BF issues - 4 days old

[jessesgirl08]

Hi MMM -

I'm mostly a lurker, but have seen you give great advice to a lot of women.

I had my DD on Tuesday, and she's been unable to latch on to my breast from the beginning. I started pumping in the hospital Tuesday evening, and have continued every 2-3 hours since then, never getting a measurable amount of milk.

Yesterday, I woke up completely engorged and in a lot of pain. Even with the engorgement, I am getting nothing when I pump. (I rented a Medela Symphony).

I'm starting to get super frustrated and discouraged. Any advice would be appreciated.

[Deleted]

You need in person help if you can get it.

Have you tried hand expression? Pumping colostrum is really hard - it's so thick.
kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/pumping/maintainsupply-pump/ Info for supply when baby can't latch
kellymom.com/bf/concerns/child/back-to-breast/ Info for trying to get baby to breast

[bunch]

It took me a week after birth to get an once of milk via pump and I had a great supply. Are you attempting to latch as well? Pumping while engorged never worked for me. I needed some boob flexibility I guess. Things to try - different sized shells, a warm compress, sitting in a quiet area where you can relax as much as possible.

Also, if you're trying to latch and it isn't working, try a nipple shield. My LC was really hesitant to snuggest them, but I and several friends had great luck with them in the beginning.

Hang in there!

[Ashley&Scott]

It sounds like your milk came in, that's great! Sorry you're having trouble with the pump. Did the nurses or lactation consultant have any ideas of why your LO wouldn't latch? (like tongue tie or other issue) Did they offer any tips or advice? Definitely try to get help in person if you can, both for the pumping & to help getting baby latched. Did your hospital give you a # for their lactation consultant?

Also what level are you pumping on? Higher is not better, try lower the speed & if your pump has a stimulation phase use it longer. Also, just wanted to make sure you know you don't have to wash your pump parts every session, you can store them in the fridge in a ziploc or Tupperware between sessions & wash 1-2x day.

Hang in there, you're in a rough patch now but it will get easier. You're doing great!

[knitty]

It can be hard to pump when you're engorged. I second the kellymom recommendation, her info is excellent, and laid out exactly how you need it. Also knowing you don't need to wash every time is so handy. Also consider a second pumping kit if you can afford it.

This is some good advice, too

Most often excessive swelling is due to edema, which may occur as early as the first day postpartum. Often, you will notice it in your hands and feet as well. This problem may be caused by intravenous fluids during labor, the fluid-retention effect of Pitocin and the redistribution of excess fluid that normally accumulates during pregnancy.

What to do?

If your breasts are hard, but very little or no milk comes out when you pump, the problem is most likely edema. You will need to reduce this swelling in order to express the milk. If the milk is not removed, your long-term production may be reduced.

Incorrect pumping may make this condition worse as it can draw more fluid into the area under the pump flange! Pump only one breast at a time, massaging the breast as you do so. Your goal is to extract any milk that is available while you massage out the edema. Firm circular motions (the same that you would do to check for a breast lump) work well for both goals. Stop when milk no longer comes out. Short (5 to 10 minutes) and frequent (every 1 to 3 hours) pump sessions are your best bet.

Research shows that twenty-minute applications of cold are very effective at reducing the swelling and allowing milk to flow more freely. You can do this any time, even right before pumping or breastfeeding.

A brief application of heat (maximum 5 minutes) can help release milk. Longer use of heat can draw more fluid into the breast. Massaging the areola around the base of the nipple may help release your milk. This will also move away some of the unwanted fluid so that you can pump or breastfeed more effectively.

Some mothers wrap their engorged breasts in cold cabbage leaves. Take out the large veins and flatten the leaf. There is certainly nothing harmful in doing this and, anecdotally, it has helped some women.

Massage can also help you get a letdown, as can looking at your baby and thinking snuggly thoughts about her.

[jenjen]

Hang in there an reach out to your hospital's LC (mine would welcome phone calls and often would call me to see how things were going). I would take a warm/got shower and hand express in there. My boobs were so engorged I would put a hand towel over my chest and just let the water hit that. It might be enough to help the milk flow, I know I could just stand in the shower an hit the walls with my milk (not squeezing or anything).

[jessesgirl08]

Thanks ladies, I did call the LC and she suggested the warm showers as well. I did move from the 20 mm to the 27 mm shell. She said I can come by for a 30 mm if I need it.

The baby won't latch because my nipples don't stand out enough for her. I have a nipple shield and will give that another try as well.

I'll be reading Kellymom and trying everything I can!

[bunch]

Try different nipple shields as well. I started with a Medela and it sucked. The Tommee Tippee one I found at BRU was much better. Keep trying at every feed. I didn't get dd latched until she was a week old and then I sat there in tears when it finally happened. It was all easier from there.

[MamaMaui24]

Another nipple shield alternative is the medela latch assist. It helps get your nipples ready for baby so they don't have to work as hard for it.

GL and keep us posted!

[whitemerlot]

Good advice here. Hang in there and keep trying!

[zeewifeandmama]

Hang in there, mama you're doing great!!

[knitty]

Try searching/googling for flat nipples on kellymom. Engorgement will definitely make it worse. Did the LC suggest trying to latch her after you've pumped? If you have someone at home helping you, they could finger feed rather than use a bottle while you're still aiming at getting her on the breast. If you're on your own it's probably too time consuming.

Hang in there, this is a really common problem and a lot of women can breastfeed despite it.

Some links for you
www.motherandchildhealth.com/Breastfeeding/Becky/inverted.html

www.breastfeeding-basics.com/articles/flat-or-inverted-nipples

Hang in there, yesterday or today you're due to have an emotional breakdown due to your crashing hormones. It will be OK.

[jessesgirl08]

Update -

Started doing warm compress 5 mins prior to pumping and adding hand massage (pumping one side at a time) then doing cold compresses for the swelling for 20 mins after pumping.

I got 4mL, 5mL, and then 13 mL. Not much, but so excited and feeling some relief from getting some milk out.

I'm also seeing the LC tomorrow for the larger flanges and for her to help me try to latch DD.

[bunch]

Awesome! Good luck!

[zeewifeandmama]

Great update! Good luck

[Ashley&Scott]

Great update! Good luck with the LC tomorrow

[hannamaren]

No comments. Didnt bfeed.
But congratulations!

[jessesgirl08]

A second (very happy!!) update:

Saw the LC today. She gave me larger flanges for the pump. Turns out the too small flanges were not allowing the milk to come out. I pumped 4oz in 30 minutes and have gotten about an ounce every two hours since then.

I.am.so.relieved!!!

[jessesgirl08]

the pic is after her first bottle of breast milk

She still won't latch, but I am happy just to be giving her my milk.

[pugz]

so great you were able to pump!!!

[zeewifeandmama]

You are doing awesome!! Such a sweet pic of your baby

[curbsideprophet]

Glad to hear things are improving. Good luck with the latch. I know how frustrating latch issues can be.

[ECB]

Just wanted to mention too that my LC showed me the proper way to put my son on my boob - basically that a lot more goes in his m outh than I realized. I wasn't doing it right at all and once she showed me- it made a HUGE difference.