https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 07 May 2026 09:30:44 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-woes-wtb-crystal-ball/page/2#post-1579780 Sun, 20 Apr 2014 18:54:17 +0000 MrsRcCar 1579780@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PixieStix: good luck with the ENT! We love ours, she is wonderful!! We were totally dependent on shields to nurse until we came back from my Fil house then E just decided to hell with those things. Nursing really is a learning experience for mum and baby. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-woes-wtb-crystal-ball/page/2#post-1579753 Sun, 20 Apr 2014 18:18:30 +0000 hilsy85 1579753@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PixieStix: good luck!!! And definitely the right thing to do to clip the lip tie as well--we didn't do that when we clipped the TT unfortunately and I think that's what caused us to have issues until 8/9 weeks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-woes-wtb-crystal-ball/page/2#post-1578076 Fri, 18 Apr 2014 19:14:36 +0000 PixieStix 1578076@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ok, got the ENT appointment set for next Thursday. I'm gonna see about his lip too, since the LC pointed out his lip tie was thick. When he latches he always tucks his upper lip in. He doesn't fish lip very well.</p> <p>We've breast fed today on both breasts for a short time. It's been nearly pain free, with just some sensation of slight burning... but more sensations afterwards, so I'm thinking it's still incorrect latching (still not wide enough grab). Plus, he pinched the left one in the middle where there was a white mark over it after he was done.</p> <p>Going to continue alternating between breast and bottle. Wish us luck for at least one successful latch this weekend! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-woes-wtb-crystal-ball/page/2#post-1577302 Fri, 18 Apr 2014 11:28:18 +0000 Adira 1577302@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PixieStix: Good luck to you!! I don't have anymore advice to add, but will pretty much agree with everything that @hilsy85: said! I almost quit BFing because I was so miserable, but 7 weeks was the turnaround for us. I used APNO, was taking magnesium, and I just think after his 6 week growth spurt, his mouth was bigger and better able to latch correctly. Hopefully things turn around for you soon! &lt;3 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-woes-wtb-crystal-ball#post-1577264 Fri, 18 Apr 2014 11:05:34 +0000 hilsy85 1577264@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PixieStix: good luck!!! I hope you're able to get in with an ENT soon, and that the APNO helps! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-woes-wtb-crystal-ball#post-1577258 Fri, 18 Apr 2014 10:59:37 +0000 PixieStix 1577258@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MoonMoon: Had to reply just to say... HELLS YEAH, MOONMOON! &lt;3 Haha.</p> <p>@MrsRcCar: Thanks lady. Hope your little buddies and you have a great weekend.</p> <p>@Greentea: I got some clear blisters right now, with the right one worse than the other. My LC suggested probiotics for me but for different reasons. Sounds like a good supplement all around! Btw, ever heard of Kefir yogurt smoothies? They have a bunch of different probiotics listed on the bottle and come in lots of yummy flavors.</p> <p>Also, now trying to fight my insurance to pay for my LC. My LC says that because they couldn't provide any names of covered LC's, that they have to reimburse me for seeing her (or anyone out of network). Apparently this is a common problem and is BS, according to the LC. It's just like if they couldn't get me a list of covered urologists or pediatricians -- how can they just tell me "good luck finding one on your own"?! Anywho, may have to get the employer's HR involved to help fight with me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-woes-wtb-crystal-ball#post-1577244 Fri, 18 Apr 2014 10:52:51 +0000 PixieStix 1577244@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks for all the love and support you guys. :) *group hug*</p> <p>To update everyone... I got a call back from my LC. She gave me some advice, like giving him my finger before feedings to encourage the right tongue movement just before getting on the breast (no paci for a while). She also said I should get some of the APNO that @hilsy85 talked about.</p> <p>Was also advised to go ahead and schedule the tongue-tie cutting with a pediatric ENT, since it'll take a while to get in anyways. </p> <p>She said Thrush may be an issue (I had antibiotics during delivery) but the APNO should help with that.</p> <p>I'm going to try giving my LO one of the bewbs today and see how he does. Wish me luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-woes-wtb-crystal-ball#post-1576496 Thu, 17 Apr 2014 21:06:15 +0000 LemonLong 1576496@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It took 6-8 weeks for breastfeeding not to be painful for me. Does your hospital have a breastfeeding support group? At our hospital the LC runs one three times a week and it's totally free. It really helped me through those first couple of months! I ended up breastfeeding for 13 months. