https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 09 May 2026 01:44:53 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-encouragement-needed#post-762931 Mon, 06 May 2013 09:25:33 +0000 runsyellowlites 762931@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hergreenapples: I'm so glad you're feeling more encouraged! I tell you the first 4 months I lived in a state of being "touched out". It was SO frustrating b/c P was practically always attached to me! After she would go down for the night (her first stretch was usually a good 4 hours) I would cringe if DH even sat NEXT to me b/c my body needed some space to breathe!</p> <p>Does your local group have a way to get connected through email? Even if you aren't overwhelmed by the time you can drive I think a breastfeeding group would be amazing! Getting together with other moms in a place where breastfeeding whenever needed is NORMAL &amp; totally accepted is awesome.. I totally wish we had one here.</p> <p>I love that your husband is so onboard with helping to encourage you too! DH made such a huge difference in me feeling like I could keep up breastfeeding, especially after I felt like there wasn't anything I *could* eat!</p> <p>Just take 1 feeding at a time &amp; don't fret about how tomorrow or next week will be. ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-encouragement-needed#post-762900 Mon, 06 May 2013 09:17:10 +0000 heartonastring 762900@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thank you ALL for your kind words, encouragement, support and understanding. I wish I had time to reply to each of you individually, but I have an adorable little girl who needs to be fed again in a few minutes :)</p> <p>I have been reading your responses over and over again with tears streaming down my cheeks. They're not bad tears though - I am just so grateful to have found others who understand, who have been there, and who have lived to tell the tale. </p> <p>I would love to join a breastfeeding support group, but I'm not able to drive at the moment thanks to my c-section, so I'm pretty much house bound. If I'm still in need of BFing support once I'm allowed to drive again I will for sure join a group, but for now I am so grateful to have HB.</p> <p>DD actually went down at 11 last night, slept until 2:30 and then fed until 4. She slept again from 4 until 7, fed from shortly after 7 until 8:30-ish and is still sleeping now (10:15) but I'm going to wake her in a few minutes. So, so far she hasn't been cluster feeding this morning, which is a blessing. I can handle it for part of the day, but not for the WHOLE day...at least not every day.</p> <p>DH and I had a good chat this morning and he's going to encourage me to keep BFing because he knows that's what I want. We even came up with a code word I can use if I ever decide to switch the formula...it's the same code word I used during labour to indicate it was time for an epidural..hahahaha!</p> <p>Thank you again. You're all amazing sources of supports and, of course, amazing mothers. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-encouragement-needed#post-762864 Mon, 06 May 2013 09:06:30 +0000 Bao 762864@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It WILL get better, you CAN do this. I remember crying, swearing up a storm (I feel bad now, but some f bombs were thrown), because it hurt so terribly bad the first few weeks. I remember staring into space at 3am because I was losing my mind. I was exhausted, it hurt like heck, and I felt like a cow. It wasn't but a week later and she was nursing on an every 3 hour period, it didn't hurt, I got more rest, and I felt so great that I followed thru with my plan. I told DH: "I'm done, I quit, this sucks, I'm over it, I can't do it" etc etc...but he encouraged and supported me, and that made all the difference. Now LO is 8 months old and we have a great nursing relationship. It was the best decision I made to continue breastfeeding. Hang in there, you will make it through this. Hugs! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-encouragement-needed#post-762839 Mon, 06 May 2013 09:00:51 +0000 sslm 762839@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This thread has been sooooo helpful for me!!! I love reading everyone's positive stories and encouragement. No advice, as I am right there with you, but man, breastfeeding is HARD work. It's so much harder than I imagined. We can do this though!!! We can support each other :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-encouragement-needed#post-762769 Mon, 06 May 2013 08:36:56 +0000 ladyfingers 762769@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>ETA holy cow, sorry this response is so long!