Breastfeeding After 2 Months

HI S.. I never went through the whole thrush thing, but I also had very tender nipples. I think it was probably from the fact that my body wasn't used to the constant use of them. It started to settle down by the time my son was about 2.5-3 months old. I was also an avid user of the Gerber Breast Balm. It really seemed to do wonders by keeping them lubricated. My son also liked to eat about every 2-3 hours when he was at the stage. I wouldn't worry that you aren't producing enough to satisfy him. As long as he is wetting diapers and gaining weight you shouldn't worry unless your pediatrician is worried. Your breasts will always produce as much as your son needs to eat! My son was a total monster when it came to eating during the day, but he slept really well at night like your son is. If he was hungry from not getting enough to eat, he wouldn't be sleeping for that long! That's the way I thought of it, and it really seemed to work out well. My son is now 1 year old and a healthy 22 pounds. Just try not to stress about it and enjoy this time that you have together.

S., your body will make as much as your child needs. That's just the way its made. Make sure you are drinking everytime you nurse though. My youngest nursed every two hours 24/7 for the first 8 weeks...then I began to suplament with at least one bottle of formula a day, that's when Dad stepped in and I got a much needed break. You can always try that, but if you do, might I suggest playtex bottles? I used them with all three of my girls and they are great.

I have a 3 yr old daughter who had similar eating habits. During the day she almost never went more than 3 hours between feedings, but at night would sleep through for 7-8 hours straight. Even now she has a tendency to graze more than eating large amounts at a single feeding. As long as you're getting at least 6 wet diapers a day, he is gaining weight, and appears to be a happy, normally developing baby I wouldn't worry too much. He could be going through a growth spurt.
You could try drinking more liquids throughout the day and making sure you are eating enough, especially protein, and you could try pumping after some of the feedings to try increasing your milk supply. Also try not to compare your son's feeding/sleeping habits too much with bottle fed babies. They often sleep longer between feedings.
If you are having problems with sore nipples I would go see a lactation consultant. They see alot more patients with breast feeding and nipples problems then most MD's. Since you had thrush before it is very possible that you still have it, or have it again. Sometimes it takes a while to cure thrush and it can get into the ducts of your breast, making it more difficult to treat. You may just need a different antibiotic or a longer course ( Depending on the practioner you are may be treated with a single day, 7 day or 14 day course of antibiotics.) I had a terrible time nursing my daughter because of repeated yeast infections in the breasts. I stuck with it but ended up being put on antibiotics 3 different times. Also even if your son doesn't have any symptoms of thrush, that doesn't mean that you don't have it. I also had much better luck with my lactation consultant diagnosing it than I had with the family practice Physician.
Good Luck.

My son, who is now 2 1/2, was the same way. It seemed that he was eating every hour to hour and a half. I thought that there had to be no way that he was getting enough from me. After speaking with the pediatrician though, I was informed that as long as he was gaining weight and meeting the other milestones that he was getting plenty of food. You can also increase your supply by drinking plenty of water, eating oatmeal and fenugreek.
I breastfeed my daughter now, and my nipples were sore for the few 2 to 3 months with her. Don't worry, the pain will go away. You can always use a cold compress for the time being to soothe yourself. They make them similar to the ones women use on their eyes.
My advice, at your son's next checkup (or call the pediatrician), ask about the frequency of his feeds. I know that it always made me feel better to have the doctor give an answer as opposed to receiving advice from others. Also, if your breasts or nipples begin to bleed or the pain increases or doesn't subside in the next few weeks, call your lactation consultant. They often have a lot of great ideas.
Hang in there. I nursed my son for a year and so far my daughter for eight months (6 months for which I worked 50 hours a week) and it is completely worth it. The 3 benefits are: 1. Immunity (he'll need that in daycare) 2. You'll save tons of money 3. Bonding, amazing bonding time
Best of luck.

Hello! I also went through something very similar with our daugther, who is now 13 months old. We had thrush and I had very sore nipples for quite some time. My initial thoughts are to encourage you to take a probiotic supplement if you are not already. You can get one at any health food store. Also, try to limit your sugar intake. My thrush left and returned three times, and the probiotic really helped my body to fight off the thrush from continuing to grow. It is a strong force to be reckoned with! ;-)

I would also encourage you to apply the lanolin (or similar) cream on your nipples after each nursing session. It will help over time.

I think my nipples were sore off and on till about the 4th or 5th month of nursing, and then things GREATLY improved and nursing was effortless! I think everyone responds differently to nursing, but overall things really get better after a few months. I just weaned our daughter a month ago and loved every minute I had sharing that experience with her.

Hope this helps a little! Take care!

