Yup @kissableviv lipstick nipple means he’s compressing it. I have the same thing. It can be a sign of a tongue/lip tie btw but can also just be shallow latch or issue with the suck.
@zande2016 omg I hope it's not tongue/lip tie. He just recently started doing that so I'm thinking he just stopped latching correctly maybe due to the crazy cluster feeding which gets him really agitated when it hits. We'll see what the LC says!
@kbernal2021@zande2016 Yikes, didn’t think of how cracked nipples could lead to mastitis. I’ve got some killer cracks in mine so I think I’d better start being super vigilant about keeping them clean and as dry as possible. I’ve tried free-boobing, but the leaking becomes problematic. I guess I need to stay more on top of changing out my nursing pads. The LC also suggested salt water baths for them for 30-60 seconds three times a day — basically just a pinch of kosher salt and warm water in a shot glass held up to them.
A lot of my optimism from the LC’s visit is wearing off. I just can’t seem to get LO to open wide enough to latch properly. I honestly have the most success when he gets angry and starts screaming because then at least his mouth is open wide and I can kind of shove the boob in. For the life of me, I don’t know how to convince him to open wide otherwise and we get a horrible shallow latch. I honestly don’t know how or why he did it when she was here.
@perhapsitalian I can commiserate on the latch issue. My baby actually has a decent latch but his mouth is just too small for my giant engorged boobs. Anyway, have you tried bringing the baby to the boob instead of boob to baby? I find if I try shoving my boob into his mouth, his reaction is to start closing his mouth. If I wait for him to open and then pull him onto my boob, we get a better latch. Of course you have to get him to open wide first, which can be it’s own challenge. My first physically couldn’t open his mouth wide because his lip and tongue frenulum were too tight. It was beyond frustrating.
@zande2016 Yeah, the LC described “baby-led attachment” and showed me how to let him find his own way to the breast, and I’ve tried recommitting myself to that method since I think there’s a lot of sense to it. This last feed I sort of failed at it though, I think I wasn’t reclining far enough for the “laid back” position and LO kept falling down and so couldn’t seem to make his own way there. Cue screaming followed by boob-shoving. I’m about to wake him for his next feed and we’ll try again.
I hear you on the engorgement, too — that’s what prompted me to start using shields, which worked for a while. These issues have only arisen in the last few days because I’ve been trying to phase the shields out. Fortunately the engorgement has finally died down somewhat and I’m hoping that’ll help as well. It’s so much easier to get a good latch when your boob is somewhat flexible.
@zande2016 my engorgement was super bad the last few days and yesterday I ended up doing skin to skin all day long as a last resort to get some relief. I don’t know what it was about it but I leaked a whole lot and by the end of the day my boobs were only kind of hard. Today they are ALMOST not hard at all. Engorgement is seriously the worst.
@kmac103 hmm that’s interesting, maybe I’ll try that tonight/tomorrow. I think getting iv fluids during labor can contribute to more engorgement. I do not remember it lasting this long last time. It started Tuesday night so I’m going on 48 hours now and I’m so sick of it.
My LO is cluster feeding all day today, I can’t complain since I begged for that to happen during the day instead of in the middle of the night.
Maybe hes increasing my supply or maybe he's going to have a growth spurt (fx) his one month appointment is on Monday and I’m praying he gains as much as possible for that!
For the engorgement- when I had it, I didn’t even know it was from that, I did have a few nights where I slept in t-shirts and no nursing bra- I’d wake up soaking from my boobs, or one side would leak while I fed him on the other side. Now I’m at over 3 weeks and I haven’t had that problem for at least a few days. So maybe that regulates itself.
Baby to boob method- def is the only thing that works for me. Also, try changing position if baby is not latching, and if baby has a bad or painful latch sweep your finger in babies mouth and try to re-latch. (I know all of these are easier said than done) just keep trying and tell yourself that while attempting, the power of positive thinking is so strong. (That’s what’s worked for me)
Hang in there Mama’s we are trying and that’s all that matters!
@zande2016 and @kissableviv I thought that was how you wanted your nipple to look? I only say that because I use NUK bottles and the nipple on those looks that way which they of course say is the best shape, but I had no idea it could mean issues. I’m interested because now i want to know for myself too. I’m glad you’re needing to pump less, @wildtot
if this is your second baby + with your first when you nursed did they go longer for sessions? My twins nurse so much faster that ds1, 10 mins compared to at least 30 with ds1, it’s great!
