The Great Big Breastfeeding Thread

Nijay714 · April 2014

I have a question on storage and use of breast milk once in the bottle.. The majority of the milk I pump I freeze and when DD is hungry I nurse instead of taking from my supply since I'm trying to build it up.. Sometime I pump and then put the milk in the bottle to give to her right away because I'm tired and she nurses longer than when I give her bottle.. My question would be what are the rules on expiration of breast milk, I know you can't refreeze but can you put the bottle back in the frig if baby didn't finish or after so many minutes have passed?

Rrrrrachel · April 2014

The rule of thumb is a bottle that baby had eaten part of can go back in the fridge "until the next feeding," or in ither words a few hours, but you wouldn't want to store it long. Bacteria can get in the milk from babies mouth and grow in there. I always fed very small bottles at first and then followed up with another bottle if they wanted more.

Milk that hasn't been fed can sit in the fridge for up to 8 days, the regular freezer for I think three months, or a deep freeze for 6 months to a year. Generally if it smells ok it's ok to use. Those times are all cumulative, too, so it's still ok to freeze milk that's been in the fridge for 7 days, for example, and it doesn't really have a shorter freezer life.

Milk that's been thawed should be used within 24 hours.

Nijay714 · April 2014

@jellysparkles and @Rrrrrachel‌ thank you so much, very helpful!

seannasmommy16 · April 2014

My nipple skin is starting to peel.. is this normal. I've been using nipple butter after he feeds. But he has been eating a lot today does it happen if they eat a lot or is it just something that's common?

Rrrrrachel · April 2014

That happened to me. Idk if that means it's normal or not

amhah09 · April 2014

^^ me too

natpirt · April 2014

Ok ladies I am still trying to read through all the posts so if this has been answered forgive me.

I am pumping and supplementing, latch issues. I am still trying from time to time to get the latch issue corrected. I am wondering if I need to space out the pumping more or less to help insure milk will come in. I am pumping both breasts every 2-3 hours for 15-20 minutes each. I am getting about 10 ml combined breasts. I do not want to over stimulate and cause another issue.

joules40 · April 2014

Can I just say how happy I am for this thread? You guys are helping me feel more and more confident that I can do this!

ksulli · April 2014

@natpirt said:
Ok ladies I am still trying to read through all the posts so if this has been answered forgive me.

I am pumping and supplementing, latch issues. I am still trying from time to time to get the latch issue corrected. I am wondering if I need to space out the pumping more or less to help insure milk will come in. I am pumping both breasts every 2-3 hours for 15-20 minutes each. I am getting about 10 ml combined breasts. I do not want to over stimulate and cause another issue.

You want to be pumping the same amount of volume that LO is taking so that your supply meets LOs demand. Ideally on a similar schedule to how LO is eating. So if baby eats 2oz every 3 hours, try to pump that. If you are BFing and then supplementing, then you aim to pump the volume that's been supplemented.

ksulli · April 2014

The LC at the hospital gave me breast shields- they aren't for use while nursing, it's essentially a vented plastic bubble to cover the areola/nipple and let them air out. I'm a fan since they otherwise remain a bit damp and then they get more tender when LO nurses.

I've noticed the spare boob nearly fills the bubble up while LO nurses on the other side. I just started trying to save what leaks. Weird, or a good way to start having some BM on hand?

MamaFantastic · April 2014

Awesome advice so far... all around!

How long do you ladies go with a single set of gel nipple pads? I ditched my original pair on day 5 and I think I probably stretched them too long. The visiting nurse told me she usually sees effectiveness decrease after the 3rd or 4th day. I have this second pair and one more set, so I hope 2 weeks of gel pads will be enough! I'm using Ameda HydroGel pads, but Soothies are basically the exact same thing.

Rrrrrachel · April 2014

I would try to pump every two hours. How old is your baby? Try to nurse, too, if you can because that will do more to help your milk come in than just pumping.

natpirt · April 2014

ksulli said:

Ok ladies I am still trying to read through all the posts so if this has been answered forgive me.

I am pumping and supplementing, latch issues. I am still trying from time to time to get the latch issue corrected. I am wondering if I need to space out the pumping more or less to help insure milk will come in. I am pumping both breasts every 2-3 hours for 15-20 minutes each. I am getting about 10 ml combined breasts. I do not want to over stimulate and cause another issue.
You want to be pumping the same amount of volume that LO is taking so that your supply meets LOs demand. Ideally on a similar schedule to how LO is eating. So if baby eats 2oz every 3 hours, try to pump that. If you are BFing and then supplementing, then you aim to pump the volume that's been supplemented.

ok so far it mostly half and half... I seem to producing more with each pump so I am hoping another day or two we are total breast only!!