</p> <p>I could have written this post myself. </p> <p>First of all, do NOT feel guilty for thinking about formula, or even using it. If that's your choice, it's your choice. THE most important thing is that your baby gets fed. It's also important for you to be of sound mind and mentally healthy. </p> <p>Second, it's not too early to pump. I was also told in the hospital not to pump before 3 weeks. I myself waited until about 2.5 weeks so that DH could give DS the occasional bottle. But I don't think that pumping every now and then to give yourself a break is going to cause any long-term damage. </p> <p>That being said, if you are committed to EBFing, I can tell you that it gets SIGNIFICANTLY better if you are able to stick with it. </p> <p>We had latch issues in the beginning, and my nipples were always cracked and bleeding. DS has a high palate and tends to use his tongue to slow the flow when it's too fast for him. He also had issues opening his mouth wide enough in the beginning. All this led to a lot of pain for me, frustration for him, and just all-around misery. I dreaded every single nursing session. I often cursed and yelled when he latched on or just gritted my teeth through the entire feed. Once, when he was a week old and DH went to Target to buy a fan, I kicked over the coffee table and toppled water everywhere because the latch hurt so bad. We struggled for a few days when I got engorged because he couldn't latch on. I got clogged ducts and milk blisters. I was just generally miserable. </p> <p>One night about a week or so in, I was sobbing in the kitchen trying to make formula through my tears, ready to give up, but horrified that I was giving up. DH finally talked me down and I decided to push through. When DH returned to work at 2 weeks, he often came home to find me sobbing, thrusting the baby at him, picking fights and just an all-around mess.</p> <p>I decided my short-term goal for breastfeeding was the end of whatever week we were in. If I could just make it to Saturday, then I'd re-evaluate. My long-term goal was 6 weeks.</p> <p>By 6 weeks, his latch was improving, the pain was subsiding, and while he was still cluster feeding in the evenings, I was just more mentally adjusted to it. I had come to expect it and was more comfortably with it. I knew I'd be camping out on the couch between the hours of 4 and 9, and had Netflix ready to go. I watched a lot of Grey's Anatomy. I had a lot of snacks on hand. I had just adjusted.</p> <p>By 8 weeks, he'd stopped cluster feeding altogether and BF'ing had become a very satisfying experience for both of us. I had come to really treasure the bond between us, and he started grabbing onto my shirt while eating, smiling while eating when I'd talk to him, looking over at DH if he was sitting next to me. I love the little noises he makes while eating, the soft suckling and the little kitten sounds of being so satisfied. I love that I can provide that for him, and think it's fascinating that my body knows what to do and has created this perfect nutrition. Now that I'm back at work and pumping, I love that I'm generating milk for him while we're apart. Being able to bring bottles of breastmilk to daycare for him to enjoy while I'm away from him makes me feel secure, like we're still connecting through this food I've made for him. Being able to sit down with him in his room and put on some soft music after a day apart and just enjoy him and provide for him is just so wonderful.</p> <p>All that to say, I am INFINITELY glad that I decided to stick with it. It was really something that I described as horrifying time and time again when I was going through it, and it did take me a good 6 weeks to get through the worst of it. In the beginning, when people would tell me that it got better around 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 6 weeks, I was DEVASTATED. That seemed like SUCH a long time. But now that I'm through it, I can barely remember how hard it was because now, it's so awesome.</p> <p>That's just my personal experience, if you're looking for encouragement to keep going! But again, do not feel bad making an alternative decision. I have friends who ended up going to formula who really struggled with the decision and didn't want to but ultimately say it was the best thing they did. And I know people on this board who've done the same. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-encouragement-needed#post-762686 Mon, 06 May 2013 07:54:47 +0000 Ms.SK 762686@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I know it's frustrating to hear about the way it may be, that put aside you are amazing and really giving your little one the best nutrition possible. First, the cluster feeding is developmental and they will grow out of it. Best to know it is coming and expect it every day for the next few weeks. Ask hubby to buy your favorite snacks, all the one's you "shouldn't eat", your breastfeeding it will be ok!<br /> Next, take your remote, boppy, bottle of water, cell phone and snacks into your bedroom at 8pm every evening (7pm CST) and hit the guide button on the remote. Plan out all the TV shows, movies, etc you are going to watch that night. When babe wakes at 9pm for a feeding get cozy and settled into a good TV show and relax. If you can put babe in just a diaper it will be good for both of you. Have a recieving blanket close by in case you need it (but both your body heat should make it comfortable for you both). Offer one side at a time as babe sleeps/wakes. If you need to get up put babe on bed but hurry back for next feed.