@crabcake18 I’ve noticed my daughter is nursing WAY faster than her brother did. It is crazy! I nurse her on one side per session and sometimes she literally will nurse for 5 minutes and be done. She’s a week old and already a couple ounces from birth weight! It took her brother a month to gain all his weight back. I’m pretty sure my milk is “thicker” this time, if that makes sense lol I pumped when I was engorged a couple days ago and my milk had a great fat cap on it! With my son it was never so fatty. Maybe our bodies are just more efficient the second time around?? Haha who knows!
@crabcake18 your nipple is supposed to look the same after nursing as it did before. So if baby’s nursing changes the shape when you’re done it’s the sign of latch issue or some other issue. So far baby 2 is definitely a more efficient nurser but #1 for me used a nipple shield so that may be why it took him longer. I’m glad sessions are getting shorter because they’re still hurting me a lot!
The haakaa has been amazing for relieving some of the engorgement discomfort and making it easier to get a good latch! Plus there’s the bonus of being able to have some milk on standby just in case.
@comealongponds my friend got me a Haakaa but I have no clue how to use it. You just reminded me I need to look that up...currently engorged and not loving it.
Anyone else’s little one fighting the nipple when you first start breastfeeding? He fights me and keeps putting his hands in his mouth. It’s super frustrating!
My engorgement has been so out of control the haaka wasn’t cutting it. I had it on for like 5 mins and had an ounce already, and it wasn’t even touching how swollen I was. Yesterday I pumped for just 2-3 mins before and after feeds so baby could latch and I could be more comfortable, and it resulted in about 15 ounces of milk. And that was just to take the edge off. I am so confused by my boobs, why do they think a 5-6 day old baby needs that much milk? It seems to finally be dying down a little, but the damage to my nipples is already done and feeding continues to be torture. I hope the pain subsides before Monday when my H goes back to work, because I really feel like this pain of preventing me from being able to function properly and all I can do is feed baby and focus on breathing through the pain.
@zande2016 holy moly 15 oz!!! That sounds painful. Hope it settles soon!
I started laying down/reclining to feed at night and noticed that Collin releases lots of his gas, poops, and big burps that way. Haven’t had to use the gas drops much since then. Now if only he would stop detaching and bobbing around.
+1 for hands in the mouth instead of on the boob. I’m like girl, I know you are hungry! Ugh. Engorgement continues though not near as bad. I’m over this pain for reals. I just pushed out a baby. This is insult to injury!
LO has a harder time latching one one side than the other. Definitely a fight to get her hands out of the way. When do babies start to get gas pain? She’s been getting fussy today after only about an hour of feeding. Not sure if it’s gas or cluster feeding/growth spurt. She’s 6 days old.
Also, do you try to get baby to relatch on the same boob after they pop off before switching? How do you know when they’re really done?
TTC History:
Me: 36 H: 40 Married 2015. Together since 2010. TTC: Sept 2016-Oct 2017 BFP Oct 2017. DD born July 2018. TTC: March 2020. BFP March 2020 Due date was Nov 2020 DS born Sept 2020. DS passed away Nov 2020 due to prematurity and birth trauma. TTC: March 2021 IUI #1 Nov 2021, BFN IUI #2 Dec 2021 BFP. MC Jan 2022 IUI #3 Aug 2022 BFN IUI #4 Sept 2022 BFN AMH test came back at .081. Was going to move on to IVF with DE, but have decided not to. Will be leaving it up to the universe now.
@wildtot tell me more about your reclining positions. I want to try!
I pretty much I just lay on two pillows and have him tummy to tummy on me (upright if i were sitting). It’s also kinda helped my letdown so it’s not so strong (gravity?)
LO is two weeks old now. In the hospital we were able to get a good latch and successfully feed a handful of times....and then it was very obvious we had a lazy eater...3 LCs, some nipple shields, a hangry baby, and numerous syringe feedings later...we have come to the conclusion of exclusively pumping. Although it wasn't what I had planned, it is working out well for both of us. I am excited to try some of the nipple creams you ladies have recommended. Mine aren't too bad yet, but are getting a little tender from the constant pumping schedule. The hardest part of pumping for me so far has been feeding him and then also staying up to pump afterwards. Definitely is taking twice as much time compared to just BFing or formula feeding. The best thing about pumping is getting an excellent head start on a milk supply for when I return to work. I think I'm an oversupplier so far and have already started running out of freezer space. Luckily we have a deep freezer also. It is also nice to have the flexibility of someone else feeding him his bottle if they want. I think it's really helped my fiance feel more involved and helpful.
