Search Results for: blog common problems with latch on technique

Ask a Baby Blogger: Should I Use a Nipple Shield?

Question: My nipples are sore and cracked. If I use a nipple shield, will it help them heal faster? Also, how do I use a nipple shield. Generally speaking, the answer is a resounding NO! You should never use a nipple shield outside of the care of a qualified IBCLC (lactation consultant). Most lactation consultants will not encourage you to use a nipple shield either but rather will work with you to fix the latch (which is the problem if your nipples are cracked and bleeding). Nipple shields are useful in a few instances but we’ll get to that in … Continue reading →

A Breastfeeding Experience Part II

I learned later from other first time mom’s that the first few weeks of breastfeeding can be quite painful. Cracked and bleeding nipples are not uncommon for first timers or in the early days of post-partum with consecutive babies. Other mom’s warned me that I might have a breast infection; I did not however. The honest to goodness truth is that breastfeeding can and often does hurt. After I weaned my son (a good six months before my daughter’s birth), I could not help but wonder what my experience with breastfeeding would be the second time around. I was almost … Continue reading →

Is Pumping the Right Answer?

There’s a new trend in breastfeeding and I’m not so sure I love it. But I don’t hate it either because after all, it does accomplish the same goal essentially. What is this new trend you might ask? Exclusive pumping. Exclusive pumping, at least in the United States, is becoming more and more popular. There are a variety of reasons for this and really I’m somewhat speculating. I realize that women pump when their babies are in the hospital or they pump when they’re having latch issues. I get that some women need to go back to work, etc., etc. … Continue reading →

Valorie’s Breastfeeding Index

Later today I will post a review of the baby blog of 2007 so why does breastfeeding get its own category? Well, in part as an answer to readers who want to read what I’ve written on breastfeeding. I’ve written so much on breastfeeding at this point that you all have asked for an index of sorts so it’s easier to find what you’re looking for. It’s also in part because I’ve become known as the breastfeeding lady. . .guru. . .whatever you want to call it. I’ve been at this breastfeeding business for a long time and many of … Continue reading →

What You Need to Know About Nipple Confusion

From everything that I read before beginning to breastfeed, I thought that nipple confusion was the end all to nursing and THE thing to prevent from happening. In my mind, it was one of the worst things that could happen to you and your baby. Now I’ve been nursing at least one baby for eight years, and I know better. There are worse things that can happen than nipple confusion. Mastitis, thrush, or dealing with a poor latch are all more painful than nipple confusion. Nipple confusion is when a young baby is introduced to too many different types of … Continue reading →

The Cost of Breastfeeding Intervention vs. Formula Feeding

I have written before about my beloved Meghan, who was the absolute worse nursing baby in the whole world. She was cranky, didn’t latch properly, made breastfeeding a nightmare. . .and so on. She was my third baby though, so I was willing to seek out qualified professional help. . .at the hefty price of $135 per hour! Our insurance company does not cover a visit to the lactation consultant. I am not aware of any in this area that do nor am I aware of any pediatric practices that have them on staff. (Some pediatric practices near us have … Continue reading →