https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 12 May 2026 02:57:05 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-breastfeeding-tips-would-you-offer-to-new-moms/page/2#post-843652 Sun, 09 Jun 2013 20:55:15 +0000 hilsy85 843652@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Espion: I mentioned this in your other thread but posterior tongue ties are easily missed and don't present like a "typical" tongue tie. Some soreness/pain is normal as you get used to nursing, but if you are in toe curling pain, bite your lip, tears in your eyes pain for more than 2 weeks or so, I would say that something else is up. </p> <p>Also, have you heard of laid back nursing? I was never very good at it, but a lot of people swear by it! <a href="http://www.biologicalnurturing.com/video/bn3clip.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.biologicalnurturing.com/video/bn3clip.html</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-breastfeeding-tips-would-you-offer-to-new-moms/page/2#post-843642 Sun, 09 Jun 2013 20:51:27 +0000 LittleFox 843642@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Espion: your LC should help, but a tinier mouth can make latching more difficult, I think. Try different holds and just keep getting back up on the horse. Their mouths get bigger and you both get better at it! </p> <p>My advice to add:<br /> - Don't get upset if you have to supplement a little early on, like I did. 5 months later and you'd never know I had supply issues, but it was so upsetting at the time. Just be sure to always nurse first, then give the bottle, and pump while someone else gives the bottle to your baby.<br /> - Do not worry about getting on a schedule. Feeding on demand is better for your supply and you can introduce a schedule later if you need to. At 5 months, I still feed on demand. When my mom or MIL or friend says "didn't he just eat?", I just say "yup, and he's going to eat again now." Every baby is different, people who no longer have babies forget how often theirs actually ate, and as long as you and baby are healthy you're fine.<br /> - Netflix is a great thing during all those early nursing sessions. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-breastfeeding-tips-would-you-offer-to-new-moms/page/2#post-842992 Sun, 09 Jun 2013 11:26:01 +0000 heartonastring 842992@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Espion: Glad you're going to see an LC. Sometimes I call mine my fairy godmother.</p> <p>As for the shallow latch, what hold are you using? Football tends to be easier than cross-cradle for a newborn in terms of getting a good, deep latch. I also find this link helpful in terms of the process for getting a good latch: <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>. What I learned in working with my LC is that sometimes it's a really small fix or positioning change that will make all the difference (e.g. making sure your hands are not on baby's head, this can cause them to clamp down. You should be cradling baby's neck with your thumb and forefinger). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-breastfeeding-tips-would-you-offer-to-new-moms/page/2#post-842985 Sun, 09 Jun 2013 11:21:27 +0000 Espion 842985@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Now that I'm on the other side, I'm doubly grateful for all of the advice. We're going back to an LC post haste this week. Hopefully all this discomfort (and dare I say crazy pain) can be fixed. </p> <p>I wonder, though, if E's mouth is simply too small to get a deep enough latch. Sometimes when I feel like we might have gotten a good one, he'll flip out and refuse to hoover. I'm also definitely having them check for tongue-tie, although, looking at pictures online, that may not be very severe, if it is there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-breastfeeding-tips-would-you-offer-to-new-moms/page/2#post-827180 Mon, 03 Jun 2013 13:23:08 +0000 ladyfingers 827180@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is all amazing advice, I wish this thread had been around when I was starting!</p> <p>I would just add:</p> <p>- I had no idea that it would be so difficult for LO to latch when I was engorged. I basically thought that being engorged was a good thing, or at most mildly uncomfortable. But my boobs were so rock hard there was no "give" to help him latch, so he'd just slide right off. I found it useful to apply moist heat for a minute or so, then pump off a bit of milk using a manual pump (pump for about 10 minutes, or whatever). It can be tricky to time things but if you know LO eats every 2 hours, then you can pump off at the 1 hour and 45 minute mark, etc. That can relieve some pressure and make it easier. Also, look up "reverse pressure softening" which can also make it easier to latch.