@slartybartfast It is incredibly frustrating that he can't tell me how he is feeling, I have to go off his cues. I am doing an experiment where we are only giving him formula for 24 hours and see if there is a difference. So far he is doing A LOT better....which makes me suspect that something in my breastmilk is upsetting his system. I just don't know what.
I have IBS and lactose sensitivity, so if I do eat it, it is in very small amounts as to not upset my tummy. I use almond milk. I am thinking it is possible he has a dairy sensitivity too, but even on days when I don't eat dairy he has the same problem. I spit up a lot as a baby and apparently was hungry a lot to where I was nearly inconsolable. I was a small kid too despite eating frequently. But then again...if it is a dairy sensitivity, why does he seem to be doing well on formula that has milk proteins in it? Very strange.
How did you figure out your son had a dairy sensitivity?
It was all positioning! He ate 4.5 oz with the LC! He stayed awake the entire feed. Just need a better pillow. She said he's. Ask ally going to the gym every time he eats and burning more than he's eating. So much guilt relief knowing I'm making plenty of milk and he's able to get it out. Should have seen her days ago.
@dmontgo sounds like reflux to me. Any other signs like arching his back? Dd1 was a super spitter but still managed to gain weight...she's small but always has been.
@dmontgo maybe it's a different allergy? Gluten? Or something else? I would suspect the formula would make him worse than better if you are not using a soy based formula since it seems like the dairy intake you have is not a lot. It could also be reflux!
@sourlemon He doesn't do it every time, but he will arch his back, kick his legs, and get very red and cry for a short period. Similar to when he gets gas, but seems to be more painful for him.
@Gizmo1231I think that is strange, too, that he wouldn't spit up as much with the formula as he does with breastmilk. I didn't consider gluten, but gluten is something I ingest everyday. I asked DH what he thought (he's a medic) and he thinks he doesn't spit up the formula as much simply because it's thicker in consistency. He is leaning towards reflux but because Ash was premature I would like to explore everything just in case. I hope it is as "simple" as reflux because the treatment is a lot more straightforward.
@dmontgo our story was different as my milk is overloaded with digestive enzymes so it was when we weaned/supplemented with formula that things went awry. Ultimately it was an elimination diet and then slowly adding things back.
How early can you start freezing breast milk? My inlaws say you can start when your milk comes in, my friend said you have to wait like a month. Anyone hear anything about this?
Just talked to LC about this. Said you can start freezing whenever you want. Best to wait to offer a bottle until a good breastfeeding relationship is established, but no reason you can't start stalking up the feezer.
How early can you start freezing breast milk? My inlaws say you can start when your milk comes in, my friend said you have to wait like a month. Anyone hear anything about this?
How early can you start freezing breast milk? My inlaws say you can start when your milk comes in, my friend said you have to wait like a month. Anyone hear anything about this?
I started freezing when DD was 6 days old!
oops in box - but yea - currently sneaky 2 4oz bags for the freezer with the hand pump during feedings. I'm glad for it too because it helped me maintain supply during the super brief stomach bug episode during this week
@dmontgo My son has had similar issues. He would vomit multiple times after every feeding (we breastfeed too). We had to change his outfits at least 5-6 times per day, sometimes more, and he seemed downright uncomfortable. I tried removing caffeine from my diet and also dairy. He was spitting up LESS but still frequently enough to cause me concern. Same thing here, too--he has gained weight well.
Once cutting stuff out of my diet didn't cause enough of an improvement, we decided with his pediatrician to try meds for reflux. She prescribed him Nizatidine and he's been on it for one day. So far, he has improved quite a bit. He has spit up a total of 3 times today (normally it was like 16 times) and is still doing well otherwise. Definitely discuss your options with his doctor and see what they suggest. The med is working for us so far, but I'm sure there are other options if you guys don't want to go that route.
Welp, nevermind. Thought he was doing better with formula and he was a volcano of spit up at this feeding. I've never seen a onesie so encrusted....you could like break it off of him it's so crusty.
For general fussiness and gas, I'm finding this little one to be very responsive to baby massage. There's a bunch of youtube videos on techniques if anyone is interested in trying. I don't remember figuring this out with DS or maybe I tried and he didn't respond to it? In any case, this one is totally into it and it really seems to help get the farts and burps out.