For all you other pumping mamas- I also like the Lansinoh milk bags compared to the Medela. A hands free pumping bra is 100% a necessity in my book. And to help pass the time while pumping and get a little more familiar with the territory, I've been watching all the YouTube videos i can find about pumping.
Also +1 for the occasional random fussiness right after eating...I'm thinking it's gas but have been reluctant to give him gripe water so far because the lowest dosage is for 2 weeks old. We just hit 2 weeks though so I was going to try tomorrow. Crossing my fingers that it helps a little.
I have a new annoying bf "symptom" I feel some stinging in my breasts after I BF but not during...please tell me it's not a sign of mastitis! I am getting a second flow of milk after it came initially so I don't know if it's that. It pretty much goes away with a warm compress and it's not really painful but it's a new thing and I'm concerned! I don't really feel it while breastfeeeding.
+1 for the crazy bobbing and hands in the mouth. Sometimes it takes me 10 min to get him on finally even though he's hungry!
Eta: I've randomly tried the laid back position today and I liked it.
@rachelsogo when my 2.5 yo was a newborn I would switch him to the other side when he came off. He started spitting up a lot and being fussy after that and I realised he wasn’t getting the hindmilk that he needed. I started nursing from one side each nursing session after that. So, if he was still actively nursing and just happened to pop off, I would put him back. If he fell asleep and stopped suckling but woke up after a bit and wanted to nurse still I would switch sides. I am doing this with DD now and so far it’s going well. As far as knowing if they are really done, I just follow her cues! If she unlatches and is half asleep with milk dripping down her face, I assume she’s done lol It’s not a foolproof way to do it but it seems to be right most of the time
My baby keeps unlatching pretty frequently during feedings, I am pretty sure the flow is too fast for him so his response is to unlatch. He’s also biting down to try to slow down the flow, and leaning back/reclining doesn’t seem to be helping. So engorgement is getting better but nursing is still painful because now we have constant latching and relatching plus biting/compressing. Ughhh
@rachelsogo I definitely think babies can get gas pain pretty early on after birth. My DD also was experiencing some and I could tell because she would bring her legs up as a sign of discomfort, would be fussy and as soon as she released the gas or pooped she acted like her problems were all solved. As far as feedings go, I also follow babies cues for nursing. When she unlatches and falls asleep at the breast to the point of no waking up I will burp and change and then offer the other side. If shes only nursed on that side for 10 minutes or less then I'll offer the same side. For me this works but DD usually only cares to nurse about 10-15 minutes per side anyway.
@kissableviv could that be a let down? That sounds like what I feel too and I assume it’s a let down- it usually happens though when it’s time to feed again
@julianne0 no idea! But I'm glad I'm not the only one haha seriously this thread has been LIFE for these forst few weeks as I navigate this BF thing.
In other news, we introduced the dreaded bottle today! I pumped first thing and I was able to pump 3.5 oz in 15 minutes. DH gave Milo the bottle right after and we fed him 2oz. He sort of pushed it away at first because he was hungry and he thought it was the pacifier but then he took it like a champ. He's got a big belly and he is fairly chill ATM...
Hi ladies! So excited to be joining this thread now that I’ve delivered. My status right now is we are 72 hours post delivery, feeding on demand that range from 10minutes to 35 minutes and have had 2 nights now if cluster feeding.
olivia has lost .07oz since birth but i believe today is the first day the transitional milk has come in. I’m fuller, have seen the liquid go from clear and thick to more of a yellow/white and thinner.
We are still working on that perfect latch. The first several feedings were on a shallow latch and that caused a lot of tender nipples and scabbing, now making feeding a little painful for the first minute or two.
looking forward to catching up on the last few pages of dialogue!
Plus 1 to this thread being super helpful! So after a couple weeks of nipples not being painful they are super sensitive the last week. I have NO idea what changed, but I looked and am now pretty sure LO has a lip tie... I will see a LC consultant Wed so hopefully she can help me decide if it needs to get fixed or not.
Me: 31 DH: 34 Married: April 2016 TTC December 2016 BFP 2/28/17 // CP 3/1/17 MFI Diagnosis: Aug 2017 BFP 11/1/17 // DS born 6/18 TTC January 2019 BFP 3/21/19 // D&C (MMC) 5/8/19
Yeah the bottle didn't cut it. We gave him 3.5 oz in two parts and he's wanted the boob 1 hour later. He also accidentally attacked my right nipple and now I have a big bruise,ugh!!!
