June '14 BFing/Pumping Questions Thread

LoveOBX630

We have fed every 3 hours since birth. He would sleep 24/7 so I had to wake him up to feed. At night now he goes from 1230-4 am but that's the only 4 hour stretch. He eats for 15 min then I switch sides. I pull him off at 30 because my doctor has noted that he is a lazy eater and a comfort sucker. He has a pacifier all the time because he sucked on his hands in utero in every Sono. He just likes to suck. He weighted 6lb 6 oz when we came home from hospital and was up to 8 lb 3 oz at his two week with plenty of poopy diapers. He seriously poops 24/7. What we are doing must be working. He takes a bottle with no problem from me or anyone else. He's 4.5 weeks old.

BMaidPlanner

babygabe614 said:

katekat8721 said:

Do you find you don't have to burp your BF babies as much as bottle fed?

@katekat8721 Right now we are BF, pumping, and supplementing with formula and the only times LO really needs a burp seems to be when she has the formula. With BF she will sometimes get a small burp but a lot of times she'll settle after a feeding without it. Formula is the only thing that makes her spit up, too.

Just curious, why are you doing all 3? Was LO not gaining weight from just nursing? No one told me to supplement or pump so I'm just wondering what I might be missing.

katekat8721

@nutmegs8 that literally made me laugh out loud haha

enpowers

I did a search on this thread and didn't see anyone say they actually had thrush. Apparently my DS has a bad case of thrush and I am worried about passing it to one another after his gets cured. He has a prescription to clear his up, but is there anything I can do to keep it from my nipples? Has anyone dealt with thrush before?

babygabe614

@BMaidPlanner‌ Yes the LC I am working with recommended all three. The idea was it would be a temp plan until my milk came in. However, now we are just pumping and supplementing because nursing was not getting us anywhere for a number of reasons. Lo would nurse for 30-60 min and still be starving after, and I personally don't feel like my milk production was being stimulated enough to come in fully until I started pumping on my own schedule throughout the day. Now that I'm no longer putting her to the breast, I'm getting 3oz in my first pump session of the day where before that's all I would get after an entire day of pumping (6-8 15min pumping sessions).

ChristineBaker23

AmyG* said:

@whoberry said:

cinnamonsmiles said:

So how do you get breastmilk stains off of clothes? I leak hardcore before and during feedings so prior to getting pads I had several shirts that now have nice round stains on the boobs...which means no wearing out in public Any advice?

@cinnamonsmiles‌
I am not sure but just learned first hand how to get poop stains out of cloth diapers. Dry them in the sun. It was seriously magical. Maybe you can try that with your shirts?

Or try dawn dish detergent, the blue stuff.  The oils/fats in breastmilk are hard to get out and the dawn breaks the fats down so it washes out.

It is my experience that heat makes the milk stains worse and and also turn yellow. I would air dry indoors. I used to fill up the bathtub with oxyclean water and soak clothing overnight with my first daughter, she was a serious spitter.

k2k2tog

LO breastfeeds really well for the most part, but she's started something new that has me confused. She'll feed well for a while, then start to fuss, pulling off the nipple, jerking her head all over the place and not relatching well. If I switch breasts, she settles for a few minutes, then does the same thing. Last week, she would nurse until she fell asleep, and she never has issues latching initially, so I know it's not that. Is she emptying my boobs before she's full? Or... what?

kbellizio3

sempre_staccato said:

LO breastfeeds really well for the most part, but she's started something new that has me confused. She'll feed well for a while, then start to fuss, pulling off the nipple, jerking her head all over the place and not relatching well. If I switch breasts, she settles for a few minutes, then does the same thing. Last week, she would nurse until she fell asleep, and she never has issues latching initially, so I know it's not that. Is she emptying my boobs before she's full? Or... what?

My LO does this too! It's almost like she gets lazy halfway through eating. Her latch is really strong and she deep sucks when she gets on but then she does this halfway through. So weird/confusing. :-/

JulieSmiles

sempre_staccato said:

LO breastfeeds really well for the most part, but she's started something new that has me confused. She'll feed well for a while, then start to fuss, pulling off the nipple, jerking her head all over the place and not relatching well. If I switch breasts, she settles for a few minutes, then does the same thing. Last week, she would nurse until she fell asleep, and she never has issues latching initially, so I know it's not that. Is she emptying my boobs before she's full? Or... what?

