The Great Big Breastfeeding Thread

Rrrrrachel

Hang in there! Honestly it's totally understandable if you do, but think about a month or two from now when you're back at home and stuck buying and mixing formula when you could be breastfeeding!

Emily041285

@kseccomb17‌ you can do it!

columbia1

kseccomb17 said:

I'm do drained. Someone talk me down before I give up on bfing

Don't give up just yet. You can do this. Each day will get easier. I want to give up all the time, then somehow magically, the next day is a better BFing day. It's hard, I know. Just try and stay strong and positive. You are an amazing mother and wife with all you are going thru right now. You have all of our support!

kseccomb17

Thanks guys. I can see my supply dropping. Its a bit demoralizing. I know I am not keeping up with his needs and I just really don't know what to do

Holljade

What lotions are you all using? My skin is so sensitive so not using body lotion is not an option- I've been using up and up for dry skin everywhere but my chest and was wondering if there was anything that was safe to use everywhere?

Lacynduck

@ksecomb17 wish we could do more to help but all we can do is offer you words of encouragement. It gets better and my grandma always told me that it's the darkest right before sunrise. Things can only get better from here! Your LO has already gotten BM and that will benefit them for the rest of their lives. Hang in there, were all rooting for you! Prayers sent your way.

macynsnoop

Does anyone swaddle their babies to BF? I ask because I think this might be our last resort for trying to get the little dude to latch without his little hands all over the place.

Lacynduck

@Holljade‌ I use coconut oil. I love it

Dixon813

macynsnoop said:

Does anyone swaddle their babies to BF? I ask because I think this might be our last resort for trying to get the little dude to latch without his little hands all over the place.

I only swaddle and feed if I'm "topping off" before DS goes back to sleep. I, too, struggle with his hands all over the place/in the way.

Dixon813

kseccomb17 said:

Thanks guys. I can see my supply dropping. Its a bit demoralizing. I know I am not keeping up with his needs and I just really don't know what to do

I wish there were magic words to help you out!

Any chance you could talk to a LC while you're at the hospital?

babybarnes87

Anyone else dealing with red bumps on and around nipples? Ugh! They seem to flare up during middle of the night feedings.

littlesocks

babybarnes87 said:

Anyone else dealing with red bumps on and around nipples? Ugh! They seem to flare up during middle of the night feedings.

I'm not - but could it be a heat rash? Are you waking up sweating/hot in the middle of the night?

Rrrrrachel

As long as he's gaining weight and diaper output is good I would try not to worry.

hordol

I saw a LC yesterday and she helped me work on getting a deeper latch with DS because my nipples are basically giant scabs at this point. The deeper latch has helped the pain a lot, but when he comes off the nipple it is kind of flattened instead of round. The LC said to watch that and make sure he is latching so it stays round, but I don't know how? I feel like I've tried everything and when he pulls off, it's still flat. Even some of our most comfortable feedings have resulted in a semi-flattened nipple. What can I do to fix that?

ksulli

@hordol said:

I saw a LC yesterday and she helped me work on getting a deeper latch with DS because my nipples are basically giant scabs at this point. The deeper latch has helped the pain a lot, but when he comes off the nipple it is kind of flattened instead of round. The LC said to watch that and make sure he is latching so it stays round, but I don't know how? I feel like I've tried everything and when he pulls off, it's still flat. Even some of our most comfortable feedings have resulted in a semi-flattened nipple. What can I do to fix that?

Mine come out lipstick-ed occasionally- usually on the nursing sessions that end with some comfort sucking, so she's not truy nursing anymore but still wants to be there. It doesn't hurt because she's not suckling, so I figure it's okay.

kseccomb17

20 oz pumped over the course of 24 hours. He'll be a month on the 28. What should he be taking in?

babybarnes87

Amsull324 said:

babybarnes87 said:

Anyone else dealing with red bumps on and around nipples? Ugh! They seem to flare up during middle of the night feedings.

I'm not - but could it be a heat rash? Are you waking up sweating/hot in the middle of the night?

No, I'm not waking up with the sweats. I'm worried it's because of not having the best latch. We've been working on it but it's not always great. I'm meeting with a LC later today so hopefully she will be able to help me.

Rrrrrachel

Wow, yeah, 20 oz in 24 hours is awesome!

Dixon813

Anyone have a LO that will only latch in one position?  Just the last day or so, DS will only latch (well) on the right side if we're doing tummy to tummy (which isn't the most convenient position...but it works...)

Should I be concerned, or just go with what works?

Emily041285

Bump

deidremaria

Instead of switching boobs halfway through a session, I just rotate boobs with each feeding. Is that ok?

Rrrrrachel

Yes.

RedBird11

I'm sorry if this was covered before but I have a question. I had a C-section on Tuesday night and have been breastfeeding my LO ever since. At first he wouldn't latch much but starting last night he started nursing like crazy. Here is where my question comes in. Now that he is nursing a lot more during every feeding I get bad cramps and bleeding. Is that a normal occurance during breastfeeding? My bleeding pretty much only happens now when breastfeeding, it had otherwise stopped.

RedBird11

Thanks for the quick responses ladies. Its very much appreciated.

chichi589

Trying to differentiate between mastis & a plugged duct. Would it hurt to breast feed for either? It doesn't hurt, no fever, just am so sore under my nipple. No visible red marks. I looked online and it just said feed every 2 hrs and make sure breasts are emptied so I'm pumping after I feed & warm compress. Any other tips?

