https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 03 Apr 2026 20:35:31 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/a-breastfeeding-vent#post-2534387 Tue, 26 Apr 2016 13:49:17 +0000 jetsa 2534387@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JenGirl: I agree with everything you've said :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/a-breastfeeding-vent#post-2534322 Tue, 26 Apr 2016 12:43:13 +0000 JenGirl 2534322@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@winter_wonder: This is why I tell people to hold out! It really does get so much easier! And then it's all worth it. Formula isn't the devil and is a perfectly fine thing to feed your baby, but you're always going to have to buy it, mix it, store it, give it and clean up. At least for me, breastfeeding is so much easier! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/a-breastfeeding-vent#post-2534291 Tue, 26 Apr 2016 12:00:19 +0000 winter_wonder 2534291@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JenGirl: That sounds freaking amazing! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/a-breastfeeding-vent#post-2534290 Tue, 26 Apr 2016 11:59:10 +0000 JenGirl 2534290@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@winter_wonder: Yes! By 3 months I just had to get the boob to his mouth and he latched on his own. I still had to hold my boob (they're large) so that it didn't fall away from him, but I could do hands free if I positioned things well with a pillow. And, by 6 months, I just have to get a nipple somewhere within a couple inches of his face and he'll grab hold and get latched. He's 7 months and last night I was lying on my back on the floor and he crawled over, onto me, and started trying to latch through my top! I pulled it down, just to see what would happen, and he latched on and started eating! Literally just the effort of pulling down my top. Doesn't get easier than that! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/a-breastfeeding-vent#post-2534278 Tue, 26 Apr 2016 11:39:30 +0000 winter_wonder 2534278@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@simplyfelicity: Thank you for posting the video :) it's so interesting how much better she's lined up with a deeper latch. We're still working on this. Sometimes it seems like she struggles when my boob is less full if that makes sense? </p> <p>@Elbiekay: Night pumping sounds like a sanity saver. Good idea. I tend to have zero patience in the middle of the night. </p> <p>@keybee: Glad I am not alone. Here's hoping things are better for the both of us!</p> <p>@jetsa: So interesting the DD latched from day 1. This seems to be true for most of my friends I talk to who have a 2nd child. Interesting!</p> <p>@rescuemom10: Good points about reminding myself every baby and mom are different. I don't want to totally lose it if things aren't great at the 6 week mark. I just need to focus on getting through one day at a time. </p> <p>@jengirl: I have heard this too! Out of curiosity, by the 3 month mark is your LO pretty independent with it (e.g., latching on correctly)? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/a-breastfeeding-vent#post-2533629 Mon, 25 Apr 2016 13:55:40 +0000 JenGirl 2533629@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sorry it's such a struggle! It's totally okay to not enjoy or even hate breastfeeding! I had it pretty easy and I still hate it sometimes. I agree that it does get better, if you can tough it out. Someone once told me that it's harder to breastfeed for the first 6-8 weeks, but if you can make it to 3 months, it's so much easier than formula feeding. And I agree. Hang in there! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/a-breastfeeding-vent#post-2533451 Mon, 25 Apr 2016 10:50:27 +0000 Rescuemom10 2533451@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hang in there momma. Every baby and momma is different. May just take longer. I know I fixated on that length of time everyone said it would get "better" at. It came and went. It didn't stop hurting and I feel we didn't have it fully down until about 14 weeks. You are doing your best. Be proud of yourself and know we are here to support you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/a-breastfeeding-vent#post-2532782 Sat, 23 Apr 2016 13:40:52 +0000 jetsa 2532782@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's so damn hard! With DS it took me until 12 weeks to be comfortable but then we made it to 13.5 months. It's worth but yes it's soo soo hard, with DD she latched perfectly day 1, I'm like what is this craziness ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/a-breastfeeding-vent#post-2532700 Sat, 23 Apr 2016 08:02:38 +0000 Keybee 2532700@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Breast feeding is so hard for me! I only do it because it's helping me lose the baby weight. Seriously, that's the only thing that keeps me going on tough days.<br /> I bought myself a nipple shield. I totally should have weined her off of it by now, but it makes the latching so much faster.<br /> DD is 4.5 months. Also I combo feed, so on days when I am just too fed up I have someone give her a bottle while I take some deep breaths.<br /> Sending loves! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/a-breastfeeding-vent#post-2532666 Sat, 23 Apr 2016 06:16:38 +0000 ElbieKay 2532666@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@winter_wonder: I had a hard time for eight weeks (not six!). Then everything got easier and we nursed til I cut off the last session at 16mo.</p> <p>For those first eight weeks, I set an alarm and pumped at night, and my husband slept with the baby and gave him bottles. I hated and resented the pumping, but I was so relieved to have a break from the baby. And I wondered if something was wrong with me that I felt that way!</p> <p>Hang in there. I still remember that wince-inducing pain when he would first latch on. Ugh. It was so horrible and made me so tense about nursing. I was convinced my son would pick up on how tense I was and turn into an anxiety-ridden worrywart based on that experience. (He's two now, and perfectly fine.) