Thanks for the input! I may try that. She already does Zantac so she's gonna love something else!
My LO is 5 weeks and she just started pooping way less all of the sudden. same amount of gas though, I use probiotics and gripe water, I find sometimes they seem helpful, sometimes she is vey bothered by gas, so I'm not sure. I cut out dairy but she is still really gassy. Breastmilk does start to get digested easier as their digestive track matures, equaling in less poop and I pray that means my LO will have an easier time.
@laurabwalker They do pass gas easier as they get older and that's worth holding onto through all the crying fits with gas pains, struggling to get them to burp knowing they'll be in more pain later if they don't and bicycling their legs and everything else when burping isn't enough. It gets better.
Anyone else notice their LO getting chatty while they eat? DD is cooing while she eats, and occasionally will unlatch and just talk to the boob. I feel like she's just messing and not actually hungry when she does the unlatching thing, but it's pretty funny.
Anyone else notice their LO getting chatty while they eat? DD is cooing while she eats, and occasionally will unlatch and just talk to the boob. I feel like she's just messing and not actually hungry when she does the unlatching thing, but it's pretty funny.
Mine will smile while on my boob. He'll stop sucking so I'll look down and he's smiling with my nipple in his mouth.
DD wakes up early, around 5-6 am and is pretty active. She likes to eat first and grins as soon as she knows I'm getting ready to feed her, grins and jabber through the feeding session, and keeps going once she's done. Then again she does all the same things in her sleep. She's a talker.
I've noticed also likes to hug my breast like it's her best friend.
Anyone else notice their LO getting chatty while they eat? DD is cooing while she eats, and occasionally will unlatch and just talk to the boob. I feel like she's just messing and not actually hungry when she does the unlatching thing, but it's pretty funny.
Mine will smile while on my boob. He'll stop sucking so I'll look down and he's smiling with my nipple in his mouth.
So at almost 5 weeks we are having a new BF problem, (seriously, will they ever end???).
Baby girl will latch perfectly for the first boob, finish and get burped. Then for the second side she roots like crazy, bobs her mouth around and latches and falls off no less than 5 times before finally getting on there for good. It's driving me nuts, and it's making my nipples sore.
My Mom said she's doing it because she needs to be burped, but it always happens right after she has been burped, and taking her away from my breast to try to burp her more just pisses her off. And I knew she is hungry because she still roots and eventually will latch and eat, and if I take her away she cries to be fed. Any ideas on what is going on with this and anything I can do to get baby girl to focus and get the job done?
@mltarrio have you tried anything like expressing a little milk? Babies find a lot by smell and taste. My theory though is they get setting down and comfortable on the first breast, then switching sides things get all changed up on them just when the getting was good and they just want that familiar comfort back. I'm noticing this a lot with DD as she's starting to eat enough to sometimes get away from block feeding.
Switching sides I express a little milk and rub it on her lips and sometimes have to do it a few times. She seems to catch on faster this way that it's still milk like she's wanting and latches on a little easier than she does otherwise.
@mltarrio Henry does this sometimes when he is still hungry. Usually hand expressing a little milk encourages another let down so he gets the milk immediately. An instant reward makes him happier than needing to wait, he's an impatient little man.
@Gingermom15@Mizuiro007 thanks for the suggestions. All of a sudden she is getting weird about taking a bottle too. I am hoping it is just a phase. I swear every time we think we have this feeding thing figured out she switches it up on me and we are battling a new problem. Ugh.
Tonight I warmed up a bottle of refrigerated expressed milk for DH to give to DD in a bottle, but she freaked out and wouldn't take it. Can I put it back in the fridge to try again tomorrow or do I have to dump it?
@breezypip as long as your LO didn't drink from it I think it should be fine. If LO drank from it, then bacteria could be in there, and then you should throw it out.
I go back to work in about a month, plus a week or so. I have one measly bag of frozen milk. How behind am I in building a stash? Should I start pumping a few times a day at this point? Google has given me many different answers.
I can't believe I am asking this and seriously contemplating this, but I am getting so discouraged and feeling awful for DS. We've been battling stomach issues for the last 3 weeks, and it really all started when I switched him to formula.
Has anybody had experience with or knows anything about women who have gone back to breastfeeding/pumping after stopping? I was really thinking about trying to get back on the pump to see if I can produce anything for DS and possibly going back to breast milk, thinking it may help with the issues he's having. I've already begun regular birth control pills (been on them for 1 week) and haven't pumped or breast fed in about 3- 3 1/2 weeks. Curious to know if that ship has sailed and we just see what happens with formula or if I may be able to get back into giving it a whirl.
Thanks, Ladies!
*edit- I do have a very small stash that has been in the freezer for the last 3-4 weeks. I'd say I have enough for maybe 2 days, going into a 3rd.
