Put your precious one to your breast and go for it. You are doing amazing! What's done is done now it is time to move on, no more guilt, just renewed determination.
From the amount of pain you described I am wondering about baby's latch. Have you had a lactation consultant check the latch? A bad latch does cause pain. Make sure baby is opening wide and you are getting the whole nipple or a good amount, if the nipple is large, into baby's mouth. The Medela website has some great information about latching, also kellymom.com.
Another thing to remember is that baby will feed very (& that is an understatement) often which is normal and excessive leaking is also normal. You are still waking baby to feed every 4 hours right? Just know you are doing great and YOU CAN DO IT!!! Hang in there it gets so much better. ↑ |
| Thank you so much for your comment, however it still has not been any better. Other than not waking up soaking wet every day, my breast are still very tender, I still can't get him to latch properly, and my nipples are still mutilated. I've tried contacting Le Leche, with no response, the local health dept, but they don't have a lactation consultant. I'm at a loss. I am just about ready to give up. Its been a month and just don't think I can keep going on in this pain ↑ |
What area of the country do you live in? I may know someone in your area that could contact you. Another place that you could go and get some free help is WIC. Usually WIC offers a breastfeeding consultant and they are normally happy to help. Have you looked up any of the websites with latching instructions or videos? Have you tried using a different hold, usually the football hold is great.
Here is my explanation on how to use the football hold & latch baby on.
Start out with placing a pillow on whatever side you feel comfortable. Get DH / SO to help by holding the baby while you situate, get comfy, you may need more than one pillow to get the right height. Place the baby so her head is even with you nipple. At the beginning you may need to hold her head so that you can bring her to your breast. With your other hand make a C and hold your breast, close to the nipple so the four fingers are holding the bottom of the breast and the thumb wraps around the top. Hold the breast up with the one hand with the other bring babies head close. Press your thumb down and this will raise the nipple. Tease her mouth with the nipple first by rubbing it on her lips. This will stimulate her and will also stimulate your milk. At this point she will open her mouth, take your nipple and push her lip down and insert nipple. This motion is kind of like rolling your nipple into her mouth. It takes practice for both of you so don't get discouraged. You will do great!
Please let me know how things are going. We can get this right!!!!
Another question .... does baby have white spots in his mouth that do not wipe off? ↑ |
