Breastfeeding question

[Eema]

I have a question that i really hope someone can answer ..
Here's the story: I gave birth to my first born son 3.5 months ago. The LC at the hospital tried to help after birth because he couldn't latch on properly. They said my nipples aren't inverted but i think otherwise because they dont "perk up" (sorry for the term ) as they should or as i have seen. They gave me Medela Therashells to help but they didn't. All they did was gather milk and make me look ridiculous. The first few days after i got home were a nightmare. Breastfeeding was the most painful thing ever. My nipples were bruised and aching and i had no choice so I started pumping using the Avent Breast Pump. I tried a few times to offer the breast but it hurt too much. I looked at the positive side and said as long as he's eating my milk and not formula. I knew how much to give him (he ate 6 oz every 4 hours.) Pumping helped me store lots of bags of milk in the deep freezer because sometimes he would sleep through the night and my breast would be engorged so got up to pump. Like i said i have LOTS of bags (thank God) which hopefully i would get to use one day! But pumping got tiring and i really wanted to breastfeed!
Last week I "discovered" the Medela nipple shield to help my son latch on correctly on the breast and thought i should try it. I dont know why no one has told me about it before.... Anyhow, he didnt refuse and i thought great!! I knew the downside is that i wouldnt know how much he would eat and not to trust the clock... Here's the problem: he may feed activley for about 5-10 minutes from 1 breast and then refuse to eat after burping. Then again feed an hour or 2 later and be full.. very rarely would he feed on both breasts for more than 5 minutes each. I actually dont have a schedule with him anymore because after an hour or 2 I'm afraid he's not full and offer the breast again, only to find him not hungry at all or nurse for minutes only. He doesnt seem fussy or hungry, and he's a happy baby throughout the day. I'm just worried he's not eating enough. I went from feeding and pumping every 4 hours to feeding every 1-2 hours. I'm also worried that I would stop producing milk because i know milk production is a supply and demand, as long as he feeds actively i will produce more milk...
What do you recommend?
Thanks in advance!!!

[pcham]

i had the same problem too .my baby is only 7 days old and i have also swtched to pumping but am tired too,so i need to chang my options but i'm afraid that i won't be able to keep up with the pain .when you switched back to breastfeeding did it hurt

[Eema]

first of all congratulations!!
and to your question, not at all. the nipple shield really helped. its like a bottle nipple on your breast and the baby sucks on that. sometimes i take it off to let him feed without because what it does is help the baby learn to latch on correctly until you dont need it anymore. heres the link http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2901997. your baby is only a week old so its gonna be a lot easier for you to get him/her used to the idea. good luck

[RedheadbyChoice]

I'd suggest seeing a lactation consultant or an LLL leader to help you with baby's latch.

[PeacefulMom]

If your baby is happy and has the wet diapers then he is eating enough! It must be hard to go from a measurable feeding method to one based on faith. But it is important to trust that your body is making the right amount for him at the time he needs it. 6 oz at once sounds like a lot so he probably prefers to have smaller snacks more often.

I do encourage you to try and get him to latch without the shield so it will be easier for you int he long run. Just so you don't have to fuss with it.

Congratulations on getting him back to the breast!

[Eema]

The last 2 days I have been getting him to latch on without the shield. Its great because one of my annoying problems with pumping was having to get up and wash the pump in the middle of the night when Im already falling asleep at the pump, and now i had to wash the shield and get it ready for next feeding.. it is a little tough until he will build himself a feeding schedule but he seems content and has regular soiled diapers..I have to get used to the idea more than him bc im the one who "had all the faith" in breastfeeding and trusting the baby but found myself offering the breast every 1/2 hour.. im trying to wait until i know he's hungry.. im just glad he was willing to take the breast after getting used to bottles for 3.5 months..

[RedheadbyChoice]

He'll get into his own rhythm, momma, he will. And then just when you have that one figured out, he'll change it. :D

And there's nothing wrong with offering the breast often, in a wee one.

Keep up the great work! *\o/*

[dodoe80]

Well done on working on your bfing relationship. I had problems in the begining too and went to streight pumping for a month. I have been working on getting DS to the breast for about 4 weeks now. Things are a lot better now then they were, though I did not have to use the shields. I know how hard it is not being able to measure the amount of milk he is eating. That was hard for me to get over, as well as the schedule change on his eating patters. My ds will take a 4oz bottle every 3 hours but will bf every 2-3 hours.

WHat I have found that I love the most about bf is night time nursing. When I would pump at night It would take me about 45 min. to pump and get back to bed and that is including have DH get up to feed DS. Now 20 minutes and I am back in bed and that is including a diaper change.

Don't be discouraged about the amount of time he is spending at the breast. In the beginning my DS would take 20 minutes per side and now he can empty a side in 5-7 minutes though he does take both sides. Your child is just becoming more efficient at nursing if he is coming off satisfied and not fussy. Just let the diapper count be your guid and comfort. It will get easier if you keep at it.