- Pregnancy
- Baby & Toddler
- Parents
- Getting Pregnant
- Baby Names
- Product Reviews
-
Registry
- Community
-
More
Want a personalized experience?
Download the free app
Breastfeeding
FTM EB Question....please help!
I have some questions on pumping but thought I would give you a summary of whats gone on up till now. Excuse the length of this post, I'm just concerned and worried I'm not gonna have enough BM for DD.
My DD (FTM) will be 8 wks on Wed, and I go back to work in 2 weeks. My husband is going to be a SAHD and I EB so I am starting to build up my freezer stash to have some for bottles while I am at work. (I am thinking that he will need to give her at least 2, maybe 3 bottles while I am at work. I am only 10 minutes away and will be coming home for lunch daily. I will be pumping in the morning and afternoon at work, which I hope will give me the bottles for the next day.)
We have had some issues between my flat nipples and DD not latching easily and use a nip shield almost 100% of the time. We took her for a weight check this week, and at 6.5 wks she was 8-9 ( she was born 7-11 and got back to birth weight at 3 wks). On the small side, but within the acceptable range, so I think she is getting enough food.
The LC suggested to help build my stash, after DD is finished with one side (she nurses from one side per feeding) to pump that breast to make sure she got everything (and feed her that then to make sure she is getting the hindmilk) and then pump the other side for the freezer. Then repeat at every feeding switching sides.
I did this the afternoon we got home, got 3 oz from the side I didn't nurse and maybe 1/4 oz from the side I nursed. When it was time for the next feeding (which is about every 2-2.5 hrs) it seemed like DD emptied that side quickly and was still hungry. It made it seem like my boob hadn't "filled back up" from pumping so much the previous session. Is this possible? I hate to feel like I'm depleting my body just to store some for future when she might not be getting enough now.
So I stopped doing the pumping at every session and now pump in the morning after her first feeding and at night before bed, and am only getting about 2-4 oz per day total. Maybe she's taking more from the boob or my supply has tanked. Will pumping eventually make me produce more? How long should it take? Anyone else worry like this with the first BF baby??
Thanks so much, I appreciate any advice or helpful hints.
My DD (FTM) will be 8 wks on Wed, and I go back to work in 2 weeks. My husband is going to be a SAHD and I EB so I am starting to build up my freezer stash to have some for bottles while I am at work. (I am thinking that he will need to give her at least 2, maybe 3 bottles while I am at work. I am only 10 minutes away and will be coming home for lunch daily. I will be pumping in the morning and afternoon at work, which I hope will give me the bottles for the next day.)
We have had some issues between my flat nipples and DD not latching easily and use a nip shield almost 100% of the time. We took her for a weight check this week, and at 6.5 wks she was 8-9 ( she was born 7-11 and got back to birth weight at 3 wks). On the small side, but within the acceptable range, so I think she is getting enough food.
The LC suggested to help build my stash, after DD is finished with one side (she nurses from one side per feeding) to pump that breast to make sure she got everything (and feed her that then to make sure she is getting the hindmilk) and then pump the other side for the freezer. Then repeat at every feeding switching sides.
I did this the afternoon we got home, got 3 oz from the side I didn't nurse and maybe 1/4 oz from the side I nursed. When it was time for the next feeding (which is about every 2-2.5 hrs) it seemed like DD emptied that side quickly and was still hungry. It made it seem like my boob hadn't "filled back up" from pumping so much the previous session. Is this possible? I hate to feel like I'm depleting my body just to store some for future when she might not be getting enough now.
So I stopped doing the pumping at every session and now pump in the morning after her first feeding and at night before bed, and am only getting about 2-4 oz per day total. Maybe she's taking more from the boob or my supply has tanked. Will pumping eventually make me produce more? How long should it take? Anyone else worry like this with the first BF baby??
Thanks so much, I appreciate any advice or helpful hints.
Grace Mae
June 8, 2011
7 lbs 11 oz
20 1/2 inches
She had my heart before I met her.
This discussion has been closed.
Re: FTM EB Question....please help!
I would go back to pumping both sides after each feeding. You body will start to produce more milk if there is more demand. The more you pump the more you will get. If your baby still seems hungry after finishing the first breast then offer the second. After she's done pump both sides, top her up with some hind milk if she wants it.
You may want to start increasing your supply. There is a lot you can do to help with this. Eat oatmeal, try lactation cookies, drink lots of water, powerpumping, fenugreek.
Just keep on pumping! When you think you have done enough pumping, pump some more! If your baby is going through a growth spurt you may find you don't pump as much because she is drinking more. Keep pumping and you will make more.