We are on day 12 now; which means, 12 days of sleepless nights, 12 days of sore nipples (I know, T.M.I.), 12 days of poopy diapers just as fast as I can change em', and of course 12 days of kissing a cute little baby.
I don't feel like I was properly warned. This Mom stuff is difficult! The breastfeeding has been the most difficult thing for me. She has a very hard time latching on. Which stresses me out which makes her even more upset. If anyone has some tips for me, please let me know. The lactation nurse at the hospital said not to give her a binky or bottle for at least two weeks, but longer if possible. What have you Mothers done with your babies?
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Ben and Kim
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17 comments:
I hear ya! Breastfeeding is tough stuff! The third day home Cassidy was inconsolable so we gave her a bottle and binky and she seemed to do fine. Don't stress too much unless she isn't gaining enough weight. Cold packs and Lanolin Cream were my best friend! Wish ya luck!
Kim,
I had the HARDEST time nursing Boston and was in pain for 3 months!! Now, granted I found out I had Raynauds Phenomenon which is basically arthritis in your nipples, but even this time around I cringed every time she had to eat for the first two weeks. I tell you though, it is soooooooooo soooooo worth it. Hang in there, and honestly if you want any help I have read a ton on nursing so feel free to give me a call and I'd be more than happy to give you some pointers. The sleep thing doesn't get easier for a while, but I read a book called "good night sleep tight" and it has helped a TON with Boston. He sleeps 10-11 hours every night and takes a two hour nap everyday like clockwork and I totally credit it to this book. Hang in there, it does get easier... just wait till she gives you those first smiles and laughs!
You're having the same problem I had! Nursing was so hard at first but I absolutely love it now- so don't give up! I had such a hard time the first month getting used to it(EVERYTHING really)- I wish I could go into detail without embarrassing myself but i can't, so I wont (not in a comment anyway:). Brody didn't hardly eat at all the first few days- I had to see the lactation specialist 3 times in the hospital because he had the hardest time latching on, too. Did they give you gel pads? They sell them at Babies'r us... they are pretty pricey but they really help if you are sore/cracked/have blisters. And lansinoh cream helps a TON too. The pain DOES go away (as well as other not so fun things about breastfeeding) and it does actually get "FUN", if you can believe it! I worried about Brody so much because he was not interested in eating for a long time... but he's 5 months old and 20 lbs so he's plenty chubby! I hope that helped. Motherhood is a major adjustment but trust me, it gets WAY better!
Nursing is hard at first, but it does get better. I noticed with Ben that he had a way harder time latching on when I was all stressed about it. When I would calm down and relax, we both had an easier time. Good luck!
I here ya girl!!! No one warned me either... I felt if my nipples fell off, oh it will feel so much better... Get the Lanolin cream its awsome get the real kind(there are no-names out there) the baby can eat it and it doesn't hurt them, and oh it feels so much better... Kenzie was so hard to breastfeed for about 8 weeks, I didn't give a binky as everytime I tried she would have such a hard time laching on, so I went without, but I'm grateful now I did. Hang in there it does get better and you will love it once it does... I also read Healthy Baby Happy sleep habbits and becoming Babywise(saved my life) I mixed the two and it worked out great for us. Good luck- it gets better it takes about a month... I think that is why they make babies so cute and soft, because at times it is soooo Hard...
I feel for you Kim! I wish I had some helpful pointers for breastfeeding but Cole simply couldn't latch on. I ended up pumping for about 5 months...TORTURE! As for the sleepless nights, they do eventually get better. I still don't feel completely caught up on sleep since Cole though. Most of that is my fault though since I don't like to go to bed early. Anyway, good luck.. I hope you can get the nursing thing down better than I did. And I want to see your cute baby soon too!
