I'm Struggling Already :(

[Mrs_Jay]

He just wanted to be permantly attached everytime he dosed off and came off he realised he was off and wanted to go back on again. my nipples are so sore right now that i was in tears everytime he wanted to go back on im sure half of it is a comfort thing and it isnt all hunger. But i just dont know what to do

 

[valentine]

Hi gorgeous,

Congratulations on the birth of Noah!

It doesn't sound like you're struggling, it sounds like you are doing an amazing job. Keep him on the boob as much as possible and try and ride out the pain - I know it really hurts. Lanisoh cream is a godsend and try rubbing a bit of EBM into your nipples and walking about topless (at home!). Have you had your latch checked? It is common to have sore nipples in the early days of breastfeeding, but if he is latching incorrectly, this will be making things worse.

All the suckling he's doing - whether feeding or comforting himself, will doing great things to stimulate your supply - newborns love to be fed and held I think as its cold and frightening outside the womb - he won't always be like this.

Remember that breastfeeding is 90% sheer bl**dy mindedness - you can do this!

Good luck beautiful, you are doing a brilliant job

Valentine Xxx

 

[purple13]

hi hon and congratulations

like valentine said, it sounds like you're doing brilliantly!

the permanent attachment thing is normal, and the pain (should just be an initial pain rather than throughout the feed - if the latter, get someone to check your latch) will get better - you can always take paracetamol & ibuprofen to help with it?

it WILL get easier if you can ride out the initial hard bit. and once it does get better, there'll be no faffing about sterilising & making up bottles, not to mention the amount of money you'll save

we're all here to support you

 

[lfc_sarah]

Just like everyone else has said really hun

It will do wonders for your milk supply

Its more frustrating when they wont latch on IMO

Keep it up hunny xxx

 

[charlie84]

Aww hun

The early days are the killer days. I remember them vividly, the pain was unbearable and i dreaded every feed

Like the girls have said you are doing a great job, LO needs to spend time at the breast to get a good supply.

 

[keli]

The pain WILL get better.. its sound like your doing brill. I know its soo hard in them early days but its soooo worth it xx

 

[DebbieM]

Ooooh, the first few days, or even week, are the absolute worst!

You go through pregnancy thinking, right, I'm going to breastfeed. How hard can it be? Baby comes out, you stick it on your boob and it sucks. Easy, right? No... it isn't.

Breastfeeding is possibly one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. It hurt, it made me feel very down and isolated for the first few weeks and I can't say I enjoyed it all that much until week 6.

I was sore to the point of actually biting my own hands and pulling my own hair in frustration. So what you are going through is normal, BUT.... un-neccesary if it is just down to a bad latch or something that can be easily sorted.

I would say to speak to your MW when she comes out and be honest and tell her you are sore and struggling. I wish I had. I told mine everything was fine when it wasn't. I'd never hesitate to get help if I needed to again so I didn't have to go through all that pain. None of us should have to hun.

Newborns want to be attached to you all the time. They like to be close to their Mummy's and be able to smell you. If you're really sore, get yourself some nipple shields and also some Lansinoh which is the cream of the Gods for nipples as far as I am concerned.

But PLEASE, don't hesitate in telling your MW and getting her to check your latch. It might be something really simple.

Good luck hun and we are all here for you xxxxxxxxxx

 

[Redshoes]

Wanted to send some hugs Claire, hope you're well and rested, take care and very best wishes

 

[flowergirl]

oh poor you!

I'm in total agreement with the others-keep baby attached, keep using lansinoh and get your latch checked- baby should have head, shoulders and back in a straight line and you should put pillows under him until he reaches the height of your nipple without you having to lean forward- that's what they said to me at a breast feeding support group. I ended up buying a cusion- MY brest friend- expensive but wished I'd had it in the early weeks- it becomes less useful as baby gets big enough so sit and suckle.

Good luck- keep coming back for support- there will always be someone around to help you out xxx

 

[dannii87]

Claire you're doing FAB!! I breastfeed Evie and each time she wants to feed I dread it because she's got a tongue tie and doesn't latch properly which KILLS so I completely sympathise. I'm perservering though, with the held of Lansinoh cream & nipple shields.

It's such hard work breastfeed, I will never underestimate the effort and work put in by both Mummy & baby ever again!

Here for you if you ever need to vent or moan about sucky babes, I've got one too! We can help keep each other going xxx

 

[Geordie&Bairn]

awww bless you un breastfeeding is had work and very frustrating but worth it
i still have days when colliers being a pain in the bum like at the moment with his teething hes been silly on the breast
but preserverance and bloody minedeness do me in good stead
you will come to enjoy breastfeeding i love it and its FREE
Collier knew how to latch at the start then seemed to forget but my midwife showed me how to latch him on correctly and away i went
so tell your midwife or hv or even better go along to a breastfeeing class i did and i helped me so much