Feeding check in and support 7/13 to 7/19

seesea

Let's continue to give one another support whether you breastfeed, exclusively pump or formula feed. Vent your frustrations, ask questions, offer advice and/or share any updates you may have for the group.

Just to have a better sense of where we are it'll help if you let us know the following:
1. How old is LO?
2. Breastfeeding? Pumping? Formula Feeding? A combo of 2 or all 3?

KaLikeAWind

Morning, ladies

1) almost 3 weeks (in 3 days)

2) supposed to be a combo of all three - breastfeed 10 min per side, pump 15 min, formula feed at the end. But pumping depressed me greatly so its been breastfeed as long as he wants per side (usually 20-30 min), skip the pump, formula to finish. I've been doing this since Wednesday of last week. My mental game is happier for it, at least, and I haven't noticed any adverse effects during his time on boob. It may have helped (or maybe its just the longer time spent on boob) because he seems to be more satisfied by a boob session than he used to be

seesea

LO is 11 weeks old! EBF but I need to start pumping regularly to build up a freezer stash. I'm going back to work in about 4 weeks!

My update:
LO isn't spitting up as much as he used to. I don't know if it has to do with his age, like if it's developmental or if it's because I switched his vitamins. He's still taking iron and I now use vitamin D drops instead of tri-vi-sol. I still call him Spitty, though.

I know some people were wondering about how much milk to feed their babies so this may help some of you. Since I'll be going back to work, I needed help figuring out how much milk I'll need to leave with his caregivers. I found a couple of useful links..

Here's a link to a milk calculator for breastfed babies:
https://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/pumping/milkcalc/
It just gives an estimate of how much you should give your LO in a bottle based on number of feedings in a day.

Here's another link that uses weight.
https://www.fourfriends.com/cgi-bin/milk.pl
I think this one could also be used for formula fed babies.

klkonwi

3 weeks today
Time is going too fast!!! Damn it. Slow down.

Breastfeeding (latching approx 2 x a day/night and pumping every 3 hours for bottles. We use tommee tippee anti colic bottle to feed.

I got fed up with how long my kiddo was feeding (call me selfish). I'm way too impatient to feed him for 1.5 hours each time. Pumping and feeding mostly is amazing right now.

We will see how it goes in the future.

I second the earth mama nipple butter. It saves the ladies highly recommend it.

My kid is very gassy at night time. I've tried the drops and gripe water. Doesn't seem to make a difference. We just ride it out.

Sammy K

LO is 3.5 weeks, BF and pumping.

Mine is super gassy at night too. Nothing we've tried has helped. Altering my diet is next. She's been up every hour with gas and every 3 hours to eat. She also spits up at night, usually an hour after I put her down.

Has anyone else experienced LO making lots of noise breathing? This is more than just newborn noises. She gasps and squeals and than her breathing sounds ragged, like she's been holding her breath. I can't sleep through it, but if she's quiet, I become paranoid she stopped breathing. We go mm in this week to the ped, so I will ask then as well.

krystleshel

Sammy K said:

Has anyone else experienced LO making lots of noise breathing? This is more than just newborn noises. She gasps and squeals and than her breathing sounds ragged, like she's been holding her breath. I can't sleep through it, but if she's quiet, I become paranoid she stopped breathing. We go mm in this week to the ped, so I will ask then as well.

Yes to this. I've noticed it's only at night & only when she's flat. I wanted to put her in her crib this week, but tonight was the worst for her gasping/wheezing, so she's in the bouncy seat for some relief. We go to the pedi on Thursday, so I think I'm going to record her & ask. When I asked the nurse at a weight check, she just said snoring or milk stuck in her throat. It's more than that.

1. Baby girl is 4 weeks.

2. EBF - & have been pumping once a day (maybe twice to get enough) to try a bottle with her (did this less with family in town - EBF meant I had 15 min alone with her throughout the day .)

So my inlaws were in town this past week (house is finally mine again!). I really appreciated their help, but it was SO stressful & I'm wondering if the stress of it hurt my supply some. Towards the end of the week LO wanted to eat all the time & didn't seem as full. (Maybe she was stressed from it too...) For the first of this week I think I'm going to work on relaxing & upping my water & see if it helps. Also going to try Mother's Milk tea to see if it helps pumping. I need to build a stash for back to school.

