Problems Breastfeeding

[Amethyst Rose]

Truthfully, I've had nothing but problems from day one.

It's driving me crazy. It's been 5 weeks, you'd think it would have gotten easier by now, but just when I think we've got the hang of it something new happens. I haven't had a single day that didn't have some kind of breast feeding related stress in it.

At first he wasn't eating, and kept falling asleep....I consulted a LC, and she figured that I have low supply, and gave me an SNS to use and suggested herbs to take to increase my supply. I use the SNS and take the herbs and after 4 days can already tell a difference in my supply.
Everything is hunky dory for about 2 weeks, when he starts screaming at the breast. My husband thinks its because we had just switched from liquid to powdered formula and he didn't like it. So we switched back and it seemed to work. For two days.
Then he starts falling asleep again, and obviously not eating enough (not enough wet diapers.) So I call the LC again. She figures he's outgrown the SNS and brings me another one with bigger tubing. It works great for 1 day.
Now were back to the screaming at feedings. He'll eat for a while and then start struggling, and pulling away from the breast and literally screaming. It takes forever to calm him down and he will refuse to go back to the breast, even though he eagerly grabs onto the nipple before screaming again.

I'm sick and tired of struggling to feed him. At 10 feedings in 24 hours, and at least 1/2 of them causing problems, I am being slowly driven insane.

I keeping thinking that I don't know how much longer I can continue like this...that maybe I should just give up. Truthfully though, I'll continue strugglilng simply because I would feel too guilty doing anything else.

God, I wish this was easier.

[amathera]

Honey, I am sorry you are having problems. You may have to realize that some people are not meant to breastfeed. I was one of them. As soon as I figured this out, we were all a lot happier. It is depressing not to feed him yourself. Still, he has gotten the best of what he needs from you. If you must give it up, don't feel guilty. It doesn't work for everyone. Besides, love is better for him.

[Scarlettvixen]

hun
is he drawing his nears up when he screams?
does he have colic?
and if so could it be related to something you have eaten or drunk?

if breastfeeding isnt working for u guys switch
dont feel guilty u tried!

[MysticMama]

Mama - it DOES get better! Get in touch with La Leche League immediately for some support and help! Or Nursing Mother's Council. Find the book "Nursing Mother's Companion".

Don't give up - you *will* get it down and he's still so young - you're both still learning! My daughter and I struggled in the beginning for 3 months for various reasons, but we ended up having a beautiful nursing relationship that ended gently and via her own lead about her 3rd birthday. I wouldn't trade a day of it.

You know breastmilk is filling his little body with wonderful, nutritious, protective and perfect food! It's what babies are meant to eat. :) Nursing IS a natural process, but it doesn't necessarily come naturally - so please get some support from La Leche League - they are the consumate experts and saved my sanity time and again.

You might also check out www.amitymama.com and www.mothering.com for more suggestions, support and resources.

Good luck, I urge you to use patience and persistance! :hugz:

[~*Ginger*~]

(((((((((Amethyst Rose))))))))))

[Autumn]

Five weeks sounds like a prime time to have colic like problems, Don't blame yourself for it because he is getting formula too.

I suspect you are hooked up with mothers who breastfed after breast surgery, but I also secind the suggestion to look around at mothering and here is the LLLI homepage http://www.lalecheleague.org/

here is a link straight into the boards over at mothering.. http://mothering.com/discussions/

((((((((((huge hugs to all of you))))))))
((((((((((Extra special hugs to a mom who is so obviously going the extra 100 miles))))))))))))

[MotherMoon]

Hang in there momma! It will get better. It usually takes about 6-8 weeks for your supply to become established, and for you to both get the hang of it. After that, it will most likely be a breeze. :) If you can just hang in there for a few more weeks...

PM me if you need anything. :)

[BethieRose]

I'd also like to suggest http://www.incitefulmamas.com for support. The ladies there (including at least one IBCLC) are incredibly knowledgeable and supportive of breastfeeding!

