Hellobee Boards Topic: How did you cope while you were learning how to breastfeed?

Hellobee Boards Topic: How did you cope while you were learning how to breastfeed? https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 24 Apr 2026 23:38:38 +0000 travelgirl1 on "How did you cope while you were learning how to breastfeed?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-cope-while-you-were-learning-how-to-breastfeed#post-448330 Fri, 14 Dec 2012 05:14:15 +0000 travelgirl1 448330@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @Rainbow Sprinkles: sorry to threadjack but how did you wean from nipple shields? I want to do that and have just bought the avent nipple shells to try but feel like A has forgotten how to open her mouth wide enough to latch without it.. Penny Lane on "How did you cope while you were learning how to breastfeed?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-cope-while-you-were-learning-how-to-breastfeed#post-448320 Fri, 14 Dec 2012 03:06:59 +0000 Penny Lane 448320@https://boards.hellobee.com/ My mum, my amazing LC, lanolin, and sheer stubbornness! Like @Kemma: I'm super grateful for the healthcare here, there is no way I would have seen a LC if I'd had to pay for it, and there's no way I would have managed to BF more than a couple of weeks without her!! I went to a treatment at the hospital for cracked nips, I'm not sure if they do it in the states, but they basically shot steam at the nips and shone a UV light on them to help cracks heal. It was amazing! Kemma on "How did you cope while you were learning how to breastfeed?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-cope-while-you-were-learning-how-to-breastfeed#post-447567 Thu, 13 Dec 2012 15:42:23 +0000 Kemma 447567@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @hilsy85: that's what my midwife told me and I think it's so true! Rock n Roll on "How did you cope while you were learning how to breastfeed?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-cope-while-you-were-learning-how-to-breastfeed#post-446857 Thu, 13 Dec 2012 10:10:03 +0000 Rock n Roll 446857@https://boards.hellobee.com/ My mom and Lasinoh. BabyBoecksMom on "How did you cope while you were learning how to breastfeed?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-cope-while-you-were-learning-how-to-breastfeed#post-446851 Thu, 13 Dec 2012 10:05:36 +0000 BabyBoecksMom 446851@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Nipple shields were my friends!! After that, lots of support from DH and a few calls to the LC. Also, giving DD a bottle of formula every now and then when my poor nipples really needed a break. I didn't have any friends who went through it so, like you, it was a huge slap in the face. Tidybee on "How did you cope while you were learning how to breastfeed?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-cope-while-you-were-learning-how-to-breastfeed#post-446819 Thu, 13 Dec 2012 09:53:00 +0000 Tidybee 446819@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Paying for several sessions with LCs and now even OT for her suck problems. With all this money invested, I'm determined and stubborn to not let it go to waste. Also words from a fellow HBer (@winniebee xoxo) - never quit the day you want to! purrpletulips on "How did you cope while you were learning how to breastfeed?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-cope-while-you-were-learning-how-to-breastfeed#post-446713 Thu, 13 Dec 2012 08:40:05 +0000 purrpletulips 446713@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Stubbornness and tears. Reaching out to the mothers in my church for support and attending LLL meetings. hilsy85 on "How did you cope while you were learning how to breastfeed?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-cope-while-you-were-learning-how-to-breastfeed#post-446712 Thu, 13 Dec 2012 08:37:04 +0000 hilsy85 446712@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Tears. Lots of tears. And plain stubbornness. I've heard that success in breast feeding is 75% determination on the moms part, so that helped me. Also, finding a great LC. And complaining lots on here! :) SAHM0811 on "How did you cope while you were learning how to breastfeed?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-cope-while-you-were-learning-how-to-breastfeed#post-446629 Thu, 13 Dec 2012 07:04:28 +0000 SAHM0811 446629@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Support/help really makes all the difference in the world! Well, it did for me when comparing #1 and #2 experiences. The first time, even my LC was honest in telling me that I'd have a hard time getting a good supply going. i appreciated her honesty, but i was discouraged... she ended up being right and i quit altogether by 8 weeks to save my sanity. So support and... shells! Shells really helped the 2nd time and I do think they were pivotal to my bf'ing success story. Beyond2 on "How did you cope while you were learning how to breastfeed?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-cope-while-you-were-learning-how-to-breastfeed#post-446622 Thu, 13 Dec 2012 06:43:49 +0000 Beyond2 446622@https://boards.hellobee.com/ My midwife was a huge support. I went to her crying and telling her that I dreaded feeding my son due to the pain. She helped with the latch but there was more to it, DS had to learn his part too. One of the best things she said to me was that babies grow fast and so do their mouths. It seemed so far off at the time but it really is true. Once their mouths are bigger it's much easier. To get through those first 4 weeks of intense pain though I squeezed the crap out of my breast while nursing. I had to do the "c" hold because I have larger breasts and I used to hold it so tight that all I could feel was the pressure from that and it would distract me from the searing nipple pain... Sounds horrible but it got me through and by 6 weeks we were nursing pain free. mediagirl on "How did you cope while you were learning how to breastfeed?