can I go back to breastfeeding? please help

Question

My breasts are severely engorged and my baby is 3 days old. I wanted to breastfeed only but I didn't plan on it hurting so much. It's to the point where my daughter has a very hard time latching on. I talked to different lactation specialists while I was in the hospital and it seemed like their techniques only worked for me when they gave their assistance other than those times my breastfeeding experience has been very painful. So today I fed my baby using a pump since my nipples are unbelievably sore and a little bruised. But then my baby was crying when I got home and I couldn't pump fast enough so I gave her formula. Is this horrible? Can I go right back to breastfeeding tomorrow if I just formula feed her for one night to help my nipples heal?

Answer

Get a lactation consultant and a nipple shield! That's what got me through and we are 6 weeks strong tomorrow :) you can do it!

Answer

Yes you can! I was engorged days 3-8 PP. my store bought pump wouldn't work and my nipples were too flat for the baby to latch. It was last me I went from  c cup to a DD on steroids and they felt like bricks. I tried everyone's suggestions. I learned quickly that every thing doesn't work for everybody. The one thing that everyone told me was that it will not last forever. My son's pediatrician recommended renting a hospital grade pump and the lactation consultant introduced me to a nipple shield. After that my baby was able to latch and the flood gates were opened lol. The all of a sudden I was able to pump. Hallelujah!! I wasn't mentally prepared for how difficult breastfeeding was going to be but I'm still hanging in there. You've got this!!

Answer

Yea. And one of the best ways to help with latch is to have baby lap up milk off your nipple every 39 minutes when you have the time. It's easier to latch when baby isn't super hungry and baby won't suck quite as hard which will be nice for your nipples.

Answer

Yes you can go back to breast feeding tomorrow. Some women supplement, so they give the baby both breastmilk & formula throughout the day/night.

Try hand expressing some of your milk when you're done pumping & rub it on your nipples & then let them air dry before putting a bra pack on. If your having a hard time with latching & sore/bruised/bleeding nipples maybe look into getting a nipple shield.

Answer

Yes you can, but you want to make sure she is latching right because it's not good for you or your little one, what helped me was putting warm and cold compresses on my boobs before I nursed, try self expressing in a hot shower that should give you come relief but not too much, then your body will make more then you need for your little, but it's not bad for giving her formula you needed to feed her at that time but if your going to stick with breastfeeding you have to be super dedicated to it it's not easy you gotta keep at it but it does get better I promise, my son latched great at the hospital then we got home and it was like he completely forgot but we are doing awesome now and hes almost 4 months!😀 Goodluck and you can do this!!

Answer

You can try! It'll be difficult as you make milk on supply and demand so if you've not fed in days it'll more than likely dry up pretty fast. Regarding engorgement, before baby feeds just hand express a tiny bit just to stop the nipple from being flat so it makes it easier to latch. The sooner you get baby back on the breast the easier it'll be to continue breastfeeding. Good luck 😊

Answer

Thank you guys so much. I the appreciate all of the replies.

can I go back to breastfeeding? please help

Let's Glow!

The Top Baby Tracker App: Embrace New Beginnings with Tender Care

The Top Fertility Tracker App: Your Path to Achieving Pregnancy

The Top Pregnancy App: Nurturing Your Journey to Motherhood

The Top Period Tracker for Empowering Your Menstrual Health Journey