The Great Big Breastfeeding Thread

MamaFantastic · April 2014

Figured I'd start one (at 2:23am while nursing... how fitting!) to gather all the important info, experience and advice in one place and give nursing moms a single location for BFing support and answers.

Also-- to keep our board neat and tidy

MapleLeafMama · April 2014

I'm just popping in to say great idea. And wow, cluster feeding in the middle of the night sucks.

MamaFantastic · April 2014

On my mind tonight:

Figuring out whether she will be a one-side-per-feeding nurser or if she prefers both sides. Kiddo ALWAYS took both sides each feeding. I never even realized some babies didn't do both sides each time! I was shocked when I learned I was almost in the minority with my hungry piggy baby. Tessa takes a single side for maybe 2/3 of sessions and will go for the second side only 1/3 of the time.

First question:

Will you wake to feed? If so, for how long?

We don't wake to feed overnight... it goes against my sleep-hoarding personal standards

Also, I'm way more lax this time around. We woke to feed on a schedule with kiddo, but stopped around 2 weeks when he was back up to birth weight.

MamaFantastic · April 2014

To go along with that, I have made a conscious effort to really tank her up almost hourly during the evenings so she's primed for longer stretches overnight (read: maybe 3 or 3.5 hours between start times at best.... hey, it's baby steps at first!).

MamaFantastic · April 2014

I'm offering the boob every hour or 1:30 a few times in a row.

Avion22 · April 2014

We're still in the hospital, and they're pushing us to feed every 2-3 hours, and to wake him up to feed. He hasn't dropped too much weight or anything, they just do this with every newborn. I'm trying really hard to read his cues and "watch the baby, not the clock" but man it's hard with the nurses breathing down my neck to feed him when he just doesn't seem hungry. Also doesn't help that just when I sit him down to feed, they come in wanting his vitals or my vitals or whatever. I'd definitely be interested in what others do as far as reading hunger cues. I noticed last night that he just won't nurse when he gets fussy, so I don't want to wait too long to feed him. This is going to be a challenge in huge middle of huge night because I worry if he wakes us up crying, it will already be "too late" and we'll have missed his optimal feeding window.

Mamamonzo · April 2014

@Avion22‌ I've noticed luke does that too. Most people say strip them down to wake them up. He gets so pissed he throws his arms and shakes his head and won't latch on. I swaddle and take away the ability to throw his arms around and he clams down and latches right on. Maybe try that If he's crossed the line into fussy land!

bootsiebabe · April 2014

We woke to feed for the first two weeks but now are just feeding on demand. We've gotten a few nights with four hour stretches, which feels amazing! Aaaaand I'm nursing right now.

As far as hunger cues, he is in a bassinet in my room so I can hear him gearing up before the cries start and it is waaaaay easier to get him on the boob then rather than when he's crying.

Rrrrrachel · April 2014

Yeah I got one sleepy 12 - 24 hour period and then waking her up to eat was never an issue! The birth center told me every 2-3 hours except for one five hour period a day. I thought that meant there would actually BE a five hour period each day. Ha.

amhah09 · April 2014

We don't wake at night but all 3 of my kids have been 1 1/2-2 hour interval sleeper/nursers during the night anyway so it isn't necessary. This girl acted like a one sided feeder until the last couple days. She's also been clustering in the evenings so I guess we're working on a little bit of a growth spurt/increasing supply for one reason or another.

ETA - she is now 12 days old

MamaFantastic · April 2014

Here's an example of nursing start times for the past 2 overnights here:

8:50pm, 10:30pm, 11:45pm, 1:45am, (4:30am and 5:20am), 8:30am

^^ she was a sleepy, disinterested nurser this night, which translated to frequent piggyback feedings and not much sleep

6:30pm,10:55pm, 1:50am*, 5:25am*, 8:25am

^^ a much more streamlined night! We all got way better sleep last night on this schedule!

*VERY long sessions

pineconey · April 2014

Excited to be able to utilize this thread soon!!!

Can this thread be an uninvited-troll-free place? *ahem* Hey AmyG we don't know you, so please leave us alone.

Mamamonzo · April 2014

MamaFantastic said:
Here's an example of nursing start times for the past 2 overnights here:

8:50pm, 10:30pm, 11:45pm, 1:45am, (4:30am and 5:20am), 8:30am

^^ she was a sleepy, disinterested nurser this night, which translated to frequent piggyback feedings and not much sleep

6:30pm,10:55pm, 1:50am*, 5:25am*, 8:25am

^^ a much more streamlined night! We all got way better sleep last night on this schedule!

