Feeding Check-In & Support 7/6-7/12

seesea

It's a new week! How are you ladies doing?! Let's continue venting, sharing insight, giving advice, and asking questions!

1. How old is LO?

2. Breastfeeding? Pumping? Formula Feeding? A combo of 2 or all 3?

3. Updates, questions or concerns you'd like to share with the group...

GTKY Just for fun...
Post a funny meme, picture, or gif

seesea

LO is 10 weeks old and I'm breastfeeding and sometimes pumping. It's been difficult to pump with DH at work and having to deal with a baby and a toddler.

Any suggestions on what to name the weekly thread title? Feels a little long to me.

I actually did this once trying to nurse in the middle of the night. Oops.

seesea

One more thing...

Since we were on the topic of how challenging breastfeeding can be I found an interesting blog post I'd like to share. It's pretty long but try to read it if you have the time. I'm not sure I can stand behind this 100% since it gets a little preachy but I feel it does make some valid points.
https://www.bestforbabes.org/what-are-the-booby-traps/

dancegurl1118

5 weeks

EBF

Feeling super discouraged. I feel like I'm playing BF whack-a-mole. From the start there haven't been any days without issue. From scabby nipples to mastitis to thrush now back to the start of mastitis I can't freaking catch a break. Why am I so damn committed to EBF? It's wonderful to see her chunk up and know that I am sustaining her with my body, and it's easy in public (at least on the side not giving me grief). But I'm just really struggling today...I actually just woke up after a whole 1.5 hours (with a throbbing boob since this spot won't go away) from a dream where I gave her a bottle with remnants of formula in it by accident and was sobbing. This has taken over!

kayokosaeki

LO is one week old today

Pumping, supplementing with formula

I just can't seem to produce enough for my LO or my let down is too slow. When I try to feed her at the breast, she falls asleep bored and can't be aroused after 10 min. Plus it always hurts. At least my nips aren't bled ing anymore. Pumping helped to heal that. When I pump I barely get 1.5 oz out of my right and less than .5 out of my left and LO eats 3 to 4 oz every feed (she was born 9 lbs). Gonna call a LC today. I can't do this alone anymore.

DolphinLover2002

1. How old is LO?
Twin girls are 1 month and 3 days

2. Breastfeeding? Pumping? Formula Feeding? A combo of 2 or all 3?
Breastfeeding and pumping. I really try to just breastfeed, but my girls can be sleepy eaters. If they don't eat well they get a pumped bottle and I pump again. I also have about 60 ounces in the freezer for when I go back to work.

3. Updates, questions or concerns you'd like to share with the group...
For those who pump, how much do you generally get each time? I pump after feedings and get anywhere between 2-5 ounces. Normally it's between 2-3.

@CillyMama I'd just title it feeding check in and support. It's feeding regardless how you do it.

kbbtah

LO is 4 days old.
EBF
A friend bought me the "My Breast Friend" nursing pillow and it works amazingly well for us. LO can easily position properly, it's comfortable, and easy to use.

virginiaunicorn11

@CillyMama - love that piece, thanks for posting it! was shocked it says only 30% of women EBF after 3 weeks. for all the proselytizing and stigmas, I thought it would be higher.
My mother breastfed and said it just never occurred to her that it would be difficult. She helped me get through the first two weeks of cracked, bleeding nipples. I think without her support and her assumption, which became mine, that EBF was simply the best and only choice for me, I would have given up. Also, the German system seems much more supportive of BF'ing than it seems the U.S. system is, based on that piece.

My LO is one month today (!) and we EBF. I am experiencing full, sore boobs but don't want to pump because I want my supply to self regulate. So far I've only had to pump once. It's been a long journey but we have hit our stride on BF'ing... for now... knock on wood...

Agreed on @DolphinLover2002 re: thread name. Thanks for keeping up with it, @CillyMama !

ksimo6

LO is five weeks.

Pumping and supplementing with formula.

