Some Problems

[Saphira]

Ok. Maybe breastfeeding is a little harder than I originally thought.

I saw the pediatrician today... And he asked me a couple questions and looked at my feeding charts for Roo. Apparently, I'm not doing it right.

So, it kinda hurts when she first latches on, but then it goes away. I dunno how it goes away, he already asked me that and I couldn't answer him either. Plus, she has been having diarhea and spitting up just an itty bitty bit, which means she's getting the fore-milk but not the hind-milk - says my pedi.

So I watched a couple youtube videos on how to breastfeed. Noticed I was doing the latching wrong... But even if I was doing the latching wrong, how come she's not getting the rest of the milk? The pedi said to go around my breast with my hand like the numbers of a clock and "push" the milk toward the nipple. Well, I tried this but it didn't do anything. Her feedings are still sporadic. The longest feeding I got her to have since seeing him was 15 minutes [a good step up from her 5 minute feedings starting early last night!]. I'm just feeling a little frustrated.

Apparently the nurses at the hospital told my pedi that they were unimpressed with my decision to breastfeed and that they didn't think I was gonna hold out. Which REALLY ticks me off. Yeah, I'm having troubles, but that doesn't mean I'm going to give up. Those nurses wouldn't even help me out anyway. I asked for a lactation consultant and they didn't send one in 'til two hours later... AFTER I reminded them TWICE. And the nurse who stepped in a couple times while I was breastfeeding never stepped in and said, "If you position her like this..." Or something! She saw me doing it, and if I was doing it so wrong, SHE COULDA HELPED ME OUT! It's not like I'm a pro at this and do it all the time. I've never done this before and I'm already insecure. Besides, I thought I had it down pretty well. Cuz the nurse who helped me labor commented that I must already know what I was doing. Cuz I knew to tickle the chin and how to do the football hold. I did NOT know to watch her tongue and stuff though.

So. If anyone could give me advice? What helped you? If it helps, I have rather large areolas compared to the "norm." And so getting it ALL into her mouth isn't a helpful pointer. Please, any advice. I don't wanna end up giving up and giving those stupid nurses the satisfaction of me failing.

[eniese]

You might want to see a lactation consultant again, since they can be there with you and help things go more smoothly.

As far as getting a good latch, squish your nipple like a sandwich to put it in her mouth. Then make sure her top and bottom lip are flanged (flared outward). If she doesn't do that naturally, you can gently pull her lips up with your finger without breaking suction.

To help with the foremilk/hind milk imbalance, have her finish off one side completely before switching her. Don't switch sides based on the clock, but based on whether she's done with the side she started with. This will help her get more hind milk.

It is normal for the latch to hurt a bit right at first and then have the pain diminish as she nurses in your first couple weeks, so as long as the pain is not preventing you from nursing and your nipples are not cracking, I wouldn't worry too much about that.

Also, make sure you are getting enough food, water, vitamins, and sleep. All of these will affect milk production and milk quality. You've mentioned that you are a single mother, so it may not be easy to get some help so you can sleep. If you have friends or family nearby that can help with some housework, cooking or watching Ruby for a little while so you can get an extra nap, you may find that it helps with the breastfeeding thing.

Breastfed babies will have loose BMs and that is normal. They should be yellow/brown or sometimes a little green (sorry if TMI!) Make sure your pedi really knows about the differences to expect between breastfed and formula fed babies, or you may spend a lot of time getting fussed at by him. If you need to, switch pediatricians to one who is more supportive of breastfeeding.

Spit up and gas can be caused by too much fore milk, or by things you are eating, and some of it is just normal for infants. If it's at all possible, it's really probably best to get a lactation consult soon.

In the end, no matter whether you manage to breastfeed long term or not, remember your primary concern is your baby's health and well-being, and how you feed your baby says nothing about your abilities or worth as a mother. If she ends up needing formula, you will still be a good mom and still be able to bond with her, just in different ways. Good luck!

[lismom2]

You are not crazy for thinking that breastfeeding is hard. It can be very hard. I love this site for breastfeeding questions and hand it out a lot.
http://www.kellymom.com/
Make sure your pediatrician has a growth chart for breast-fed babies and isn't comparing your darling to FF babes. (I think Kellymom has a chart you can print off)
As for the length of time Roo nurses, You may just have an efficient nurser. Harrison rarely nurses for more than a few minutes (even in the beginning eh would onnly nurse for no more than 8 minutes), and he is 7 months, 30 pounds and refusing solids. He also only eats on one side (I started doing this because he was kind of gassy at the beginning and read that switching sides could be the culprit). He was also a spitter and that lasted until he was 5 months or so. As long as she isn't acting like she's in pain when she's spitting, she should be fine.
as for your latch- are you doing a "C" hold or a "U" hold on your breast? I like the U even though I've read that the C "works" better supposedly.... I hated advice like "make sure your entire areola is in the mouth" because mine are huge and there's no way that was happening. You want to make sure the tounge is covering their gums, and that your babe has a seal and to watch the jaws to make sure she is swallowing and not just sucking. Check out a LaLecheLeague member in your area for IRL support.
You'll get thr hang of it mama, so don't give up!! Its so worth it and it does get better!! Just think, in a coupe of months, YOU'RE going to be one of the breast savvy ladies giving advice :) Take care and hope you're doing well!

[KayLady]

Hmm - both of my babies took at least 30 - 45 minutes to nurse for about the first month or so. They eventually got real good at it and in the end it would only take about 10 minutes. Anyway, you should try attending a La Leche League meeting. Although reading about breastfeeding and being armed with a lot of information is very helpful, it's really hard to learn how to do it right by reading about it. It would be like learning to ride a bike by reading about it. Having someone there in person to help you would do you a world of good (you'll have to give up some modesty). Don't use the same lactation consultant as before if she wasn't very helpful. You can tell the baby has gotten the hindmilk when your breast feels empty (not so firm anymore).
Yes, all the BF poops are very loose, and - beware - explosive. They should be mustardy and seedy.
It is hard, but don't worry, once you get the hang of it, it's much easier that mixing up formula for every feeding. And cleaning all those bottles.

[seedoubleyou]

"Plus, she has been having diarhea and spitting up just an itty bitty bit, which means she's getting the fore-milk but not the hind-milk - says my pedi."

Seriously change your pedi!

Loose runny mustard stools with seedy deposits is ideal stool for breastfed babies. Spit ups are either caused by immature sphincter or big gas bubble burped. Or simply baby is overeating. Foremilk-hindmilk imbalance will show up with green (usually dark) stools of similar consistency. If your pedi can be inaccurate about simple things like this, who knows what other improper advice he'd give on more important life-death situations?

It takes on average 3 months to get the hang of exclusively breastfeeding what you're going through is perfectly fine. I can't tell you how long I've eyed the tin of free formula! However if you're still suffering after 5 months consider pumping.

Useful Youtube vids:
http://www.youtube.com/user/BreastfeedingBabies
http://www.youtube.com/user/4breastfeeding

Stool color: http://www.drjaygordon.com/development/pediatricks/poop.asp