Any Suggestions?

MIA-D · 02-20-2006, 03:43 PM

Hey all -

Back from the birth of my third child on Valentine's Day. I am experiencing some problems with breast feeding. The first two kiddos would not latch on so they were not good experiences with breast feeding. This time I am DETERMINED to make it work but... this little guy is terribly stubborn. He latched on the first 3 days, eating about every four hours. He had a case of jaundice and the number kept going up. It is finally down now. - okay on with my problem - he will take the nipple in his mouth but will just hold it there, no sucking or anything. It can drip or whatever but no sucking. If he gets frustrated then he will just shake his head, like he can't even find the nipple. So, needless to say I am pumping just to get him the milk, which is going fine and I am excited about the amount but, it just isn't the same. I have tried every nursing position, standing, sitting, quiet room, noisy room, dim lights, sunlight, naked, clothed...

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

TIA
Heather

Luv2bemommy · 02-20-2006, 04:14 PM

I'm not sure what to tell you really.. Looks like you have tried all the ways I would have went with. I havent been successful myself at breastfeeding but I do want to say try to go see a LC now.. I pray this works for you! I know how hard it is! (((huggss)))

heathenmamaof5 · 02-20-2006, 04:21 PM

Heather,

Where are you geographically? Have you contacted your local LC? My beleif is that if mom wants baby on the breast and the baby isn't then a IBCLC consultation needs to happen. If you let us know where you're at we might be able to get you some names. If money is an issue we can deal with that too.

How is baby being fed? Which kind of nipple are you using? What's his weight gain like? How are his poopies? Is he getting any formula? What kind of pump are you using? The list goes on and on...

I'd like to mention a nipple sheild but have some grave misgivings about doing so. I really feel that if you want to give them a shot you should do it with some physical guidance.

K-kids are really demanding my attention now!

Jill

heathenmamaof5 · 02-21-2006, 04:28 PM

Heather,

Are you around? If you could reply to my previous message I beleive we can get you the help you need to have a succesful breastfeeding relationship with your new baby.

We have an IBCLC here on AllDoulas and I'd be happy to have her reply to your post. How are things going today?

Let us know. I'm concerned and want to get you the appropriate help ASAP.

Any CLE's here? Or people in the process of getting their CLE? Or a LLL Leader?

loveslabor · 02-21-2006, 04:51 PM

Sorry to hear about the breastfeeding issues though.

I recently took an acupressure class for Birth professionals. A certain pressure point located above baby's upper lip and below baby's noise is supposed to be linked to breastfeeding.

We were told to gentle press that point for 30-60 seconds a couple of times to help initiate latch and/or sucking.

Hope it all works out!

MIA-D · 02-22-2006, 11:22 AM

I'm in Colorado - have nipple shield (nipples retract - part of our problem). Working hard with my own doula (who has two successful breastfed children and is working on becoming CBE and LE), my sister (also two successful breastfed children). It has only been a week since he was born, but it feels like forever. He is doing fine. Happy baby. How far should I force it? Should I hold him there while he cries, screams, kicks, whatever? Meanwhile crying myself. Trying not to stress over it, but this is the third baby and I REALLY want to make this work, for myself, for him and for my doula practice. Right now I don't feel I can teach breast feeding because I haven't been able to make it work myself. but really that is the least of my worries right now.
Thanks for all your help.

Heather

Babies_Bellies_Boobies · 02-23-2006, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heathenmamaof5

How is baby being fed? Which kind of nipple are you using? What's his weight gain like? How are his poopies? Is he getting any formula? What kind of pump are you using? The list goes on and on...

I'd like to mention a nipple sheild but have some grave misgivings about doing so. I really feel that if you want to give them a shot you should do it with some physical guidance.

Jill

i'll echo the above questions...
you said you are pumping for his feeds. thAt's great, though not the ideal situation- more work involved. how often are you expressing? how does the baby drink the expressed milk? how often does he get an artificial nipple? how often is the baby feeding?

do you have any medical problems? does the baby? how was the birth? ANY medication used prior to, during, or after the birth? if you birthed in a hospital, how long/ how often was the baby seperated from you? did he receive any supplements in the hospital? has anyone checked the baby's frenulum?

i know you said you've tried every imaginable position, have you tried to get bAbe latched on while moving? (ie, walking around?) i have more questions, but will offer these 2 suggestions first:

one suggestion i would have is that if baby is getting any kind of artificial nipple, that you cease them, you can use alternative methods of feeding, though some nipples are better than others if that is the only way you are comfortable doing feeds.

another suggestion would be water rebirthing.

