in so much pain. im trying to only breastfeed my son but he is killing me. my nipples are always torn and my supply is getting lower and lower. can anyone help? I dont know what else to go to make me not year and to try to get more milk to come out.
That's your problem! Manual pumps suck. They are super painful. I don't get anywhere near as much milk w my manual as my electric. If you're engorged then you have plenty more milk. You need a different pump. Sometimes health insurance will pay for one. Mine did. Call customer service and see if they cover one and of they do get a number or two of which companies they go through. If your insurance won't or if it's going to take a while then see if anywhere near you will rent you a pump. Idk if you have WIC in your area but they rented me a pump for a year. I returned it early because my insurance sent me one. If you can get a good pumping session and get some of the pressure off then I'm sure you will see that you have plenty of milk.
Definitely stimulate and make sure you're burping really well. I'll even walk around my house for a half hour doing 1 handed chores w my little gun over one shoulder with the occasional pat on his back and he burps like a champ.
Yea I have to harass my little man. Pediatrician suggested using cold wet wipes even! Lol! Rubbing his head or messing w his ears seems to work though. Unwrapping him from his blanket helps too. If you pump make sure you save it! Liquid gold! You might need it later. I was unsure if he was getting enough so I would occasionally warm up a bottle of breastmilk to see how much he would eat. He hardly ate much any time I did it. :)
A little massage to each breast before nursing can help with let down as well. Helps if you have those hard knots for sure. Are you getting engorged at all? Getting engorged can slow your milk production.
im going to definitely try all of that.. great advice my little man is 5 weeks. he always falls Sleep it drives me crazy because he never wants to wake up. @norcalmomma
Try finding a local lactation consultant or two! Your OB or Midwife might have a good number. Of not then the maternity ward of the hospital. If you're worried about milk supply... 1. Make sure you're switching which breast you start feeding on and 2. You can pump! The more you ask of your breasts the more they will produce BUT be careful! I freaked out and went pump crazy and am dealing w some engorgement. If you're baby is draining you each feeding then nurse more often. If he's falling asleep while you're nursing then stimulate him until you know he's done. Rub his head, ears or whatever. It what I do and it seems to work for me.
Also make sure you're burping between switching breasts and really well when you have finished a session. If you're leaving air in his belly it hurts and it takes the room of milk! No air = more room for food! Good luck momma! Hope this helps!
Make sure you have him latched properly! YouTube it Google it whatever you have to do! One bad latch can wreck your nipples for a couple days! Lanolin will help! You can get it anywhere. How old is your little one?