& I had some crazy nipple pain/crack on one side that healed up, & I was fine for a few days, now the serious pain upon latching/pain throughout is back on that one side & I have no idea what to do (no bleeding/cracks/signs of thrush). Maybe change positions on that side (cradle to football)? Ugh. I'm dreading that side again.

dancegurl1118

6 weeks tomorrow

EBF + pumping 1-3x a day for freezing

Our "good side" is now the side giving me grief. At this point I'm just trying to roll with the punches. When does it become seamless? When I go back to work and decrease my feeding at breast by 50%? Grumble grumble..

klkonwi

It's very normal for newborns to have sporadic and fast breathing. Newborns breathe anywhere from 30-60 breaths per minute. Anything consistently over 60 needs to be reported.
Use the bulb syringe and see if baby's boogers/snot is blocking the airway.
@krystleshel @Sammy K

Sammy K

So do I try the bulb syringe and risk enraging the monster, or just let her continue to nurse until she falls asleep? She's so close to nodding off and I just want some goddamn sleep.

klkonwi

If her nostrils aren't flaring then don't wake the beast. @Sammy K

klkonwi

I would just like a feeding support thread in honor of all the food I never have time to eat because of breastfeeding/pumping lol.
I am now eating a sandwich at 5 am..... Because why not. I can at least eat when the beast is asleep! Lol

courtyowl427

@Sammy K yes, LO is a super noisy sleeper. I call him "zombie baby" when he sleeps!

1. LO is 2.5 weeks

2. EBF with nipple shield, starting to pump to build freezer stash for vacation and back to work in Sept.

I think I've figured out why EBF moms loss the baby weight. It's because they never have any free hands to eat!! I'm either feeding him or holding him. Trying to master one handed eating. Last night we got take out at 5, after feeding, burping, and consoling a fussy baby, I ate it cold at 7:30 when DH gave me a break!!! Anyone else having this problem?

Sammy K

I'm ready to stop BF and switch to formula if that solves LO's gas problem. I'll wait until we see the ped on Friday but this lack of sleep is WAY worse than it was with DS and is seriously affecting my mental health.

virginiaunicorn11

Sammy K said:

I'm ready to stop BF and switch to formula if that solves LO's gas problem. I'll wait until we see the ped on Friday but this lack of sleep is WAY worse than it was with DS and is seriously affecting my mental health.

Interesting - I thought formula typically causes more stomach and gas issues than breast milk?

KaLikeAWind

@courtyowl427 I feel ya on the food! But even moms with bottles go hungry - I give my LO a bottle of formula after bfing and I still don't get a chance to eat. In fact, its almost harder... When he is on the boob I can use my boppy and once he is set and comfortable and propped against me, I can free up one or both hands. I've eaten breakfast holding the bowl of cereal around my baby before. But when I'm giving the bottle both hands are for sure occupied!

As I'm typing this I'm so mad at myself - I skipped my snack during his 3am feeding cause I didn't want to get up and go get it. Now I'm starving! And he's asleep again on my chest. After the day I had yesterday, I'm not moving this kid if he's sleeping. I'll just have to starve.

dancegurl1118

Ugh @klkonwi my MIL was like oh my gosh are you so hungry breast-feeding, it's so great and you lose weight! I was like, I don't know what you're talking about...

I'm never hungry and I'm at my plateau from my afterbirth weight.

klkonwi

Yeah I don't eat much and don't have the time. Pretty sure I haven't dropped much weight. I haven't really weighed myself though ...... Eek
@dancegurl1118

dancegurl1118

@klkonwi welp I have my PP appointment today so not only will someone be near my vagina but I'll have to face the music on the scale! I miss the calorie burner of running around like a chicken with my head cut off at work for 36 hours a week!

katyqv

LO turned 1 month yesterday.

EP since about day 4 but have begun trying to BF again per pedi's suggestion. Still trying to find a position that's comfortable for both of us but LO seems to be latching okay. Much better than 4 weeks ago. 

@dancegurl1118 I'm so dreading my PP appointment next week for the same reasons, more so getting on the scale. Whoever said breastfeeding helps the weight just melt off is an asshole. I'm hungrier now more than ever. 

