I need help about breastfeeding
So my little one has been super fussy the last 2 days and it seems that all he wants to do is eat. He has been gassy since i brought him home from the hospital and i give him gas drops all the time. His diapers are normal and his poop seems normal. He is 4 weeks old. Since i brought him home he sucks so hard on my breasts that it hurts but the last 2 days the pain has been worse. My breasts are so sore and raw that i don't want to feed him. I don't want to give up breastfeeding but the pain is to the point it makes me cry. Sometimes i skip feeding him breastmilk and feed him formula because it just hurts so bad. I don't trust my local hospital or lactation nurse because of our horrible expierence during labor and delivery. i don't want to stop feeding but i just dont know what else to do.
Replies
I had so much trouble feeding my first - he would be on the boob for ages and then still cry after. I ended up trying to express milk and it turned out I just wasn't making enough milk. I put him on formula at 6 weeks and he drank, settled and was content. I tried again with my 2nd and 3rd, same problem not enough milk. Put them on formula and they were happy and content. It's not the end of the world - in fact you are doing the best thing for them as they are getting food. My kids are now 9, 7 and 5 and they are healthy, happy kids with no allergies and are rarely sick. Dont let the breastfeeding crazies make you feel bad - it's not your fault! As long as your baby is fed it doesn't matter if it comes from breast or bottle and don't let anyone tell you otherwise!!!
Post deleted by MadeForMums.
Here's a link to our Chat guidelines.
Hi sanders, there are lots of things you can try if it is your wish to continue breastfeeding.
in the first instance to help with your poor boobies would go straight away & get some nipple shields... They will allow you to continue feeding while protecting your nipples & allowing them to heal. It does not affect breastfeeding... I used them from birth with my lo as he couldn't latch properly & so the nurse gave them to me & he then fed great. He easily transitioned off of them too once his suck was stronger after around 4-6 weeks.
Mid you definitely want to continue breastfeeding then really try not to supplement with formula as your body makes milk on a 'supply and demand' basis so your supply will drop if you're not breastfeeding often.
Might your supply is low... I definitely recommend lactation cookies! They taste yummy & really work to boost supply! If you are in the us there is a great company where I get mine from called 'milkin cookies'. If not, you can find recipies online to make your own... Just google lactation cookies.
Finally, I would ask your babies doctor to check if he / she has a tongue tie... with your nipples being a torn up as they are, plus the gassiness your baby is experiencing, these are both signs of a tongue tie... It may not be he case for your little one but if it is, getting that fixed can dramatically improve breastfeeding.
Good & keep us posted!!