Breastfeeding advice, questions, ect

Taylovesbrad

Ftm here who is planning on breastfeeding and looking for all the advice and knowledge I can get. Wanted to start a centralized thread we can use since I have heard breastfeeding can be a challenge.

@BumpAdmin please sticky.

Sunny2015

Water! All the water you can drink lol. And I've read to always keep a snack by you when you breastfeed. Don't pressure yourself too much. When I first started trying to breastfeed I would get really frustrated because we just couldn't figure out how to do it so she was crying and angry while I tried not to give up lol.

LauraSmarterSpam

Definitely water and snacks.
The first week or two can be agony! Bloody nips soreness, but will get better as long as baby has a good latch.

Ccat1977

Agree on the soreness. The nipple creams can help sooth that a bit and I used to take a lot of hot showers. My ducts would get blocked and the warm water helped work it out. I'll have to try more water too - my supply seemed to fade after 4 months, but I was okay with it as I went back to work. She was bottle fed after that and is one smart/healthy cookie so no harm done that I can tell (9 years old). I also used a manual pump for those times when I wanted to go out - I'd either take the expressed milk with me so I didn't have to BF in public or so in-laws could watch/feed baby at home while I was out. Biggest BF advice - do what feel right to you. Don't let judgmental people make you feel bad for your choices.

arz1215

FTM as well and waiting for our LO's arrival.. Obviously I have no experience in this department, but I'd take advantage of resources available to you, like support groups. Our hospital offers a breast feeding support group with lactation specialists to assist if you are struggling. Also talk about it with people you know who have breast fed. My sister has given me a significant amount of information and has also offered to help me if needed when LO is here.. Everyone I've talked to about breast feeding has said no matter how hard it is or may be, don't give up!

ACarter0914

I had a really hard time with sore/bleeding/raw just plan painful awful nipples when I was breastfeeding my daughter. I bought nipple cream this time around but I'm wondering if there's any other remedies? Or any advice? I only lasted a few weeks with my daughter due to how uncomfortable it was (I use to dread feeding her) and I definitely don't want it to be that agonizing this time around.

blended10

This is a little hippy-dippy but I swear try to channel calm energy. It's not always easy to do, but try to be the energy you want to see. And water. And eat!! I bf my son successfully for well over 2 years, it was a great experience. Best calorie burn ever- no gym required!

jjmace

@ACarter0914 it sounds more like a pain that develops from a poor latch. If your hospital has Lactation consultants use them to help work out those problems. Most cities have their own chapter of La Leche League and they usually meet a few times a month. One of the biggest helps will be getting help/support before it becomes painful.

jjmace

The Bump also has a specific board for breast feeding. It is pretty active and helpful. It might be a good place to check in/lurk/participate.

Daphneh28

FTM but I heard that sore/raw nipples will heal with breastmilk. Get some drops rub them in and let air dry. Apparently its all the live good stuff in it that helps.

Sunny2015

@Daphneh28 it does!! Breast milk is magic! Slightly awkward, but it also helps so much with chapped lips lol

Daphneh28

Omg @sunny2015 im so going to try it lol!! Ive had chapped lips for months and months now.

herewegrow

The most helpful thing to get through the tough times, like growth spurts, was to set a goal. Big and little. My big goal was a year, but some days it was the next two feedings. Once your supply is established, pump a feeding here or there to let someone else bottle feed baby so you have at least a few hours of "freedom" . Some days I was just tired of being touched and needed the break.

Get help when you need it, join a support group, ask all the questions you need to. Even when it's hard, it's so worth it. I BF for 13-14 months when LO self weaned due to the pregnancy supply drop and I really miss it with her. I had a really hard time emotionally when she weaned, so I'm hoping I can make it just as long or longer with this one. It's such a special relationship.

soulfish

My mentality with the first two and advice to new moms is to commit to that first 30 days. A year might feel undoable at first. It hurts like hell until the baby works out his/her latch and your nipples get used to it. All of that will work itself out in the first two weeks to a month.

snooker51

I have no experience as a ftm..but I am going to try breastfeeding. the best advice I had gotten so far was to use the cream right from the beginning and make sure to see a consultant asap if there is any real discomfort. I've made my self promise a 6 week goal with professionals help of I can't after that I'll re evaluate. oh and I will also be pumping after the morning feeds so that I can take a few hours if need be!

