LO sucked for an hour the first time he latched on, but since then 15 minutes is the longest session we've had and they're typically 5-10 minutes long and at least 2 hours in between usually. He had gained back all but an oz at 5 days old, so I know he's getting plenty. He's just a strong sucker and I have a fast let down so he doesn't have to suck long to get the milk flowing.
Just catching up. As far as snacks I just decided to up my protein significantly and I picked up Cliff Builder bars, 20 grams of protein and dairy free (may contain traces). Not labeled as gluten free, but no problems for me so far.
I've not heard of the 2.5 ounces per pound per day but my LO is under 7 pounds still but takes 75 -90 mls per feed every 2-3 hours. Oink Oink! But that's fine with me because he has lots of catching up to do and he made it from the 3rd to the 10th percentile on the premie growth curve for weight at his 5 week check in! Yay!!
I logged in to share a few successes in the past few days. They aren't much, but it's forward progress so I'm thrilled. First, he latched on correctly 3 times in the past 24 hours and even managed to transfer 10 mls at our appointment today. Second, still dealing with low supply over here, but I've found that if I go down a flange size half way through pumping on my "dud boob" I get a comparable amount to the other side! Hopefully that helps my 24 hour total...
Can babies ever overeat? As in comfort nurse so they are getting milk when they aren't actual hungry? My LO has been cluster feeding and eating every 1-2 hours the past couple days.. Sometimes I wonder if he's comfort nursing because he will be upset with gas pains and wanting to nurse. I'm still feeding him whenever he acts hungry but was curious if they ever eat when not hungry. FTM so this may be a silly question!
Can babies ever overeat? As in comfort nurse so they are getting milk when they aren't actual hungry? My LO has been cluster feeding and eating every 1-2 hours the past couple days.. Sometimes I wonder if he's comfort nursing because he will be upset with gas pains and wanting to nurse. I'm still feeding him whenever he acts hungry but was curious if they ever eat when not hungry. FTM so this may be a silly question!
I'm a third time mom and same thing here! I just feed him, sometimes it's every 45 minutes. But he's not throwing up, so I'm guessing it's not too much.
Can babies ever overeat? As in comfort nurse so they are getting milk when they aren't actual hungry? My LO has been cluster feeding and eating every 1-2 hours the past couple days.. Sometimes I wonder if he's comfort nursing because he will be upset with gas pains and wanting to nurse. I'm still feeding him whenever he acts hungry but was curious if they ever eat when not hungry. FTM so this may be a silly question!
FTM here as well, and I had the same concerns. Sure enough, everytime LO eats too much, he will throw up like he's overflowing. Now I try to give him a pacifier if I think he just wants to comfort nurse. If that doesn't work, then I figure it's real hunger. His pediatrician also said not to let him nurse longer than 20 minutes or so, because after that, they're just sucking and not getting much.
@AliKay20 Have you tried different holds while nursing? I started cross cradle in hospital then switched to football hold bc it was way better for my nips.
Me (32) DH (34) | | BFP #1 4/5/12 | Natural m/c on 4/18/12 (6w1d) BFP #2 8/23/12 | DS born 5/3/13 BFP #3 12/6/15 | DD born 8/23/16 BFP #4 2/22/19 | EDD 10/28/19
Last night I noticed I have a few small lumps on my areola on one breast. It's slightly painful, but not terrible. Any ideas ladies? I'm new to this extended breastfeeding thing
I hear every one talking about the let down of the non babies breast... This doesn't happen to me. Neither does leaking randomly or not shower issues. Is this a not yet thing? Could it be a supply issue sign? He is gaining weight, though a little slower than ideal, and has lots of wets and poops... FTM so I had no idea those things should be happening. We are feeding on demand, mostly between 1 hour and 3 hours between feedings.
@Stephanie7693 Poor latch hazard or blocked ducts? I had a few w DS1 after being engorged for a while. Best thought it probably talk to your OB or Lac support. For me warm showers helped best.
@lblu43 I started putting a heating pad on them today, especially before nursing. I wonder if part of the problem is that Levi gets gassy and starts squirming around with my nipple in his mouth. It hurts. He's also been eating so often lately that I haven't needed to pump the last couple days, but maybe I should anyway? Think I'm going to see how the weekend goes and call an LC on monday.
@Allisun85 Same for me. He is gaining fine (average 1.5 oz each day the last 2 days) so I'm not going to worry about it yet. Since people gifted me mad pads fit leaking they didn't use, I'm assuming it's not just me.
