Breastfeeding Tips, Questions and Advice!!

mommymeg143

I searched our thread history and couldn't find a thread where we could talk all things breastfeeding!!

If we have one, please link it below.

How is everyone doing with breastfeeding? Do you have any tips? Questions? Need to vent? If so, post away!!

mommymeg143

So far, we are doing okay with feedings. My milk came in on Saturday and I had to get a pump to relieve the pressure. Emerson is very good at latching but I have anxiety that she is not getting enough because I can't see exactly how much she is getting. I find that it's easier for me to pump every two/three hours and give her a bottle. Do you think this is bad of me?

Also, when she gets fussy, she acts like she wants to eat but ends up just using my nipple as a soothie. I don't mind it because it puts her to sleep but I'm not sure if this will cause problems in the future. Anyone else's baby doing this?

PineApple85

mommymeg143 said:

So far, we are doing okay with feedings. My milk came in on Saturday and I had to get a pump to relieve the pressure. Emerson is very good at latching but I have anxiety that she is not getting enough because I can't see exactly how much she is getting. I find that it's easier for me to pump every two/three hours and give her a bottle. Do you think this is bad of me? Also, when she gets fussy, she acts like she wants to eat but ends up just using my nipple as a soothie. I don't mind it because it puts her to sleep but I'm not sure if this will cause problems in the future. Anyone else's baby doing this?

Watch for her wet diapers.  As long as she is wetting often enough and the urine is clear to faint yellow she's good.  I had the same anxiety with DS1.  Also, pumping and offering a bottle isn't inherently bad but some things to be aware of: you may not respond to the pump as well as your baby so it *might* create supply issues and there's also the possibility of baby coming to prefer the bottle to the breast and then you'll have inadvertently become an EP-er.  Not a bad thing at all in and of itself but certainly not something that most women would prefer as the work that goes into EP-ing is tiring and makes long-term BF-ing that much harder to stick to.

As for the 2nd part, it sounds normal to me and you'll get differing opinions on whether or not that is a problem.  I do not think that there is a problem with nursing LOs to sleep and I did so with DS1 until he weaned.  I also prefer offering the breast as a soothing tool over a paci as it also has benefits in that it stimulates your supply.  Momma and baby enjoy the closeness and you don't have to deal with weaning LO from a paci.  But I have heard from various Mama's that they had no trouble weaning and I have no experience with them as DS1 never had one.

MuchlyGen

@mommymeg143 If baby is latching well and nursing, gaining weight and having diapers, then she's getting enough! It's easier for babies to stop when they're full if they're nursing at the breast rather than using a bottle, where swallowing creates a vacuum effect that fills their mouth again even if they're not really still hungry. It's certainly NOT bad of you to pump and give her a bottle, but it's also not necessary! (I have a great deal of respect for mamas who pump, as it can get pretty tough, and the pump is not as efficient as baby is at getting milk out - this can lead to supply difficulties when milk production switches over to supply & demand rather than hormone based).

Secondly, totally normal for baby to comfort nurse. Pacifiers are replacement boobs, babies are hardwired to want to nurse to sleep, nurse to soothe, nurse when they're bored, nurse when they're grumpy, nurse if they have a tummy ache... so on and so forth. My first son was a MAJOR comfort nurser. It was pretty constant, and I would just gingerly break his latch and slip my nipple out of his mouth once he fell asleep. My second son was way less attached to the boob, which was both kind of nice and also kind of baffling - how the heck was I supposed to get him to fall asleep/calm down/cheer up if his boob devotion was lacking? LOL. It will not cause problems in a physiological sense. If you're fine with it, it's totes fine. If you're fine with it right now, but not fine with it later, then there's always things to do to try and reduce the amount of comfort nursing (or try a pacifier as a replacement when she's a little bigger).

Sorry for wordiness!

mamatohne

@mommymeg143‌ I struggled with the same thing when I bfing ds. My advice is trust your body and trust your instincts. I can say the fact that I started pumping and bottle feeding made me miserable in the long run and I think it is why I wasn't super successful with it. I know a lot of mom's do it and it works for them. I say if you don't have to pump and bottle feed dont.

On the plus side. Pumping and bottle feeding=help from dh.

