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Attachment Parenting
MagsMayMommy
member
night nursing
MagsMayMommy
member
I co-bed with my almost 4 month old. She still wants to eat throughout the night a lot. I fear that we've developed a poor latch during the night. She doesn't fully awaken to eat. She just grunts and wiggles around until I awaken enough to uncover her midnight snack. She wants to eat for so long and so often that I end up falling back to sleep. I'm now having recurring milk blisters (at least it seems like that's what it is) making nursing rather painful. I read on kellymom about applying moist heat before nursing, but I'm curious what else I can do. It seems like it might be the night nursing latch that's causing these blisters. Anyone had experience with this?
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Re: night nursing
Maybe you could try introducing water in a bottle before bedtime? My DS didn't start until he was 6 months, but all babies are different. It may be that she is just really thirsty, although most likely she is going through a growth spurt and it is just comforting to be getting mommy milk.
That sounds really awful that you are getting blisters! Maybe you just need to keep a rag nearby to wipe your boobs down after a feeding... I know, easier said then done. I would fall asleep when DS ate and not realize he was done. You could also try putting some coconut oil on them before bed and again in the morning. Also, be careful about what kind of soap you shower with... chemical laden ones can be very destructive to sensitive breastfeeding boobs
Hope you can work out all the kinks and get your boobs to a better place!
No, please don't do this. EBF babies have no need for water! It's unnecessary and can even be dangerous.
To me it sounds like perhaps you should call a Lactation consultant and have your side-lying position checked, or work on it on your own. It does sound like perhaps baby is latched incorrectly; you may need to start waking up more fully and properly positioning her at the breast during the night. Keeping a hand behind her back and keeping her at the correct angle/distance could help.
If she's just comfort nursing and grazing all the time, you may want to change sleeping arrangements; cover up the booby buffet and put baby in a co-sleeper or bassinet so that you can get some rest from the constant nursing. You can still keep your hand on baby and help comfort her in other ways without having to nurse all the time. You may even consider using a paci for a short time until she learns to self-soothe a little better.
Hmmm...if you are having issues that you weren't before, it does sound like her latch could be a problem. I would try to be more aware of how she is latching for a few nights and stay awake the whole time (I know - hard!) so you can see what's going on.
You can also use the "Pantley pull off" from the no cry sleep solution to work on getting her to let go once she is finished nursing. I think night nursing is good and necessary but can totally understand not wanting to stay "hooked up" all night!
Breastfeeding Counselor with Breastfeeding USA
Babywearing Guide ** Newborn Carriers
Cloth Diaper Guide
Safe Bed Sharing Info
Maybe you could try introducing water in a bottle before bedtime?
Don't do this. EBF babies do not need water and at 4m it could be dangerous to their health.
It sounds like a poor latch due to sleepy mommy/baby - I have issues with that from time to time. As much as it sucks to wake up more, do what you need to ensure a good latch. Could be LO is moving around and gets into an odd position so you may need to simply move her before letting her nurse. Or she's not opening wide enough, etc. If you've been side-laying nursing without issue before I'd say just try to force yourself to wake up more initially. Once she's latched good it should be ok for you to doze back to sleep.
We went through periods where it felt like LO was latched all night long - usually a growth spurt and only lasted a few days. It's up to you if the bedsharing/constant nursing is an issue. If you want you could always move LO to her own space in your room, bassinet/etc, and/or sit up to nurse.