I am only producing about 6-9 ounces and it's taking me over three hours a day to get it. I started weaning off the pump a couple of days ago. Currently have the stomach flu and am now only producing about 4 ounces a day due to dehydration. Looks like LO is moving to formula quicker than I had planned. Oh well! He's thriving!

Sammy K

LO is just shy of 3 weeks.
BF-ing and pumping.
I think we're in the middle of a growth spurt. We're back to eating every 2 hours and serious cluster feeding at night. I'm so tired.

CourtneySmith1227

LO is 2 weeks and 1 day. Having to pump all my milk and hes also getting donor milk since he is in nicu due to having major surgery for t-fistula (think I spelt that right) where they had to connect his esophagus and his stomach together. But he's is doing well, having a hard time eating. So we will see how all of this goes.

Jelly Bean 001

My LO is a couple of days under 3 weeks.

I am EBF.

We have had our issues with BF. But I can't seem to get the hang of pumping to help with the engorgement. We don't want me to produce too much and engorge more, so I have only pumped a couple of times. I think i'm producing too much milk, cause DD keeps choking when feeding on the breast. Any suggestions on how to slow the flow down a little?

teather5

6 weeks 4 days

BF and pumping once a day in am or if we are out.

The past few days LO has been going through a growth spurt and is not happy with slower flow in the afternoon. It's crazy how aware he is now. He will start squirming and screaching at breast when it doesn't come fast enough. I think since we have been getting out more and he's had more bottles he has been spoiled with quick flow. Time to camp out at home for a few days to try to break that.

6 week = cleared for "all activities" lol

LolaMarley23

LO is 8 days Breastfeeding and trying to pump BF has been going great up until Saturday night when I developed a fever and had to supplement with formula while at the hospital running tests for an infection. Now it feels like I am not producing any milk and absolutely nothing when I pump. Feeling really discouraged and going to call the LC in a bit to try and solve this... LO did not seem to care for the formula... He spit it up and he wasn't doing that on breastmilk. So I am really hoping I can solve this issue!

klkonwi

2 weeks old today

Breastfeeding and pumping

I put him to breast and let him eat for 30 to 40 min and then I top him off with pumped milk from a bottle...... I'm sorry folks but I don't have 1.5 hours to feed him everytime..... Ain't nobody got time for that.

I possibly have a blocked duct..... Going to try some heat packs and some praying lol

Also feeling achey. Will def be calling the office if it continues to get worse throughout the day. This hurts like a bitch !!!!!

Thinking of all you ladies with bf probs and or nicu stays/surgery. Hang in there.
Also @dancegurl1118 give yourself a break!!! You are so awesome and so committed lady!

SweetnessG

@klkonwi When I had clogged ducts, they (LC) had me pump standing up and bent over to relieve it. It helped a ton.

While I'm no longer BF or pumping ( I still like to check in on this thread and see all the updates.

Bravo ladies who are able to still keep it up. It's so worth all the pain, bleeding, bruising and lack of sleep. Keep up the good work!!

rklinge0

@DolphinLover2002 I exclusively pump and get around 8 to 10 on average but if I am an hour past up to 14. Try to pump every 4 hours. I feel like a milk cow. Funny thing is I was raised on a dairy so my dad likes to talk shop about my pumping.

seesea

@DolphinLover2002 thanks for the title suggestion I was thinking the same thing!

Also, whenever I pump after a feeding I get anywhere from 1-3 ounces from both breasts combined. If I pump before I could get 4-6oz. It all depends on the time of day too. I get the lowest amount in the afternoons.

laurendutch

My LO is almost 3 weeks.

I've been doing a combination of all three but mostly breastfeeding.

beckyk9109

I feel like is a silly question, but is it possible to have pulled/ irritated something in your breast? I know I don't have blocked ducts, but my right breast is just super achy accompanied by stabby pains? This happened before and went away after a day or so, but now it's back. Seriously wish someone would've stressed just how physically demanding breastfeeding/pumping is so I was mentally prepared!