S.,
Hi, I too am a special education teacher (7yrs.) who's taking time away to raise my son. When I nursed my son I drank alot of water, maybe even a gallon/day. You're still in the early stages though of nursing. I'd definitely PUMP b/c that helps your breast to produce more milk. Seems like he's sleeping really good. I think everything seems normal. Don't stress. I nursed my son for 10 1/2 months when I then dried up on my own. I ate alot of fruits, veggies, & chicken, & dranks lots of water. I'm health conscious anyway so not much of an adjustment, but I didn't drink soda, beer, or coffee when nursing. I also put Lansil ( I think that's how it's spelled,it's been a while since I used it....my son is now 3 1/2 yrs old.) on my nipples after nursing & would wipe it off before nursing. It's in a purple box & can be found at Babies R Us in the isle where they sell the lotions, powders, etc. It helps chap nipples. I hope this helps. Good Luck.~J.

Pumping isn't really an indicator on how much milk you are producing. I suggest you check out Kellymom.com, there are some fantastic ladies there that can help.

One thing that was recommended to me by someone from La Leche league when I was breastfeeding my first child when he was young was to apply the liquid in Vitamin E capsules to the nipple area after breastfeeding and also to allow them to air-dry if possible to help to heal the soreness. That was 23 years ago. They may recommend something different these days so you may want to check with La Leche League for suggestions, but this really helped me at the time. Good luck!

A 2 month old sleeps for 5-6 hours! How blessed you are! Nursing every 2 hours is about right.

Breast shields are available to protect your nipples and do work to cut down on the irritation. There is nothing wrong with supplementing nursings with formula feedings BUT the sucking will stimulate milk production.

Personally, I did NOT enjoy nursing. It was too painful. Despite creams, a shield and pre baby roughing, my nipples cracked and bled and were raw in a couple of weeks.

I dreaded his latching on every time it was time to feed. Eventually I switched to formula and actually enjoyed the close feeding and cuddle time with my child. As this child got older I introduced a pacifier. He had a very stron need to suck even after he was fed.

With the second child, I went right to formula. He never used a pacifier. I have no regrets. They are both fine men!

I had the same problem. My son is now 17 months old and still breastfeeding. Make sure you let your nipples air dry after feeding if you can, you can put a little breast milk on them--the fat in it helps. Try and make sure he gets off when he is finished and he's not just lingering for comfort.

When my son is teething, worried, not feeling well, or even just misses me, he tends to nurse more and leave my nipples feeling sore.

Make sure you're taking vitamins and getting enough liquids. Maybe something in your diet is making him want to nurse more--too much chocolate? caffeine?

Great for you that you're keeping it up! If you are going back to work in 2 months and are planing to keep bf, start pumping and get him used to the bottle. That could help your nipples out and get him ready for when that process starts in a few months.

I went through the same thing with my son who is now 4 months. His eating schedule was sporadic and frequent, and I also became sore. Warm showers helped, and I used lanolin cream and nipple shields if the soreness became unbearable. My pediatrician told me his eating was normal, and as long as you are exclusively breastfeeding, you will always make enough milk to feed your baby. So, I think what you're going through is normal. After about three months, my son slowed down and increased the time he nursed so things got better. Good luck!!

Hang in there. If your son is gaining weight than you are supplying enough milk. I also have a two month old son. Your description of his eating schedule is exactly what we are doing right now. For the sore nipples...express a little bit of milk after each feeding and rub it into your nipple. It has incredible healing properties (better than enything you can buy at the pharmacy).

Hi S.,

Bravo to you for breastfeeding your son! If it is your first child it is normal for your nipples to be sore, this will not last forever.. Nipples do toughen up after a while. It is great that he wants to suck so much and that you don't supplement as milk production works on a demand-supply relation. Don't worry that he is not getting enough, unless there are other signs of it.
If you haven't found it yet, Lanisol is available at CVS and La Leche league can tell you how to get it. It works great on sore nipples and is fully digestable and safe for your infant. There is no need to wash it off before nursing.
Congratulations and enjoy your little one.

Sounds about right to me. Soreness is all relative. I wasn't all that sore after 2 months but maybe a little. It depends on your tolerance. The pain will go away.

My son ate every two hours as well until he was about 8 or 9 months old. And my nipples hurt very bad until he was about 2 1/2 or 3 months old. "They" say it shouldn't hurt, but it does for some women. There's nothing wrong, it just takes time for your nipples to get used to it.

Most likely it is a growth spurt and he is eating a lot. I had times in the first 3 months where I was in so much pain . My daughter would feed 20 min. at a time every 2 hours at one point I wanted to cry. Now she is 16 months old and I am still breastfeeding. It doesn't hurt at all now. If you can stick with it. Try nipple sheilds I used them for a couple of days so my nips would heal. Also try a different position , it may be that he can't get a good latch from certain angles. Don't give up. It is so worth the initial discomfort

Sounds like typical behavior for a little one. There's a huge growth spurt at about 3 months and it's very common for them to eat and eat and eat and eat. It's their way of telling our breasts to make more milk.

