I don't think she likes me!

• 06-19-2009 10:37 PM

  Erika3160795 Joined on 12-08-2008 Orlando, FL Posts 1

  I don't think she likes me! Reply Contact I am a brand new mommy, gave birth to my daughter on Tuesday.  I tried breastfeeding her and she won't take to me.  She'd latch on suck 3 or 4 times and just start crying until I took her off.  I tried everything, undressing her, hot washcloth on my nipple and then stimulating to get colostrum out, but it didn't work.  She was getting so hungry that she was just wailing in the night at the hospital so I broke down and gave her formula b/c I felt so bad, like I was starving her.  I've tried again a few times at home, and again I get the same result.  Today I pumped and was able to get about .5 oz of colostrum out ( I don't think it was breastmilk) and was able to feed that to her.  Now my breast feel huge and are sore, I'm hoping that this is a sign that my milk is coming in.  But now I don't know what to do, what if she doesn't take to me at all and I will have to pump, is that normal?  Will she take to me as she gets a little older, I mean she's only 3 days old?  I just don't know what to do.  Has anyone else gone through this?

• 06-19-2009 11:40 PM

  In reply to

  Jamie2544778 Joined on 05-22-2008 Elk Grove, CA Posts 1,094

  Re: I don't think she likes me! Reply Contact Sounds like its most likely a latching problem and not that she doesn't like you. I know as a new mom sometimes it feels like nothing you do is right, but you're doing fine just hang in there. Breast feeding can be tricky for an experienced mom. I wasn't totally successful until number 4. She's 11 months now and we are starting to wean. It was very frustrating at first, but the ladies in the July birth club helped out so much and really suppplied a lot of info and support. Feel free to ask us questions any time. I would contact a lactation consultant. You can call your hospital and ask if they can provide one or contact your local La Leche League chapter ( go through the website for more info). A lactation consultant can help you figure out why she isn't latching and staying latched. Your milk should be coming in soon so don't give up until you are truly at peace with the decision. There is nothing wrong with formula feeding a baby, but if breast feeding is something you really want to to do then give it everything you have. You don't want to regret the decision to stop but you also don't want to have it become so stressful it becomes unpleasant. A lactation consultant can guide you through this time and help you achieve the results you want.Good luck and keep us posted on how things are going.

• 06-20-2009 10:37 AM

  In reply to

  Keeger Joined on 05-06-2008 BC Canada Posts 1,016

  Re: I don't think she likes me! Reply Contact Don't worry about starving her, her stomach is the size of a cherry, so very little food will satisfy her. I agree with the pp, go see a lactation consultant or your local LLL. Here's the link to finding your local group, and they provide help free. If your breasts are feeling huge and sore your milk is cpming in and it's even more important to get her to latch well. If you really want to bf make sure you get help asap. don't let any problems get worse. Hang in there it does get better. http://www.lllusa.org/groups.php

• 06-20-2009 7:52 PM

  In reply to

  ~AmyJ~ Joined on 06-03-2008 OK-Addison 1-26-09 Posts 1,940

  Re: I don't think she likes me! Reply Contact When my baby had a hard time BF I used the nipple shield and it worked great. They have them at target. It will work out ok just keep trying. Dont give up. Your doing great. Here is a pic of it. http://www.target.com/Medela-Nipple-Shield/dp/B000067PQ0/sr=1-1/qid=1245552120/ref=sr_1_1/188-1241196-7509608?ie=UTF8&search-alias=tgt-index&frombrowse=0&index=target&rh=k%3Anipple%20shield&page=1

• 06-20-2009 10:51 PM

  In reply to

  Keeger Joined on 05-06-2008 BC Canada Posts 1,016	Re: I don't think she likes me! Reply Contact Just a word about nipple shields, they really should be used under the advice of a lactation consultant.

• 06-29-2009 9:01 PM

  In reply to

  amanda2356919 Joined on 08-22-2007 Nor Cal Posts 8

  Re: I don't think she likes me! Reply Contact I too had a version of this experience with mine. I supplemented with formula for the firt 2 weeks- kept pumping and giving him that- then we were able to get him to latch on with a nipple shield. Use with caution- this was my last resort and I had a hard time getting him to stop using it. I didn't have a supply issue after we got in the groove, but I hear some do with a shield. Good luck- i feel your pain You can do it, but at the same time don't feel bad if it just doesn't happen.

• 06-30-2009 3:52 PM

  In reply to

  Mom~of~Munchkins Joined on 09-14-2005 Posts 471

  Re: I don't think she likes me! Reply Contact Not at all uncommon...not even for seasoned moms. Remember that she has a tiny little mouth and you have a nipple that she's never seen or used before. These first two weeks (for me, it usually lasts about a month) it will feel this way. You just keep confidence and keep trying. You might try a different position. Seek help from a lactation consultant, because it sounds similar to experiences of moms with babies with tongue-ties. I would not recommend supplementing. Breastfeeding is similar to labor in birth in that one intervention usually leads to another. You supplement and your supply will die without frequent pumping (which, then, can lead to oversupply issues). Then, she'll want the bottle and not you, so you'll end up with more latch issues and probably using a nipple shield or pumping for the duration of the breastfeeding relationship. Its a pain in the rear. So, unless she's not wetting or pooping at all (no wets for a day or so), don't worry about supplementing. She won't starve herself. Promise you that. But definitely see a lactation consultant or breastfeeding specialist. Joining LLL will help out, too, because you'll find other moms who all have the same experiences as you. Its comforting.