</p> <p>- Remember that LO is learning, too. Breastfeeding is a natural thing, but it can still take time for them to learn how to open wide enough, and sometimes they physically can't, how to find your nipple (they can't see very well so you have to guide them), etc. I made it so adversarial in those first few weeks, so when he'd be ravenous but WOULD NOT LATCH properly, I would get so upset with him. And then somebody told me this, that he's not doing it on purpose, and I developed a much more relaxed attitude toward it and instead of getting all stressed out and mad when he wouldn't latch, I could be more gentle and take breaks with him and stuff. Which can only help.You'd be surprised how much your vibe plays into things.</p> <p>- You will be hungrier than you've ever been in your life. Somebody suggested I keep snack packs in every room, so I went to Whole Foods and bought a bunch of stuff like chocolate covered almonds, chunks of energy, granola bars, crackers, dried fruit, and put some in ziploc bags that then went into large ziploc bags. And I kept one in my bedroom and one in the living room. I also bought a Camelbak bottle so I always had lots of water on hand, and it was easier to drink from than a cup.</p> <p>- Another way of knowing if LO's latch is good or bad, is if the nipple comes out looking misshapen. If it looks like a tube of lipstick or a party hat, then it's not right. This was useful to me because it was very painful at first even when his latch was good, but when he would come off, I'd have an idea of OK, that was a good one, versus, that wasn't a good one, we need to work on that next time.</p> <p>- Ibuprofen is your friend. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-breastfeeding-tips-would-you-offer-to-new-moms#post-826144 Mon, 03 Jun 2013 08:25:19 +0000 Espion 826144@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@runsyellowlites: (I have no idea if I can "reply" to posts on my wall. I didn't even know I had a wall!) Thank you so much for the links! At least my pregnancy insomnia last night was well-spent! I read through almost every resource on that site. I'm pretty sure I thought, "Huh, I would have never have thought that" about every other sentence! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-breastfeeding-tips-would-you-offer-to-new-moms#post-825963 Mon, 03 Jun 2013 02:22:44 +0000 Espion 825963@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@78h2o: That is awesome advice! Thank you! I think knowing that it is not easy (and being prepared for that) is half the battle. After that, we've got to figure out how to make it work for us. Now I just need this kid to head for the exit, heh. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-breastfeeding-tips-would-you-offer-to-new-moms#post-825811 Sun, 02 Jun 2013 21:39:31 +0000 JoyfulKiwi 825811@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@septemberlove: you can get there! Everyone gave GREAT advice. Breastfeeding has been the hardest part of having a baby for me. It's not intuitive, even if you're doing it right it can feel like you're doing it wrong, and there is not that much support for most women to keep at it. </p> <p>Don't listen to any naysayers or even the surprised "you're still breastfeeding?!" comments. As long as it feels right for you and your child (I.e., its not so stressful that its driving you legitly crazy/making you &amp; the baby miserable), Keep Going! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-breastfeeding-tips-would-you-offer-to-new-moms#post-825759 Sun, 02 Jun 2013 21:04:54 +0000 lomom 825759@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is so awesome! Thank you all for sharing, it makes me feel like we can get there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-breastfeeding-tips-would-you-offer-to-new-moms#post-825619 Sun, 02 Jun 2013 19:44:31 +0000 78h2o 825619@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Espion: that's lame that you don't get to see a LC in the hospital! In that case, I'll add a few more things from when I was just starting<br /> -I found it helpful to put my nipple right under LO's nose and drag it down to LO's top lip... I kept doing that until she would open wide enough and then I would shove the boob in.<br /> -If LO isn't that interested, you can express a few drops so LO can smell/taste the milk and go looking for more<br /> -When LCs helped me, I was really surprised by how far they shoved the boob in! They shoved it further than I was doing on my own. They also really smashed LOs face into my boob and held her there. She did not have the opportunity to pull back or make the latch shallow.<br /> -The football hold really helped me get a good latch... I found the cradle and cross cradle holds much more difficult. I was glad the LC consultant showed me that hold. I agree with a PP the sidelying position is really great. I don't think I could have mastered it in the very beginning though.<br /> -Do not unlatch baby without using your finger to break the seal! Ouch! I can't believe I forgot that one, but I did! Just put one finger in LOs mouth and tug down until LO lets go before you pull back.