</p> <p>OK so that is what I did during the 3 week and 6 week growth spurt. I did this with twins, you can do it to. Its frustrating but it passes. If hubby is around at all during this time, put him to work. Breastfeeding is a team sport. Think of all those hunny do lists you wanted to tackle and start running down that list with him. </p> <p>Your supply will rock after this! Finally, ask us on Hellobee for anything you need. There is so much to read, that is what I did to take up the time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-encouragement-needed#post-762671 Mon, 06 May 2013 07:48:08 +0000 oliviaoblivia 762671@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think for me days 11-14 were the absolute worst. We dealt with a lazy latch, cracked nipples, thrush, and an initial weight loss of 11.8%. I lucked into a fabulous LC, and she changed our bfing relationship. By the third week we were in the glory days. LO is four months now and I love being able to feed her. It really does become second nature.</p> <p>You are doing so well giving her a good start and I promise it gets better. So. Much. Better. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-encouragement-needed#post-762645 Mon, 06 May 2013 07:31:20 +0000 edelweiss 762645@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>p.s. i hear you on trying to keep LO awake during nursing--i practically had to terrorize my LO during nursing sessions. he gradually improved to the point where around 4-5 weeks i wasn't constantly having to stimulate him during nursing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-encouragement-needed#post-762642 Mon, 06 May 2013 07:29:50 +0000 edelweiss 762642@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>oh man it sucked at the beginning. bf'ing was not some special bonding experience--it was stressful, draining, and confusing. feeling like i wasn't "enjoying" my baby was an emotion i wasn't expecting and didn't know how to cope with--many of us have been there and it's completely normal. i can't say much in addition to what the others have said. yes it does get better, but i know that doesn't necessarily help you in the here and now. i considered exclusive pumping and formula many many times, and i still think those are great options.</p> <p>one idea i did have--i'm not sure how much you're pumping, but one of my issues was that LO was such a sleepy nurser that he wasn't sucking enough to get my milk to flow (the milk was there, but he wasn't getting much). so i would pump for 10-15 minutes after every nursing session. i won't like it was a lot of work, but it helped because i would nurse him and then supplement with a bottle of pumped milk (at the very beginning we supplemented with formula, for about a week). i did this from day 5 and there has been no nipple confusion. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-encouragement-needed#post-762527 Mon, 06 May 2013 05:32:56 +0000 honeybear 762527@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I BFed LO for almost 2.5 years. The beginning is rough, even if everything is going perfectly (my situation was textbook--cracking, a little pain, but otherwise ideal from a physical standpoint). The mental strain was the hard part. I'd never cared for anyone/thing that was more taxing than my aging grandma, who didn't want to be a burden and only needed needed help cooking and cleaning and getting up once in the middle of the night to use the bathroom, and a cat with a nasty respiratory infection. Which is to say, BFing an infant full-time was like being forged in iron, after having been melted down to a puddle of mushy grey stuff first. The mental resolution that got me through was acknowledging that 1) I <i>was</i> kind of coddled in my pre-mom life, and 2) moms who formula feed don't have it 'easier'. The baby still has to be fed and kept comfortable. And the person doing the feeding and keeping comfortable would still be me. :) As everyone above has said: It gets so much better as time goes on!</p> <p>Best wishes! You'll be looking back on these days 2.5 years later soon and glad you stuck it out! (Also, you'll be thankful for having had Netflix at that time, although you won't have watched more than 15 consecutive minutes of anything for well over a year.) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-encouragement-needed#post-762466 Mon, 06 May 2013 00:45:44 +0000 Penny Lane 762466@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>you're doing so well! it's going to get so much better i promise!</p> <p>just keep doing what you're doing and it will get better!!!</p> <p>and remember there is nothing wrong with pumping and giving LO bottles, to give you and the nips a break!! i was against pumping at the beginning, and i don't even remember why! it was one of the things that seriously saved my breastfeeding career. </p> <p>when i needed a break i would have someone else (ie someone that doesn't smell like foooooood) hold LO while I relaxed in a different room. even if it was just for a few minutes and even if he was still crying the whole time it helped my sanity.