[Lunacie]

That's about the age when my youngest granddaughter began with colic. She was on the breast supplemented with formula. Finally we found out that the liquid formula (mix with water) gave her much less problems than the powdered mix, but if a baby has colic they will have problems no matter whether you give them breast milk or formula. I breast fed my daughter 30 years ago and she had horrible colic for about three months. Didn't seem to matter what I did or didn't eat or drink. I think it's something to do with their nervous systems or maybe their personality. Hang in there, get support if possible, rest when possible, drink lots and lots of water, and just love the little bugger.

[~*Ginger*~]

colic (http://www.pumpstation.com/bf_basics/Colic.html)

fussy baby (http://www.leron-line.com/Fussy_Baby.htm)

search for colic hold (http://websearch.cs.com/wm/search?query=colic%20hold&fromPage=WMTRoll)

Maybe you'll find something there that will help.

(((Hugs to baby)))
&
(((Mama)))

[BethieRose]

Here's another source that may be useful:
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/fussy-while-nursing.html

It explores many different reasons why baby may be fussing at the breast.

Good luck, AR. I do hope you'll stick with it. Just about everyone I know who has had severe problems in the beginning have been able to work out a very satisfying and beneficial nursing relationship. If you want to talk to some other moms who have dealt with a challenging nursing relationship, the board I mentioned earlier in this thread has quite a few.

[Amethyst Rose]

Thanks everyone, for your support and suggestions. I just needed to get it out more than anything else. I belong to a mailing list for bfar, and have posted on a breastfeeding and supplementing forum as well. Everyone has suggestions and ideas, but no solid answers. I think that's what's driving me insane. I just want someone to say, "this is what it is, and this is how you fix it." I'm tired of all uncertainties, and trial and error stuff.
Everyone's probably getting a little tired of hearing about all my parenting problems by now... sorry. :)

[~*Ginger*~]

No, we're not tired of you.

Some of us had a hard time too, it may not be the same circumstance, but we understand.

Heck, I wore a wet (with water) warm disposible diaper, swapping sides, for almost 4 months with my first child. Because of plugged ducts.

I'd do everything they suggested and everything I knew to do. And still hurt so bad I'd sit and cry.
It was very frustrating.

Almost gave up one time, because the Dr.'s told me I'd give a mastitus infection to the baby from a milk blister.

It takes time. :graduate:
(Hugs)

[Autumn]

Almost gave up one time, because the Dr.'s told me I'd give a mastitus infection to the baby from a milk blister.

It takes time. :graduate:
(Hugs)
????Oh my Goddess!!! I think a nursing mother's worst eneemy has got to be an ignorant Dr.!!!

**walks away shaking her head in amazement***

[bilbo333]

First off - you're doing such a great job trying to get your babe the best food possible. I hope I can provide some more thoughts/suggestions. My dd is 5 mo - she took a 14 week nursing hiatus at 8 wk and just started back to periodic bfing the last 3 weeks.

Our history sounds similiar. Arching at the breast - is it possible that since you have increased your supply that now you're having a heavy let down? My dd did the same thing, and unfortunately I didn't discover the issue until she was coming back to breast. When baby pulls away, try hand expressing milk into a dipe or container for later. If it comes out really easy, this really could be the issue. Once you get past the initial rush of milk, put baby back to breast. This will also get baby more hindmilk.

Do you have any pain in your breasts after feeding or between feedings? Any whitespots in your child's mouth? I suffered from systemic yeast (and can talk more about how I am managing my yeast if u think it would help). Many babies mouths can also become sore when they have thrush. In addition to the heavy let-down, my dd hated the taste of the topical creme I was using - have u changed soap, shampoos or lotions recently?

Is your ds teething? Feel those gums for any sharp edges - it is not unheard of a baby teething as early as 5 wks. That could also cause his mouth to be sore.