<br /> -Make sure when LO gets off the boob that there is not a stripe on the nipple. If there's a white stripe, the latch probably isn't right. When I feel a pinching, I know that the latch isn't right and when I take LO off, there's always a white line. In the beginning, my entire nipple would get white and they said that was uncommon but it was because my LO had a crazy strong suck. They said there wasn't anything I could do about it. I had to let it blister/scab/heal. :( That's not supposed to be the norm though. It's normal for it to be uncomfortable/hurt a little, but it's not supposed to be toe curling, like it was for me. (ETA: if it is toe curling, I recommend biting your finger - totally worked to take my mind off the boob pain).<br /> -If you have any signs of mastitis, etc., seek help right away. I got mastitis but went to my OB and got a perscription within a few hours of starting a fever. I never got it too bad as a result.</p> <p>Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-breastfeeding-tips-would-you-offer-to-new-moms#post-824843 Sun, 02 Jun 2013 08:22:07 +0000 aprk 824843@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@grizz: that's exactly what happened to us. Don't give up! I know how frustrating it can be. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-breastfeeding-tips-would-you-offer-to-new-moms#post-824748 Sun, 02 Jun 2013 06:36:46 +0000 Boheme 824748@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This thread is awesome! We are having difficulties getting baby Grizz to latch - he roots for the nipple and wants it, but won't really suck, and if he does we only get about 3 out of him before he quits. This is all encouraging info! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-breastfeeding-tips-would-you-offer-to-new-moms#post-824733 Sun, 02 Jun 2013 06:06:53 +0000 Espion 824733@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Penny Lane: "if you do crack (and therefore SCAB. ouch!!!)" I basically read that as "don't do crack!" Ha! Oh, I miss coffee....</p> <p>Awesome tips! I'm basically printing this out and packing it with me to the hospital because they don't have LCs coming by the rooms anymore. You have to get an appointment *after* you've left the hospital and it has to be deemed "medically necessary". I feel robbed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-breastfeeding-tips-would-you-offer-to-new-moms#post-824668 Sat, 01 Jun 2013 23:37:52 +0000 Penny Lane 824668@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>dont be afraid to see an IBCLC and ask for help. they can work wonders. but, if you don't feel like they're helping find another one!</p> <p>be patient. you're both learning what to do. it's a team thing, and you'll figure each other out eventually</p> <p>if you do crack (and therefore SCAB. ouch!!!) don't let your bra/nursing pad/nursing tank stick to the scabs. I used a medicated gauze from my midwife called cuticerin. also like @runsyellowlites: said breast milk rubbed on and left to air dry (preferably in the sun) is a miracle. </p> <p>don't expect baby to be on a predictable schedule for a while. we could feed as often as every 90 minutes all day. </p> <p>don't put up with a shallow or lazy latch. at all. even one bad latch can mess you up again. </p> <p>drink lots of water!! more water than you think you could possibly need</p> <p>I'm sure I have lots more but that's all I can think of right now!! oh, and lastly... relax! formula never hurt anyone. if that's what you have to (want to, need to) do, do it. your sanity is important too :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-breastfeeding-tips-would-you-offer-to-new-moms#post-824595 Sat, 01 Jun 2013 21:56:32 +0000 littlebug 824595@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Every piece of advice above is awesome. </p> <p>I just wanted to second the suggestion that if you start giving a bottle, then you should pump while baby's getting that bottle. </p> <p>Have water accessible all over the house. And burp cloths. </p> <p>Be prepared for cluster-feeding - I had absolutely no idea about cluster-feeding, and thought for sure D was starving because he JUST.KEPT.EATING. I finally remembered a friend talking about it, looked it up, and immediately burst into tears because what I was going through was normal!</p> <p>The EMAB nipple butter is 1000x better than regular lanolin. Lanolin hurt me to put on - and I didn't have cracked/sore nipples! </p> <p>Knowing the signs/symptoms of clogged ducts helped me to catch it early and work it out before it became too much of an issue! Read up and be prepared - if your boob is sore or sensitive in one spot, start applying heat and massage!</p> <p>Above all - when you get frustrated, set baby down, walk away, close your eyes, and take a few deep breaths. It WILL get better!