Erikahenderson1 · April 2014

LO is 6 days old. She came 3 1/2 weeks early. Everyday has been different so far so it's difficult to say what is normal and what isn't quite yet. My question is about my breasts, when my milk came in officially on day 3 they were huge and had hard lumps, one even leaked and I could easily hand express both of them. Even with colostrum it was easily expressed. Now my boobs are relatively soft they seem a little bit bigger I suppose, and I can't express milk. Baby is not very fussy and as soon as she eats she is quite satisfied, but I had assumed my boobs would be much harder, and not only that but that I would be certain when the milk was there and would be able to express it. Will this change? Pretty normal? I'm afraid I'm losing my supply or something.

Sorry if this has been addressed already.

Rrrrrachel · April 2014

It sounds to me like your milk just regulated quickly, which a good thing because less sore boobs! As your body gets used to breastfeeding you don't get that same full feeling or firmness you had at first. As long as baby seems satisfied I wouldn't worry.

Rrrrrachel · April 2014

And don't worry your milk is always there! Boobs are a factory. Not a storage tank.

joules40 · April 2014

MamaFantastic said:
Awesome advice so far... all around!

How long do you ladies go with a single set of gel nipple pads? I ditched my original pair on day 5 and I think I probably stretched them too long. The visiting nurse told me she usually sees effectiveness decrease after the 3rd or 4th day. I have this second pair and one more set, so I hope 2 weeks of gel pads will be enough! I'm using Ameda HydroGel pads, but Soothies are basically the exact same thing.

I used mine for over a week. True, the cooling sensation has dulled but it still feels good to put them on even for a minute after nursing.
I might try putting them in the fridge and seeing what happens.

Erikahenderson1 · April 2014

Thanks guys! These boobs are way more comfortable than I thought! \:D/

kseccomb17 · April 2014

DS isn't gaining weight and his doctor wants me to top off each feeding with formula. O really don't want to have to use formula as I'm nervous he'll prefer that to my milk or he'll like the bottle more. . Im also battling mastitis so I really have been nursing as jug as possible to get through this quicker. Does anyone know a better way to help him gain weight before I try formula?

kseccomb17 · April 2014

Sorry for the type o's. My phone won't let me edit.

pineconey · April 2014

@kseccomb17‌ Have you talked to a la leche league leader in your area? That's where I would start!

Rrrrrachel · April 2014

Yeah I would try to find a la leche league or LC to talk to. How old is he and how much weight has he lost? Did hte doctor say how much he wanted to see him gain? How many wet/poopy diapers is he having a day? Sometimes, frankly, doctors have unreasonable expectation for growth for BF babies.

kseccomb17 · April 2014

He's lost only 5 oz since birth and has maintained his weight since we left the hospital. He is a week old and has pooped 6 times today already, and peed at least 7 times. His norm for both is about 10-12 a day. She said he should be up a "few" ounces by now and would like to see him gain a "few" by our next appointment on Monday. He is still 6lbs 11oz and he's a really good eater. I do see a LC, and have a call into her.

ksulli · April 2014

@ImnAtari‌ I think if you just start doing the occasional bottle of formula your supply will start to drop off, and the more formula you give (without pumping to 'replace' the nursing), the less BFing you'll do, and the transition will kind of lead itself.

Rrrrrachel · April 2014

kseccomb17 said:

He's lost only 5 oz since birth and has maintained his weight since we left the hospital. He is a week old and has pooped 6 times today already, and peed at least 7 times. His norm for both is about 10-12 a day. She said he should be up a "few" ounces by now and would like to see him gain a "few" by our next appointment on Monday. He is still 6lbs 11oz and he's a really good eater. I do see a LC, and have a call into her.