</p> <p>good luck mama, it will get better. sending lots of internet hugs your way :) :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-encouragement-needed#post-762452 Sun, 05 May 2013 23:55:07 +0000 mrs. tictactoe 762452@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It definitely gets better. Trust me. I promise. I've been there and now Liam is 13 months and still nursing and he's never had a drop of formula. I remember crying due to the pain and the cluster feeding late a night. Have some trail mix or something near your nursing chair so you can snack while you fee your LO. It's ok to let her cry for a couple of minutes while you take a break. Ask your husband to rock her or try a pacifier for a bit. Let us know how it goes! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-encouragement-needed#post-762449 Sun, 05 May 2013 23:49:34 +0000 Rainbow Sprinkles 762449@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I promise promise promise promise it will get soooooooo much better.</p> <p>A couple months from now you'll be thinking to yourself, "I can't believe I wanted to quit. This is a piece of cake." It will be like second nature.</p> <p>Breastfeeding is so special...don't give up!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-encouragement-needed#post-762424 Sun, 05 May 2013 22:58:27 +0000 sunny 762424@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It totally gets easier! I'm not a healthcare professional, but I don't think pumping is a bad idea. I pumped starting from day 1 and did not have an oversupply. We did finger feeding with the pumped colostrum &amp; milk for a few days because we were trying to avoid pacis and bottles for a few weeks.</p> <p>Try to have your husband bring you food. While you are focusing on baby, he should be focusing on you! </p> <p>Your baby will not nurse all day every day forever... it will get easier tomorrow, and then easier still the next day and the day after. Hang in there! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-encouragement-needed#post-762090 Sun, 05 May 2013 16:51:24 +0000 MamaMoose 762090@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If a woman ever told me that she didn't consider quitting at some point during the first six weeks of breastfeeding I would call her a liar to her face!! Breastfeeding is tough stuff! But if you can power through the difficult weeks it is so so so worth it. My LO is five months old now and has never had anything but Breastmilk and I'm so happy (and proud!) that I stuck it out. Now when we are out and LO needs a snack I always marvel that I thought formula would be easier. It's so nice to have warm milk ready to go wherever we are! I promise it only gets better from here! You're doing great mama!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-encouragement-needed#post-762076 Sun, 05 May 2013 16:25:04 +0000 littlepenguin 762076@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I totally understand what you're going through. The first two weeks were the worst. Up until 6 or 7 weeks my right nipple was incredibly sore. Like someone mentioned above you feel held captive because it feels like they're eating all.the.time. I felt resentment towards my baby towards my husband it was terrible. </p> <p>What really helped me was pumping. My husband would feed him in the evening to give me a break. It did get better. </p> <p>Products that helped were the lansinoh gel smoothies and nipple cream. </p> <p>Something else I learned in the first couple months is in order to take care of baby I have to take care of myself. It's ok to set baby down for five mins and make yourself something to eat. As long as they aren't on that hysterical tomato red crying stage letting them cry for a few mins while you get your basic needs met is ok. </p> <p>Hang in there! We are all here for you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-encouragement-needed#post-762067 Sun, 05 May 2013 16:12:26 +0000 runsyellowlites 762067@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>YOU ARE DOING GREAT! Breastfeeding is hard! It's trying &amp; it's a choice that we moms make every. single. feeding! It sounds like you're doing everything right &amp; hopefully your nipples will begin healing sooner rather than later! I'm sure you are already, but try some air time &amp; breastmilk on them after each feeding with more air drying, breastmilk works wonders!</p> <p>For your frustration, know this is normal &amp; don't get down on yourself for feeling overwhelmed with the demand. Yes, it's normal but there really is no way to prepare for it! Because of lots of feeding issues, P didn't let me put her down for almost 5 months! I was touched out &amp; overwhelmed.... But every feeding we have that chance again to make that choice again to continue!