tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34759951.post5251773755772135824..comments2023-10-23T08:31:00.528-07:00Comments on AcadeMama: 11 Days and Still Hanging InAcadeMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15510282285225998011noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34759951.post-11339342761638159712009-05-05T17:18:00.000-07:002009-05-05T17:18:00.000-07:00So sorry to hear it's such rough going. You shoul...So sorry to hear it's such rough going. You should try stripping the baby down and getting her chilly. When my son was born, by the time I got a lactation consultant to come help me get him latched on, he was in that sleepy newborn mode. We had to get him practically naked and use cool washcloths to keep him awake so he would nurse. Something about being that irritated got him to keep swallowing and kept him awake for 10-15 minutes so he could get some food into him. I can't imagine letting the baby hang on for so long-- my lac.consultant told me to avoid going for more than 15 minutes a side, at least at first, because she said I would just end up with sore boobs. <br /><br />You might also want to try using a nipple shield (I know, dumb name). I had to use one at first, because he wasn't getting enough into his mouth to stimulate his sucking reflex-- I only used it for a week or so and weaned him off of it once he got the whole latching on thing going. Plus, the thin silicon shield protects you from getting overly chapped or shredded. Some uber-serious people advise against them, but having one was a lifesaver for me. And I swear it helped protect me as much as it helped my baby get something to eat.<br /><br />Anyway- good luck with everything. It's a rough road at first, but it does get better. Hopefully sooner rather than later for you :)Lisa Dunickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08530026652363687161noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34759951.post-32287032943415234742009-05-04T17:09:00.000-07:002009-05-04T17:09:00.000-07:00I know you said the lactation consultant told you ...I know you said the lactation consultant told you to massage your breasts to keep her eating... but did she specifically tell you to do breast compressions? Here's some information on it:<br />http://www.nbcionline.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8:breast-compression&catid=5:information&Itemid=17<br />and here are some video clips, there's at least one that demonstrates compressions:<br />http://www.nbcionline.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=6&Itemid=13<br /><br />Jack Newman is a leading Canadian breastfeeding expert, so hopefully that might help. You can also email them with a question, but I'm not sure how quickly they reply.<br /><br />If you stick with it and it eventually works out, it will definitely start to be easier and take a lot less time ... I know it's hard though, it's so draining! It's hard to explain to someone just *how* exhausting it is when in their eyes you're just sitting there relaxing. Make sure you're taking care of yourself - eat well, drink lots of water, etc. <br /><br />Good luck!canuck_gradhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09450635786450351649noreply@blogger.com