I hear every one talking about the let down of the non babies breast... This doesn't happen to me. Neither does leaking randomly or not shower issues. Is this a not yet thing? Could it be a supply issue sign? He is gaining weight, though a little slower than ideal, and has lots of wets and poops... FTM so I had no idea those things should be happening. We are feeding on demand, mostly between 1 hour and 3 hours between feedings.
I rarely leak. Once in a while I'll notice the other boob is dripping but certainly not every time, and when I have used a milk saver, I get a tiny amount, not an ounce like some ladies! Caia wad 13 oz over birthweight at 2 weeks, so there's no supply issue. So people just have leaker boobs than others, I think. One boob did drip a little while I was on the toilet tonight though, for no apparent reason. So who knows?
Married May 2014 DD born August 2016 Baby #2 due December 2017
@Stephanie7693 Right there with you. HOLY GUMS batman!, when peanut squirms from gas lord help my nipples. I actually caught myself in an awkward situation yesterday bc of it. I shrieked outloud, after he "bit" me. DS (Precociously almost 7yrs) walked in and asked how his brother could bite me if he doesn't have teeth?? And where did he bite me?.... Go play in your room was my response....as I was still trying to delatch the piranha. No bueno.
Right?! When it's bad I'll have to unlatch him 3 or 4 times a feeding just to get him back on there right. I've squealed a few times from being bit too.one time my mom was there and thought I was yelling at her cause I squealed mid sentence lol
@Allisun85 Nothing to worry about! You're just lucky! Everyone is different. You have been through so much, I'm happy for you that you have one less thing to deal with, even though it's small.
@Allisun85 my boobs only leak at night, otherwise it's never an issue. It wasn't a problem with DS1 either. On occasion I would get a random few drips (and always at the most inopportune times - like standing topless getting a spray tan, the poor airbrusher looked horrified!), but otherwise, my milk basically stays in my boobs.
@Allisun85 my boobs only leak at night, otherwise it's never an issue. It wasn't a problem with DS1 either. On occasion I would get a random few drips (and always at the most inopportune times - like standing topless getting a spray tan, the poor airbrusher looked horrified!), but otherwise, my milk basically stays in my boobs.
I'm this way too. I get close to an ounce in my milkies at night but during the day it is minimal. Hot water doesn't do anything for my letdown either, but baby is a chunk so I know he is good. Sounds like yours is gaining and doing great @allisun85
Was just trying to get dressed for the day went to try and put on a nursing Cami with a built in bra and both boobs spring a leak. Had to "hold pressure" with nursing pads but couldn't figure out how to get my shirt on and hold the pads in place. Thankfully DH is home today he held the pads in place until I got the shirt over my head. Guess it's time to wake DD up to drain the milk maid!
My LO has seemed to be gassy since pretty much day 1, but yesterday it was at a new level - she was fussy and obviously uncomfortable most of the day. My parents were here for dinner and she cried pretty much the entire time they were visiting. My DH keeps suggesting that she may have an intolerance to something I'm eating, but what I've read suggests we'd see other symptoms that I haven't noticed?
I feel like I've been dealing with an oversupply, and am now wondering if that may be the issue. I was reading online last night about something called oversupply syndrome, or foremilk-hindmilk imbalance, is anyone else dealing with this? She seems to have more of the signs associated with that issue. I am going to try to do more block feeding today, and also keep her more upright when feeding, to see if that helps. I feel so bad that she's so uncomfortable!
I was hoping to start adding a pumping session in next week, but am now worried that's just going to keep up the oversupply problem....
6 days after my surprise D&C 2.5 weeks after my c-section, my supply seems to be back to where it was. Baby still isn't into breastfeeding, so we're trying it at every feed, but doing a 1/3 pumped breastmilk and 2/3 formula mix. Better than nothing!
@KMeredith82 - in a previous post you mentioned baby spitting some. For dd1 the only signs of a dairy intolerance were gassiness and spit up. We didn't have any other symptoms. Is she still spitting up? I had a crazy oversupply but for us all it took was cutting dairy for the painful gassiness to go away.
@kmeredith82 is your let down really strong? If you feel really full and have a strong let down to go along with it, it could also be causing the issue. I've not dealt with it too much but my best friend did. She would have baby latch to stimulate the let down and then hand express into a towel until it wasn't so strong. She said that helped a lot.
It it could also be diet, but just something else to try out.
@sekerambo the spitting up has gotten better, I was hoping that was a sign that we were making progress, but now she's having the gas issue. How soon after you cut dairy did you notice a difference? She isn't having these issues with every feeding, which is one of the reasons why I was thinking maybe it was something else?
