advice for a new mum on EBM

[peanutter]

blondie, you're doing a fabulous job.

you are not a bad mum.

and don't feel guilty - it's so understandable to feel relieved and pleased when you're doing things in a way that makes your LO happy, and doesn't cause you pain!!

please feel encouraged - you're doing an awesome job. and feel encouraged also - things will get easier

I totally "ditto" Miss E's comments re nipple shields - they are fantastic. And you can get really, really thin silicone ones from your lactation consultant, which protect you but shouldn't interfere much with the bond you have while breastfeeding.

Other things which helped my nipples were expressing a bit extra breastmilk and massaging it into my nipples, letting it air dry, and then using Lansinoh after every feed. Hurts a little, but did a lot of good, I thought.

And as much open air time your nipples can get, the better ...

with your questions - yes, you can do it. BUT a lot of women find that expressing alone means in the end that their milk supply reduces over time (and occasionally, straight away). but that's not every woman's experience - like throughout conceiving, pregnancy and labour, so many of us have such different experiences!!

I breastfeed in the morning and at night, and then express during the day, and just before bed, and all is well - but I have had to start supplementing with formula. some women manage to express and keep their baby exclusively breastfeed for ages. some women have their supply drop dramatically as soon as they reduce the number of breastfeeds they do per day.

but once your nipples are not hurting too much, the convenience of breastfeeding directly rather than all the cleaning and assembling etc involved in expressing, you might not want to do a combination

but whatever you decide - know that you're doing AWESOME!!

[Blondie]

Thanks for the kind words and all the words of encouragement. I have actually seen a lactation consultant and she assured me that Aidan was getting plenty of food and told me that he will "Learn" to attach better in time and perhaps I should express a bit off the breasts before I let him feed so that he can get more breast in the mouth but that hasn't worked and I don't understand how he will just learn to latch properley? I think because my nipples are naturally flat it makes it a bit hard for him to latch. But I think your right, I will get another appointment and ask them to come to me so they can see me feed from both breasts. I have also tried nipple Shields Avent brand and they kept slipping off and also hurt does anyone know any better brands?

I am going to keep at the breastfeeding on my left and pump my right. My poor right nipple is way too sore

If I decide that I'm going to exclusively express ( for those of you that have done it) how is the best way of doing it? Should I express when I would normally feed from the breast or should I express the unusued breast at the same time as I am feeding
the other breast? Or just express every few hours regardless of when bub feeds?

[onthefly]

Oh that's no good either! The LC should be working with you to fix attachment and get your nipples back in shape! You poor thing - it's good he's getting plenty, but you can't feed with your nipples in that sort of condition.

I found the medala (sp?) ones worked better than avent ones.

Is pumping comfortable on your nipple? I'd pump at the same time as feeding if you can - might find it a bit easier to get letdown. Your breasts will adjust to producing milk whenever you do it. I haven't expressed that much though so someone else will have better advice probably.

Take care of yourself - you're a very hardworking mummy right now