Breastfeeding trouble- help!
So baby has some difficulties feeding and reaching her birth weight for a while. Now she finally has (she's 3 weeks old) she has been on a strict "triple feeding" plan (boob, bottle, pump) to get her weight up, but now we are being a bit more relaxed and responsive with feeding and she will now latch (takes a while and with difficulty, she gets distressed and frustrated, but she will go on eventually) but only with nipple shields which I'm finding it hard to wean her off. Anyway, she will feed for a while but then often fall asleep, despite me doing breast compressions etc. then transferring her to anywhere else aside from the breast is a non starter as she will just kick off, but once she's asleep at the breast she won't latch again.
The other issue is the milk supply. I am not sure if I'm overproducing or what, but I have decreased the frequency of pumping, not doing it every 3 hours anymore, since we were told we didn't have to be so strict with her feeds, so now I'm doing it every 4 or 5 hours. But by that point I'm insanely engorged and in a lot of pain.
How can I lessen the frequency of the pumping without being in pain? I don't know if she's just not feeding efficiently or what.
If we give her a bottle, it seems to settle her way easier than the boob and we need to change this but don't know how. Help?!
I just want to not be in pain anymore, and to be able to breastfeed on demand. The occasional bottle is fine but currently we have to have one in hand at all times in case she doesn't want the boob. Meanwhile I'm producing so much milk and am in a catch 22, have to keep pumping for the health of my breasts but don't really need or want more milk.
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I don’t have answers but am in a similar boat. We are also triple feeding here! I have to use nipple shields as there is no luck with latch otherwise. We have a bottle ready post boob because 8/10 times he’s not content post boob feed and needs more but won’t go back on. I’m finding it disheartening that I can’t fully satisfy him / settle him with the boob but reminding myself even the smallest amount of breast milk is a win. We’ve got this 🫶🏻
Maybe it's the nipple shields stopping them from being fully satisfied then!
Have you seen a lactation consultant?
Do you need the nipple shields because of damage? If not I’d suggest weaning off them and working on your latch is probably the most important thing you can do to 1) ensure she’s drinking efficiently and building stamina to drink from your breast directly, and 2) to get your supply to stabilise down to a sustainable level. It can be really tough to get right so it’s definitely worth getting some in person coaching from someone experienced if you can
For the engorgement if you can relieve it by hand expressing rather than pumping that may help by avoiding overstimulating your supply. Taking an anti inflammatory like ibuprofen can help a lot too. It can take several days to stabilise so take extra care of yourself 🙏 it can be sooo painful!
And congrats for reaching her birthweight again - it’s a big milestone and a big credit to all the effort you’re putting in!!
Also for the latch, it’s worth looking into a laid back position if you haven’t already. Can be very helpful for achieving a deeper latch 🙏
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