ToneGirl

My advice about breastfeeding is to take it a day at a time and DO NOT beat yourself up if it doesn't work out or it's not for you.  I tried with my first and had such severe depression that I really needed on meds.  I was to a point that I would curl up in a ball balling wishing my son was never born.  It was awful.  The depression and the demand for breastfeeding was too much for me.  Then the guilt set in for wanting to stop breastfeeding...but I knew I needed to take care of me.  I ended up getting on meds and switching to formula.  Best decision EVER for me and my little guy.  We BOTH were WAY happier and to me that's more important.  Yes breastfeeding is to be the best but it doesn't make you an awful person if it does not work.  Like others said, set small goals and go from there.  I did this as well with my son and I got to that breaking point that I needed to take care of me...happy mom, happy baby...so I made the switch!  I plan on trying breastfeeding again with this baby but if it doesn't work again, it doesn't.  I also plan to supplement some when I go back to work.     

Gingermom15

Sunny2015 said:

Water! All the water you can drink lol. And I've read to always keep a snack by you when you breastfeed. Don't pressure yourself too much. When I first started trying to breastfeed I would get really frustrated because we just couldn't figure out how to do it so she was crying and angry while I tried not to give up lol.

When did she finally get it worked out? My baby is small and early but he has a decent latch. But every time he latches he falls asleep and won't suck. It can't be nipple confusion because the formula he receives as supplement is from a dropper. I can hand express and he will lick it off but just won't feed, he gets so angry and frustrated.

Sunny2015

She figured it out at 33 weeks. We couldn't figure it out until we had a lactation consultant come help us and it was amazing! She had us undress her and if she seemed to be getting too comfortable she told us to try to tickle her or make her annoyed. She still falls asleep, but we just let her sleep for a little. She usually wakes herself up to suck for a little bit then falls back asleep. Just recently she has been doing longer sessions and getting deeper pulls. When we began she would latch and immediately fall asleep. It takes a lot of energy and cuddling with mommy puts them to sleep so fast lol. She was around five weeks when we were finally successful and had been trying since she was three weeks. A lactation consultant is absolutely amazing and I definitely recommend one. I never would have figured it out without one I hope things get better! I know it's really hard to wait , but they have to build stamina

wbr3

The best advice/knowledge that was every given to me was the fact that a newborn baby's stomach is only about the size of a cherry. I was always afraid at first that she was starving and not getting enough milk, but knowing how tiny her stomach was made it easier. It allowed us to have time to figure things out instead of jumping to supplementing which is what my mommy instincts kept telling me to do. Yes, it still took a few weeks to really "own" it but we with patience and time, we did!!!! Be kind to yourselves mommies... You got this!!! :-)

reneetsu

To help prevent chapped nipples I was told with DS to start at 37 weeks with putting nipple cream on one to two times a day. This helps prepay them. It helped then and I have started back this week to try to prevent the horrible pain that some women go through. I hope it works again! Good luck mommies and do what feels natural to you and baby! You know best! Believe that and do what your body and your baby tell you to do and you will be just fine. Don't worry about all that schedule stuff that everyone will tell you about! If baby goes longer than two hours without eating and is sleeping let baby sleep and get more sleep yourself. You will both feel so much better for it. Baby will wake up and let you know they are hungry when they do!!!

amorrow5812

Sooo.... I've become an exclusive pumping momma! Call me crazy but I feel like it's the best thing for me and baby right now. I tried breastfeeding but we could not get the latch together and I was cracking and bleeding and hurting so bad. I tried to express milk by hand and use lanolin but it didn't seem to help. I really wanted to breastfeed this time around. I started pumping and I was able to build up quite a supply so far. My milk came in quick and I built a routine for myself. I started pumping every two hours at first but now I really only do it about four to five times a day. I'm able to get at least 4 ounces each time if not a little more. My DS only drinks 2 ounces so it's easy to build a supply right now. I know I'll have to probably go back to two hours again once he starts drinking more. I was considering breastfeeding for at least six months but since I'm exclusively pumping I'll most likely do less bc when I go back to work I know I won't be able to pump as much.

Any other exclusive pumping mom mommies?

