and-down thing, and it worked a little... Until I discovered Amelia usually prefers it to slide in from the side of her mouth :-/
Everything else I wanted to say has already been said, so I'll just say this:
YOU CAN DO THIS! We all know how determined you are to do the best thing for Isla. Even when you feel like giving up, keep that in mind. We're all behind you 100%.
Sent from my iPhone so forgive the speelung misstacks
Sorry to hear that you are struggling with BF. The good news is that most people get it sorted. I'm glad you got the breast pump as that will be key to keeping up your supply so you are in with a rocking chance. I know the disappointment you must be feeling as I was there too.
One mistake I made in setting up BF was moving to the bottle when we got home (but I'm not sure about the other options, perhaps a supply line??). My DS developed a really strong preference for sucking at the bottle, that along with a few other issues were too hard to shift. We tried for 9 weeks, until the reality hit (after a trip to the ED for poor fluid intake) he needs to be fed in a positive way. Then we became EE, not my preferred option by any means but I preferred to give him BM over formula whilst my milk was still flowing. It's fantastic that you are giving DD breast milk, not ideal I know but take some heart that you are doing the best you can with your circumstances.
Crossing my fingers that you get it sorted and you'll be on your merry BF way really soon.
Your BFing journey so far sounds the same as mine word for word!
Just to give you some hope we are fine now. It took us 3 months to fully establish BFing.
We went from hand expressing, to pumping, to a nipple sheild then finally to the nipple!
It will happen! But I know it's sooo frustrating when you just want it to work!
You defo need to find a good LC and see them often, they are so reassuring even if they can't 'fix' the problem for you
Re nipple shields... I used them with DS2 and had great success, after a few weeks we moved to exclusive BF. When things went pearshaped with DD2, I asked for shields & was told very firmly that the LCs don't recommend them anymore, that she would actually get in trouble for giving them to me... in hindsight I wish I had just got them anyway!
So, not sure what kind of advice you might get about them... but, as in everything else, do what YOU think is best
We're feeding at the breast via a nipple shield!! Omg, it's beautiful, rewarding...and so much easier than from a cup! Today DD has fed exclusively from my boob...lots of wet nappies, and she's been so happy and contented all day. We've still got a way to go, I can only feed via the shield lying down, but we're working in sitting up, and eventually without the shield! Woohoo!
Question for all of you wonderful ladies in the know!
Since yesterday my supply has increased even more than it was. I think it was due to being in hospital and not being able to express for 5-6 hours, because since my boobs got so engorged then, they keep getting SO full and hard and sore. Feeding currently only just takes the edge of, but they'll still be hard and sore. When I was pumping I didn't get enforcement, maybe I'd be a bit uncomfy if left for ages, but now it's all the time! So my question is (may seem silly) is it okay to just let DD feed from my boobs and not pump the rest out? I don't want my supply to keep increasing, so I'd rather not pump the rest of my milk, but is it safe to just leave them to settle themselves and their supply, and just let Isla drink what she needs? I had ante-natal mastitis and it was not nice, so I don't want that happening! But I assume people who don't bf just let their boobs do their own thing and their milk will just go away without any problems? So do I need to be pumping after I feed or is it safe to just let my boobs sort themselves out? (And will they?)
i have issues sometimes from being away from jazz during the day when i work but it sorts itself out in the next day id say you milk is still sorting itself out and from wat i remember the first 6 or so weks you body just makes milk without the supply nd demand as such so it should sort itself out good luck and yay to feeding from the boob
Just leave them or just hand express to take the edge off if they are sore or lumpy. If you keep pumping then you will make more milk than what she needs because it's all about supply and demand now.
hand express a little in the shower if you're getting sore or lumpy, but you otherwise should be ok with just letting little Isla feeding ... your boobies should normalise themselves in not too long
that being said, I chose to continue expressing as well, to make a stockpile for DS for when I went back to work.
I just read in the latest Essence magazine (ABA quarterly...in which you will find a photo with Yours Truly in it this time!!) a little story about an Aboriginal woman (I'm pretty sure she was Aboriginal) who had problems BFing and the next time she saw a caregiver they asked her how she was going with attachment. She said it was going great and was no longer using nipple shields! The 'fix'? The baby suckled from another woman's breast (another, experienced breastfeeder) and when she went back to mum it was all sorted
I am sure that if you were willing to give that a go, there'd be some trusted BB'ers who could help you out there, including me
You can also call 1800mum2mum ANY time, day or night, to talk about any issues you're having, even if you have enlisted the help of a LC.
AND, if you get along to your local ABA group meeting next, you'll find at least one person who has had similar issues. I just love my Booby Club - my old one, and the one in my new area (which is an unofficial one, while we wait for a trainee to finish her training).
When DS was born I was subscribed to ABA and had my Breastfeeding Naturally book that became our bible, we used the council LC and within 2 weeks I was at my local meetings. Changed my life and brought people into it who are still here that I just love so much.
As some gorgeous women who were close to me at the time DS was born said, "It just clicks" (tongue tie for 4 weeks, settling into new tongue for about 6 more weeks!). It will fall into place, and hopefully it clicks without you even noticing, so that all of a sudden you realise "Hey, how long has THAT been working?"
) so I understand what you're experiencing. I found that expressing really helped to bring my nipples out so I never ended up using a nipple shield (although I have several friends who have had a lot of luck with them and I agree, Medela seem to be the best from what I hear) and once DD got bigger and stronger from all her BF and top ups (we did EBM in a bottle from about 2.5-3 weeks), my nipples stayed 'perky' (for want of a better word!) and attachment improved dramatically.
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