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/a-breastfeeding-vent#post-2532530 Fri, 22 Apr 2016 18:48:25 +0000 simplyfelicity 2532530@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@winter_wonder: First of all, congrats on the little one and making it a month BF! I'm sorry you are struggling! The first couple months of BF was so so hard. It's sounds like we have similar issues. DS was born with a tongue and lip tie and, even after having it removed, his latch was really shallow (and I have larger nipples) so it was painful. I cried when I knew he was hungry and I honestly felt robbed of so much happiness of his newborn days because of it. I saw three different lactation consultants and went to BF classes but, like you, everything seemed OK then. I tried to recreate what I could but it never worked. I would feed as long as I could physically stand it and then pass off the baby to DH with a bottle while I pumped. It sucked.<br /> In all of my research, I finally found something that worked for me. The nipple sandwich. This video was so helpful. It wasn't an overnight thing but the pain started lessening.<br /> I think a huge part was that his mouth simply had to get bigger. I think that's why the 6 week mark is so huge. Now, DS is nearly 10 months and everything is going well with BF. :happy:<br /> Anyway, you are doing great! And just remember that fed is best. :heart: </p> <p><a href="https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wTro5duxaG4" rel="nofollow">https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wTro5duxaG4</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/a-breastfeeding-vent#post-2532415 Fri, 22 Apr 2016 15:34:59 +0000 Ash 2532415@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No advice to help with a deep latch but I posted this 8 months ago...<br /> <a href="http://boards.hellobee.com/topic/it-does-get-better" rel="nofollow">http://boards.hellobee.com/topic/it-does-get-better</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/a-breastfeeding-vent#post-2532395 Fri, 22 Apr 2016 15:12:52 +0000 SLR 2532395@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The boob sandwich and stroking below the bottom lip to make them open up their mouth wider seems to help. And time... Their mouths are still so little; sometimes it just takes a while. Hang in there! I'm sure it will get better.</p> <p>I was just about to call it quits with my first, but after a couple months she became a champ. I'm trying to keep reminding myself of this as I'm navigating some of the same issues now with #2. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/a-breastfeeding-vent#post-2532348 Fri, 22 Apr 2016 14:22:37 +0000 Shantuck 2532348@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Can you get a lactation consultant that comes to your house? I went to a few open lactation sessions at various offices and didn't find that all that helpful but I had somebody come to my house and it was immensely helpful. She showed me how to prop my exact pillows and showed me different positions in various rooms in my house. I felt like it really helped us find our groove. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/a-breastfeeding-vent#post-2532338 Fri, 22 Apr 2016 14:10:09 +0000 catomd00 2532338@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's SO freaking hard when they're so tiny! I swear though 6-8 weeks and you will be so much better off and by 12 you will be golden! I made my first goal six weeks. Then, it was 8 weeks, then 12 after that I didn't need any more motivation, we had it down!!. You can do it!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/a-breastfeeding-vent#post-2532331 Fri, 22 Apr 2016 14:03:27 +0000 snowjewelz 2532331@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@winter_wonder: I needed the XS shield... No pain (or not enough that I remember!). I know shields aren't very popular, but without it I could not have continued to nurse DD. I weaned pretty late, like after 4 months for sure, but it was such a life saver. But I really had flat nipples and DD didn't have a big mouth so latching was very difficult without the shield. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/a-breastfeeding-vent#post-2532326 Fri, 22 Apr 2016 13:57:48 +0000 Cole 2532326@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Learning to breastfeed is so so hard! I read a suggestion that whenever you're comfortable nursing and baby is latched well you should take a mental snapshot. My index finger is right below that freckle, my thumb is one finger width from the areola, her head is resting here, my feet are on that random Amazon box, I have two pillows etc. Then try to recreate that exact scenario as much as possible. </p> <p>I agree that a deep latch is hard, we struggled with it too and it sucks. If you haven't already, and are in pain, get the Newman's nipple cream from your lactation consultant. </p> <p>Good luck mama! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/a-breastfeeding-vent#post-2532324 Fri, 22 Apr 2016 13:56:53 +0000 pwnstar 2532324@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@winter_wonder: BFing is HARD. For me, it was the hardest part of being a new mom. It also got so much better at 6 weeks! </p> <p>Also, if you feel engorged, or are having trouble getting a deeper latch, Reverse Pressure Softening helped me quite a bit (I wish I had learned it sooner!):</p> <p><a href="http://kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mother/rev_pressure_soft_cotterman/" rel="nofollow">http://kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mother/rev_pressure_soft_cotterman/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/a-breastfeeding-vent#post-2532319 Fri, 22 Apr 2016 13:52:38 +0000 winter_wonder 2532319@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@snowjewelz: Yes, I just feel like I can't sandwich it enough! Ugh, thanks for your support though. With your nipple shield did you have any pain? I used it for the first 2 weeks and then weaned off it. But, sometimes I wonder about introducing it again? </p> <p>@Adira: Thank you for letting me feel better about getting frustrated with my LO. I have so much guilt that I don't love the hours and hours and hours we spend breastfeeding. </p> <p>@mrssrs: We tried some laid back nursing this afternoon, I don't think I've quite mastered it, but it is interesting how quickly she can latch in this position. Thank you!