I feel for what you're going through. My daughter is 5 months old now and exclusively breastfeed. There are days where she eats every 1.5 to 2 hours during the day. She sleeps from 8 PM to about 8 AM and wakes up two to three times during that period, usually 3 and 5, but sometimes sneaks a 1 AM feeding in too. Some days it seems like all I do is feed her.

Hang in there mama! This stage doesn't last forever and we're giving them the best possible nutrition. If you are worried about your supply, the best thing you can do is keep the baby on the breast as much as possible. I do a 20 minute pumping session around 11PM before I go to bed on top of feeding her on demand, just in case I need to go out without her. I'm soon to be donating aroun 200 ounces. I use Lanolin, liberally, and put nursing pads on when every I start to feel a soreness.

Good Luck Mama!

S.

TO increase your milk supply, I am using FENUGREEK. THe lactation consultant told me to take 9 tablets a day, I take 3 at breakfast, lunch and dinner. You can purchase it at GNC. I have noticed that my milk supply has doubled and it is worth it to take the pills. I have had trouble with pumping, not with the baby eating from the breast. If you are hurting a friend of mine told me to try the nipple shields, I have not tried them but she claims that they work. Hope this helps, good luck!!

2 months -- your doing great. This is where sticking it out can really pay off. While he is needing more, remember to increase your fluid/water intake. This will indeed help the supply issue. And if possible rest a little, a happy body help with the overall supply and demand needs.

I nursed all three children for various amounts of time. My third was going to be my child nursed to the bitter end. He never had a bottle until 8.5 months when I was ordered by the doctor to stop nursing to be put on heart meds due to an overactive,dangerous thyroid condition.

Until that time of transitioning to a bottle he too nursed about every 2-3 hours, even at night sometimes. He was just a hungry boy, ate more than my other two.

Your milk supply will adapt to his needs as they increase and you will most likely will have these periods of adjustment when he needs more and you don't feel like your suppling enough. It seems all pretty normal.

Really -- you sound like your right on track. And, it really does get easier from here on out.

If you continue to feel like there may be more to it, try connecting to the Local LaLecheLeague for breast feeding support. I am an invited vendor at the Pittsburgh Regional event on April 19th out by the old airport. It is a collective group of women with amazing knowledge to share.
It always helps to have like minded people in the same ring.

Good Luck.

Hi S.,
I have a four month old and went thru a similar experience breastfeeding. My nipples were sore for about 2-2.5 months, and then all of a sudden, over the course of a week, they stopped hurting! I don't know why this happened, my son had a good latch, we tried all kinds of comfy positions (more for me), so i just fought thru it and now things are going smoothly. everyone tells you it shouldn't hurt, or you're doing it wrong, but i definitely think there is some flexiblity in that statement!! :) you'll be ok!

I also went thru a stage around 2 months were i thought my milk supply wasnt enough to keep up with his demands... I just kept at it as often as 2 hrs between feedings for a couple days. Then my milk seemed to pick back up again. at least for me, i think my hormones were still trying to get my cycle back on track and i noticed the week of my period, it feels like my milk supply goes down just a little. now at 4 months, things are starting to equalize it seems.

you also have to keep in mind that our little ones are growing like crazy, so you might just have to feed more often for a few days to keep up with their hungry growing bodies!! :) unfortunately for me, it felt like my son was going thru a growth spurt everytime my milk supply felt low!! Even if it feels like they aren't getting enough, as long as they are still putting on weight, they're getting enough. i know thats hard to tell sometimes too, but you can always get a rough estimate on your scale at home!

good luck and stick with it, he'll be alright, and soon enough, you'll be feeling well too! ;)

Have you been using the lanolin ointment for your nipples regularly? That helped me a lot. Or is it just sore from the sucking rather than a chapped feeling? Once in a while my nipples will feel sore from the sucking, but it doesn't happen very often and it usually doesn't last for long. Hot showers tend to help me.

I really find that Lansinoh helps me head off the soreness (maybe it reduces the friction?). If I forget to put it on after I shower, I can really tell by the end of the day. It does sound like he is eating perfectly normally, but do call a lactation consultant if it'll give you peace of mind.

Hi S.! Congratulations on your new baby! I am breastfeeding my second child right now. Noah is 5 1/2 months and I had similiar problems. My first child was so dainty and delicate I could never tell if she was even touching my breast when feeding, but Noah!! I can only describe the experience as feeding a pirhana! His latch was so strong and his suck was intense. He also was eating every 2 hours. My nipples were so sore that I couldn't even let the water in the shower touch them or have my arm brush against them. It also lasted about 2 months for me, but I decided to give him a pacifier to satisfy the strong sucking desire he had, which eventually lightened up when nursing. This really helped. Noah ate every 2 hours too, sometimes still does but often it's a comfort thing rather than hunger because a few minutes seems long enough for him. Do you think your son is really hungry? Does he cry while feeding because there isn't enough or are they wanting to eat just long enough to fall asleep and be held by mommy? Definitely use the lanolin ointment in between feedings and those soothing gel pads were really comforting. Things got better for me after 2 months and now it's fine. But the first months are always tough. Hang in there!

