@allythekid I would totally give it to Johnny. It's starting to be cold and flu season and your antibodies could help prevent him from bringing something home!
@AllyTheKid as soon as my milk comes in I'm going to be sneaking it into my 2 year olds smoothies. She has barely not been sick for a month straight and it's only about to get worse now that winter is coming. I don't think it's weird at all.
Warning
No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
As I've previously posted, I have a clogged duct in my armpit and it has gone way down, so thanks for the advice. I've been pumping once or twice a day to help with the clog. My question is do I continue pump once or twice a day now that it is almost gone or should I stop? I don't want to make my body think I need more milk than baby needs and become engorged or whatever. I do seem to produce a lot of milk and baby is not emptying both breasts. I feed on the clogged side first and then switch. When I got more pump the first breast is pretty well drained, but I get about and ounce or two from the second. Also, should I offer the second breast every time? Even at night when I'm tired and she's fallen asleep after one side? Last question. Should I wake baby up more during the day? I'm feeding on demand but she sleeps 4 hours at a time.
@littlewillie2016 I'm either experiencing deja vu or you posted this in the FB group, either way: Gradually decrease how much you pump so your body can adjust to the changes.
Does anyone have an recommendations for nursing bras for big boobs? I'm currently bursting out of my 34G bra so I'm thinking I need a GG or an H cup. I also need underwire!
My last three kids I could just use Motherhood Maternity nursing bras but they don't carry a big enough size for me now.
Sorry if this has been already asked. I'm too exhausted to read through 15+ pages.
so... anyone else feel like they just soak everything in breast milk? I mean my milk only came in yesterday morning, and really I don't feel all too terribly engorged but like, when i'm in the shower, it's just like streaming out of me. Or if she is feeding on one side, I have to put a super absorbent cloth at the other side (I have someone looking for one of the "catcher" bottles)
Sometimes I feel like she cant even latch because its just spilling all over her face, haha
*American lady living in Tanzania.
DH - Tanzanian Maasai
BFP #1 - MC Dec 2, 2015 (@ 9weeks) BFP #2 - Feb 2, 2016 --EDD 10/10/16 --Abigail- October 6, 2016. Heart warrior. October 2017- Began fostering to adopt T, (DOB:November 19, 2013)
so... anyone else feel like they just soak everything in breast milk? I mean my milk only came in yesterday morning, and really I don't feel all too terribly engorged but like, when i'm in the shower, it's just like streaming out of me. Or if she is feeding on one side, I have to put a super absorbent cloth at the other side (I have someone looking for one of the "catcher" bottles)
Sometimes I feel like she cant even latch because its just spilling all over her face, haha
Does anyone have an recommendations for nursing bras for big boobs? I'm currently bursting out of my 34G bra so I'm thinking I need a GG or an H cup. I also need underwire!
My last three kids I could just use Motherhood Maternity nursing bras but they don't carry a big enough size for me now.
Sorry if this has been already asked. I'm too exhausted to read through 15+ pages.
@owlcup I posted this one a few pages back, I haven't had my babe yet but it fits well and doesn't give you a uniboob and it has pretty good support and shape. It's not perfect but it's the best I've found! I had horrible nursing bras with DS1. Also reviews say the clips are loud- I don't think they are! I am typically a 32G pre pregnancy but ordered a 34H. This bra does have an underwire.
@kmolleltz Yes, this happened to me. For 2 days after my milk came in it literally ran from my breasts soaking my shirt constantly. It was seriously ridiculous. It's much better now since the engorgement is gone. Be careful with the latching, my nipples ended up getting SO sore because LO couldn't latch properly. I'm still having issues with my flow being too fast, he keeps unlatching and pulling away in the beginning until the flow slows down. It helps slow your flow if you lay back some and use the football hold when nursing. I just spoke to an LC and she said to pump for a minute or two before feedings to slow things down and get LO to latch correctly. She said to see if that helps, and that in a couple of weeks my body should adjust to what LO needs.
@LGW2015 Yeah I was so desperate for her to latch in the beginning I just told myself to grit and bear it and now I have scabs but they are healing now and her latch has improved drastically. Every now and again if I try and shift a bit I can feel her latch slip and I have to get her off asap, hah.
*American lady living in Tanzania.