DolphinLover2002

@rklinge0 I get between 1-5 ounces after feeding the twins. If I pump before a feeding I usually get 3-6. But with twins it seems like I always have a baby on the boob! That's funny about your dad. My husband actually made a joke about hooking me up like a cow!

@CillyMama I hear you! I get the most in the morning! It depends on how long the girls bf too. If they really drain me, I don't get as much. If they are sleepy and don't eat as much, I pump much more.

dancegurl1118

As if I wasn't having enough issues feeding my mom today told me I was "in your face" breastfeeding at a store we were in today. And tried to put a blanket over LO who was already sweating.

I went on a crazy tirade about women supporting women and the fact that there is no where else to at than this bench at the front of the store and I'm not going in the 100 degree car or a nasty ass bathroom. Bottom line as a woman (AND MY MOTHER) you should be supporting me feeding my child and my rights to do that anywhere.

I feel like I'm incredibly discreet feeding (never a nipple shown even though...so what?) and just got so pissed off.

Sammy K

Today was supposed to be my day to catch up on sleep and I have fed LO at 6, 8, 10, 11, 12, and 1:30. I'm so tired I want to cry. I guess I'll drown my sorrows in the Key Lime pie in the fridge.

ETA words are hard

henrytviii

6 weeks tomorrow
Breastfeeding and now Pumping - first day back at work today

Right now I am pumping in a storeroom with no door . . . and no curtain because the Boss forgot to install it. He's a good guy, he feels terrible. This just a crappy work situation for pumping. Luckily I must have no dignity left as I am getting a decent amount of milk.

How many times do people pump in a work day? Hoping to get away with just 2 times. Nurse at 11am, pump at 2 or 2:30 and again at 5:30 or 6, nurse again at 9pm and pump opposite side at home? Thoughts?

SammeMotley

I'm pretty sure I'm slowly drying up. The past week I ave had to supplement formula at night because I wasn't producing enough. Pumping and pumping and pumping. This ish is hard work.

MaliKaela

dancegurl1118 said:

As if I wasn't having enough issues feeding my mom today told me I was "in your face" breastfeeding at a store we were in today. And tried to put a blanket over LO who was already sweating.

I went on a crazy tirade about women supporting women and the fact that there is no where else to at than this bench at the front of the store and I'm not going in the 100 degree car or a nasty ass bathroom. Bottom line as a woman (AND MY MOTHER) you should be supporting me feeding my child and my rights to do that anywhere.

I feel like I'm incredibly discreet feeding (never a nipple shown even though...so what?) and just got so pissed off.

Wow, I hate that. You are so obnoxiously obvious about feeding your baby. I call BS!

janat1717

@kayokosaeki Make sure they check for tongue tie. You sound just like me at week 1.

We are still attempting BF (poorly) throughout the day, pumping (poorly) around the clock and he is supplementing other ladies milk. DH calls him the ladies man. currently concerned as SIL has a baby girl and I read girl milk is different than boy milk. Can't anything about feeding this guy be easy???

bbnmama2012

LO will be 2 weeks tomorrow and yesterday was our first bad day with breastfeeding. I think he's going through a growth spurt because he's cluster feeding like crazy. He will nurse for 45 min - 1 hr at a time and wants to nurse every 2 hrs. By the time I feed him, change him, and breathe for a second, it's time for another feeding.

I need to get a backbone when it comes to bf-ing. My family is ultra-conservative and I have given him formula or hid in a bedroom for 45 minutes just to make everyone else more comfortable.

