Intro & WWYD?

RosekittyS · February 2013

FTM and my first post on this board. I've been trying to BF but it has been very hard. In the hospital he latched then didn't. He was tongue tied so we had that taken care of. Latched better then didn't again. He isn't latching deeply. Tried a nipple shield and having problems with that too, still doesn't latch deep or want to stay on. Tried the syringe and tube method of keeping him latched with and without the shield and just ended up with a huge mess.

Yesterday I decided that I would just pump and bottle feed, also because my milk is coming in slowly. It takes me 3 pumpings to get enough for one feeding. That is pumping both sides for 20 minutes. On the January board someone posted an article about not switching sides during a feeding and I'm thinking about trying one last time but I would love some opinions, stories, and support. What is most important to me is that my LO get the breast milk and right now pumping and bottle feeding is the least stressful way.

Oh, I started drinking Mother's Milk Tea last night.

Jackiemxoxo · February 2013

Hi, I don't know if I have much advice but just wanted to offer some support that you're doing a good job. My LO is toungue tied (plastic surgeon wants to wait til she's 4 months to clip because they didn't do it at a couple of days old but I might get it pushed up) and we have managed to BF successfully. At first it was tough and I will say that my nipples hurt pretty bad for the first two weeks but they toughened up and she got the hang of it. Now, they don't hurt at all and she latches well. I would suggest trying different positions if you haven't already. I know that the football hold worked well for me in the beginning when I was not using the cross cradle. Also, i would suggest offering both breasts at every feeding unless you have an oversupply and that is the reason when you would only offer one. Offering both will help increase your milk supply as long as your little one is emptying the first before taking the second. Your LO will be able to get more milk out of you then a pump will. Also, a lactation consultant suggested to me to buy the calma nipple by medela (I saw it at target today but don't need it anymore cause she switches back and forth fine) if you want to have a bottle that is similar to breast feeding cause it makes the baby work to get the milk out.. That could possibly help with latching? I think the best thing though is to keep trying until you both get the hang of it.

RosekittyS · February 2013

First to answer a few questions:

DS is 9 days old now. I am rending and Ameda from my insurance. We are feeding about every 3 hours and unless company is coming or it is night I pump while hubby feeds or after I feed him. I have met with a consultant in the hospital and twice since coming home. I'm going again on Wed but I'm not sure how good she is. I live in northern CA and have Kaiser so LC options are a bit limited.

We are using the Dr. Brown's bottles, does the medela nipple fit any bottle?

We did lots of skin to skin at the hospital but haven't as much since being home.

RosekittyS · February 2013

theresat858:
Skin to skin should help with the milk production. I would switch to a breast-feeding friendly bottle if possible (we used tommee tippee since LO was 4 days old), (medela calma is another example), and feed bottles as slowly as possible - it should take 20 minutes for the bottle, 1-2oz bottles at that age.
Pump more often - or feed directly - at least every 2 hours during the day. Make sure whatever LC you see is international board certified - anyone can call themselves an LC but they don't necessarily have the same training.
Hang in there!

Thanks! I have no idea if Kaiser has international board certified LCs or not. I love the Dr. Browns bottles but will look into the others and talk to hubby about them. For an LC due to finances I'm pretty much stuck with what Kaiser has to offer.

PaMommy02 · February 2013

theresat858:
Honestly if you can get lo to latch at all, that is the best thing for your supply. Breastfeed at least every 2 hours during the day and only go every 3 at night. If baby won't latch and you are pumping, rent a hospital grade pump and pump every 2hrs for 20 minutes to establish your milk supply. Make a hands free bra from an old sports bra by cutting holes over the nipples so you can cuddle baby while pumping. Do lots of skin to skin and stick with the mothers milk tea. I would also recommend seeing an ibclc for some in person help...and hang in there. Even if you have to pump and bottle feed for now, you can get baby back on the breast once your supply is up we did successfully.

I would follow this advice exactly! Try to nurse your LO, thats whats gonna build your suppy the most. If he wont latch then pump, pump, pump, to establish your supply. Hang in there!

shotzie · February 2013

I have Kaiser too, they do have IBCLC's. Do they have perinatal home services in your area, where an LC comes to your house a few days after the baby is born? If so, they should have given you their card. It says on there if they're an IBCLC. Either way, you can call the number on there and request an IBCLC.

