Breastfeeding is NOT suppose to hurt - Part 2

During childbirth, the pains we feel from contractions do hurt and yet this is pain with a purpose. The work of labor is to cause the uterine muscle to go through changes that create the stretching of the uterine muscles... all to help bring your baby down and out into your arms. This labor period is a relatively short period of time and we can help ourselves tremendously to get through this period. Learning and practicing relaxation techniques, trusting birth and choosing the right careproviders are all part of the ingredients to help you have a safe birth as planned.

So, while pain during childbirth is expected and we can work through it, pain during breastfeeding signals us that something is wrong and we should not have to use techniques to help us get through the pain each and every time you breastfeed. So, what do we do as new mothers when there are people around us who say that newborn breastfeeding pain is normal? My first thought is: Normal for who? And why? And for how long? And just because that was there experience, does not mean it has to be your experience also.

So, here's the thing. My peer lactation consultants and I are pretty intense about teaching mothers that this should not be hurting. Why? Because frequently this means breastfeeding failure. You just discontinue offering your milk altogether, whether it be from the direct breast or from a bottle. Or you decide to exclusively pump and bottlefeed.

What is wrong with this picture? Well, it does not matter so much what I or someone else wants. What is wrong with this picture is that this is not what you had wanted.
You looked forward to the experience of holding your baby against your body, having them latch on and seeing them drink your milk,, directly from you. I strongly encourage mothers who are in this position to seek help from an experienced IBCLC. At least until you can get help, be sure to keep up your milk production with regular pumping and be sure to feed your baby as frequently as he/she desires, which is usually 8 - 10 feedings a day.

If the pump you are using is anything less than a hospital grade pump and you are finding that you are not making enough to keep up with your baby, I would encourage you to switch pumps, at least just temporarily, until you can get breastfeeding going well.

As lactation specialists, our mantra is:

1. Feed the baby ( even if it means temporarily with a bottle)
2. Protect the milk production ( regular and frequent milk removal)

As long as you are doing numbers 1 & 2, there is always lots of opportunity to work on your breastfeeding challenges, solve your issues and begin breastfeeding in comfort.

Breastfeeding.......is NOT suppose to hurt

That is right! Breastfeeding is not suppose to hurt. Breastfeeding your baby can sometimes be tiring for some mothers in the early days, but it is not suppose to hurt. So, why do so many mothers spend weeks on end enduring significant pain before they either get help or give up? Why? Well, I am frequently told that because they have read or been told that it can be quite painful for the first 2-4 weeks, mothers think this is normal. They suffer needlessly, just waiting for their pain to get better. Certainly for some mothers, their pain becomes less and less as the weeks go on. For other mothers, they may give up because the pain is so bad. And others gratefully receive help from an experienced lactation consultant.

There are a few important facts about early breastfeeding that I work hard to let all mothers know and learn.

#1. Breastfeeding is not suppose to hurt.
#2. If it is hurting, something is not right.
#3. If something is not right and you don't know what to do to fix it, get help.
#4. Getting help from an expert is a lot less expensive than the alternative... especially in the long run.
#5. When you put your baby to the breast, it should elicit a strong feeling of love and comfort and relaxation.

More on this in my next post.

Lori

Medela Symphony Breastpump

I just received a new shipment of brand new Medela Symphony hospital grade breastpump. These are great pumps to rent if:

1. You did not want to purchase a pump.
2. You are looking for THE most comfortable pump on the market today.
3. You are trying to help build your milk supply - this is the pump for you.
4. You are having problems breastfeeding and need to replace the baby at breast, this pump can do that for you.
5. You are having pain during breastfeeding and it hurts to use your pump with cracked and bleeding or sore nipples, engorgement, plugged ducts or mastitis - this is the pump for you.

Check out this link

for more info on pump and prices. Call 623-362-2511 or email Lori at aabreastfeeding@hotmail.com for shipping prices.

Normal newborn breastfeeding expectations

When you are a new parent and/or new to breastfeeding, sometimes there is information overload and you may not know what to pay attention to and you can let go. Well, I cannot speak for all the info you might get from doctors and nurses about your care or your babies care, BUT I can speak about the important stuff you need to know for early breastfeeding.

You can check out my website for info on breastfeeding classes. The best time to take a class on breastfeeding is in your last trimester. There is a lot of good information that is covered in the two hour class, so I don't want to leave you with the impression that what I am about to say is ALL you need, But what I am about to say IS very important information that you definitely do need to pay attention to. So, at the very least, please know:

1. Breastfeeding should not hurt at all. If you are experiencing pain during breastfeeding, it may mean that your baby is not latched on well. If your baby is not latched on well, this can greatly affect your babies ability to get a good feeding, gain weight appropriately, and for you to build a good milk production.

2. A well fed newborn baby will typically be waking up on his/her own about 8 times a day and coming to one or both breasts for a feeding. Your baby should spend most of the time at the breast sucking and swallowing... in other words, actively eating. A baby that is mostly sleeping at the breast is a baby that is not eating well. On average, most new babies need to suck actively for a good 15-20 minutes on at least one side and usually both ( in the first week or so of life), in order to get a good feeding.

3. By the 4th day, your breasts should feel full with milk before a feeding, and after your hungry baby is done feeding, he/she will appear content and your breasts will be much softer.

4. A well fed newborn baby should have 4 heavy wet diapers a day - at the very least- and the color should be clear to light yellow. Anything less than 4 heavy wet diapers a day and/or a strong odor or dark color to the urine is a sign that your baby is not getting enough food.

5. A well fed newborn baby should have transitioned from the dark, black, sticky meconium on the first day, to a lighter and lighter color and less sticky by day 3 and, by Day 4, the stools should be at least 3 quarter size amounts and a yellow, mustardy color to them. If the stools on Day 4 or later are far and few between, dark in color, this is a sign that your baby is not getting enough food from the breast.

Again, there is much more to know, but 1-5 is the very basic, but very important information. If you feel that you baby is not having good feedings at the breast, please call and schedule an appointment with a lactation consultant who can help guide you through this time and help you succeed at breastfeeding. If you are local to the Phoenix area, I hope you will call or email me - 623-362-2511 or aabreastfeeding@hotmail.com

If your baby is not having good breastfeedings, they will typically lose weight instead of gain and more than likely you will have difficulty building your milk production. The early weeks of lactation are very, very important to helping build your supply. Feel free to share this information with every breastfeeding mother you know!