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| My daughter is two weeks old today and I have been breastfeeding her since birth. However, she's quite the vigorous eater and leaves me sore after every feeding. Between feedings, my nipples ache and throb. She latches on well and has no trouble eating. (She was born at 8 lbs. 5 oz. and two weeks later she is 9 lbs. 9 oz. already!) It's gotten to the point where I dread when she's hungry because I know it's going to kill me! I've considered pumping and feeding her my milk through a bottle, but I don't know anyone who's done that, so I haven't heard any pros or cons concerning it. Any tips or advice on that? |
| Posted by Caryn on 11/12/2008 01:53 PM
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| I was unable to breast feed my daugher, but I did ask plenty of questions before she was born. I was able to pump breast milk for about 2 weeks after my daughter was born and then my body gave out and stopped producing milk (it runs in my family). The doctors I spoke with said the pumping and feeding by bottle is alright. It really depends on why you've chosen to breast feed. If you're simply doing it for the nutrients your daughter is getting -- then the same can be accomplished by pumping and bottle feeding. If you are doing it to maintain a close bond with your daughter, then I suggest bearing through it and continue to breast feed. I still however feel a close bond with my daughter by bottle feeding and don't feel that our mother-daughter relationship has suffered because of it. She's now 10 months old and is happy and healthy. |
| posted by Erica on 11/12/2008 02:02 PM
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| That's where I'm torn! My main reason for breastfeeding was to provide her with the best possible source of nutrients (plus it's free! :D). But I also don't want to be one of those moms who regrets switching from breast to bottle because they feel they're not bonding. Right now I don't feel like breastfeeding has been a bonding experience for us, but I also know that hindsight is a great teacher and like I said, I don't want to regret it. My husband tells me that my body was made for this and that I should just stick it out. Easy for him to say! He doesn't have a baby sucking on HIS nipples every 3 hours. |
| posted by Caryn on 11/12/2008 02:10 PM
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| That's where I'm torn! My main reason for breastfeeding was to provide her with the best possible source of nutrients (plus it's free! :D). But I also don't want to be one of those moms who regrets switching from breast to bottle because they feel they're not bonding. Right now I don't feel like breastfeeding has been a bonding experience for us, but I also know that hindsight is a great teacher and like I said, I don't want to regret it. My husband tells me that my body was made for this and that I should just stick it out. Easy for him to say! He doesn't have a baby sucking on HIS nipples every 3 hours. |
| posted by Caryn on 11/12/2008 02:11 PM
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| That's where I'm torn! My main reason for breastfeeding was to provide her with the best possible source of nutrients (plus it's free! :D). But I also don't want to be one of those moms who regrets switching from breast to bottle because they feel they're not bonding. Right now I don't feel like breastfeeding has been a bonding experience for us, but I also know that hindsight is a great teacher and like I said, I don't want to regret it. My husband tells me that my body was made for this and that I should just stick it out. Easy for him to say! He doesn't have a baby sucking on HIS nipples every 3 hours. |
| posted by Caryn on 11/12/2008 02:11 PM
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| That's where I'm torn! My main reason for breastfeeding was to provide her with the best possible source of nutrients (plus it's free! :D). But I also don't want to be one of those moms who regrets switching from breast to bottle because they feel they're not bonding. Right now I don't feel like breastfeeding has been a bonding experience for us, but I also know that hindsight is a great teacher and like I said, I don't want to regret it. My husband tells me that my body was made for this and that I should just stick it out. Easy for him to say! He doesn't have a baby sucking on HIS nipples every 3 hours. |
| posted by Caryn on 11/12/2008 02:13 PM
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Caryn,
If you can hang in there I'd really encourage that you do! Same EXACT sitatuion happened with me with my son. I was so frustrated from the pain that I pumped for a month until WIC and my dr warned me that my milk supply would diminish quickly.
So I went back to nursing exculsively. If you use the lanisoh cream (purple tube) and apply it liberally everytime before and after and wear comfy bras, allow your nipples to just get air, massage them in the showers, hot packs, cool packs, whatever works... the pain will be a thing of the past before you know it and nursing will be soooooooo rewarding.
Second time around, I started using the cream before I gave birth so my nipples were conditioned and no problem at all.
Your nipples have never had that much "beating up" before so the result is undescribable pain and I am so sorry you are going through that... but it does end.