As far as using you as a soothie, both of my babies do/did this. I try to pull her off if she's not drinking so she doesn't do this.
.good luck mama. You are doing great.

sweetbabyrahe

We have been doing okay. No latch problems thankfully. We have been just nursing on demand but he loves to fall asleep too quickly and I have to try to really keep him awake. If he has a short feed then he just wants to eat soon after. He's making plenty of diapers so
I can only assume he's getting enough although he's still down from his birth weight

Stephaniegiboney

Also @mommymeg143‌ I am not sure how old your LO is but mine is 4 weeks now and some of that sleepiness has resolved itself and she is more alert for feedings. This has increased my confidence that she is getting enough because she is eating more actively for a longer period of time. I had the same issues my first few weeks. Another thing that helped was going to the pediatrician and finding out she had gained a pound in the two weeks she has been home from the NICU.

All in all, trust your bod! I sometimes give a pumped bottle too, just for a break for my breasts and the peace of mind that she is getting a full feeding!
Do what feels right!

mommymeg143

Thank you all for the great advice!! BFing is such an adventure but I love doing it.

It is so great to hear from other moms going through the same thing and I really appreciate it!!

ejpetey

I'm sure this is a dumb question but a couple of you have mentioned "enough" wet/poopy diapers - what do you consider enough??

missymaye

@ejpetey‌ I was told that after the first few days, baby should be producing 5-6 wet diapers and at least 3 dirties a day. My one week old poops way more than that so I assume he is getting enough milk!

As for me, I have a love/hate relationship with BFing. Luke latches great on the left side but I am having trouble with his latch on the right and that is causing some pain. Also, he is going through a bit of a growth spurt and wants to feed for hours at a time. I don't think I am producing enough milk for him just yet to keep up with his demand. Feeding for 2+ hours at a time is really taking its toll on me. I have had to supplement with a little bit of formula every so often in order to get him full enough to sleep once I am empty. So I'm a little frustrated right now but trying to take it one feed at a time and should be seeing a LC soon. The good news is he is growing!

MrsG1019

We've had a bit of a struggle with BF so I appreciate this post.

Jacob falls asleep at the boob within 2-5 minutes of being latched on. Doesn't matter if he's naked, or clothed .. He's out almost instantly and then I have to poke at him to keep him eating. If I can get 15 min feed in every 2 hours I consider it a victory. He has plenty of wet and dirty diapers so I assume all is well there.

Are you ladies offering just one side or both? In the hospital I was told to offer just one side per feeding and alternate to the other side for the next. But his pedi has said to do 10 min per side , with a burp in between. I've tried both and I'm not sure which way works but it's overwhelming cuz I feel there SO much to consider/keep track of.

Lilwatz

I've had a pretty stressful go at this--by no means as bad as I have heard other women have it, but stressful nonetheless.

Our little one was "late preterm" and so they expect her to have trouble latching and she was pretty small.  She is a champion pee and pooper so we though she was getting enough.  She appeared to latch fine.  My nipple hurt, but not cracked or bleeding like some women's are.  Then she was losing weight and was still well under her birth weight at 2 weeks.  We met with an NP who is also an LC and she helped a lot, but encouraged me to pump and bottle feed and supplement with formula to get to 16 oz per day until her weight is improving.  Turns out my supply is pretty low.  The current theory is that my LO is not latching properly and so my milk has not been demanded in the quantities needed.  I have also started taking fenugreek to increase supply.

I *love* pumping and bottle feeding.  I think mostly because a lot of the stress of her not latching properly and then not getting enough milk is alleviated this way.  I know what she is getting and I know it's enough.  

Today I met with the NP again and we talked about the plan.  Now we will change it to only pumping 10 minutes every time my LO feeds from the bottle and then letting her breastfeed if she wants after.  (Before I was pumping for 15 minutes each feed.)  Also, I have a referral to meet with a speech pathologist to evaluate her latch.  Appt is on Monday!

ETA: Oh!  Her weight is great now!  Gained 13 oz in one week.  Champion eater and gainer!

missymaye

@mrsg1019 I have been offering both at each feeding. That is the only way he gets enough to eat. I start with the one I ended with the time before and burp and usually change him in between. This wakes him up a bit as he is a pretty lazy eater.

