The Great Big Breastfeeding Thread

MissWhis

Mamamonzo said:

I'm going to lose my mind. I have had a baby attached to me every 45 minutes for the past 2 days. LC told us it's time to cut the bottle since he's gaining weight.

I don't know what to do. I can't get anything done, no sleep, haven't eaten anything in 24 hours. My nipples are so fucking raw. Someone talk me off a ledge before I give up and just pump.

I'm kind of feeling like that today, too. I don't even want to pump. I feel like giving her all the milk from the freezer and then switching to formula. I've had a fairly easy time breastfeeding her, but as of yesterday afternoon I'm having some delayed postpartum hemorrhaging - I may have to be rehospitalized - and it feels like feeding her is making a huge physical demand on my body and I suddenly am losing my motivation and stamina to keep it up. Compounded by the fact that as of the past two night she only will sleep next to me and wants to nurse on and off for hours at time.

I'm really worried I'm going to quit and then seriously regret my decision once I'm feeling better and this cluster feeding phase has passed, but it's so fucking hard right now.

No advice, but just know you're not alone in your feelings. Hopefully we get through this and it's much, much easier on the other side.

Best of luck to you and your little guy.

littlesocks

@Mamamonzo‌ you sound like me when my LO was going through a growth spurt. I felt trapped and desperate for relief. I hope that's all it is for you as it will pass. It seemed to take a total of 3 days with the last day being the absolute worst. But we got through it!
Even though it seems impossible to find time to eat, you need to make it a priority. Baby needs you to produce so LO can fill up. If you aren't eating enough it might be that your LO isn't getting enough fast enough, leaving LO to want to eat even more often.

haziedaze

Ashleyahann said:

When I met with an LC last week she told me to feed on demand as long as my LO is waking up to eat. For the second night in a row LO slept aprox 5 hours before waking. At 12 days old should I be waking her if she goes longer than 3 hours? We had a weight check yesterday and she's one ounce above her birth weight so she is gaining.

Once they are above birth weight and gaining consistently, I think the "never wake a sleeping baby" rule applies! Enjoy!

amhah09

I've never given Vit D supplements and I've never been told to by the pediatrician who knows I've EBF 3 babies now.

I don't wake to feed baby at night as long as baby has reached birth weight, is gaining appropriately, and makes up for it during the day. I would gladly some form of cluster feeding during the day for a 5+ hour stretch of sleep at night at 3 weeks.

haziedaze

Mamamonzo said:

I'm going to lose my mind. I have had a baby attached to me every 45 minutes for the past 2 days. LC told us it's time to cut the bottle since he's gaining weight. I don't know what to do. I can't get anything done, no sleep, haven't eaten anything in 24 hours. My nipples are so fucking raw. Someone talk me off a ledge before I give up and just pump.

I usually found with DS1 that just when I was ready to rip all my hair out and run screaming out of the house that something changed and things started to get better. Hoping that's the case for you. Can you find a new place to nurse? A bench outside? Move a chair by a window? Try sidelying nursing and dooze off with him for a while? These early days are SO hard, but in a couple of weeks you'll be able to pop him on the boob every 2-3 hours for 10-20 mins and be done, much faster than making bottles or pumping IMO. Also you'll thank yourself when he's not constantly sick. They say "never quit on a bad day" which always made me mad, but I was glad I listened in the end!

Mamamonzo

Thanks for the advice ladies!! Xoxo

MrsMeatball41

Mamamonzo said:

Thanks for the advice ladies!! Xoxo

And remember that if you do have to pump so that someone can give you a few hours to sleep or take a break it's okay! You are not a failure, we all need help. Hugs and know you can do it!

MrsMeatball41

For those curious or worries their baby isn't getting enough in the beginning

Mamamonzo

I do not understand how Lucas can nurse for 45 minutes and then still act like a lunatic until he gets another ounce or two from a bottle. What is he doing for those 45 minutes?

It's not a growth spurt since he's been like this from the start.

MapleLeafMama

Mamamonzo said:

I do not understand how Lucas can nurse for 45 minutes and then still act like a lunatic until he gets another ounce or two from a bottle. What is he doing for those 45 minutes? It's not a growth spurt since he's been like this from the start.

I'd love to know this too. We are having the same issue. Dd will nurse for 45 mins to an hour on both sides, then 15 mins later is rooting around again and will down 1-2 oz of formula via bottle.

AcaAwkward

MapleLeafMama said:

Mamamonzo said:

I do not understand how Lucas can nurse for 45 minutes and then still act like a lunatic until he gets another ounce or two from a bottle. What is he doing for those 45 minutes?

It's not a growth spurt since he's been like this from the start.

I'd love to know this too. We are having the same issue. Dd will nurse for 45 mins to an hour on both sides, then 15 mins later is rooting around again and will down 1-2 oz of formula via bottle.

-----------------------------

Nursing is a loooooooooooot slower than the bottle. Especially if it's the end of the day when your milk supply is more depleted. And a good chunk of nursing time at this age is just suckling for closeness and comfort.

