BabyWhispererForums.com
EAT => Breast Feeding => Topic started by: Diego's Mama on November 04, 2005, 21:27:29 pm
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Ladies:
My cousin just had her first baby. She's really frustrated because he's not feeding well due to short nipples and he's losing weight. She's pumping and offering in a bottle in addition to continuing to try breastfeeding and doesn't want to go the formula route, but baby's having a very hard time.
He gets upset and screams and won't latch on, likely frustrated.
Advice?
Tips?
What can she do to try to remedy the situation?
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How about a nipple shield? Not that I have much experience with BF :oops:
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I would definitley get her to go see a lactation consultant. They really are good about figuring out the problem and giving solutions. He is not toungue tied is he?, ie short frenulum. There are many different things that could be going on so I think that a lc would be a good start for her.
If you have not seen http://www.kellymom.com check it out. There are some very informative articles there about breastfeeding.
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Here is a link from the site about flat or inverted nipples.
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/bfhelp-mother.html#inverted
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I agree to have a l/c check the nipple/latch situation. If it is flat or inverted nipples, she could try pumping a little to pull them out and then getting him latched. A shield is another option, Noelle is right on.
Are you close enough to check things out yourself? My sis just had her baby and she had flat nipples like me. We were able to work it out on the phone.
How old is baby?
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I had to use a nipple sheild right from the getgo in the hospital. One of my nipples is sorta inverted, small and she had a heck of a time latching on....but to this day she nurses great now, ironically the nipple she had the most problems with is the one that she prefers now. I had to use the sheild only for a week or so then my nipples had hardened up on their own. Its worth a shot, a lactation nurse would definitly be able to help. :)
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Nipple sheild could work, i also found that after i stopped bf and was expressing they hardened up loads.
I know you say she doesn't want to give formula, and i'm sorry if this is contreversial, but if baby isn't happy and isn't puuting on weight then formula feeding is best for the baby.
My DD lost a lot of weight because i was determined to bf, but this was me trying to satistfy my wishes and feeling pressured by society and the breast is best issue. it wasn't best for my baby cos she wasn't gtting any milk. I firmly beleive mum should do what is individually best for her baby, and prime concern should be them gaining weight.
She could offer some formula to get the weight back up, keep pupming to sort her nipples out and then go back to bf when the situation has improved.
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Thanks everyone. She's offered a bit of formula as she's worried about the weight gain, but after we talked she's begun pumping. We worked out that pumping and giving baby the EBM is best for now as it will help her supply (he's only a few days old) and I'll tell her about the breast shield. I think she used them in the hospital.
Thanks all.
Thanks for the kellymom link too!! Much appreciated. You friends are wonderful.
:)
*hugs*
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Forgot to say earlier, its worth trying different makes of nipple shields, they all come out a bit different in thickness, feeling and nipple length. Took a few tries before i found one i and Dd liked.
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Laura,
Aiden didn't latch on for 5 days- I had inverted nipples, a sleepy baby & Aiden has a high palet, not good for first time bf.
I expressed & syringe fed him (with the midwives help for 3 days)so he didn't learn to suck on a bottle. I was fortunate in that in Australia, you can stay at the hospital until feeding is working, so I was there for 6 days. I had to have a nurse help me try to attach for 2 more days. The key thing I found was to get the let down before I tried to get him to latch on... I learnt to finger express to do that.
Also with newborns who won't latch I was told & worked for me fantastically, is to use the football hold (ie under arm) rather than cradle. I also used to sit & just keep trying to get him to latch... one time I did 42 attempts. I refused to give in despite 3 rounds of nurses telling me it might be easier to ff him.
Anyway one split nipple & sore nipples for 3 months I kept going until Aiden was 13mo & he self weaned due to me being preg & my payback has been Liam latching on first time & never looking back!
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Talked to cousin this evening. She's doing GREAT with the nursing. She fought and fought and stuck with it and was able to avoid formula. She pumped and offered a few bottles when things got too nervewracking, but she really persevered and now baby's nursing brilliantly.
HOORAY!!
Thank you all so much for your ideas and help! I'm so happy for her!
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Great news! Good for her!
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Laura - that is fantastic news yeh for your cousin & her baby
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:D :D Way to go for supporting her. If only we all had that! :D
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For what it's worth, the only way to get my LO to feed was with nipple shields due to flat nipples. I kept trying without them and then at about 2 1/2 months he just latched on one day. Was FANTASTIC. Makes things much easier and I am much more confident about breast feeding in public. Am glad I persevered. I think one day their mouths just reach a developmental stage where they are ready to do it. DEFINITELY would advise a lactation consultant too. They can be really reassuring.