</p> <p>@truth bombs and @autumnmama79 @Mrs. Goose @Lindsayinny: Thanks for the support ladies. </p> <p>@T.H.O.U.: I hope it gets easier. I think my goal will be to make it to the 6 week mark and then decide from there. </p> <p>@Lilyofthewest: So smart to video what's going on at home. I never would have thought of this. Thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/a-breastfeeding-vent#post-2531264 Thu, 21 Apr 2016 15:59:30 +0000 lilyofthewest 2531264@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>11 months ago I could have written what you said about it being fine at the LC visit but hard at home. I hated that! The last couple LC visits I videod on my phone and that helped. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/a-breastfeeding-vent#post-2531242 Thu, 21 Apr 2016 15:42:19 +0000 LindsayInNY 2531242@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Echoing a lot of the others. You're almost there! I think around 7-8 weeks it just got better almost overnight! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/a-breastfeeding-vent#post-2531216 Thu, 21 Apr 2016 15:23:23 +0000 Dahlia 2531216@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The only thing that helped us was her getting bigger, and I would say it finally got easier around 8-10 weeks (she was a preemie though). At 9 months it's a breeze (and faster and easier than I think bottle feeding would be), so it does get better! Hang in there! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/a-breastfeeding-vent#post-2531098 Thu, 21 Apr 2016 14:24:59 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2531098@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You're right. BF is hard. Every day is a new challenge but that is because your baby is changing every day! </p> <p>6 weeks really is a turning point. Don't quit on a bad day. Set a small goal for yourself and work from there. Pump and make a bottle if you need a break. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/a-breastfeeding-vent#post-2531089 Thu, 21 Apr 2016 14:18:08 +0000 Mrs. Goose 2531089@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The boob sandwich thing helped, but for at least the first 4 weeks her mouth was just too tiny to do a wide latch. </p> <p>You'll both get better at it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/a-breastfeeding-vent#post-2531083 Thu, 21 Apr 2016 14:14:17 +0000 Autumnmama79 2531083@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ditto on the football hold as mentioned by @Truth Bombs. </p> <p>You're doing great and trying so hard - keep it up and soon it will be a breeze :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/a-breastfeeding-vent#post-2531081 Thu, 21 Apr 2016 14:11:07 +0000 Truth Bombs 2531081@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The football hold usually helped my babies get a better latch. But in general we just didn't nurse easily until they got a little bigger. It's so hard at the beginning but it does get much easier if you can just stick it out a while longer it's totally worth it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/a-breastfeeding-vent#post-2531033 Thu, 21 Apr 2016 13:46:58 +0000 MrsSRS 2531033@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For DS the cross cradle hold and using my free hand to shape the breast was necessary until he was bigger. For DD we did "laid back nursong" position and it was magic. Just do a quick Google image search to see an example. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/a-breastfeeding-vent#post-2530977 Thu, 21 Apr 2016 13:17:26 +0000 Adira 2530977@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Unfortunately, for us, we weren't able to get a deeper latch until after the 6 week growth spurt. And then suddenly his mouth was big enough that we stopped having issues.</p> <p>It is hard. &lt;3 Watch some youtube videos to see if you can get help and don't feel bad about swearing at your LO every time she latches! I promise it should get better! &lt;3 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/a-breastfeeding-vent#post-2530972 Thu, 21 Apr 2016 13:14:07 +0000 snowjewelz 2530972@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I read that sandwiching your boob helps...? I'm sure you've watched the video about how to get them to latch deep a million times! I am no help b/c I had flat nipples and needed a shield to nurse in the early months. </p> <p>I just want to give you a great big hug and tell you that it really does get better!! I was in so much pain, so frustrated, so annoyed that I need a shield, etc. But over time it really did get better. Hang in there mama! :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/a-breastfeeding-vent#post-2530969 Thu, 21 Apr 2016 13:12:09 +0000 winter_wonder 2530969@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LO is 4 weeks old today, but I still hate breastfeeding and feel like it's a constant struggle. Every time I think we've mastered something I swear there is a new hurdle in front of us. Almost all moms I talk to say that if I can hold out until the 6 week mark things really do get better. I swear whenever we see the lactation consultant LO breastfeeds like a champ with hardly any issues. Once we get home it's a disaster. </p> <p>Right now we're trying to work on getting a deeper latch, but part of my areola keeps getting pinched no matter how many times I try to pull her off the breast and try again. She is getting so frustrated and gets so worked up. Our last nursing session ended with LO working herself up so much that she gagged and spit up breast milk everywhere. I am at my wits end with breastfeeding. It's freaking hard :crying: </p> <p>Any tips for trying to master a deep latch? </p>