</p> <p>This kellymom post was bookmarked on my phone &amp; I read &amp; re-read it OFTEN! It does get easier, I promise! You're doing great giving your lo what they were designed for! Don't give up! ((hugs))</p> <p><a href="http://kellymom.com/bf/normal/love-breastfeeding-24-7/" rel="nofollow">http://kellymom.com/bf/normal/love-breastfeeding-24-7/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-encouragement-needed#post-762061 Sun, 05 May 2013 16:06:22 +0000 JessiBee 762061@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'll add to the chorus: It gets better! I also went to an LC around the same time you are, dreaming of formula and freedom and being pain free and not crying every time she was hungry (ALL THE TIME!). But the fact that I went to the LC at all (as with you) showed that I really, really wanted to make breastfeeding work. And I did. I was told (repeatedly) that her latch and everything looked perfect, even though it hurt like crazy. My LC did something awesome. She gave me a nipple shield, but with a stern warning: "Use this as a last resort, if the alternative is opening that sample can of formula that might be hiding on a shelf somewhere. But, if you use them, CALL ME." And then she stapled her card to the packaging, so that I couldn't ignore her instructions. I kept gritting my teeth for another week or two, and around a month (?) I noticed that I only felt pain on the initial latch. At some point after that, I didn't feel pain at all. Now, DD is 12 weeks, and in the last few weeks I've admitted that I actually like breastfeeding. It gets better!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-encouragement-needed#post-762044 Sun, 05 May 2013 15:21:17 +0000 birdofafeather 762044@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Echoing the PPs that it does get better. So many hormones and things are happening now along with being the one to care for LO when she's nursing all the time can make you feel like its never going to get better and it will always hurt, but in a couple weeks, it will turn a corner and you'll be so glad you stuck it out! Concentrate on getting through the day or a week and reevaluate then. Making mini goals helps! Good luck mama. If you can't find a BFing support group, keep coming back here! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-encouragement-needed#post-762040 Sun, 05 May 2013 15:19:33 +0000 yellowbird 762040@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It truly does get better. My DD was the exact same way.<br /> I started stockpiling snacks around the house so I'd always have something close by because I was literally starving to death because I couldn't move for hours on end! Stockpile snacks, find a Netflix show you like and relax for the next few weeks. Keep slathering on lanolin. That's how I survived. Now my LO is 8 months nurses for 5-7 minutes and is done and happy as a clam for 2-3 hours until she wants to nurse again. You will b happy you don't have to wash bottles if you can press on! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-encouragement-needed#post-762022 Sun, 05 May 2013 14:49:27 +0000 mrskc 762022@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Please believe me when I say that it will get better! I've been there. I was lucky enough to not have the pain, but the constant nursing was so tough on me. DS went thru a growth spurt when he was 2 weeks that lasted over a week. He was nursing every hour, sometimes less than an hour, ALL day. It was crazy exhausting. But it is so crucial for your supply to just let your baby nurse on demand. The constant nursing is signaling your body to make more milk. You will thank yourself later down the road when you have a good milk supply established. You're doing a great job! Hang in there. And if you want to quit or give formula, please give it a few more weeks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-encouragement-needed#post-762021 Sun, 05 May 2013 14:47:55 +0000 Kemma 762021@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hergreenapples: Honey, you're knee deep in the trenches and it's HARD! But you can do this!!!! You're doing an amazing thing for your wee babe and this is definitely the hardest part but it will soon get easier and you'll be so pleased you stuck with it!</p> <p>So hunker down, set yourself up a nursing station and forget about anything else that needs doing and just concentrate on you and your LO. </p> <p>You're a rock star! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-encouragement-needed#post-762017 Sun, 05 May 2013 14:41:13 +0000 NovBaby1112 762017@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I swear it will get easier!!!! You are doing great, hang in there mama!!!! My LO was a huge cluster feeder and literally cluster fed for pretty much the first 6 weeks of life. Sooooo many times I said, "that's it! We're buying formula tomorrow!!" But I made it through that really tough first 6-8 weeks and now at 6 months pp, I absolutely love it and am soooooo sooo happy that I stuck with it. It really truly gets better, I couldn't see it ever getting better at the time, but one day, it just did. She is just feeding so frequently to increase your supply. My best advice is to just prepare yourself for all day/night feedings- get comfy on the couch, watch a series on tv, have snacks and water handy, and I swear she will not cluster feed forever! