breastfeeding mommas

[harrisonsdream]

okay so can i get the "truth" about breastfeeding. what's it really like? is it really that painful in the beginning? how'd you get through it

[Amber V]

It hurts for the first couple of weeks. But then it gets better. Also there is no point in trying to toughen up your nipples because of none of those things they tell you to do mimic the action of nursing. And can make the early weeks of nursing more painful.

ETA~ I got through it by thinking of all the great benefits it provides my children and that I have always wanted it to be that way. The bonding is such a great experience too.

[MissAmyB]

With my first, no one told me exactly how to breastfeed, and the hospital's lactation consultant didn't show up for 24 hours. Let me tell you the damage that can be done to your tatas in 24 hours, yikes! I had even taken a breastfeeding class, but no one actually explained "the latch". So the first 5 weeks were just horrible, the pain was excruiating every time I nursed, I cried a lot and wanted to quit. I finally bought a pump and only pumped and bottle fed for a weekend to give my boobs the chance to heal. After that it was smooth sailing.

With my second, it was great. I knew what I was doing, and that made all the difference. I never really got past "uncomfortable", I hesitate to use the word pain at all, b/c it really wasn't bad.

Here's the most important things I learned, and it saved me a lot of pain with my second child:

1. Baby must latch on to as much of your breast as possible, try to stuff as much of your breast in his mouth as possible, if you can see aereola, it's probably not enough. If baby only latches on to your nipple, it will hurt immensely and the baby won't be getting any milk!

2. Most important!! Once you latch baby on, do lip check. Baby's lips should resemble fishes lips when latched correctly, if you can't see your baby's lower lip, gently pull on the skin to pull the lip out, since the baby is sucking on your breast AND his own lip, not effective and again can cause much pain!

Good luck with your breastfeeding venture, I hope it goes well, it's really a wonderful way to feed your baby, rewarding and best of all IT'S FREE!! I'm probably the cheapest woman alive.

[ten_seven]

It does hurt, my nipples only hurt for a few days then they got used to it. Dont expect the baby to tke to the breast right away. My daughter actually refused the breast she fought it, I remember in the hospital she would suck then scream because apparently she didnt like the taste (its funny now how she will take the breastmilk bottle from ryan when he is finished and drink it with this "omg this is nasty" expression on her face).

Just stay calm when trying to get the baby to latch, if you get frstrated so do they.

And it is SOO much better for the baby, my son hasnt had a cold yet, by the time lauryin was 3 months old she had atleast 2 colds. And you dont stay engorged forever! It feels like it but you wont just buy lots and lots and lots of nursing pads

[*tina*]

My mom told me this, and I believe it really helped. It may sound gross, but don't wash your nipples with soap, only warm water, and don't scrub them, just gently wash them. You may not notice, but soap will give them a gross taste, like a badly rinsed cup in the kitchen.

Don't let your breasts get too full, otherwise they will hurt, it's more painful to nurse with an engorged breast than one that's still filling up.

Lansinoh is your friend, well any kind of lanolin, but I think Lansinoh is the best.

[Erika]

The first 6 weeks were HORRIBLE for me. He had a hard time latching, I ended up with mastitis because of it. It hurt, it was just miserable, lol. BUT he finally got the hang of it and it was smooth sailing from there. I was just determined to breastfeed. That was the only way I got through it. My extreme stubborness came in handy then.

[Kaymara]

The first 6 weeks will be tiring, time consuming and fursterating. It usually takes a full 6 weeks to establish supply, baby to get the hang of it and you to get the hang of it. Yes it will probably hurt at first. I had cracked and bleeding nipples at 1 point. But you still have to feed em. Feed on demand and try to not let your breasts get too full. Lansinoh will help tremdously as will soothies. Ask for help, go to a breastfeeding class and make your hubby go with you. It helped me so much with mine going because he could help me with the latch and such

[Legs]

Uh, everything everyone said was perfect!

Honestly, I had in my mind it was going to be some easy thing "Attach baby at nipple and she eats" but with my first I was in shock with all that was involved.

Best advice I ever got about breastfeeding? Don't be afraid to ask for help.

Good luck!

[*Realized*]

I really never had a problem with feeding mine. I had so much milk all they had to do was open their mouths and it would shoot in there. Hardly any sucking at all....lol........ But everyones advice seems to be right on. Hopefully I will have an easy time this time too.

[harrisonsdream]

thank you soooooo much ladies. i'm just afraid of the pain i think. labor doesn't scare me but i think just having my nipples in pain scares me kwim?