Breastfeeding

I am not a breastfeeding expert by any means, but I wanted you to know that Abby does the head shaking thing with the bottle as well.  I have to gently take my finger and press up on her chin to close her mouth around the bottle then she latches right on.  Also, the few times I did breastfeed her after she was born last week (I started back on a medication not safe for breastfeeding), I had to make sure my nipple was soft, then kind of pinch it into shape and pop it in her mouth.  I don't know if that makes sense...but if the nipple was tight it wouldn't release any milk and she would not latch on and would scream at me.

It's worth trying I guess...sorry you are having trouble.  From everything I've read breastfeeding can be very difficult to get a hang of, but once you do it's very worth it.

-Jennifer

You know, I never thought about this. Maybe I should try expressing alittle before I feed her so that she can get a better latch... thank you so much for the idea!!

First of all, don't stress because you're not getting much when you pump.  You're not bonded to a pump!  I couldn't ever get a drop when I tried to express!

Secondly, make sure you're drinking TONS!  EVERY time you sit down to nurse,  have a BIG glass of something to drink.  Water is the obvious choice but make sure you're drinking!

Thirdly, ensure that her latch is the 'fishy' lips one.  If she's not getting a good latch then she's going to be frustrated.

When you do supplement, be sure you use a low-flow nipple so that she doesn't get lazy for the breast.

For the jaundice, strip her down to nothing but a diaper and put her in the sunshine coming through a  window.  It helps TONS!  

Finally, TALK to a LC!  If the first you you talk to is not supportive of continuing find a different one! Keep at it girl!  You're doing a great job!  Getting BFing established can be tough but it's well worth it.

HUGS!  

Rowan would do the EXACT same head shaking thing! I never really figured out why he would do it, and he did eventually stop. Sometimes it helped to just stop trying to feed him for a minute, and stroke him and calm him down, and then try again.
It is OK to supplement! I had to do it as well because Rowan was also jaundiced and I didn't make a whole lot of milk. I alternating breast feeding a bottle feedeing, and pumped. If you get a little by pumping, just add it to her bottle. And if you have a husband at home, supplementing can be a great way to give him a chance to feed the baby and you a hance to rest. There's a lot of pressure these days to EBF, don't let it get you down.

I had the EXACT same issues at first. They havent gotten totally better I am still giving her formula daily but she is breast fed also.  She eats WAY more than I can produce.  I went to WIC (you have to wait till your baby is 4 weeks and you must be going back to school or work) and got an electric dual breast pump....it seems to be working, but doesnt seem to be increasing my supply.

I wish I could be like some of women on my other message board (what to expect) and produce like 7-10 oz at a sitting!  (**so JEALOUS**)