PineApple85

@mrsg1019 DS1 always pulled off when I emptied so I burped and offered the other.  If he took it great if not I started on that side the next time.  When I tried to move him earlier than that he wasn't getting enough hindmilk (green poop).

Snuffy007

Love this thread! Will be monitoring closely, as right now Jesus Christ do I hate BFing. Leo clamps down so hard. Its getting better as we both figure this out, but right now I dread the time he starts giving his "I'm hungry" cues.

jlove253

lissydee said:

I always offer both breasts. She will usually take and empty both, but sometimes one is enough. My first nursed both for a feeding, and my second only wanted/needed one (and I made wayyyyyy fattier milk with him than my first). Curious to see what baby girl's milk will mostly consist of!

That is so fascinating to think of different milk content for different siblings! Amazing how we are made...

With DD I started offering both, then switched to just one when she seemed uninterested in the second. It because apparent pretty quickly that what had actually happened was she had gotten sick (liver infection) and wasn't gaining weight. So I went back to offering both breasts and she started gaining weight again.

My pediatrician also offers nursing weigh-ins for free. There is an "urgent care" type clinic attached to the main office and I could just check in and a nurse would let me use a spare exam room. Other practices may offer something similar.

Acedit

Congrats to everyone!! Seems like the issues people are experiencing are minimal and our babies are being well fed. Well our little guy was vomiting the first 24 hours so he did not have his first sip of breast milk until day 2. He wasn't latching so the midwives recommended that I try a nipple shield to get him latched. One week in and we are still using the shield.... But he latches and feeds really well, so I'm not complaining. My only complaint is my nipples hurt.... Even with the shield they are tender. I suppose they need to be toughened up. I've been using nipple lanolin... Which seems to help. The hospital told me to apply it before feeding a which can help lessen the pain of the initial latch. My question is-- what is your nipple care, pre/post feeding routine to help keep your nipples healthy??

jlove253

@acedit - I really know nothing about this, and hopefully you'll get some great advice from other women, but my SIL just dealt with a LO with a terrible latch and their doctor ended up prescribing an ointment for her nipples that saved her. I don't remember what it was called, and hopefully you won't need it, but if it gets to that point you can always talk to your Dr. or LO's Dr.

ETA: And I think the best advice I have for nipple care is air out time. Let your nipples have as much time in the air as possible to promote healing.

leahjanina

This is the kind of thread I was just looking for We are scheduled for a c/s Tuesday and I really want to nurse or just pump as much as i can. Feeling some anxiety though because with my first, who is almost 2, I could pump only because she was vented for 5 days and could not eat. We had a stockpile to take home and that really worked for us because DH could help more with feedings. Now that we will have a newborn I wanted to be able to have that "stockpile" again but do not know how to achieve it if baby nurses right away. Do I nurse and then pump or supplement for a couple feedings? Any suggestions?

I feel like I'm starting back at the beginning (I realize I am, with a newborn!) and know nothing...

Snuffy007

CatLady22 said:

@Acedit‌ I second @lissydee‌ that earth momma worked much better than lanolin for me. I also liked the lansinoh gel soothing pads.

I just remembered someone got me those gel pads at my shower, I froze them and it's AMAZING for pain relief.

I talked to a friend yesterday who recommended plain black tea bags after feeding. These also feel amazing! Put just enough boiling water on them to moisten, let cool enough so it doesn't burn the sensitive skin and hold them on your nipples for several minutes.

2ndGeneration

 My dd is 10 days old and BF is going pretty well. I call her my milk monster LOL. She's got a strong latch, kind of like a piranah hahaha. I'm a bit sore but the cracks are healing and less sore every day.

 During the day, I offer both sides. I let her nurse on one side for about 10 minutes, then I change her or play with her a bit to perk her up and then offer the other.

 At night, she sleeps with me, so I just attach her on one side at a time-when she wakes up again I put her on the other side.

 Me personally, I never pump until later, like 4 weeks old or later. I really want to get nursing between me and her well established before doing that. I did that with all my other kids too, I have 5 older ones and they were all bf for an extended time. It seems to me like pumping at this early time is extra work, in fact I still have to watch the dvd that came with the pump and figure out how to use it! I haven't pumped in a million years, I was home with the two youngest and never even owned a pump, I rented one for the oldest.

