The Great Big Breastfeeding Thread

smashton14th

I had a yeast infection on my breast the first week of BFing (so i know what that horrible pain feels like.). That cleared up but my nipples are still sore but not cracked. (3 weeks old) He is such a great latcher on the left side but on the right side it hurts the whole time i am breast feeding now. A dull aching pain that seems to be getting worse everytime i BF. When he pulls off of the breast the milk hangs from his mouth to my breast like a string. Like it is thicker. Any ideas what this could be?

hordol

Question about pumping for a bottle feeding at night: I know that it's said that if you pump a bottle for your husband to do a night feeding, that you are still going to have to get up and pump in that time anyway so it almost defeats the purpose if your purpose is to get more sleep. I am wondering how it makes a difference for supply if you are doing the extra pumping during the day. If you are pumping an extra 3-4 ounces during the day, aren't you still meeting the same demand for the amount you need your body to make? Why does the time of day matter? Serious question! I have to return to work for a few weeks before my summer vacation begins (I'm a teacher) and I am trying to think of how I'm going to survive on the lack of sleep I'm getting. If DH could give one nighttime bottle around that time, it would be so helpful. DS currently wakes up 3 times a night and it would be magical if I could just worry about 2 feedings. I know there is the potential for engorgement, but I'm wondering about it from a supply perspective.

Rrrrrachel

I think if you pump earlier in the day and your milk supply is established you're probably ok. Sleep is good for your supply, too

Dixon813

hordol said:

Question about pumping for a bottle feeding at night: I know that it's said that if you pump a bottle for your husband to do a night feeding, that you are still going to have to get up and pump in that time anyway so it almost defeats the purpose if your purpose is to get more sleep. I am wondering how it makes a difference for supply if you are doing the extra pumping during the day. If you are pumping an extra 3-4 ounces during the day, aren't you still meeting the same demand for the amount you need your body to make? Why does the time of day matter? Serious question! I have to return to work for a few weeks before my summer vacation begins (I'm a teacher) and I am trying to think of how I'm going to survive on the lack of sleep I'm getting. If DH could give one nighttime bottle around that time, it would be so helpful. DS currently wakes up 3 times a night and it would be magical if I could just worry about 2 feedings. I know there is the potential for engorgement, but I'm wondering about it from a supply perspective.

Could you maybe pump before the first night feeding, your DH could give that right away and you could go to bed early?

I started pumping yesterday (in the morning, the side that DS doesn't take when waking up) and DH gave that bottle later in the evening while I pumped again. I'm a teacher, but don't have to go back until the fall...sorry you have to go back sooner.

haziedaze

Heidiman said:

I'm only 2 days in and I got different advice from everyone at the hospital, my nipples painfully pinched multiple times to get baby to latch and then told my latch was mad because my nipples were tough and swollen anatomically. Or because the B was pinching them to express colostrum. So now my nipples are cracking and are dark red like scabs. Feeding is horribly painful too. All of the things that are not supposed to happen. And she isn't peeing. Just rust colored streaks. I see the ped Thursday. Her weight only went down 6 oz at the hospital. I don't know what to do with the damage and pain. I looked up proper latching so we are working hard at that. Suggestions for treating in between. Just cold compress, salt water rinse, lanolin and keep working on the latch until my milk comes in? Help please. Thanks ladies!

It's frustrating when the people helping you disagree. Does sound like latching problems, cracks and bleeding definitely are not normal. Try putting a little of your own milk/colostrum on them let it airdry the cover with nipple pads smeared with nipple cream like lanolin or motherlove (my fav). Look into getting some gel soothies as well, you can put them in the fridge and then use them for 3 days or until soaked with milk. Good luck! Sounds like figuring out the latching stuff is key. Is there an LC you can work with outpatient?

Rrrrrachel

It's very normal to get way more from one breast when you pump. The baby is much better at extracting milk than the pump, so pump output is not a great indicator of what baby is getting. Pay attention to their cues, if they're not satisfied after a left breast only feeding offer the other breast, but they are probably getting plenty of milk.

Emily041285

I'm trying to get dd off the shield for purely personal motives as it's a huge pia out in public. She'll latch on her own but constantly pops off like she can't breathe and needs a break. I think she likes the shield because milk can collect in there. Does this sound like my flow is too fast for her? Can I do anything about that?

Rrrrrachel

You can but she's probably just used to the shield. I haven't personally used one, but I've heard starting a feeding with it and then removing it is a good way to work towards weaning off of it.

ksulli

For the love of all that is holy, please baby let me sleep! Eating every 90 min for 14 hours (and counting) is killing me!!! Just needed to vent. And figured I could find someone to share my misery in here. This is my second EBF baby and it's going well other than what I assume is a growth spurt.

Rrrrrachel

That's how my daughter was! I feel your pain!

ksulli

@Vinny424 said:

At what point should your nipples not hurt anymore? DS has a lip tie and I'm wondering if that is affecting his latch enough that that is the reason it's hurts or if its just part of starting to bf

By 3w with dd1 it wasn't painful. DD2 it only took a few days.