Is anyone else having problems with LO not taking enough while BFing? My boobs never really feel empty after she's done, and today (the first day we tried BFing all day - no bottles) her diapers felt lighter than usual. I was really hoping to be able to stop pumping so frequently, but this doesn't seem right.
@ea301 have you ever done a weighted feed? You may want to do that to see how much LO is taking. You may have just created and oversupply and she's getting enough-you just have more to give! I would think if she is going 2-3 hours between meals and is having wet diapers she is but you could always call a LC or do a weighed feed to be sure!
Is it possible for gas to just affect a baby at night? I think that's partly why she doesn't sleep well. She's waking and straining and lifting her legs. I try and try to burp after feedings but don't often get one. In the night though she'll finally fart some or when I pick her up will burp. She's not like this during the day, but I'm guilty of still holding her for most naps.
For gas - we have also found that tummy time seems to get some burps and farts out. Also LO farts a lot when laying flat on his back.
Does anyone have advice about engorgement at night? DH has been giving LO a bottle so I can sleep for longer but then I wake up overfull... and I don't want to then have to pump but LO will rarely take from both sides so even after the next feed I'm still uncomfortable.
@Gizmo1231 I think that it's probably an oversupply but I can't help but worry, especially when the diapers are lighter. A few weeks ago, the LC visited for the first time and we did a weighted feeding - however, we'd just started breastfeeding and she only got about a half ounce. I *think* things have gotten better, but usually when I pump, I get at least 3 ounces out of the right and 1.5 ounces out of the left. Based on yesterday's frequency of feeding and the diaper volume, I kinda doubt she's getting that much from the breast, but she will happily drink a 4 oz bottle if we give it so it makes me think she should be emptying the breast a bit better. Anyway, I'm blabbing. I think another weighted feeding is definitely in order and I have a follow up visit with the LC tomorrow to check. Man, feeding is tough, seems like it's always something!!
Regarding the spitting up- @dmontgo my DD2 was like that, she spit up so much that I thought she wasn't going to grow or gain weight. It seemed like she was spitting up all of her milk, and while she was on the smaller side, she kept growing. Until we weaned her from the boob at 1yr, then she didn't grow much because she was burning all the calories she was taking in. I also have a lactose sensitivity, DH and DD1 are both lactose intolerant. I'm sure if I had cut dairy out of my diet completely, she would have spit up less. I also drink almond milk, but we eat cheese. I guess my moral is that even with insane spit up, they are still getting nutrition, and that if you want to solve it, try the elimination diet like pp said. Go to a basic diet and slowly introduce foods to see Ashton's reaction.
So I've been mainly pumping every 2 hours or so. We still try the boob here and there but for now pumping has been the most convenient so H can help out with MOTN feedings. Anyway, for those pumping, how long do you stay on the pump? I haven't been timing but I think I've been doing 15-20min and getting anywhere from 2-4oz total each time. She's a little over a week old, does this seem like the average amount to be expressing? Also, i don't think I've ever experienced a "let down". What is that? Is that where extra milk comes at the end of the session?
As a side note- it's been really freeing to set aside mom guilt about nipple confusion or occasional supplementing and just go with the flow. My only expectation of myself right now is to keep baby fed and so far so good! She's also had mainly BM which is a huge difference from DD1... I've been really proud of myself even if I feel like a cow most of the day.
@cgss11we're experiencing the same thing. Not sure the reason for it. Have tried gripe water, it helped one night but hasnt really since. Gas drops may help. Slarty posted something about baby massage to help with gas, but not see what thread it was in.
@Christinaruth74 I typically pump anywhere from 10-20 minutes, depending on how long since my last pump and how engorged I've gotten. I think the recommendation is for 15-20 unless you're pumping after you've fed from the breast. I'm trying to think back to when N. was 1 week but I think 2-4 oz is really good. I'm pretty sure I was in that zone during that time, and I was doing the same thing - exclusively pumping and bottle feeding breast milk with very minimal direct breastfeeding. My "let down" kinda feels like tingly pressure that radiates from deep inside the breast outward towards the nipple, if that makes sense. I don't usually feel it when pumping but I do when breastfeeding... it takes anywhere from 30 seconds to a few minutes. Sometimes I feel it when she's crying or I'm holding her close to my chest too. Also YES to your side note! I have struggled with feeding-related guilt but getting better every day. As long as she is happy and fed, that's what matters.
