new mom frustration

[athalker]

Well -- she came a little bit earlier than anticipated. I woke up last Wednesday morning to bloody discharge and she came almost one month early. Weighed 4 lbs 5 oz -- anyways on to my frustration -- obviously she was in the special care nursery and I was unable to nurse right away. They brought me a pump Thursday to start pumping. I finally got to nurse her on Thursday afternoon. She actually was doing great in the hospital. Latching on without a problem. I get home and no it seems like she is not interested. Obviously when she was in special care nursery she was being bottle fed -- which was fine with me -- anything to get her to gain some weight and healthy to come home! But now that I am home -- sometimes she seems interested but really only for a few minutes. So I have been pumping and then giving her the breastmilk with a bottle. I know they say not to introduce a bottle before 3 weeks - but she was getting a bottle right away because of her being preemie. Problem is -- she is taking about 2 oz. per feeding and I am only pumping about 1 oz. How soon will it start coming in more?

Sometimes my nipples arent out as far as needed and I called the lactation consultant at the hospital. They suggested pumping then getting her to latch on -- not really working that well --

Any suggestions for all of my problems would be greatly appreciated -- I am getting very frustrated with myself and breastfeeding

Thanks
Lauryn Anne's mommy

[jodyvo]

I found that the shells worked great at getting my nipples to stick right out.
Congrats on the new early arrival

[Brianna]

Congratulations on your new little one. The best way to produce more milk is to get baby to nurse more often. Nipple confusion/bottle preference can be a big problem. Would you be willing to try an alternative method for feeding your baby while she is learning to breastfeed? My son was given bottles in the hospital. He had a difficult time learning how to nurse, but he did learn. I had to totally stop using bottles. If you feel that you don't have enough milk, you can use a supplemental nursing system to deliver formula to baby while you are nursing her. Have you seen an LC? An LC could evaluate your technique and baby's latch.

Here is a link on alternative feeding methods. http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/alternative-feeding.html

[athalker]

what are shells?

[Shaunsmom]

I think you buy these shells and place them in your bra. The shells help draw your nipple out.

In my experience with flat/inverted nipples...I did not use shells. Simply rolling your nipple gently between your fingers may help. I forgot what my LC called it. It costs nothing to you and works for flat/inverted nipples pretty well:)

Congratulations on the new baby!! I also had our daughter 4 weeks early. She wasn't as tiny as your little one. Cherish your time now because it goes by soo fast!!

[Bumpy]

The rolling didn't work for me, i had to use the shells, I was able to pick them up at the hospital for free. They might still give them to you if you ask them.