Chumby1982

I'd recommend getting a nipple sheild for the first week of bf. That first week is probably the hardest, your nipples are getting used to it all and that's when you tend to get really sore. You can get it at target... A clear plastic/latex-y thing. It will help when your nips are raw. Breast pads will come in handy too. After a few months of bf-ing mine stopped leaking.

Like everyone is saying, just relax, stay hydrated. Once you get into the swing of things, it really becomes a nice, relaxing, bonding time for you both!

I bf my son for 2 1/2 years, and yes it's a fantastic way to loose all of your pregnancy chub + some.
good luck!

TomekiaB

@sarahgn If latch is good but baby falls asleep right away ask for a lactation consultant to look at his suck-swallow-breathe sequence, some babies don't do it correctly and so they miss the breath which makes them sleepy but there are ways to force the breath at the right time so they learn the correct sequence and stay awake long enough to eat.

bnwilson11

Yes to the nipple shield!! I had to use one with DD because it was the only way I could get her to latch and I never had problems with sore or cracked nips and I swear that was why... might not be the case but I hear so many people have that problem and I never did and that was the only difference I can pinpoint!!

courtney198078

So just wanted to say I tried desperately with my first two to bf and was never successful so I spent many miserable months pumping what I could with my little man I just had I had a great lactation consultant who spent so much time with me and him and he has a great latch and I have a good supply of milk coming in. Please take advantage of the lactation nurses while your in the hospital it can really make a huge difference!!

Gingermom15

TomekiaB said:

@sarahgn If latch is good but baby falls asleep right away ask for a lactation consultant to look at his suck-swallow-breathe sequence, some babies don't do it correctly and so they miss the breath which makes them sleepy but there are ways to force the breath at the right time so they learn the correct sequence and stay awake long enough to eat.

I spoke with the head lactation consultant and she seems to think that is what's going on. She had the dr write a prescription for a better pump than what I currently have and set me up to rent the Medela 1.0 I believe. It's designed for preemies so mom can establish milk supply while baby learns to nurse. The pump the dr wrote the prescription for is outside of my plan, but written has a necessity so it's covered. Due to thanksgiving I won't be getting either until Monday. I'm getting about 5 mls of colostrum during pumping sessions now, but still no milk. Henry is mainly on formula now with all the colostrum I can pump. Our goal is to exclusively breastfeed by week 4. For now he is getting the nutrients that he needs so I'm not pressuring myself or him over this.

TomekiaB

@Sarahgn I am glad that the lactation consultant has a plan, to get a better pump. Did she say if you were going to continue to dropper feed or if they were going to use a bottle or a specialty bottle until your supply is established? I know there is a bottle that's nipple allows you to teach the sequence because you bend the nipple to stop the flow of milk when baby is supposed to breathe (one of my professors worked home health with specialty feeding as her area of expertise). I am not sure who actually prescribes those types of bottles (lactation consultants, doctors or pediatric speech therapy) but they are supposed to be helpful. Good luck, let us know how it goes!

kcas123

Has anyone had a problem where they were getting a lot more milk on one breast and not the other? I'm pumping right now because my son is in the NICU. I get a lot more milk from my left breast then I do the right. For the last 2 days I've asked a lactation nurse to come down to the NICU to help me but they have yet to come. Just curious if this has happened to anyone else? I read online that sometimes if one breast is bigger then the other that can be a reason but that's not the case for me.

Gingermom15

TomekiaB said:

@Sarahgn I am glad that the lactation consultant has a plan, to get a better pump. Did she say if you were going to continue to dropper feed or if they were going to use a bottle or a specialty bottle until your supply is established? I know there is a bottle that's nipple allows you to teach the sequence because you bend the nipple to stop the flow of milk when baby is supposed to breathe (one of my professors worked home health with specialty feeding as her area of expertise). I am not sure who actually prescribes those types of bottles (lactation consultants, doctors or pediatric speech therapy) but they are supposed to be helpful. Good luck, let us know how it goes!