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-cope-while-you-were-learning-how-to-breastfeed#post-446600 Thu, 13 Dec 2012 05:35:34 +0000 mediagirl 446600@https://boards.hellobee.com/ My husband's support and laughter. We joked about our fussy boob baby a lot when we weren't stressing over her weight loss and latching pain. We also laughed over the faces I made when she latched because it hurt so badly! I quit bfing for a few weeks, exclusively pumped and when I went back to bfing again, it was easier. Not sure why... CupQuakeWalk on "How did you cope while you were learning how to breastfeed?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-cope-while-you-were-learning-how-to-breastfeed#post-446467 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 23:47:38 +0000 CupQuakeWalk 446467@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I didn't really cope? I suffered. I cried a lot...DH kept reminding me how awesome I was for trying and he kept encouraging me when is want to give up by reminding me how good it was for LO. Hellobee... An LC or 2...& HOPE! Finally I hit 7w PP and literally one morning it was like "bam!" It didn't hurt. I was like "hey that session didn't hurt!" & then every session after that:) erwoo on "How did you cope while you were learning how to breastfeed?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-cope-while-you-were-learning-how-to-breastfeed#post-446460 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 23:43:48 +0000 erwoo 446460@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I cried a lot. So much that I started to wonder if I had PPD! I didn't but I was emotional anytime breast feeding or anything remotely related to breast feeding came up. I felt better once I was able to have enough not to supplement anymore. Then allergies came into play... a whole other story! Kemma on "How did you cope while you were learning how to breastfeed?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-cope-while-you-were-learning-how-to-breastfeed#post-446454 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 23:40:01 +0000 Kemma 446454@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I had two fantastic midwives who pretty much wouldn't let me give Baby formula, it totally pissed me off at the time but looking back I'm so pleased they did what they did! I'm also really thankful for our health system in NZ as there is no charge to use the services of an LC, so I've been to see two! My other coping mechanism was knowing that not breastfeeding would have emotionally wrecked me and been just so disappointing. MusicaV on "How did you cope while you were learning how to breastfeed?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-cope-while-you-were-learning-how-to-breastfeed#post-446452 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 23:39:06 +0000 MusicaV 446452@https://boards.hellobee.com/ In the hospital, two LC's came by and I had a great nurse who was the only person to get DS to keep a latch. Once I was home, it was mostly stubbornness that kept me going. DH was supportive most of the time, but he would also "threaten" to give DS one of the formula samples we were given. Once I was able to drive again, I went to BFing support groups at our hospital, led by an LC. mrs. wagon on "How did you cope while you were learning how to breastfeed?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-cope-while-you-were-learning-how-to-breastfeed#post-446330 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 22:23:04 +0000 mrs. wagon 446330@https://boards.hellobee.com/ If I could go back in time I would definitely get a lactation consultant. Wagon Sr. would beg me to call one and I'd agree to, but the next day would go fine and I'd cancel. Then another bad day would come, and it would start all over again. I had lots of support from Wagon Sr. and at my worst point, I reached out in a mass email to the moms at my church asking about their experiences. The responses were hugely helpful-- just to know that what I was feeling was totally normal REALLY helped. I really hated and dreaded each feeding and I cried through many feedings in the beginning. I really wish I could turn back time and schedule a LC... that would have really helped. mrskc on "How did you cope while you were learning how to breastfeed?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-cope-while-you-were-learning-how-to-breastfeed#post-446301 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 22:14:10 +0000 mrskc 446301@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Hang in there! It does get easier! For me I was just stubborn and don't like to fail at things, so I kept at it. My DH sometimes was wondering why I was putting myself thru such misery, but I was determined to make it work. I cried a lot, yelled a lot.. came on HB a lot. It did get so much easier around 4 weeks. Rainbow Sprinkles on "How did you cope while you were learning how to breastfeed?