Breastfeeding questions

[luckies4me]

No I haven't tried it yet. Does it really work? I remember reading about that in the pamphlet my doctor gave me about breastfeeding.

Oh and I spoke too soon about the biting. He bit me three times this morning!

[AdoreMyDogs]

Cabbage leaf is only good when you are engorged. It helps to reduce the ademia (swealing), but it also will reduce the milk supply so you can only use it twice a day for 20 minutes at a time. You do not want to use it to help soreness, that's not what it'll fix. If you are injured use breast shells (a hard, plastic shell that prevents anything from touching your nipple, making healing quicker), 100% pure lanolin, and expressed breast milk. Don't use cabbage leaf for injured nipples, it won't hurt them, but it won't help them and it WILL dry your milk supply up.

Here's a picture of the nipple shell. They were a lifesaver for me. I used them for probablly 2 months. They look kind of funny when you wear them, but boy do they help.


The lactation consultants at the hospital I gave birth to Quinn at helped me so much. They actually gave me my nipple shield, my nipple shells, and a bunch of lanolin for free. Ask them if they have any nipple shells, they're WONDERFUL for sore nipples. If you can get the stuff for free that'll be so much easier on your pocket book.

[luckies4me]

Ya I made sure to ask for lots of lanolin when I was at the hospital lol, as I knew I would need it. I got the nipple shield for free, thank goodness. I have heard about the shells. My actual nipples are healing, but around the nipple at the base is where it is sore from him biting. I will definitely try the shells. Were you easily able to wean her onto your regular breast? That is my main goal. I want to get to a point where I don't have to use any of those gadgets. Thankfully I'm not engorged. If I get a little full I just pump and stick it in the fridge. He does a pretty good job at sucking me dry though. He's a non stop feeding machine.

I just feel bad. I wish I could just feed him reguarly. *sigh*

[BitsyNaceyDog]

If I get a little full I just pump and stick it in the fridge. He does a pretty good job at sucking me dry though.

That's something I had to learn the hard way. Breastfeeding has been the biggest challange for me. I don't know anyone who has breastfed so I've had no help or support. My left breast became so engorged that I couldn't get any milk out. I used cabbage leaves and they helped me tremendously. I've had a couple infections too. With the first infection I had a temperature of 104, with the second infection it was 102. Now I'm pumping everytime he finishes eating.

[Pawsitive Thinking]

I breast fed Katie until she was 10 months old but by that time it was only the night time and early morning feed.

I did try to eat well and the best advice I was given was to avoid fizzy drinks!

[luckies4me]

I was thinking about the breast shields and now I'm not so sure if I should try them. If he is biting and the breast shields allow no contact with the nipple when do I know he is biting me? I need to know in order to detach him and correct him if he does...hrmm.

You would think it wouldn't be so complicated! I sure do wonder how on earth people way back when breast fed if they had trouble.

I can tell you this though, I am *not* giving up on this. He is doing better already and I know I can get through it. I refuse to give him a bottle unless I absolutely have to.

[Cataholic]

I really, really, really think you should call someone local with LLL, and just get a professional's opinion. Who knows? Maybe THEY have personal, first hand knowledge of a week old baby that bites/gums. I had always heard that if they are biting/gumming, they are not nursing correctly.

But, it is your pain, your BF experience.

[luckies4me]

I really, really, really think you should call someone local with LLL, and just get a professional's opinion. Who knows? Maybe THEY have personal, first hand knowledge of a week old baby that bites/gums. I had always heard that if they are biting/gumming, they are not nursing correctly.

But, it is your pain, your BF experience.

Well my lactation consultant said there is really nothing to do except take him off the breast when he bites and tell him "NO". It's working, just not all the way there yet. He hasn't bit me today. I should probably go knock on wood for saying that! So hopefully he won't bite today. I'm keeping a log.

[luckies4me]

Great news! I fed him three times today without the shield and no biting. I think we are making progress.