I've been having troubles since the beginning when my little on lost over the recommended amount of birth weight. I've had to supplement - and now that he's 4 weeks old I've only been supplementing him with 2 oz once a day instead of 3 times a day. He was slightly above his birth weight 2 weeks ago. My concern is that I just watched a video of what a good feed looks like (you may have noticed my post a couple down from this one) and I can honestly say that he only sucks-pauses-swallows steadily for 2 minutes before he nibbles - and I usually struggle with him after the 2 minutes for about an hour. So now I'm horribly worried that he'll have lost weight at his doctors appointment tomorrow. I'm so anxious and sad and disappointed with my boobs since I've been told several times that his latch is good. Any advice? I'm so sad and I'm about to cry.
Re: Feeling very discouraged with breastfeeding... I'm so sad.
I'd suggest going to exclusive pumping..
DD was a very (well still is) sleepy/lazy eater and even now with a bottle I have to constantly wiggle it or pull on it when she eats because she'll just doze off.. And she wasnt eating enough when I was BF her jaundice levels went way up and she had to return for billi light treatment at 5 days old..(I didnt have a weight issue though)
Anyway! point is..I EP now with some night time supplements and its a LOT less stressful as I know how much she's getting and can make sure she's gaining her weight and eating properly..It was a huge weight lifted since during BF since she was lazy she would latch then drop then scream because she was hungry and repeat.
But if you really want to stick to from the "tap" feeding I'd ask an LC and see what you can work out.
I COMPLETELY disagree except for the part about talking to a LC. I am glad the this poster found what worked for her family but if you want to nurse your child you can do it. It was at about two and a half weeks when I talked to a lactation consultant that I found through the LLL.org. She was so calm and reassuring it was so helpful. She really talked me down off the cliff of being stressed out, sleep deprived and feeling like a failure who was also starving her child out of stubbornness (I wasn't but my thoughts were going to crazy places). She explained things to me, gave me tips, and just listened and spoke in a calm knowledgeable voice. The next day she came to my house and watched me feed my son and was further encouraging and reassuring. She was not a boob nazi or pushy or any of the other stereo types I had heard.
Many of to La Leche leaders will talk your call 24 hours a day if you are freaking out and need support. I really hope that you can take a breath and just go one feeding at a time. Even if the dr. recommends increasing the amount you are supplementing don't worry it will still be possible get on track and transition to exclusively breast feeding.
After meeting with the LC it still took me until about 3 months to really feel like we were all together in the nursing department but it got better every day.
If you want to do this YOU CAN DO IT!!
I also disagree with this post. As many long time EPers (and women who pump at work) will tell you, straight BFing is a lot easier in the long run. During the first 6 weeks BFing can be/usually is very demanding and pumping can be a good short term solution. In some cases it's the only solution, and that's okay. But most pumpers would agree that they'd rather just have been able to BF.
I wouldn't worry too much that your LO doesn't look just like the video. Every child is different and he may be getting enough milk in his own way. Hope your LOs weight gain is good and you can start to relax a little!
DS and I had a rough start too - especially with initial weight loss and then not gaining any weight, just maintaining until he was 6 weeks old.
I would change him, BF, frantically pump while he cat napped for a little, try to eat something myself before he woke up and then give him a bottle of EBM - whatever I had just pumped, even if it was .5 oz. It really helped my supply and I was able to see that he was at least getting some BM. I'm happy to say that at his 6 week weight check and his 2 month appointment he was steadily gaining. My point is that even if you don't think you are getting much with pumping, I would keep up trying to nurse him and then pump and supplement with a bottle of EBM. It will help your supply and your stress level. Some people kept making me feel like I was starving DS because he was sucking down whatever we would give him in a bottle. If he has wet/dirty diapers and is alert and happy (at times!) ...then you are not starving him!
You are doing great! Good luck!
Happy Birthday, little man. We love you so much!
My favorite money saving tip: I've earned more than $300 in gift cards (Amazon, Starbucks, Southwest!) using SwagBucks for internet searching - and you can too! It's FREE and EASY!
I can totally relate. My LO was below his birthweight until Wednesday when we had him weighed. For about 4-5 days last week, I supplemented about 8 oz of formula a day in order to get him to gain weight. I am down to 2 oz right now and feeding, pumping, taking supplements, etc. It is quite a bit of work. We think that LO wasnt' fully empyting me and thus my supply is lower than it should be. He is a lazy little nurser!
His latch is good, too.
I met with a LC at the hospital last week and have been doing what she said. I have been doing breast massage during feeding (massage milk toward your nipple, being careful not to ruin their latch). At the beginning of most feedings, I center LO. Basically, hold him in between my breasts so he is upright, his head under my chin. This is skin to skin. Hold his bottom only, so his head is free. Then, he will start to bob his head and eventually fall toward your breast. This helps get both of you ready to feed and really helps your let-down (have a burp cloth or towel under your breast that you are not feeding from. you may leak). This allows the feeding to get off on the right foot. Then, with the breast massage, your LO will hopefully start to chow down for a while longer than he currently does.
I have shed many a tear over my failed boobs. Don't worry. It will come together and you will be fine. Keep trying, dear!