@mhuber223 I think what you need as far as a stash will depend on some factors such as your goals and how you're able to keep up pumping once you return to work. If you're able to pump enough at work to keep up you really won't need the freezer stash. If you're worried about your supply and being able to pump enough, that would be better address sooner rather than later.
I like to watch for different products as they come out and try to remember them as I come across them. Milkies milk savers is a pretty great one. I mostly just use mine when I pump but it does increase the yield. I haven't tried it with bf because we mostly nurse side lying, otherwise this would be a great time to use it and add to a stash.
Another one I haven't tried but am a bit fascinated with is the freemie collection cups. They have some that are compatible with most pumps and they seem like they could make it a little easier to fit pumping in throughout the day while taking care of baby.
Either way, try not to worry about being behind or exactly where you should be at. Store what you can, and the extra pumping sessions will help. Like I said, if you're able to continue pumping and bf after you return to work that will really decrease what you would need to have saved back in the freezer.
@teachmegs817 From what I understand, as long as you are producing anything at all there's a very good chance you can build a supply back with some work. Best place to start may just be to pump and see if you get anything.
Thanks @Mizuiro007 ! If I try and express milk by hand I do get clear liquid that will still come out of each breast, so I am guessing that I'm still in business. I think at this point, I may try and get back on the pump and see what happens. I thought the switch to formula would be this easy peasy thing on my family and DS, but it's been a roller coaster so far. I am starting to think that I don't have anything else to lose, by possibly trying to get him back onto breast milk at this point. We've pretty much been told, "He's gassy" by doctors and nothing seems to work. I know breast milk can cause issues with LO's digestive systems too, but I keep going back on the thought of; "Would he have these issues, had I stuck it out a little longer and not jumped right to supplementing."
@teachmegs817 Why was it that you decided on formula before? I do understand though. I went through it some with DS. I wondered if we'd been too quick to switch and if I'd kept with it longer maybe it wouldn't have been so bad. In the end, formula was better for him. I still go through it with DD wondering if we were too quick to add formula and did go back to BF (she gets the occasional bottle of formula now but otherwise ebf). It didn't make everything better, she's still very gassy but she does seem to do better with BM than formula, especially along with gas drops and probiotics. So it's difficult sometimes to know and figure out what will work and as a mom it's so hard not to keep second guessing every decision.
If you have the milk and there's no medical reason against BF there's no reason you can't try and it does sound like you're still producing somethin. I would ask your doctor about the pill though.
@mhuber223 I go back in two weeks and I have a pretty good stash already but I've been paranoid about it. once you start pumping you should be good to go. I would have maybe 2 days worth before you go to work just to ensure you have enough but ideally you'll pump everything the baby needs for the next day plus some while you're at work (as long as you pump every 3 hours or so). I am getting about 6oz in a 15-20 minute pumping session (if it's been 2.5-3hr since LO ate). I also second the Milkies milk saver. It has helped me tremendously! I save about 5oz per day with this little baby. It has really helped me build my stash.
@teachmegs817 I would get back on the pump a few times a day. You could try taking fenugreek and eating oatmeal to help with supply. Combo birth control pills with estrogen could affect your supply. It's suggested you only take progestin only birth control. If you can get milk production again, you may want to switch.
@esscapelle@Court11152325 thank you! We did try again with that bottle and she would not take it from DH, and she did take some from me but would scream and cry after a few sips and then spit most of it up. That was with a premie nipple and pace feeding. I ended up having to trash most of my hard pumped milk from that bottle :-/
@dmendo01@Mizuiro007 Thank you! I'm a teacher, so pumping at work is tricky, but I should be able to get coverage for a short time every few hours. I plan to do my best, though. I'm feeling better about it!
I'm going back to work next week and my goal was to have 24 hours worth in the freezer (about 28 oz). They are in various sizes from 1-3.5 oz. I plan on pumping the day before so at least 1 feeding won't have to come out of the stash. Ideally what I pump at work should produce enough for the next day and the freezer stash can help during cluster feeding time.
I think having a enough for a couple days at work would be plenty at first. A lot of the time women wind up pumping more than they need in a day at work, so you would have plenty for the next day and some to freeze - @mhuber223
I must be doing it wrong. I only get 12oz at work (4oz each session) but my LO will sometimes take 16oz while I'm away from him so we supplement with formula. He's still so small though. He has a dr appt on Wednesday but I'm pretty sure he's only in the 8lb range though. He was born at 5lb 12oz and his lowest weight was 5lb 5oz.
I'm blessed to still have a few months of maternity leave but I know several of you are returning soon so wanted to share this link I came across that has helpful info: workandpump.com
@ATolentino89 is the person feeding your baby using pace feeding with both BF and formula? The big thing to be sure of is that baby is being fed slow enough to register they are full.
Also, be sure to change the membranes on your pump every month. Those can make a world of difference.
