I have a friend that is trying to nurse. She has not educated herself in anyway. She doesn't even have a nursing bra.
She is having trouble with latching her lil guy on. One breast she doesn't even offer to him because of her "lazy nipple". I'm not sure but I think it's flat. Once he is latched, he nurses just enough to satisfy him for a little nap. He then will wake and be ready to nurse again. I was there for 2 hours Sunday and he nursed 3 times and he still was rooting. She gave him 1/2 oz of formula (yes, from a bottle) and he was still rooting.
It's hard for me because if it was me I would do things differently (no bottles, nursing round the clock).
What advice can I give? What can I do to help him latch better?
I have left my pump with her. I told her that it would help with her problem nipple.
I would honestly refer her to a LL consultant. B/c they are really the pro's. THey would be able to spend days, if needed, to really get all of the issues solved.
I would also send her to LLL or a Lactation Consultant for hands on help.
If he is a newborn, nursing 3 times in 2 hours isn't that odd. She does need to try using the pump on the off side if she would like to keep her milk production up while she figures it out. Then she can give him any expressed milk instead of formula. It's hard to help with latch, if you don't know what the problem is. Sounds like he is getting some thing, but not enough. Though newborns don't always get as much as they want the first few days while the milk supply comes in. Do you know if her milk is in yet? You did not say how old the baby was.
ON the flat side, she could pump to get the nipple out and then offer it to her DS. She needs to make sure he opens his mouth up wide so that he gets a good latch. There is also the possibility he likes sleeping and it doesn't take much nursing to knock him out. So then she needs to keep him awake long enough to get a good nursing session in. With a newborn, you want AT LEAST 10-15 min sessions if possible.
He was born thursday evening. Her milk came in monday.
She had 3 different "baby nurses" help her in the hospital and they all gave her different advice.
Where we live there is no LLL. The nearest group is an hour away.
Where we live there is no LLL. The nearest group is an hour away.
You could still call them and see if they can offer any assistance over the phone. How about Lactation consultants - any of those in your area? From what I've heard - they are worth the money.
How about Lactation consultants - any of those in your area? From what I've heard - they are worth the money.
I am the closest the that we have to a LC in our area. There is one at the hospital where ahe delivered, but she was no help.
Kelli and the baby are doing better. She is pumping and then latching on. I really think that she just has small, flat nipples and that was causing the problem. Pumping is helping with getting him latched.
She was sad that she "only" got an ounce when she pumped for the first time. I was all excited and told her that was awesome.
I think we may be over this first hurdle.
That's great! An ounce this early is really good. Just reminder if she makes any other comments about not getting much when she pumps that you can't pump as much as the baby can get out.
07-15-2008, 07:07 PM
Trying to help a friend
