I didn't see a topic on this and I'm having a hard time-

Since I had Gavin I can't seem to get him to latch on. I've been pumping with a lactina and had enough to last a while, but everyone got the flu and I kinda got lazy with my pumping and my supply has gone down. I've been drinking mothers milk and its helping some- but not enough.

I keep trying to get him to latch on but it seems like he just screams everytime. Any advice would be great.

Hey Melissa we did start a thread already, but yours is fine too . The link below is the thread started. I know it is hard and you sometimes want to give up especially when you see the baby frustrated by how much milk they are getting out. I hope moms will jump on board to give you some good information. Good luck!

http://talk.polkmoms.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/6821058796/m/3061049707

Hi Melissa

I'm sorry you're having problems and hope that you can get some help to reslove them.

I have breastfed both my babies, the first for 17 months, the second for 16 months. My first piece of advice for you is to call the lactation consultants at La Leche League - or at Lakeland Regional - see if you can make an appointment to meet with them with a view to getting them help you with your latch. I have contacted them before for breastfeeding issues and have found them to be very welcoming and extremely supportive.

As for supply - nurse on demand, as often as you can, to encourage the supply. Two things I found that helped my supply were a small glass of beer (juice sized glass) - this was recommended to me by a neighbour who was a retired maternity nurse - I am not sure if it's the beer that does it or if it's the fact that the beer helped me relax - either way it definitely helped.

Another thing that helped my supply was oatmeal - eating a bowl of oatmeal every morning may help you somewhat.

The lactation consultants will also have advice for you on supply.

Good luck!

thank you- I've been pumping every hour to 2 hours. Then giving him the bottle of pumped milk. I think that might have something to do with his fussy. I didn't think to call to make an appointment at LRMC.
I was told about the oatmeal by someone else. I've been doing the mothers milk, but will switch to oatmeal instead of cereal.
Thanks -

I think you may be right - it's so much easier for the baby to get the milk from the bottle, than from the breast. With the breast he has to work harder to co-ordinate his tongue, press the nipple up against the roof of his mouth and suck - he may be getting frustrated because he's not getting it fast enough.

I would offer the breast as much as possible - before the bottle. Get him to open his mouth very wide - (I found that placing my babies on the breast mid scream usually worked - their mouth was good and wide then lol!), press the baby firmly on and watch carefully for his lips. His lower lip should be flanged against your breast - like a 'fish mouth' - if his lower lip is not flanged out, take him off and try again.

If you are vigilant about getting the latch right, he'll learn quickly that the good stuff is there if he works a little bit for it, and you'll help avoid sore nipples etc that can come with poor latch.

Hope this helps in the meantime, until you get talking to the lactation consultants.

i don't know much about breastfeeding. i had a really hard time also. i did pump for a while. one thing i read in a book was a small glass of wine helps. the alcohol helps relax you so your milk flows easier. good luck

Thank you guys for the ideas. I ate some oatmeal today and I've drank the tea and the last time I pumped I got more than what I have been getting. So hopefully between the two that will help me out.

My baby hates to latch on so I use a nipple shield that cost about 6 dollars at target. It really helps because it makes it so she doesn't have to latch but she can just suck on the shield. The onlt thing is that it can be hard to let down with it on. I hope you find a method that works for you and your little one!