DH - Tanzanian Maasai
BFP #1 - MC Dec 2, 2015 (@ 9weeks) BFP #2 - Feb 2, 2016 --EDD 10/10/16 --Abigail- October 6, 2016. Heart warrior. October 2017- Began fostering to adopt T, (DOB:November 19, 2013)
That's super helpful @LGW2015. My LO will NOT latch on the left since my milk came in and I'm like 98% sure it's because she's getting blasted by the milk when she tries to latch. I was really engorged when I woke up yesterday and honestly thought I'd have to go to the doctor or something. But I've been pumping the left side down about, and im hopefull that soon things will get a little more regular.
I got 99 problems, and boobs compose 95 of them. Ha.
Why is my letdown on my left absolutely painful? Weve got the latch down pat. But the letdowns are horrible. Only on my left though. Like a cactus is coming out of my nipples. WHY?
I am feeling insecure because I'm not leaky! Only when I'm bfeeding do I get leaky on the boob that isn't being used by baby.
I'm also wondering whether boob size affects milk production? My boobs haven't grown tremendously. Just a cup or two. As a matter of fact, I can get away with not wearing a nursing bra. Just those shelf tanks. They were in the beginning, when I was getting engorged...but now that we've regulated, they don't seem as big anymore.
@annabenanna My letdown is ghastly on both sides, I have no answers as to why it hurts so bad though, it did when I was breastfeeding Jimmy too You're lucky you're not leaky, if I even halfway think about leaking/feeding or if Johnny even makes a noise I get fire nipples and start leaking, it sucks! I don't know that boob size affects production, I typically have very very small boobs but I've not really had any issues producing. And in a days time depending on whether or not I've pumped I just from an A cup to a D cup in 12 hours time. I don't recommend waiting that long to empty your breasts though ever, talk about painful (and messy for the bras).
Thanks @AllyTheKid. The letdowns are awful. RE: boob size, I guess as long as he's growing right? He's gaining pretty good, so maybe my cup size is just fine. lol.
I have no answers about the painful letdown question, possibly that nipple is a little inflamed? Are you using nipple cream? Making sure baby is using a big mouth when latching? Maybe you have a plugged area working its way through the nipple? If it continues I'd ask an LC.
Also, breast size alone is not known to affect milk production- more info on this if you search kellymom
THanks @noraAurora and @Schell2013! I spoke to the LC at my support group, and she told me to do massage before feeding, or use a hot compress. Gonna try that today!
The past couple of days, LO's feedings have been quite a bit shorter, generally 10-20 minutes, whereas before they were generally 20-40+ minutes. He's still pooping like crazy, pretty much during every feeding. He was almost back up to birth weight at his weight check yesterday (he's 11 days today). But the slow down in feedings has only been the past couple of days. Is it typical for babies to just become more efficient in feeding this early on? Anyone else have a LO who doesn't feed for very long?
@Blonde1817it sounds like LO and your breasts have adjusted to each other well enough to get the job done quicker and you just have a champ eater if he's pooping and gaining, everything should be perfectly fine.
@Blonde1817 I'm in the same boat! He's gaining weight rapidly so I'm not too concerned but i couldn't help but be a little worried. He used to eat 30 min both breasts and now the last few days he's eating about 10 min one breast. He's 19 days.
I know a lot of you ladies have also had trouble breastfeeding. We are currently making it, it seems, with the use of a nipple shield. It's a lot of trouble to take on and off and not what I want at all. Also, I am supposed to be pumping to increase my supply, but my baby is such an erratic eater I'm afraid to do it because I don't want to pump and then she's hungry again right away and I have nothing left for her. Also, I hate feeding her from the bottle because I feel it is going to make her lazy and less likely to work at getting better at breastfeeding. She has a bit of a lip and tongue tie (no one recommends clipping at this point) and a deep suck reflex, meaning that unless I can get nipple deep in her mouth she doesn't suck. Before we got the shield, I was getting her to latch on, but she was tormenting my nipples. She just can't get enough areola in her mouth. She's latching too shallowly with the shields, too, but she's getting fed. She's slightly behind on getting her weight back - I may take her back in just to get weighed on Monday - but she has enough poops and pees. Also, I don't feel engorged before feeding/empty after or letdown, so that confuses me too. My hope is that I can get to a point we can no longer use the shields. I got some shells to try to get my nipples to stick out more, but they're pretty small to begin with. My husband asks why don't I just pump and give her that, so I can see exactly what she's getting (my pediatrician said she did that although she seemed slightly regretful) but I have to go back to work so soon, I don't really want to distance myself from the baby earlier. Anyway, I don't really expect anyone to have advice since I've heard/tried everything from about ten nurses and two lactation consultants, but I wanted to get it out because it is really frustrating to me.