ETA grammar

janat1717

6 weeks here.
BF'ing, pumping, donor milk (family/friends) supplementing

Takes 4-EVER, good news is that LO got 2 oz in our weighed feed yesterday!! That's big for us as he has a weak suck and I have low supply. We are actually going to see a speech pathologist who can apparently help with the strengthening.

dancegurl1118

Is it really vain that I didn't eat breakfast to try and squeak out every ounce on the scale for my appointment? I should've tried to poop...

Sammy K

virginiaunicorn11 said:

Sammy K said:

I'm ready to stop BF and switch to formula if that solves LO's gas problem. I'll wait until we see the ped on Friday but this lack of sleep is WAY worse than it was with DS and is seriously affecting my mental health.

Interesting - I thought formula typically causes more stomach and gas issues than breast milk?

I've never used formula so I have no idea. DH is convinced it's my diet. I don't know how she could have more gas than what we're already experiencing or that formula could cause more screaming. I'm at my wit's end.

JessHeppell

my left nipple is still just killing me, because of whatever is going on with it that caused it to double in size, he cant latch on to it well. and hand expression gives me a couple drops a minute. the easiest thing to do it have him try to latch while i try not to scream in pain.
@CillyMama does the weird swelling right below the nipple go away? or am i going to hate my life for the next year+?

lovethatcolosun

LO will be three weeks tomorrow. We do a combination of BF, pumping, and formula supplements. Last night LO was so hungry before bed. I gave her both boobs, 2oz of formula and then another boob. She was so fussy. I tried to burp her and soothe her in other ways to no avail. Could she still be hungry?! Yep! Another 2oz later...finally a happy baby. I was hoping that with a belly that full she would sleep for 5 hours at least. Well she might have if it wasn't for a 2 am poopy diaper. That was a not so nice surprise, at least it wasn't a blowout! After a quick feed she was out again until 5:30. Honestly it was one of our easier nights.

I've been slacking on pumping after feedings. I just feel like I'm constantly doing something related to BF. I think the lactation smoothie is helping, so I'm content only pumping when LO sleeps for long stretches during the day. I think I have finally surrendered be happy with whatever supply I do have and also having some freedom and flexibility with a few formula bottles. Like last night for instance when I had a margarita when we all went out to dinner. LO happened to be hungry at the exact same time. A quick bottle made us both happy. :-bd

dancegurl1118

@lovethatcolosun that's the best time to drink! Right as you're feeding them because by the next feeding it's much less if not completely out of your system! Mmm margaritas.

DolphinLover2002

1. Twin girls are almost 6 weeks.
2. Breastfed and pumping

I'm getting to the point where I'm getting super annoyed. The girls will eat for an hour at a time. Then 20 minutes later they act like they're starving again. All I do is either feed them or pump. I feel like I have no life. If I don't want a baby on my boobs 24/7, I have to top them off with a bottle and then try to pump it back again. I need to build a stash for when I go back to work. It's hard to do that when we have to keep giving them bottles. And I don't get it. I can feed them both together for an hour, go pump, and I still get between 1-4 ounces. So it's not like I don't have the supply for them nursing. So why do they eat so long and then get hungry 20 minutes later? I'm so frustrated is not even funny!

And I totally agree on not finding any time to eat! I snack any time I can, otherwise I starve. I feel bad for my almost 3 year old DS. I have a hard time trying to find time to cook him meals too. It's so hard.

klkonwi

I have ANOTHER blocked duct. I want to cry.
Last time it took 2-3 days for my milk to come back on that side.....
Frick.
Did I mention breastfeeding is the shit ,!?!

hgilmore11

Hi Ladies! Long time lurker, first time poster. Thanks for all the amazing info and sharing experiences. LO is 3 weeks. I'm EBF. After excruciating nipple pain/ soreness/ bruising/ cracks went to see LC at 1.5 weeks. They gave me a nipple shield (medela 24) which worked wonders the past 1.5 weeks but all of a sudden started hurting. I realized LO is actually sucking the nipple through the 4 holes at the end. Any one have any tips of how to stop this? I am already using largest size and left a voicemail for LC. Getting close to giving up on BF, it's just so painful!