For those introducing a bottle, how many oz are you feeding? I thought the quantity I used was enough But maybe he wanted more.
@kissableviv 3 oz for his age sounds right to me, but if he’s having a growth spurt it’s reasonable for him to want more an hour later. My first never really took more than 4 oz per feeding when he had bottles, even when he was 6 months and older. The milk changes to meet their nutritional needs without needing more volume. Pretty cool! Just make sure you’re pace feeding with the bottle.
@kissableviv i kinda gage it by how much he eats on the boob and how empty i feel. I can pump about 2.5 on each side so i generally would start with 2-3oz. A lot of my stash is also separated into 2 oz to make things easier. With DS i increased oz following his cues once he was older. Maybe it’s the nipple flow? I would say that 4 oz is more than enough to fill baby. I wouldn’t go past that this early on.
@zande2016 any breaks in between? We just started on the third boob? We did both until she popped off, about 30 mins total, then she kept rootin around so I put her back on the first boob
TTC History:
Me: 36 H: 40 Married 2015. Together since 2010. TTC: Sept 2016-Oct 2017 BFP Oct 2017. DD born July 2018. TTC: March 2020. BFP March 2020 Due date was Nov 2020 DS born Sept 2020. DS passed away Nov 2020 due to prematurity and birth trauma. TTC: March 2021 IUI #1 Nov 2021, BFN IUI #2 Dec 2021 BFP. MC Jan 2022 IUI #3 Aug 2022 BFN IUI #4 Sept 2022 BFN AMH test came back at .081. Was going to move on to IVF with DE, but have decided not to. Will be leaving it up to the universe now.
@rachelsogo he did both sides, then took a 20 minute break before wanting more. since then he’s been alternating sides every 20 minutes or so and falling asleep in between. It’s exhausting and making me so hungry!
Re: Breastfeeding/pumping support 7/6
A lot of my optimism from the LC’s visit is wearing off. I just can’t seem to get LO to open wide enough to latch properly. I honestly have the most success when he gets angry and starts screaming because then at least his mouth is open wide and I can kind of shove the boob in. For the life of me, I don’t know how to convince him to open wide otherwise and we get a horrible shallow latch. I honestly don’t know how or why he did it when she was here.
I hear you on the engorgement, too — that’s what prompted me to start using shields, which worked for a while. These issues have only arisen in the last few days because I’ve been trying to phase the shields out. Fortunately the engorgement has finally died down somewhat and I’m hoping that’ll help as well. It’s so much easier to get a good latch when your boob is somewhat flexible.
Kylie M.
Baby #1 Born 12.16.2015
Baby #2 Due 7.13.2018
Maybe hes increasing my supply or maybe he's going to have a growth spurt (fx) his one month appointment is on Monday and I’m praying he gains as much as possible for that!
For the engorgement- when I had it, I didn’t even know it was from that, I did have a few nights where I slept in t-shirts and no nursing bra- I’d wake up soaking from my boobs, or one side would leak while I fed him on the other side. Now I’m at over 3 weeks and I haven’t had that problem for at least a few days. So maybe that regulates itself.
Baby to boob method- def is the only thing that works for me. Also, try changing position if baby is not latching, and if baby has a bad or painful latch sweep your finger in babies mouth and try to re-latch. (I know all of these are easier said than done) just keep trying and tell yourself that while attempting, the power of positive thinking is so strong. (That’s what’s worked for me)
Hang in there Mama’s we are trying and that’s all that matters!
if this is your second baby + with your first when you nursed did they go longer for sessions? My twins nurse so much faster that ds1, 10 mins compared to at least 30 with ds1, it’s great!
Kylie M.
Baby #1 Born 12.16.2015
Baby #2 Due 7.13.2018
Also me this morning: what's that wet feeling on my chest, oh yeah, I'm leaking!
Lol
Anyone else’s little one fighting the nipple when you first start breastfeeding? He fights me and keeps putting his hands in his mouth. It’s super frustrating!
I washed my haaka 3 days ago with the intent to use it for leaks and it's still sitting on the drying rack. Fail.
I started laying down/reclining to feed at night and noticed that Collin releases lots of his gas, poops, and big burps that way. Haven’t had to use the gas drops much since then. Now if only he would stop detaching and bobbing around.
Kylie M.
Baby #1 Born 12.16.2015
Baby #2 Due 7.13.2018
When do babies start to get gas pain? She’s been getting fussy today after only about an hour of feeding. Not sure if it’s gas or cluster feeding/growth spurt. She’s 6 days old.
