Hellobee Boards

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!

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.

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.

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.
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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!

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.

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.

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:)

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.

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!

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!

My mom and Lasinoh.

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!