Nursing - Sacramento, CA

Good for you... breastfeeding has been a wonderful experience for my son and I. It took us 3 months to get the breastfeeding under control. I would just suggest you eat a healthy balanced diet, drink lots of water. And relax....the more you worry, and obsess the harder it will be. Just keep trying. I almost gave up several times, my son is now 22 month and still nursing (much to my surprise) He is a very happy little boy and I believe a large part of that is because of the nursing. Good luck....push through the discomfort...it gets better.

Hi Kimberly!
Congadulations!
I wondered if you have ever considered taking a breastfeeding class your medical group may offer....I had my son 5 months ago and was nervous about breastfeeding because my mom and sister had the same issues you had.
They offered me great advice and the class really inspired me. I would definately recommend looking into it if you havn't done so already.
I often implement the things taught from that class and have had no trouble.

Good Luck!

Talk to a breast feeding consultant. Your doctor or midwife should have a contact.

Hi K.,
I would recommend contacting your local La Leche League Leader (llli.org). It is free, and they are trained consultants, and experienced mothers who have breastfed and weaned their children. They are volunteers.
I know from other moms that yes you can do it, you may just need some help from someone experienced in that area.
There are things you can take, but I would discuss that with a lactation consultant or leader.
There is probably a meeting in your area soon, and try to go while still preggers (not that you have much time!).
Best of luck with your new one! You can do it!

As soon as the doctors say it's ok to drink after giving birth start drinking Nursing Tea. They sell it in the hospital gift shop where I delivered. I've used Traditional Medicinals Organic Mother's Milk and Herb Lore Nursing Tea. You can buy the Traditional Medicinals at Whole foods and the Herb Lore at Herblore.com Both of them worked well. Check with a lactation specialist to confirm.

Definitely see a lactation consultant if that is an option for you. Two good friends had the same issue and they saw lactation consultants that helped them through it. It might have just been the support that was the biggest help. Breastfeeding does not come naturally to a lot of people, but it is so rewarding (and easy) if you stick with it. With my son it took 10 weeks to get underway, with my daughter is was more like 16 weeks. It was tough but so worth it both times. Many people have recommended Fenugreek, Mother's Milk Tea and beer! (Not that I'm recommending that!)

Good luck and I hope it goes well for you. I know it can be so frustrating.

Hi K.,
I am a new mom and just wanted to give you words of encouragement. You can do this if you stick to it and get your own system down. The lactaion consultants are great for general advice, very knowledgable. But you and your baby have to figure it out together. I had to use a "nipple shield" for a long time... like 2 mo...or she couldn't latch on. And in the first few days I had no milk and thought that the whole breastfeeding wasn't gonna work... but I supplemented with formula till my milk came in and everything worked out fine. I was against it, but it got us over the "hump" and on to better breastfeeding. Now we are breastfeeding away and I LOVE it. Its time during our busy days to just sit and be "mommy and baby" with no distractions. ... and breastfeeding is tough... I thought it would be SOO easy and boy was I wrong... its a lot of work to get my milk to stay full (Mother's Milk tea, pump pump pump), but its so worth it : - )I wish you luck... don't give up!