DemoDoll

Is anyone using Mother's Milk more milk plus? Or just the plain more milk?
What is the difference? I'm think of ordering some on amazon prime but I want to make sure I get the best one.
Also, I see there are tablet and dropper form. Which is better? I read reviews that the liquid dropped kind tastes nasty but I can get over the flavor if it works a lot better.


I'm currently drinking mothers milk tea and taking fenugreek but I just want to make sure my supply is good. I had supply issues with DD1 and I'm afraid it will happen again.

Rrrrrachel

Re cluster feeding: I seriously nt think I did anything but nurse for the first two months. Practically around the clock. Fortunately I'm lazy and was happy to have the excuse to sit around and watch tv.

AcaAwkward

DemoDoll said:

Is anyone using Mother's Milk more milk plus? Or just the plain more milk?
What is the difference? I'm think of ordering some on amazon prime but I want to make sure I get the best one.
Also, I see there are tablet and dropper form. Which is better? I read reviews that the liquid dropped kind tastes nasty but I can get over the flavor if it works a lot better.


I'm currently drinking mothers milk tea and taking fenugreek but I just want to make sure my supply is good. I had supply issues with DD1 and I'm afraid it will happen again.

I don't know the difference but I have the Plus version in drop form. It tastes NASTY but it works -- used it last time, too. Be sure and wait 15 min before and after you take it to drink anything for best results.

Rrrrrachel

Tinctures (liquid) are generally more effective and better absorbed by your body, but disgusting.

ksulli

I remember keeping track one day with DD1- I had a baby on a boob for over 8 hours. And I'm pretty sure that didn't include the overnight.

columbia1

Three things:

1. I think I got off on the wrong foot with some of you regulars on A14. Posted a labor post, got flack, I got emotional and moody. Sorry about that. Last few days of being pregnant really got to me. Hopefully we can all move on and I can start posting again, because so far, this BF forum has been really helpful. So thank you all for that.

2. I was having serious problems w nipple cracks. Every time my little babe (named Leo btw) would latch on, it felt like someone was slicing off my nipples. Met w an LC and she recommended making this concoction: neosporin, 1% hydrocortisone, and athletes foot cream. Put a little dot of each on index finger, mix it up, and rub it on the nipple. The scab and crack healed literally within 2 days. Now my teets feel awesome. And with her "ram" technique she showed me, (literally shoving the little guys head onto my nip when his tongue was down) BF has been 10000X better. Anyone who is having problems should give that a try!!

3. I feel shitty saying this, considering a lot of you are having problems w your milk supply, but is anyone having an over supply issue? Not only am I engorged like mad (delivered April 3) but I'm going thru nipple pads like crazy. And whenever my little rabbit starts drinking, two min later he's choking and spilling milk all over himself like he's just chug a beer. I've tried laying down while nursing, but it still happens. Anyone having this problem? And anything I can do to slow my down my letdown?

** I'm mobile, apologies for any sp. errors **

Rrrrrachel

Over supply and over active let down is hard, too! For oversupply consider (cautiously) block feeding. For over active let down the best thing to do is let them nurse until let down, pop them off and let down into a burp cloth or something, then resume nursing.

ksulli

@columbia1‌ on #3, I think you're just in the engorgement phase. DD was born on the 31st and in the last two days things have been much better on the boob front. Still more let down than she can handle, so I usually pop her off and let the milk spill onto a burp cloth, then bring her back when it's calmed down.

khammond3

Moms who have exclusively breast fed... Did you wait 4 weeks to give a pacifier or did you give one right away?

Rrrrrachel

We waited a week or two but it never really took with my daughter, anyway.

ksulli

@khammond3 said:

Moms who have exclusively breast fed... Did you wait 4 weeks to give a pacifier or did you give one right away?

With dd1 we waited a week or two, she never really cared for it. With DD2 she's just about 2w and has had one a few times.

columbia1

We were having a huge problem with cluster feeding right away and my pediatrician recommended we use a pacifier since he is well above his birth weight already. I'd ask pediatrician

Rrrrrachel

It's normal for before babies to go a few days between poops. It's only a concern if she seems uncomfortable.

AcaAwkward

LuckySquare said:

Rrrrrachel said:

It's normal for before babies to go a few days between poops. It's only a concern if she seems uncomfortable.

I always assumed that was okay in later weeks but the first week was supposed to be fairly regular. We're not overly concerned, but thought the "efficiency" pooping was around week three and onward.

ETA: we mainly FF my son, so we were expecting poosplosions this week like he had, LOL.

FWIW, I EBF and my understanding was you are looking for dirty & wet diapers every day for the first 12 days of life. I could be wrong, but I would have called the pediatrician too.

Rrrrrachel

Typically I think you would expect it to start later, but in the absence of discomfort I wouldn't worry about it earlier, either.

AcaAwkward

khammond3 said:

Moms who have exclusively breast fed... Did you wait 4 weeks to give a pacifier or did you give one right away?

Gave it to DD in the hospital and never had an issue (she have it up by herself at 4 mo). Tried it week #1 with DS and he wasn't a fan.

hlm184

Blisters.