MuchlyGen

@snuffy007 Do you know if you have an overactive letdown or an oversupply? I had both, and found my boys clamped down /hard/ when I let down to try and slow the flow - otherwise they'd be all sputtering/choking. Fire hose boobs. It made it way better if I unlatched them when I first let down, let the milk ease off a little, and then latched them back on.

arts

Just in case this might help someone else: I found it hard to see at night to latch my LO. I invested in a red light bulb and put it in my lamp at bedside to use at night. Keeps the room semi dark for DH helps keep me sleepy so I don't have trouble going back to sleep and I can see to get the correct latch.

schrijiver

How long did it take for your milk to come in, especially with the first? Mine hasn't come in yet. I can express some colostrum so I know he's getting something but I'm worried. I'm on day three as he was born very early Thursday morning. The pediatrician said it could take 3 to 4 days. We go back on Monday morning to do another weigh in and I'm scared my milk won't come in and he won't gain weight .

ETA: words are hard

morrkim

My twins are a week and a half. Breastfeeding has been back and forth, but slowly getting better. At good sessions I can get them to latch and stay on for 15 minutes or more. Sometimes I can even tandem feed. Other times I can't get them to latch for more than a few minutes and then want to eat a little more 10 minutes later, especially at night.

I try to make sure they are completely awake before feeding and that helps some.m. I have also tried to pump at least once a day so someone else can help me at night when they are wanting to eat every 10 minutes.

Lilwatz

@lovebuggies1  I second waiting to see what your supply is like.  If you do end up having supply issues, it really worked well for me.  I have been keeping stats.  Before taking it I would pump a total of 10-12 oz per day.  A day after I started it jumped to 14-16.  Then I upped the dosage 2 days ago and yesterday I pumped 19 oz.  YAY!  It can give you diarrhea, but I was backed up and found it a welcome relief.  

@schrijiver Mine came on Wednesday and she was born on Saturday so...4 days.  Even with it coming in my little girl didn't gain weight.    The good news is, if there is an issue the pediatrician will give you a plan to get that weight on.  You are doing great!  Stress affects supply so try not to worry too much (easier said than done!).

smboswell1

Great thread! Beckham is doing great. He latches on easily but fusses when I try and put him on my right boob. My milk came in today, so my right boob is literally about to explode. I'm going to use a hand pump tonight to see if it relieves pressure!

I'm also glad to hear other mamas are having their LOs use their boobs as soothers. I wish Beckham would take a pacifier but he won't. I read that gripe water can help if you put it on a pacifier?

I know when Beckham has enough now because when he latches off, he drools milk. He also has enough poop and pee diapers!

mommymeg143

AeandJb said:

My questions for the pumpers:

1. How often do you pump?
2. How long do you pump?
3. How much milk do you make on average per session?

4. How much does baby(babies) eat per bottle session?
5. How often do you nurse?

1) I pump every 2-3 hours.
2) I try to pump for at least 15-20 minutes.
3) I average about 2 ounces per boob and LO is 11 days old. However, I just pumped 6 ounces during my last session.
4) She eats between 1 1/2 - 2 ounces per session.
5)I try to nurse at night when she wakes up or will let her nurse prior to pumping. It is very soothing for her and I love the bonding we have!! Also, If my boobs are too full, it's hard for her to nurse because the milk comes out so quickly. In that case, I do the opposite and pump for 5-10 minutes before letting her nurse.

For those asking, my milk came in on Saturday morning and she was born Tuesday night. So, 3-4 days.

Snuffy007

MuchlyGen said:

@snuffy007 Do you know if you have an overactive letdown or an oversupply? I had both, and clamped down /hard/ when I let down to try and slow the flow - otherwise they'd be all sputtering/choking. Fire hose boobs. It made it way better if I unlatched them when I first let down, let the milk ease off a little, and then latched them back on.

I hadn't thought of this, but it would make sense! My supply is starting to even out, but there are definitely times where it just fires out (Accidentally squirted DH the other day just taking my boob out of my bra! It had some distance!) I'll try unlatching, I have noticed there are times he seems overwhelmed and lets milk run out the side of his mouth. Thanks for the suggestion!!

hellosweety18

I forgot about the cramping while feeding (
Blaaaahhhh
Anyone remember when it goes away/had it go away yet?

