Breastfeeding — The Bump

milk storage/scenario

gladfelter2010 — Wed, 19 Aug 2015 17:01:05 +0000

FTM: My husband and I went to dinner last night and I pumped prior to leaving. My thought was, if he wakes up when we're at dinner, it would be easier to provide a bottle than try to BF at the table. So I packed my milk in a thermal tote with a ice pack and we headed out. He ended up falling asleep on the way to the restaurant and he did not wake up while we were eating. When I got home, I took the milk out of the thermal tote (the ice pack was still frozen) and put it in the fridge. My question is, is it okay to put the milk back in the fridge after being in the thermal tote with an ice pack? Do I have to use it the same day since I transferred it from the fridge, to thermal tote with ice pack, then back to fridge?

I'm trying to get the hang of this pumping thing as I have to return to work in September and i'll need to pump. Thanks for your help.

Bottles

pamelacorbitt — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 18:24:47 +0000

how long did you wait to give him/her a bottle? Once you gave him/her a bottle did you have a hard time getting them to latch to the nipple?

Moms with two kids!

pamelacorbitt — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 18:28:34 +0000

okay. So I tried breast feeding with my first child.. And it was an epic fail. Kind of nervous, with attempting to breast feed with my second. Was it easier for moms that have two kids to breast feed the second child or simply give them formula?

Trying to decide if I should stop breastfeeding at 6 mos

febmom4 — Sat, 25 Jul 2015 02:00:39 +0000

Hi I'm looking for help in making a decision. I have talked to my Dr but I would like the advice of some of you other mamas out there. I want to keep breastfeeding but 1- I'm exhausted both from still getting up in the middle of the night, and then just the fact that it takes a "lot out of you" I'm general 2- I'm on medication that although doctors say does not have enough of an effect,it still makes me nervous 3- another thing that makes me nervous is how healthy I have to eat, I try the best I can but sometimes with working full time it's hard to get in all the nutrients or find time to cook 4- I have heard that at 6 months the nutrients are the same in formula as in breast milk. I of course go looking online for answers and that only freaks me out more when I convince myself hat formula is a bad idea and feel like I might be making the wrong decision. I know breastfeeding is best but is formula really that bad?! Please help! Thank you in advance!

Warming refrigerated breastmilk

cmandell02 — Mon, 03 Aug 2015 22:11:18 +0000

how do you warm breastmilk that has been refrigerated when in a public place?

Comfort nursing.

randa923 — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 23:00:14 +0000

My LO is 5 weeks old. Today I've been putting him to the breast every hour and making sure he stays awake for at least ten minutes on each side before just letting him nurse. I can't tell when he's just sucking for comfort and when he's actually eating. This is why I put him on every hour today. If he's not on my breast he's basically been crying all day. How do I get away from the comfort nursing? I've tried three different types of pacifiers and he won't take them. He won't even just suck on my finger like he would before. Any advice? I did even try gas drops today even though I really don't think that's the problem.

Nursing bras

thatnursingchick — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 15:58:16 +0000

I'm sure this has been talked about before- but larger busted mamas, what are your favorite brands of nursing bras? LO is due in a couple of weeks so I'll need to pick one up fairly soon, though I know my size will fluctuate a bunch in the following weeks after birth.

Coconut oil

jessika17 — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 15:46:13 +0000

what brand of coconut oil to get for sore breast?

Best apps for keeping track of feedings

sarahgail07 — Mon, 03 Aug 2015 19:41:41 +0000

I am 40 weeks along currently. I intend on breastfeeding for a year and am looking to download an app to help monitor and keep track of things. What are some apps you would recommend and why?

FTM breastfeeding help!

Rpaulino89 — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 20:08:07 +0000

im a FTM to a baby boy just born this past Saturday! I have been trying to get him to breastfeed but he's having a hard time latching on so my husband decided to buy me a pump to see how it went. It actually worked perfect for me. I get to pump and he gets to eat but now the problem is he has become very restless this past night and doctor had told me it was because he was hungry. My question is how many ounces should I be pumping for each boob for my baby boy!? And should I feed him every 2 hours instead of 3?