DL · 02-23-2006, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Babies_Bellies_Boobies

...another suggestion would be water rebirthing.

I'm curious about this; what do you mean "water rebirthing" and how is this done?

!

Stacie · 02-24-2006, 03:31 PM

DL · 02-24-2006, 03:44 PM

Those are great breastfeeding links. Would you consider adding them to our Resources-breastfeeding category?

heathenmamaof5 · 02-24-2006, 05:57 PM

BBB (couldn't find your given name),

I hate to disagree with you but I can't stand it when people say "stop artificial nipples". I understand the theory behind it (nipple comnfusion) BUT if baby isn't nursing well, mom doesn't have a good pump, and you (lactation expert) or not quite sure what's going on to tell a mom "no artificial nipples" can put the baby in jeapordy. This really should be only done if you have a GOOD reperesentation of how much babe is taking at a feeding.

RULE #1 IS - FEED THE BABY!

In whatever way mom is comfortable with. If that means bottle - so be it. If that means finger or syringe or cup feeding - cool. Remember, not only are these mom's feeding their baby, they are also pumping every 2-3 hours around the clock. That's exhausting! And didn't Heather say she has 2 or 3 other small children? That's a lot of work for one Momma.

I strongly, did I say STRONGLY, encourage Heather to contact an IBCLC. If cost is an issue then have someone (even the LC or someone here) give you the comparisons on formula vs human milk in regards of cost.

Lori, rebirthing is where mom gets in a nice warm (not hot) tub and has someone hand her the babe. Mom kinda lets the baby float around, lots of skin to skin, then pretends that baby is coming out again with gentle motions. DO NOT DO THIS IN COLD WATER! The water should be comfortably warm the entire time. Mom would have a support person with her to take baby and get then warm and diapered then hand babe back to mom when she's dry. You can try to latch baby in the tub, that would be great. The only drawback to this method is if mom had a major episiotomy and can not bathe.

I would like to add a caution here. If the babe is getting frustrated STOP! We do not want nipple aversion to happen. This is supposed to be a calm, comforting, loving, nurturing, experience. Not angry, fustratined, screaming, arching back, mom thinking she's a failure kind of thing.

His birth can have a lot to do with breastfeeding problems. Aggresive suctioning causes nipple aversion. Epidurals cause (we think) poor latch and a longer period of initiating breastfeeding. Circumsision can cause problems too, think owwwww ladies. Long pushing stages, pitocin, vacuum extraction, the list goes on and on.

So I guess I'm saying - MORE INFO PLEASE!

I want you, Heather, to feel succesful with this nursing relationship.

For today I would suggest TONS of skin to skin. Wear the baby in a sling. Someone always holds the baby. and CALL AN IBCLC!!!

I wish you love and light and have faith that if you are patient and perservere this will work out. Nipple confusion is NOT the end of a bf relationship. It can be overcome.

Let us know. We are all here to support you.

Jill

PS: B.B.B. if I came off bit**y, I apologize. It's just a pet peave of mine. In no way do I want to diminish your experience or knowledge. I feel if we all share then we all learn. Right?

heathenmamaof5 · 02-24-2006, 06:01 PM

Sorry, it wasn't Stacie who mentioned artificial nipples it was b.b.b. Again SORRY!!!

I just noticed that my sig went through. when did that happen?

It kept saying it was too long. Guess I better go fix those typos

Stacie · 02-24-2006, 06:27 PM

I was totally confused, lol. No, I know what the #1 rule is, I am a Linda Smith lover

! I even went back to read my post to see if I wrote something about that. You confused me, too

.

I am editing my post, Heathen, to ask if you could edit yours to put the right name in?

heathenmamaof5 · 02-24-2006, 10:04 PM

Not a problem! As I posted,immediately after, I noticed I attributed the artificial nipple statement to the wrong person I corrected the error in the next post. I'm soooooo sorry. I went back and edited the original post.

I've gotta edit that signature of mine!

MIA-D · 02-28-2006, 11:28 AM

Okay - he had a great birth - total time from SROM to delivery was 15 hours. Happy baby most of the time (having some difficulty with pooping - but that is probably formula related). Tired of fighting with him. THinking maybe I can keep my supply up until he gets a little older and then try again. I hate buying formula - way expensive but this just is too frustrating. Having supply issues today. Not a good day.