Breastfeeding - Not like they make it seem...

[nycmama]

So I was thinking about all the wonderful things they say about BM & BF'ng that they never really mention in the hospital what you might encounter at home... (Mind you I read ALOT about it)

Anyway I was wondering what kind of problems did any of you ladies encounter with your LO and how did you survive? I quit nursing my 2 1/2 yo when he was 5 mos because I couldn't deal with the stress. He was having nursing strikes almost every other day... I have OALD and he had cow milk sensitivity. It could have been the slightest trace could have started a strike.

This time around my DS 2 1/2 months doesn't want to nurse unless laying down. He is very sensitive to the enviroment since the slightest distraction sets him up for a strike and this time around my OALD is more severe than the first time BF.

I just take it a day at a time....;)

So ladies please share some stories and/or motherly wisdom we can all learn and benefit from.

[ima062002]

I think that you might benefit greatly from trying to balance out your OALD. Lying down might be the only way for your baby to deal with the flow right now.

See here for tips: http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/fast-letdown.html

[pumpkinhead7]

Honestly, I didn't have any other viable options with my first. I wanted to breastfeed (formula feeding didn't really occur to me as a real option) my baby wouldn't take a bottle and was dairy sensitive. I could have cup fed him soy formula, but it was just easier to cut out dairy and keep on nursing. I was lucky that he was an eager nurser and after a rough start, we didn't have any real issues.

My second was born, camped out at the breast and it seems like he's spent most of his time there ever since. He's almost 2.5. Okay, well, he's slowed down a lot since he turned 1, but he'd like to nurse a lot more than I allow. Again, I was lucky that he was an eager nurser. He had pretty serious reflux issues and dairy was a trigger for him, but eliminating dairy was easier and cheaper than hypoallergenic formula.

I just assumed that unless something was wrong with you or your baby, you breastfed them and not with any sort of lactivist notions. That's what I grew up primarily surrounded with so that's what I assumed. I knew people who formula fed and I formula fed babies I looked after, but I really didn't think much about it. Looking back, I'm not sure why.

[PeacefulMom]

I had the oald. Kind of a hassle until I figured it out (with the thanks of reading this site and kellymom) and after trying a few of the recommended things I found what worked for us. I did the block nursing. I went for several feeds on one side. My DS literally nursed every hour for about 5 minutes so I wouldn't switch sides for about 4-5 hours. I often had to pump the other side one time to relieve the pressure.

I eve had a while there where he would only take one side during the day and the other i could get him to take at night while we were laying down. Took me a while to figure out it was a position thing. he had to be in the football hold on the right side or he wasn't comfortable. Once i worked that out, that got easier.

Formula and bottle feeding was never an option for me. So i just worked through whatever issues came up. Sure there were some tough times but they were over aws quickly as they started and we went on tot he next problem. I spent a lot of time reading this message board and kellymom and learned what i needed to and then some.

I'm sure I'll have to go through all of that again with this next one because every baby is different and I bet this lo will have it's own issues! But I can't wait!

Stick it out Momma, you'll be glad you did!

[Brianna]

If you are having problems with OALD I recommend feeding the baby on the same side for 2 or 3 feedings in a row (block nursing). I had OALD and a really fussy baby. Things really improved for us once I got my OALD under control.

For me nursing has just always been worth the difficulties that arise. In the beginning I had OALD, then came the distractable nursing stage, and the twiddling. Now I'm nursing while pregnant and have to deal with sore nipples and feeling touched out. But, the fact that I'm giving my son the best I can offer, and providing him with security makes it more than worth it for me. In my opinion, the first few months of a nursing relationship are the hardest. After those first few ways it almost becomes a way of life.

[madelsmama]

We survived OALD and a very, very unhappy second baby. Things were better around 12 weeks old after block nursing helped get things under control.

Seems like Dr. Jack Newman's Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers is very thorough in addressing breastfeeding issues and trouble-shooting them.

[whitnessforhim]

I had latch issues and exclusively pumped for my DD for the first 4mo. before getting her back to the breast. What an emotional rollercoaster! EP is such a pain and I am happy that I can now exclusively nurse when I am with her. I just wanted to add this to the already great advice that you got: If you can make it past this period you won't regret it! It gets so, so, so much easier and you'll be thanking your lucky stars you don't ever have to mess with bottles :)

[Peanut1207]

I didn't have an OALD issue I had a latching issue which also sucked. He spent the first few weeks screaming at the breast, the LC in the hospital gave him formula (which still pisses me off), and we were just a mess. I finally called a different LC who came to my house and helped with positioning, gave me some cup things that went over my nipples so they could finally heal (they had be scabbing for 2 weeks), and finally taught me the breast compressions/boobie sandwich that saved my life (why they didn't teach that in the class or at the hospital i'm not sure...they sure didn't foget to give me my free formula bag though, sorry rant), and gave me enough support not to quit. Did I expect BFing to be that hard and I hear ya sister, I read ALOT, hell no! I've had several friends have babies since and have made sure to offer them support and tips without being overbearing. I agree that we aren't prepared...maybe they don't want us to not nurse because it can be challenging? I don't know I honestly thought something was wrong with me and my baby, until I found this site and a decent LC. I hear ya...if its not one thing, it's something else! Good job keeping with it and I guess follow the above advice for oald, maybe it'll help!

