14 Days Old & Struggling

My boys were born 2 weeks ago at 38wks 3days. Leo 6lbs 14oz, Cole 6lbs 5oz, both healthy. We learned to BF with the help of the Lactation Consultant in the hospital. We BF every feeding in the hospital with the exception of the 3am, then they got formula in the nursery so we could sleep. I was getting extremely sore in the hospital from nursing. When we got home, my milk supply wasn't quite in, so we did formula for the first day. I then pumped and bottled for the next day to heal a bit. I attempted nursing at every feeding for the first week. Often times it would take 30mins to get them to latch. By the time I finished a feeding, it was time to start the next one. I was not getting any sleep. We then had a home care nurse visit to help. She devised a plan for me to pump at night, and let someone else bottle feed so I could rest, and nurse during the day. I was only to try to get them to latch for 10minutes and then opt for a bottle, as they are burning too many calories just trying to latch, and just getting frustrated.

One week later, I am well rested...but it seems my babies are latching less and less. I fear they will loose what we established thus far with the latching. I am using a shield, and priming myself with the pump so the milk is right there for them to make it easier. However, every other time they refuse and get the bottle.

I am happy they are getting BM, I am pumping enough for both of them, and even have some to stock daily. I would rather them nurse, but am willing to just pump and bottle.

Will my supply stay up if I only pump? Has anyone ever gotten their babies to latch later after so many bottles?

 

Yes! I got one of my guys to latch after being on bottles. He was fairly little at birth (4.14) and had an n/g tube for the first 9 days. We practiced nursing in the hospital, but he never really got it. When we got home, he still wasn't getting it so we always tried and then he got a bottle of pumped milk and/or formula. It took about 3 wks. and a nipple shield and he finally caught on. After that, there was no looking back and he nursed beautifully. You can definitely do it, and I know you'll get lots of wonderful advice on here from women more experienced than me. Just remember, you're in the absolute thick of things right now so take it one day at a time. I used to set goals for myself when it was really rough. "I'm going to nurse for one more day and then re-evaluate." "I'll try one more week and then see how we're doing." I'm happy to say they turn 1 next week and we're going strong!

Good luck!

Laura

 

That is great to hear!! Thank you for taking the time to share your success story! I really appreciate it. I will start the goal setting, it is hard as we are in the 'thick' of it... and when we have 2 poor feedings in a row, I think we have reached the point of no return. We will keep at it. Thank you again!

 

I had a lot of trouble latching my DS too. He was smaller, and sometimes even with the nipple shield it would take him 10-15 minutes to latch. After about a month he just "got it" and started latching with no problem. I would continue working with a lactation consultant. When they do latch, are you still having pain? Could they be tongue tied? Are they getting frustrated or just being lazy latchers? There are a lot of different tricks to try and sometimes you just have to be patient and know that if you keep working at it, eventually they will learn. The other thing I had to do early on was put a rolled up hand towel under my breast to boost it up a little so my little guy could get it better. Definitely keep pumping. It is harder to keep your supply up that way, but it can be done. Drink plenty of water, eat enough and that will go a long way to helping keep the supply going. Also, when you are bottle feeding, make sure you are using the slowest nipple possible. You want them to have to work for it, because otherwise they will get lazy and wait for the bottle because it is easier.

Two things I saw on another forum that are worth repeating:

Anything worth doing is going to be challenging.

Never give up on your worst day.

Keep working with them and they will come around. It's a learning process for everyone.

 

I just wanted to say hang in there and you've come to the right place for support. I pumped, nursed and supplemented with my twins - it was exhausting. I wish I could have just nursed them both exclusively and I could have had I had a good lactation consultant (I just didn't click with the one they gave me in the hospital and I was overwhelmed to say the least) and come to this forum for support. Now my singleton DD is 5 1/2 months old and breastfeeds exlusively. It was hard in the beginning, but we stuck with it and we're going strong. The ladies here know what they're talking about and have been there, done that. Good luck and lots of :hug: to you.

 

Thank you all for your insight. We are getting better everyday. I am having troubles getting rid of the nipple shield. I think they like it as much as I do. It is cumbersome for me, but hurts less... however, I fear it may hinder their milk transfer. I appreciate all the support!

 

don't worry too much about the nipple shield - if it's working for you, keep using it. we used ours for 8 weeks for every feed & then gradually weaned off of it over the next while. and i know other ladies who have used them much longer than that & had no issues with their supply. just try doing without it for a feed every couple of days & see how it goes, but don't try & force it or stress about it (you've got enough going on already! ). when we did eventually drop them, i found that what worked best was to start the feed with the nipple shield & then a minute or so in, take it off & re-latch baby.

 

Yes, this! Don't worry about the nipple shield for now. Your situation sounds VERY similar to some of my early problems. I feel for you. Working forever to get a baby to latch on is soooooo hard--mentally and physically.

Do you have a LC you could work with? I wound up going to pumping and bottlefeeding because mine never were good nursers. One thing I wish I had done earlier with them is try and use a Lact-Aid or Supplemental Nursing System. They are a pain in the rear, but I think they can help. Good luck, and I agree. You have come to the right place. There is a wealth of knowledge here!

 

Same with us for the nipple shield. I would let him use it for the first couple of minutes and then take it off and re-latch. So glad to hear it's going better and you're sticking with it!! :youcandoit:

Laura

 

It sounds like you are making real progress- getting from are they going to nurse at all to how do we ditch the nipple shield. Babies like routine but are adaptable. I bet in a month this will all be a distant memory.

 

I sure hope this will all be a distant memory. I am glad to hear I am not the only one that has struggled with this. I worked with a Lactation Consultant daily in the hospital, then had a home care nurse help me with 3 visits at home. We are headed into week 3, and I must say it is getting easier.. they are only getting 2-3 bottles per day (of our slowest flowing breast-like bottles). They are starting to latch sooner and less fussing. Yay! Thank you all again for your time, support, and knowledge!