@yellingbanana Thank you for this! DH spoke to a nurse and we are going in tomorrow, so I'm interested in what she said to him. There is so much conflicting information about dairy, especially in regards to breastfeeding. I eat light amounts of cheese and sour cream, but rarely eat ice cream and such, yet a friend keeps telling me dairy is super important for breastmilk production. I haven't increased it in my diet, though.
How do you do an elimination diet without hurting your milk?
@Christinaruth74, 2-4oz is really good at 1wk old and 15-20m sounds about right. Your letdown is when your milk actually lets down and starts to flow. I didn't experience it with my first until about a month or two they were born. I feel it intensely now. It feels like a boob cramp.
@dmontgo I don't have direct experience, but paleo diets and the Whole30 program both cut out a lot of the common foods that can cause sensitivities (and a bunch of other stuff--I'm not necessarily recommending either). I'd google either one and breastfeeding, there are a ton of articles and forums that discuss keeping supply up. I think the key is to make sure you're getting enough fat, protein, and non-gluten carbs. Oats are gluten free naturally, but you'll want to find certified gluten free oats because they are often processed on the same equipment as wheat, so cross contamination can be an issue. The real bitch is that gluten is in so many processed foods, so that cuts out a lot of convenient things.
My sister is allergic to gluten, soy, and dairy and she successfully breastfed three babies. you have to be a little more creative but it's doable, especially for a few weeks.
DH returned to work this week. Probably a coincidence but my supply has tanked as well. Maybe stress? Idk. The kid doesn't nap well so I have to hold her while pumping. Probably not eating enough either...this no nap thing is killer.
@ea301 by holding the baby during pumping I really mean having the baby lay across my lap while trying to keep her calm. Usually consists of popping a paci in 7 million times and playing with her legs. Not easy but beats not pumping or having her scream the whole time.
@sourlemon hey i totally respect that! I can't seem to do anything while pumping... sometimes I can prop her up nearby but it always ends in disaster. I dont think she likes the sounds the pump makes so its next level crying most of the time.
This looks good to me! @dmontgo I am sure your friend means well, ans while I love dairy products, there really is no need for them in our diet. @gowenc is spot on, it's important to get a well balanced diet with protein, good fats, whole grain carbs, veg, fruit, etc.. Remember, cheese lover here, but the whole 'people need to drink cows milk' is just not true. Having a well balanced diet doesn't include milk from another animal. Even though it's products are totally delicious.
With that in mind, I hope that Ashton's spitting up eases once you find out what it is that's irritating his tummy. My first DD never spit up, so when DD2 was all like the exorcist spit up everywhere, I talked to her pediatrician and we did the elimination diet thing. It wasn't fun, but we found out pretty quickly that dairy was the culprit. The funny part? She is 5 now and obsessed with cheesy foods, they make her fart, but she still thinks farts are pretty funny. So it may not be a permanent diet change, just temporary, and Ash may grow out of his sensitivities. Or it could be reflux! Damn this parenting is complicated and confusing...
My DD and I had latch problems. I also wasn't producing enough milk when I pumped, so my pedi recommended supplementation with formula. I now pump much more, but am still supplementing with formula. DD spit up quite a bit and was very gassy, to the point where she would scream and cry trying to get it out. I didn't matter if it was BM or formula, we'd get the same reactions, so I figure it has to do with the bottle, and not the contents. I also noticed that when she nursed from the bottle, a lot would leak out around her mouth and dribble down her chin. Most feeding sessions she coughs as well while drinking. I was using the level 1 nipples, but thought maybe they were too big and fast for her, so I recently switched to preemie nipples. We have had less spit up and coughing, no dribbling, but I think they might be too slow a flow for her because she seems to get impatient and frustrated while feeding. Anyone have any thoughts or ideas? Is it better to have her a little frustrated with a slower flow, but no coughing and slight spit up, or should I go back to larger nipples and just deal with spit up, dribble, and coughing for a less frustrated baby? Should I switch bottles? I use the Dr. Brown naturals, which is supposed help keep air flow down and be good for spit up and reflux.
@caffeinenut DD was on the super preemie nipples when she was sent home from the NICU. We've since upped her to the regular preemies. I've tried the level 1 nipples twice but both times it has seemed that she was getting a bit too much milk. Luckily she doesn't mind the slower pace with the preemies.
