I need breast feeding mommies help?

Question

I tried to breast feed with my first child but due to a massive infection throughout my body and having to be hospitilized and heavily medicated for weeks my milk never came in. However I was wondering if you could tell me the best position that you fed your baby in. All I can remember about trying is 10 nurses and aids around pulling me this way and that shoving my baby here and there and pulling on me and stressing me out. I know it takes work but I would like to be prepared to do it without 10 people around me at all times making me nervous. Also when I first tried to breast feed they said that my baby couldn't latch on because my nipples didn't come out far enough and I had to wear a shield, I really would like to avoid that this time because she became accustomed to that and wouldn't even try unless I had it on. Is there any way to help this before I have my next child. I am due in 4 more months and I don't want to be so confused this time. I had one person telling me I had to suppliment with formula because the baby wasn't eating, and the other telling me not to and my baby ended up losing 2 pounds in the process. I want straight answers about breast feeding and figure mommies can give me their help. Thank you in advance!

Answer 1

i am currently pregnant and am very interested in breastfeeding! i am reading a book titled, "so THAT'S what they're for"...a complete guide to breastfeeding. ITS WONDERFUL AND SO HELPFUL AND I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT!! it states that the best position for first time breast feeders is the "football" position. you will basically be holding your baby at your side, under you arm, like you would a football. your hand will cradle his head and his mouth will be at your breast (obviously). good luck to you, and you really should read this book. i ahve learned everything i need to know about breastfeeding, since it will be my first time.

Answer 2

There are several things that you can do prior to delivery that can make breastfeeding successful.  you mentioned you have nipples that don't come out very far.  Wear soft shells for the last month of being pregnant .  This will help with pulling your nipple out for breast feeding.  After your baby is born have skin to skin for 1 hour uninterrupted.  This allows the infant to bond more closely with you.  If you lay the baby straight up and down between your breast and let the baby find the breast.  It might take a few minutes but her or she will do the Baby Dance as we nurse like to call it.  They start to bounce there heads up and down and will gravitate to one breast.  This is where you come in.  Gently guide the infants head and continue to let the baby guide the feeding.  This allows them to latch on to the breast when they are ready.  Most babies get frustrated when you force them to the breast.  Let you baby guide you.  This a very successful way to  get infants on the breast.  They will make there way over the breast and will a couple of repeated attempts they will latch on.  They might pull off the breast which is normal because they need to readjust them selves for a better position.  Good luck and ask for help. The less people to help you get started the better.  Focus on one nurse for help.  Sometimes too many people will stress you out

Answer 3

OK if you have inverted nipples, which I'm assuming you do because someone said your nipples do not come out far enough. You can start wearing a breast shell now that will help draw your nipples out. It is different than a breast shield, google it and you will see the difference. As far as the position a found the football hold was easiest on my right, then I just kind of slid my daughter over to the left, keeping my hands the same way. Sorry if that sounds confusing I'm not sure how else to say it. I had a boppy pillow and it was a must have for us. The most important thing is being comfortable. When it's time to nurse ask everyone to leave so it can be just you and your baby. You will learn together. Also if you have to use a shield it's not the end of the world. My daughter was 8 weeks early so we used one for a couple months, the went on to nurse for a lon time without it. She was born Nov 06 and we just stopped in July of this year. Good Luck Hun!

Answer 4

I breastfeed... I was also told not to supplement--- I ended up supplementing in the hospital because my milk hadn't come in yet.

I breastfeed 90% of the time.  My son doesn't seem to mind and is gaining weight normally.  However I have large b*****s as well as large nipples- so it was easy for my son to latch.  It was painful for the first week but now were both doing well (he's 7 weeks)

You can request that your baby be placed on your abdomen and given a chance to feed asap.  My son pushed and nudged his way to my breast and started feeding about a minute after he was born  :)

Good Luck

Answer 5

I had a an issue with my son breastfeeding because they said he had a high pallet and my nipples were not getting in far enough to touch the roof of his mouth to stimulate sucking. So while he was in the NICU for 9 days, I tried frantically to get him to eat because I wanted to have it down before we left the hospital! Finally, when we were scheduled to leave in a few hours, I broke down and cried to a nurse that I couldn't get him to eat and to please help me. So she brought in a La Leche nurse and she told me to hold him in the football position and tilt my breast upwards with my hand so that my nipples were pointing up and to ease him onto the nipple from the top and bring him down, and lo an behold- he suckled his little heart out after that!