https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 26 May 2026 10:27:39 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-never-thought-this-would-be-so-hard#post-1032160 Tue, 20 Aug 2013 17:13:01 +0000 Cherrybee 1032160@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hi. I failed miserably at breastfeeding so I have no advice but I wanted to pop in and offer you big e-hugs. Breastfeeding is really, really hard. Like REALLY hard. You're doing great! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-never-thought-this-would-be-so-hard#post-1031998 Tue, 20 Aug 2013 15:40:52 +0000 JamieLee 1031998@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks for the info/encouragement ladies. I've been setting an alarm on my phone to remember to pump and letting DS sleep on my chest for some skin to skin. The lactation consultant checked him for a tongue tie and didn't find anything...</p> <p>I suppose I will just keep plugging away at it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-never-thought-this-would-be-so-hard#post-1030518 Tue, 20 Aug 2013 05:09:21 +0000 emg86 1030518@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My baby never cluster fed until she was about 2.5 months, every baby is different and everyone's milk is different so she may not feel the need to cluster feed just yet. Pumping 2oz is great--that's around what they have at a feeding around that age cause their tummies are still so small. The more you pump and work on getting baby to latch the more it will help your supply. For some sticking to a 2.5-3 hour schedule really helps, especially this early and I know it's very hard the first two weeks cause you're body is adjusting to so many changes physically and emotionally. I also would get him checked for a lip/tongue tie...I think sometimes those are missed right in the beginning and it can make a big difference once corrected. Try to do as much skin to skin as you can...I used to put my baby on top of my chest and let her nap there those early weeks to help establish/increase my supply. It does get better! The first month is hard trying to figure it all out and it takes lots of patience and practice! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-never-thought-this-would-be-so-hard#post-1030509 Tue, 20 Aug 2013 04:37:07 +0000 Kemma 1030509@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Firstly I just want to send you a big hug and let you know that it's going to be ok! This motherhood is tough going but it does get easier and you and your little guy will get into your groove soon enough! Your both learning about each other and nursing and it will take some time for you to both get to know each other :-)</p> <p>Has your LO been checked for a tongue or lip tie? Does he have any other health problems that you know of or did he have a particularly long, traumatic or rough delivery? Sometimes a baby can have some discomfort or tension and stiffness from delivery and this can affect how comfortable they are nursing. My LO was a different baby after a couple of visits with a cranial-sacral osteopath! If your LO hasn't been checked for ties by an IBCLC I highly recommend asking one to come and visit you at your house, in addition to checking LO's mouth they can also help you set up a nursing "station" so that you can be comfortable and well positioned for nursing.</p> <p>Have you tried latching baby on to the breast after giving him a bottle? Sometimes a baby will be more willing to nurse if they're not so hungry and they're happy to comfort suck. You could also give him your pinky finger to suck (nail towards the tongue) to give him some practice at sucking and this is also a good trick to calm him down before latching on.</p> <p>In terms of your milk supply, can you aim to pump every three hours or at least eight times a day? I know it's a pain in the arse but the frequent pumping will really help you establish your supply in these early days.</p> <p>Here's a couple of great links to help you with latching, you should also check out Kellymom for great info:</p> <p><a href="http://www.pumpstation.com/pumpstation/dept.asp?dept_id=3228" rel="nofollow">http://www.pumpstation.com/pumpstation/dept.asp?dept_id=3228</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.breastbabyproducts.com/checklist.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.breastbabyproducts.com/checklist.html</a></p> <p>Hang in there Mama, keep working at it and in the meantime, do what you need to do to feed your precious wee babe. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-never-thought-this-would-be-so-hard#post-1030508 Tue, 20 Aug 2013 04:35:36 +0000 sea_bass 1030508@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For the next three days go on a baby moon. Get in your bed. Get your top off, get your baby naked and cuddle / feed non stop. Make sure you don't have to do anything/go anywhere. Just focus on being stress free and relaxed with your baby. </p> <p>Pumping will never stimulate your body to produce as much milk as being with your baby and feeding on demand will. </p> <p>10 days is very early so your baby is still learning the skill of breastfeeding. There's nothing to worry about. You can still have a successfull breastfeeding relationship. It gets much better. </p> <p>FWIW my boy never cluster fed and we've never had problems with weight. </p> <p>I presume you've had him checked for ties? </p> <p>Good luck! You can do it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-never-thought-this-would-be-so-hard#post-1030506 Tue, 20 Aug 2013 04:16:40 +0000 JamieLee 1030506@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are having serious breastfeeding issues. From the start, LO didn't want to latch. He could, he just wouldn't stay on or wouldn't suck once he was on. Against my original intentions, we had to start supplementing because his blood sugar was getting too low. Then I was admitted to the hospital with a uterine infection and away from him for 24 hours. He was able to eventually join me at the hospital (I was there for 4 days) but with the pain, IV, cardiac monitor, and constant interuptions, we got into the habit of pumping and feeding him the pumped milk with a little formula most of the time. Now we're home again and he's still having trouble. I'm pumping but I sometimes forget to do it every three hours, which I know isn't helping. I try to put him to the breast but we both get frustrated with the whole thing quickly. He screams when he's hungry and gets so frantic to eat that I feel terrible, like I'm torturing him. We've worked with lactation consultants in the hospital and tried nipple shields, dropper feeding behind the shield, the SNS system, and another tube feeding thing recommended by Dr. Jack Newman. </p> <p>At this point, he is 10 days old, and I usually get 2 ounces total when I pump (sometimes less). He sleeps a lot and I worry that he doesn't wake up to eat very often. I've heard about this cluster feeding and I haven't seen that yet. </p> <p>I just really wanted to breastfeed and I'm starting to worry that we're never going to figure it out. Any words of wisdom/resources/tricks of the trade from the seasoned momma bees out there would be so appreciated by this stressed out, anxious FTM.</p> <p>Thanks! </p>