Expert: ruth kraft - 2/1/2009

Question
Hi my baby boy is 8 1/2 weeks old. I've been having allot of trouble getting him latched on properly, he eats and is gaining weight, but my nipples are sore and red, i use nipple cream. but that doesn't help, i have tried and tried to get him on properly and do not know what else to do.
I have also noticed in the last week he has been only eating for a few minutes at a time on one breast and then goes asleep for about  20 minutes, then wants to eat again, this could go on all day. I was getting worried so i decided to pump, i only pumped about 30ml from one breast, and about 40 ml from the other, when he was first born i was pumping over 150 ml per breast, is this a sign of my milk drying up??

Answer
Hello, it sounds to me as though his latch needs to be checked. you  be having soreness and redness at this point. I would find in person lactation consultant or a La leche league member who can help you for free. LLL.org is a good place to find them.

I cannot diagnose an improper latch or tell you what to do instead of because I cannot see in person what needs to be tweaked. so I strongly suggest you do that.

and secondly, no, its not likely that your milk is drying up. if baby is still nursing, after a couple months your breasts adjust to the amount of milk the baby is telling your body that it needs.  

Have the evaluation for latch and the person helping you should be able to tell you what to do if your milk should be increased etc.

I hope that helped

Ruth Kraft
www.honoringwomen.com