I have breast fed four kids, and I got married young too, at 21. That was almost 18 years ago. I had sore breasts even after breast feeding my daughter for 6 months. Some moms adapt to it better than others, and I was never the best. I always ended up supplementing with formula, because I never felt like I was providing enough. There's nothing wrong with supplementing. NOTHING. Your baby has had a great start and giving him formula will give YOU some freedom. Plus, since you are going back to work, you will need to pump. If you aren't able to fill enough bottles to last the work day, you'll have to buy formula. Carnation Good Start is great and is very reasonable. Don't get sucked into buying expensive formula out of guilt. Sorry this is so long. Best of luck. A.

I have found the Red Rose La Leche League to be very helpful with all of my breastfeeding questions. We meet on the first Wednesday of every month from 9:30 to 11AM at the LGH Health Campus (third floor conference room). The group is open to all moms with breastfeeding questions. There are three trained leaders; I have the email address here for one of them, Jennifer, if you would like to write to her before the next meeting: ____@____.com

The best advice I have received is that you should listen to your baby's changing needs. You body WILL produce enough milk to keep up with him. It is a supply/demand situation. I hope LLL can give you some advice re: the pain. It should not be that way.

L.

Srephanie, Congrats on you new little son and try to hang in there!! I know exactly how you feel, and I know I experienced soreness at all different times during breastfeeding, especially in the beginning months. I breastfed my son for 17 months and in the beginning, I swear I was ready to quit so many times because of the pain, but I'm now happy I stuck it out. Lansinoh, which is a balm for your nipples, was a godsend!! If they are sore, try to use it as much as possible. I went through phases of the pain, I remember some times crying when he latched on it hurt so much, but once he latched on I felt better. All I can say is to try to stick it out and it definitely will get better. But use that Lansinoh as much as possible, it works very quickly to relieve the soreness. Even when you're not sore, use it to prevent it from getting too bad. At that age, i think it's common for him to be eating every two hours. I'm sure he's getting enough if he's not crying and agitated after eating. And a 5-6 hour stretch at that age at night is good. Good job and try to hang in there, you are giving your son the greatest gift by breastfeeding!

My son is 6 months old now. At 2 months he was still eating every 2 hours (even at night). I was so exhausted that just before he turned 3 months I started giving him cereal at dinner time. I did this with a bowl & spoon, not in the bottle, b/c I've heard that cereal in the bottle can lead to obesity. I'm not sure if that's true, but I didn't want to risk it. The first few feedings were messy, but he learned quickly & loved it. And best of all he began sleeping 4-6 hours at night. When I added breakfast & lunch to his menu he began to breastfeed less often. I think I added the other meals & other foods at 4 months. Now he breastfeeds a reasonable 4-6 times a day including one in the middle of the night. I have rarely had the "full" feeling. Even now with fewer feedings during the day. I wouldn't worry about that. As long as he's gaining weight appropriately & having enough wet diapers then he is fine.
As for the nipple soreness. I had sore nipples for a long time. I'm not sure when they went away, but I think I was using lanolin too often. (I would put it on after almost every feeding.) Once I stopped using it my soreness went away.

I think it's normal. My baby is 18 months old and I still get sore nipples once in awhile. Keep at it and good for you!

Nursing is supply and demand. The more he sucks the more milk comes. WOW! You're lucky. My 7 month old daughter sleeps no longer than 3 1/2 hours at a time still but she gets baby food and cereal now as well as a bottle and nursing. Technically a baby of such young age will nurse every 2-3 hours naturally, so it isn't really overuse. It feels like it to you because of the soreness. I've nursed 3 kids now and still got a little sore with the current milk monkey! My advise is to get something called Lansinoh ointment. It's pure and won't affect your son at all. It's in a purple tube and you can get it just about anywhere and it's about $8 or $9, but it lasts a while. You only use a little on the nipple every time you nurse. It really helped me. I wish I could give you some. I have a tube here that I only used twice and I'd be glad to give it to you. When you go back to work, it's either pump (have electric one, never used)and bottlefeed or formula feed with a bottle. Not married so young. I'm 38 and I've been married 20 years, 3 kids and bad kitty! Good luck and don't give up if you really want to nurse. I know it isn't easy, even for previous nursers like me. You won't regret it later. Good luck.

Hi, I've read through some of your responses but not all so forgive me if I repeat anything already written. Firstly, I don't see anything all that odd about a 2mo old eating every 2 hours. My ds nursed every 2 hours AROUND THE CLOCK until at least 6 months old and trust me, I was producing PLENTY. Pumping to check how much you produce is not accurate, your baby is much better at getting your milk out than your pump is. You can add at least an ounce to what you pump to get a better idea of what he's taking in. Get with LLL. Don't mix formula with breastmilk, it says so right on the instructions. Adding cereal to a bottle has been linked with obesity later in life AND your baby is not designed to digest cereal at that age, no matter what some well meaning doctor says. Check the literature. Your best bet is to just keep doing what your doing and get with LLL. Good luck.