*VERY long sessions

What do you consider a long session? I was told try for a half an hour. It's rare of Luke makes it 25 minutes. Are you longer than 30?

Mamamonzo · April 2014

ColleenSwerb said:
DS rarely ate for more than 15 minutes at a time, and that was one side only. He was extremely efficient.
"Trying for 30 minutes" would have been torture. I know you had an early baby, but listen to them. They really do know better than we do how much they need to eat. 30 minutes for us would have been an eternity, kwim? 30 minutes for other babies is totally normal.

Haha it IS torture!!

I'm thinking if I can make it to 30 I can drop the bottle after because they can be sure he's getting enough. Now to figure out how to keep it in his mouth instead of running down his face and my shirt. Slob!

Edit: they can be pretty? Stupid autocorrect!

amhah09 · April 2014

Mamamonzo said:

MamaFantastic said:
Here's an example of nursing start times for the past 2 overnights here:

8:50pm, 10:30pm, 11:45pm, 1:45am, (4:30am and 5:20am), 8:30am

^^ she was a sleepy, disinterested nurser this night, which translated to frequent piggyback feedings and not much sleep

6:30pm,10:55pm, 1:50am*, 5:25am*, 8:25am

^^ a much more streamlined night! We all got way better sleep last night on this schedule!

*VERY long sessions
What do you consider a long session? I was told try for a half an hour. It's rare of Luke makes it 25 minutes. Are you longer than 30?

Obviously this wasn't directed at me but IMO this varies from baby to baby. 30 minutes is a long session for us but that's because usually she's only a one-sided feeder and so only takes about 10-15 minutes. When she takes both breasts like the last couple nights then it's closer to 30 mins and that's long for us.

KatieGummow · April 2014

Thanks for starting this, it will be a great resource to use and in one place! Life couldn't get better

seannasmommy16 · April 2014

My son is taking both boobs at the moment. But I have noticed that one boon is bigger then the other one. The longest he has feed for was about 10 mins. This morning he's cluster feeding

amhah09 · April 2014

aronie82 said:
How do you know when they're getting the hind milk?

Foremilk/hindmilk always confuses me so here's a good explanation of how it works in relation to the feeding.

https://kellymom.com/bf/got-milk/basics/foremilk-hindmilk/

ETA - basically, the more frequent the feedings and the less milk in the breast = better chance of getting the good fat hindmilk. That's one of the reasons it's an issue if you're extending feedings too much or pumping/getting oversupply.

Mamamonzo · April 2014

When I pump on one side it feels like a much stronger suction than the other. Could I need two different sized shields/cup whatever they are called?

amhah09 · April 2014

Mamamonzo said:
When I pump on one side it feels like a much stronger suction than the other. Could I need two different sized shields/cup whatever they are called?

Hmm that's a hard question to answer. Unless one of your nipples is disproportionately sized than the other then I would think the answer is no and that the problem is most likely related to (1) a positional issue or (2) a parts issue - double check the membranes and valves and maybe replace them and see if that helps.

Are you pumping about the same amount and does the "less suctioned" breast still feel full after?

Mamamonzo · April 2014

amhah09 said:

Mamamonzo said:
When I pump on one side it feels like a much stronger suction than the other. Could I need two different sized shields/cup whatever they are called?
Hmm that's a hard question to answer. Unless one of your nipples is disproportionately sized than the other then I would think the answer is no and that the problem is most likely related to (1) a positional issue or (2) a parts issue - double check the membranes and valves and maybe replace them and see if that helps.

Are you pumping about the same amount and does the "less suctioned" breast still feel full after?

The less suctioned is actually the lower supply boob to begin with. It is never as full. But it feels just as empty as the other when I'm done.

amhah09 · April 2014

Mamamonzo said:

amhah09 said:

Mamamonzo said:
When I pump on one side it feels like a much stronger suction than the other. Could I need two different sized shields/cup whatever they are called?
Hmm that's a hard question to answer. Unless one of your nipples is disproportionately sized than the other then I would think the answer is no and that the problem is most likely related to (1) a positional issue or (2) a parts issue - double check the membranes and valves and maybe replace them and see if that helps.

