June '14 BFing/Pumping Questions Thread

BMaidPlanner

flojo973 said:

@BMaidPlanner - is she truly eating or just comfort sucking?  I never know when to pump either - my LC said to wait at least 30 minutes after a feed and then wait an hour after pumping to nurse LO.  But its so hard because DD isn't consistent with when she wants to eat!  I've been waiting 30 minutes, pumping and then if she's hungry before the hour is up, I nurse her and she seems to be fine.  

Both, I think. And I just got her to sleep on my chest because just now I saw she was rooting but so, so, SO tired. This lil' girl better start liking a pacifier because Mommy can't be it...

And yes, same problem. I am going to try and put her down now and see if I can get 10 minutes of pumping in. Could be a big mistake, I should just try to close my eyes myself. 

AbbySeiden

I've been told that rooting behaviors can also mean they're tired - so maybe if they just ate and you know they shouldn't be hungry try rocking them to sleep instead of putting them on the boob - just a thought

irenewslee

AbbySeiden said:

I've been told that rooting behaviors can also mean they're tired - so maybe if they just ate and you know they shouldn't be hungry try rocking them to sleep instead of putting them on the boob - just a thought

Yes that is true for my LO. She roots when she is tired so if i see her yawning and rooting, i know to swaddle her and put her to sleep soon. If she gets overtired, it takes 3 times the effort to get her to sleep. This does not apply to growth spurts or wonder weeks since all routines go out the door during those times.

BMaidPlanner

AbbySeiden said:

I've been told that rooting behaviors can also mean they're tired - so maybe if they just ate and you know they shouldn't be hungry try rocking them to sleep instead of putting them on the boob - just a thought

Yes! That is what I meant above, got her to sleep on my chest instead of feeding. It's easier I feel for my H to do, but that could be my anxiety worrying that I should be feeding her.

My experiment failed just now. She woke up as I started pumping, wants to eat, I only got an ounce and now she is fussing at my boob. Ugh, I'm calling an LC.

MrsRahl

katekat8721 said:

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

I ebf and I have to burp her several times a feed. They are big man burps too lol

karing2

BMaidPlanner said:

I've been told that rooting behaviors can also mean they're tired - so maybe if they just ate and you know they shouldn't be hungry try rocking them to sleep instead of putting them on the boob - just a thought

Yes! That is what I meant above, got her to sleep on my chest instead of feeding. It's easier I feel for my H to do, but that could be my anxiety worrying that I should be feeding her. My experiment failed just now. She woke up as I started pumping, wants to eat, I only got an ounce and now she is fussing at my boob. Ugh, I'm calling an LC.

My DS#1 was like your daughter. He seriously nursed every 2 hours until we started cereal at 4 months. I realize now that I have more milk this time I never had enough milk. Maybe pumping after 2 or 3 nursing sessions will boost your supply. Even if this means she nurses 45 minutes later. I totally know. How you are feeling. It gets better or you get used to it, not sure which one.

PressLove

My LC recommended this new book from LLLI, Sweet Sleep: Nighttime and Naptime Strategies for the Breastfeeding Family. It came out last week. I ordered it, but haven't gone through it yet.

ETA to insert link.

b48kate

ETA: Claimed

If anyone could use them I have 200 Lansinoh breastmilk storage bags in unopened boxes (2 boxes of 50, and 1 of 100).

These were all purchased for me by a friend during my pregnancy by a friend when I was planning to breastfeed and pump. Since both of those things never worked out for me I would love to see these expensive little bags find a home!

I also have a box of 100 Lansinoh individually wrapped disposable nursing pads. I used a grand total of four of them. I either need to give them away or get suggestions for a crafty art project I can do with them!

* Posted in EPing and BFing threads

TunieBee

Internationalkate said:

If anyone could use them I have 200 Lansinoh breastmilk storage bags in unopened boxes (2 boxes of 50, and 1 of 100).

These were all purchased for me by a friend during my pregnancy by a friend when I was planning to breastfeed and pump. Since both of those things never worked out for me I would love to see these expensive little bags find a home!

I also have a box of 100 Lansinoh individually wrapped disposable nursing pads. I used a grand total of four of them. I either need to give them away or get suggestions for a crafty art project I can do with them!

* Posted in EPing and BFing threads

I would love them. Can you ship?

MrsAy

Internationalkate said:

If anyone could use them I have 200 Lansinoh breastmilk storage bags in unopened boxes (2 boxes of 50, and 1 of 100).

These were all purchased for me by a friend during my pregnancy by a friend when I was planning to breastfeed and pump. Since both of those things never worked out for me I would love to see these expensive little bags find a home!