So pump & feed to let them heal a bit (1-2 weeks) apply the cream numerous times daily. Then try it again and it should be a peice of cake! Remember to put your finger in her mouth to unlatch ;)
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| posted by Candice on 11/12/2008 02:14 PM
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I remember those early months of breastfeeding; hang in there. My daughter, now almost 7 months old, was born 7lb 7 oz, at five days she was 6lb 11oz but then at her two week apointment she was 8lb 10oz. Granted you have sore breasts, be thankful she's a good eater. As for help with the breast soreness, double check that she's got enough of your areole -even if you think she's latched on correctly. Remedy for the sore nipples and or breast: I always applyed a warm damp cloth before nursing then with a cool damp cloth after each feeding; then using the Lanisoh(sp?) cream after. If one side is more sore than the other, try nursing her on the opposite side as to give the side that's sore a break. Don't forget to express the other side that she doesn't nurse on --you can use a handheld pump. I stuck it out for 3 months until I gave her a bottle. To me though it was just more convenient to breastfeed -though it hurt and was a pain at times. Bottle feeding is another whole 'fun' venture. If you do introduce the bottle, be sure to warm your breastmilk a tad, I found with our daughter, it wasn't that she didn't take to a bottle but it was that the milk had to be at a similar temp. as the milk from the breast...just keep that in mind. Also, if you do begin to pump be sure, to keep up with it. I actually had more issues with the pump --making sure that the breast completely emptied . Consequently, my millk supply went down a bit. I had to introduce formula when she turned 4 months partly because I was returning to work and simply because my milk supply was not adequate.
I really suggest sticking it out a bit if you can because your baby is the best pump --she's getting what she needs. :) |
| posted by Loan on 11/12/2008 02:22 PM
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I didn't read what everyone else has said, so if I'm repeating I'm sorry! I will tell you for the first two weeks that I breastfed it was VERY painful! I experienced the same problems you described. I tried EVERYTHING.. Lanolin, breast shields, the cups to put on after breastfeeding to reduce soreness. The only thing that did work was the breast shield cups (sold at Babies R us) You put them on after nursing, they help air out your nipples, and they collect leakage.
Breastfeeding is a VERY personal decision, but I will tell you I had the same problems, and pushed through it, and after 2 weeks or so it got much better. My dd is 3 1/2 months now and there is no pain at all. And I love every moment that we get to be close, and the hormones that are released while we are nursing. It is a very good soother when the baby is upset, and just needs to suck, not necessarily eat. Babies can't do that with a bottle. When they suck on the breast, depending on the strength of the suck they can simply nurse for comfort. I also love being able to bond so closely with her at night. It so peaceful and beautiful. (You also never have to sterilize bottles, or remember to bring them with you) |
| posted by nicole on 11/12/2008 02:40 PM
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Keep at it, girl! It will get better! I agree with all the suggestions from Nicole, Loan, and Candice. I used the PURLAN nipple cream....it also makes a great lip-balm, haha!
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| posted by on 11/12/2008 04:04 PM
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The only thing that I wanted to say on this matter was if you do pump and give her breast milk in a bottle, just make sure that you have BPA free bottles.
I just think that if you are trying to give her the best, as we all do, then do not use BPA bottles.
Good luck |
| posted by Kim on 11/12/2008 04:59 PM
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I had our little girl a yr. ago in Sept. and I was exactly the same with nursing. I was in so much pain I cringed when I would nurse her...however, I stuck it out and at about 6 weeks there wasn't anymore pain. I guess it's up to you...do you want to pump and deal with bottles and all the stuff that goes with it or do you want to just deal with the pain and know that it does pass.
Best of luck.
Claire |
| posted by Claire on 11/12/2008 05:05 PM
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Caryn, I totally understand what you're going through. My son is the exact same age, right around the same weight, and seems to have the same appetite as your daughter! On the days/nights when he seems to be especially hungry and voracious (I've had a few nights of breastfeeding for an hour, waiting a half hour, then feeding another hour, etc. When that's going on at 2 am and I'm at my wit's end, I need to do something different), I do bottle feed him breast milk (actually, I have my husband do it). I use the Medela brand bottles that have nipples that are supposed to be similar to breast nipples and it hasn't been too much of a problem so far. One issues is that he sometimes has a little trouble transitioning back and forth if we use the bottle more than once or twice in a day, but that difficulty hasn't lasted too long.