Thoughts on weaning at 6 months?

febmom4 — Mon, 17 Aug 2015 03:30:58 +0000

I know it's my decision ultimately but I'm curious to what people think, whether you went or plan to go longer and why. I would love to go the year but I'm overwhelmed. I feel guilty but at least I went this long. Thanks.

Premie in the NICU

LaurenNewph — Sun, 09 Aug 2015 09:08:03 +0000

Hi all! So my little boy was born Thursday at 34 weeks and only 2lbs 13ozs because of my preeclampsia and blood pressure. My milk has yet to come in and so far I've only gotten like 3-6 mls of colostrum from my pumping sessions. When I first got pregnant breast feeding was not important to me, it was just something I'd try and if it worked it worked and if not then oh well! Well now with my circumstances it is more important than anything to get my milk for him! So if anybody has any advice I would love to hear it!

Bottle Breastmilk

scharle3 — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 12:28:39 +0000

How many ounces of breastmilk are your babies getting and how often?

Why does everyone think BF baby is hungry?

randa923 — Sat, 15 Aug 2015 20:25:20 +0000

Okay sort of just a vent here, but why does everyone think my BF baby is hungry? My DH mentioned to his mom today in a text that our son was crying. Her first response was 'is he getting enough food?' He said yes she's getting ready to feed him now. Our boy has been crazy fussy the last three days. Like if he's awake and not on my boob he's crying. So I texted my mom asking if she had any mom tricks up her sleeve to help. Her first response was 'is he gassy?' I said no we even tried gripe water and gas drops. Next suggestion from her-'give him some cereal in a bottle'. I know their intentions are good, but my baby is on my boob every hour and a half. He's definitely eating plenty! And he shows every sign of being full as soon as he's done eating. He's also only 5.5 weeks old. The crying does come after he wakes up though. He is just basically obsessed with sucking eight now and won't take a pacifier. Is this the general response that most people get? Or is it just me? Even my husband does it sometimes!

nipple pain after pumping

gmd88 — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 23:11:05 +0000

Hi mamas! I pumped for my first time today on one breast only. I played around with the speed and suction to mimic let down etc based on the instructional DVD I received with my pump (ameda purely yours). I wasn't having any pain while pumping. However when I was done, I r moved my breast and found that my nipple was more than doubled in size and purple! It was sensitive to the touch. Now when my baby feeds it hurts. It never hurt before :( Any advice? Is this normal? Do you think it has to do with flange fit or suction? Do I start with low suction and increase it over time as I adjust to the pump? I'm scared to use it again! Thanks in advance!

LO will not take a bottle HELP

carissasims — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 04:35:10 +0000

my LO 9 weeks old is my second Breastfeed baby and is having problems taking a bottle. I have tried changing nipples 3 times but she isn't budging. She has taken a bottle 3 times since birth but still is rejecting it and pushing the nipple out with her tongue. I have even tried bumping and feeding it to her. I have tried not holding her and feeding her. My husband has tried as well. Nothing. I am nervous because I go back to work at the beginning of Sept. Anyone advice would be helpful thanks!

Milk Storage

MommaMeg21 — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 04:11:01 +0000

My husband took milk I pumped this morning out of the fridge tonight while I was gone, so it would be warm for LO. She never needed to eat. Can I freeze the milk?

Treated for Reynauds/vasospasm???

Jenny33 — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 17:57:35 +0000

I am looking to talk to someone who has successfully (Or unsuccessfully) treated for Reynauds syndrome and or vasospasm of the nipple while breastfeeding. I want to know about your experience and course of action i.e. B complex/Nifedipine/ other. If you are someone or know someone, please reply so that I can contact you.

Post Weaning Cycles

DandelionAZO — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 17:51:10 +0000

This isn't a BF question exactly, but more of a post BF question. I am not sure where to ask, so I'll start here.

