Things to do differently next time

sbuxsweetie

I keep thinking back through what went wrong with BFing this time around, and what I can do differently next time. DS only got about 3.5 weeks worth of BM before we made the switch to formula. These are the things I think caused everything to go downhill:

*I was producing colostrum, but my milk didn't come in for 4 days.

*DS lost so much weight (1 lb, 3 oz) in the first week that pedi said we had to supplement with formula using a syringe.

*I had flat nipples, and DS couldn't latch without the help of a nipple shield. I'm not positive, but I think that may have hurt my supply some.

*My mom, who was a great help to us the first couple weeks, fed DS formula while I napped, and sometimes I didn't BF for 3-4+ hours at a time.

*When I began to pump, my nipples got SUPER irritated and painful.. no matter what size breast shield I tried, my nipples got sucked into the little tube part and were rubbed raw to the point of bleeding.

So, I know that our next baby (which we aren't planning to have for a couple years) could be totally different, but I'm already thinking about how I can avoid the same pitfalls. I know that going to a LC can help- I did go to one with DS, but I only went once and that was before I decided to EP. I probably should have gone back to her until I felt confident about BFing. Also, I'm pretty sure I'll need help (in person) choosing the right breast shield for the pump. Is there anything else I'm missing? I'm sort of thinking "out loud" here, so thanks for listening.

sarahandeddiejune212008

I was also told to supplement w/ formula by the ped.  Now that I'm more educated I know DD was going through a growth spurt, but giving formula totally messed up my supply.  Next time around I will not be giving any formula.

mamaholmes2010

Here is my experience:

*My milk did not come in until 9pm Wed. night (I delivered at 2:06am on Sunday)

*I have extremely large breasts (H cup)which can make finding a nursing position and latching when engorged difficult

*LO was 7lbs 9oz at birth and at his 4 day checkup (Thursday)was down to 6lbs 3oz

*The pedi wanted to supplement with formula

Here is what I did:

*I could tell when my milk came in, even though LO did not want to eat every 2 hours, I stuck to a VERY strict schedule and would wake him up at night to feed even if he didn't wake himself up.

* I used the nurses at the hospital to find the right latch/hold and LO was nursing like a champ when we left the hospital

*Despite his weight loss, I REFUSED to supplement with formula.  I knew my milk had just come in the night before and he would gain his weight back (by 2 weeks he was 9lbs 9oz)

* I did not pump or offer a bottle until 4 weeks PP to make sure my supply was established and to minimize nipple confusion

A lot of sucessful nursing is being educated beforehand. I knew that he would continue to lose weight until my milk came in.  I knew by nursing on a schedule my supply would be ideal and that I should avoid pumping to reduce oversupply issues.  We have been EBF for 5 months and 1 week.  We have not really started solids yet, and my supply is better now than it was when I started.  I work part-time and am able to pump 5-10oz of extra BM a day for my freezer stash and still keep up with 4 5oz bottles per day for the CCP. 

Good Luck next time, I am sure you will be more successful now that you have been through it once and have more knowledge!

Melanie2003

i had trouble bf with #1 and ep'd for 6 mos for her. for #2:

we kept all visitors in the waiting room much longer than the first time, and i took the time to nurse the baby immediately. i didn't care as much that our family was waiting the second time - i let go of that pressure because i felt nursing was more important. and the delivery nurse was awesome in helping me - that was just sheer luck having her assigned to me!

i also requested to friends and family not to visit the hospital - i spent the day alone (dh was at work) and nursed ond emand. it was peaceful and i never felt uncomfortable telling someone to leave so i could nurse, since no one was there. i was thankful that my preference was adhered to. i was home in a day and a half and welcomed visitors then.

i worked with an LC both times (same one). home visits.

i took it one day at a time. it's been 6.5 mos and i still don't look past 1-2 days.

i am more relaxed - if bf doesn't work, formula is fine. i won't beat myself up over it.

good luck!

 

jolynn326

Here was my experience...

I went med-free - who knows if that had an effect on BFing or not (some would say it might). DD was placed on my chest immediately and we BF within that first hour. She roomed in and we BF on demand, regardless of who was there. If they were uncomfortable, they went to the other part of the room, and we closed the curtain. I BF as much as possible in the first hours/days/weeks. To be honest, I didn't really enjoy it; the learning curve was so much greater than I expected!

My milk came in pretty quickly, so I got lucky there; but even if supplementation is necessary, there are ways to do it to support BFing. I can't think of the exact name of it, but it's a tiny tube that goes into LO's mouth while s/he's at the breast suckling. The suckling lets your body know that milk is being demanded; there's no risk of nipple confusion since LO can be latched properly to you; and s/he's still getting the nutrients necessary. I think it's called a SNS or something like that. Even finger feeding is more BFing friendly than bottle feeding, especially in those early days.

I also didn't pump, use a paci, or use a bottle until about 4 weeks PP.

I've heard/read that the first hours/days/weeks are crucial! Dr. Newman's book has been very helpful to me: The Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers.

Good luck!

sbride03

Try to take a day at a time and enjoy your baby now.  I had many issues with DS1 several of which you also had .  I ended up pumping bottles for months and never nursed. I was scared DD2 would be a problem too.  My DD2 nursed right away in the hospital.  We went through a time she did not gain but didn't lose so we supplemented with an ounce of pumped milk after every feed.  I also got a prescription for APNO which helped.  Before DD2 I thought I had done something wrong but I learned the baby has to do with success too.  Good Luck.

sbuxsweetie

Thanks for the responses, ladies. I did wonder if all the meds (Pitocin, IV a/b, epi, narcotics during recovery) had anything to do with my milk coming in late.

I didn't know about the SNS until after my experience. That's definitely something to think about if we need to supplement next time.

However, as one of the PPs said, supplementation isn't always necessary- I should have consulted the LC about that one instead of just doing what the pedi said. I'm new at this parenting thing, but hopefully next time things will go more smoothly.

coey03

I ended up ep'ing for a year and despite working with LC's, got purple blisters on my nipples. I'm really hoping to not EP next time, but am going to try these weird flanges so that I can store some milk. GL next time!

 https://www.pumpinpal.com/