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Cincinnati Babies
Pumping & Bleeding (Probably TMI)
My nips are on some major protest from all the pumping that I'm doing. They are at the point that they are cracked, cakey, throbbing & bleeding. I'm using the laninosh cream religiously after each pump & between.
The last pump that I did - some blood (a drop or two) got into the breastmilk - would you still give it to the baby? I don't know if this is gross, unsafe, or what to do? I would just throw it out if not for the fact that Nolan only gets one full breastmilk bottle a day (which is not going to equal one full bottle soon as his feeds increase) - My milk is still not producing anymore than it ever did - 60 ml total a day & that takes A-LOT of work to get out (hence the problem with my nips.)
So, I value EVERY drop that I get. I've gone through some major depression not being able to nurse Nolan. We are trying to nurse a few times a day but I know he is not getting much & is just mostly soothing himself which is fine! I had a breakdown the other day in Babies-R-Us when I walked into the "mother's room" where another mother was nursing her newborn- I just so wished this was me.
I'm sorry this is a long rant...back to my original questions!
Would you throw out this breastmilk?
Is there anything else I can do for my nips?
I'll leave everyone on a positive note & post a new picture of Nolan from Friday!
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Re: Pumping & Bleeding (Probably TMI)
Oh, dear. Hello me from 2 years ago. Can I give you a hug?
Honestly, I understand everything you are sharing, right now...down to breaking down when you saw another mother nursing her child. It's really tough. I know.
To answer your questions:
1. Yes, give it to him. A little bit of blood is not a problem, no reason to pitch the liquid gold.
2. I wish I could give you a miracle cure for your poor nips. Mine were AWFUL, and it made it worse that I used to crank up the suction and pump for up to 30 minutes/session, trying to get every.last.drop. If you are doing this, too, scale back. Higher suction/longer pumping sessions don't always yield more output. Both can, actually, do more harm than good.
Please don't beat yourself up. Every drop counts. Many women struggle to breastfeed their babies. Unfortunately, we are typically confronted with ONLY the success stories.
Are you sure your horn/breastshields are the correct size? My breasts were a mess because I was using the medium size and needed the extra-large size. If you haven't been "measured" by a lactation specialist, it might be worth it. Just a suggestion in case you've never considered it.
I know nothing about blood in the milk. Can't help you there.
Hang in there.
Blood in milk is perfectly safe for baby. Kinda gross but when baby is nursing on your cracked/bleeding nips they'll be gettting a little blood too. No big deal.
Stop using lanolin. You might even be allergic to it... who knows. Use regular ol' olive oil, just a smudge.
Also, is it possible you have thrush? That can make your nips deteriorate faster than you can say 'wtf is wrong with my nipples'. Not saying it's that but with all the moisture from the lanolin use, etc it's a possibility.
Salt water. Sounds horrible I know, but it's very soothing on the nips when they're cracked. After you pump/nurse dissolve a little sea salt (can get at the regular grocery store by the regular salt) in some warm water in a shallow bowl and give your nips a soak for 5 minutes or so. Pat dry. Go on about your business. Feels great and helps wounds heal. Make the salt water only as salty as tears... too salty and it stings but a little salty feels nice.
HTH,
Hannah
Thank you so much everyone!!
Ttimes- Yes - PLEASE give me a hug! The lady at Babies-R-Us must have thought I was some kind of freak breaking down like that. I did explain to her that he was a preemie-my milk never fully came in etc. etc. but I can only imagine what she thought of me - oh well! Felt good to cry it out for once - I've been trying to remain so strong about it all & put myself in the mindset that "some" is better than "nothing" but it's tougher than I ever thought it to be!
It's going to be tougher at the end of this month on the 22nd when my rented breast pump from the hospital is due. I have to make a decision to turn it in, buy one, or quit pumping. I don't know what to do. I can't keep renewing this breast pump at $60 a month & don't know if I can justify buying a pump now for the little amount I'm getting which I don't know how long I will continue getting it. I'm at such a lost about it all. The ONE problem that I never thought I would have regarding breast feeding - my milk coming in - is the exact thing that happened. I was prepared for engorgement, I was prepared if I had to exclusively pump, I was prepared to get no help with feedings & lugging a breast pump to work - I was NOT prepared to never be able to provide for my baby!
NotGuilty - I did move up a size on the horns to a 27mm - I know there is one size larger than this - I may have to look into that.
Whitney & Allobosc - thanks for the support/suggestions!!
Hannah- THANK YOU for all the suggestions! I'm going to try salt water after my next session & see what it does. I'll also switch to olive oil as well! I have no idea what thrush is - I'll have to look into that! Your suggestions were VERY helpful-thank you!
Are you EPing? Or are you able to get Nolan to latch?
Sending you big hugs. I EP'd for 11+ mos. I never did get B to latch correctly... I know how tough it was for me. I will tell you that my milk supply did increase... and I remember getting 40 mLs and thinking there was no way it would ever ever happen. Yours can too up until about 12-14 weeks pp (maybe longer because of the preemie thing). If you want my big huge long list of tips, I'll post the file... just let me know. It's long.
Just wanted to send hugs to you. I EP'ed for a year and know how hard it is when your output isn't what you want it to be.
DS #1 born January 2010. DS #2 due June 2014.
We try & nurse a few times a day. We can't work on it 100% until he gets to a normal newborn weight - i.e. "catches up" He does latch on but does not stay on for very long. He gets very tired.
If it's not too much trouble I'd love to see every tip that I can! I've tried fenugreek, oatmeal, water, 10 min on - 10 min off, etc. I'm up for anything at this point.
If it's a lot of trouble to post - don't worry bout it - if it's no big deal, I'd love to see it- thanks!
Thank you!