I recently weaned my 11 month old roughly 3 weeks ago. I started spotting last weekend (2 weeks after weaning) for approximately 5 days, have had no spotting since and did not start my period. Before this I had a period around 5 or 6 months pp, but nothing since. I would like to start charting my cycles (either for NFP or TTC, not sure yet), but not sure what to do with this data. Also, I have not recently taken a pregnancy test, but did take one roughtly 1 month ago.

Any thoughts on what this is all about? Or similar experiences?

Baby Poop Green and How many ounces at 2 1/2 months

scharle3 — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 17:06:32 +0000

So my baby did not have a bowel movement for 4 straight days. Gave him some black karo syrup (per doctor instructions) and he had 2 bowel movements. They were pastely like and the second BM had green looking lumps in it. It also smelled differently than his regular poop. His next BM was Monday at daycare and they it was green, not pastely (they said it looked like breast milk poop, except for green). Anyone else experiencing green poop, I'm wondering if its from the karo syrup.

HOw many ounces are you babies drinking. My baby will be 3 months next week and he started drinking 5 ounces at daycare every 3-4 hours. They often say that he is hungry afterwards, so they recommended trying 6 oz, the dr said it was ok if he doesn't spit up, so we are trying that. I was just thinking 6 oz is a bit too much for his age. What are your thoughts?

I made it to my 1 year goal!!!

candyland33 — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 02:26:10 +0000

I DID IT!!!! My EBF did not start out easy and many many times I wanted to just stop but I didn't! I would think about my DD and how I knew how good it was for her, I thought about the moms who wanted to EBF but couldn't. My DH has been my biggest cheerleader. The nights he would get up with us or encounter me to pump and then take the milk downstairs to our fridge. I want to encourage any Mom out there who might be struggling just keep going you can do it!!

Pumping at work

apbauer0615 — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 02:22:41 +0000

so I am going back to work in September. I breastfeed my twins, they willbe 4 1/2 months when I go back. My question is, if I don't get a chance to pump while at work & I'm engorged & I decide to pump on the car ride home (a 45min drive) will I beable to breastfeed them right away when I get home? Or will I be "empty"?

Extended BF - prolactin level

SharonB222 — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 03:13:45 +0000

Anyone else have prolactin levels taken during extended BF? I'm simply curious. My prolactin level with DD at 17-mo was 9 ng/ml. With DS at 20-mo it's 8 ng/ml. I know level varies throughout the day, but I found it amusing that's in the non-BFing zone (< 25 ng/ml). Heck, my prolactin levels were higher during my IF/RPL: 15-24 ng/ml (latter after an ectopic pg). Kelly Mom doesn't go past 6 mos pp (50 ng/ml), although it notes a study that prolactin levels are "elevated for as long as the mother breastfeeds, even if she breastfeeds for years". I wouldn't call 8 very elevated. I know there's milk, still get mild letdowns, but I suppose not much. Perhaps DD and DS were/are mostly suckling rather than feeding.

https://kellymom.com/bf/normal/prolactin-levels/

Empty breasts?

klirwin82 — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 04:08:12 +0000

If I BF my 5 week old less than 2 hours of when I last BF him, he's content for a few minutes with nice long draws and then will start to wiggle, kick, pull at the nipple and whine/cry while still latched. I'll unlatch and hand express to see if any drops of milk come out and if not then I repeat for the 2nd breast. Obviously the problem comes when we're "out" of milk on the 2nd one. Then he cries and I get upset and frustrated. I try to go back to boob 1 but he still tugs at it and cries like it's empty. However, I think my supply is pretty good, when I pump I can get 3.5-6 oz every 3-4 hours and I know a pump is less efficient than a baby. And if we go 3 hours between feedings the letdown is intense, he chokes and coughs and there's milk everywhere. So I really don't think I have a low supply. How should I deal with this? I don't want to hinder a supply increase by giving a bottle of pumped milk when instead his sucking could trigger more production eg for a growth spurt but...it's so frustrating I feel like crying. Any advice or commiseration?

brand mixing

misskarla83 — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 06:01:00 +0000

Can you pump with a specific brand of pump into a different branded bottle or liner? For example, can you use a medela pump and pump into Playtex drop in liners?

