admin answers:

Just stick to it. It can hurt really bad and be very frustrating for a few weeks, but i can guarantee if you stay with it, it gets way better and then very enjoyable. I have never heard of the breastfeeding drug but i like to stay away from drugs altogether if possible. Especially if it is new they may not know all the side effects yet.
Good luck!

admin answers:

Yeh for you! You are going to provide your baby with the very best!

Lanolin is great and you dont have to wipe it off to bf..it does not effect the baby. Try drinking Mothers Milk tea (by Traditional medicinals..can be found in most health food stores or the health food section of your local grocery store). That helped me ALOT.

Also Fennel Greek is a great supplement.

Try to air your nipples out as much as possible. You really should spend a week developing your nursing relationship. Do not stress about your house, visits, anything other than baby. I know you have other kids but try to get help with them. Stay as stress free as possible (stress reduces milk supply).

Nurse on demand. Dont get suckered into a schedule for a newborn baby.

Visit kellymom.com and mothering.com for support. Contact your local La Leche League leader. They are FREE and available 24/7 for any problems.

And dont give up. But surround yourself w/ a support group. Its too easy to fall back on formula in case of problems. Formula is inferior and very expensive. Stick with it and good luck! Feel free to contact me anytime!

Rach

admin answers:

Yes:

-read good books & websites
-take a class (preferably from an IBCLC)
-attend a La Leche League meeting

the key to successful breastfeeding is information. The right information. There is so much of the bad kind out there it’s sad. It’s even more sad that much of this bad information is passed out by the medical community.

But breastfeeding is not a medical issue, well it can be, but that’s rare and you’d see an IBCLC before needing to see a doctor in most cases.

Books:
–THE WOMANLY ART OF breastfeeding by La Leche League International
–THE breastfeeding book by Dr. William and Martha Sears
–THE ULTIMATE breastfeeding book OF ANSWERS by Dr. Jack Newman

websites:

http://llli.org/resources/assistance.html?m=0,0

http://kellymom.com/bf/index.html

and it should never truly be painful. If there is real pain, there is somethign wrong and you should get help, La Leche League or an IBCLC (international board certified lactation consultant) are the best ways to go. Some nipple soreness in the first maybe 2 weeks is normal, discomfort from engorgement can be pretty intense for some – but when you’re really in pain, you need to fix a problem… Usually it’s a latch issue, the most common latch issue is that baby is not getting enough breast in his mouth. It should be a deep mouthful and the tip of your nipple should end up at the back of the baby’s mouth, nearly down his throat!

Http://www.kellymom.com/bf/start/basics/latch-resources.html

admin answers:

It is possible that your milk has not fully come in yet. Let baby nurse more frequently, even offering “sips” between “meals” or pump for a little bit between nursing sessions if baby is asleep.

Here’s more:
** The First Week
How often should baby be nursing?

Frequent nursing encourages good milk supply and reduces engorgement. Aim for nursing at least 10 – 12 times per day (24 hours). You CAN’T nurse too often–you CAN nurse too little.

Nurse at the first signs of hunger (stirring, rooting, hands in mouth)–don’t wait until baby is crying. Allow baby unlimited time at the breast when sucking actively, then offer the second breast. Some newborns are excessively sleepy at first–wake baby to nurse if 2 hours (during the day) or 4 hours (at night) have passed without nursing. ***

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/normal/newborn-nursing.html

on figuring out if your supply is really low, and how to increase it:

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/low-supply.html#supply

*** This is a common breastfeeding question. When mothers observe certain normal changes and behaviors, they may assume their milk supply has decreased. This is often a “false alarm.” Other times, a mother’s milk supply may truly need to be increased.*** http://lalecheleague.org/FAQ/increase.html

This is easy to fix, if these things don’t help, look on here for herbal remedies that really work: http://www.kellymom.com/herbal/milksupply/herbal_galactagogue.html

Dangerously low milk supply that is beyond repair is extremely rare and almost exclusive to women with illnesses that require special medication or women with breast surgeries that have damaged some of their milk glands. Most women who “dry up” just have not had the right help. Unfortunately doctors don’t know as much as they should on the subject… Contacting La Leche League (free) or an IBCLC (paid lactation consultant) is much more helpful!!

admin answers:

Put the baby to your breast soon after delivery. Do not give the baby (or allow anyone else) any kind of bottle or pacifier. You should not use bottles or pacifiers for at least the first 3 weeks as this can cause nipple confusion and create MANY problems when it comes to breastfeeding. After breastfeeding has been well-established you can offer a bottle of pumped breast milk here and there.

Also, nurse on demand. Do not put a breastfed baby on a schedule. It can affect your supply. Let baby sleep in your room or bed. A cosleeper makes nighttime feeding soooo much easier. Just bring baby into bed with you, lay on your side and let him/her nurse away. You will get so much more sleep then a formula feeding mom does!

If you notice that your breast nipples are sore or cracking at all then you need to make sure you’re properly latching the baby on. I just went online and looked at pictures of proper latch on. It really helped. If you want to know more about breast feeding, you can go through our website.

Happy Breast feeding!