https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 07 May 2026 10:07:33 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trouble-breastfeeding#post-2793262 Fri, 22 Dec 2017 15:12:25 +0000 smuckers 2793262@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@starchild: All hail the nipple shield! I still use it when feeding my almost 7 month old. We also supplement with formula, as I don't pump enough to keep up with her. It was a hard pill to swallow at first (I wanted so much for her to only be on breastmilk!), but honestly it's the best choice for my baby and my family.</p> <p>The fact that you are trying so hard to keep nursing is really commendable! You're doing a great job. It's hard to see that when you are leaky (boobs/eyes), frustrated, and have a crying baby. But sincerely, you are rocking this mommy thing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trouble-breastfeeding#post-2793260 Fri, 22 Dec 2017 15:03:25 +0000 LemonJack 2793260@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes to the shield! I had to use one the first month or two with my first, but was eventually able to wean her off of it.</p> <p>You're not doing anything wrong. Nursing can be really hard, but it does get better. Those first weeks are brutal. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trouble-breastfeeding#post-2793250 Fri, 22 Dec 2017 14:27:23 +0000 MrsTal 2793250@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I hope you find a LC soon, that can make a huge difference. For what it’s worth my ped never diagnosed lip/tongue tie, even when bringing up feeding issues. It was our LC every time and confirmed by the dentist that did the revision. Also it’s possible she may have some tightness in her body or jaw making it hard to nurse. My LC did body work with my oldest and recommended taking him to a chiro. With the twins they didn’t need bodywork but she gave us exercises for twin A’s mouth because his jaw was so tight he couldn’t latch correctly. Time also helps, since she’s small her mouth might have a hard time with your nipple, once the twins got a little bigger (really only in the last week or so) they had a much easier time nursing.</p> <p>In the mean time a nipple shield may help to at least get her to nurse. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trouble-breastfeeding#post-2793248 Fri, 22 Dec 2017 14:16:21 +0000 snowjewelz 2793248@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@starchild: I used a nipple shield with my first too. If that's what it takes to continue breastfeeding, I'm all for it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trouble-breastfeeding#post-2793246 Fri, 22 Dec 2017 14:15:06 +0000 Rocker2014 2793246@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@starchild: Great! I suppose they can be good for nipple pain, but for me I had large, flat nipples and tiny LO just couldn't make the shape work for her mouth. Using the shield seemed to help her manage flow and sucking shape the way she could on a bottle. An LC gave me my first one on her second visit, and we never looked back. </p> <p>Wishing you all the best, this breastfeeding stuff is SO hard! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trouble-breastfeeding#post-2793243 Fri, 22 Dec 2017 13:50:36 +0000 Autumnmama79 2793243@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@starchild: Yes to the anxiety! However, I felt it bc of the pain, I literally broke out into sweats. I kept reminding myself that as with every baby stage - this too was finite. It wasn't going to go on forever and ever. And no matter what we'd both come out on the other side strong and bonded as mommy and baby!</p> <p>Were you able to get in touch with another LC today? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trouble-breastfeeding#post-2793241 Fri, 22 Dec 2017 13:47:09 +0000 starchild 2793241@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Autumnmama79: Thank you! We've had so many mommy and me meltdowns now it gives me anxiety just anticipating it. I know I need to just keep trying!</p> <p>@Rocker2014: Thank you, that's a great idea! I thought they were just for nipple pain, but I'm ordering some immediately. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trouble-breastfeeding#post-2793235 Fri, 22 Dec 2017 12:51:38 +0000 Rocker2014 2793235@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ugh, hugs to you! This is controversial advice, but if LO is doing well from a bottle, you may want to consider trying a nipple shield. It will be a familiar shape to her, and she may just get the hang of nursing from the breast with it and then you can eventually wean off of it (though full disclosure is that I used a shield for the entire year I breastfed). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trouble-breastfeeding#post-2793223 Fri, 22 Dec 2017 11:41:36 +0000 Autumnmama79 2793223@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@starchild: Just want to offer some solidarity. Having BFed two, I agree with you that breastfeeding is HARD. Honestly I find the first 5-6 weeks challenging. Try to keep at it if its important to you. Its a struggle to find your rhythm together in this new relationship. I'm no expert but I would just keep offering the breast at every feed, at least to start. </p> <p>Hugs and strength to you!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trouble-breastfeeding#post-2793222 Fri, 22 Dec 2017 11:34:05 +0000 starchild 2793222@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bees_knees: it is on one side but not the other. I have tried expressing some to entice her to latch but she is still not interested. But she does tend to do better on the slower side so maybe I can try that too. Thank you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trouble-breastfeeding#post-2793218 Fri, 22 Dec 2017 11:24:36 +0000 bees_knees 2793218@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Is your letdown pretty fast? If your breasts are really full and/or you have a quick let down, you might try expressing (either by hand or pumping) a little before she latches...at least until she gets used to it. Definitely find a LC asap to help you, too. Hang in there! :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trouble-breastfeeding#post-2793216 Fri, 22 Dec 2017 11:13:10 +0000 starchild 2793216@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LO is 12 days old, and we’re off to a rough start with feeding. Hospital had us supplement with formula from the start because she was so small, but I started trying to bf immediately, too, and pumping to try to get my supply started. Even colostrum was slow to start. The lactation consultant said things looked good and to give it time. Initially I would nurse first, then we'd give her a bottle because she was still hungry. Then I'd pump. It was very hit or miss. At first, I thought she wasn’t getting enough milk, but she has started rejecting nursing altogether. I thought maybe it was bottle preference that she doesn’t want to work harder at my breast, but my let down has already gushed out of her mouth where she just wasn’t sucking even a little bit. Sometimes she refuses to try to latch at all and pushes me away screaming, even if there is no milk flowing yet. The pediatrician didn’t see any tie issues. I’m pumping and we’re feeding breastmilk by bottle at least. My supply has gotten better but it's still not enough so we are supplementing with formula, too. Trying to nurse is miserable. Sometimes she’ll latch for just a few minutes, and then I end up leaking all over both of us. But then if I try to pump afterwards it’s not enough to empty, and I’ve had to work out a few hard spots already. So I’m almost exclusively pumping now, which sucks. I was supposed to have a consult with an LC last night but she didn’t get back to me. I am looking for another LC but in the meantime just looking for ideas or suggestions or solidarity. Breastfeeding is so stressful, but she’s at least eating well from the bottle and at least getting breastmilk. She is back up over birth weight, though, so I’m trying to stay positive. </p>