S.,
I nursed my first born for 11 months and am now nursing my second daughter- 5 months. Nursing shouldn't hurt, maybe every once in a while, but not often. Make sure he is latching around your areoli- not just your nipple. That is the most common reason for soreness. Also, don't worry about you not suppling enough milk- it works on supply/ demand. There may be days where he eats more and after a day or two your milk supply will feel like it's caught up. The more you keep nursing the more you will make. Stress also can affect your milk supply. Try not to stress about it too much- our bodies have been feeding for years, so they know what to do. If you still feel like your not producing enough, tyr pumping and freezing some of your milk. I have also heard that the mother milk tea really works. Hope this helps.
Jennifer

Yes My son and daughter fed every 2 hours, my daughter is 1 and still breast feeds. It is common to get sore. it also depends on the urgency and his strong suck and latch. I can say I know it passes but at the time it does not feel like it.

The every two hour feeds happened to me, and I felt like I did not have enough milk but the lactation nurse I saw said the baby was gaining weight and not to worry, unless he started to lose weight, which he did not. I didn't quit and it worked out. At one point I tried to supplement with formula, but compared to breast milk, with my daughter, she did not like the formula at all. I used 100% cocoa butter stick, or lansinoh lanolin, both are greasy but put a good amount on and a breast pad, and wow it feels better, until the next time you feed him or until it heals. But it does heal. Keep your chin up.
M.

I breast fed my first son and it absolutely hurts, but I think it depends how it hurts as to whether or not he's latching on correctly. My nipple were so sore but I remember it being much better by 2 months. My son also ate like a pig. I used the lansinol cream after each time I fed him which helped. Also, right after he's done if you express a little milk onto the nipple and let it just air dry, it's very healing. Have you called the lactation consultant from the hospital? She would be able to answer questions and they probably offer a free consultation if you haven't taken advantage of it yet. Then you could have them check out how he is latching on and just be sure it's correct.

good luck and hang in there,
J.

Hi S.,

Congratulations on your new baby. At age 2 months, feeding every 2 hours during the day is pretty normal. Some babies just like to take smaller amounts more often. My son ate every hour when he was a baby. Even when I had a caregiver give him a bottle, he would only take 2 ounces at a time. He just liked to eat small and often. Remember that your baby's stomach is only as large has his little fist, so it can't hold a lot. I saw that someone else advised you to give him cereal, but I wanted to point out that 2 months is way too early to start a baby on cereal. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends waiting until your baby is at least 6 months old before starting any solids.

It does get better with time. As your baby gets more efficient at nursing he will eat for shorter amounts of times and will do it less frequently. And your baby is almost due for his 12 week growth spurt (and just finished another growth spurt at 6 weeks). A growth spurt typically lasts 3-7 days and during that time the baby will seem like he is always hungry and will want to nurse all the time. This is completely normal. He is communicating with your body to help it start producing more milk. As long as your baby is having wet diapers, I wouldn't worry that he isn't getting enough. Every baby is different and some like to eat more often than others.

For the sore nipples - you nipples may be tender and this is normal - but they shouldn't be too sore. You can use lanolin after every feeding and also put a little breastmilk on them and allow them to air dry. Also, hydrogel pads are great for easing sore nipples.

Congrats again on your new baby.

J.
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Hello S.,

ideally your breast are designed to work on a supply and demand. As your son demands or sucks your body supplies or produces milk. I breast fed both my children. Everything went fine with my oldest and i breastfed her until she was one. With the second i had that same feeling of not having enough milk to satisfy her. What i did was manually pump the same amount of time she would have sucked to visually see what was coming out. As it turns out i was not producing enough and had to stop breastfeeding her at 3 months. I suggest trying that and go from there after you see the results.

Regarding your nipples being sore. It is absolutely normal. My nipples actually became raw at the base and the skin tore. I used vaseline and gentle placed my finger between her mouth and my nipple to remove her. I hope it doesn't get that severe for you, but know that it can.

Hope everything works out for you because breastfeeding can be beneficial to both you and your child. Hang in there it is worth it in the end.

A. f.

Sounds like a normal 2 month old! You are right on track, and it will stay this way for a little bit longer. 5-6 hour stretches at night at this age is GREAT! You are doing all the right things.
About the sore nipples....The lactation support people will tell you that you are doing something wrong if your nipples are sore, I disagree. If they are sore for the first 30 seconds to 1 minute of nursing and then feel ok, you are ok. I found that using Lanolin cream was a HUGE help to my sore nipples. You can even buy breast pads with lanolin in them, those really help.