I also have a box of 100 Lansinoh individually wrapped disposable nursing pads. I used a grand total of four of them. I either need to give them away or get suggestions for a crafty art project I can do with them!

* Posted in EPing and BFing threads

I could really use one of the 50ct boxes if you don't mind splitting them.

AbbySeiden

My LO gets about 2 bottles of BM a day, one in the morning so i can pump and an ounce or 2 before bed to top him off so he'll sleep longer. However about 4 days ago he started screaming and fighting the night time bottle. We thought maybe he was just full, but now he's fighting and refusing the morning bottle too. Why would he suddenly start refusing the bottle? (He's 7 1/2 weeks old and breast feeds well, we're just using the medela bottles)

TunieBee

Do I really have to toss breast milk 24 hours after defrosting it?!

Jenn111211

kaysa2 said:

@AbbySelden maybe your LO is hitting the second Wonder Week a bit early?

I would think it might be this too. The second leap is supposed to happen between weeks 7 and a half and 9 and a half.

MrsRahl

I'm having a serious oversupply problem in just my right breast. I tried block feeding so it would reduce and regulate it's self but it only got worse and feels like my boo. Is going to explode! If DD sleeps later into the morning ( which is awesome for us but not for my boob) I wake up in pain and have to wake her to relieve it. I can get 7 oz out of just that one boob in one sitting if I pump it. Which might I add I only had b cups before my milk came in. What can I do to not perpetuate the problem but not screw my supply overall or on my left breast?

AbbySeiden

That could also explain why he's having trouble napping anywhere besides my arms (which is making it really hard to shower - I've learned to do just about everything else one handed :-) )

Jenn111211

@mrsrahl when I had an oversupply problem my LC said only pump enough to get a little relief. If you empty completely, your body will continue to produce too much milk.

whoberry

@BMaidPlanner‌ my LO was the king of cluster feeding until we went to an LC on Monday. We determined I have low supply and that is why he eas always eating and rarely napped. I was not pumping enough milk to feed him while I was gone for the day at work either. And his weight gain was on the low end of normal. The LC recommended supplementing with formula and expressed milk when I have it. She gave me some tips for boosting supply too which I am working on.
There has been a huge difference in LO since we started following her advice! No more cluster feeding and he naps! She also helped me figure out when I let down (can't feel it) and how quickly he switches from eating to just sucking. It was much faster than I realized so now I can take him off the boob faster and give him a bottle to fill him up the rest of the way. Major change to my life! Wish I had gone in sooner! I might not have hated breastfeeding and maternity leave as much if I could have cleared that all up before I went back to work!

flojo973

@whoberry - yay!  Glad you got that figured out!  What tips did the LC give you to increase supply?  I think my supply is low too, DD doesn't nap and I can't feel my letdown - sounds very similar!  DD is also on the low end for weight and is barely gaining.

whoberry

flojo973 said:

@whoberry - yay!  mlGlad you got that figured out!  What tips did the LC give you to increase supply?  I think my supply is low too, DD doesn't nap and I can't feel my letdown - sounds very similar!  DD is also on the low end for weight and is barely gaining.

@flojo973‌ she said to pump right after each feeding for 15 minutes. Also you can take up to 12 fenugreek a day so I am slowly increasing from 3 a day. The trick with fenugreek is to have it always in your system so space it out to taking it every 8 hours. Eat 2000 calories a day and drink plenty of water. Also rent a hospital grade pump because it cycles more often. I think she suggested something else but I dont have the shwet in front of me. I am doing everything but renting the pump which I plan to get if this doesn't work in a week or two.
At the appointment we did a weighted feed and then I pumped with the hospital pump. He ate 1.8 oz from me and the pump only got like 18 ml after that.
To get him off the boob faster she showed me when he starts non nutritive sucking. At that point do some breast compressions while he us still on until I stop hearing him swallow, burp him, switch sides and repeat then give him a bottle. She suggested starting with 2 oz bottles of expressed milk or formula and if still hungry give him a little more.
It was SUCH a relief. I was afraid to try supplementing with formula but if the LC thinks I should I feel much better about it. I am back at work and can't pump enough to get him through the day. I can't use my small frozen stash either because he has a food intolerance and I was not on the milk and soy free diet when I pumped the frozen stuff.
Seeing the LC was totally worth it. She said his latch is good and he is an efficient eater too so it's nice to know that is not the problem.
Good luck!

flojo973

@whoberry - thank you!  I know I don't eat and drink enough, so that is an easy fix.  Going to try the other ideas also and the fenugreek.  Hope it doesn't make me smelly, ha!

whoberry

@flojo973 she said that you want your sweat and urine to smell like maple syrup. I am getting to thay point. Next stop, a job at Waffle House.

