- Pregnancy
- Baby & Toddler
- Parents
- Getting Pregnant
- Baby Names
- Product Reviews
-
Registry
- Community
-
More
Want a personalized experience?
Download the free app
Parenting after a Loss
BF'ing issues continue - starting to supplement, and long
Well, I've only posted here once so far since I left PgAL, but I made mention a few days ago of some issues BF'ing. As far as I knew, my major issue was DD being really slow when it came to nursing, and seeming insatiable for about 24 hours.
I went to the pediatrician on Friday, and it turns out that she has not gotten back up to her birth weight, and it is almost 2 weeks since we left the hospital. She has technically gained 2 oz., but she will still be behind the curve by the time Tuesday (the 2 week mark) rolls around. When I went to the pediatrician, I felt like I had a good milk supply. After her little cluster feedings on Wednesday, it felt like I had more of a milk supply. She had been making plenty of dirty and wet diapers, and there are stretches were she would seem satisfied, and sleep for 4 hours. The ped recommended supplementing her with formula after feedings, if she was taking the supplement, and then recommended a weight check midweek. Well, she took the formula the second time that I offered it to her, and has been taking it almost every time since.
I went to the LC at the hospital today, and she thought that her latch was decent, despite the fact that she was sort of slow to nurse. When we weighed her after the feeding, it turned out that she only took 1 oz. in 40 minutes! So the problem was diagnosed as poor milk production, for the moment.
It's kind of hard to believe. I have dirty diapers all of the time, and it seems like I am always leaking milk, etc, but the numbers don't lie. I am supposed to be vigilant about my water consumption, eat plenty of calories, and pump at least 4 times a day. The LC also thought that I should supplement but she wants me to use a syringe and a feeding tube to supplement rather than a bottle. (I am already using nipple shields.) Honestly, this takes an extra pair of hands, and I am not sure that I can manage that at 2 am.
Then, to make matters more complicated, DD has started having some mild diarrhea as of this afternoon. It's nothing that's out of control, but there is definitely some frank mucus there, and if she were one of my canine patients, I would call it a colitis. I am guessing that the formula is something that is causing a bit of an intolerance, but I am reluctant to switch formulas without seeing the ped first.
This whole fiasco is not making these first few weeks any easier!
At least, DH is home with me for a full day tomorrow before his work week starts again. It makes me want to cry when he leaves, so it's such a relief when he's around.
Warning
No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
This discussion has been closed.
Re: BF'ing issues continue - starting to supplement, and long
so sorry that you're having a rough time
.
Surgery for ectopic pregnancy June 3, 2008
******
BFP #2 September 25, 2008
Baby boy born June 4, 2009 at 40 weeks
8 pounds 13 ounces and 23 inches
******
BFP #3 February 6, 2011
First U/S February 25, 2011 = TWINS!!!
Boy/girl twins born October 4, 2011
Hang in there mamma! You've got to do what 's best for LO and what feels right to you. BF is not easy especially in the beginning.
I'm hesitant to offer yo advice b/c I am not sure if you are asking for it or just needed to vent and I am sensitive to people having different viewpoints with BF.
Here if you need support!
BTW: I cried the first day DH went back- I was so sad and scared at the same time. It get's so much easier. I actually love our alone time together now- you kind of get into a rhythm with eachother and it's nice...trust me!
Advice is always welcome. I am going to try to stick this out, and do what is recommended for a while longer. But if DD continues to have weight issues, or if I end up supplementing more than she is getting from me on a regular basis, then I may throw in the towel. Like I said, I'm giving it a little while longer, but it's really stressing me out!
I am def not an expert but I think you have to consider...
She isn't losing weight, she is gaining and she has plenty of wet diapers. We were in a situation where LO actually lost weight and while it was troublesome- pedi did not recommend supplementing yet b/c she said "babies are not machines, you can't always expect them to have a given output" and wanted to give her a little more time (2 wks) to make sure she didn't lose anymore. I too had wet diapers...
I think if anything you should supplement with the BM you are pumping- I think you said you are pumping too. And jest keep nursing- if she has a good latch and your milk supply is good it will work itself out.
It is stressful- but the beginning is the hardest- trying to get in tune to each other. It's a process and if you hang in there you will see in no time it becomes easier and easier. At the same time- if you have to FF and that's what LO needs and you feel is right for her then that's what you need to do and stop the mommy guilt.
Like I said- hang in there mamma- you are doing GREAT!
Im sorry you are having issues..
It was really hard for me the first 8 wks or so.. But now she is a nursing pro....
I can tell you I supplement Hannah occasionally with formula and I had to switch to a soy one because she was not tolerating the regular formula.. It wasnt a big deal and I just tried something new.. I am using the Similac Sensitive for Spit up right now and it works great.. The regular similac she couldnt tolerate..
I couldnt use the nipple shields either (they told me to at the hospital) but they were more harm than help really and kept her from latching right. Have you tried without the shields?
If you want to try that Mothers Milk Tea I have some I would be happy to get to you.. I tried it but dont need it because my milk production is back up! Text me if you want to try it I can drop it off to you (since you live so close).. Bread Co is not far away..
I hope things get better for you soon girl. BF'ing is real tough in the beginning but once you both get the hang of it it will be better. You are doing great!
sorry about how rough this is going... I would check with the LC again - maybe she has a shortened frenulum (tongue-tie)? or, she may just be very slow - enjoying her meal... if you're determined to BF without supplementing, just keep offering, back and forth, and if you want to increase supply, switch boobs, 10/10/10 so you'll get another letdown, which means baby gets more milk, and your body "hears" that there's more demand, which will cue to make more.. don't do this for more than a day or so, it will probably cause a fore/hind imbalance, but it will increase your supply..
and if you're OK with supplementing, then it's all ok, and enjoy your healthy little girl!
6 Sept 2009 - natural miscarriage at 9 weeks
Thanks ladies for all of the advice.
Cowgirl - I will text you (if I remember) because I would love to try the tea. I would just go out and get some myself but DH has still shown his disapproval of me driving yet after the c/s, and it's hard to get out right now.
The LC told me to pump, so I am supposed to start doing that more. To be honest, I haven't pumped as much as I should because I am just so exhausted, and each feeding takes so long. I would prefer to supplement with breast milk if I could. I just got through one feeding that lasted over an hour with the supplementing. I tried to use the feeding tube and the nipple shield, but it's such a mess, and so awkward! Her latch seemed worse this time around, and I am wondering if it has something to do with the few bottles that she has already had.
I'll keep trying though
This is what I had to do. My LO lost weight at his first and second Dr. appointments. His pediatrician suggested pumping and supplementing after each time I BF so we know he's at least getting a certain amount. After doing this for 4 days, he gained 4oz! Has your LO lost 10% of her birth weight? His Dr. said we didn't need to consider formula until this point. I would guess the formula is what is upsetting your LOs system causing her to have tummy troubles. GL I'm sure everything will work out!