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-woes-wtb-crystal-ball#post-1576487 Thu, 17 Apr 2014 21:01:41 +0000 Mrs. Stroller 1576487@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I haven't read all the follow-up posts, but I just wanted to let you know that it is super hard in the beginning! I had a nightmare of a time and kept going until 26 months. It does get better. I suggest using lanolin and getting back to the LC again for help with latch. Keep going, it's worth it and you guys will get it. I had DH video my LC consult so I could go back and see exactly what she did. It was super helpful and I watched it a lot.</p> <p>In my experience pumping is way harder and more time consuming and since the pump isn't nearly as effective as the baby, your supply will diminish sooner. I know it's so hard to BF at the start and the pump seems so easy, but in a few months you'll be whipping out a boob and feeding your baby without missing a beat and this will be a distance memory. It's soooo hard, but worth the effort. Big hugs, momma, you're doing a great job. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-woes-wtb-crystal-ball#post-1576476 Thu, 17 Apr 2014 20:56:43 +0000 Kemma 1576476@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Greentea: I was all about lanolin and letting my boobs hang out in the sun and fresh air! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-woes-wtb-crystal-ball#post-1576371 Thu, 17 Apr 2014 20:21:24 +0000 Greentea 1576371@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PixieStix: by the way, my lanolin I suggested was amazing. I didn't rub it in at all, I just slabbed gobs, huge amounts on there. That's another thing, the nurse at the hospital was like "use breastmilk on your nipples it is way better" and no. Just no. Not for me anyway! I needed some serious heavy amounts of that lanolin! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-woes-wtb-crystal-ball#post-1576356 Thu, 17 Apr 2014 20:17:09 +0000 Greentea 1576356@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@delight: yes to worse than labor and delivery! I felt like there should have been classes on what to really expect! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-woes-wtb-crystal-ball#post-1576352 Thu, 17 Apr 2014 20:16:08 +0000 MrsRcCar 1576352@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PixieStix: So sorry that you are having problems! I would recommend looking into a ped ENT to look at his lip and tongue ties. We addressed E's ties and it made a HUGE improvement. I hated pumping all the time and it was just as hard on my poor nipples. (I will still send you breakdown I used last time tomorrow, people here are finally feeling better here!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-woes-wtb-crystal-ball#post-1576351 Thu, 17 Apr 2014 20:16:04 +0000 Mrs Hedgehog 1576351@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hate to say it but it took me nearly 2 months for everything to work itself out and not feel like I wanted to chop my boobs off. Latch issues suck. Getting used to nursing sucks. Period. It will get better. Its hard to see right now but it will.... and then they will sprout teeth and its a whole new kind of suck. (Sorry.) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-woes-wtb-crystal-ball#post-1576346 Thu, 17 Apr 2014 20:14:54 +0000 Greentea 1576346@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PixieStix: I didn't even know what a nipple shield was. (By the way.) Yes, I am pretty sure I dreaded every feeding. I had so much pain. All she wanted to do was nurse. I was bloody. I watched a show while nursing to distract myself from the pain. She was also so small and hyper she would kick my other breast so I had to sort of wrestle her in a football hold. You are doing a great job! I hope you have a SO or a support person. I remember a nurse finally said (at lo's appointment) "breastfeeding is painful and frustrating at first." It made me feel so much better. </p> <p>I developed a blister around 6 months and we had to adjust our position. Part of it too is wear and tear. Those things are going through a lot so I think some funky things are bound to happen. I do take a probiotic everyday, I think that's a good idea for breastfeeding if you aren't already. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-woes-wtb-crystal-ball#post-1576337 Thu, 17 Apr 2014 20:12:06 +0000 delight 1576337@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I also think that APNO saved my breastfeeding life. I was in Severe pain as well. BF was worse than labour and delivery. After I had the apothecary make up the APNO (with my doc's prescription) things slowly started turning around.</p> <p>I will say LO had a very shallow latch at the beginning. Her bottom lip just did not open up, so maybe that's where the pain came from. She did learn to open up over time. By 6 weeks I was in a lot less pain and by 8 weeks I was was loving my BF relationship with LO.