Breastfeeding Questions

[rhildreth]

Can anyone provide some insight to some problems I'm having breasfeeding:

Our little girl wants to suckle/feed for anywhere from 30-50 minutes then often again about an hour later. So, I'm feeding her about 12 hours of the day it seems and it's exhausting and dreadful.

One breast feels like it's bruised all over. I feel this bruised feeling when I lift my arm and when anything touches it. Is this what engorgement feels like? My nipple is not flat nor is my breast huge, and it felt this way before and after feeding this morning.

I can only latch my baby on correctly a few, if that, times a day now so my nipples are getting more sore daily. I do take her off when it's not a good latch but often I can't get to the good latch so I just keep her on hoping that she gets some milk.

I'd like to pump to relieve some of the pressure that may be causing the bruised feeling because it didn't go away after she fed today. Then I'd like to try to feed her from a bottle, but is it too soon to try that at only 9 days old?

Help!!
Patti

[annalee@breastfeedingsandiego.com]

Oh Patti,

I'm sorry about your trouble. Sounds very uncomfortable. Did I understand correctly that you are NOT pumping at all now? That lump under your armpit is extra glandular tissue (very common) and it does sound engorged. Yes, empty out the breasts to drain them more fully if Brooke isn't doing it for you. This extra swelling should subside soon (Think Cold/ICE here! Ibuprofen may help too, if it's ok w/ your DR.)

You say Brooke feeds about 3-50 mins, 12x/day. This is quite normal for the newly born. They are not very efficient yet, and are trying to learn this behavior. Also, you say you're not sure if she's latched well. You could certainly benefit from a personalized lactation consult, to evaluate Brooke and yourself, to troubleshoot these issues. As lactation consultants, we are very visual, and really need to see what's happening in the situation.

I here the tiredness in your post, and I want to suggest that you'd be tired regardless of your feeding choice (i.e. breast vs bottle). You are recovering from a significant event, and it's a tough time. I think you have another little one at home, and that compounds your energy deficit right now. BUT! Hang in there! Once breastfeeding issues are sorted out, it'll be much easier to mother your *toddler*, without the extra preparations to bottlefeed, cleaning, pumping, shopping for formula, etc...(not to mention healthier, which is always implied).

You wonder if Brooke's getting milk: how are her pees and poops? At day 9 of life, she should be wetting a good 6-8 times and pooping a least 3 poops a day (quarter size poop and up counts - see "Newborn: Baby getting enough?" on http://breastfeedingsandiego.com/Pregtastic_resource_guide.html for visual guide to pees and poops.


Last words: Fast forward to 3 months from now. See happy chubby baby, gurgling, smiling, playing with your hair, patting your breast, efficiently getting the job done in 15 minutes. Life goes on... Every mother with a newborn is tired, and that's just life. You will bounce back in time, but you have to do what it takes to make yourself SLOW DOWN, and lower your expectations for each day, during this recovery period. If you get a shower, one full meal and a short walk outside, that's a *really good day*. This will pass, and you will be out and about in no time, with family intact! Make an appointment, soon! Best regards, Annalee Hulburt