BMaidPlanner

whoberry said:

@BMaidPlanner‌ my LO was the king of cluster feeding until we went to an LC on Monday. We determined I have low supply and that is why he eas always eating and rarely napped. I was not pumping enough milk to feed him while I was gone for the day at work either. And his weight gain was on the low end of normal. The LC recommended supplementing with formula and expressed milk when I have it. She gave me some tips for boosting supply too which I am working on.
There has been a huge difference in LO since we started following her advice! No more cluster feeding and he naps! She also helped me figure out when I let down (can't feel it) and how quickly he switches from eating to just sucking. It was much faster than I realized so now I can take him off the boob faster and give him a bottle to fill him up the rest of the way. Major change to my life! Wish I had gone in sooner! I might not have hated breastfeeding and maternity leave as much if I could have cleared that all up before I went back to work!

All the LC'S near me are something like $200 a visit and my insurance won't cover unless the LC specifically takes insurance. (Ridiculous). This is super helpful!

irenewslee

Why did God make pumping/nursing so darn painful? I thought it was only the delivery part! It has been 2 months and my nipples are still hurting. One side is still swollen and it hurts even if i touch it with my own finger, needless to say how much it hurts when LO latches on (her latch is fine because the other side doesnt really hurt and the LC daid she is doing fine). I thought this painful stage will go away but so far i have not seen the light in the end of the tunnel. My LO is feeding every 3 hours, maybe 4 at night, which means mommy is crunching her teeth every 3/4 hours for 15-20 minutes. Any remedy?

PressLove

@irenewslee‌- What are you putting on your nipples? Mine were sore/red the first week. Do you rub breast milk on them after each feeding? It would help heal any cracking or bleeding. Also, I used Earth Mama Angel Baby nipple butter. After the cracking healed, I no longer cringed every time LO latched.

karing2

@irenewslee‌ look at your nipple after nursing. Do you have a milk bleb? I have one consistently and it feels like glass shards when he latches.

irenewslee

Thanks @PressLove‌ and @karing2‌ I use the motherlove nipple cream and i will try to rub breastmilk after feeding to see if it helps. I think i have a very small milk blister that comes and goes. I think the main problem is my big nipple on LO's small mouth. She cant possibly open wild enough to cover the entire nipple when it is swollen. She also hasa hard bite when she starts initially so it's like cutting my nipple at least for the first 5-10 seconds. I am trying to pump more but the pulling hurts even on a very low setting. I am telling myself that it has already been 2 months, so just 4 more months until I reach my goal!

PressLove

@irenewslee‌- Have you spoken to an LC? Four months is a long time to be in pain. I'm sure there is something that could be done to help make things better.

karing2

@irenewslee‌ If the pumping is hurting do you have big enough flanges. I received an extra set of the biggest size from the hospital and they feel much better than the ones that came with my pump. If the rub at all move up a size.

Abenedict2011

So I go back to work in 3 weeks and am trying to get bottles for day care. She likes the nuk bottles that have the same nipple shape as her nuk pacifiers. The thing is she has started to make a weird sucking noise/motion when she nurses. Does anyone know if this will affect her latch long term ?

Cherylwang

I was on vacation with the kids and husband. I gave my LO a bottle once a day while we were gone and since we've been back I am having the hardest time getting her to nurse. She just won't do it! She's crying she's hungry and I'm so frustrated. I never had a problem with my other two switching from bottle to breast. I've tried suppressing some milk for her and it doesn't help. She just screams and won't latch. I haven't had a problem in the motn just during the day. I feel like I'm going to loose it. It's so frustrating. I had to pump a bottle yesterday to get her to eat. She took the bottle fine. I don't want to make pumping a habit. I just want her to nurse like she did before we left. I am maid of honor in a wedding and Saturday is the bachelorette party and she will need a bottle with my husband that whole day. So I'm scared she won't nurse at all after that.

JulieSmiles

How many times a day on average are you feeding your baby? our doctor has mentioned at past appointments that we should feed her 8 times a day. Are you still doing this many?

irenewslee

My LO eats about 7-8 times a day. It really depends on her night feeding. She wakes up between 3-5 hours. If she goes for a 5 then a 4, she will sleep one feeding. She typically eats every 3 hrs during the day, but sometimes she goes for 3.5 or 4. I feed on demand but i am hoping she will eat every 4 hours soon. Once i go back to work in mid sept, it will be very challenging to pump every 3 hours.

cinnamonsmiles

JulieSmiles said:

How many times a day on average are you feeding your baby? our doctor has mentioned at past appointments that we should feed her 8 times a day. Are you still doing this many?