My son was the same way. I felt like all I did all day was sit and feed him. I've talked to other mothers who have had the same problems you are having. I would say that it's totally normal even though that doesn't help your breasts feel any better. I would try holding him in different positions and see if a different angle on the latch helps. I just used lanolin when I could(mostly at night). As long as he is happy and sleeping well through the night and making enough diapers you know that your supply is keeping up, it's just a pain to have such a hungry little man. It doesn't stop after breast feeding either; my 15 month old sons eats more than my 4 year old daughter! Good luck!

I've nursed all 3 of my bio-sons (and am still nursing the 20 month old) and I guess I'm wondering why you feel you don't have enough milk - is he excessively cranky or not gaining weight/growing in height? My boys used nursing as a comfort item - is it possible your son wants to nurse every 2 hours just to be close to you? Do you wear him at all (in a sling)? Maybe that would help him get some closeness he might be craving while allowing you time with your hands free to do other things.

Honestly, I'd say enjoy the nursing as much as you can - it won't last forever and is such a special time for bonding and being close. And as far as supply, you can try to increase your supply if you really think that's an issue (like he's not gaining weight or your pediatrician is concerned) using like mother's milk tea or I think some fenugreek. But if he's growing fine, having wet dipes, etc., you probably have PLENTY of milk for him (plus, the more you nurse, the more milk you'll have).

As for sore nipples, sounds like his latch *might* be off a bit - have you had a lactation specialist take a look at his nursing technique or visited a La Leche League leader? Now that I'm thinking about it, if his latch isn't just right, it would not only make you sore, but he'd also have trouble emptying your milk supply at each feeding. I'd definitely get some professional input in the latch (beyond what the nurses in the hospital might have said!).

Good luck and keep up the great work!!

Hi S.,
My son is three months and he still eats every 2-3 hours during the day and wakes up twice at night. I think this is pretty normal. I drink Mother's Milk tea which has Fenugreek in it and drink a glass of water before, during or directly after he eats and everything is okay. There is a fear that we aren't feeding our babies enough, but your body really does know what it's doing as long as you keep yourself healthy and hydrated. Your son will eat till he is full and be perfectly okay. On a side note, if you begin to supplement with formula your milk will begin to dry up. Everytime the baby latches on and suckles it sends a message to your body to make more milk. The more times this happens during the day, the more milk you produce. Once you begin to supplement with formula, your body will receive less signels that it needs to make milk. It's something that no one really informs us about when we start breastfeeding. I had to do my own research about breastfeeding to discover that bit of info.
the sore nipple thing - I totally understand - my son gave me hickies for the first few weeks before he got the hang of it - it's better now though.
Anyway, I hope this was helpful - hang in there;)

H.

i think i have to agree with the responses i read so far. eating every 2 hours for a two month old seems pretty normal. breast milk is more easily digested (which is a good thing) so nursing babies eat frequently, and sometimes they nurse for comfort as well (non-nutritive nursing, also normal.) when my dd was two months i pretty much left my shirt off and nursed all the time when we were home. our sling made it possible to go out at all. and, while dd never made my nipples hurt in any way, we nicknamed ds "hoover" because he a suck to rival an expensive vaccuum! make sure you nipples dry completely before covering them again, and they will likely "toughen up" over time. if the discomfort continues, look into a local lll meeting- they can also help with problems associated with returning to work, pumping, etc. congrats for hanging in there with nursing!!

Congrats on the sleeping 5-6 hours. You are lucky. As for the milk supply... Make sure you are constantly drinking water. ALso, if you are able, try pumping inbetween feedings. That really helped me increase my supply.

I haven't had a problem with my second child, 7 months, but felt like my milk started drying up very early with my daughter so I took a supplement call Fenugreek. IT is an herbal supplement that was recommended to me by thelactation consultant at the hospital. It did seem to work for me and I was ableto continue nursing her until she was almost a year.

I will have to agree that the best thing to help with sore niples is Lansinoh Ointment. USe it after each feeding and before you shower.

Godd Luck!

I breast fed my daughter until she was 8 months old and I never felt I produced enough milk. But I finally had to realize she had to be getting enough to eat because she was growing and sleeping decent stretches of time. If you son is growing and sleeping he must be getting enough to eat. I was lucky, I never had sore nipple problems. Good luck

It's perfectly normal to be sore after 2 months. As for your baby eating every two hours, I don't think that has anything to do with how much you're producing. All four of my children were breastfed, and they ate that often for months. But they gained weight and were happy, so they just needed more than the "every three hours" you hear about. If he's sleeping that well at night already, then you can be sure you're giving him everything he needs. Don't sweat it. You're doing great.

Hello! Congrats on your new little one. I too have a two month old and she is my 3rd. I nursed all my babies and never had soreness like I do with her. She has a really strong latch and during the first few weeks it hurt so much! Something that helped me was sleeping topless. I read in a magazine that the fresh air helps your nipples to heal...it worked wonders for me, and within a few days the soreness was gone. Just be sure to sleep with an extra sheet or something underneath of you to keep the rest of the bed dry :) Good luck and enjoy your baby, they grow too fast!

