Lactation Consultant Recommendations

The consultants at Christ Hospital were very helpful for us. They are quite a drive from where we live (New Lenox) but it was worth every single second!

Good luck. DOn't throw in the towel yet...you are doing great. You will be amazed what a proper latch will feel like. Night and day.

I used a lactation consultant from Naperville and found her assistance WONDERFUL!! I actually used Her services with both of my children, I had different needs with each one. I hope you continue with breastfeeding and can work through the problems you are having now, hang in there :)

Janet Talmadge
http://lactinv.com/about_us.php

Another option is to ask for help from the Lactation Consultants who work in the hospital where you delivered. They may be able to offer assistance as well.

You might want to check with your dr to see if you have thrush. I had it with my first child when he was about 10 mos old. The only symptom I had was severe pain. I thought it was an injury -- that he had bitten me or something -- that was just taking a long time to heal. Good luck! I remember the first 3 weeks being the hardest.

Congrats on your new baby!!! While I don't know of any lactation consultants, you might try to contact a postpartum doula to help you. They will be able to come to your house and can help with household tasks and childcare so you can have some time for just you and the baby. Doulas that I've interviewed for myself are almost always mothers themselves and would likely be able to help you with breastfeeding. Good luck!

Rush Copley in Aurora has a breastfeeding hotline. ###-###-####

I remember the pain. How awful. I second the LaLeche recommendation. They are free and very helpful. I think you can find them online. For both my girls since they were small I had to pinch my breast to make it fit into their mouths and get the nipple all the way in (sorry for the graphics, but I figure we all have been through it). Someone else wrote in about breaking the suction and repositioning until it feels right. Also could be stress related with 3 under 3. Bring in the help of family and friends until you are settled in. With less stress you can settle back and focus on nursing so the 2 of you can learn this not so natural process. I do recall a week or 2 with both of them being painful and then it improving when my boobs got used to being Hoovered. Another option is to pump and give bottles. I did this with my second because she was not so scheduled with when she wanted food. This way I had a schedule and could feed her on the fly. A lot easier to chase the older kids when the baby has a bottle than when they are attached to you! Good luck, I applaud your bravery with so many little ones at home.

Hi! I feel for you! I have a 9 month old and a 7 year old. I have breastfed both girls. My first daughter actually caught on faster and easier than the second. At first it does hurt to breastfeed no matter what they say. The biggest key is to make sure that his mouth is wide open and then move his head towards you with that wide open mouth. I don't think the books say to do that but that's the only way I could do it. You should technically be able to see his lips completely around but in the real world that doesn't always happen. If you know that he's not on right, break the seal first and then try to get him back on the correct way. Don't give up yet! Breastfeeding is difficult because you are trying to learn while he's trying to learn too. Even though I successfully breastfed my first daughter, I had a really tough time the second time around but I just kept at it. The older she became, the easier it was. Just don't give up!

Hi K.,

It looks like you already have lots of great suggestions. I nursed all four of my children and found the first two weeks were always the hardest. Be sure to use plenty of lanolin between feedings. The hospital where you had your baby should have given you a booklet along with contact information for reaching the lactation consultant. Rush Copley was great with this. If not then I would suggest following the other recommendations on contacting your doctor or la leche league.

I used a great Lactation consultant when I brought my daughter home she came to our house so we could practice in our natural surroundings. She was amazing! Kathy Baker 334 S Craig Place Lomabard IL 60148 ###-###-#### Good luck breastfeeding is amazing good for you for not giving up.

There are La Leche League members in your area. I can see if there is one who can contact you. These women are so helpful and provide support when needed. Sometimes they can even come to you and help. I know it was hard for me when I was first nursing my son. Gosh, I remember the agony of not even wanting to shower and crying when I knew he would be hungry again. I completely understand. After finding the correct positioning and what I felt comfortable with, I can say I exclusively breastfed for 15 months. It does get better!!!!!! Let me know if you need help find a LLL member to help you out!

Hi! I know the pain you are going through. I nursed my son and it was so easy I couldn't understand why anyone wouldn't do it. Then I had my daughter now 18 months and I had my doubts about keeping going. She would start sucking as soon as she got a little bit of anything. Break the suction and then try to get as much of your nipple in his mouth as possible. Just keep breaking the suction by inserting a finger in the corner of his mouth and pushing your breast out. Keep doing it til you feel comfortable. It will probably take a while and be very frustrating. Don't stop nursing yet just give it one month by that time you usually have a nice nursing routine. If you need a little break pump some put it in a bottle for your husband to feed the baby and get some rest so you don't get sick too. I also recommend Earth Mama Angel Baby Nipple Butter as I am allergic to lanolin this producted helped a lot and it doesn't have to be wiped off before you feed the baby because it is all natural. Soothies also help, especially cold. Good luck. I know how hard it is. My daughter made my nipples bleed and I hated it but I kept going and nursed her til she was 15 months. Plus it really does offer some immunity for the baby. My son gave me and my husband a cold the first week home with the baby and luckily I believe because of breastfeeding she never got this severe cold.

Dear K.:
Congrats on the new baby boy!
I struggled with BF my third also. My Ped nurse stated it can be tough for the first few weeks with #3 b/c it is stressful balancing all three.

Can someone come (playdate, sis, mom's helper, grandparents) to entertain the other two while you rest and concentrate on just feeding #3?

It is an adjustment. Hang in there, contact the lactation consultants from the hospital ASAP or follow up on the other recommendations.
The LC at Silver Cross were good. Sorry I don't know the names, but they did follow up calls after I was d/c to check on me. Good luck!

Try putting on soothies in between feedings. They are sold at Walgreens. They are clear disks that you put on and they really help heal and give some comfort. Another thing to try to ease the pain and help heal faster, is putting a wet tea bag on the nipple. Also, call the hospital where you delived and they can arrange to have a lactation consultant come to your home. One more thing, make sure your son's bottom lip touches first, then cup his top lip. Things will get better, just try to hang in there. Good luck:)

K.,

I also have three children and breastfed all of them. I had pain in the first few weeks with all of them and it was worst with the 3rd. However, after a few weeks it got much better. I had tears in my eyes during the first 30 seconds of latch on. I often consulted the lactation consultants at Hinsdale Hospital and found them very helpful. Hang in there!

If you are still looking, i used Carol Chamblin from Breast n Baby lactation services. Just google her and her site will come up, or put in breastnbabylactation. She travels all over and is extremely helpful. I would not have been able to exclusively breastfeed without her help. She is great at what she does and very available when needed. Her # is ###-###-####, or check out her website.

contact the ones at silver cross (linda, maria, K.) or contact your local la leche league leader. usually small babies don't figure it out on their own right away. also if your milk just came in this could be attributing to the bad latch. also if you have a pump try pumping to see if this helps. it gets better.