</p> <p>I hope things get better for you too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-woes-wtb-crystal-ball#post-1576317 Thu, 17 Apr 2014 20:06:33 +0000 MoonMoon 1576317@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This thread is filled with good advice, so I just want to chime in and say hugs! Your feelings of frustration are totally valid, and things will get better, especially as your baby gets bigger. I had such a tough time with positioning at first. You are awesome, and you'll get through! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-woes-wtb-crystal-ball#post-1576315 Thu, 17 Apr 2014 20:06:07 +0000 PixieStix 1576315@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hilsy85: Naw no worries. Just confused now how I should go about this with a doc... I may need the APNO and be treated for Thrush, if that's an issue also. Hum... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-woes-wtb-crystal-ball#post-1576309 Thu, 17 Apr 2014 20:04:16 +0000 hilsy85 1576309@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PixieStix: just want to add that I also saw someone from La Leche League--usually your local league will have someone who will do home visits (for a fee) or you can go to a meeting. </p> <p>I also thought I had thrush due to the burning, and I actually took meds for it, but I now really think it was just inaccurately diagnosed vasospasms. </p> <p>Anyway, sorry to keep jumping it! :) I just really relate to what you're experiencing! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-woes-wtb-crystal-ball#post-1576305 Thu, 17 Apr 2014 20:02:34 +0000 hilsy85 1576305@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PixieStix: yeah I hated the gloppy factor--it was impossible to spread it on tender nipples without crying out in pain. yup APNO is prescription, my OB gave it to me, but LO's pedi was actually also willing to write it up for me as well! </p> <p>The LC was the one who diagnosed me with vasospasms. I had incorrectly though that in order to count as blanching, the nipple had to be bright white. But for me, it was my areola that lightened after LO unlatched. This has good info:<br /> <a href="http://kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mother/nipple-blanching/" rel="nofollow">http://kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mother/nipple-blanching/</a></p> <p>I really dreaded nursing at the beginning...I would dread the sounds of him waking up because I knew he would need to nurse and I would just get anxious about it. I hate hate hate that that was my experience in those early days, but the important thing is to remember that this too shall pass. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-woes-wtb-crystal-ball#post-1576302 Thu, 17 Apr 2014 20:01:12 +0000 PixieStix 1576302@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Kemma: I might call La Leche League. Do they send someone for free?</p> <p>And now looking up the Thrush symptoms.. I just might. Would I go to my OB or regular doc for help? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-woes-wtb-crystal-ball#post-1576301 Thu, 17 Apr 2014 20:00:21 +0000 Grace 1576301@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just wanted to chime in. I never had any problems breastfeeding until around 3-4 months. At that time LO developed a lazy latch, and it took a few days to figure out how to get the positioning right. Those few days of bad latching gave me horrible pain for 2 weeks. What I'm trying to say, is that it might also take some time for your nipples to heal - there very well may be a light at the end of your tunnel. I hope you are able to go back the the LC to make sure that the positioning is still good. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-woes-wtb-crystal-ball#post-1576295 Thu, 17 Apr 2014 19:57:37 +0000 PixieStix 1576295@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hilsy85: Ah k, so it's a prescription ointment?</p> <p>I'm finding the same dislike for lanolin. Seems to stick to my fingers and then I just rub myself raw trying to apply it. Ungh.</p> <p>What did your LC diagnose you with, with the burning? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-woes-wtb-crystal-ball#post-1576293 Thu, 17 Apr 2014 19:56:30 +0000 Kemma 1576293@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've been where you are and yep, it sucks. But given time and some good advice it will get better!</p> <p>If you can't get hold of an IBCLC, get in touch with your local La Leche League. They will more than likely be able to visit you at home and give you practical advice and support.</p> <p>My LO had her ties cut at around 6-8 weeks and combined with a growth spurt at eight weeks we made some real progress with my comfort levels while nursing.</p> <p>The other point that jumps out to me is the burning pain you mention, is it possible that you're also suffering from thrush?</p> <p>And lastly, despite battling all sorts of hurdles my LO and I are still nursing at eighteen months - hang in there! