[CandaceDianne]

So we had to supplement for a while until my milk came in, before she would nurse pretty well. When we returned home and I tried to BF, she just wouldn't take. I was beyond heart broken and frustrated, so I called the lactation specialist and she told me to try skin-to-skin several times a day and see if she would find the nipple herself (which she always tries to, but she freaks out when she gets to it). She told me if she threw a fit, to offer the bottle and then try bfing. Well, after several days of failed attempts....she is finally starting to nurse for a few seconds each day. I just need some words of encouragement from those btdt moms who had the same issue and how it worked out. I really want to bf and bottle feed (as I will return to work in 6 weeks). Do you think its a good sign that she is nursing even for a few seconds per day? Thanks!

[Gray_baby]

Stop freaking out. I know easier said than done. My DD used to flip out when I'd try to nurse her on my right side, like screaming fit, not cool. She would flat out refuse to latch on to my right nipple. Finally I figured out that expressing a few drops of milk onto my nipple and then putting her mouth to it helped - it's like it helped her realize I had the good stuff and she wouldn't freak out (as much) and would start to nurse.

How long did it take for your milk to come in? Usually it's ok for babies to go without for a few days until your milk comes in because all they need is the colostrum. My milk came in two days after my c-section - DD was born on Thursday morning and my milk came in Saturday. Supplementing is typically not recommended before your milk comes in. Here's a cool blog that explains it: The Princess And The Chick Pea (And The Grape And The Walnut) | Breastfeeding Moms Unite

I would try other ways of calming your LO before offering a bottle - giving the bottle too much too soon can cause nipple confusion and make the baby upset when your BM doesn't come out as fast as the bottle.

[downunderchick]

Originally Posted by Gray_baby

nurse.

How long did it take for your milk to come in? Usually it's ok for babies to go without for a few days until your milk comes in because all they need is the colostrum.

I was going to ask this too. The colustrum is the most important thing they will ever get! It has enough calories in it for the baby.

Any BF is great, even if it is for a few seconds. Maybe offer her quite frequently, even if she doesnt seem too hungry, so at least shes not frustrated with being hungry whilst youre trying to get her to latch on etc.

Also always offer the breast first, if you think shes getting frustrated with the flow, swap to the other breast after each letdown.

Youre doing a great job

[Celry]

My kids were poor nursers for about 2 months. They were so tiny that I'd only let them nurse for a short time and then bottle feed, which meant I was pumping a lot. We gradually let them nurse more and bottle feed less as they got efficient. I used to put just a drop of liquid (either BM or water) by the corner of their mouths once they were latched on to encourage them to suck. It was great incentive.

You can do this. While BFing is natural, it is not easy! It takes a lot of work for both you and your baby to figure it out.

[KCMomma]

I was one of the lucky ones and Paige was a great sucker...at first. We had reflux issues around 2 months so I became a full time pumper...however, I completely wish I would have worked at it harder with her to really get the BFing back. It is very difficult, but soooo worth it. Keep up the good hard work mamma! You will be a pro by the time you head back to work!

[Lauren S]

Is she having a hard time latching on once she gets to the nipple? I had issues with that, and I had to use a nipple shield. You just put it on over your nipple to make it easier for the baby to latch on. Once they learn and get better at sucking (it took us about 2 months), you can usually ditch the shield.

[MarinaAndCharlie'sMommy]

Sometimes I have to swaddle Marina before I put her on. It helps sooo much! She's much more calm and not bouncing around when she's swaddled, plus she swallows much less air that way. Good luck!

[polarbearmama]

Hang in there Momma!! Breastfeeding is tough work!

Mari and I had such a ROUGH start with BFing. After my C-section, it took so long for my milk to come in (maybe even a week?) and I didn't seem to have enough colostrum because she ended up jaundiced and having to be supplemented with formula. We were in the hospital for almost a week.

After we got home, things didn't really improve and it was unbelievable painful and she was not getting enough, but I ended up seeing a LC in my area and she was sooooo helpful and encouraging. I used a nipple shield for awhile as well. Eventually she didn't need it for the right side and only used it for the left side. After about 6 weeks, she didn't need it for the left side either.

It was such a frustrating process and I remember crying soooo many tears over it, but if you have a good LC available to you, I'd definitely utilize her! Hands down, the encouragement and support from our LC is the reason that Mari and I have been able to BF.

[MommaLee]

I'm still having some issues. It's hard to come to terms with sometimes. Julie was bf'ing great up until we brought her home and she never seemed to get satisfied.

I actually have gotten her to latch back on....by offering a bottle first to calm her and then see if she'll latch or I fix a 2 ounce bottle and put a drop of formula on my nipple. She still fights it though and I give in to the bottle. But I think even a little is better than nothing.

