Tools for surviving the painful first weeks of breastfeeding

The first few days of breastfeeding are usually the most nerve-wrecking. It’s when we experience anxiety (When is the milk coming? Is baby getting enough?), pain and soreness (from all the latching and trying to get a good latch), engorgement issues (when the milk finally kicks in), and also tiredness (after the laborious task of giving birth).

Thankfully, Joshie and I have gotten past that phase and are now pretty much in auto-pilot mode. For the first two days in hospital, I just focused on latching him well, rousing him to be awake enough to feed properly, and drinking as much fluid and soups as I could get into my body. This being number 3, I find that it gets easier with each time…a bit like the body already knows how to do its thing. ;)

Here are my favourite tools to help get through the initial weeks of breastfeeding.

Medela breast shields - I’ve used this since Vera days. It not only helps to save milk from those sudden letdowns that occur in the first few months when your breasts are full. You can wear them when your nipples are sore as they allow your nipples to breathe, which helps to alleviate soreness.

Medela purelan - I’ve always used this sticky gel substance to help me get through the painful (sore) first week of breastfeeding. It helps to lock in moisture and soothe nipples and the small tube is sufficient because once you get through to the second or third week you’re fine.

This time round, I also started using Mustela’s nursing comfort balm and I find it soothing too, with a cooling sensation upon application and a nice fruity scent.

Cold cabbage - This is the best remedy for engorgement which generally happens when milk kicks in on the third or fourth day. Once you feel the hardening don’t wait, grab some chilled white cabbage, pluck the largest leaves and wrap it on yourself. (Most hospitals keep cabbage in stock for new mums who experience engorgement during their hospital stay.) “Wear” them for two hours or until no longer cool to touch, and change new leaves. Do this until you feel your breasts soften.

Fennel tea - this non-caffeinated herbal tea is said to stimulate milk supply. Since I can’t drink milk (baby is lactose intolerant) I’ve given up my usual teh-si and am taking to the taste of fennel quite well. You can get this at most Cold Storage supermarkets in Singapore.

Papaya fish soup - supposed to stimulate milk supply as well.

Tips:

• After every feed in the first week, squeeze some milk and dab gently on nipples. This acts like a natural balm as well.
• You’ll usually experience soreness on one side first. So when it gets too sore to bear, let that side rest and have baby feed more /longer on the other side. But remember to still feed normally on that side once you can, as you don’t want to let it rest for too long. If you really can’t feed from one side, you can tandem pump from that side while feeding baby on the other. This helps to save time and still stimulate supply from the sore breast.
• To help ease soreness, you can try changing positions for instance from cradle hold to football or side-sleeping position. This is because different positions provide different points of pressure from your baby’s suckle.
• If it’s too painful, try pumping instead of latching directly for a couple of feeds. Then feed the milk to baby using a small deep spoon.
• If you’re not pumping much milk (especially if it’s your first few tries and your body is not used to the pump), try to be in a relaxed position and think loving thoughts about baby. This helps to stimulate letdown. You can also hold a hot water bottle to your chest. Always remember to massage well as this helps to get the milk flowing and preventing blockage.

What other tools / tips have worked for you? Please share it here!