Breastfeeding and pumping

Are you applying any type of oil to your nipples when you pump such as coconut oil? My baby wanted both but I only breast fed him at nap time and bed time and throughout the night. Otherwise he wanted the flow of the bottle. Also, it’s gong to be painful at first. Your nipple are new to the pulling and sucking but be sure to put oil in your nipples also some type of nipple cream afterwards or lanolin. The more your baby breastfeeds (which is best for milk production) and you pump the more milk you’ll produce. It should increase one to milk actually kicks in.

Congrats on your baby boy! Breastfeeding was the hardest thing I ever did at the start (just weaned by 1 year old). We ebf and she never took a bottle. She had a tongue tie which made things so so hard at the start so I empathise. After a really tough 2 months, it started to get better and by 5ish months it was easier and no worrying about bottles/sterilising/storage of milk when out was amazing.

Firstly breastfeeding shouldn’t hurt, might feel a bit sore as they are getting used to it but not unbearably so. I would really recommend getting a latch check and checking for tongue tie. There is a helpful FB group that you can privately speak to one of the consultants - Breastfeeding and Lactation Support UK.

I found silverette cups really helped soothe between feeds so would recommend those.

Nipple shields could also really helps you! Baby feeds through them and gives you a bit of protection. Mam ones I was told from a lactation consultant are best.

I would personally avoid the pump for now (if you can). Your milk will only just be properly coming in and supply is being established. Also if you do a feed from a bottle, you need to pump for the missed feed so considering how often you are feeding a newborn, it is incredibly tough to pump on top to make bottles. However again it shouldn’t be painful.

Pumps come in a standard flange size, not every woman best fits this so would be worth looking into. You measure your aerola and the mm’s can guide you.

Pumps are different to feeding direct so don’t be worried if you aren’t seeing much milk. When baby feeds oxytocin is released and causes a let down. Pumps are a machine and you won’t have mature milk yet or only just and still be tough to do right now on top of feeding but it can be done. Look at baby while pumping as it can help the hormones.

Hi Ellie first of all many congratulations to u dear and don’t worry at all it’s very normal and I had exactly same thing. So very first thing u need to do is apply this cream I’m gonna send the picture , it really soothes and protects sore, dry nipples and secondly it’s very normal that milk barely comes because you’re pumping and feeding your baby and milk takes some time to produce, and in my case I gave him formula cz my nipples were so so sore I couldn’t even feed him , I applied cream n it got a lot better and now I give him breast milk too , so my baby drink formula and breast milk both. I hope it helps and take care !🙌🏻

If you use bottles, it shouldn’t stop him from wanting to breastfeed. The key here is pace/responsive feeding so the bottle is placed there but baby still has to work at the bottle test for the milk. Not just chugged down his throat. Using the right teat size etc. Because often the only reason a baby might prefer a bottle at this age is if it is easier for them and the milk is quicker.

I know how hard it is but these first few days and weeks are the hardest. Sometimes you just need support/cheering on. The cluster feeding at the start is next level!

Definitely get the silver cups and nipple shields, they will probably help you more than a pump right now. And get a latch check which can be done virtually via that group. You can also find breastfeeding drop ins via NCT and sometimes hospital. Tell the midwives and health visitor you need support.

Some other helpful accounts too -
@breastfeedingdoctor.uk
@lucywebberfeedingsupport_ibclc
@kathrynstaggibclc
@thebreastfeedingmentor

But definitely go onto that FB group - it’s very professionally run!

Congratulations, I used the expert midwife no harm nipple balm and that worked wonders for me.

My little one didn't want to latch initially because I had some swelling on my breast tissue from my preeclampsia, so I was seen by the breastfeeding team in hospital and we used a nipple shield and she started to latch and now she latches without it. But be careful using that without support or your little one can get a bit confused and it can mess up your milk production.

If I was you I'd get in touch with your health visitor and they can refer you to the feeding team or call the maternity ward at the hospital and they might be able to suggest something too

thank you, I'm using the lansinoh cream and am putting cold compress on afterward, I'll try the oil as well, thank you

thank you, I have exactly that cream plus I put cold compresses on. It helps a little but when he latches on its very painful for few minutes and sore after

thank you so much, that Is a lot of useful information, I'll definitely get the silver cups and I'll wait a bit before pumping again, thank you for all the links as well

thank you, I'll have a look at that cream as well, maybe it will work better than the one I have now.

yes adding the coconut oil when I pumped changed my pump life. Lol! Before adding it they were cracked and scabbed. Very painful!

no worries, I randomly saw this post and due to my own tough start just had to share anything I could to help.

Not to take away from anything else that’s been suggested but be mindful of any creams/oils being used and what transfers to baby and that it’s safe. Lanolin is safe! I just found it messy and baby was feeding so much, wasn’t always lots of time to apply etc. Found the silver cups while expensive, easier as just popped them on, no mess and they have antibacterial properties that try to heal.

But most importantly get the latch checked because theoretically outside of a bit of discomfort while they get used to feeding, it shouldn’t be painful and is a sign something could be improved.

Look up laid back feeding position, found this better in the early days (than the classic across style) too for latch and also is a nice tummy time & skin to skin for baby on your body.

And remember you & baby are both learning and doing this for the first time.

I would get some expert help, I was in the hospital for a few days after birth and had the midwives in every time I wanted to breast feed! Part of it was her latch is really good but my nipples are small so she’d latch onto the wrong areas and it took one bad feed and the soreness and cracks were awful!
When the midwives put her on for me it was a lovely experience but I couldn’t do it on my own.

The midwives then said try pumping and so helped me with the right sizes and what suction speed etc
Even cracked the pain has gone with pumping it’s just waiting for them to heal!

The milk will come through, if I started pumping day 3 I was maybe getting 20-40ml from 15mins on each breast now start of day 5 it’s 80-100ml so it will start it’s just perseverance!

I’ve not tried it because bottle is more convenient for me now and it means my partner can feed her which is amazing to watch but I’ve been recommended nipple shields to continue breastfeeding i guess the teets would be similar.

Also following, as I’m having the same issues and also had my baby boy on Friday too! Completely emphasis with you Ellie x

Also while still recommend you get the latch checked, try gently squeezing the tissue around the aerola like a c shape when baby is latching, the key to less pain is making sure they take in more breast tissue.

Honestly though, no one tells you all this until you are having issues.

I took classes before and nothing prepared for me it properly and the support wasn’t great unless you seek it out.

I was only in the hospital for a day so I didn't get much help, but my midwife came to home visit yesterday and she was nice enough to explain how to get him to latch properly, ( samr issue as you pretty much) he is feeding every 2-3 hours but he was latching only at the end of my nipple making it painful. Luckily now I'm practising how to get him to latch onto the whole thing so it's less painful now. With the pump she said to wait a bit longer and instead express into a bottle if needed.

oh that’s good news! Have you got the 14 days to pop into your maternity unit after birth to help with feeding too? Honestly the midwives are there to help so use them as much as you can!