Good luck! Just know you are not alone.

[CandaceDianne]

Thanks everyone! I think I do need to invest in a nipple shield...it definitly wouldn't hurt to try! My milk came in almost a week after she was born. The third night in the hospital she was screaming so much and would not nurse at all. Eventually we called the nurse in and she suggested to try and supplement if we wanted. To calm her (and us) down, we gave her a bottle of formula. My colestrum was in, but it just didn't seem to satisfy her appetite.

[ca_dawson]

It took my milk like a full 5 days to come in as well. Day 3 and 4 were rough because she was much fussier only getting colostrum. She even lost an entire pound. But our pedi said she'd be fine, don't supplement yet and had us come back two days later for a weight check. Luckily during that time my milk came in and she gained it all back so we didn't have to supplement. Lexi does go back and forth between bottle and breast easily now. I use the platex drop ins bottles with the latex naturalatch nipples (after trying several "closest to the breast" bottles, these are the only ones she'd take. She likes the latex nipple much better than the silicone ones.) and she doesn't have any nipple confusion going back and forth between the two. Also if you do keep supplementing you might want to consider pumping as well since your supply isn't established yet. That way even if she's not nursing great yet you can still get your supply. I don't have much advice since I got pretty lucky with her being such a great nurser, but wanted to offer hugs!

[CandaceDianne]

I am pumping and using bm as well as formula right now.

[Oreobaby]

Candace, I am also supplementing same is you, although my situation is different, she has an issue with her frenelum, and so I am not sure she will be able to BF. I will be talking to my dr. about it on Friday. I have also been looking into natural ways of increasing my supply as I get about half an ounce to an ounce each time I pump.

[karenwalter]

Breastfeeding takes so much more work than I thought it would. Seriously I think it was one of the toughest things I have ever done in my life! I t took so much work to get Connor to BF and there were alot of tears (both his and mine!) the first 2 months. You just have to keep working at it. Now he is almost 5 months and has been EBF since birth but it is so much easier now that both of us have the hang of it.

I recommend seeing a LC too ASAP. The first few weeks are so important for both your supply and to get the right latch. My LC was a lifesaver and if it wasn't for her I would have quit early on. I called the hospital one and they would only talk to me over the phone which wasn't really helpful. I had to actually go in and have someone look at my latch and my difficulties and show me how to correct them. I was lucky though and we have an LC in my pedi's office that sees patients twice a week.

Just know you are not alone and if you really want to BF there are people who can help. But, also know if it doesn't work out, it doesn't make you a failure. You tried your best and that's all you can do. You have to do what is best for you and your baby.

[Jodi0804]

Just wanted to say that you are doing a great job!!! BF is a lot of work but it does get much easier as time goes by.

[amazing_love]

I know how hard it can be at first. We had a really hard time at the very beginning. Camden wouldn't latch on no matter how hard we tried (he was trying really hard too!). It was so frustrating for both of us. I didn't want to give him formula and we were lucky that i was producing enough colostrum that i was able to hand express and we gave it to him with a spoon. lol. Sounds funny but it worked for the first couple days! I actually think we were trying TOO hard.. we had the lactation consultant in there constantly with us trying to help. Right before we left the hospital i decided to try a different position. We had been trying the football position prior because we were told that was the easiest at first. Well, i tried cradling him and he latched on within a couple minutes.

Don't give up hun! You're doing great! Go with your instincts and try to relax (i know easier said than done.)

[CandaceDianne]

I bought a nipple shield and its helping a LOT! I know its not 'natural' but its getting us in the right direction. I think my letdown is too much because when I start to leak, it just pours out. My supply isn't the question anymore, its definitly in. Thank you for all the help!!!!

[Jodi0804]

Originally Posted by CandaceDianne

I bought a nipple shield and its helping a LOT! I know its not 'natural' but its getting us in the right direction. I think my letdown is too much because when I start to leak, it just pours out. My supply isn't the question anymore, its definitly in. Thank you for all the help!!!!

That's great that your supply is good now!

I have always had an overactive letdown, so much that Billy would always unlatch. I found that the sidelaying position helped a lot and I always put a burp cloth under us so that when he did unlatch I could catch the milk in it. It took Billy till now to finally be able to handle the letdown, and when he is being lazy, he still pops off. HTH!

[Soape]

Sorry I've been MIA. I'm soooooo glad that things are starting to go better now!!!

[Oreobaby]

I am glad things are going better for you now in the breast feeding front. My supply is also not a question now as well...it's nice to know that your body is doing what it is supposed to.