Manda+panda

@Vinny424‌ DD had tongue and lip tie. Her tongue was fixed first, and it helped to alleviate some of the pain. We then had her tongue cut a little more, and her lip was fixed. It was so severe she could not flange out her top lip. Because these problems weren't fixed until 3 weeks old, she's got bad habits. In order to stay latched before, she would have to bite. We are currently working on suck training, and she may go see an occupational therapist. When she's tired, she really reverts back to her awful latch, so at 5 weeks (and still with a shield) I'm still in pain sometimes. How bad is your son's lip tie? Was he checked for tongue tie? They often go hand in hand.

Holljade

dani+california said:

I pump twice a day for under 5 minutes. I get 3+ oz from my right boob and about 1 oz from the left.

Is this normal? I'm concerned that means LO doesn't get enough when I feed him from the left. I always alternate equally, so I'm not sure why they're so different.

I also have one boob that produces more than the other- I think it's completely normal.

Manda+panda

@Vinny424‌ is he a messy eater? Does his tongue extend party his lower lip? Most LCs are trained to look for it, I recommend finding one. They would be able to either fix it if it's necessary or help you find ways to get a deeper latch. If it wasn't for my LC I would be a sobbing mess.

mamahann

ksulli said:

For the love of all that is holy, please baby let me sleep! Eating every 90 min for 14 hours (and counting) is killing me!!! Just needed to vent. And figured I could find someone to share my misery in here. This is my second EBF baby and it's going well other than what I assume is a growth spurt.

This was me on Sunday/Monday! LO is a month old yesterday so I assumed growth spurt too. Thank goodness it's over now.

ksulli

@Ashleyahann said:

ksulli said:

For the love of all that is holy, please baby let me sleep! Eating every 90 min for 14 hours (and counting) is killing me!!! Just needed to vent. And figured I could find someone to share my misery in here. This is my second EBF baby and it's going well other than what I assume is a growth spurt.

This was me on Sunday/Monday! LO is a month old yesterday so I assumed growth spurt too. Thank goodness it's over now.

Mine is a month old tomorrow. You'll have to give me 24hr warning on the next one since thy have identical timing.

smashton14th

ksulli said:

For the love of all that is holy, please baby let me sleep! Eating every 90 min for 14 hours (and counting) is killing me!!! Just needed to vent. And figured I could find someone to share my misery in here. This is my second EBF baby and it's going well other than what I assume is a growth spurt.

My DS is going through his 3 week growth spurt. This morning it was every hour on the hour!! My nipples hurt. He took a nap for 2 hours this afternoon thankfully. He went directly back to eating. It has been for two days now. Hopefully this ends soon.

fourthnlast

ksulli said:

For the love of all that is holy, please baby let me sleep! Eating every 90 min for 14 hours (and counting) is killing me!!! Just needed to vent. And figured I could find someone to share my misery in here. This is my second EBF baby and it's going well other than what I assume is a growth spurt.

Right there with you!!!! And only one 1/2 hour nap today.

fourthnlast

smashton14th said:

ksulli said:

For the love of all that is holy, please baby let me sleep! Eating every 90 min for 14 hours (and counting) is killing me!!! Just needed to vent. And figured I could find someone to share my misery in here. This is my second EBF baby and it's going well other than what I assume is a growth spurt.

My DS is going through his 3 week growth spurt. This morning it was every hour on the hour!! My nipples hurt. He took a nap for 2 hours this afternoon thankfully. He went directly back to eating. It has been for two days now. Hopefully this ends soon.

3 week growth spurt here too. She has yet to take a good nap today.

heids4787

fourthnlast said:

smashton14th said:

ksulli said:

For the love of all that is holy, please baby let me sleep! Eating every 90 min for 14 hours (and counting) is killing me!!! Just needed to vent. And figured I could find someone to share my misery in here. This is my second EBF baby and it's going well other than what I assume is a growth spurt.

My DS is going through his 3 week growth spurt. This morning it was every hour on the hour!! My nipples hurt. He took a nap for 2 hours this afternoon thankfully. He went directly back to eating. It has been for two days now. Hopefully this ends soon.

3 week growth spurt here too. She has yet to take a good nap today.

I have another LO experiencing a 3 week growth spurt here, too! I got ~2 hours sleep last night, and she's feeding pretty consistently throughout the day.

I'm happy to have her pack on some weight, tho, so she'll fit in the baby carrier. I'm excited to carry her around the house with me, but she's too small for the harness!

Rachnan

Seems my LO was going through a growth spurt the last 4-5 days. He then slept for about 10 hours straight last night (note to self, make sure you pump if this happens again!), could this signal the end of this growth spurt? Fingers crossed!

Rrrrrachel

Unless she's been screaming bloody nurser for hours at a time you have not been starving your baby!! I know that it's hard to hear, but you're probably right she's just a slow gainer, and the ped tends to have a one size fits all attitude about weight gain.

