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:( b/f issues
I just realized that b/f could mean a number of things. So, just to clear things up I'm talking about breastfeeding not my main squeeze on the side.
I was super lucky w/breastfeeding. Cameron responded well (you've seen my chunka cheese) & I've gotten better at positioning him correctly (we had a few rough days in the beginning). My mil bought me a pump so I could pump before going back to work. I tried pumping in the very beginning but my boobs hurt so bad I kept telling myself I'd start another day. Now, I go back in two weeks & pumping is not giong as smoothly as I had hoped. 
Not only does it hurt during but I'm in pain for the entire day. I tried pumping at night but that made it worse. I don't know if I'm not doing it right or what but the other night I pumped for 2 hrs (TWO HRS!) & only pumped enough for one bottle (4 1/2 ozs). Then last night I pumped for an hour & only produced 2 ozs. It's so frusterating. I couldn't sleep last night because I kept thinking that along with b/f I'll probably have to give daycare formula for the day. I'd still like to give them at least one bottle of breast milk but it sucks to exclusively b/f all this time & now I'll have to use formula.
Pity party of one.
Thanks for listening. If you have any formula recs let me know.
Re: :( b/f issues
I'm sorry hon. I'm no help since I couldn't BF but have you tried your La Leche league? They were really helpful with me and free. All my local hospitals have a BF help group.
Try talking to a lactation consultant, they might be able to help. What kind of pump do you have? I used the one just below hospital grade and it hurt like HE!! for the first few minutes each time I used it but it did work well. I think it was a Medela Pump in Style...I can't remember exactly, sorry. You can also see about renting a pump from the hospital - your insurance might even cover it.
It also took a week or so of pumping every 3 hours to start getting a substantial amount (I supplemented with formula). Sarah never took to my breast though, she was solely bottle fed with breastmilk. I remember being so excited when I pumped 4oz the first time! :-)
The formula that we've been using since day 1 with Sarah is Goodstart. The regular powder in the orange can. There isn't a generic for it but BRU does sell the larger sized cans that you can't get anywhere else (that I can find anyway). The pedi said we can start moving her to whole milk this month - wooohooo! :-)
Keep your chin up...breastfeeding is hard - especially for something that's supposed to be so "natural"!
If you have more questions or need more suggestions, just shoot me an email! lorikeenan at sbcglobal dot net
Have you checked out kellymom.com ? That website has a lot of good advice and resources. Definitely see if your hospital has any sort of postpartum breastfeeding support and look into talking to an IBCLC.
?I think the problem is with your pump. It shouldn't hurt to pump if it doesn't hurt to feed him when latched properly. I haven't paid a lot of attention to it but sometimes you need a different sized something on the pump to better suit your breast. Or maybe the positioning of the pump is slightly off and that's what's causing so much pain.
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Good luck and keep your chin up.?
I have a medela PIS. I pump a couple times a day - once in the evening about 30 min after I nurse and get 1.5 oz, A gives Luke a bottle for 1 nighttime feeding, and once after I feed him in the night. I go about 5 hours w./o nursing when a does his feeding so I have alot of extra milk.
Hang in there! I expect that once I go back to work and pump there, there will be plenty for him since I'll be pumping when I would normally be feeding him. Also, dont know what kind of pump you have but I know medela makes different sizes of breast shields. Maybe you just dont have a good fit.
I think you are pumping too long. Get a towel soak it in warm water and wrapped it around your breasts for awhile than pump. But only pump for about 15min on each side-just like a feeding. Even if nothing comes out. And try that every couple hours.
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My best advice is to ask the BFing board, they know sooooo much over there!!!
GL!!!!
It's tough!!!
I had to laugh at main squeeze on the side! Crazy girl
Brandy, I'm sorry it is turing into a struggle for you. My MIL is a lactation consultant and she called me earlier this week to check on me and see if I had any questions. She also dropped a lot of info. It had my head spinning! I can't believe there is so much involved. I agree with the girls here, check with the hospital and see if you can speak to someone or even go in for a one on one appointment. A lot of the hospitals do it and it may even be free.