Hi S.,
It sounds like you have a "BARACUDA" nurser! My first son was like that, too. OUCH! was a common word whenever he latched on, but it did eventually get better. The experts will tell you that nursing is not supposed to hurt, but quite honestly, never in your life have you ever been sucked on for this long or this hard....even if you husband was a boob man! I would suggest you find yourself a lactation consultant or look into your local La Leche League group just to make sure you are doing everything right - as you child gets older and goes longer between feeds it really will feel better, but in the meantime, drink LOTS of fluid, eat well, pamper yourself when you can and know this will not last forever. You are doing the best for your baby.

I breastfed twins and was feeding them up to every 1.5 hours and they were never sore from "over use". I found, though, with my first son that it took more than 6 weeks for the initial soreness to go away. You probably have enough milk for him but maybe you just need to feed him more often? I had enough milk for my twins but had to feed them every 1.5 hours starting when they were about 2 months old. It was driving me crazy so I supplemented with formula after every feeding so I could stretch the time between breastfeeding to 3 hours.

If he takes a bottle feed him some breast milk with some rice cereal. A lot of times the breast milk does not fill up babies as well as formula. I would say if you are not opposed to formula give him formula and rice cereal. Luckily, my son slept through the night by four weeks but i gave him rice cereal in his bottle with the formula so he would not be so hungry all of the time. I had to do this since i had a breast reduction and could not breastfeed. Good Luck.

have you contacted la lache league? lalacheleague.org

Hi S.,

As a nurse with experience with breast feeding, it is possible you still have a yeast infection on your nipples. The baby's mouth could be reinfecting your nipples, thus contributing to the soreness. Talk to your child's pediatrician who can examine your baby's mouth for thrush. It could be that you both need to be treated for this condition. Ask your doctor is she knows about "triple nipple cream". That works well for fighting this. Also, saline soaks will feel confortable. Air drying is a must. Good luck! You could also contact a lactation consultant who will be invaluable in assessing the state of you sore nipples!

I hope you enjoy nursing your baby and remember, this will pass.

D.

I have a hungry three-month-old who seems right about on track with your little one. He now sleeps about 8 hours through the night and I've gotten him to usually go three hours between feedings. When he was about 2 months, however, I was having a bit of the same problem, so I talked to the pediatrician who said I could give him a little cereal. I pump in the mornings while my breasts are very full from the night. I pump one side while he is nursing on the other and then switch. For some reason this works very well and when my breasts are feeling empty I can give them a break by giving him the bottle with a little cereal. This is advised against by some pediatricians, by I know plenty of people who of done it with no reprecussions. Also, there is nothing wrong with adding a little formula. I often feel guilty about doing it, but breastfeeding is hard, and we all could use a little break sometimes! Some days I just mix a little formula with expressed breastmilk and it really helps. I hope this was helpful, good luck!

I'm a volunteer breastfeeding counselor and I'm happy to share with you some of my breastfeeding knowledge. It's very normal for a 2 month old to nurse every two hours and it's not a sign that you don't have enough milk to satisfy him. As long as your pediatrician is happy with his weight gain and he is getting enough wet diapers he should be getting enough milk. As he gets older his nursings should stretch out during the day. That's great that he's sleeping 5-6 hours overnight, consider yourself lucky! It's not normal that your nipples are very sore, it's a red flag that something is wrong. Are you sure that the thrush has cleared up? Were both you and the baby treated for thrush? Are you sure that the baby's latch is good. Often sore nipples are a sign of a latch problem. There are breastfeeding resources in the Community that can help you: the Doylestown Nursing Mothers, and the Nursing Mothers Advisory Council Helpline ###-###-####. The helpline can answer your questions and also put you into contact with a volunteer counselor with the Doylestown Nursing Mothers. The Doylestown Nursing Mothers has monthly meetings at Doylestown Hospital the third Friday of the month at 10:00 am. I hope this information is helpful

My baby wanted to nurse every 1 1/2 hours until he was about 3-4 months old. It was exhausting but my Dr. said if he was keeping it down he needed the calories. My breast did hurt. I used the Lansonih cream (I'm not sure of the spelling). It worked great. Try it. If you go to the store they will know what it is. Good luck and don't stop nursing. I am still nursing my 10 month old. It gets so much easier!!!! Also, I takes lots of alfalfa supplements. it doubles you milk supply. I have never had a problem in that department since taking alfalfa AND it is very good for you and the baby. I am a registered nurse and nutritionist. Believe me, I have looked into this:)

H.