Sorry, just wanted to clarify... It was hard for a month as far as sore nipples- I read Babywise and it helped me to get her to eat better as before that, she seemed like she ate all the time, and I was in tears thinking not again... But that book helped me know when she was full and oh that helps a ton... I said 8 weeks because she took so long to eat, 20 minutes on each side so it took 40 minutes each time. After about 8 weeks she kicked it into gear and it went to 10 minutes each side... Heaven... Hang in there you will be so happy you did. Promise...Also those bookes helped with sleep- after she was 16 weeks she sleep 12 hours a night and still does...
She is BEAUTIFUL Kim! Wow! I'm so happy for your guys! Um, yea, I'm getting a little nervous myself. I will be coming to you for help! Hang in there. I hear it's horrible the first month or so, but so worth it in the end.
I was just there, Kim. I wish I had the powers to make you skip the first month or two of breastfeeding, but I can't. I guess I would be rich if I could, just based on reading all the other comments! What helped me the most was talking to other people about it, especially Robyn. I called her one day and whined and complained to her about my breastfeeding woes and she told me to just tough it out. It was tough for her, too, and I felt better knowing it wasn't just me and that it got better for her and probably would for me, too (which it did). It just sucks. I cried whenever it was time to feed her! Lanolin, Soothies, and changing feeding positions every once in awhile helped me, but it never made it all better. It's just a tincture of time, I guess. Give Robyn or myself a call when you feel the need for support, it seriously helps! I hope it gets better really soon!
Oh, I just remember one more thing: my mom bought me a LatchAssist thingy made by Lansinoh that really helped. It gently draws out the nipple to make it easier for the baby to latch onto. I had a hard time getting her to latch on one side because of how engorged I was, and this little thing was the only thing that helped. And don't use breast pads with plastic in them, either, because they don't breathe and so it makes your nipples more sore. I recommend the Gerber UltraThins.
With both girls breastfeeding was very painful because of latching issues. As Annie gets a little older and keeps getting more and more practice with nursing, she get the hang of it so don't give up. By the time she's a pro, your nipples will be adjusted too and it won't hurt anymore. You're doing great Kim - hang in there, trust you instincts, and remember that this stage in baby life doesn't last forever.
Congrats guys! Don't give up on breastfeeding it will get better! I've been lucky with my 3 rugrats, but the first little bit is tough. Enjoy every minute of the good and the bad--They grow up soooo fast! She'll be running wild before you know it!
My advice would be that a "nipple Sheild" was my VERY BEST friend until my girls figured it out. Made things virtually painless in comparison.
Hey- This is Jenna (Heinrich) Corry... I know Ben really well (and the whole Bess family) and met you at Burke's wedding. Anyway. I think those first two weeks are a killer for everybody! Hang in there! :) One thing that I learned is to rub your nipples with your own breastmilk. It really helped with the soreness. I guess it's just a natural medicine. :) Also- I saw that somebody mentioned a Nipple Shield. It does help... BUT I really recommend not doing it. Dallin (my son) had a really hard time latching as well, so they gave me that... but he got so used to it that he wouldn't nurse without it! It was so hard! So- just try to get her to attach without it. Anyway- Good Luck!!! And your baby is beautiful! Congrats to you and Ben!
Wow.. Kim talk about TMI for sure! I think that I'm going to try and block out half of that info! ;0
Kim,
I too had a really hard time breastfeeding. It was killing me and Eli wasn't happy either because I wasn't happy. Obviously, breastfeeding is best for your baby, however, don't be afraid to do what works for you. I finally decided to pump for awhile and then just gave up altogether. When I was finally done with it, I'm not going to lie, I was much happier...and so was Eli. Just don't feel guilty about doing what works for you. I think that was the worst thing was feeling guilty for not being a super breastfeeder which you should never feel. But hey, if you can stick it out, awesome. Sounds like it's hard for everyone at first. Maybe I just didn't stick it out long enough. :) But either way, maybe I'll start a support group for non-breast feeders. :) Why not? I'm all about bottles and paci's. :)
Kim,
I hope you check this, but I just wanted to see if you are going to be in town this next weekend on the 20th. I thought maybe we could do lunch with Ammie "Brown" for old times sake. I really want to meet little Annie. E-mail me if you get this jtandcarly@yahoo.com
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