(Note: I am in no way telling you not to supplement)

Rrrrrachel

I think you're right . It's hard to have small babies. Doctors seem like they want everyone at the top half of the chart, and that's just not how it works. For every 80% baby there's a perfectly healthy 20% baby!

macynsnoop

fourthnlast said:

smashton14th said:

ksulli said:

For the love of all that is holy, please baby let me sleep! Eating every 90 min for 14 hours (and counting) is killing me!!! Just needed to vent. And figured I could find someone to share my misery in here. This is my second EBF baby and it's going well other than what I assume is a growth spurt.

My DS is going through his 3 week growth spurt. This morning it was every hour on the hour!! My nipples hurt. He took a nap for 2 hours this afternoon thankfully. He went directly back to eating. It has been for two days now. Hopefully this ends soon.

3 week growth spurt here too. She has yet to take a good nap today.

Yup, my guy is 3 weeks today & he has been eating every hour & half since last night. He takes about 45 min to feed, so looks like this is all I'm doing today! Hope it doesn't last too long!

maelic

2 weeks and change and she hasn't slept a wink since 9am. All she wants to do is eat. Could the 3 week growth spurt have come early?

(Please tell me it's a growth spurt and not the new normal. Lie if you have to).

fourthnlast

Good to know i'm not alone with the 3 week spurt. I'm sitting here sobbing because i'm exhausted, she won't nap and only wants to nurse. It's been almost 24 hours of constant feeding and next to no sleep.

Brigie029

Sorry if this is already in this thread, but when you want to stop, or never start, how do you get your supply to dry up?

Rrrrrachel

Maelic the good and bad news is everything is a phase!

Rrrrrachel

If you don't want to breastfeed at all I think there's a medication they can give you in the hospital. When you want to stop the best thing is to slowly decrease frequency to slowly decrease demand, and supply will follow. There are also things like decongestants and herbal teas that can help dry you up (earth mama angel baby makes a tea called "no more milk")

Emily041285

We've had some epic poop diapers today, like several blowouts in a row. Could something I ate cause this or is this a typical newborn thing?

Rrrrrachel

Normal.

Dixon813

Brigie029 said:

Sorry if this is already in this thread, but when you want to stop, or never start, how do you get your supply to dry up?

Wearing tight sports bra (or two) don't stimulate your boobs/nipples and keep warm water off them. I took sudafed last time, not sure if it really helped but made me feel like I was doing something...

christinanoelle

ImnAtari said:

Im trying to stop my supply currently snd I heard peppermint is a good trick? I dont know how true that is...

I would just like to not be a leaky mess anymore... how long does it usually take to decrease supply?

Apparently chilled cabbage leaves help. I used them for 2 days, twice a day for 20 minutes at a time as recommended by a nurse. I also am wearing My regular bras with underwire. I still have milk (I leak a bit in the shower) but definitely not as leaky as a few days ago.

Holljade

ImnAtari said:

Im trying to stop my supply currently snd I heard peppermint is a good trick? I dont know how true that is...

I would just like to not be a leaky mess anymore... how long does it usually take to decrease supply?

@ImnAtari‌ when my milk dried up with dd it took a week and I wasn't doing anything to try and prevent it ( i wasn't trying to decrease my supply and was waiting on a new pump and obviously not well informed- I was under the impression it took weeks to dry up)

haziedaze

Ooopsbaby14 said:

Rrrrrachel said:

Unless she's been screaming bloody nurser for hours at a time you have not been starving your baby!! I know that it's hard to hear, but you're probably right she's just a slow gainer, and the ped tends to have a one size fits all attitude about weight gain. (Note: I am in no way telling you not to supplement)

She doesn't act hungry after nursing and she has the drunk baby signals and has the right number of wet/poopies. I'll follow the drs orders, but in my heart I think she's fine.

What have her weights been? Can you get an opinion from an LC as well? Typing one handed but sending hugs as well. You're NOT a bad mom.

ksulli

@poru said:

Can you overfeed a BF child? Sometimes I will feed before she is showing cues because I know I am off to pick up son from school and it's going to be an hour before I can feed her. And I do feed her any time she cries.

Not really- if they aren't hungry they'll just comfort suck and not really eat anything.

amandamatt72409

So cluster feeding....or a 3 week growth spurt? LO has been eating during the day every hour, one side only 10-20 minutes. At night she will eat sometimes both sides, up to 15-20 minutes each side and then sleeps 3-4 hours. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad to get the sleep, but it seems weird that during the day she won't eat more too.
Any ideas?

Emily041285

How much would it kill my supply to give her a bottle of formula tomorrow night or am I better off trying to pump a bottle? DD will go 3-4 hours during the day and only nurse for 15 minutes. At night it's every two hours for a min of 20 minutes, sometimes it's 45. I'm so exhausted I want to give up to get some help from DH.

ksulli

@Emily041285‌ I'd try to pump a bottle right before bedtime so your supply matches LOs. DH can do the first nighttime meal while you rest, you'll be pretty engorged when you wake up for the next one, but that rest will feel glorious. We might try that tonight at my house too.

Rrrrrachel

I would try to pump a bottle and I would try and nurse more during the day. Sometimes that helps.

Cluster feeding and growth spurts aren't really different things.