slr1229

Today this chick just wants to cry in her mamaroo or rock n play until I put her on the boob then she stops after 5 minutes or less- she's training me good. Ugh

dancegurl1118

@klkonwi maybe it is your bra? I found a bra and the nursing tanks I had were blocking it ever so slightly but enough to stop the flow and inflame the duct. Also my pump gave me one because I was pressing hard, now I wear a pumping bra.

seesea

JessHeppell said:

my left nipple is still just killing me, because of whatever is going on with it that caused it to double in size, he cant latch on to it well. and hand expression gives me a couple drops a minute. the easiest thing to do it have him try to latch while i try not to scream in pain.
@CillyMama does the weird swelling right below the nipple go away? or am i going to hate my life for the next year+?

For me the swelling went away when I stopped getting so engorged. The engorgement lasted at least a couple weeks after giving birth. Whenever my nipple swelled up I'd massage it a bit and hand express until the swelling went down. It's pretty much like a clogged duct. If you haven't yet, try the football hold and get LO to latch on as deep as possible. If it doesn't go away or gets worse see a doctor. I hope it gets better!

katyqv

Not sure what is going on with LO but for the last couple of days she's been eating so fast it seems like she chokes herself and then starts screaming. She's also been spitting up a lot more, something that hasn't been happening. She's just over 4 weeks.

Anyone else experience this with their LO? Just a phase? My diet since I'm EP?

SammeMotley

hgilmore11 said:

Hi Ladies! Long time lurker, first time poster. Thanks for all the amazing info and sharing experiences. LO is 3 weeks. I'm EBF. After excruciating nipple pain/ soreness/ bruising/ cracks went to see LC at 1.5 weeks. They gave me a nipple shield (medela 24) which worked wonders the past 1.5 weeks but all of a sudden started hurting. I realized LO is actually sucking the nipple through the 4 holes at the end. Any one have any tips of how to stop this? I am already using largest size and left a voicemail for LC. Getting close to giving up on BF, it's just so painful!

Get a bigger shield. Pretty sure they make bigger ones. Try a different brand maybe. Nuk makes them as well.

addingon

katyqv said:

Not sure what is going on with LO but for the last couple of days she's been eating so fast it seems like she chokes herself and then starts screaming. She's also been spitting up a lot more, something that hasn't been happening. She's just over 4 weeks.

Anyone else experience this with their LO? Just a phase? My diet since I'm EP?

@katyqv Yes! I could have written this post! We're 5 weeks today but she's been doing the choking/screaming thing and we've also had some major spit ups. The kind where it seems like she eats 3 oz and spits up 8! We've been making a really good effort to keep her upright after feedings for 20-30 min as several ladies have suggested and (fingers crossed) we haven't had a spit up since! Maybe try that if you haven't yet ?

slr1229

Mine is also getting really really frustrated and crying while eating and I was suspecting if it's because her belly is full yet she still wants to try to eat. She usually never gets mad when I pull her off to burp her. She's 2 weeks 4 days.

aresee

1. 2 weeks, 3 days.

2. EBF. Pumping a little to freeze and trying to wean LO off the nipple shield.

Anyone have any thoughts on growth spurts? LO usually nurses 10-25 minutes at a time, one breast per feeding. Tonight he did 40 minutes on one side. 20 minutes later he was hungry again and did 25 minutes on the other side. I'm now dreading bedtime because I'm going to be super miserable if he has me getting up and down all night.

JessHeppell

left nipple is scabbing.. so im not sure if the pain while feeding is from that, or if its still latching issues.

aliciaspinnet

1. LO is 1 month old
2. Breast feeding, pumping a bit (enough to keep a backup bottle in the fridge at all times, no freezer stash to date but I might consider it later)

LO must have been having a growth spurt this week as he's been eating every 2 hours. It seems to be tailing off today but now I'm super engorged! I thought I was past all that. I'm pumping right now for comfort but I'm really worried it's going to make things worse.

klkonwi

@dancegurl1118 I'm wondering if it isn't the pump. I press really hard to keep the suction, I only own one nursing tank and I'm going to stop wearing it....

klkonwi

Lately my LO won't go to sleep after feeding at 2-3 am. He gets close then wakes up and stays up..........
Bah...

katyqv

@swaugh14 thank you! Trying that as well as more frequent burps through out feeding. We'll see how it goes!