Hi S.! My heart goes out to you and I applaud you for sticking with breastfeeding, as you are doing the very best thing for both your baby and yourself. I'm a first-time grandma (she'll be 18 months on March 1st), but I raised three sons and breastfed them all for 1 year to 15 months. My first son was overdue by two weeks. Due to his size (9 1/2 lbs., 22 3/4" length) we couldn't fit him into newborn size and had to wear 3 month size on the ride home from the hospital! When I nursed him, I ran into a similar situation. Due to his extra development in the womb, he had a phenomenol latch and voracious appetite. I had too much milk at first until the supply/demand evened out. One important thing that moms sometimes forget is that you must keep yourself hydrated. Also, just like when you were pregnant, you need a higher amount of calories and nutrients to support the added demand on your body. When you were pregnant, your body was growing him. Now your body is manufacturing milk to sustain him. Give yourself as excellent nutrition as possible, and abundant hydration with healthy liquids (water, 100% juices, antioxidant-rich tea, lowfat or nonfat milk or soymilk), and your body will have no problem keeping up with your son's appetite. One question: how long at a time is he nursing? If he's already going 10-15 minutes per side, he's probably getting the essential fatty acids that come in toward the end of the nursing session. Is he gaining weight normally? If he is, do not worry that he's not getting enough. Now, as for your soreness, it does help to air-dry your nipples after a feeding. We're not talking hairdryers here! Just lay down with your chest bared for a bit after he's nursed. Having that constant moisture depletes the natural oils in your areolas, leaving them dried out, extra sensitive and prone to cracking and infection. Do you have access to a La Leche League counselor? They can be a tremendous source of information and support.

S.,
yest your nipples can just be sore from use. When not feeding try to keep them dry but use Lanisoh ointment to moisturize. That stuff works wonders!!!! You can also try cabbage leaves. Put the cabbage in the fridge and after each feeding put a leaf on each breast. Because the cabbage is mostly water, when its cold it holds its temp longer and can be very soothing. Check with your Dr. and maybe try giving your baby a few flakes of Rice cereal in a bottle. Sounds like your baby needs a "little something to stick to his ribs" The cereal is very flaky and you would want to grind it to a powder so it will dissolve in the milk. Becaus the baby is still so little just a few flakes will be enough for now.

Hi S.,

I suggest you see a lactation consultant to help you with latch and prepare for your return to work. There is a great consultant in Glenside. Her name is Collette and she runs an organization called the Breastfeeding Resource Center. They have a sliding scale and your insurance will likely pay for most of the initial visit.

I met with her twice and HIGHLY recommend it!!! My nipples were very sore and cracked initially, but with her help I have been pain free. I also have a two month old who nurses about every 2 hours.

BRC - Breastfeeding Resource Center
117 N. Easton Rd.
Glenside, PA 19038
###-###-####
http://www.breastfeedingresourcecenter.org

Office Hours

Open Monday - Friday
Office Hours: 9 A.M. - 4 P.M.

Good luck - H.

Hi Girlfriend. I share your pain. :) Try a breast pump and relax. Go ahead and nurse whenever you feel you can and pump in between and feed that to your baby. Increase your fluids, increase your fluids, increase your fluids, at least a gallon a day. The biggest thing is to relax and enjoy the time you have left before going back to work. You will NEVER regret continuing to breast feed but you WILL regret Not breast feeding. My son is 16 now and I had to stop at 7 months old as I went back to work. He'd bite and draw blood when I came home to nurse him. I stopped and still regret it. Long story short..he has ADD and Asthma as well as other emotional issues. Had I perservered he would not have the breathing issues that he has. The other issues, well who knows. So. Its only two months so hang in there. Gaze into his eyes, smile, coo, and rock him. Sing and put on soothing music...no TV. Read to him and relax. He can feel your upset and may nurse more to soothe himself. Try to keep your environment low key and calm. The more you relax, the more he will relax. This will allow you more milk let down and he will naturally not suck as hard. Hope this helps, just don't quit. N.

S., soreness is unfortunately normal. I experienced the same thing with my son who's now 6 months old. He also wanted to nurse several times during the day, which is good. That way he wouldn't be up at night. As long as he's gaining weight, you have enought milk. Your body will adjust to his eating habits. Good luck!

You have quite the eater, he is probably experiancing a growth spirt and will likely back off in a few days and sleep a great deal more give you a chance to heal. It is possible to be sore from us and recovering from thrush. Use lanolin on your nipples and if it continues do not be afraid to call a lactation consultant, as a last resort call La Leche League, they are very informed but some can be intimidating to new mothers. Best of Luck with your little blessing.

First I would just like to say I'm not sure why so many mothers think they are not making enough milk this only happens very rarely and ussually only when the mothers are dehydrated. I think not being able to visually see what they are eating makes us get nervous but I can assure you that your problem is not caused by poor milk supply. I also had thrush with my last 2 children and I also had to be treated for it many doctors only give the baby medicine but thrush can make your nipples sore. You can also give it back to the baby if you are not clear of it. It sounds like his eating schedule is what it should be and you sound extremely lucky at night to be able to sleep for 5 -6 hours at a time I was lucky to get 2 with my first son. Hang in there it sounds like you have yeast on your nipples and thats whats causing the sorenes it gets so much easier after this. The first 3 months are the hardest it's a piece of cake after this. If you have any other problems please feel free to ask I hope this helps and good luck with breastfeeding.