Are you pumping about the same amount and does the "less suctioned" breast still feel full after?
The less suctioned is actually the lower supply boob to begin with. It is never as full. But it feels just as empty as the other when I'm done.

Sometimes my more engorged boob feels like it gets a harder suction so maybe it's not that you have less suction on one side but the other one is feeling like too much? I don't know. Are you working with a LC? I can't remember. I bet they could help you with that.

Rrrrrachel · April 2014

I had a similar issue. One boob always produced less and felt like less suction when pumping. I think it was just a difference in sensation between the two breasts and nothing was to be done about it.

I remember my daughter only nursing for 5-10 minutes max the first week or so. Then she turned into one of those babies that would hang out at the breast as long as you'd let them.

Fore milk/hind milk is kind of made too much out of, IMO. It doesn't switch over all at once, it happens gradually. It's a good reason not to timed feed or to switch breasts after a prescribed amount of time and to try and feed frequently, but beyond that I wouldn't give it a second thought.

Mamamonzo · April 2014

amhah09 said:

Mamamonzo said:

amhah09 said:

Mamamonzo said:
When I pump on one side it feels like a much stronger suction than the other. Could I need two different sized shields/cup whatever they are called?
Hmm that's a hard question to answer. Unless one of your nipples is disproportionately sized than the other then I would think the answer is no and that the problem is most likely related to (1) a positional issue or (2) a parts issue - double check the membranes and valves and maybe replace them and see if that helps.

Are you pumping about the same amount and does the "less suctioned" breast still feel full after?
The less suctioned is actually the lower supply boob to begin with. It is never as full. But it feels just as empty as the other when I'm done.

Sometimes my more engorged boob feels like it gets a harder suction so maybe it's not that you have less suction on one side but the other one is feeling like too much? I don't know. Are you working with a LC? I can't remember. I bet they could help you with that.

Yes, I am. Right now I'm not overly concerned about it. I was just think long there may be something wrong with the pump! I'll ask when I talk to her next!

seannasmommy16 · April 2014

Does cluster feeding mean he's having a growth spurt? I'm having to take my shirt off every 5 mins cause this kid starts searching for my boob then he only eats for like 10 mins

seannasmommy16 · April 2014

ColleenSwerb said:

Cluster feeding can signal a growth spurt (there's one at about a week old/10 days or so, if that fits your timeline). It's also baby's way of increasing your supply.

hes a week old today. im glad hes eating so much cause he needs to poop as much as he can so we can get rid of his jaundce

amhah09 · April 2014

aronie82 said:
I'm having a really hard time letting him call the shots when he needs to eat. I'm afraid if he goes more than 3 hours in the day he will cluster feed at night.

You can try offering every 2 during the day if he's clustering at night. I was never successful changing my kids' patterns though. They are when they wanted to eat and that was that.

Serenla · April 2014

My safe place...

pineconey · April 2014

I hope you mean it. Find another thread to troll.

Rrrrrachel · April 2014

Wth. A nice when is offering kind and helpful advice trolling?

pineconey · April 2014

Because she trolls every BMB with her advice. She's not a LC and we don't even know her. We don't even know that she has kids or anything about her for that matter.
I'd much rather hear from moms who are regulars on our board.

MissWhis · April 2014

Stupid breast feeding question:

For moms of one sided feeders, do you finish nursing and then pump the other side? Or just wait until the next nursing session and switch sides?

My girl is nursing like a champ and my supply is great, but we're playing catch up on the fine details of getting this stuff down due to preemie baby and NICU stay.

They want me nursing, topping her off with a bottle, and pumping at least every three hours, but she's doing so well at the breast she rarely wants anything from the bottle. She is tiny little thing and gets in about 10 to 20 minutes of solid, active nursing from one side. After that she's full and sleepy for about 2 hours. I pump both breasts afterward now to keep my supply up, but I guess I'm just wondering how to manage this if she stays one sided forever. I hope we can stop most of this pumping/bottle stuff very soon!