@RainMira9e Sorry to hear your having a hard time, it sounds like you are having similar problems as I was. I had my breastfeeding break down at the end of week one. It does get better with time, my baby is now two weeks and there has been some improvement. Do the best you can and try not to feel bad if you have to use a bottle or formula.
@RainMira9e I can totally relate! I have been using a nipple shield and have been trying to wean off of it. Sometimes he latches great and feeding is easy, sometimes it takes forever to get him to latch. He sometimes won't open his mouth big enough or his hands get in the way or he's too sleepy. Lately his feeding sessions have been shorter and I'm a nervous FTM so I'm always unsure if he's getting enough. It's so frustrating when I feel like we're doing great and making so much progress and then it goes right back to square one next feeding. All I can do is try to be patient with myself and with LO, it's a learning process!
@RainMira9e lurker here from sept 16. I had a lot of the same problems and after a lot of meetings with LC's one finally insisted I take my baby to a craniosacral therapist (baby massage basically) to help fix the problems. After 2 sessions our problems are pretty much fixed. The sessions were $80 each. We were seriously considering getting a lip tie fix but did the massage first to see if we could avoid it and it looks like we won't need to do it. I had a long labor that ended in a c section and because if that my babies head was smushed against my pelvis for over 36hours. The therapist realeased a lot of the damage from labor and realigned his head bones so he has a much better vacuum to latch. Might be something to consider.
@createillumination Thanks for the info! My labor wasn't that long but my baby's head was a bit smushed/bruised. Realigning baby's head bones sounds terrifying, however.
@createillumination Thanks for the info! My labor wasn't that long but my baby's head was a bit smushed/bruised. Realigning baby's head bones sounds terrifying, however.
It's super super gentle, she barely touched his head through the whole process. Sorry I should have been more specific;)
Robert gags and chokes when feeding. I know its a forceful letdown and an oversupply. it still scares me. LC says to pump or hand express first, but that didn't work either. Robert still chokes. I plan on waiting another week to introduce the bottle, but each time he gags and chokes, I'm tempted to introduce it early.
My 11 day old spits up and gets the hiccups after almost every feeding. I'm trying to cut her off mid meal to burp more often but it doesn't always work. I have my follow up LC appointment this afternoon
We are having a bit a latch issue- seeing a LC on Friday that specializes in early term babies so hoping it can help! I've been pumping 3 times a day and doing an oz of BM after each feeding but he's such a lazy eater and just falls asleep on my breast doesn't actually pop himself off so I struggle with how long I should keep him on for. Sometimes it's like 40 minutes but he's prob actively sucking for like 15 of those minutes. I also have to wake him for every single feeding since pedi said every 2 hours. LC said I could do 3 hours though so I'm kind doing 2.5 to 3 hours in between feedings.
we had a significant weight loss leaving the hospital 13% but with the extra oz in the bottle after every feeding we were able to gain 6.5oz in 24 hours which takes us out of the danger zone as long as he keeps eating.
Pumping and cleaning is so time consuming but I'm so temped to just pump and not actually nurse but I feel like I need to keep giving it more chances. My supply isn't bad I'm able to pump about 5-6 oz a session and I only pump for 10 minutes- and I do that 3 times a day.
I still don't think I've experienced a let down- although my breast do feel softer after a feeding. I am just 7 days PP today so I'm hoping it will all come together soon.
@AshleyGemini24 Have you tried nursing in a reclined position? Lay yourself back in a recliner or lay back on the couch ... it can make your oversupply/strong letdown a little easier for baby to manage because gravity keeps it from being so forceful. The positioning feels awkward and may take a few sessions for both of you to feel comfortable, but it can really help.
@serenaxo84 I have zero experience with an early term baby, but I can say I completely understand the time-suck that is pumping ... My only encouragement for you to continue with nursing is the hope that you can eventually cut out the pumping! Once baby becomes a more efficient sucker, nursing will be MUCH quicker and easier than pumping and feeding. Either way, baby is getting fed, so that's all that matters.
aesthyerin Let me know what the LC says. My babe also spits up after every breastfeed and gets the hiccups all the time. I have an appt with an LC next Tuesday. Seems far away. Baby is nearly 4 weeks old and it has been going on since birth. I try to sit her up after meal and burp often, but not really helping.
