Pumping - Anaheim,CA

I was never able to pump without misery. My baby got really good at breastfeeding by just practicing and my breasts got good at responding to her. Personally, I would stay away from the pump until you have a good milk supply in and you are both confident with nursing. Just climb into bed, eat lots, drink lots of liquids and spend lots of time skin to skin, nursing your baby.

This site gives really good information about increasing milk supply.

http://www.drjaygordon.com/development/bf/galact.asp

Also, the product that worked best for me with sore/bleeding nipples was Motherlove nipple cream. That stuff is magic!

http://www.motherlove.com/product_nipple_cream.php

Best of luck!

gerber makes a good chapstick type thing called Breast Therapy..that really helped me..have u tried nursing in the bathtub? sometimes that helps w/ latching..it worked for one of my best friends..also if u put a very slow nipple on the bottle baby might turn more to u . i think its normal to bleed and get a blister..u get that from nursing as well.

You might need a different size horn(the part that goes around the nipple). I know medela makes different sizes that you can get at babies r us. My lactation consultant even had some. She was the one who told me I needed the bigger size. I was wondering why it hurt so much. I think they have 3 larger sizes to choose from. Hope this helps.

Have you seen a lactation consultant? I ask because I had a similar problem, waited too long before seeking help, and ended up with severely cracked nipples that took almost six weeks to heal. My consultant had me quit pumping and showed me different latches and how to vary them. If your baby is tiny try the football hold, also buy some soothies (available at Rite Aide), and soak your breast in warm water with a tiny bit of salt. It will get better, good luck!

Please, please, please contact your local La Leche League leader! You can find her on this website: www.llli.org
Pumping does not stimulate the breast the same way a suckling baby does, so you need to get help with latching your little one asap, and while you're struggling with it, get advice on how to pump the right way so you won't mess with your supply.
You can do this! It'll be so worth figuring out the latch - nursing is wonderful! :)

Congratulations on your new baby! I have a three month old and had problems with latch at first as well. Which could be the cause of the blister..if not its probably that your either not used to the suction and your nipples are overly sensitive or more likely you are using the wrong size breast shield on the pump.until then I would definitely use Lansinoh..it feels much better when you do. Oh and also I use this thing called a nipple shield made from Medela. It helps protect the nipple and helps with latch issues as well. I bought it for $5 at target. good luck!

Unfortunately you have to keep pumping pretty regularly to keep up your milk supply and to avoid breast infections. I had similar problems and it can get very painful. I lived off of Ibuprofen for the 1st several weeks. Be sure that you work with a lactation consultant. They gave me all sorts of helpful tips in getting the baby to latch on and in how to alleviate some of the pain when nursing and pumping. Just remember that it will get better. Unfortunately it sometimes gets worse first. Hang in there and good luck.

Good Morning Nicole.
I had the same issue with my 1st Son. He did not latch so I pumped for him for six months.
When I was pumping for him in the hospital I burned my niple pretty badly. Once I used a bigger shield the problem was eliminated. I did not have any problems after that point. You might want to look at Babies R' Us, they have many different shield sizes.
(I used the Medela Pump in Advance)

Not sure about the bleeding but a trick I learned after 10 weeks of pumping (my daughter had trouble to) was to put a little lanolin on my nipple BEFORE pumping. This helped it slide through easier.

Also, are you seeing a lactation consultant? I went on and off for the longest 8 weeks of my life... we had so much trouble nursing but we did get it! You can do it, don't let people discourage you if it's what you want!

Feel free to message me if you need encouragement, I remember vividly how hard it was to nurse / pump / bottlefeed just to repeat all over again!

Hi
No that is not normal. It sounds like you are not positioning the cover properly. I would highly recommend that you contact a lactation consultant. Here is some info and a contact number for the one at Mission Hospital, Mission Viejo

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They may also be able to help you with the latching issue

Good luck

I used the lansinoh on my nipples while pumping for the first 6 months. I pump 4 times a day and my nipples were getting irritated without it. I still use it every once in a while to lubricate while pumping. You might want to ask your OBGYN or a lactation consultant about the blister, if you ask a family doctor they might not understand how important BF is to you and they might encourage you to quit BF.
Congratulations on your new baby!!

No, you should not be bleeding. You probably have a wrong size shield (the plastic 'cup' you put on your breast) and it's pulling the wrong way. You can find out what size shield you need from your ob/gyn usually or a specialty store, they measure your size nipple. Also, slowly turn the suction power up on the pump until it's at a comfortable level where it's getting the milk. Also, use some of the salve they sell to lubricate your nipples. Hope that helps!! Good luck.

Buy some nipple cream in a purple tube, helps alot. GREAT job nursing/pumping for your child. Go to your local bf support group either through the hospital or Le Leche League to get your baby latched on SOON.

Unfortunately I do not have an answer for you but I can NOT stress enough the importance of finding a Breat Feeding support group. The teacher will be able to help you through any question or problem you are having. I do not know where you live but at ST Joes in Burbank they have one on Wednesday from 10-12. I started going when my daughter was 6 days old. She is know 22 months and I am stil VERY close friends with all of the women I met in those classes. Our children play togther at least 3 times a week. It was the most important thing I did after giving birth. It brings peace of mind and friendship to you at this much needed time. You can also call the Pump Station, I know they have classes too. Good luck and do not give up. Get help, you may get the baby to latch with the right coaching.