Rrrrrachel · April 2014

I always waited until the next session and then fed the other side.

amhah09 · April 2014

aronie82 said:
He was 5 weeks early and is 3 weeks old. I'm sure my milk supply is fine so I'm not worried about that. He hasn't really clustered yet. I'm afraid for it to start. It's been 3 hours since the last feeding and he is sound asleep

Sounds like he knows what he's doing then

Calla123 · April 2014

I woke dd to feed her until she gained back the weight she lost. After that I just fed on demand. She always preferred my left side so I used to start with my right side and end with the left so I wasn't lopsided haha.

pineconey · April 2014

@Calla123‌
My friend had one boob stop giving at like 4months with her second. She BF until he was 18 mo and she naturally has a very small chest, so it was always a struggle for her to mask the fact that one boob was a "pancake" (her words, not mine!) and the other was a healthy c!

amhah09 · April 2014

Rrrrrachel said:
I always waited until the next session and then fed the other side.

Me too. But I never had special circumstances like premies or supply issues.

Calla123 · April 2014

pineconey said:

@Calla123‌ My friend had one boob stop giving at like 4months with her second. She BF until he was 18 mo and she naturally has a very small chest, so it was always a struggle for her to mask the fact that one boob was a "pancake" (her words, not mine!) and the other was a healthy c!

Haha I could see it! That is what kept happening to me. I would even pump on the right to try to get it to produce more but it was a struggle!

amhah09 · April 2014

If I needed to pump I pumped both sides and still offered opposite breast at next session. So if baby eats every 2 hours from one side each time then basically each breast is being utilized every 4 hours and then any pumping session involves both breasts. I feel more even that way. I think you'll find a wide range of "normal" with this. It'll vary from woman to woman.

amhah09 · April 2014

jellysparkles said:

Rrrrrachel said:
Wth. A nice when is offering kind and helpful advice trolling?
We can't have one thread without a nonA14er coming in and telling someone she should get a new LC - having no idea what medical history existed - when the person and their care providers were successful and happy with their results? That's fucking overstepping.

I really have to agree with this. AND this thread was supposed to be AmyG-free.

haziedaze · April 2014

MissWhis said:

Stupid breast feeding question: For moms of one sided feeders, do you finish nursing and then pump the other side? Or just wait until the next nursing session and switch sides? My girl is nursing like a champ and my supply is great, but we're playing catch up on the fine details of getting this stuff down due to preemie baby and NICU stay. They want me nursing, topping her off with a bottle, and pumping at least every three hours, but she's doing so well at the breast she rarely wants anything from the bottle. She is tiny little thing and gets in about 10 to 20 minutes of solid, active nursing from one side. After that she's full and sleepy for about 2 hours. I pump both breasts afterward now to keep my supply up, but I guess I'm just wondering how to manage this if she stays one sided forever. I hope we can stop most of this pumping/bottle stuff very soon!

If your supply is good and baby is satisfied with one side, there's really no good reason to pump the other side IMO. A little more about my journey with DS1...

I was a total rebel when it came to my nursing relationship with my preemie son. They wanted me breastfeeding and then giving a fortified bottle at least 2x per day if not more. The problem for me was that I pumped like a maniac and at one point was pumping 6-8 oz per session and over 40oz per day. Basically I had a HUGE oversupply. When DS was about 37 weeks adjusted and home for 2 weeks his weight gain was borderline like 20g per day so I saw an LC. She watched him feed and we weighed him after one side and he was up 50g. Her thought was that he needed more hind milk, but that overall he was doing beautiful nursing and all my instincts agreed with her.

So I was a rebel and cut out all bottles and pumping on my own with her support. I followed kellymom.com's and LLL suggestions about block feedings to reduce supply and weaned down on the pump (only pumped to relieve painful engorgement- like no more than 1oz each time). At one point I was doing same side feeds for 6 hours before switching sides. Honestly most pedi's will say preemies need that fortified bottle or two for at least a few months, but after about a week DS started gaining 40-50g per day and then went up to 1lbs a week all with one sided feeds of BM only- nuts! It felt awesome to ditch the pump!

Take this all with a grain of salt, you need to be able to follow LO's weights carefully while doing this (I dropped into our breastfeeding store 1-2x per week and weighed him 1x per week at my breastfeeding support group) and you probably need a supportive LC, but your instincts that she's happy after one side and that you'd like to stop pumping are likely sound. Another way to start the process is to start only pumping the amount you bottle feed (can average over a 24 hour period) so your supply is more regulated to baby. Baby will tell your body to increase supply as needed with cluster feeds, but overall the amt of milk needed doesn't change very much once you get past 4-6 weeks adjusted. Happy to chat with more detail if you'd like!

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