LO is 5 weeks old now, and though we've been doing pretty well in the feeding department, the last few days have been a challenge. Examples:

*I've got flat nipples, so we have been using a shield since the LC gave us one in the hospital. For a while, it looked like my nipples were starting to get drawn out, but now I can't even get them to stay in the shield unless she is actively sucking. Also, they hurt like crazy again for the first time in weeks. We try every few days to latch without the shield, but there is literally nothing for her to latch onto without it.

*I have been pumping from the beginning as well, and LO has been OK to this point with Avent bottles. The last few days, though, she will at h her back and swat it away. This is bad news, because she needs to take a bottle when I'm at work.

*I've been crazy engorged, and LO always gulps and gasps when she's eating. I've been reading Kelly Mom, and her description of overactive letdown sounds like us to a tee, especially the frequent spitting and gas. So to correct it, I've been trying block feeding for about 5 days. I have to say, though, that it just seems like I'm asking for mastitis with how hard one breast will get when I don't use it twice on a row.

The good news is that we were at the pedi this week, and LO is gaining appropriately. She is making enough wet /dirty diapers, and she doesn't have lip/tongue tie. But I am frustrated! I'm wondering if I need a smaller shield (the hospital only had 24 mm ones), a different bottle, some more patience, or a combination of the three. Any insights would be appreciated!