I'm determinded to breastfeed, formula is not an option. I said that from day 1 of my pregnancy and still say it now.

But i'm on day 3 of breastfeeding, and need a little help, advice and support!

Thought i was doing really well, though sometimes she doesnt latch properly and it hurts like hell, but im making more of an effort to latch her properly even if it takes a few attempts and she gets annoyed with me, lol.

But it still hurts more than i think it should - is this right? When does it start to feel better?
Last night she also refused to feed off one nipple, but happily took the other, and when she was done with that one, would only then accept the other. What's up with that?

How long and how often is she meant to be feeding for on average?

My nipples are sore and a little cracked from the first day of not latching properly, when does that get better? when does it all get better, and easier?? :-/ xx

Hi Bloodbinds, congratulations on your little girl and well done on the BFing so far
I found the 1st 3 days untill my milk started coming in very very hard. As it's only colostrum I think it's harder for baby to get out and they seem to want to be on the breast all the time!! This is good though as the more your baby is on the breast,the sooner your milk will come in as when baby is at the breast he is sending signals to your body to get the milk in.
My nipples became cracked and really sore in the 1st 3 days and it hurt like buggary when he was latching on but determination and Lanisoh cream saw me through it! And after baby has finished feeding,express abit more colostrum out and gently rub into nipples and leave to dry, it's a very good healer.
When my milk came in things improved straight away,almost over night my nipples were ok again. So YES, it does and will get better!! xx

I know what you mean about feeling bad unlatching them and re-latching them! used to hate doing it to him, but thats how I made my nipples sore at the beginning, had quite a bad cut on one.

I agree with helz81, I found the first 3 days hell, but when my milk came in it got easier. It rarely hurts at all now, unless I let him latch on incorrectly and don't correct him, so it does get better, just takes time xxx

It sounds like you are doing amazingly well. I think that all babies are different in terms of how much they feed. Patrick fed roughly every 2-3 hours when he was a newborn (round the clock). Night times could be tough particularly as I had some latch issues at first. But as has been said, the more they feed the more milk you make so its not such a bad thing (means your supply will be good) and it did get easier and easier. Best advice I would have is give BFing No.1 priority and everything else secondary - get comfy, remote control near to hand and sod the housework and everything else.

Also if you continue to have latch problems, see a BF expert asap, don't suffer in silence. I found that my nips were just sore until about 6 weeks in when they improved massively but I also got help with my latch which probably also made a difference. 6 months in its a doddle.

Final top tip is to read up on growth spurts. Babies have them every few weeks and want to feed a whole lot more. It can make you feel you don't have enough milk but in all but a tiny minority of cases you will and the extra feeding will prompt your body to increase output so to speak. Being equipped with this knowledge meant I didn't freak or doubt myself when Patrick went through bouts of "want to eat around the clock for 48 hours".

I'm really sorry to hear that you're struggling so. But there are two keys that are like magic because they prevent/avoid almost all breastfeeding problems. They are to get the latch right, and to feed as often and for as long as your baby cues. Regarding attachment, please get help!!! Your midwife should be available as she will need to observe a feed. You might also find this link helpful: http://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bfinfo/attachment.html Regarding frequency and length of feed, a newborn normally feeds 10 -12 times / 24 hours. So long as the baby comes off the boob himself, it is right! But it is normally within the range 5 - 40 mins. Shorter may indicate that he has tired before he has taken a full feed, and longer might be a sign of a poor latch. Of course, a cluster feed may mean one feed runs into the other into a further feed and so you feel you've been feeding all evening.

Best of luck. Let us know how you are getting on! AND DONT BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR HELP.....

Melanie

Not much else I can say that these girls havent said already, but I will say that Lansinoh cream is a MUSTHAVE! If you dont have some already, definitely look into getting some... my nips were getting sore a few days ago, and after 2 applications, they felt GREAT again!

The first couple months are the toughest... but you can do it!!!

Keep up the good work, mama... and big congrats on your beautiful baby girl!

Hey hon I would wince with pain right at the start the let down and my nipples would really hurt, I won't lie I even sometimes cried, but after 2-3 weeks it became really easy and now it's a breeze. My Mum said grin and bare it and I hate to say it she was right. His latch was good so I know it wasn't the latch and he preferred one nipple to the other as well so that's normal for me too. I had little blisters in a line on my nipple for the first few days which then cracked a little (my nipples are quite long ) but lanasol cream really helped after each feed. Please stick with it (which I'm sure you will from your determined post) it gets very easy and very rewarding after a very short time Your breasts and nipples just need to adjust. xxx

Maybe the flow from one side is easier, or slower and she just prefers it. I found that my son would prefer a side, then the next week he would like the other.

Don't feel bad about having to re-latch a few times. Remember this is a learning process for the both of you, and it will take a while for you both to get it right. But it sounds like you two are doing just fantastic!

One thing to do is after your daughter feeds, express a few drops of milk, rub it around the nipple, let that dry and then put a cream on the nipple. The milk will help heal cracks and soreness.

Right now, she is probably going to feed little and often. Her tummy is sooo crazy tiny it doesn't take much to fill it up, and it only takes BM about 2 hours to be digested. Feeding on demand is the best way for her to determine how much she needs.

Also check out the sticky on getting started. You will find lots of good advice there and when you are having a hard time will help you know that you are not alone in how you are feeling. I found BFing got so much easier at around 10 weeks. Some people get into their rhythm much earlier.

No more advice other than what's above... it WILL get better. I love your attitude, it will see you through.

I can't really add but wanted to wish you the best of luck! My turnaround point was around 6 weeks when it stopped hurting so much. Sounds like you are doing fab!