You can also go to your hospital's bf'ing support group, and/or attend an LLL meeting for free.

I would do lots of skin to skin with LO. And feed more often, like theresat mentioned. If LO is frantic, it'll be hard to get them to latch. You can also check out kellymom.com for helpful bf'ing info.

laxkal23 · February 2013

I second a hot shower. I can't take a shower without having nursing pads ready, otherwise I would spray down the whole room. Also oatmeal is supposed to help with supply. If you really want to bf I would suggest trying to nursing for 15 minutes ,if no latch then supplement with bottle. That's what we did then one day he just latched well and ate and that was the end of supplementing. It was a lot of work 1-2 hours for feedings but we got there.

RosekittyS · February 2013

shotzie:
I have Kaiser too, they do have IBCLC's. Do they have perinatal home services in your area, where an LC comes to your house a few days after the baby is born? If so, they should have given you their card. It says on there if they're an IBCLC. Either way, you can call the number on there and request an IBCLC. You can also go to your hospital's bf'ing support group, and/or attend an LLL meeting for free. I would do lots of skin to skin with LO. And feed more often, like theresat mentioned. If LO is frantic, it'll be hard to get them to latch. You can also check out kellymom.com for helpful bf'ing info.

I've only been to Newborn Club at Kaiser. I will have hubby ask about the IBCLC when we go again on Wed. Otherwise I'll keep doing what I've been doing and try some modifications. My supply being low does not help. Still only getting about 1oz combined from a pumping session but this is an improvement.

Which brings another question, is it normal to get more from one side than the other consistently? I always seem to get about twice as much from the left side as from the right side.

shotzie · February 2013

It is normal to get more from one side than the other. With DD1, I tried to pump 5 more min on my left (the side that produced less), but I never did even my supply out. With DD2, my supply is more even, but my right side still produces more. Anyway, it's not really anything to worry about. Just keep giving both sides equal stimulation, and over time, your supply will increase.

Instead of waiting until Wed, you could call your OB or pedi's office and ask them for info on breastfeeding services. Here in CO, we have a Perinatal Home Health Services program, where an RN who is an LC comes to your house. The first visit is free, but they will come back and you get a bill in the mail for just a regular co-pay. I don't know if they have that in CA. If you feel like the LC you've seen hasn't been helpful, you can always request to see a different one. Unfortunately, not all LC's are created equal. An IBCLC is your best bet.

RosekittyS · February 2013

Thank you shotzie. I am trying to be patient and do things to improve my supply but I am also starting to feel a bit defeated. DS is 10 days old and I know that by now most women have their milk supply up to snuff for providing and mine isn't.

The latch problems I've been having don't help. So frustrating that I need the nipple shield but he doesn't seem to like it or want to stay latched with it and without, well, ouch!

shotzie · February 2013

RosekittyS:
Thank you shotzie. I am trying to be patient and do things to improve my supply but I am also starting to feel a bit defeated. DS is 10 days old and I know that by now most women have their milk supply up to snuff for providing and mine isn't.The latch problems I've been having don't help. So frustrating that I need the nipple shield but he doesn't seem to like it or want to stay latched with it and without, well, ouch!

I'm sorry you're having a rough time. I hope you can get the help you need soon. At 10 days pp, it's normal to get a small amount when you pump. Especially if LO is able to nurse some too. The first 6 weeks is crucial in building your supply. We start out producing small amounts because baby's stomach is tiny, and that's all they need. Over time, your supply increases, as baby demands more.

Hang in there, you're doing great!

RosekittyS · February 2013

I did mange to nurse him for his last feeding. He went 20 minutes on 1 side then 10 on the other. I pumped for 15-20 minutes afterwards and didn't get a lot so he probably got most of what I had.

Thanks again for all the encouragement. It is just what I needed right now.

Want a personalized experience?

Intro & WWYD?

Re: Intro &amp; WWYD?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards

Want a personalized experience?

Intro &amp; WWYD?

Re: Intro &amp;amp; WWYD?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards

Intro & WWYD?

Re: Intro & WWYD?