Help! I am returning to work in a little less than three weeks and have begun weaning my daytime feedings to match my work schedule. (Note I've been pumping not actually breast feeding since the little guy was three weeks old). I'm having a really hard time with it. I feel like a wimp but it really hurts, so much at times that I can't even hold my babies at times because anything touching my chest makes me want to scream. I'm trying to eliminate each time graduallly (1 over a few days) but any suggestions on how to make this more bearable?? Is there a better way to do it?? Thanks!
Hello. I don't have help for weaning, but I have help for pain during nursing. I used a nipple shield because of the pain and mom son couldn't latch on right. I used it from 3 weeks to about 5 months. Just wanted to point it out if you are looking for ways to make nursing easier before weaning. Best wishes.
L., please do not feel like a wimp, the pain IS unbearable at times! My little guy couldn't latch on so I have been an exclusive pumper for seven months now. It seems that pumping produces pain that breast-feeding alone doesn't. I worked with a wonderful lactation consultant named Pat at Sparrow Hospital (don't know where you are), but I highly recommend contacting either a lactation consultant or Le Leche League, they can help.
What helped me was getting a bigger Phalange (sp?) and using copious amounts of lanolin. Also, unless you have an over-abundant milk supply DO NOT USE THE CABBAGE LEAVES!!! They will dry you up very quickly. Unless you want to stop breast feeding altogether, then they work great. On days when the pain was really bad I wouldn't wear my nursing bra, but wore my pregnancy tank with the self-bra built in. If you do that, make sure you wear nursing pads because the lanolin is hard to get out of cloth. Of course, I wear scrubs to work so no one could tell ;-)!
Hang in there, the pain does stop, eventually.
Hope this helps,
M.
L.,
If it hurts to pump check the size of the phalenge( I think that is the name of it) the you are using. I have a Medella pump in style, but I could not use the size of phalenge that was sent with it(it felt like I was being rubbed raw). I had to special order one of the largest sizes to accommodate and not hurt my nipples when I was pumping. Also, decrease your suction, that may help. You are eliminating the additional pumping times right. If you are sore (needing to pump) in between sessions, try to do a partial pumping. I hope this helps. J.
When I had my twins one would nurse and the other would have nothing to do with it. I pumped brest milk for him for three months and that was the best I could do. All you can do is try to keep them on brest milk as long possible
My boy who would'nt nurse is still a picky eater to this day. My other boy eats everything. If you pumped for your baby for two months I think you gave him a great start.
When it gets to be that painful, pump off just enough to make it bearable (so you can hold that baby without too much pain!). Your body will acclimate. The cabbage leaves and bags of frozen veggies (peas) will help you feel better too. Also, call your pediatrician - I think it's OK for you to take a little Tylenol to relieve the pain. Best wishes!
It really shouldn't hurt to nurse... I'd really suggest contacting La Leche League.. I went to a meeting once and the mom was having a really hard time with pain and they had good suggestions for making it better.
maybe i'm missing something, but i'm guessing your nipples hurt from the pumping? have you tried the nipple ointments/creams? when i used to b/f i found them to be lifesavers. also, maybe you could ask a lactation consultant if you're positioned correctly on it, using the proper speed & suction. that can make a bid difference, too.
best of luck!
you can continue to breast feed your child. Not sure if you knew that. I breast fed every feeding when I was home and pumped when I was at work so he was breastmilk fed through his first year. then you wont have sore nipples and the baby will have breastmilk - its a win win :)
I didn't try this but have read medical studies to the success of this: Put a cold cabbage leaf inside each bra cup. Replace when wilted. Helps relieve the pain and cools the inflammation.
Another thing I've heard that I can't remember if I tried or not: Put a bag of frozen veggies on your chest when you're not holding your babies. Again the coldness helps relieve the pressure.
It'll get better as your body adjusts to not needing to produce so much milk.
Good luck!
Hi L.,
It looks like you have received some great advice. One of the things that helped me was to use some breast milk on my nipples to help heal them. When my daughter had issues latching on, I did pump, and noticed beyond the areola, I became reddened and chafed. Adjusting the way the phalange sits, by rotating the pump was helpful. I think the best thing to use was air. Whenever possible roll up your shirt, so that the chafed area is exposed. I do have a question for you though....is there a reason you don't nurse your son now in the schedule you would be in when you return to work, and pump to replace the other feedings? You will probably experience less discomfort and will have a greater milk supply available to him in the hours you are home, as it is the law of supply and demand. Just a thought...beyond that and most of all-Pat yourself on the back. You have done more than many moms would do. You are giving your son the gift of a healthy start with improved nutrition. I know many moms who would not have bothered, who would have simply put him on formula from the beginning. I imagine you are returning to work b/c you have to, not b/c you want to. (that is usually the case) Don't feel beat up b/c you have no other alternative. I had to return to work after my 2nd son was born for a while. I felt so fortunate to find something from home shortly thereafter, but I remember the guilt and sorrow I felt having to leave him if only for a short time. I am sure you are doing the best you can. Best of luck to you.
L. the only way to make this bearable is to flat out nurse and be there for our baby, but that is almost impossible in todays world, with two workers in each home, we were made tocare for our infants, and time is the only thing that will help you , we all feel guilty for not being able to do things the way they were supposed to be, but we get through it, hang in there and keep up the good work, sometimes the only way to not feel that way is not fight against it and stay home, but then we dont always get that option, so do your best and your child will thrive on your love and devotion to them, sounds like you have that, ive seen kids flourish on parents who do offer their love and happpiness instead of being able to afford birthdays and or holidays, so our babies are also made to thrive on love, and the giving when we can , not when supposed to, so hang in there and continue to love them as you are, D. s