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-breastfeeding-tips-would-you-offer-to-new-moms#post-824523 Sat, 01 Jun 2013 20:42:15 +0000 Kpinck 824523@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@oliviaoblivia: I love your answers!</p> <p>I will add:</p> <p>Motherlove nipple cream did wonders for me. Skip the lanolin.</p> <p>Drink water all day long. I kept the huge jug from the hospital by my side for at least six weeks.</p> <p>Eat, eat, eat. I wasn't prepared for how hungry I would be. Have plenty of ready-to-eat snacks handy.</p> <p>Remember that you can do this, that you were created to do this. I thought I would never leave my house because my little guy nursed around the clock for over two months. But now he's 10 months old, and I barely remember those rough first feedings. I truly enjoy the process and the wonder of it all. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-breastfeeding-tips-would-you-offer-to-new-moms#post-824493 Sat, 01 Jun 2013 20:15:52 +0000 tororojo 824493@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Katrocap: I wish I had known #2 earlier! Would have saved me a lot of stress and my own tears, but thankfully we pulled through.</p> <p>These are such great tips! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-breastfeeding-tips-would-you-offer-to-new-moms#post-824484 Sat, 01 Jun 2013 20:06:49 +0000 Katrocap 824484@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>1. If you experience leaking, invest in good quality reusable nursing pads. I use Bamboobies: <a href="https://buybamboobies.com/" rel="nofollow">https://buybamboobies.com/</a><br /> Wear them (with bra) at night or you will wake up with your shirt and sheet soaked. Hopefully you won't have leaking issues still at 5 months PP like me, though!</p> <p>2. Hang in there when baby goes through phases where he/she cries and pulls off breast while nursing. This happens to my LO every once and awhile for a few days. It's emotionally draining to try to feed him and have him cry and stop and try again later, but it gets better.</p> <p>3. Enjoy it! Nursing can be such a sweet, magical experience. I love knowing that my body is nourishing my LO. </p> <p>Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-breastfeeding-tips-would-you-offer-to-new-moms#post-824033 Sat, 01 Jun 2013 13:08:14 +0000 heartonastring 824033@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>1. Stick with it! It will get so much easier! DD is only 5.5 weeks and we had a hell of a time with really badly injured nipples, and while they're still healing, I have next to no pain now and we've perfected our latch.</p> <p>2. Find support in your community, whether it's an LC, a support group, whatever. Support is the only thing that kept md from quitting. </p> <p>3. If you have any concerns about supply, I highly recommend fenugreek and blessed thistle. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-breastfeeding-tips-would-you-offer-to-new-moms#post-824013 Sat, 01 Jun 2013 12:50:58 +0000 lomom 824013@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Wow, so much awesome advice!</p> <p>I'm glad to hear that a little pain is normal. I've been watching for cracking and bleeding but so far I've been okay. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-breastfeeding-tips-would-you-offer-to-new-moms#post-823601 Sat, 01 Jun 2013 08:08:23 +0000 oliviaoblivia 823601@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Find a good LC and see her at the first hint of a problem. I toughed it out longer than I should have and my nips definitely suffered for it.</p> <p>Some pain is normal at first. Your nips have probably only been used recreationally thus far...breastfeeding asks a lot more of them. If you feel toe-curling pain, see an LC.</p> <p>Read up on mastitis, thrush, clogged ducts, etc. so you can recognize early symptoms and get treated quickly.</p> <p>Enjoy your time with your babe. The initial pain will end. I promise. Let your husband, sister, friend take care of everything else just sit and cuddle and nurse. </p> <p>Take it one day at a time. </p> <p>Have water and snacks and an iPad set up wherever you are going to nurse. You'll probably end up stuck there for a long time.</p> <p>Have gel cooling pads ready at home. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-breastfeeding-tips-would-you-offer-to-new-moms#post-823584 Sat, 01 Jun 2013 07:52:33 +0000 Corduroy 823584@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Make breast feeding the priority when you bring baby home. Set up your breast feeding station in the most comfortable spot for you. You're going to spend a lot of time there so pull up a side table for snacks, stack your pillows, get a foot rest, keep your remotes handy, and plug your cell phone charger in close by. </p> <p>Make no apologies if this spot is in the middle of your living room. If you want privacy while feeding in the early days ask visitors to leave the room. I tried to feed LO on my bed in my room when I got home, all I got was a sore back. </p> <p>Another tip - don't listen to your elders. Everyone forgets what it's like to have a newborn pretty quickly. My mom and MIL couldn't believe how often I fed my baby. They both told me it was much too frequently. But my doctor and LC told me to keep at it. You are not going to over feed your breast fed baby.