Oh snap! My DD's gum looks exactly like that. In fact maybe a bit worse. The LC consultants at the hospital said she didn't have a lip tie or a tongue tie but I've always had my suspicions because the latch isn't 100% painless and I get the lipstick nipple after BF. Also, she is able to stick her tongue out but it looks heart shaped. Her pediatrician also checked her and didn't catch it but I did more research thanks to your post and now it looks pretty obvious. Not sure if it's more noticeable now that she's older. So if neither LCs or Pedi can diagnose it properly, who should I see? Pediatric dentist?
@mperotti220 If you're interested, here is a fairly good link about tongue and lip ties. It lists some related signs and symptoms for both mom and baby.
The red ring happens from the lip being tight and instead of flanging as it should it creases or folds instead. This usually shows as a red crease. Redness around the lip can happen from it tucking in during nursing and isn't necessarily indicative of a tie.
ETA @preggoandglowing you might start with seeking alternative opinions. Call around and ask if they have much experience with ties. I'd think this would hold whether it's a pediatrician, LC, or pediatric dentist.
We were initially told he didn't have a lip or tongue tie, but with red crease in his lip after nursing and issues with clogged ducts I was suspicious. It looks more pronounced from the side and his lip can be lifted upwards, but not flanged out which is the problem. As long as the baby is nursing with no issues and gaining it isn't considered something that needs fixed, per his pediatriain
@groovylocks Could valves be worn out or does it have a battery that could be wearing out and not holding as much charge? I've also noticed for mine that replacing the bottles helped. Not sure if they just weren't getting as tight a seal anymore or what.
Membrane replacement, making sure the bottles are securely attached, and that everything is firmly in place have all helped me. I notice that if I don't pay close attention to everything being sealed, the suction isn't as good and I get less from a session.
Double check the tubing, as well. If it is stretched and loose around where it connects to the pump it won't suction. I just trim a little off the tubing and it works.
If you have a PISA and haven't replace the valve membranes yet, then try that first. I use my pump frequently and have to replace them every 3 weeks which is more often than suggested. Even if they look ok they can still be bad and that throws off the whole pumping volume.
Another question - so apparently my yield is fine given that i'm EBF (according to keillymom) but the decrease in my typical pump yield has made me concerned that i'm drying up. I'm not so much looking for encouragement or assurances that i'm not as nobody can know. But I know the signs of drying up and have a question about one.
So Olive should be producing 6 wet diapers a day - our problem is that the diapers we are using turned out to be SUPER absorbant and we only change them sometimes every 4 hours - and we don't change it at night because to change her diaper is to fully wake her and that's a hard bell to unring. In the morning, she has a pretty wet diaper and in theory could have been changed every 3 hours.
So while she's not pulling of 6 wets a day, how do you really evaluate that? With diapers like ours, she may very well be making 12 if we changed her every 2 hours. But we don't. See my question? Should we assume that no change is a good thing or start changing her regularly, period, to ensure we get six wet ones?
EDIT: TB on a touchscreen is a mess. Posted before i was done by trying to kick me down to the ad at the bottom -_-
@groovylocks same here. I don't count actual diapers, I gauge how wet they are. She soaks every diaper so I know she's good. I've mentioned before I have a scale at home (50$ on Amazon) and I've weighed a few too just out of curiosity. Her average one is 3-4oz and I change her every few hours during the day.
@groovylocks I don't count diapers. This early there should be a wet diaper about once per feeding or every 3 hrs. If you are changing half as often because of absorbency I would expect a nice heavy wet diaper. You can check for other signs of dehydration as well. I have always been much happier just looking at whether baby is sated after a feeding or still fussing and acting hungry (even after thorough burping).
Also with the pumping, you might try warm compresses for at least a few minutes before. It can help a lot with encouraging letdown.
Fennel helps milk ejection. Pumping at work was taking me double what it takes at home and at work I use a Symphony there. I chewed on two fennel seeds for a few minutes and got almost my whole yield in 10 minutes. I pumped for 10 extra minutes to insure I got a good amount of foremilk, though.