Cici3913

I'm wanting to pump when I go back to work but so far I haven't been able to save any. She eats it all during her feeding. So if I pump after she feeds there is nothing left. If I pump before I'm afraid she won't get anything. I can only get about 3oz combined when I pump.

I'm already taking fenugreek. What kind of pumping schedule is best? And how do I increase the supply?

songbirdsinging55

Can I join?
I just started cluster feeding yesterday. Isaac has been latching well but it took a little coaching. I was very hands on with the LC and nurses in the mother baby unit at the hospital. I had them teach me different latches and help me latch him. He has a very high pallet so he requires a deep latch. I was very timid at first but they helped me get over that.
Now I am dealing with engorgement. It has been so painful. I have been alternating between dipping my breasts in bowls with warm water then hand expressing and pumping. I nurse him as much as he will take but he sleeps all the time. I don't know if I should be concerned by how much he sleeps. He nursed 10 yesterday in half hour increments. He also met his goal with diapers. Any tips?

Lilwatz

All you star pumped are making me jealous! A good pump for me is 2 1/2 oz and Chloe is over 4 weeks old! Everyone ha different I guess. Hoping to increase my supply soon.

Good news? I've gone two days without needing to use any formula to supplement! Yay for increased supply and small victories!

mommymeg143

@Lilwatz‌...I was pumping around 2 1/2- 3 ounces per pumping too. I felt like my boobs were still so full after a 20 minute session so I started massaging them while pumping. I had knots that I would try to rub out too. It really helped and Bam! I got 6 ounces!!

Lilwatz

mommymeg143 said:

@Lilwatz‌...I was pumping around 2 1/2- 3 ounces per pumping too. I felt like my boobs were still so full after a 20 minute session so I started massaging them while pumping. I had knots that I would try to rub out too. It really helped and Bam! I got 6 ounces!!

I've just started playing around with massaging them.  This gives me hope! I have definitely felt some knots too.  

But if I massage while pumping how will I have handsfree to bump??!?!  :P

mommymeg143

Thank you, @AmyG*‌ !!!

KMW08

I know I'll discuss this when my baby is here, but say baby only nurses from one side & doesn't want the other breast, do you pump the other side?

smboswell1

Weird question for pumpers:

What nipples are yall using for feeding? I tried feeding Beckham after I pumped yesterday, and it all fell out. I used size one.

Do I need to use an insert? I noticed in a lot of my bottles, there is a long insert inside.

Is there a specific way to hold him while bottle feeding?

smboswell1

KMW08 said:

I know I'll discuss this when my baby is here, but say baby only nurses from one side & doesn't want the other breast, do you pump the other side?

This is what I'm going through with Beckham. I just pump my right side until I feel relief!

smboswell1

AmyG* said:

smboswell1 said:

Weird question for pumpers:

What nipples are yall using for feeding? I tried feeding Beckham after I pumped yesterday, and it all fell out. I used size one.

Do I need to use an insert? I noticed in a lot of my bottles, there is a long insert inside.

Is there a specific way to hold him while bottle feeding?

You may want to use a premie size bottle.

also google paced bottle feeding, where baby is sitting a bit more upright and tilting bottle downward so that gravity doesn't speed the flow.  otherwise baby may chug a bottle fast, or have to drink fast to keep from drowning. 

Thank you!!

acholb

Thank you for this topic! I read through all the posts and it's helped me a lot! So far I'm only breast feeding and not pumping at all. Baby is 1week old. I'm going back to work at 12 weeks so I think I have time to build up a supply sometime after 4 weeks. Question. Is there anything I can do to get DH involved? He feels a bit left out. Every time baby fusses he tries to soothe baby. But we also are attempting holding off using a paci too.n So DH efforts get him no where and my nipple ends up soothing baby either by a feeding or just him on my nipple. DH often feels like the baby doesn't like him! And in the middle of the night he sometimes gets up with me and sits next to me while I feed baby. But I tell him to just go back to sleep since there is no point in both of us being tired the next day. I can tell he feels bad.