Please help me, Re: BFing

theaustins05 · May 2011

Madison has borderline jaundice, but they let us take her home with instructions to feed feed feed....problem is my milk still isn't in and no matter how much I put her to my boob her poop/pee diapers just aren't where they should be. What options do I have besides supplementing with formula and how can I get this milk in?! TIA

cbranch89 · May 2011

Only thing I can suggest (from experience), is to keep putting her to breast as much as possible. You MAY need to supplement but that doesn't mean she won't take to your breast once the jaundice is gone. She could end up dehydrated and that's no fun.

toadstool · May 2011

We are having a similar issue. I really didn't want to do the formula, but in DD's case it is just best that I supplement. It's not my ideal, and it really sucks but the pedi felt that it would be in her best interest and when I look at it objectively I have to agree.

seethesmiles · May 2011

Does your hospital have a lactation consultant you can call? Or you can try calling your local LLL leader. Good luck.

cbranch89 · May 2011

Also, try reposting ion the breast feeding board. Its some great girls there

JUSTBEYOURSELF · May 2011

keep her on the boob as much as possible. let her feed till she is done feeding. try to keep her awake during her feedings by rubbing her feet and hands if that does not work rub her head and back. start out slow with the stimulation due to some babies do not do well with too much. try to bf in a quiet area so that way she concentrates on just bf. keep bf and honestly I would stay away from the pump as of right now. You want your baby to have the milk in your boobs so that way it is there when she bf and she does not lose interest.

you can also look for mothers milk tea in any healthfood store or BRU.

keep up with feeding her as much as possible. your supply will come. I know mine came in at 3 days and it took awhile to get the diapers to be at the counts they want.

keep it going. you are doing great!

cbranch89 · May 2011

JUSTBEYOURSELF:
keep her on the boob as much as possible. let her feed till she is done feeding. try to keep her awake during her feedings by rubbing her feet and hands if that does not work rub her head and back. start out slow with the stimulation due to some babies do not do well with too much. try to bf in a quiet area so that way she concentrates on just bf. keep bf and honestly I would stay away from the pump as of right now. You want your baby to have the milk in your boobs so that way it is there when she bf and she does not lose interest.

you can also look for mothers milk tea in any healthfood store or BRU.

keep up with feeding her as much as possible. your supply will come. I know mine came in at 3 days and it took awhile to get the diapers to be at the counts they want.

keep it going. you are doing great!

Also, to add to that, the LC at the hospital said if the baby falls asleep try to strip them down to diaper...the air will wake em up

EJensify · May 2011

seethesmiles:
Does your hospital have a lactation consultant you can call? Or you can try calling your local LLL leader. Good luck.

This.

God luck.

tokenhoser · May 2011

Some jaundice is 100% normal. Owen got pretty yellow the first week, then he got better. Just keep offering the breast frequently, and your milk will come.

You can also expose baby to just a little sun - my nurse said 3-4 minutes of direct sunlight in just his diaper. Through a window is fine, if it's not a good outside temp where you are. The UV light helps break down the billirubin so it can be excreted.

theaustins05 · May 2011

EJensify:
seethesmiles:
Does your hospital have a lactation consultant you can call? Or you can try calling your local LLL leader. Good luck.
This.

God luck.

Local LLL is over an hour away. Hospital doesn't have LC, "the nurses are all informed on BFing." Well so am I, but that doesn't help my situation. We just had our first night home last night and I'm so tired and stressed out. I know things will get better but I feel helpless.

tokenhoser · May 2011

A LLL leader will talk to you on the phone or by email - just because they're too far away to see in person doesn't mean they don't care about you. If you need a pep talk, call them. They want to help you succeed at breastfeeding.

JUSTBEYOURSELF · May 2011

each nurse has different knowledge. I asked all the nurses for their tips on how to bf and the last nurse helped me out so much that I will never forget it. she showed me things the others did not. she helped me by showing me to excrete bm before introducing the nipple to my baby. she showed me how to get her to latch the correct way and it works awesome. how to hold her in more than one position. to look at my boobs and know that they are very different and to use the postition that works for that boob. To stimulate my baby slowly and yes to remove clothes if need be to get her to stay with eating.

I also agree to contact someone either via email or phone. that can help out greatly. your milk will come in and trust me you will know it. it will feel like a ton of bricks at first on your chest. right now your baby is getting the Colostrum that she needs right now.

Do you have any family or friends near by you that bf? if so talk to them. seriously they could share one tip with you that can make the world of a difference.

good luck

jeffrae · May 2011

feed often - wake LO up to feed if needed.

darmca · May 2011

We left the hospital really quickly and when my midwife showed up 2 days after he was born she noticed he was jaundiced. Mine was actually quite bad (intermediate severe? I think) and the midwife just told me same thing- feed, feed, feed, and she would monitor him every 48 hours. At that point I only had colostrum in as well. I would just keep feeding him the colostrum and your milk should come in soon. Colostrum is really good for babies too.

MommyHarrison · May 2011

I had this same issue. Claire's billi level was a little high, but they let us go home and we just had to see the pediatrician a couple days after we were released from the hospital.

Claire was NOT a good eater at first. She was born 6lbs 8oz, dropped to 6lb 4 oz by the time we left the hospital and 3 days later at the pedi's office for a check up because of her billi level, she had dropped to 5lb 15oz! The pedi told me to keep trying to breast feed. Her weight wasn't a huge issue but she HAD to gain a good amount by her next appointment or we'd have to start supplementing with formula. Even after my milk came in, it was just nearly impossible to get her to wake up to eat for about a week. Eventually she got hungry (a growth spurt, I think) and was finally up past birth weight at her 3 week appt. So I guess what I'm trying to say is to just keep trying - don't give up - and be as patient as possible. It'll come!

theaustins05 · May 2011

MY MILK CAME IN! WOOT! *HAPPY DANCE*

mzsparklepdx · May 2011

My LC recommended pumping after most feedings during the day to increase my supply more quickly. If you don't want to give the bottle (which we don't), either store the milk or use a spoon or syringe to supplement with the breast milk.

alliejoe · May 2011

mzsparklepdx:
My LC recommended pumping after most feedings during the day to increase my supply more quickly. If you don't want to give the bottle (which we don't), either store the milk or use a spoon or syringe to supplement with the breast milk.

Ben was really jaundice- borderline needing treatment. We had to supplement with formula for 2 days and the LC/pedi had me pumping like crazy. It took a while for my milk to finally come in really well though. I'd say try a pump to encourage your milk to come in faster and keep the baby latched and eating as much as you can take.

fluffybuns · May 2011

My first left the hospital with Jaundice, and I never needed to supplement. My milk didn't come in until after her Jaundice was cleared up! And she didn't even poop in those 4 days, not once!

Her levels were between 12 and 15, not too high, but high enough. I just nursed her constantly in those few days and tried to get her some sunlight. I didn't need to supplement at all, and no one ever advised me to.

Want a personalized experience?

Please help me, Re: BFing

Re: Please help me, Re: BFing

Choose Another Board

Search Boards