Jude is working on his 3rd week of breastfeeding and it's been a challenge. I knew it would be work but I'm learning it's more work than I thought. I think once Jude and I sync up and get this breastfeeding thing down our life will be alot easier but for now it's a constant challenge.
At first he had trouble latching on, then he wasn't getting enough until my milk came in... then we had a few good days and I had an over-supply of milk and he basically had to learn how to breastfeed all over again. Now, he's latching on but it's extremely painful.... I'm hoping it is only a transitional phase but I don't want to get him used to nursing improperly. According to all my research I think we're doing everything right but who knows.
I realize most moms don't initiate much less continue with breastfeeding. I want to defy the odds and give Jude the best nourishment possible.
If any of you knowledgeable moms have any advise please share your secrets with me..... I know Jude will appreciate it and me too!
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i have heard people say that it is supposed to hurt at first and other people say that it shouldn't hurt if it is done correctly. daniel refused to open his mouth wide enough and flip his lips out, and so i was getting a bit nibbled up and ended up with an infection. i'd have joe or yourself with a mirror carefully inspect your nipples for cracking and infection. blisters can also be pretty bad. i had an open wound that was the culprit. i was given a dose or two of anti-yeast (sorry for the lack of the medical term) for the infection. i was concerned about the meds passing through breast milk, but the doctor advised that the yeast would eventually pass to daniel and he would need to get treated anyhow... and that the meds were safe. i was also advised to give nipple shields a try. while obviously not natural, they kept us going when i was at a point of exhaustion. apparently, if you do have a wound, the baby's saliva breaks down your tissue even more, exacerbating the problem. the shield protects the wound and daniel did not mind the shield and ended up with a better latch. another friend said that the shields can be painful if your wound and blisters are on the tip where the holes of the shield are. you'd just have to try it out for yourself. the hospital also gave me these gel disks that were very soothing in between feedings. hang in there and do seek help if you find yourself a sudden opera-soprano whenever it is feeding time.
it hurt for me for the first two weeks. and i mean a lot! they kept telling me, it looks like a good latch, it really shouldn't hurt.
well, they were wrong. and then i asked some other moms and they said that it hurt for them too for the first two weeks. it really was crazy for us b/c at around the 2 week mark it suddenly stopped hurting and we've been going strong ever since!
but be on the lookout, like paige said, for infections. it wasn't a problem for me, but i know that they are very common.
good luck, hang in there! it really, truly does get better!
Sorry I didn't see this sooner. Sort of obsessed with BFing lately! But I'm reading a great book called: A Nursing Mother's Companion. (on amazon & worth double it's cost)
Anyway, it is normal to have different pain, but to stop nursing would generally make it worse if it's not a cracking/soreness issue. If you need ANY support I'd love to help! I actually hope to be a Lactation consultant & just consider myself a 'lactivist' at this point. But it's hard, painful, difficult, emotional, etc. I wish that was what we expected instead of 'natural, beautiful, simple, carefree' (which it becomes, but only after weeks of work!)
I believe it's the mother & baby's first bonding experience--something we accomplish together, eventually. Which is just ANOTHER reason it's better for mom & babe.
Are you doing better now?
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