Successful bfer's please help!

Shannonfitz83@yahoo.com · June 2009

---I posted this on the breastfeeding board too, just looking for as much advice as possible!

Hi Ladies! My DD is 3w3d today and we're in a vicious feeding cycle and need help!!

In the hospital and for the first few days she ate from the 'source' very well, gained weight, etc. My DH really enjoys feeding her so I've been pumping and he's been giving her a bottle every so often since we came home.

After a few days she started to freak out when I'd put her to the boob, shaking her head, screaming her face off, etc. So, we'd give her a bottle of pumped bm to calm her. Sometimes after a bit of milk she'll go back to the boob but it's not happening much now. This is where the vicious cycle starts... she gets a bottle then I get her to sleep and then pump and by the time I get done pumping she's awake again... and when I try to put her back to the boob even if she sucks a few times she doesn't get anything and then begins to freak out again.

We do have glimmers of hope here and there and I really, really want to get the hang of it before I go back to work in Sept. We've had an LC out to the house once and I'm going to call her back if we don't get it this week. She gave us a nipple shield that she sometimes takes to (it works better if I have time to pump a little and get the shield full of milk) but then this morning she took the nipple for a few minutes with no shield.

I just feel so discouraged! Any advice? Sorry this ended up being so long - tia!

eminbmore · June 2009

IMO, you should stop trying to pump. It's nice that your DH likes to feed her - and very sweet - but it's causing problems. I wasn't able to actually start really pumping until DS was two months old, for the very reasons you're describing - as soon as I'd pump, DS would wake up and want to eat.

babyminded · June 2009

I'd be curious what else the LC said, but I would almost thing it would be best to take the bottle away for a while in case this is nipple confusion. BF can take some work, but it is definately worth it IMHO.

Savara07 · June 2009

I think 3 weeks is when there is a growth spurt, I remember DS used to get pissed off at the boob during growth spurts because he wasn't getting enough, fast enough. Hang in there mama!

Miss.Modular · June 2009

uhh stop pumping for a couple of weeks. case solved.

JLS0320 · June 2009

To be honest I would stop giving the bottle until you get the breast down well again. You may have a fast let down, DS screams at my left breast sometimes when it starts gushing, other times he's fine.

~Soleil~ · June 2009

I was told by the pedi that when using the bottle, to use the playtex brown nipples that are more like the actual nipple. Also are you using a slow flow nipple? It seems like like your LO is not having to work for the milk from the bottle.

Fish4Fun · June 2009

Hmm, this is not helpful at all, but typically don't "they" recommend that you hold off on bottle feeding until 4 weeks to prevent nipple confusion? I don't know if that is what's happening.

I would definitely call the LC again.

freeburger16 · June 2009

It sounds like she is getting frustrated at the boob, maybe because its easier to get milk from the bottle than the breast.

I agree with PP - stop using the bottle for now if you can, wait a few more weeks until breastfeeding is better established.

GL!

LittleEgypt · June 2009

Miss.Modular:

uhh stop pumping for a couple of weeks. case solved.

Yes, and put her to the boob as much as she wants. If it is indeed a growth spurt, then that will help up your supply to match her demand.

kada626 · June 2009

if you are pumping & then putting the baby on your boob to eat, she probably isn't getting enough flow and she is getting frustrated. Babies don't want to work hard for their milk.

can you take a break from pumping for awhile? or just limit your pumping? the only time I ever pump was right after a feeding(& only up to 10 mins) to increase my milk or if my dd was taking a previously made bottle I would pump that session while she ate from the bottle.

It sounds like pumping just to make a bottle for your dh is kinda doing more harm then good. good luck!

Donny-stfu · June 2009

eminbmore:
IMO, you should stop trying to pump. It's nice that your DH likes to feed her - and very sweet - but it's causing problems. I wasn't able to actually start really pumping until DS was two months old, for the very reasons you're describing - as soon as I'd pump, DS would wake up and want to eat.

Exactly what I was going to say.

tuxcat · June 2009

FWIW, my LO is going through a crazy growth spurt right now. he'll feed, and then want to feed again an hour or even a half hour later.I know you're frustrated and it's CRAZY with an unhappy newborn in the house, but I'm right there with you...

it also increases your supply (BF is suppy and demand, right?)

So I agree with PP - I'd pump less (even though it's nice that DH wants to fed the LO) and make sure you're using a slow flow nipple when you do use a bottle. My LC recommended playtex naturalatch - slow flow - with the drop-in's.

Shannonfitz83@yahoo.com · June 2009

Thanks ladies.. seems like there is a consensus I need to stop pumping... which is fiiiiiiine by me! I also called the lc again so, we'll see!

Thanks again!

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