shizham,
Ask your wife to relook on her latch. If baby is latched on correctly, she shouldn't have cracked nipples. Not to brag but I've been BFing my gal for almost 3 years already & I've never had any cracked nipples episodes. So google on some latch on videos on youtube & watch. If still cannot, go & consult a Lactation Consultant. Please PM me if you need contacts.

Meanwhile, ask her to put some breastmilk on her nipples, try not to wear bra & "air" her boobs. This will help heal. Take care!

shizam,
Ouch! No wonder she's in pain! Try to get baby to open mouth big (like yawn) when latching on. Our Mod posted a really good video there. Gambate!

nicKit,
Your boobs should feel softer AFTER a feed/pump session.

nickit,
It's normal for babies to be sleepy during early days. You can tickle his chin to wake him up.

As for pumped milk, DO NOT leave in room temperature if you don't use it immediately. Please put in the fridge to chill. Msia's weather is too hot & your milk will turn rancid fast. General guideline is 4 hours max but for our weather, I think 2 hours also don't know can tahan or not. You can top up different pump sessions PROVIDED both milk are same temperature. Eg : Session 1 20ml, you put in fridge to chill. Session 2, 20ml, you put in fridge to chill also. After 1-2 hours later, you can add both sessions together as temperature are the same already. When you want to feed, just warm up the milk either using a warmer OR traditional method (milk bottle sit in a hot water. Please take note :-

1) DO NOT use microwave as will create hotspots.
2) DO NOT shake the milk as our milk protein will break, you can swirl it gently as milk will be separated to a few layers when chilled.
3) DO NOT use boiling hot water/temperature too high on warmer to warm your milk as high temperature will kill nutrients in your milk.

Hope these helps.

This post has been edited by janicelly: Dec 2 2010, 02:02 PM

charmingqueen99,
Can you please elaborate more? What do you mean that your baby do not like feed direct? He latched on & off? He totally refused?

If he don't latched on, you must pump to maintain your supply. If you don't, that's like telling your body no need to make that much.

merchant9,
Apart from FreeStyle, can consider older model Pump In Style Advanced (bulkier though). The price is cheaper then FreeStyle & it has 2 Phase Technology also.

nickit,
Cannot borrow freezer space from in laws/parents/relatives? It is kind of risky to pump today, feed tomorrow without any backup. I used to have a full freezer of backup stocks but those stocks were used up in a week or 2 after I kena stomach virus. Supply dropped like mad, very tension oh!

Syd,
Wow! That's a very good bargain you got there. Wish they launched FreeStyle when I started breastfeeding back then XD (I have pump envy syndrome!)

nickit,
When I suggested you to put extra milk at parents' place, it's not for you to go there daily to take for usage. It's really an emergency stash & you'll only need to go there once a while to rotate your stash.

As for freezing milk in ice cube trays, you can consider Milk Trays. After they're frozen, you can put them in ziplock bags.

You can invest in nursing wears - discreet & with easy openings. If not, can consider nursing poncho (but this will attract stares). I've BFed everywhere in public & the best "accessory" is definitely my nursing tank top. You can wear in underneath normal clothing or wear a cardigan etc over it. Most of the time, ppl won't know you are BFing - it looks like you are cradling baby to sleep. Just practice in front of the mirror before you try it outside & you'll be surprised how "less' there is to see. Ask your hubby to see to. It's not as bad as he thinks

Re BFing in moving car, big no no cos baby should be in car seat ALL.THE.TIME. If need to, stop the car then only BF.

Re ringsling, do give it a try. Just practice more & you'll get it right. As for baby crying when you put him in, do try again but this time walk after you put him inside. I bet he'll calm down. After some time, he'll grow to like it.
I used to wear my daughter in a pouch sling when she was smaller & she loved it .

I agree with SydG there. I only started offering water once baby starts solid food. Initially they will reject but just keep trying. My kid likes to drink water now, so I feel the 1st 6 months no water doesn't really affect them, IMHO.