Also, to care for sore nipples, let them air out a bunch. Sleep topless and as much as possible during the day don't wear a shirt/bra. Express a little breast milk onto the nipple and apply cold compresses. Hope this helps! I'm right there with you, girl! |
| posted by Bethany on 11/13/2008 08:55 AM
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| the biggest problem with bottle and breastfeeding simultaneously is that sometimes after a while the LO will prefer the bottle because it doesn't take as much work, and he/she will start refusing the breast. |
| posted by nicole on 11/13/2008 09:42 AM
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| Thank you all so much for your input and feedback. It's been really difficult and it's great to know that I'm not alone. Things seems to be getting better, so let's hope we're over the hardest part. The lactation nurse LIED to me at the hospital when she said, "Right now you're at the peak of soreness. It only gets better from here." HA! I wonder if this lactation nurse have ever breastfed before! Just kidding. :) |
| posted by Caryn on 11/13/2008 09:48 AM
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| I breastfed my daughter until she was 15 months old. I went back to work when she was 4 months old. I pumped while at work and sent the milk via bottles to daycare. When I was home with her before work and at night I strictly breast fed her. But when we were out a resturaunt or some other place I would use the bottles of breast milk. Some babies have a hard time switching between bottle and nipple, fortunately my daughter did not. I think breast milk is breast milk whether straight from the nipple or via bottle. Do what works for you :) Hope this helps! |
| posted by Beth on 11/13/2008 10:59 AM
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| I have been in the same situation. I breast/bottle fed both my children. My first for 13 months. The second for 17 months. Sore nipples is common the first few weeks until your nipples toughen up. You should be noticing a decrease in soreness soon. All the advice given so far is great. I used lansinoh, gel pads, exposing breast to air, and also rubbing breast milk on nipples helps. Breastmilk has antimicrobial qualities. However if soreness continues you might want to try nursing baby in different positions (for example not just a cradle hold). Alternating nursing positions helps alot!! Also make sure your baby has her mouth properly around the nipple. Making sure her lower jaw is fully dropped open and that you don't feel any pinching while feeding (I know this may be hard to tell with sore nipples, it was for me) If this is the case you will know immediately because it won't hurt as much. Now as for introducing bottlefeeding now is a great time. Once your baby has the breastfeeding routine down you want to introduce bottles. Pump only what you need. Emptying the breast will only make your breast fill more with milk. (The Demand/Supply principle) You will experience engorgement the next day every single time. Now if you plan to pump breast milk to exclusively bottlefeed emptying breast fully is fine. If you plan to both breast and bottlefeed empty only 1 to 4oz at a time. Any more may be pushing it. Every breast feed baby should learn how to accept a bottle. Whether to give you a break (because every new mom needs one), give Dad an opportunity to bond with baby, or in case of an emergency. Good luck with whatever you choose. Your doing awesome so far! |
| posted by Jennifer on 11/13/2008 03:47 PM
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| I have been in the same situation. I breast/bottle fed both my children. My first for 13 months. The second for 17 months. Sore nipples is common the first few weeks until your nipples toughen up. You should be noticing a decrease in soreness soon. All the advice given so far is great. I used lansinoh, gel pads, exposing breast to air, and also rubbing breast milk on nipples helps. Breastmilk has antimicrobial qualities. However if soreness continues you might want to try nursing baby in different positions (for example not just a cradle hold). Alternating nursing positions helps alot!! Also make sure your baby has her mouth properly around the nipple. Making sure her lower jaw is fully dropped open and that you don't feel any pinching while feeding (I know this may be hard to tell with sore nipples, it was for me) If this is the case you will know immediately because it won't hurt as much. Now as for introducing bottlefeeding now is a great time. Once your baby has the breastfeeding routine down you want to introduce bottles. Pump only what you need. Emptying the breast will only make your breast fill more with milk. (The Demand/Supply principle) You will experience engorgement the next day every single time. Now if you plan to pump breast milk to exclusively bottlefeed emptying breast fully is fine. If you plan to both breast and bottlefeed empty only 1 to 4oz at a time. Any more may be pushing it. Every breast fed baby should learn how to accept a bottle. Whether to give you a break (because every new mom needs one), give Dad an opportunity to bond with baby, or in case of an emergency. Good luck with whatever you choose. Your doing awesome so far! |
| posted by Jennifer on 11/13/2008 03:47 PM
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| Good advice! Thank you! |
| posted by Caryn on 11/13/2008 04:35 PM
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Caryn,
You may have a fast let down and that is why your baby is gaining weight. Your nipples should not hurt. It sounds like your baby is not latched on right. |
| posted by Lois on 11/13/2008 07:56 PM
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I am really glad to see so much positive support for sticking with it.
I agree!! My nipples were sore for two or three weeks, even cracked!!! YIKES!! It hurt so bad, but I really didn't want to quit. I thought that it was ok that it hurt at first when my son latched on, but my mom said it should never hurt (except for when your nipples are first getting use to beign sucked on so much, but then they should just be sore). I spoke with someone from the Le Leche League (which is free over the phone), and together we discovered I was holding my son incorrectly. I am very tall and I wasn't holding him up high enough. They said it should literally be stomach to stomach. I was just letting him lay on the pillow in my lap. I raised him up a bit and the difference was like night and day.
To cut this shorty, IT WILL GET BETTER!! Lansinoh works wonders, and I even put in on my nipples to get in on my son's lips when his lips were chapped.
If you do decide to pump, pump frequently so your supply doesn't go down. I was told that your body doesn't know the difference between your baby and your pump, so pump away! Your baby will start eating more, so you'll have to pump more frequently to keep up with the demand. Carrot juice also works with a shortage supply.
Good luck!! |
| posted by Liz on 11/13/2008 10:07 PM
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You might want to try a nipple shield. You can get them at Babies R Us. I needed to use one b/c my daughter had problems latching on and my lactation consultant told me I had a problem with my nipples that would make it difficult for me to breastfeed without the shield. Not only did it help my daughter to be able to breastfeed it also stopped hurting as much, my nipples we're cracked anymore and the whole breasfteeding experience wasn't a dreaded one anymore. And as an added bonus, as she got older and started bitting the shield was a lifesaver!
I did use a breast pump also and Hannah had no problem going back and forth between breast and bottle. But I think I waited until she was about 6 weeks old before I started giving her a bottle. But we used both up until we switched to cow's milk when she was 13 months.
Good luck!! :) |
| posted by Melissa on 11/14/2008 07:08 AM
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