3 lb weight gain is great. The avg breastfed baby gains between 4-6 oz a week, so I think you're doing great!! If you have concerns definitely talk to your doctor. If you're concerned about supply you could try things that could help: fenugreek, Gatorade, oatmeal, lactation cookies, lactation tea. I think it's kind of hit and miss with them sometimes.
@Court11152325 he gets the supplemented formula from various people. I had to re-explain to the daycare the importance of pausing with him since they sometimes get in a hurry. My mom seems to think she knows better and just lets him drink and drink until he spits up on himself. He somehow never comes home in the same outfit he left in. I was wondering when I should change those out. I have to order new tubing too since I knocked over the bottle while it was still attached and got BM in them. Hopefully that will make me extract more.
My mom does the same thing. I try and try to tell her to go slow and showed her videos and she's just like, "but she drank so fast." It's so frustrating!!
and yes, the membranes need to be replaced monthly at a minimum. If you pump a lot it could be worth doing it every 3 weeks.
Not to get into the whole backstory of how this started but here's what she's doing and I'm wondering if I'm alone.
Olive acts like she's hungry. I try to feed her. She cries but DOES eat. Throws up a ton. Acts hungry. Again, cries at the breast but does eat.
This is all taking place within the span of, oh maybe half an hour? This went on all day today. I'm being told to feed her "whenever she'll eat" and technically, she'll eat during this weird loop. I'm confused and feeling like it's day 1 all over again.
@groovylocks DD does the same thing and it usually means she needs something else but is comfort seeking. Sometimes it's to suck and she'll take a pacifier, she gassy, or needs a diaper. Once whatever it is is taken care of she's fine and will actually eat within an hour or so later. Otherwise she overeats, pukes, and nothing productive has been achieved.
@groovylocks DD does the same thing and it usually means she needs something else but is comfort seeking. Sometimes it's to suck and she'll take a pacifier, she gassy, or needs a diaper. Once whatever it is is taken care of she's fine and will actually eat within an hour or so later. Otherwise she overeats, pukes, and nothing productive has been achieved.
Ok that's what i assumed. Diaper was clean. Pacifier wasn't happening. She finally took my pinkie, the only "bepi" (pacifier) she will usually condescend to take (HER bepis need to be made from real live human, thank you very much..) Gave her a bath which made her grin until she was out and the weeping started again.
Turns out she wanted to snuggle.
I've been nursing her side by side for about a week now - started when i was sick with the flu and literally couldn't sit up to nurse at night. So we'd lie side by side. She loves it. So when i tried nursing her on my side, she just kind of nibbled, drank a wee tiny bit and passed right out.
Olive's weight gain since her last appt was ok.. but not as good as her previous gains so i was told to feed more. And i feel like i'm feeding blind now. I was already feeding on demand so i'll offer boob constantly now.
I have said this before but I feel like DD wants to do nothing all day but comfort nurse. I haven't found a paci she likes better than me but I'm working on it. She spits up a lot and does have reflux. She will be mad as a banshee until she gets nursed it is the only thing that works. No..I take that back she will take a bottle but sucks it down like its her last supper and still wants to nurse. This is making me wonder if it's hunger or something else, even more than the comfort nursing. If the milk is soothing her reflux maybe that's why? No idea but she's getting Zantac which helped in some ways but not with the nursing frequency.
For example. I nursed DD for 30-40 minutes this evening, rocked her to sleep, Went to Walmart for 45 minutes. In that time my mom gave her 3 ounces of milk because she was "inconsolable and acted like she wanted more." So I nursed her again for 30 minutes. Brought her home, swaddled her, nursed her again and she finally went to sleep (hopefully for the night). But this is how our day goes. We nurse when hungry, we nurse to sleep, we nurse upon awakening. And you don't dare try to soothe some other way because you and your ears will regret it! Is anyone else's LO like this?!
@groovylocks Have you tried block feeding? DD never nurses for long and wasn't getting the hind milk and then the pediatrician was pushing to suppliment with formula, then she was overeating, puking and losing weight. It was awful. So I started block feeding, her weight picked way up and the pediatrician doesn't care how anymore as long as it works.
And yea, she only takes a binkie from me or her dad, only when she isn't hungry, needs a diaper or tired and would rather have her tongue, or if she's being social. So she takes it when she wants to suck and only after trying everything else. For me this means after trying to nurse and screaming at my boob, then falls asleep with the binkie on my bare boob.
@dmendo01 DS did that a lot. Thankfully reflux starts getting better around 4 months usually. The milk helps soothe their belly though and then they're much more likely to overeat. With him the doctor put him on a feeding schedule to try and keep him from over eating. It was miserable but at leaSt kind of helped the spitting up.