Ideas for weaning an EBF baby

kawess — Sun, 09 Aug 2015 17:09:06 +0000

My DD is 6 months old and her pediatrician wants us to start weaning. She wants her to only be nursing 3 times a day by 9 months and having 3 meals a day plus a snack. I asked her how to do this and she said with EBF she's not quite sure but to try eliminating a session a month and replacing it with a meal. My DD has been eating 3 purée a day but since eliminating the mid morning nursing session she's begun to not want the purée. Are there other ways to do this? Is my doctor crazy?

DD does not want supplement bottle anymore

irish4jan1 — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 18:37:59 +0000

My daughter just turned 3 months and for the past week she has refused to take her supplement bottle. We always breastfeed first and then offer her a bottle and she's had no problem going back and forth and has previously drank most of what we have offered. She is a little sniffly, but this has never affected her in the past. She will nurse from both side, burp and then I will offer the bottle. She will just tongue at it and smile at me. She is happy, content, not any more fussy that usual and seems to be having the same wet/dirty diapers. Her nighttime sleep is a little wonky (wakes up 2 times, but goes right back to sleep and can sleep at least a 5 hr stretch), but Im not sure if she needs feeding at night, more comfort really. I thought that perhaps its the flow of the nipple, but this came on so suddenly. We are seeing the ped on Friday for her 3 month check up and at last weigh in a couple weeks ago she was 12 lbs. 10 oz.

Any thoughts, ideas, experiences or suggestions? Thanks in advance!

Lightning bolt pain in breast

klee831 — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 13:58:12 +0000

For the past week and a half, I have been getting these sporatic pain in my breasts. Like a lightning bolt, and it will last a few seconds. It REALLY hurts. It has only been one or the other, never both, and usually occurs after nursing. I Googled some symptoms, and it seems similar to Thrush? But my nipples aren't sore, and look fine.....

Anyone ever had this? If so, what did you do? I called my doc last week about it and he said give it another week or so and take some IBuprophen, and if it still persists, then call him back.....

TIA

I hurt.

Are breasts ever empty?

reneecarmenn — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 16:36:50 +0000

Do I have to wait for my breasts to fill with milk again before breastfeeding my LO? I feel like he's not getting enough because I don't have any milk left for him and since he's been feeding so much lately I feel like he's not eating enough or getting enough from me. He's three weeks old so I'm assuming it's a growth spurt? I feel like he's not gaining any weight though. Everyone tells me he's so little :( I feel so discouraged when people tell me that, especially because I feel like my DS doesn't even recognize me as his mother. Breastfeeding has been hard and I've considered giving up and just formula feeding but I've come too far. I really wanna keep going!

When will leaking stop?!

Caileybug — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 02:40:35 +0000

I'm 13 weeks PP and DS is nursing like a champ. I can always feel my letdown when it happens and whichever boob he's not nursing on still leaks like crazy. Will this last forever or will it eventually stop? I am so ready to be done with nursing pads!

Switching from breast to formula

apbauer0615 — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 16:42:42 +0000

I'm going back to work in September. I plan on trying to pump while at work but since I have twins I'm unsure if I will beable to pump enough for both. So I plan on doing some formula bottles & some breastmilk bottles while I'm away. My question is how will I know how many ounces to put in their bottles? My twins will be 4 1/2 months when I go back to work & currently breastfeed them 6 times a day about 2-3 hr stretches dUring the day & a night they go about 8 hrs. Thanks!

Thyroid issues?

MissMheMhe — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 22:15:04 +0000

Hello, Ladies! I'm expecting my first in January and have decided I would like to EBF. I understand there are several factors that can change my plans, and have a question for you regarding thyroid function and the ability to breastfeed. I'm hoping someone can share their experience and/or success story with me!
I have Hashimoto's and currently take 200mcg Synthroid daily. Pre pregnancy I took 175mcg. I understand that thyroid dysfunction can cause issues when it comes to breastfeeding as supply sometimes doesn't come in, milk doesn't let down, or supply is extremely low. I have found conflicting information regarding how medication affects the chances of successful breastfeeding.