My LO started doing this a few weeks ago and has reflux now. She would start pulling off and jerking her head around when it would start hurting. Hopefully yours does not have this, but wanted to share so you can watch it.

MrsP419

I EBF my twins and we almost always tandem feed.  They eat every 2-3 hrs during the day and every 3-4 at night.  About two weeks ago we must have had some sort of latch issue because I got an open blister or something on the nipple.  Any latch issues seem to have been corrected and the babies are nursing great, but this stupid blister will not heal.  I am thinking it is because that side never gets a break because I am tandem feeding.  It seriously looks like someone took a chunk out of the side of my nipple.  I have been using all purpose nipple ointment and the pain is not as bad, but it does not look anywhere near going away.  Any tips, or do I just have to suck this one up until they space their feedings out a bit more? 

JulieSmiles

What should a breastfeed baby's spit up look like? DD has what looks like milk with curds in it, but also has spit up that looks very mucousy. What is normal?

ChristineBaker23

wareagle1220 said:

JulieSmiles said:

What should a breastfeed baby's spit up look like? DD has what looks like milk with curds in it, but also has spit up that looks very mucousy. What is normal?

Mine spits up like this too. I don't know if it's normal either

https://tripibabytips.blogspot.com/2012/01/5-tips-about-your-babys-spit-up.html?m=1

This has good info about what baby spit up looks like, chunky is normal! It describes other appearances of spit up too.

kks4471

ChristineBaker23 said:

What should a breastfeed baby's spit up look like? DD has what looks like milk with curds in it, but also has spit up that looks very mucousy. What is normal?

Mine spits up like this too. I don't know if it's normal either

https://tripibabytips.blogspot.com/2012/01/5-tips-about-your-babys-spit-up.html?m=1 This has good info about what baby spit up looks like, chunky is normal! It describes other appearances of spit up too.

Nice website, I'm definitely showing it to DH.  He's convinced LO's spit up isn't normal, but I say it's fine.  Maybe the website will calm him down lol.

sumochik

A couple of days ago I noticed this kind of lumpiness in my breast maybe an inch or so behind my nipple. I didn't think anything of it I figured it's just lumpiness from my milk. Today when I got out of the shower and my husband was cleaning my incision he noticed it as well. My 6 week pp appt isn't until next Thursday idk if I should call my OB or just wait.
Btw, when I was 23 I had a lumpectomy on my left breast BC I wasn't able to be biopsied. It was benign but since the surgery the left breast is a little smaller than the right and the right breast makes a lot more milk than the left. So possibly I have a bit of oversupply on my right side and that's why I'm lumpy?

jenlynne0624

@christinebaker23 awesome website. keeping it up for DH to look at as well. LO just spit up white chunky stuff down my neck, then as I was changing him again. Glad to know that it's normal.

sumochik

AmyG* said:

@sumochik usually lumpiness in the initial post partum period is clogged ducts.  I would pump nurse massage to try to break it loose and clear it.  comb toward the nipple with a comb in the shower and use dangle feeding if nursing.  if it won't clear discuss with your dr and/or an LC for assistance. 

Thanks @AmyG*‌ . I don't have a pump but I will try your suggestions. Going to look up dangle feeding now!

coffee89

Is there any real hope for a forceful letdown being fixable? The only advice I've been able to find is to pump before I feed which isn't always practical. I have tried nursing in every position possible and it's still too hard on LO most of the time.

tbmadeamistake

When charlie spends a lot of consecutive time on the same side (block feeding and he literally just spent an hour on my right side), I am often left with a crease down the middle of my nipple...any ideas? I know when he's tired and/or drowning, he doesn't latch as well, but it doesn't bother either of us normally. Creased nipple is painful, though, so I'd like to not have that happen again.

puttyeast

We noticed frequent green poop diapers yesterday so we are concerned about a foremilk/hind milk imbalance. I've been doing block feeding for about 24 hrs but still getting mostly green. Any other tips? At what point should I seek a LC?

Kinipela7

Julia is sleeping more at night (she got up once last night).  I fed her at 7:30 am (which seemed to be a short feeding!) and she fell asleep at 9:15.  She is still sleeping and it's 11:30.  Is this going to do bad things to my milk supply?  Should I be pumping or something?  

I feel like my milk supply might be decreasing or something and I don't want that to happen.  I never really feel engorged even after she only gets up at night.  She was gaining a lot at her 1 month appointment she definitely was getting more than enough then.

