[ANGWife]

Who else had a hard time getting baby to latch on in the beginning?

Right now we're nursing when I can and supplementing with formula. The problems I have are either I don't have good timing and he's sleepy, or I wait too long and he's too fussy to calm down and nurse. I'm pumping but of course nothing is there yet. I'm able to express some foremilk just by squeezing some. I try to use that to rub on his lips to get him interested. Any suggestions for a frustrated mama?

[ShannonMVT]

Can you get a lactation consultant or someone to help? For me the cradle or cross cradle hold works best. Use one hand to hold your boob and one for baby's head. When he opens his mouth wide you kind of shove him onto the boob with one hand while you are holding your boob still with the other. If he's sleepy you can stroke his cheek, strip him down to his diaper, and what you are doing with expressing the milk as well and rubbing your nipple on his lips. If he is already fussy and worked up I just try to remain calm and speak him soothingly as I think they can pick up on our frustration. Do you have "The Womanly art of Breastfeeding"? It has good into and so does the Kellymom site.

Hang in there, you are doing a great job momma! I bet he'll catch on soon.

[ShannonMVT]

Can you get a lactation consultant or someone to help? For me the cradle or cross cradle hold works best. Use one hand to hold your boob and one for baby's head. When he opens his mouth wide you kind of shove him onto the boob with one hand while you are holding your boob still with the other. If he's sleepy you can stroke his cheek, strip him down to his diaper, and what you are doing with expressing the milk as well and rubbing your nipple on his lips. If he is already fussy and worked up I just try to remain calm and speak him soothingly as I think they can pick up on our frustration. Do you have "The Womanly art of Breastfeeding"? It has good into and so does the Kellymom site.

Hang in there, you are doing a great job momma! I bet he'll catch on soon.

[Mars]

I didn't have problems with Amara latching on but Shannon has given great suggestions.

Hang in there!!

[Mars]

*double post*

[niknok]

Get to a lactation consultant if you can. Or call the LLL 1800 number, they can pair you with someone near you who might can help. I'm not sure what you mean by your timing is bad. Is he full when you want to feed? Supplementing may not be the answer. You will eventually learn ways to soothe him, and then be able to call him in order to get him on the boob. It gets easier, I promise!

[midnight_starr]

I have no advice, but I just wanted to say hang in there!!

[midnight_starr]

I have no advice, but I just wanted to say hang in there!!

I didn't have any issues. However Kellymom & youtube have GREAT videos on how to latch on. Kellymom has something about hunger cues, if you search on there, you might be able to catch the cues at the right tie if you have an idea of what to watch for.

((((huggles))))

[LaLaRose3]

As Alice has never really successfully BFed, I don't have much advice for that. With the pumping, however... you aren't getting anything yet but be patient- it comes! I now make too much milk for Alice to eat at one feeding so we have it refrigerated! I got barely anything at all each time I pumped for days but after starting fenugreek and pumping every 1-1.5 hours during the day til empty, I have quite a good supply! Keep at it, Momma, because it does get better!

I wish Alice would latch and BF, but it just doesn't seem to be in the cards for us, yet- so we are feeding EBM in a bottle. Is that something you would consider when your supply picks up, instead of supping?

[~*Bethy*~]

Just be patient! If you pump while he's sleeping, let him drink that and pump again while he's eating - maybe that would work. I just learned to nurse through the pain. I completely get what you say by your timing is off - with a fussy baby its hard to get them to latch on. Maybe time him, and when you see a pattern, jump ahead of him by a few minutes. Or even now wake him up if you know he's been sleeping a while by taking his clothes off, and just before he starts to fuss, let him latch on. I found with Morgan that when I felt it was necessary to feed, thats when I fed her, not when she asked for it. Try it out and see if it works for you. If he's latching on when not fussy, then I think you just answered your own question

~Beth

[A*LOT*OF*HOPE]

I have no advice for you, but, I hope it all works out though!!

[A*LOT*OF*HOPE]

Oops, double post!!

[ANGWife]

Originally Posted by LaLaRose3

As Alice has never really successfully BFed, I don't have much advice for that. With the pumping, however... you aren't getting anything yet but be patient- it comes! I now make too much milk for Alice to eat at one feeding so we have it refrigerated! I got barely anything at all each time I pumped for days but after starting fenugreek and pumping every 1-1.5 hours during the day til empty, I have quite a good supply! Keep at it, Momma, because it does get better!

I wish Alice would latch and BF, but it just doesn't seem to be in the cards for us, yet- so we are feeding EBM in a bottle. Is that something you would consider when your supply picks up, instead of supping?

OMG I pumped this afternoon and got a whole ounce!!!! How flipping exciting!!

I saw a consultant at the hospital and she has been calling me everyday to see how we're doing. I'm going to a new mommies bbs meeting this Wednesday and I hope to get some frustration out. I'm sure alot of it is me getting nervous. He gets so worked up sometimes, it's hard to watch.

[Alison81]

I had a really hard time with Elsa in the beginning. The football hold worked best for me, it was the only way I could get her to latch on and hold my boob at the same time. I sometimes had to unlatch her a few times before I got a good latch. It was such a struggle, but totally worth it in the end.

[Alison81]

I had a really hard time with Elsa in the beginning. The football hold worked best for me, it was the only way I could get her to latch on and hold my boob at the same time. I sometimes had to unlatch her a few times before I got a good latch. It was such a struggle, but totally worth it in the end.

[**Jenn**]

I never had latching issues with the boys but you've gotten some great advice here! Keep at it, you're doing great!!!

[~* Helen *~]

Originally Posted by *Fiona*

I didn't have any issues. However Kellymom & youtube have GREAT videos on how to latch on. Kellymom has something about hunger cues, if you search on there, you might be able to catch the cues at the right tie if you have an idea of what to watch for.

((((huggles))))

I agree you tube has fab videos !!

[Garfieldbear]

I have been having similar issues....either Toby is too sleepy and I have to tickle his ears and chin to get him to suck, or he is overly excited and shoves his hands into his mouth while I try to latch him on....another issue is that he doesn't like to open his mouth wide, ouch! I actually spent more than one week exclusively pumping breast milk because I was getting too frustrated with breastfeeding (and my breasts were really hurting). When I felt better, I tried breastfeeding again and it worked out well....although I'm still going through issues, even with latch-on. My advice is to keep on pumping out milk, because your supply will increase....I was pumping every 2 hours, and I watched my supply increase daily. Soon, you will pump 3-4 ounces at once, whereas in the beginning I only pumped an ounce at a time. Give your little one the pumped milk, and when you are feeling relaxed and confident try breastfeeding again. Good luck sweety, I know it is so, so hard.

Hang in there sweetie!! Your doing great just by trying!