Do you have any experience you wish to share?

Thank you in advance!

Covered up in public but still get rude people?

tsmj182 — Sat, 20 Jun 2015 12:03:14 +0000

I'm going to breastfeed but I'm going to use a cover though. Just wondering has anyone gotten rude stares or has anyone had someone say something rude to them even though they're Covered up?

Weight loss after weaning?

Bmaine21 — Sat, 08 Aug 2015 01:29:17 +0000

My 22 Monty old daughter stopped Nursing about 2 weeks ago and even though it makes me really sad I'm also excited and hopeful that maybe I'll finally lose some weight. It was literally impossible to lose weight while nursing even though I was working out 6 days a week and eating really well. Anyone lose weight after weaning and if so how soon? I'm still holding onto 25lbs.

Lazy nurser

anythingelseplease — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 06:07:40 +0000

LO Is a week old now and is a very lazy nurser. He will nurse for 5 minutes and start to refuse to continue (falling asleep or looking around, or just sitting without sucking). After burping him I can get him to nurse about 5 minutes on the other side. I am getting engorged because he is never really emptying the breasts. I have tried taking his clothes off, tickling his feet, put a wet cloth on him, diaper changes to wake him up. I've even tried pumping before nursing in case the engorgement is making latching hard for him. Nothing seems to get him to nurse for longer and then I wind up spending an hour trying to get him to eat longer. He can also go 2-3 hours between feedings even when only nursing for these short amounts of times. He appears to be gaining weight and has 5-7 wet and dirty diapers a day. Any advice/suggestions/experiences?

LO spitting up too much?

gladfelter2010 — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 17:44:27 +0000

I'm having trouble figuring out if my LO is spitting up too much. I'm trying to figure out if I should call the doctor to ask about it, or if i'm just being a paranoid FTM. How do you know when he's spitting up too much? What's the difference between spitting up and an infant vomiting?

I had heard that babies will stop eating when they are full but several times within the past week my LO has popped off my breast and immedialy spit up (I hadn't even had the chance to sit him up to burp him yet) it even came out his nose Of course it startled him so he started to cry right after.

weaning at 15 months old

kmdendy — Sun, 09 Aug 2015 01:22:51 +0000

My 15 month old has been drinking whole milk and nursing for comfort since 12 months. I'm due with baby 2 in september and in the process of weaning her. She started biting me so I'm over it! It's been 3 days of no boob and she's still asking for it. How long until she forgets and stops asking for it?

Suboxone and breastfeeding

murduhmur — Sat, 08 Aug 2015 13:27:02 +0000

I was an active addict for 8 years and broke the habit short after finding out I was pregnant. Have been on Suboxone for around 4 months, don't want to latch but still want to pump. is that ok, if so or not does any get to the baby? Has anyone done it?

first time BF but third baby... clueless

HarleenQuinz86 — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 05:05:32 +0000

I keep reading about how long power side baby is feeding, do you feed baby one side per feeding or one side for an amount of time then the other side for the next feeding? Sorry if that's a dumb question or has been asked multiple times still figuring out this website.

Baby poop is Yellow ok but Very stringy is bad?

ccarrozza1 — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 00:53:10 +0000

My baby has been very fussy for two days. Especially today. She pooped a lot today like 6 times and every time the poop was mustardy but with whitish stringy stuff. More than normal seedy poops. She cried a lot when I was feeding her and even refused some bottles. She spit up a lot today and coughs and gags a lot when I feed her. We switched to all slow flow nipples and doesn't matter if it's kiinde, medela, lanisnoh or dr browns...she still gags and coughs. She wouldn't drink a whole bottle like she usually does. I checked my mini fridge and felt like it wasn't super cold. I used a thermometer and it seems some parts of the fridge don't stay as cold... I am concerned the milk went bad but I smell it and it just sort of smells like breast milk but not sure If I have the greatest sense for this now. Is it the milk being bad? Or is it something I ate? I haven't cut out dairy, wondering if I should? Is this normal?