So I've got a question and I apologize if it's already been asked/answered. This thread is a lot to go thru. This is my third baby and third time bf. First time only lasted 2 1/2mos and second time until he was 13mos. I have a problem with low milk supply in one of my breasts. Even when he was first born I gave him both breasts but after a while, my supply went down on my right breast. I still have milk but it doesn't get engorged anymore. Baby doesn't really like to eat from it because he doesn't get full and I can't pump from it. My question is has this happened to any of you ladies and is there a remedy for it? I have the double electric medela breast pump but I've never used both at the same time and my middle child broke a piece of it which only allows me to pump one breast at a time.
@thatgirlree24 From what I understand it's pretty common. One of the simplest solutions I've seen is just to start out on that breast. Babies tend to suck more urgently starting out and this is great for trying to build a supply. Nurse what you can and switch to the other side so he can get full. You might look into whether you can get the broken part replaced so you can pump longer on that side. Even try warm compresses on that side and see if that helps.
As long as he's getting what he needs from at least one side, that's the important thing. That's all some women are able to do but they go on to successfully continue to ebf.
@thatgirlree24 my left boob is my slacker boob. It doesn't get engorged in the same way as my right, but after 6-7 hours at night it will leak. That nipple is also in a lot of pain from dd's shallow latch, so I rarely nurse on it and just pump. When I pump and it doesn't seem like much is coming out I do breast massage. I start by squeezing spots from the top and bottom and keeping on a spot if it starts a let down. But even so it's an accomplishment if I can get 2.5 oz. I would try breast massage during pumping and letting baby nurse bc babies can get more than the pump can. Baby can stimulate the production, even if only on for a few minutes.
The last couple of weekends, I've had a beer. Just one. And then I've given DD a bottle for her next feeding bc we were out. I think that she has some kind of sensitivity, though. She seemed gassy and fussy both nights. Has anyone else ever experienced this? I feel sad that I might go another spring without enjoying a beer outside.
I had a stout, and then this weekend tried a wheat beer. I also ate brussel sprouts, though. And some appetizers at a bridal shower that I thought were cool but maybe contained dairy. Who knows. I'm about to just eat chicken and water until she's on solids because this is the pits.
This is more of a support question. DD takes a bottle just fine, but will then scream until she can comfort nurse if it's past a certain time of day. Doesn't matter if I'm there or out of the house and DH is giving her a bottle. The LC at my baby weigh group said to start pumping and giving her bottles throughout the day to prep for my return to work a week from Thursday. I know it's for the best, but I'm kind of bummed to have time strapped to the pump instead of snuggling with DD this last week. I'll still nurse her a couple of times, like I will when I'm working. Anyone rose have to do this?
This is more of a support question. DD takes a bottle just fine, but will then scream until she can comfort nurse if it's past a certain time of day. Doesn't matter if I'm there or out of the house and DH is giving her a bottle. The LC at my baby weigh group said to start pumping and giving her bottles throughout the day to prep for my return to work a week from Thursday. I know it's for the best, but I'm kind of bummed to have time strapped to the pump instead of snuggling with DD this last week. I'll still nurse her a couple of times, like I will when I'm working. Anyone rose have to do this?
Yes. I have been at work for 3 weeks now and DD takes a bottle through the day at the sitter or with DH and I nurse her (a lot) after we get home and on the weekends. I didn't give her bottles to prep her for being away from me though. I let her nurse to her hearts content the last couple days before I went to work bc I felt bad and yes I wanted the extra snuggles. She will adjust to being away from you and taking a bottle whether she does it this week or next. But of course whatever you think is best!
Same here! Trying to get her used to the bottle and she will only reluctantly accept it and never eats as much as she does nursing. I figure the nanny will get into a rythmn with her so trying not to stress but the pumping and then still being the one home to watch her etc is tiring. I'm trying to sneak a little formula in some of her bottles too so I can "get ahead of her" with the pumping.
Who has had success with giving the bottles of formula? What was your strategy?!
I want to feel just a little less pressure and not always be on a strict timeline and would like LO to have a bottle per day and also some at night. This will also make going back to work so much easier because it will take the pressure off keeping up with punping. My ped just gave me Enfamil AR to help with night time because acid reflux is horrible from the hours of 2 am to 6 am and his meds don't seem to help then.