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-cope-while-you-were-learning-how-to-breastfeed#post-446227 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 21:46:50 +0000 Rainbow Sprinkles 446227@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Support from my husband and mom. Lactation consultant (phone and in person) Lots of tears and meltdowns Talking with friends who promised me it would be easier by six weeks. Hellobee. p Patience. I kept doing my best and then waited. It really did get better. And then I got mastitis. But then it got better again! I even was able to wean LO from the nipple shields...somethin I never thought would happen! Hang in there highwire! T-Mom on "How did you cope while you were learning how to breastfeed?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-cope-while-you-were-learning-how-to-breastfeed#post-446184 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 21:28:09 +0000 T-Mom 446184@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I can so relate. Breastfeeding kicked my butt the first time around. I never had come across anything in life before that I could not defeat with hard work and my brains. I remember crying to my pediatrician that my engineering graduate education was nothing compared to nursing. I wish someone had told me how hard it could be. Hang in there highwire! junebugmama on "How did you cope while you were learning how to breastfeed?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-cope-while-you-were-learning-how-to-breastfeed#post-445899 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 20:10:41 +0000 junebugmama 445899@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I know exactly how you feel. We had so many challenges and I thought it would be so easy for me, after watching my sister make it look like no big deal. I reached out to a Mom's group that was LC lead. It was the best thing that I ever did. I realized I wasn't alone and go so many tips from other mother's in my situation. It made me feel less crazy. So much so that I am now in the process of becoming and LC :) I am currently doing my hours and am a breast-feeding mentor at our local hospital. Weagle on "How did you cope while you were learning how to breastfeed?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-cope-while-you-were-learning-how-to-breastfeed#post-445841 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 19:55:07 +0000 Weagle 445841@https://boards.hellobee.com/ To be so "natural," BFing is not a natural thing. It's painful at first, and there's a steep learning curve. I had lots of people around me assuring me that it will get better. I was just too stubborn to quit. And once I knew LO was gaining weight, it really became more enjoyable. T.H.O.U. on "How did you cope while you were learning how to breastfeed?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-cope-while-you-were-learning-how-to-breastfeed#post-445837 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 19:54:15 +0000 T.H.O.U. 445837@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I agree that a LC and breastfeeding support group was my saving grace. Primarily the LC reassured me twice a week that I was doing things correctly. But I was also able to weigh my LO pre and post feeding to see what she was getting. This was a huge help too. If I didn't have a LC or support group I think I would invest in a infant scale. mrsjazz on "How did you cope while you were learning how to breastfeed?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-cope-while-you-were-learning-how-to-breastfeed#post-445834 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 19:53:40 +0000 mrsjazz 445834@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Lots of support. I had my doula come for some postpartum sessions and I had a lactation consultant. I also saw a therapist (she specializes in trauma from birth) who is also a lactation consultant. And I posted something on FB about how hard it was and got a ton of private messages from my friends who breastfed--lots of support and stories that helped me continue. sorrycharlie on "How did you cope while you were learning how to breastfeed?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-cope-while-you-were-learning-how-to-breastfeed#post-445826 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 19:51:15 +0000 sorrycharlie 445826@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I couldn't afford an LC, because even though i have phenomenal health care they wouldn't cover that for some reason. awful. but my friend's sister is an LC and helped me for free. she honestly saved my entire breastfeeding experience. knowing I could text or call her daily made it so much easier. she actually made me want to pursue becoming an LC to help others that struggled like I did! Bao on "How did you cope while you were learning how to breastfeed?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-cope-while-you-were-learning-how-to-breastfeed#post-445823 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 19:50:51 +0000 Bao 445823@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Lots of support from DH! DillonLion on "How did you cope while you were learning how to breastfeed?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-cope-while-you-were-learning-how-to-breastfeed#post-445815 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 19:49:02 +0000 DillonLion 445815@https://boards.hellobee.com/ For those of you that took a while to get into your breastfeeding groove, how did you cope in the early days? I was just so sure that breastfeeding would come naturally to the both of us and it has been a huge slap in the face realizing that this requires a lot of work and perseverance. I never thought I would hate it at times and feel so overwhelmed by the process. It is also my first real experience in my life where there was something I wanted to do and couldn't master it in the time frame I thought I would. It has been a humbling experience, for sure.