@LWC1112 I am not feeling it, but I think it is strong based on how LO reacts. Good idea about the towel, I might try that.
thanks for the suggestions, I didn't have this with my first so this is all new to me!
@KMeredith82 - it wasn't after every feeding for Dd1. It did take a month or so for the issues to completely resolve but got better continually after a week or two. I hope you are able to figure it out soon.
@KMeredith82 We have a very gassy baby as well. I have a very generous supply, according to our lactation consultant, and a strong letdown. When J nurses, I can hear him gulping so I know he's taking in a lot of air, but even with burping frequently, he still has a lot has issues. I spoke to the nurse at our ped's office yesterday about it, and she said to pay careful attention to my diet because "the baby eats what you eat." I had cut out most dairy towards the beginning of the week and haven't noticed a difference yet. The nurse suggested eating more fruit (she thinks part of his gas is because he's not pooping often enough) and stay away from acidic foods, spicy foods and gassy foods (particularly Brussels sprouts).
I block feed, and we've tried gas drops as well. Those seem to help somewhat. My BFF and DH have had a lot of success with bicycling LO's legs, but I can't get the technique right. Hope you find something that works soon - it's so hard seeing them uncomfortable!
For those supplementing. What are you using for bottles? We have just been using the medela ones that came with my pump stuff, but honestly we are starting to supplement more and more because I can't keep up. This little almost three week old ate five ounces in a matter of two and a half hours! What is the best bottle to go back and forth between breast and formula?
*TW Spoiler*
DD: Aug '16
10/2017: Twins confirmed with TTTS at 22 weeks. 10/10/17 Twin B passed after in utero placenta surgery 11/2/17 Twin A & B born 11/26/17: Twin A passed after 24 days fighting in the NICU Benched 6 months BFP: 6/28/18 MC:7/16/18 BO BFP: 10/2/18 EDD 6/15/18
@midwestbaby We're not using formula yet but are using bottles, and our baby really likes the Evenflo glass bottles and then still does pretty good opening wide enough for the breast. I think all babies are different, though. Good luck. Adding a bottle to the routine is a life (and nip) saver.
For those supplementing. What are you using for bottles? We have just been using the medela ones that came with my pump stuff, but honestly we are starting to supplement more and more because I can't keep up. This little almost three week old ate five ounces in a matter of two and a half hours! What is the best bottle to go back and forth between breast and formula?
We have a Munchkin Latch bottle that I got as a sample from BuyBuyBaby when I registered. A seems to like it.
@Curls919 We have the same bottle! That and the Lansinoh one that came with the manual handpump. Granted he only takes 1 bottle a night, but so far no problems with confusion.
For those supplementing. What are you using for bottles? We have just been using the medela ones that came with my pump stuff, but honestly we are starting to supplement more and more because I can't keep up. This little almost three week old ate five ounces in a matter of two and a half hours! What is the best bottle to go back and forth between breast and formula?
We like Dr Browns from a gas perspective. The MAM anti-colic bottles were super easy for him to drink from, but way too fast and we are 2-0 on spit up. The Avent and munchkin bottles were too slow and I think made his tounge-tie more problematic... Lots of clicking and air coming in. Hope this helps!
I need some advice!! One of my boobs got super cracked/bloody so I used a shield for a few days. Now the supply in that breast is wayyyy lower than the other, causing super lopsided feelings (and breast size!!) I just don't want that side to dry up. I'm trying to pump and have baby feed from that side as much as possible but it still doesn't seem to be gaining. Any thoughts or advice? I can't see the LC until Tuesday.
Also, random question, do you guys sterilize/wash all of the pump components in between every pump, even if it's only a few hours? Not sure what the protocol is....
@caitlinj187 About the lopsidedness, I'd just keep doing what you're doing. It may take a few days.
About your pump parts - not sure how often you're pumping but you can also just put the parts themselves in the fridge in between sessions. Then the residual milk in there is technically good for 24 hours too, so you can save some time and just wash once a day.
Okay, I have seen on multiple boards on TB that other LOs are eating 2.5-3 oz at feedings... My LO has been eating 5 oz. almost every feeding for a week or two now (4 weeks old now). Is that not normal at this age?? My pediatrician said his weight gain was great at his last appt and he is EBF (he was in the nicu so I have pumped since the beginning) and he was also 9 lb 6 oz at birth, so maybe he's just a big boy with a big appetite?
I worry that if he's already at 5 oz when other babies around his age aren't yet, is he going to start eating more again soon and I won't be making enough and will have to supplement?
For those supplementing. What are you using for bottles? We have just been using the medela ones that came with my pump stuff, but honestly we are starting to supplement more and more because I can't keep up. This little almost three week old ate five ounces in a matter of two and a half hours! What is the best bottle to go back and forth between breast and formula?