Rrrrrachel

If you had mastitis you would almost certainly have a fever. A plugged duct generally feels like a firm lump that is very sore.

macynsnoop

chichi589 said:

Trying to differentiate between mastis & a plugged duct. Would it hurt to breast feed for either? It doesn't hurt, no fever, just am so sore under my nipple. No visible red marks. I looked online and it just said feed every 2 hrs and make sure breasts are emptied so I'm pumping after I feed & warm compress. Any other tips?

Just getting over mastitis here. Started as plugged ducts. Didn't hurt, but it had lumps & was tender. I used heat, massage & feeding/pumping to get rid of the plugs. Unfortunately just when I thought the plugs were gone it turned into mastitis, you would know when you have it. Fever, chills, aches, boob was red in the infected area & it was itchy feeling. You will really feel like crap if you get it!

Emily041285

Ok so all of a sudden today DD has had a large amount of milk coming out of her mouth like she isn't swallowing. I've been offering her the boob every 2-3 hours, but maybe that's too much? Could that be possible this early? She's only two weeks.

chichi589

Thanks @Rrrrrachel‌ & @macynsnoop‌ I'll keep watching for a fever... Hopefully it doesn't come to that!

MissWhis

Emily041285 said:

Ok so all of a sudden today DD has had a large amount of milk coming out of her mouth like she isn't swallowing. I've been offering her the boob every 2-3 hours, but maybe that's too much? Could that be possible this early? She's only two weeks.

What is a "large" amount?

Two to three hours between starts of feedings sounds right where you want to be. Are you waking her for every feed or is she showing hunger cues like rooting and hands to mouth? Does she seem satisfied after you feed her? You most likely just have a great supply and she can't swallow quite fast enough to keep up, or is continuing to get milk during her breaks from sucking/swallowing causing her mouth to overflow. No big deal other than a little messy.

Emily041285

I'm just following her cues right now. The pedi said we didn't have to wake her anymore. Large amount is more than a dribble out of the corner of her mouth. She does like to hang on longer than needed, I hadn't thought about that.

ksulli

@chichi589‌ try nursing in a few different positions too, it might help LO to clear the plug. And if it's really stubborn try laying LO down and kneeling over baby so that gravity works with the nursing to pull the plug out.

RocksInTheWater

I'm pretty sure I have a clogged duct and I'm nervous that it'll get worse.  I've done a warm compress, massage, hand expressed some milk and pumped a little bit.  None of this has changed the hard lump.  Any ideas how long it takes for a clogged duct to clear?  

Rrrrrachel

It can take awhile. Lots of moist heat (shower, bath, rice sock) and very firm massage! I would massage mine in the tub.

macynsnoop

I've been working on clearing plugged ducts for over a week now, this past wkend it turned to mastitis. Rest, massage, heat & massage will help clear it. Also, keep the milk flowing by continuing to BF & pump to empty the boob if needed. My little guy eats about 15 min & then I pump 15 min on the infected side. I'm working on day 5, things have gotten better but the plug (and maybe the infection) is still there.

deidremaria

Everytime DS is nursing from my right boob the left one starts to leak... Fast. It's only the left that does it though. Is that normal?

jessech89

How long does it take for supply to level out? As in, how long do I have to get my supply up before it will be what it will be? My job requires me to travel for 16 days away from home (and baby) 2-4 times a year so I'm trying to make a good freezer stash as my first trip away will be at the end of July when LO is about 3 months old (she's 9 days now).

On a related note, does anyone have any experience shipping breast milk? The LC at my hospital said she heard of other moms in my position using FedEx to ship breast milk but she didn't know any specifics.

Third and last related question: when I'm on my trip, how often do I need to pump while away from LO? Are there any guidelines to how many ounces I should be pumping daily?

I spent the last 24 hours of nursing sessions reading thru all of the pages in this thread and I've learned so much! Thank you all for the help and advice.

speechie517

I'm feeding LO every 2-3 hours during the day and pretty much have to wake her up to feed every time. We haven't had her 2 week appt to check on weight-her diapers are on target, but she always falls asleep while feeding and her feelings are short- usually 10-15 minutes total and using a shield. During the night, she will fight sleep and barely fall back asleep before it is time for her to eat again. I'm exhausted and have been tempted to let her go closer to 4 so I can actually get a little sleep. Any advice? Suck it up and keep waking her on schedule or let her sleep a bit longer? I'll be talking to the pediatrician about suggestions at her appt.

knotty-girl

I've been breast feeding approximately every three hours and pumping for 15 minutes afterwards (only after 2-3 of the feedings because I'm sore.) all as advised in the hospital by the LC. I'm making more and more colostrum each time, quite a bit actually, however my milk hadn't come in yet (5 days PP now). No latch problems and Jack is an easy eager eater. Not sure that all this background was needed to answer my question but IDK.

I was wondering do I use a cold or hot compress to relieve breast pain and swelling? My breasts are sore and rock hard(I look like I have a bad boob job.) What else can I do to alleviate this?

kseccomb17

My right side has been putting out almost double the left. How do I fix that? I try pumping on it longer and I had mastitis on that side earlier, so we usually feed that side first out of habit.