SarahS11

My LO spits up A LOT... Pretty much every feeding even if we get a good burp... I've started to notice that she spits up less if she gets a bottle of breastmilk. I imagine I have forceful letdown or whatever. She is a happy spitter and gaining weight like a champ so her pedi isn't concerned... But we've had to start using receiving blankets as burp clothes cause it's so ridiculous. Do I start pumping more and giving bottles since that seems to help? LO latches fine, but pulls off, sometimes chokes, and can act frustrated when at my breast but drinks pleasantly out of a bottle.

elsa1688

MommyWaldron said:

Anyone feel sudden sharp intermittent pains in your breasts? I consulted Dr Google, but I don't think my sx quite fit with thrush. I do not get the pain while or after pumping. The pains occur on the sides of my breasts. LO is showing no sx. I get it when it's kind of close to the 2-3hr mark to pump. Maybe while my breasts are filling back up? Any insight ladies?

I have this too! Pretty sure it's refilling and/or letdown. I don't experience any letdown while bf'ing though.

tbmadeamistake

Pumped for the first time today, 3 ounces total in under five minutes with a manual pump...same supply as last time! Starting just enough that dh can do a midnight feed for me here and there. Momma needs a breaks.

puttyeast

AmyG* said:

puttyeast said:

We noticed frequent green poop diapers yesterday so we are concerned about a foremilk/hind milk imbalance. I've been doing block feeding for about 24 hrs but still getting mostly green. Any other tips? At what point should I seek a LC?

Occassional green poopies are ok, and green poopies often happen during a growth spurt.  all the time green poopies with other signs of upset baby (fussy, gassy, lots of spit up) not so much ok.  so first question is how many green poopies is frequent?

If baby is in the middle of the 3 week growth spurt they are eating more often, upping your supply which may mean temporary extra foremilk, just because full volume of milk is higher.  It becomes more important to make sure baby finishes side number one before they switch to side number two as dessert. 

 I wouldn't usually do block feeds during a growth spurt unless baby is miserable.  I would focus on feeding on side #1, burp well, reoffer side #1 and then burp again and offer side #2 is baby is still showing hunger signs.  As the growth spurt settles, green poopies should also settle down, but if they don't you then start block feeding, one side for two feeds in a row, then other side for two feeds in a row.  It takes 3-5 days for supply to go up during a growth spurt, and it takes 3-5 days for block feeding to fix an oversupply.

If in doubt it's ok to check with an LC
at any time, that's what they are there for.

I didn't realize green poop could also be a growth spurt. That makes sense since he has been wanting to feed more. Last night was hunger signs over and over again.

tbmadeamistake

@ktcort13, it's not as great as it seems, especially as I'll be staying home this time and don't need a stash.  The over supply makes Charlie super grumpy and drowns him.  I would pump to relieve it, but that would just make it worse.  I only pumped today because he slept through a feed after getting his shots and I figured I could start building a bottle for DH to give him one night this weekend. 

lest12

I started pumping yesterday (3 weeks, not relevant) and did a total pumping faux-pas... I pumped and added the warm, just expressed milk to cold, already refrigerated milk, Is it all ruined now, or I'm ok, just don't do it again?

lest12

Oh, another question - did anyone else's nipples hurt when LO latches since pumping? We never had a problem with pain, but after I pumped today - ouch! Will the pain go away once I get used to pumping?

lest12

AmyG* said:

Make sure pump flanges/horns fit correctly and your nipple isn't rubbing on the sides of the horn.  that can cause friction burns that will make you sorer when nursing.

Ah. Someone's taking a trip to BRU tomorrow! lol thanks!

Abenedict2011

Hi. I have 2 questions.

1st: thanks for the poop chart @ncbelle‌. My LO has green seedy poops the majority of the time, but still sometimes yellow. She also hates to poop- will wake up from a nap but not at nighttime sleep bc of pooping. Any concerns with the frequent green?

2nd I've been taking a 3 day dose antiviral for a cold sore --after the okay from the pedi, but now it seems baby is less satisfied with feedings so I pumped to check and I'm producing half as much as normal after a feed. I'm hoping My supply will return now that I'm don't with the meds. Ever hear of this happening or am I just being a nervous FTM?