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-encouragement-needed#post-761991 Sun, 05 May 2013 13:52:44 +0000 googly-eyes 761991@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>All I can say as someone who quit bf'ing early on (for reasons that would have likely caused me to quit a few weeks later anyway) is to try not to quit for pain now when you might regret it later. You're doing all the right things, hang in there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-encouragement-needed#post-761987 Sun, 05 May 2013 13:47:00 +0000 katsupgirl 761987@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It does get better. I don't believe my mom when she told me that but it really is true. I tried just about everything to help the soreness. I had DH bring home a cabbage to try cold cabbage leaves to help with the soreness. I read that somewhere. </p> <p>Being distracted helped. I watched a lot of Everybody Loves Raymond. I preferred comedies because the late night feedings were creepy in the quiet house.</p> <p>I set up a nest for myself with what I needed close by and just tried to get through each day.</p> <p>and then...it got better and easier. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-encouragement-needed#post-761984 Sun, 05 May 2013 13:42:11 +0000 JoyfulKiwi 761984@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's going to get better. SO much better! I remember feeling exactly the same way when my son was newborn. The frustration, exhaustion, guilt. I had the exact middle of the night thoughts of "We are buying formula in the morning. Enough is enough!" </p> <p>I hated the feeling of being held captive to his feeding schedule. I seriously felt like a prisoner and super bitter. Then I'd feel guilty for feeling that way. It helped to get support (I had several long conversations with my husband that offering formula wasn't helpful) and to make tiny goals of the "Let's just get through the next feeding/today/tonight." variety.</p> <p>He's 7 months now and we are having a great time nursing still. He's breastmilk only, beyond some solids, and thriving. How you're feeling is par for the course I think and it definitely will get easier. Hang in there! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-encouragement-needed#post-761983 Sun, 05 May 2013 13:41:48 +0000 hilsy85 761983@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It will get better!!! I also had cracks and used the apno and that stuff is amazing. How long have you been using it? I second d te recommendation of mother love nipple cream, I would maybe try alternating. </p> <p>The beginning is so so so hard but you will be so glad you stuck with it when you get to like 6-8 wks...baby will be so much more efficient and the pain WILL go away. </p> <p>Is she truly eating the whole time she's on you or is she comfort sucking?we personally introduced a paci at about 2 wks old to help my nips when LO just wanted to suck. </p> <p>Also pumping a few times a week is not going to cause an oversupply, I don't think...I recommend that as well to get a break ad let your nips rest!! Hang in there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-encouragement-needed#post-761981 Sun, 05 May 2013 13:40:29 +0000 Sammyfab 761981@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Aww...hang in there! It gets way better! </p> <p>I'm not sure what Jack Newman's all purpose ointment is made out of but I used calendula ointment (provided by an LC). It wa waaaay better than lanolin and it smelled really good too so I slathered it on. Did an LC show you how to make a donut with tissue to protect your nipple from additional chafing from your bra/shirt? I found that helped a ton.</p> <p>We had major latch issues from the beginning and I set a 1-month goal to ditch the idea of EBF and EP instead. My LO decided at 4 weeks old to latch properly and we were golden. We did supplement a bottle or two a day. When we started BFing he clusterfed from 7-10am and 4-8pm everyday. It was exhausting! Something that helped a ton was that my husband would bring me breakfast every morning before leaving for work (he's amazing!) and we kept lots of larabars and granola bars on hand.</p> <p>Hang in there! We found our groove after 3-4 weeks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-encouragement-needed#post-761969 Sun, 05 May 2013 13:28:33 +0000 ALV91711 761969@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It will get better, I promise. Always keep food in arms reach or have someone bring it to you. I haven't been at itong, but on the days I'm tired and feel like all DS wants to do is eat I remember that I'm doing this for him and not every day is bad. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-encouragement-needed#post-761967 Sun, 05 May 2013 13:27:21 +0000 immabeetoo 761967@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It will get so much better! Do you have nursing pads? The gel smoothies are so amazing for the beginning and then I used regular ones 24/7 for the first few months so everything stayed dry and happy.</p> <p>Try to stock up on one handed snacks and just know the hormones crying and frustration is normal and it will not always be this painful or stressful! </p>