Also, do you try to get baby to relatch on the same boob after they pop off before switching? How do you know when they’re really done?
TTC: Sept 2016-Oct 2017
BFP Oct 2017. DD born July 2018.
TTC: March 2020. BFP March 2020
Due date was Nov 2020
DS born Sept 2020. DS passed away Nov 2020 due to prematurity and birth trauma.
TTC: March 2021
IUI #1 Nov 2021, BFN
IUI #2 Dec 2021 BFP. MC Jan 2022
IUI #3 Aug 2022 BFN
IUI #4 Sept 2022 BFN
AMH test came back at .081. Was going to move on to IVF with DE, but have decided not to. Will be leaving it up to the universe now.
LO is two weeks old now. In the hospital we were able to get a good latch and successfully feed a handful of times....and then it was very obvious we had a lazy eater...3 LCs, some nipple shields, a hangry baby, and numerous syringe feedings later...we have come to the conclusion of exclusively pumping. Although it wasn't what I had planned, it is working out well for both of us. I am excited to try some of the nipple creams you ladies have recommended. Mine aren't too bad yet, but are getting a little tender from the constant pumping schedule. The hardest part of pumping for me so far has been feeding him and then also staying up to pump afterwards. Definitely is taking twice as much time compared to just BFing or formula feeding. The best thing about pumping is getting an excellent head start on a milk supply for when I return to work. I think I'm an oversupplier so far and have already started running out of freezer space. Luckily we have a deep freezer also. It is also nice to have the flexibility of someone else feeding him his bottle if they want. I think it's really helped my fiance feel more involved and helpful.
For all you other pumping mamas-
I also like the Lansinoh milk bags compared to the Medela. A hands free pumping bra is 100% a necessity in my book. And to help pass the time while pumping and get a little more familiar with the territory, I've been watching all the YouTube videos i can find about pumping.
Also +1 for the occasional random fussiness right after eating...I'm thinking it's gas but have been reluctant to give him gripe water so far because the lowest dosage is for 2 weeks old. We just hit 2 weeks though so I was going to try tomorrow. Crossing my fingers that it helps a little.
+1 for the crazy bobbing and hands in the mouth. Sometimes it takes me 10 min to get him on finally even though he's hungry!
Eta: I've randomly tried the laid back position today and I liked it.
Kylie M.
Baby #1 Born 12.16.2015
Baby #2 Due 7.13.2018
As far as feedings go, I also follow babies cues for nursing. When she unlatches and falls asleep at the breast to the point of no waking up I will burp and change and then offer the other side. If shes only nursed on that side for 10 minutes or less then I'll offer the same side. For me this works but DD usually only cares to nurse about 10-15 minutes per side anyway.
In other news, we introduced the dreaded bottle today! I pumped first thing and I was able to pump 3.5 oz in 15 minutes. DH gave Milo the bottle right after and we fed him 2oz. He sort of pushed it away at first because he was hungry and he thought it was the pacifier but then he took it like a champ. He's got a big belly and he is fairly chill ATM...
olivia has lost .07oz since birth but i believe today is the first day the transitional milk has come in. I’m fuller, have seen the liquid go from clear and thick to more of a yellow/white and thinner.
We are still working on that perfect latch. The first several feedings were on a shallow latch and that caused a lot of tender nipples and scabbing, now making feeding a little painful for the first minute or two.
looking forward to catching up on the last few pages of dialogue!
TTC December 2016
BFP 2/28/17 // CP 3/1/17
MFI Diagnosis: Aug 2017
BFP 11/1/17 // DS born 6/18
TTC January 2019
BFP 3/21/19 // D&C (MMC) 5/8/19
For those introducing a bottle, how many oz are you feeding? I thought the quantity I used was enough
But maybe he wanted more.
TTC: Sept 2016-Oct 2017
BFP Oct 2017. DD born July 2018.
TTC: March 2020. BFP March 2020
Due date was Nov 2020
DS born Sept 2020. DS passed away Nov 2020 due to prematurity and birth trauma.
TTC: March 2021
IUI #1 Nov 2021, BFN
IUI #2 Dec 2021 BFP. MC Jan 2022
IUI #3 Aug 2022 BFN
IUI #4 Sept 2022 BFN
AMH test came back at .081. Was going to move on to IVF with DE, but have decided not to. Will be leaving it up to the universe now.
minute break before wanting more. since then he’s been alternating sides every 20 minutes or so and falling asleep in between. It’s exhausting and making me so hungry!