We use mostly Comotomo bottles - I say mostly because we received a few bottles as samples (with a crying fungry baby, these other bottles come in handy if the Comotomo's are not yet washed).
Okay, I have seen on multiple boards on TB that other LOs are eating 2.5-3 oz at feedings... My LO has been eating 5 oz. almost every feeding for a week or two now (4 weeks old now). Is that not normal at this age?? My pediatrician said his weight gain was great at his last appt and he is EBF (he was in the nicu so I have pumped since the beginning) and he was also 9 lb 6 oz at birth, so maybe he's just a big boy with a big appetite?
I worry that if he's already at 5 oz when other babies around his age aren't yet, is he going to start eating more again soon and I won't be making enough and will have to supplement?
DD drank 4 oz per feeding session at 4 wks old; also was in the NICU. Her growth rate looked good at her 1 mth check up.
I think my letdown is pretty strong, and I'm wondering if that has anything to do with baby's gasiness.. today Levi latched on, was sucking really loudly, then pooped off the boob and milk started spraying everywhere! In his face, all over his clothes and mine! That's only the second time I've seen milk squirting out, and the first it was so strong it got baby in the face! I laughed hysterically until I realized I had to change my clothes and all my other nursing bras were in the wask
Re: Breastfeeding
I've not heard of the 2.5 ounces per pound per day but my LO is under 7 pounds still but takes 75 -90 mls per feed every 2-3 hours. Oink Oink! But that's fine with me because he has lots of catching up to do and he made it from the 3rd to the 10th percentile on the premie growth curve for weight at his 5 week check in! Yay!!
I logged in to share a few successes in the past few days. They aren't much, but it's forward progress so I'm thrilled. First, he latched on correctly 3 times in the past 24 hours and even managed to transfer 10 mls at our appointment today. Second, still dealing with low supply over here, but I've found that if I go down a flange size half way through pumping on my "dud boob" I get a comparable amount to the other side! Hopefully that helps my 24 hour total...
Me (32) DH (34) | |
BFP #1 4/5/12 | Natural m/c on 4/18/12 (6w1d)
BFP #2 8/23/12 | DS born 5/3/13
BFP #3 12/6/15 | DD born 8/23/16
BFP #4 2/22/19 | EDD 10/28/19
FTM so I had no idea those things should be happening. We are feeding on demand, mostly between 1 hour and 3 hours between feedings.
Think I'm going to see how the weekend goes and call an LC on monday.
Married May 2014
DD born August 2016
Baby #2 due December 2017
I feel like I've been dealing with an oversupply, and am now wondering if that may be the issue. I was reading online last night about something called oversupply syndrome, or foremilk-hindmilk imbalance, is anyone else dealing with this? She seems to have more of the signs associated with that issue. I am going to try to do more block feeding today, and also keep her more upright when feeding, to see if that helps. I feel so bad that she's so uncomfortable!
I was hoping to start adding a pumping session in next week, but am now worried that's just going to keep up the oversupply problem....
It it could also be diet, but just something else to try out.
@LWC1112 I am not feeling it, but I think it is strong based on how LO reacts. Good idea about the towel, I might try that.
thanks for the suggestions, I didn't have this with my first so this is all new to me!
I block feed, and we've tried gas drops as well. Those seem to help somewhat. My BFF and DH have had a lot of success with bicycling LO's legs, but I can't get the technique right. Hope you find something that works soon - it's so hard seeing them uncomfortable!
DD: Aug '16
10/2017: Twins confirmed with TTTS at 22 weeks.
10/10/17 Twin B passed after in utero placenta surgery
11/2/17 Twin A & B born
11/26/17: Twin A passed after 24 days fighting in the NICU
Benched 6 months
BFP: 6/28/18 MC:7/16/18 BO
BFP: 10/2/18 EDD 6/15/18
ETA: will move to Philip's Avent glass bottles once more established at BFing as the nipples are faster flow.
Also, random question, do you guys sterilize/wash all of the pump components in between every pump, even if it's only a few hours? Not sure what the protocol is....
About your pump parts - not sure how often you're pumping but you can also just put the parts themselves in the fridge in between sessions. Then the residual milk in there is technically good for 24 hours too, so you can save some time and just wash once a day.
I worry that if he's already at 5 oz when other babies around his age aren't yet, is he going to start eating more again soon and I won't be making enough and will have to supplement?
https://www.amazon.com/Comotomo-Natural-Bottle-Green-Ounces/dp/B004C053BA