[nycmama]

Well I have tried block feeding but when I switched sides it was worse... So I stopped. Although then I didn't have a pump to relieve the pressure. Right now we're at a point in which he is "somewhat" used to the flow. I say somewhat because sometimes I'll spray him then he'll choke, gag and the refuse to nurse at all. So, yes it is challenging... but worth the journey. At times I wish I could quit esp. when he fusses alot. But I'm trying to go at least the 6 mos for now. Short term goals for me.

[StElmosFire]

In my 22 months of breastfeeding I have/had latch problems, OALD, reynaud's syndrome, a recurrant yeast, mastitis twice, staph infection in my breast, clogged ducts, cracked bleeding nipples on a regular basis for a while (<----see effects), low milk supply, high milk supply, pumped 3 times a day like clockwork for 15mos , unsupportive family and friends and crappy advice from locals LC's.

As you can see, I have been through pretty much everything. My LO nurses morning and evenings. DH really wants me to quit and I am getting heat from other family members but I don't give a crap. I am still breastfeeding and do not plan weaning anytime soon, so if they don't like it...... Look Away!

This website and these women are the reason I am still breastfeeding my dear baby girl. I thank my lucky stars everyday for these women when her milky smile walks away.

:)

[madelsmama]

Well I have tried block feeding but when I switched sides it was worse... So I stopped. Although then I didn't have a pump to relieve the pressure. Right now we're at a point in which he is "somewhat" used to the flow. I say somewhat because sometimes I'll spray him then he'll choke, gag and the refuse to nurse at all. So, yes it is challenging... but worth the journey. At times I wish I could quit esp. when he fusses alot. But I'm trying to go at least the 6 mos for now. Short term goals for me.


Your body will adjust to the block feeding--give it a chance. Have you tried hand expression? In the instance when your unused breast is getting uncomfortable, pumping would probably be a bad idea anyway (expressing too much milk would just send the signal to continue making that amount of milk), but hand-expressing for comfort only may be helpful.

[hotlama]

I had OALD too but it got better once I just from from one side per feeding. The biggest problem I have had lately is biting. DD is getting better at it but sometimes she still does it.

[pumpkinhead7]

I had OALD. Block nursing works. It takes 3-5 days to see a difference, but it does work. Your other breast will be uncomfortable for a time, but this will resolve. If you hand express until you trigger your letdown, you can let then milk run out into a cup or a towel. Do this until the flow slows down and then latch the baby on.

[Nipple_nectar]

Your DS is old enough to try a nursing necklace, you could see if that helps:) I agree with others, the block nursing works, I would try it for a few days anyway.

[destiny]

In a nutshell, these have been my struggles. This is my first, and she's 4 mo. now:

flat nipples, difficulty latching, fussy nurser, wasn't planning on pumping and had to get one -was an 'emergency' to keep up supply, I suspect OALD (tough morning nursing).

At times, I was so exhausted from these struggles the first 6 wks, that I wondered if the toll it took on me emotionally, physically and mentally, was causing more harm than good to my baby. An excellent lactation consultant helped me turn it around. It still isn't "easy" but very doable now. I treasure the bond nursing brings and the health benefits to my baby:) Best wishes to you!

[momoffive]

I have been through engorgement, mastitis several times, OALD, and biting. I am currently bfing my second and I love it. It is worth the effort it takes. I just always knew that I would bf, but my husband gave me a different view. He said it takes a major commitment to bf. The troubles, opposition, and time it takes really impressed him. I encourage you to keep going. It truly is the very best for your child. You can do it!!

[nycmama]

but my husband gave me a different view. He said it takes a major commitment to bf. The troubles, opposition, and time it takes really impressed him.

That's another one of my issues. I'm a SAHM of 4 boys. 2 of school-age, a toddler and the baby. He really gives me a hard time. Not so much because he gives me verbal grief over it but more so in the aspect that he nags me to do or why haven't I cooked & cleaned. When most days I'm home running around the 2 yr old or keeping him from running over the baby while we are nursing laying down and helping the others with their ideas (good & bad ones, lol) then with the high-maintainance baby :) DH bums me out. But I'm determined.

I will look into giving the block nursing another try since I tried for 2 days to no avail. I also did try hand expression to relieve.. I always just thought that pumping a bit would be better. We live, we learn.