Breast feeding and pumping question?

[jenmgo]

Hi everyone. I have my baby of one week and i have been breastfeeding exclusively.
i have been having major nipple soreness, cracked , bleeding etc. THe initial latch on is painful but that lasts a couple seconds

its been suggested to me i start pumping to help with nighttime feedings and getting sleep. my question is is it too soon to start pumping as well? I dont want nipple confusion or the baby to refuse my breast. I have a medela pump and breastflow bottles but im getting mixed info on feeding and pumping so early

any advice?

 

[Pearlstrand]

It's been forever since I had my kids, so I don't know what the current advice is. However, here is a link to the LaLeche League's "Early Weeks" FAQ page:

http://www.llli.org/NB/NBearlyweeks.html

Neither of my kids took to bottles so I ended up waking all night long to feed them, but maybe you'll be luckier.

Does your healthcare provide have any lactation specialists that you can consult? What about the hospital where you delivered? Or your OB/GYN or pediatrician?

Hang in there; it really does get easier. (Is this your first baby?)

Good luck and I hope you find your answers!

 

[intensityjunkie]

I heard its best to wait a few weeks till everything is well established. You also don't want to skip feedings it could hurt your milk supply. You'll either need to pump or nurse at certain times to keep the milk supply up. You also might get engorged skipping feedings at first.
It WILL get better. I actually am not looking forward to that first week or two either for nursing. But hang in there and you'll do fine!
If the nipple pain/cracking continues for too long I'd get with a lactation consultant to make sure she's latching on correctly.

 

[jenmgo]

thanks for the input. i definately dont want to lose my milk supply. i would pump and feed regulalry i guess. im just getting mixed advice and i dont knwo what to do. during the nite it is almost unbearable pain for a little while but that might be because im in the dark and miserable becuase i havent slept. maybe that make the pain seem more intense. it hurts the first couple seconds while she latches on but then it goes away.
my nips look all deformed right now. i've tried various positions with her as well. i try to get the largest amount of nipples and aerola in there as possible and i think she is doing it properly, but this is my first time so what do i know

its been one week since i had her and i dont know if i've made any improvements or not. eventually i have to go back to work so i need to pump. i just dot know what sort of schedule to pump with becuase i will breastfeed when im with her. hopefully anyway..

 

[dlandkk808]

Go to kellymom.com That website has a lot of useful and good info. I guess it would be entirely up to you on if you want to pump or not. Like Jessica said it's important that you do still pump when you don't feed though esp. the first month while you're trying to establish your supply. The less stimulation at the breast whether it is baby or pump, the less milk will be made. It is super overwhelming, but hang in there! I also second the seeing a LC for help if you still are feeling overwhelmed.

 

[intensityjunkie]

Jen -sometimes its the simplest thing that can cause trouble that a lactation consultant will catch. But I also remember the cracked nippes and that initial pain when they are first put on and it went away on its own.

 

[Peaceful Rainbow]

Breastfeeding shouldn't be more than uncomfortable in the beginning. When it is there usually are latch issues. Try to get in to see a lactation consultant ASAP or get in contact with your local LLL leader and see if they do home visits. There are some that do or there may be a meeting coming up soon you can get to and they can check out babies latch. You can find leaders through LLL's website which I believe someone already posted.

 

[jaypea]

Jen-It will get easier! I remember taking a deep breath and doing everything I could not to yell out when Aidan (baby #2) latched on. It was only like that on my right side, though? It worked itself out, and now it's fine. As for the cracked nipples, I used Lansinoh nipple cream (got it at B R US). I put a little on everytime I breastfed. Also, rubbing breastmilk on your nipples will help heal them too. Sounds kind of strange, but it works. Let us know how it's going.
As for the sleep, it may take a while to get ANY, but hang in there! Those days will pass all too quickly!
-Jen