I got those and had no problems continuing the pumping as usual. I would just make sure to put some ointment on my nipples after pumping.

Hi, N.:

Are you sure that the blood blister is from pumping? I had a similar problem getting my son (now 11mos)to latch on correctly in the beginning and the blood blister came from him rather than the pump. If anything, the pump should alleviate the problem rather than make it worse.

What the lactation specialist at St Johns in Santa Monica told me was to set the pump on the highest level you can stand. If you're really worried that the pump is causing the problem, maybe lower the setting a notch or two until things start to improve. Or, perhaps the size of the funnel-looking pieces are too small? What pump are you using? I used the Medela Advance and was the best money I ever spent! :)

Best of luck!

SM

Hi, I would call "The Pump Station" in Santa Monica. They are very nurturing and will have the answer for you.

The bleeding is probably not from the pump but from the improper latch on of your infant. The pumping probably just continues it. Put on lanolin after every pumping/nursing and you can stick it out. It's worth it.

I've had this happen before and it was because I wasn't positioned properly or the pump was set too high/strong. Yes, it's okay to continue to breastfeed/pump and no, the tiny amount of blood won't harm your baby. You might also need some lubrication. I know lots of people that use Lanisoh, but I prefer the Mother's nipple balm. You can get it at Whole Foods or The Pump Station. Put it on BOTH your nipple and the pump shield. Finally, I agree with the recommendations to see a lactation specialist (if you're not already). A couple of suggestions: La Leche League, The Pump Station in Santa Monica, Bright Beginnings in Redondo Beach, or the Breastfeeding group through Torrance Memorial Hospital. If you're not in the south bay area, contact your hospital...most have classes or assistance. Congratulations on your new little one and best wishes!

N.,
It sounds as if you are not positioning correctly on the pump. Your nipple should be dead center in the hole so as not to lean to either side of the cylinder. Also, turn down the strength of the pumping. It may take a little longer to get as much milk into the bottle/bag, but the blisters/bruising/discomfort will be much decreased with time.
If you have a LLL near you, get in touch with them regarding both the pump and your babies latch. (It took my son 8 weeks before he got the hang of it. There were days when I just didn't think I could stand the next feeding sesion with him. I am fortunate to have an extremely supportive husband--who usually sent me to be to get more rest first. That really does help, too.) If there is not a LLLL near you, contact the nursing staff at a hospital OB or nursery unit. They should be able to help you determine some techniques to help your baby latch better as well as position the breast pump correctly.
Use a cream on your breast to ease the discomfort, such as lansinoh--it is one that you can leave on even when pumping/breast feeding and it will not harm the baby or the milk. Use heat on your breast for 15 min prior to a feeding--this helps improve let-down among other things.
I wish you the best of luck and keep up with it. All the discomfort really is worth it in the end. I am still breast-feeding my son (and without pain/discomfort now). He is 8 mos old and has 5 (yes five) teeth.
T.

Hi N.-

Congratulations on your baby! I had to pump with my first child because she wouldn't latch on either. I pumped for just under 4 months!! In the beginning I did get a blister but when I repositioned the shield and turned down the setting, I didn't have that problem again.

My saving grace was a Breast feeding support group. I would check with your hospital/birthing center where you delivered. The group was so helpful and we just came back from a 13 year old birthday party with someone that we met at the group.

Have you talked to a Lactation Consultant about the latching problem? I would do that asap. You don't want to add "nipple confusion" onto the initial latching problems if you can avoid it! As for pumping, maybe your suction setting is too high or too fast? Try adjusting that and make sure the cup is positioned correctly. But you're right about losing your supply...keep pumping or nursing...even if you have to pump and dump, the more you nurse in the beginning the better supply you will have to carry you through. Check w/ your local hospital for a certified LC or contact La Leche Leaugue, they can recommend someone nearby.

Hi N.
They make a product called Lansinoh and it's safe for the baby (you don't have to wash it off). My son was a preemie and we had lots of trouble with latching but I was told to keep at it and eventually he would get it. It was frustrating at times b/c I felt so bad for him but it did end up working. I also pumped and got cracked nipples and was told to turn the pump down. Apparently I had it turned up too high and was causing a lot of discomfort.

The best advice I can give is to try to relax when breast feeding. If you are tense the baby feels it and it makes it harder for them to nurse.

Good luck
A.

The only time I bled during pumping was when I already had an open sore from my son breastfeeding. Pumping would reopen the sore. But that never stopped me from pumping.

Once that healed, that hasn't happened. Pumping itself I don't think should cause that.

Your son is only a few days old. Don't worry, he'll figure out how to latch on. :) Have you tried one of those nipple guards that help with latching on?

N.,

It sounds like you need to turn down the suction. You'd think more suction means more milk but it doesn't. Pain actually inhibits letdown.

Turn down the suction and keep pumping. If you don't, your supply will tank. My favorite breastfeeding/pumping site is www.kellymom.com

Good luck,

T.