Worked with an LC this morning and this was the first day we've been able to really successfully latch.  Yay!

Unfortunately, after this last feeding, I now have a blister on the tip of my nipple.  Is there anything I can do other than cream, airing out, and focusing really hard on getting a deep latch?

Teresa1896

khammond3 said:

Moms who have exclusively breast fed... Did you wait 4 weeks to give a pacifier or did you give one right away?

Last time our pedi recommended waiting a month. Now, 3 yrs later, the tides have turned and research is showing that there is no such thing as "nipple confusion," which was the reason to avoid the pacifiers for so long. Our pedi recommended a pacifier right away to get the extra protection from SIDS. I've offered it here and there (DS is 2.5 days old) but he doesn't seem into it yet.

haziedaze

LuckySquare said:

Rrrrrachel said:

It's normal for before babies to go a few days between poops. It's only a concern if she seems uncomfortable.

I always assumed that was okay in later weeks but the first week was supposed to be fairly regular. We're not overly concerned, but thought the "efficiency" pooping was around week three and onward.

ETA: we mainly FF my son, so we were expecting poosplosions this week like he had, LOL.

Usually it doesn't drop off till the second week if life. Breast fed babies really don't get constipated I'd be more thinking about supply. Has your baby had a weight check? If not there might be a lactation consultant or breast feeding store that could even see you over the weekend.

littlesocks

Teresa1896 said:

Our pedi recommended a pacifier right away to get the extra protection from SIDS. I've offered it here and there (DS is 2.5 days old) but he doesn't seem into it yet.

Do you know how a pacifier can give extra protection from SIDS? I'm so paranoid about SIDS!

Manda+panda

DD had been nursing every hour on the hour...for the last 12 hours. My nipples feel like death. (She has a poor latch, lip tie that makes it difficult for her to flange her top lip out, likes to bite and has tongue tie that was clip pod but not far enough back.) What can I do for the tenderness?

My husband wants me to give her a bottle of my express milk. WWYD?

AcaAwkward

Amsull324 said:

Teresa1896 said:

Our pedi recommended a pacifier right away to get the extra protection from SIDS. I've offered it here and there (DS is 2.5 days old) but he doesn't seem into it yet.

Do you know how a pacifier can give extra protection from SIDS? I'm so paranoid about SIDS!

Constant sucking = constant breathing.

DemoDoll

khammond3 said:

Moms who have exclusively breast fed... Did you wait 4 weeks to give a pacifier or did you give one right away?

With both DD1 and DD2 I gave the paci the day they were born and we never had nipple confusion.

DemoDoll

Manda+panda said:

DD had been nursing every hour on the hour...for the last 12 hours. My nipples feel like death. (She has a poor latch, lip tie that makes it difficult for her to flange her top lip out, likes to bite and has tongue tie that was clip pod but not far enough back.) What can I do for the tenderness? My husband wants me to give her a bottle of my express milk. WWYD?

You can definitely pump and feed your LO with the pumped milk. I did that with DD1 for a week to give my nipples a break and it really helped. Pumping felt like so much work though, I was happy to return to BFing.

columbia1

My flow is so fast. I'm trying everything I can and nothing seems to be working. Going to try and call lactation tmrw. 3am feeding when he's screaming his head off and choking and gagging on my milk is getting to me. I feel so guilty. Just needed to vent. Sorry guys.

amhah09

columbia1 said:

My flow is so fast. I'm trying everything I can and nothing seems to be working. Going to try and call lactation tmrw. 3am feeding when he's screaming his head off and choking and gagging on my milk is getting to me. I feel so guilty. Just needed to vent. Sorry guys.

Try unlatchinh him at letdown and letting down into a burp cloth or towel first, then latch him back. Typically it's the letdown that's forceful so that might help. Also try to lie back when feeding, that usually helps. Otherwise hopefully LC has something else to offer. Sorry, mama!

MamaFantastic

15 days old, well above birth weight, and finally stopping the constant dutiful recording of every single feeding's timing and starting side. I'm finding it hard now to remember which side was last! I just grope myself and offer whichever breast feels fuller if I truly can't remember. Anyone have tips on a more scientific way to do this? I only feel moderately confident in my ability to remember something like switching a bracelet from one wrist to the other.

columbia1

MamaFantastic said:

15 days old, well above birth weight, and finally stopping the constant dutiful recording of every single feeding's timing and starting side. I'm finding it hard now to remember which side was last! I just grope myself and offer whichever breast feels fuller if I truly can't remember. Anyone have tips on a more scientific way to do this? I only feel moderately confident in my ability to remember something like switching a bracelet from one wrist to the other.

I grope myself too! Also would like to know if anyone has any advice for this.

babybarnes87

Been up all night with LO cluster feeding (a few times every hour). Finally broke down sobbing awhile ago while changing his diaper. I'm just so exhausted and wish I could sleep! Hopefully I can during the day some. Sorry to vent I am just feeling so overwhelmed! I know it gets easier but for now I am a walking zombie.