@kdoak2015 I can't remember what it was exactly but it started as something like 20 mins per side every 2 hrs and I think the doctor adjusted it back to 15 mins per side ever 2 hrs after a while. He would call in the evenings and check in and let me know if it needed to be adjusted more or if we could stay there.
Re: Breastfeeding advice, questions, ect
poop and I pray that means my LO will have an easier time.
@court11152325 She's 8 weeks
I've noticed also likes to hug my breast like it's her best friend.
Baby girl will latch perfectly for the first boob, finish and get burped. Then for the second side she roots like crazy, bobs her mouth around and latches and falls off no less than 5 times before finally getting on there for good. It's driving me nuts, and it's making my nipples sore.
My Mom said she's doing it because she needs to be burped, but it always happens right after she has been burped, and taking her away from my breast to try to burp her more just pisses her off. And I knew she is hungry because she still roots and eventually will latch and eat, and if I take her away she cries to be fed. Any ideas on what is going on with this and anything I can do to get baby girl to focus and get the job done?
Switching sides I express a little milk and rub it on her lips and sometimes have to do it a few times. She seems to catch on faster this way that it's still milk like she's wanting and latches on a little easier than she does otherwise.
Has anybody had experience with or knows anything about women who have gone back to breastfeeding/pumping after stopping? I was really thinking about trying to get back on the pump to see if I can produce anything for DS and possibly going back to breast milk, thinking it may help with the issues he's having. I've already begun regular birth control pills (been on them for 1 week) and haven't pumped or breast fed in about 3- 3 1/2 weeks. Curious to know if that ship has sailed and we just see what happens with formula or if I may be able to get back into giving it a whirl.
Thanks, Ladies!
*edit- I do have a very small stash that has been in the freezer for the last 3-4 weeks. I'd say I have enough for maybe 2 days, going into a 3rd.
I like to watch for different products as they come out and try to remember them as I come across them. Milkies milk savers is a pretty great one. I mostly just use mine when I pump but it does increase the yield. I haven't tried it with bf because we mostly nurse side lying, otherwise this would be a great time to use it and add to a stash.
Another one I haven't tried but am a bit fascinated with is the freemie collection cups. They have some that are compatible with most pumps and they seem like they could make it a little easier to fit pumping in throughout the day while taking care of baby.
Either way, try not to worry about being behind or exactly where you should be at. Store what you can, and the extra pumping sessions will help. Like I said, if you're able to continue pumping and bf after you return to work that will really decrease what you would need to have saved back in the freezer.
@teachmegs817 From what I understand, as long as you are producing anything at all there's a very good chance you can build a supply back with some work. Best place to start may just be to pump and see if you get anything.
If you have the milk and there's no medical reason against BF there's no reason you can't try and it does sound like you're still producing somethin. I would ask your doctor about the pill though.
I think having a enough for a couple days at work would be plenty at first. A lot of the time women wind up pumping more than they need in a day at work, so you would have plenty for the next day and some to freeze - @mhuber223
Also, be sure to change the membranes on your pump every month. Those can make a world of difference.
3 lb weight gain is great. The avg breastfed baby gains between 4-6 oz a week, so I think you're doing great!! If you have concerns definitely talk to your doctor. If you're concerned about supply you could try things that could help: fenugreek, Gatorade, oatmeal, lactation cookies, lactation tea. I think it's kind of hit and miss with them sometimes.
I was wondering when I should change those out. I have to order new tubing too since I knocked over the bottle while it was still attached and got BM in them. Hopefully that will make me extract more.
and yes, the membranes need to be replaced monthly at a minimum. If you pump a lot it could be worth doing it every 3 weeks.
Turns out she wanted to snuggle.
Olive's weight gain since her last appt was ok.. but not as good as her previous gains so i was told to feed more. And i feel like i'm feeding blind now. I was already feeding on demand so i'll offer boob constantly now.
For example. I nursed DD for 30-40 minutes this evening, rocked her to sleep, Went to Walmart for 45 minutes. In that time my mom gave her 3 ounces of milk because she was "inconsolable and acted like she wanted more." So I nursed her again for 30 minutes. Brought her home, swaddled her, nursed her again and she finally went to sleep (hopefully for the night). But this is how our day goes. We nurse when hungry, we nurse to sleep, we nurse upon awakening. And you don't dare try to soothe some other way because you and your ears will regret it! Is anyone else's LO like this?!
And yea, she only takes a binkie from me or her dad, only when she isn't hungry, needs a diaper or tired and would rather have her tongue, or if she's being social. So she takes it when she wants to suck and only after trying everything else. For me this means after trying to nurse and screaming at my boob, then falls asleep with the binkie on my bare boob.
@dmendo01 DS did that a lot. Thankfully reflux starts getting better around 4 months usually. The milk helps soothe their belly though and then they're much more likely to overeat. With him the doctor put him on a feeding schedule to try and keep him from over eating. It was miserable but at leaSt kind of helped the spitting up.