Abenedict2011

@AmyG*‌ baby is 5 weeks old (Saturday). (Green poop question). I feed on one side until she eats and unlatches herself twice. then I offer the other side ( if she didn't fall asleep on the first.) I start the next feed on alternating sides. (Thanks for your help.) she is often has a period where a big BM wales her from an afternoon nap and then a fussy period around 6-8pm until she has another BM. Then she calms for the evening.

katekat8721

Amy or any gurus, is there a point where I need to wean from shield otherwise if ain't happening?

Also, I know babies increase their intake as they get older, but doesn't the composition change too? ... how does your body know to make more milk or to change the composition if you're primarily pumping? Do you just keep pumping more to make more? Does there come a point where you're maxed out on how much you can yield in a pumping session?

kks4471

After I pump, I put the bottle in the fridge.  Hours later (when I'm awake), I pour the bottle into storage bag and put bag in freezer.  Should I put milk in freezer immediately after pumping?  Or does it not matter when I put it in freezer?  I'm just making a freezer stash, have no intentions of using the milk within 7 days.

ChristineBaker23

I wanted to share the name of a book with everyone that I'm reading right now. It's called Eat Well, Lose Weight, While Breastfeeding. It has a ton of information about how food affects breastfeeding and how breastmilk is made. So far, it's a really good read!

elsa1688

@Katkat1210‌ anecdotal but my friend weaned from the shield at 2.5 months. Baby's mouth was bigger, it was easier to latch, etc.

elsa1688

nutmegs8 said:

kks4471 said:

After I pump, I put the bottle in the fridge.  Hours later (when I'm awake), I pour the bottle into storage bag and put bag in freezer.  Should I put milk in freezer immediately after pumping?  Or does it not matter when I put it in freezer?  I'm just making a freezer stash, have no intentions of using the milk within 7 days.

The milk should be chilled before freezing.  You are fine how you are doing it.
Really? I hadn't read that anywhere. I was putting my pumped milk in storage bags and put it in the freezer. Should I throw it away?

H&H2014

ktcort13 said:

lest12 said:

I started pumping yesterday (3 weeks, not relevant) and did a total pumping faux-pas... I pumped and added the warm, just expressed milk to cold, already refrigerated milk, Is it all ruined now, or I'm ok, just don't do it again?

Oops....glad you asked this because I did the same thing!

Me too!

Taymiller

kaysa2 said:

lest12 said:

I started pumping yesterday (3 weeks, not relevant) and did a total pumping faux-pas... I pumped and added the warm, just expressed milk to cold, already refrigerated milk, Is it all ruined now, or I'm ok, just don't do it again?

I do this all the time.  Use the bottle within the standard 7 hours warm or 7 days fridge timeframe and all will be well.

Yay I am so glad to read this, I was wondering your thoughts on this topic. I do this all the time and never knew that it was something you shouldn't do.

kks4471

nutmegs8 said:

elsa1688 said:

kks4471 said:

After I pump, I put the bottle in the fridge.  Hours later (when I'm awake), I pour the bottle into storage bag and put bag in freezer.  Should I put milk in freezer immediately after pumping?  Or does it not matter when I put it in freezer?  I'm just making a freezer stash, have no intentions of using the milk within 7 days.

The milk should be chilled before freezing.  You are fine how you are doing it.

Really? I hadn't read that anywhere. I was putting my pumped milk in storage bags and put it in the freezer. Should I throw it away?

It's most likely that I'm a lying liar who lies. Lol. For some reason I was thinking about adding warm/chilled/frozen.  Idk.  I'm pretty sure it's okay to put directly into the freezer. 

ETA: Thanks for pointing that out @elsa1688

Lol well thanks for answering anyways!  I'll keep doing what I do, sounds like it doesn't matter.

Taymiller

kaysa2 said:

@Taymiller it's not really advisable to do it - you do increase (by a small SMALL fraction) your chance of bacterial growth, but quite frankly going outside increases your chance of bacterial growth in general anyway, and I'm certainly not going to stop doing that.

But take my advice on this with a grain of salt.  I'll happily eat food off the floor or outdoor ground.  I don't sterilize things and I'm not certain I have ever washed DD's pacifier since opening it out of the box.  You can't hide from bacteria and fungi and since I work with them all day every day anyway, I don't even try.

Sounds like we are on the same page . The only time I don't eat things that have fallen on the floor is when I can't get the cat/dog hair off of it or soup, soup would be hard to eat off the floor.

tbmadeamistake

Any ideas for a two year old who likes to rough house and inevitably lands on my boobs at some point? Oh my god painful!!!!