Breastfeeding Tips, Tricks and Good to Know

failuretofly

I thought I'd make a post where all us BFing Mamas can share our BFing knowledge, ask questions and provide support. 

I'll also share a great BFing Facebook group I've been a part of since DS was born. It's full of experienced BFing moms, is relatively uncensored (in a good way), and has lots of Lactation consultants in the group that are happy to help in any way they can. https://www.facebook.com/groups/170367923031896/?fref=nf

Being an active member of the above group for 2 years, there are some common questions and concerns that come up very frequently:

#1 key to breastfeeding and milk supply success is hydration and adequate nutrition. You will hear stories about Gatorade, coconut water, 'the pink drink' from Starbucks or other juices being 'secret supply boosters'... But the actual secret is that these drinks all are very hydrating, contain electrolytes and usually a calorie source. So, the moral is eat enough and drink LOTS of water. I'm talking 1 pint or 500mL every feed, even if you are not thirsty. Just do it. Even in the middle of the night. Get a large water bottle and keep it full in the middle of the night. In these early days with frequent night feedings, also keep snacks nearby. 

#2 99.9% of the time, when moms are concerned they are 'losing their supply' or baby doesn't seem satisfied, it is because baby is going through a growth spurt. They happen regularly, and you will have 24+ hours of baby insisting to be on the boob continuously. This is perfectly normal, as long as baby is making plenty of wet/poopy diapers and gaining weight. Most moms will say 'but she was only eating every 3 hours until today now she won't stop!'. Usually normal!

#3 If you are sick, the BEST thing you can do for baby is keep breastfeeding, ideally AT the breast. This helps you produce antibodies to protect baby and keep him from getting sick too, or in the very least, get a mild case. Just ensure you keep yourself as hydrated as possible in this case. 

#4 MOST medications are safe for breastfeeding. MOST doctors have no idea what medications are actually safe and will suggest you pump & dump to cover their ass. Talk to a CLC, or call a lactation risk hotline like motherisk or lactmed for reference on specific medications. 

lavashiner

Thanks for this! Even though I'm an STM, I'm struggling with BFing right now sure to a shallow latch that I can't correct (or I'm too impatient to correct especially during the middle of the night).

My tip, which I'm doing tomorrow, is to go see the lactation consultant early and often! With DD1, the LC caught a tongue tie and thrush very early on. She also caught an unrelated health issue that my daughter had!

Also, I'm a big believer in oatmeal cookies for milk supply.

Question: I'm pretty engorged, should I pump after feeding? I don't want to trigger over supply, though.

kyrwyn

For Mamas struggling with milk supply, here are the tips we were given when we were testing hypotheses on why my milk was slow to come in (and ultimately didn't):

Supplements to try (get your OB or lactation consultant's advice):
Moringa
Goat's Rue
Fenugreek

Pumping:
Pump 8 - 10 times per day, for about 10-15 min ea. Focus on Frequency, not on output. 
(If feedings are infrequent, pump after every feeding and in-between feedings during the day. Prioritize sleep at night.)
Use the hospital grade pump, not the insurance-provided pump.  Quality varies dramatically between hospital grade, consumer grade, and insurance-provided grade (decreasing in that order).

General advice:
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. (see @failuretofly 's comment above)

Base caloric need + 500 calories for breastfeeding, prioritize extra protein over extra carbs.

Stress reduces milk supply. Try to remain calm (haha).

There are 2 medications to "reboot" milk supply. 1 is easily available in the US, but has a side effect of depression and may not be appropriate for many new moms.  The second is an off-label use and most OBs won't talk about it, but you can find information online.

Resources:
https://kellymom.com/
https://www.lowmilksupply.org/

whiska

I’ve read that if it’s not otherwise indicated, I shouldn’t start pumping until 4-6 weeks because it takes that long to get supply established. The thing is, I would love to have a bottle - just one/day - for H to give him so I can get a longer stretch of sleep. 

How early is too early? Anyone have success with this? What if I used a manual pump to make it less arduous on the boobs, or would we still be worried about nipple confusion this early?  Tia!

ETA I’m 9 days pp. 

failuretofly

@lavashiner @whiska
my opinion is unless you're consistently pumping extra, you're not going to all of a sudden develop problematic oversupply. If you think about it, at this early age the # of feeds baby has per day is variable anyway, so pumping here and there shouldn't be an issue. For me, with DS, regardless of pumping I had mild oversupply, but it was fine. I actually appreciated the fact that I could pump off a bottle here and there without really interfering with his next feed. If you are going to try and introduce a bottle, ensure you use the slowest flow nipple possible so babe has to work for the milk, like they do at the breast, and have whoever is doing the feed do paced feeding. 
https://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/feeding-tools/bottle-feeding/

whiska

What’s everyone’s go to nursing outfit? I’m basically in yoga pants or pajama bottoms 24/7, but I think I need some nursing bras or different tops so I’m not naked from the waist up every 2 dang hours when he eats (I get cold haha). Any recommendations?

sjis

@whiska haven’t given birth yet, but the first time around I lived in a nursing tank top (even slept in them), yoga pants/leggings, and a big fluffy robe or a hoodie. 

ab920

@whiska I introduced the 0m+ nipple (Avent) to both my babies at a week old and never suffered any nipple confusion. I realize every baby is different but this nipple worked for us!