We're going to try Dr. Brown's slowest flow nipple first. He seems to be doing a little better with his latch, but he is starting to need too much and can't eat until Satisfied with the dropper. It also seems to be a big comfort thing when I hold him in a position to breastfeed because he will fall asleep before latching sometimes.

yl1m32015

amorrow5812 said:

Sooo.... I've become an exclusive pumping momma! Call me crazy but I feel like it's the best thing for me and baby right now. I tried breastfeeding but we could not get the latch together and I was cracking and bleeding and hurting so bad. I tried to express milk by hand and use lanolin but it didn't seem to help. I really wanted to breastfeed this time around. I started pumping and I was able to build up quite a supply so far. My milk came in quick and I built a routine for myself. I started pumping every two hours at first but now I really only do it about four to five times a day. I'm able to get at least 4 ounces each time if not a little more. My DS only drinks 2 ounces so it's easy to build a supply right now. I know I'll have to probably go back to two hours again once he starts drinking more. I was considering breastfeeding for at least six months but since I'm exclusively pumping I'll most likely do less bc when I go back to work I know I won't be able to pump as much.

Any other exclusive pumping mom mommies?

Exclusively pumping here as well. Baby girl, being a preemie, we had to supplement with formula immediately after birth. Her blood sugar was low and she was jaundice, and a few drops of colostrum wasn't going to cut it. After that we tried breastfeeding with a syringe of formula, but she lacked the neck/jaw strength to breastfeed. So now I pump like crazy. I'm trying to build my supply, I'm doing everything I can think of. Skin to skin, lactation cookies and smoothies, fenugreek, mothers milk tea, and power pumping. Unfortunately I still haven't seen an increase in production I never imagined breastfeeding being so discouraging. I'm hoping once she gets stronger I can work with a lactation consultant, but I know it's not likely she'll pick it up.

In the meantime, any other suggestions of how to boost my supply that I'm not already doing?

reneetsu

Water, lots of water. Oatmeal helped me. And make sure you are eating enough. I found myself with DS not eating during the day cause it was easier to not eat and just sleep but then my production dropped. Good luck momma!

Gingermom15

sarahgn said:

TomekiaB said:

@Sarahgn I am glad that the lactation consultant has a plan, to get a better pump. Did she say if you were going to continue to dropper feed or if they were going to use a bottle or a specialty bottle until your supply is established? I know there is a bottle that's nipple allows you to teach the sequence because you bend the nipple to stop the flow of milk when baby is supposed to breathe (one of my professors worked home health with specialty feeding as her area of expertise). I am not sure who actually prescribes those types of bottles (lactation consultants, doctors or pediatric speech therapy) but they are supposed to be helpful. Good luck, let us know how it goes!

We're going to try Dr. Brown's slowest flow nipple first. He seems to be doing a little better with his latch, but he is starting to need too much and can't eat until Satisfied with the dropper. It also seems to be a big comfort thing when I hold him in a position to breastfeed because he will fall asleep before latching sometimes.

Just sharing because I'm so excited. My little guy latched 20 minutes ago and has stayed awake nursing. He's doing a great job.

abteamb

A lot of moms have suggested to have a snack while you're BF. Is this to eat while breastfeeding? If so, does it help to eat while BF? Im a FTM and want to know what's best. Any snacks recommendations for BF? I just need some clarification! Thanks!

TomekiaB

@abteamb FTM too but I think it is probably just a good time to do it since you are sitting there anyway and you need to eat adequately to build and maintain supply. I have a little professional training in BF norms and newborns supposedly eat as frequently as every 2-3 hours and takes 30-45 minutes per feeding (which is about 10-12 hours a day, initially). Interestingly I was reading the other day that the 2 hour clock starts at the beginning of the feeding session not at the end (which means you may only have about an 1.5 hours between feedings).

abteamb

@TomekiaB oh ok this makes sense. I didn't realize how many hours in a day I would be BF! Yikes!

TomekiaB

@abteamb Yes, we covered those numbers in one of my generals for my major and so we were all 19 or 20 years old and a little horrified when the professor shared those stats

*edited-redundancy

Sunny2015

@abteamb things like yogurt, nuts, fruits, vegetables, or protein bars are easy snacks to eat

SarahRadford511

I'm 36 weeks and my boobs are leaking. Is this normal?

Gingermom15

SarahRadford511 said:

I'm 36 weeks and my boobs are leaking. Is this normal?

Yes. You are leaking colostrum and it is perfectly normal.

eliseandbaby

Does anybody have any experience with inverted nipples?

ammnam14

Are breastfeeding tanks necessary? I found a deal at ON but don't want to spend the money if they're just not worth it.