I have tried feeding him on the breast first then offering formula to get him used to it. I also sometimes wait for him to fall asleep and then put the bottle in his mouth. Both have varying degrees of success and work about half the time. I also tried mixing the formula with breastmilk and that did not work.
I know it's not the bottle because he will take breastmilk from it.
Anyway, if you have any other suggestions, please share!!!
@ksrkim What I've found is that we develop little routines with breastfeeding that signals to baby that food is coming. It's putting them in those holds, maybe a certain way we lay a burp cloth for dribble. You just have to develop a a routine for bottle feeding in the same way. I like to use a different position so it isn't too similar to bf to make it less confusing.
Brush the bottle nipple over their lips from nose to chin and let him take it. You may notice cues fromy nursing that happen with the bottle as well. DD acts the same with both when she needs to burp for example.
@ksrkim What I've found is that we develop little routines with breastfeeding that signals to baby that food is coming. It's putting them in those holds, maybe a certain way we lay a burp cloth for dribble. You just have to develop a a routine for bottle feeding in the same way. I like to use a different position so it isn't too similar to bf to make it less confusing.
Brush the bottle nipple over their lips from nose to chin and let him take it. You may notice cues fromy nursing that happen with the bottle as well. DD acts the same with both when she needs to burp for example.
I second the nursing/feeding position point. When DH started giving DD bottles he would hold her cradle style like I do when I nurse, and she would just get angry and root for a breast. Once he tried giving her the bottle with her sitting up on his lap and kind of facing out she was fine. I think it was confusing to her since she views breast and bottle separately and wanted them treated as such.
@Mizuiro007 and @breezypip, thank you! I was holding him in a similar position to the one I nurse him in and trying to slip the bottle in, hoping he wouldn't notice but he's no dummy lol.
Tonight, well this morning (345 am), I faced him out and played a little bit of calming music on my phone, just to kind of distract him. He did drink it! I will try again tomorrow!
Related to the magic breast milk, I knew someone who would put breast milk in their baby's eye to help the yucky stuff clear out. Strange, but I'm sure it actually would help.
Related to the magic breast milk, I knew someone who would put breast milk in their baby's eye to help the yucky stuff clear out. Strange, but I'm sure it actually would help.
Related to the magic breast milk, I knew someone who would put breast milk in their baby's eye to help the yucky stuff clear out. Strange, but I'm sure it actually would help.
My DD had a blocked tear duct and it cleared up after putting bm in her eye.
Related to the magic breast milk, I knew someone who would put breast milk in their baby's eye to help the yucky stuff clear out. Strange, but I'm sure it actually would help.
Related to the magic breast milk, I knew someone who would put breast milk in their baby's eye to help the yucky stuff clear out. Strange, but I'm sure it actually would help.
My DD had a blocked tear duct and it cleared up after putting bm in her eye.
DS had really dry skin on his face. Lotion didn't help but breast milk did!
PUMPING QUESTION --Since birth DD has only eaten on one breast per feeding. She eats about every 3 hours. I am back at work now and have been pumping both sides each time. When I get home after pumping all day they don't seem as full and it seems like she's not getting enough. Is this because each side normally has 6 hours between each feed? Should I only be pumping one side per time? What is everyone else doing?
Your body has probably regulated out to the 6 hours between feedings. How long have you been back at work? My bet is that if you pump both during the day it will boost your supply a bit.
Breasts are always making milk and babies are good at getting it out. So even though you may not feel full, there's milk in there. You may just need to let her nurse on both sides so she feels satiated (if she's acting discontent after a nursing session). If she's not acting unhappy after nursing in the evenings and she has good diaper output and is gaining weight, then she's getting enough.
I have been back to work for about 5 weeks. I usually only need to pump once or twice during the day. When I get home I feed her on both sides but even after that she seems to still be unhappy so I have just switching back and forth until she isn't interested anymore. Would it make sense to just keep pumping both?