@littlewillie2016 since my lo gained a lot and is now over birth weight the LC didn't think it was a huge deal. She just said to bring it up at our one month appointment she see what the pediatrician says
1). I got a little too excited this morning when i was able to pump 5 ounces combined.
2). Really kinda nervous about introducing Robert to the bottle. my feelings about it change on an hourly basis. really not looking forward to it but at the same time i just wanna get it over with. We had planned on waiting til he was a month old. He's 3 1/2 weeks old now.
Re: All Things Breastfeeding
Also, should I offer the second breast every time? Even at night when I'm tired and she's fallen asleep after one side?
Last question. Should I wake baby up more during the day? I'm feeding on demand but she sleeps 4 hours at a time.
Gradually decrease how much you pump so your body can adjust to the changes.
My last three kids I could just use Motherhood Maternity nursing bras but they don't carry a big enough size for me now.
Sorry if this has been already asked. I'm too exhausted to read through 15+ pages.
Have you checked out Hot Milk?
https://www.hotmilklingerie.com/collections/f-h-cup-bras/cup-h
I will look into that though! I've just been googling but basically all nursing bras have no underwire and I need that shizz.
Sometimes I feel like she cant even latch because its just spilling all over her face, haha
BFP #2 - Feb 2, 2016 --EDD 10/10/16 --Abigail- October 6, 2016. Heart warrior.
October 2017- Began fostering to adopt T, (DOB:November 19, 2013)
https://www.barenecessities.com/cake-lingerie-croissant-spacer-nursing-bra-24-1016_product.htm?pf_id=CakeLingerie241016
BFP #2 - Feb 2, 2016 --EDD 10/10/16 --Abigail- October 6, 2016. Heart warrior.
October 2017- Began fostering to adopt T, (DOB:November 19, 2013)
hopefull that soon things will get a little more regular.
Why is my letdown on my left absolutely painful? Weve got the latch down pat. But the letdowns are horrible. Only on my left though. Like a cactus is coming out of my nipples. WHY?
I am feeling insecure because I'm not leaky! Only when I'm bfeeding do I get leaky on the boob that isn't being used by baby.
I'm also wondering whether boob size affects milk production? My boobs haven't grown tremendously. Just a cup or two. As a matter of fact, I can get away with not wearing a nursing bra. Just those shelf tanks. They were in the beginning, when I was getting engorged...but now that we've regulated, they don't seem as big anymore.
You're lucky you're not leaky, if I even halfway think about leaking/feeding or if Johnny even makes a noise I get fire nipples and start leaking, it sucks!
I don't know that boob size affects production, I typically have very very small boobs but I've not really had any issues producing. And in a days time depending on whether or not I've pumped I just from an A cup to a D cup in 12 hours time. I don't recommend waiting that long to empty your breasts though ever, talk about painful (and messy for the bras).
Also, breast size alone is not known to affect milk production- more info on this if you search kellymom
It's a boy!
It's a boy!
we had a significant weight loss leaving the hospital 13% but with the extra oz in the bottle after every feeding we were able to gain 6.5oz in 24 hours which takes us out of the danger zone as long as he keeps eating.
Pumping and cleaning is so time consuming but I'm so temped to just pump and not actually nurse but I feel like I need to keep giving it more chances. My supply isn't bad I'm able to pump about 5-6 oz a session and I only pump for 10 minutes- and I do that 3 times a day.
I still don't think I've experienced a let down- although my breast do feel softer after a feeding. I am just 7 days PP today so I'm hoping it will all come together soon.
@serenaxo84 I have zero experience with an early term baby, but I can say I completely understand the time-suck that is pumping ... My only encouragement for you to continue with nursing is the hope that you can eventually cut out the pumping! Once baby becomes a more efficient sucker, nursing will be MUCH quicker and easier than pumping and feeding. Either way, baby is getting fed, so that's all that matters.
1). I got a little too excited this morning when i was able to pump 5 ounces combined.
2). Really kinda nervous about introducing Robert to the bottle. my feelings about it change on an hourly basis. really not looking forward to it but at the same time i just wanna get it over with. We had planned on waiting til he was a month old. He's 3 1/2 weeks old now.