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-woes-wtb-crystal-ball#post-1576289 Thu, 17 Apr 2014 19:55:27 +0000 hilsy85 1576289@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PixieStix: APNO is waayy better than lanolin--it soothes, heals, and prevents thrush (which you really really do not want, but can occur when you have open wounds and bacteria gets in there). It's expensive (I think I paid $50) and needs to be made at a compounding pharmacy, but it is worth its weight in gold. If your OB doesn't know the formula, it is on this website:<br /> <a href="http://www.nbci.ca/index.php?option=com_content&#038;id=76:all-purpose-nipple-ointment-apno&#038;Itemid=17" rel="nofollow">http://www.nbci.ca/index.php?option=com_content&#038;id=76:all-purpose-nipple-ointment-apno&#038;Itemid=17</a></p> <p> I personally did not actually like lanolin--I found it really thick and gloppy and hard to spread, and painful when I tried to do that. I really really really loved motherlove nipple cream, so I used that after I was healed up when I needed extra protection. If coconut oil is working though, I would continue to use that along with the APNO. </p> <p>I had that burning as well! It was the WORST and the worst worst part was that no one could tell me what it was or whether it would go away until my LC diagnosed me. I seriously thought my boobs would just hurt as long as I nursed (which at that point was not looking to be a long time). </p> <p>I would just try to set small goals--like making it til Monday, and the making it til next Monday. Or when it's bad, just focus on making it through the next session. And it's ok to pump when it's really hard! Pump and let your DH give a bottle, and try to rest a bit. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-woes-wtb-crystal-ball#post-1576287 Thu, 17 Apr 2014 19:53:49 +0000 PixieStix 1576287@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Greentea: It feels like this is all going in slow stages. First no latching whatsoever, then latching to a nipple shield, and finally breast.. but there's never been a consistently good latch. Did you feel the same anxiety before each feeding? I'm always trying to hype myself up with encouragement, trying to keep my patience and frustration in check, and then usually let down. I think I may have postpartum depression, too.. I'm sure that doesn't help. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-woes-wtb-crystal-ball#post-1576277 Thu, 17 Apr 2014 19:49:54 +0000 PixieStix 1576277@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hilsy85: Does Lanolin ointment fit that, or is that different?</p> <p>Yeah my pain is bad. Used to be just the left nipple -- it bled and I would tense up and wince at the start of the latch, then it'd subside. Followed by burning of the nipple and whole breast after feeds. Starting to feel that again but in both breasts this time, just no bleeding now.</p> <p>I really hope to be a success story like you ladies. Every day is just such a battle. I'm driving my husband crazy with going back and forth. "I can do this!!" "... I think I'm giving up and pumping for good." lol. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-woes-wtb-crystal-ball#post-1576272 Thu, 17 Apr 2014 19:48:27 +0000 Greentea 1576272@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PixieStix: omg yes! I had this nurse tell me I was trying for too long and that we needed to give the baby formula. It was bullshit but I was vulnerable with my boobs out pumping while crying my eyes out so we could mix my colostrum with it. She was wrong and after that I decided to listen to myself (and her ped- an actual doctor that I trusted). I honestly think all those opinions just mixed me up. They had me waking her every two hours and she'd just fall asleep- like you said. I felt so micromanaged. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-woes-wtb-crystal-ball#post-1576267 Thu, 17 Apr 2014 19:45:03 +0000 hilsy85 1576267@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PixieStix: yup 500 mg of each. My OB had recommended I take calcium anyway while nursing, so I just added the magnesium separately, but I Think there are combo vitamins out there. </p> <p>I had pretty bad open wounds on my nipples, and with the APNO they were looking MUCH better in like 3 days. Then it took a few days for the scabs to come off (soooo gross when they went in his mouth!) but that wasn't painful at least. </p> <p>And your are SO not abnormal!! I think, however, that there is normal pain, and abnormal levels of pain. And it sounds like the LEVEL of pain you're having is not normal, meaning that something needs to change in your LO's latch--which it will,as he gets bigger/you figure out what to implement. I feel like I had a sh*t ton of issues in the first few months nursing, and we are now STILL nursing at 18 months :) So anything is possible. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-woes-wtb-crystal-ball#post-1576266 Thu, 17 Apr 2014 19:44:00 +0000 PixieStix 1576266@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Greentea: We sound like twins. The LCs and nurses all tried to help us in the hospital but it felt like a hinderance. I was bombarded with all different opinions and ideas on how to improve the latch, and getting him to stay latched. Not to mention the middle of the night wake-ups (yeah lets wake a sleeping baby and slap him on mom to force feed -- he always cried and/or fell asleep). By the end of it all the hospital felt like a prison. </p>