</p> <p>Ask lots of questions on HB. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-breastfeeding-tips-would-you-offer-to-new-moms#post-823521 Sat, 01 Jun 2013 06:51:17 +0000 lamariniere 823521@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>There is lots of great advice from all the ladies above! </p> <p>Expect that you will spend practically all of your time nursing the first few months. DS was on a 90min cycle for the first three months.</p> <p>I had many, many painful difficulties. Don't be afraid to reach out to a lactation consultant. I saw one several times and had problems even after. Learning to nurse, both for you and baby can take time. It won't necessarily come "naturally" for either of you...but then again, I know moms who had zero problems from the get go. </p> <p>Also, eat well and take care of yourself. I have never been so hungry in my life. I was lucky and could literally eat anything and everything I wanted while nursing and still lost all the baby weight and then some (added bonus!).</p> <p>I wish you luck! It was very fulfilling once we got over the bumps. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-breastfeeding-tips-would-you-offer-to-new-moms#post-823454 Sat, 01 Jun 2013 01:42:47 +0000 RubyCali 823454@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>- If you give any bottles, make sure to pump every time around the same time you give the bottle! Every time something goes into the baby, something should come out of you. I learned this the hard way and it led to early supply issues. </p> <p>- Along those lines, pump for 10 minutes after every nursing session if you need to increase your supply.</p> <p>- Things will get sooo much better. Almost everyone I know faced some initial difficulties with breastfeeding. The first 2 months were really rough, but I'm glad I stuck with it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-breastfeeding-tips-would-you-offer-to-new-moms#post-823436 Sat, 01 Jun 2013 00:50:41 +0000 jh524 823436@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@runsyellowlites: ahh, okay....You have really helpful tips, thanks!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-breastfeeding-tips-would-you-offer-to-new-moms#post-823435 Sat, 01 Jun 2013 00:48:52 +0000 runsyellowlites 823435@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jh524: expressing &amp; rubbing a little bit of milk on your nipples after each feeding &amp; letting them airdry is better than any nipple cream you could buy (IMO). Breastmilk has some amazing healing attributes! I never used anything else (although I did have other things) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-breastfeeding-tips-would-you-offer-to-new-moms#post-823434 Sat, 01 Jun 2013 00:46:52 +0000 jh524 823434@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Great info, thanks ladies!!!<br /> @runsyellowlites: what do you mean breast milk and air drying for nipple cream.. Sorry!! New soon- to - be mommy here... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-breastfeeding-tips-would-you-offer-to-new-moms#post-823428 Sat, 01 Jun 2013 00:38:39 +0000 DillonLion 823428@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It is okay if you don't enjoy it. It is more important than that. Stick with it anyway.</p> <p>Also, every ounce counts. Any breastmilk is better than none at all. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-breastfeeding-tips-would-you-offer-to-new-moms#post-823405 Sat, 01 Jun 2013 00:12:38 +0000 shopaholic 823405@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Lot's of good advice. Mine's a DON'T. If your nipples crack and hurt like crazy, don't use those breast shells! My OB recommended it for my pain (relief) BUT I am pretty sure that is what caused our thrush. Because no matter how much I tried to keep the shells dry, it would always end up moist in the shell - perfect for yeast! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-breastfeeding-tips-would-you-offer-to-new-moms#post-823398 Sat, 01 Jun 2013 00:06:34 +0000 Ree723 823398@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Set small, manageable goals for yourself - it doesn't seem so daunting when you are aiming towards getting your LO the colostrum, then aiming for six weeks, then three months, then six months etc.....</p> <p>- just know that every day is going to get easier than the last. It IS painful at the start but know that it's never going to be this painful again, tomorrow it's going to be a bit easier. And once you hit the happy spot, around six weeks, it is the easiest and most convenient thing in the world. </p>