PoeMasque

@whiska we had issues with weight gain and had to supplement with formula until my milk came in. My fiancé has also been doing one or two feeds per day with pumped milk since day 5 (we’ve used avent natural and tomo bottles) with no negative impact on BF. Every baby is different though and I know we are super lucky that he is able to feed both ways with no issue. 

our biggest problem is that DS likes to bite my nipples with his gums while he’s comfort nursing at the end of each feed and it’s causing a lot of pain on my end. I actually need a few feeds off in order to heal a bit. I also have extreme pain for the first 30 seconds of feeding or pumping, which I know can be normal, but yikes!! I have two IBCLC friends who have basically said it will get better in the next few weeks, hoping that’s true! 

tracefacemsu

@whiska my DD has received a bottle since she was a few days old (she is a preemie and was in NICU for 9 days). I was concerned about nipple confusion at first and used an SNS in the beginning, but we haven't had any issues with her at the breast. She's had at least one bottle feed daily since we came home from the hospital, usually DH takes a night feed so I can get a little more sleep. We use the Avent natural bottles with the slow flow 0 nipple.

For nursing clothes, I'm usually wearing yoga or pj pants and nursing tanks or loose/stretchy tanks that I can easily pull down. I bought my first nursing bras when DD was a month old, but only wear them if I'm going out. If I'm staying at home, I'm definitely bra-less!

I asked for some nursing hoodies from Latched Mama for Christmas--hoping Santa comes through, and I can try them out!

rosej156

I am a STM and this is my second time exclusively pumping (I have two VERY inverted nipples). The most annoying thing was trying to convince every nurse at the hospital that EP was my decision and I was not sad about not being able to nurse (Our hospital is very “breast is best”- I’m very fed child is best). 

I pump on average 6-7 times a day for 10-15 minutes a session. I use my insurance issued Medela PISA and it has been great at establishing my supply (the first time I rented a hospital grade pump, symphony, this has been just as good). If you are experiencing any pumping issues of course talk to a LC and check these two things: the size of the cones and the membranes. I use a 21 mm cone and change the memebranes every three months. 

Right now I have an oversupply (I pump 51oz he eats 23oz on average). I am running out of storage space in our mini freezer and our regular freezer -good problem I know. 

My best advice is to do what is best for you, your child, and your family. Breastfeeding is as stressful as it is rewarding (mostly). Take care of yourself. 

Tennis11785

I got nursing bras from cakye off Amazon that I really like. They are technically nursing sleeping bras and they cross in the front, so you just slide them down to nurse.

balletnerd

@abradyw sent you a message:)

Piccola1988

My son nurses like a champ - always hungry and sucks it down like it could be his last meal. However, he’s been using a nipple shield since the hospital and I’m wondering if any of you have had any luck eliminating one.  I don’t have super long nipples, so that was part of it, but he also had a tongue tie which we corrected yesterday (anyone have any experience with that? little man seems in pain and a little traumatized).  Hoping now we’ll be able to ditch the shield - it’s annoying and it makes a mess!

ETA:  The few words of wisdom I can offer after 3 weeks of nursing...
Motherhood Maternity has a decent selection of nursing tops/sweaters/tanks.  I live in those right now because like many of you said, it sucks to have to strip the top half of your body and be cold!
As far as pumping, nipple confusion, and over supply in the beginning, I’m pretty new to this but from what I can see these issues are a bit over hyped.  I recommend you do what works for you and worry less about these things.  The LC in the hospital recommended I pump a little because LO was too sleepy to eat at first, so I’ve been pumping since day 3 and most days H gives the baby one bottle.  We’ve had no issues with nipple confusion - baby knows the difference and makes it clear that he prefers the boob (but will still take the bottle).  I have a bit of an over supply but I think it’s more the result of LO cluster feeding early on than pumping - either way I don’t mind at all that I can pump extra bottles when I need to! IMO that’s more a blessing than a curse!

balletnerd

@Piccola1988 sorry I’m not much help as I’m trying to wean off a nipple shield as well. I have a flat nipple. But the tip I’ve gotten is to start with it, then halfway though remove it and try to latch again. I’ve had luck a few times, but not often. Let me know if you find anything that works! Good luck

tracefacemsu

@Piccola1988 and @balletnerd I used a nippled shield since my DD was in the hospital as well. My nipples are small and DD was 5 and a half weeks early. I weaned her off of it when she was about 6 or 7 weeks, a little bit after her due date.

I did both what balletnerd suggested, as well as the opposite: starting a feed with the bare breast (when she was the most hungry) and then using the shield during the middle of a feed. I felt like starting off with the bare breast worked better when she was more alert, while starting with the shield worked better if she was a little sleepy. When she was sleepy, I would change her diaper in the middle of the feed to wake her up a bit and then take off the shield. I started exclusively nursing with the bare breast after doing that for a couple of weeks.

Every nursing relationship is different so I hope you both figure out something that works! Good luck!

Tennis11785

@Piccola1988 @balletnerd @tracefacemsu I'm also using the nipple shield cause my nipples aren't very long. I'm trying to transition her, but haven't had a ton of success. But I'm still trying. The other tip my Dr gave me (other than trying to remove the shield midway through the feeding) is to pump for 5 minutes first and then try to breast feed. I haven't tried it yet, but some of you might want to try it. 

sjis

I know not many of us are around but I’d like to share my insight on BF with tongue-tie. DD was born with it and I suffered through months of pain and poor latch. Eventually she developed slight difficulties eating because of it. We corrected it around 15 months and it’s been good since. 

So when DS was born I immediately asked if he was tongue-tied/lip-tied and the nurses (even the pediatrician) said it wasn’t too bad. They just nodded and said his latch was good and if he was having good soiled diapers to not worry. The past few weeks I noticed his latch was not good (despite what was said), he was super gassy because he was swallowing so much air, and not emptying the breast enough. I pestered his pediatrician for the ENT and guess what? He said his ties were super tight! Ever since they corrected his ties, BF has been easier, night and day. Anyways, mommas, listen to your instincts. 

balletnerd

@sjis thanks for sharing! I think my LO might have an upper lip tie.. I am thinking. About taking her in soon to have it looked at.