I hear the need to increase your ds nutrition intake - have you considered pumping/expressing breast milk to supplement with? The times we had to supplement with formula only worsened our dd frustration and confusion - and she would spit up/vomit within the hour. I would pump in the morning after feeding her to have 2 bottles - one for the afternoon and one for the evening to help with my low supply. Using the SNS to feed him should help to stimulate your supply during the times he's wanting more. It is time consuming, but I hear your determination to give ds mommy's milk. If it is becoming a fight, there is an alternate way to get him your milk.

I encourage you to frequent the nursing boards and talk about what is happening. I use mothering.com, breastfeeding.com, incitefulmamas.com and a pumping moms message board. I also contacted my local LLL and an LC. I will say the LC I had was not seasoned and part of our problem was her inaccurate info and bad advice she gave. I didn't know how off she was until I utilized the boards. I also visited breastfeedingonline.com and viewed Jack Newman's handouts. He really is on top of many breastfeeding issues.

I know I am REALLY lucky to have my dd coming back to breast after such a long strike. At 8 weeks she was screaming when she'd see my breast. It took many weeks of skin to skin contact and play time with no initiation of bf to get here - and we have had many stops and starts. Hang in there - and feel free to contact me on board or privately with any questions.

[~*Ginger*~]

????Oh my Goddess!!! I think a nursing mother's worst eneemy has got to be an ignorant Dr.!!!

**walks away shaking her head in amazement***
Yeah and from my experiences, I think a pregnate woman's worst nightmare is an ignorant dr.!

but yeah, I agree with you. *nods*

[Night_Goddess]

Hang in there with the breastfeeding. I don't know your situation, but why the supplements? Having raised 3 kids who all breastfed with no supplements WELL over 6 months, you should be fine in a little while just providing the breast. Keep things simple, if you can. The links to LLL and Mothering Magazine are absolutely the best.
Remember, women have been breastfeeding for thousands of years...and you are both learning. Be patient! I discovered my daughter got colic when I drank orange juice or had any citrus products or tomatoes. If you are supplementing, perhaps the supplement is the problem(?)
I'm just tossing out some things to consider; try to relax and get plenty of rest. You're still in the early post-partum stages.
You will do fine, just give yourself time :) -- and remember to nap when your baby naps! You need the rest to produce well and be relaxed too.
Congratulations on your new baby!
Night_Goddess

[Amethyst Rose]

Hang in there with the breastfeeding. I don't know your situation, but why the supplements?

Because I had breast reduction surgery 6 years ago and as a result only produce approx. 50% of baby's needs, and that's with help from herbs, etc.

[Ravens_Tears]

It wasn't until I weaned my youngest from the breast to regular milk that I discovered that he is lactose intolerant. Have you tried different "based" suppliments like soy or goat's milk.. etc or just used the cow's milk based ones?

[Amethyst Rose]

No, I won't switch unless the doctor tells me to, because switching formulas can cause a lot of problems. I have considered that as a possibolity though.

[Autumn]

Cross posted on this in the other thread!!! OOOPPPSSS

[Amethyst Rose]

It's okay.... all things considered, the two threads could probably be merged under this one with out any problems.

[Autumn]

Not a bad idea, combining the threads...

I had a thought about LLLI, Edmonton is not a small town, If there is more than one group there may be leaders who have some experience with post reduction BF, If you go through the big main website you might find out if i am right and may have a phone number to call when you are wigging out at 3am...

[IrishRiotGrrrl]

Hi, you know I had a lot of problems breast feeding as well. Dont be ashamed to go the bottle if you feel that it is causing you added stress. Regardless of what anyone tells you about breastfeeding if you feel that you cannot handle the stress anymore go to the bottle. (I got a lot of slack for going to the bottle from the breast) Seriously, there could be tons of reasons that you are having problems breast feeding but I found that my breasts were already so large that when the milk supply was comming in they become to large for my son to latch on properly to my nipple. He would become frustrated and he also got lazy with it and tired of fightening to get some milk. Like I said if you are seriously stressed out about it and having problems dont be ashamed to switch. I'm not saying give up, but if you are getting fed up...switch him over.