I'm sorry that wasn't very clear! This is new behavior. She has been fine up until now. And I really think that she is fine as long as she is offered both I just wasn't sure if I needed to just pump one at a time to stay with my normal routine.
The reason I asked if it was new behavior is that it could be a growth spurt or developmental leap. For example, my DD is 11.5 weeks and has started waking up to nurse at night when she was sttn. But this is in line with a major developmental leap.
Im guessing you might be experiencing something like this and DD will go back to business as usual soon.
So I'm a week into being back to work and I'm away from DD who is EBF for about 9 1/2 hours/day and she's taking anywhere from 14-18 oz when I'm gone and I think I'm going to have trouble keeping up long term. I only respond so-so to the pump and I was never able to build a big stash. I'm ok with supplementing what I can't pump, but I absolutely want to continue BFing morning/night/weekends. Is it possible to supplement and not destroy my supply so that this is possible? Everything I read online makes it sound like supplementing is a downward spiral to not being able to continue BFing. Is anyone doing this successfully?
@breezypip Supplementing absolutely does not need to diminish your supply. All the reading I've done on it indicates supply is reduced when you offer bottle and don't pump or anything with it.
When you're home just nurse first for as long as possible before offering a bottle . If you're still worried about supply you can pump after.
What have you tried with pumping? Have you tried warm compresses or even checking if the flanges are the right size for you?
Re: Breastfeeding advice, questions, ect
https://www.mommypotamus.com/a-step-by-step-guide-to-diagnosing-tonguelip-ties/
The red ring happens from the lip being tight and instead of flanging as it should it creases or folds instead. This usually shows as a red crease. Redness around the lip can happen from it tucking in during nursing and isn't necessarily indicative of a tie.
ETA @preggoandglowing you might start with seeking alternative opinions. Call around and ask if they have much experience with ties. I'd think this would hold whether it's a pediatrician, LC, or pediatric dentist.
@Mizuiro007 how do i evaluate the valves?
Also with the pumping, you might try warm compresses for at least a few minutes before. It can help a lot with encouraging letdown.
As long as he's getting what he needs from at least one side, that's the important thing. That's all some women are able to do but they go on to successfully continue to ebf.
I want to feel just a little less pressure and not always be on a strict timeline and would like LO to have a bottle per day and also some at night. This will also make going back to work so much easier because it will take the pressure off keeping up with punping. My ped just gave me Enfamil AR to help with night time because acid reflux is horrible from the hours of 2 am to 6 am and his meds don't seem to help then.
I have tried feeding him on the breast first then offering formula to get him used to it. I also sometimes wait for him to fall asleep and then put the bottle in his mouth. Both have varying degrees of success and work about half the time. I also tried mixing the formula with breastmilk and that did not work.
I know it's not the bottle because he will take breastmilk from it.
Anyway, if you have any other suggestions, please share!!!
TIA
Brush the bottle nipple over their lips from nose to chin and let him take it. You may notice cues fromy nursing that happen with the bottle as well. DD acts the same with both when she needs to burp for example.
Tonight, well this morning (345 am), I faced him out and played a little bit of calming music on my phone, just to kind of distract him. He did drink it! I will try again tomorrow!
Thanks again!
cleared up after putting bm in her eye.
--Since birth DD has only eaten on one breast per feeding. She eats about every 3 hours. I am back at work now and have been pumping both sides each time. When I get home after pumping all day they don't seem as full and it seems like she's not getting enough. Is this because each side normally has 6 hours between each feed? Should I only be pumping one side per time? What is everyone else doing?
Breasts are always making milk and babies are good at getting it out. So even though you may not feel full, there's milk in there. You may just need to let her nurse on both sides so she feels satiated (if she's acting discontent after a nursing session). If she's not acting unhappy after nursing in the evenings and she has good diaper output and is gaining weight, then she's getting enough.
Yes, I would continue to pump both. However, you could talk to a lactation consultant too.
Im guessing you might be experiencing something like this and DD will go back to business as usual soon.
When you're home just nurse first for as long as possible before offering a bottle . If you're still worried about supply you can pump after.
What have you tried with pumping? Have you tried warm compresses or even checking if the flanges are the right size for you?