I'm thinking of starting to split her bottles in half, letting her do the level 1 first to get used to it and then finishing with the preemie so she can catch her breath a bit. I looked up paced feeding which is kind of how we're already feeding her, but maybe I need to force her to slow down a bit more with the level 1's.
Re: All Things Feeding
I have IBS and lactose sensitivity, so if I do eat it, it is in very small amounts as to not upset my tummy. I use almond milk. I am thinking it is possible he has a dairy sensitivity too, but even on days when I don't eat dairy he has the same problem. I spit up a lot as a baby and apparently was hungry a lot to where I was nearly inconsolable. I was a small kid too despite eating frequently. But then again...if it is a dairy sensitivity, why does he seem to be doing well on formula that has milk proteins in it? Very strange.
How did you figure out your son had a dairy sensitivity?
@Gizmo1231I think that is strange, too, that he wouldn't spit up as much with the formula as he does with breastmilk. I didn't consider gluten, but gluten is something I ingest everyday. I asked DH what he thought (he's a medic) and he thinks he doesn't spit up the formula as much simply because it's thicker in consistency. He is leaning towards reflux but because Ash was premature I would like to explore everything just in case. I hope it is as "simple" as reflux because the treatment is a lot more straightforward.
Once cutting stuff out of my diet didn't cause enough of an improvement, we decided with his pediatrician to try meds for reflux. She prescribed him Nizatidine and he's been on it for one day. So far, he has improved quite a bit. He has spit up a total of 3 times today (normally it was like 16 times) and is still doing well otherwise. Definitely discuss your options with his doctor and see what they suggest. The med is working for us so far, but I'm sure there are other options if you guys don't want to go that route.
Going to call and move up his appointment.
For general fussiness and gas, I'm finding this little one to be very responsive to baby massage. There's a bunch of youtube videos on techniques if anyone is interested in trying. I don't remember figuring this out with DS or maybe I tried and he didn't respond to it? In any case, this one is totally into it and it really seems to help get the farts and burps out.
Formerly known as Kate08young
August '18 Siggy April Showers:
Married: 7/22/14
Baby L: 8/4/2015 August 2015 Moms
Baby E: 11/18/2016 December 2016 Moms
TTC #3 08/2017 BFP 11/27/2017.
Twin B lost 11/22/2017, Twin A doing well.
Does anyone have advice about engorgement at night? DH has been giving LO a bottle so I can sleep for longer but then I wake up overfull... and I don't want to then have to pump but LO will rarely take from both sides so even after the next feed I'm still uncomfortable.
As a side note- it's been really freeing to set aside mom guilt about nipple confusion or occasional supplementing and just go with the flow. My only expectation of myself right now is to keep baby fed and so far so good! She's also had mainly BM which is a huge difference from DD1... I've been really proud of myself even if I feel like a cow most of the day.
How do you do an elimination diet without hurting your milk?
My sister is allergic to gluten, soy, and dairy and she successfully breastfed three babies. you have to be a little more creative but it's doable, especially for a few weeks.
https://www.breastfeedingonline.com/allergy.shtml#sthash.8THrpwBT.dpbs
I also found good tips on KellyMom! FX its reflux and not allergies!
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@dmontgo I am sure your friend means well, ans while I love dairy products, there really is no need for them in our diet. @gowenc is spot on, it's important to get a well balanced diet with protein, good fats, whole grain carbs, veg, fruit, etc.. Remember, cheese lover here, but the whole 'people need to drink cows milk' is just not true. Having a well balanced diet doesn't include milk from another animal. Even though it's products are totally delicious.
With that in mind, I hope that Ashton's spitting up eases once you find out what it is that's irritating his tummy. My first DD never spit up, so when DD2 was all like the exorcist spit up everywhere, I talked to her pediatrician and we did the elimination diet thing. It wasn't fun, but we found out pretty quickly that dairy was the culprit. The funny part? She is 5 now and obsessed with cheesy foods, they make her fart, but she still thinks farts are pretty funny. So it may not be a permanent diet change, just temporary, and Ash may grow out of his sensitivities. Or it could be reflux! Damn this parenting is complicated and confusing...
I'm thinking of starting to split her bottles in half, letting her do the level 1 first to get used to it and then finishing with the preemie so she can catch her breath a bit. I looked up paced feeding which is kind of how we're already feeding her, but maybe I need to force her to slow down a bit more with the level 1's.