KarasTwin

I decided today to give up on the pumping. I am barely producing any and having to supplement on top of it is very draining, mentally and physically. I saw my doctor today and she said to avoid stimulating my breasts and to use a cold compress and take motrin for pain. Haven't pumped in about 8 hours now and I'm miserable. DH got me some altoids as I read peppermint helps dry it up. He's going to get me some cabbage leaves right now. Just wondering what you ladies did when you switched to formula exclusively. I'm miserable and desperate.

amy4516

LO will be 4 weeks on Wednesday. I BF mainly but pump when I'm going to be out and about. I'm almost ready to try BF in public but am a little worried about reactions by others and don't want to cover LO while he's eating. I wish we lived in a world where people were more supportive and accepting of BF! I think I'll try this week though since he's doing so much better on the breast. I'll keep you all posted!

ksimo6

@KarasTwin Two sports bras. Ice. Advil. And if you are really miserable, just hand express a little in the shower. I typically wean down off the pump by cutting out seasons and then making all sessions shorter until I can handle the pain of toughing it out. It's not fun. Hang in there.

hilgspritch

Jelly Bean 001 said:

My LO is a couple of days under 3 weeks.

I am EBF.

We have had our issues with BF. But I can't seem to get the hang of pumping to help with the engorgement. We don't want me to produce too much and engorge more, so I have only pumped a couple of times. I think i'm producing too much milk, cause DD keeps choking when feeding on the breast. Any suggestions on how to slow the flow down a little?

@Jelly Bean 001 Have you tried reclining back while BFing to combat gravity? Maybe that would help slow the flow.

1. My daughter is 5 weeks

2. Mainly breastfeeding. Pumping once or twice a day so that dad can give her a bottle. Practicing for daycare!

3. I have a wretched cold! I am not getting much at all while pumping these past couple days. I've only taken a couple of Cold Eeze cough drops, no other meds. Anyone have experience with decreased supply while sick?

Can't wait to feel better. Who gets sick in July?!

KarasTwin

@ksimo6 I just caved and did a 5 minute session, I guess I'll have to wean myself. It hurts so bad I can barely hold LO. And when he cries I feel like I might die

klkonwi

So everything I read on Kelly mom says that plugged duct isn't a need for antibiotics..... But all my friends are freaking me out. I am about to cry because I want my supply back on that side.......
Ugh.... Besides heat, showers, feeding and pumping..... Not sure what else or if I need to call the doc? How long til I should?

dancegurl1118

@klkonwi mine is just starting to let up after 36 hours straight of hot compress and feeding on that side q2 and first boob. I also took the dog brush (weird I know but it had bristles) and massaged to try and breAk it up and I feel it helped. If you don't have a fever and don't feel flu like don't get abx! Just keep feeding and drinking tons of water and keep anything compressive off your breast

klkonwi

Ok so your giving me hope..... I've been up since 130 am stressing over this @dancegurl1118

dancegurl1118

@klkonwi I feel ya. The past two times this has happened I've been up all night panicking about abscesses and surgery. And obsessively taking my temp. I got those heating pads (the sticky 8 hour ones) and just kept them on the spot all day (not over the nipple) and it's been much better than my homemade scalding compresses.

laurendutch

@Karatwins I think eiTher Benadryl or sudafed can dry you up.

virginiaunicorn11

@klkonwi @dancegurl1118 as a FTM with a one month old, my experience isn't deep... But last time I had a clogged duct (for like 36 hours), I got so sore and a little swollen from all the massage that it felt like the clog lasted longer than it did. It was only something I realized the next day.

They are terrifying, though, and very stressful. Sounds like you'll get them sorted ok on your own though, I hope. Good luck!!

KarasTwin

@laurendutch I read that. I saw some opposing information, but I was so miserable last night, I popped 2. I'm weaning myself off the pump, just 5 minutes every few hours and I've got on 2 sports bras stuffed with stinky cabbage leaves. I took a couple motrin last night and I think I'm going to take a couple more, just trying to be careful because I think they upset my stomach. I just wish there was a wonder pill that would miraculously dry me up. It's ironic because I so desperately wanted it to come in and now I want it gone.

addingon

@KarasTwin Sudafed! I noticed a huge difference within a day or two. Overall, it took weeks to dry up, but the decongestant really gave huge relief. I took it for about 2 weeks.