I basically feed on-demand, and he seems perfectly happy with 7 times in a 24hr period...and that includes one quick clusterfeed before bed. He's happy and gaining weight steadily so I'm happy and I think that's what works for us

FWIW we do weighted feedings weekly (just for funsies) he takes in anywhere from 3-4.5oz, so I'd say he's just very efficient and doesn't need that one extra feed.

sm623

@Cherylwang said:

I was on vacation with the kids and husband. I gave my LO a bottle once a day while we were gone and since we've been back I am having the hardest time getting her to nurse. She just won't do it! She's crying she's hungry and I'm so frustrated. I never had a problem with my other two switching from bottle to breast. I've tried suppressing some milk for her and it doesn't help. She just screams and won't latch. I haven't had a problem in the motn just during the day. I feel like I'm going to loose it. It's so frustrating. I had to pump a bottle yesterday to get her to eat. She took the bottle fine. I don't want to make pumping a habit. I just want her to nurse like she did before we left. I am maid of honor in a wedding and Saturday is the bachelorette party and she will need a bottle with my husband that whole day. So I'm scared she won't nurse at all after that.

How are you bottle feeding LO? From what I've read, BF babies should be fed using a paced feeding when they have to be bottle fed. This will help keep the baby from growing to prefer the bottle and from overeating.

I go back to work on Monday and worry about LO growing to prefer the bottle. So I'm hoping this method will help.

This is what kellymom has to say about it: https://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/feeding-tools/bottle-feeding/

This video shows how to do it and provides a good explanation for why: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=UH4T70OSzGs

irenewslee

@karing2‌ @PressLove‌ So I went to the breastfeeding support group this week and asked for suggestions. I am in between sizes (which I knew long ago so i have two different sets of flanges but the smaller ones get me more milk). The nurse thinks that the milk blisters are from the fraction when pumping and LO is nursing just fine. She suggested to oil my nipples before pumping (which I started doing about a week ago after hearing from the ladies in the other threat). Also try using the smaller ones in the beginning when pumping. Once the nipples get bigger, oil it up again and switch to the bigger size to prevent too much rubbing. It sounds like a total PITA but i guess i will try it out. The nurse also suggested that I should nurse as much as possible instead of pumping. I have been doing 2 extra pumpings in between feedings to build up my stash and supply, and 1 more before LO's bed time to feed to LO. I also told her that i will have to pump at least 3 times a day after i go back to work. She suggested that i should drop pumping for a few days to let my nipples heal. Then slowly start pumping again. Hopefully they will hurt less soon.

PressLove

@irenewslee‌ - Have your blisters healed? Feeling better?

Rei2metse

@JulieSmiles‌ LO eats an average of 6 times daily and is 11 weeks old. I feed on-demand. Oddly, when LO gets a bottle of breastmilk, the number of feedings per day drops compared to the days when he is nursed exclusively. I think this is b/c he downs a bottle quicker and is less likely to comfort nurse afterwards. Regardless, he's gaining weight steadily so pedi did not want us to force an add'l feeding at this time. Lastly, DS can sit at the boob for 30 mins easily.

irenewslee

PressLove said:

@irenewslee‌ - Have your blisters healed? Feeling better?

Oh yes! Feeling much better and thanks for asking! I stopped the extra pumping sessions to let them heal and have been nursing exclusively this week. In the beginning it hurts a lot but it only lasted two days or so. I will start to pump once or twice a day next week since i need to go back to work in 3 weeks. I need to figure out how to do this without getting more blisters.

AbbySeiden

I know this was sort of discussed but I want to clarify - so if your milk evolves as you baby grows and you have old milk in the freezer (up to 3 month) can you defrost and feed the old milk or will that not provide your LO with the proper nutrition they currently need? My LO is starting daycare next week and I have tons of milk frozen that date back from when he was 2 weeks old in June. If I have to send in 3/4 bottles a day can it be half old/ half new? Do I have to mix the milk together so each bottle has some old and some new?

Cherylwang

@AbbySeiden‌ I was thinking the same thing. I was thinking that maybe they wouldn't full after drinking the milk from when they were newborns?
I have a question.... My LO is 3 months and the last few days she is crying a lot. I feed her and she is still crying. I have given in and gave her a couple ounces of formula and then she is fine. So I know that she is crying bc she is hungry. I don't think I'm producing enough to fill her and I want to really up my supply. I need advice! She won't continue to nurse if there is no milk. She gets so mad and I hate to give In and supplement. But what else can I do! I've tried pumping after feedings but there isn't any milk there.