I'm glad you called the LC and I'm certainly not telling you to ignore your doctor, but I would probably hold off before supplementing. He's got plenty of wet and poopy diapers it sounds like, so he's definitely getting enough to eat in terms of like dehydration. Your LC might be able to help you figure out if something is going on with your latch or whatever that's impacting his weight gain, vs supplementing would just treat the symptom, kwim?

kseccomb17 · April 2014

Rrrrrachel said:

kseccomb17 said:

He's lost only 5 oz since birth and has maintained his weight since we left the hospital. He is a week old and has pooped 6 times today already, and peed at least 7 times. His norm for both is about 10-12 a day. She said he should be up a "few" ounces by now and would like to see him gain a "few" by our next appointment on Monday. He is still 6lbs 11oz and he's a really good eater. I do see a LC, and have a call into her.

I'm glad you called the LC and I'm certainly not telling you to ignore your doctor, but I would probably hold off before supplementing. He's got plenty of wet and poopy diapers it sounds like, so he's definitely getting enough to eat in terms of like dehydration. Your LC might be able to help you figure out if something is going on with your latch or whatever that's impacting his weight gain, vs supplementing would just treat the symptom, kwim?

Right, I completely get what you're saying. I don't think it's a latch issue as I met with her last night for mastitis, and she saId it looked good, but who knows what it is

Rrrrrachel · April 2014

Honestly, it might just be that he needs more time! I don't think they teach them about the schedules we want them on before they send them to us

Holljade · April 2014

My little guy is only nursing for about 3-5 mins (one breast per feeding most of the time) and I am noticing that many of you say you LOs eat for much longer, so it's making me wonder if maybe something is wrong? He usually falls asleep on the boob, and doesn't seem fussy or hungry. I let him nurse on demand ( i didn't keep track of how many times today but I'd say he nursed once from mid night until this morning, then as the day has gone on he has gone a bit longer in between- for this reason I need to remember to keep track!!)

I have some pumped milk so DH can do a feeding or two in the morning while I sleep and he says he sucks down 2-3 oz in a few mins, but I know a bottle is easier/quicker for them to drink. Anyone else who has a LO that didn't nurse for long? ugh I am so lost on this.

mamahann · April 2014

Holljade said:
My little guy is only nursing for about 3-5 mins (one breast per feeding most of the time) and I am noticing that many of you say you LOs eat for much longer, so it's making me wonder if maybe something is wrong? He usually falls asleep on the boob, and doesn't seem fussy or hungry. I let him nurse on demand ( i didn't keep track of how many times today but I'd say he nursed once from mid night until this morning, then as the day has gone on he has gone a bit longer in between- for this reason I need to remember to keep track!!)

I have some pumped milk so DH can do a feeding or two in the morning while I sleep and he says he sucks down 2-3 oz in a few mins, but I know a bottle is easier/quicker for them to drink. Anyone else who has a LO that didn't nurse for long? ugh I am so lost on this.

My LO gets really sleepy as well but she wasn't getting enough and was really fussy and losing weight. My LC called her a "lazy" nurser and gave me some tips to help keep her awake. I nurse her in cross cradle and if she stops for more than a few seconds I pull her to me a little tighter/squeeze my boob to give her a rush of milk/tickle her ear etc. Anything to regain her attention so she keeps nursing.

I wouldn't worry if he's having poopy and wet diapers and is gaining weight. Maybe he's just efficient!

scarles · April 2014

How soon are most LCs able to meet? I'm seeing a lot of people say their pedi advises to supplement, but then people here advise it may be a good idea to hold off on formula and meet with an LC. I totally understand - but I guess I'm concerned about the timeframe.

Also - did anyone find an LC prior to giving birth? Or did you just google to find one when you needed it?

Rrrrrachel · April 2014

My daughter was always 5 minute nurser at first. You can kind of press down on your breast and squeeze some milk out into their mouth and sometimes that wakes them up and gets them to nurse more. Absent any other signs of problems (problems with weight gain, not enough diapers) I wouldn't worry about it, though.

As for timeframe, you obviously have to do what you're comfortable with. Most of the time I think supplementing can wait a few days, but it's not my baby. Even if you don't want to wait, better to supplement while you're waiting to see a lc than to just supplement and never diagnose the real problem. I have no idea what the typical wait is. The birth center here has lc that can get you in awfully fast, but I have no idea how typical that is.

Dixon813 · April 2014

megla said:
How soon are most LCs able to meet? I'm seeing a lot of people say their pedi advises to supplement, but then people here advise it may be a good idea to hold off on formula and meet with an LC. I totally understand - but I guess I'm concerned about the timeframe.

Also - did anyone find an LC prior to giving birth? Or did you just google to find one when you needed it?

I'm still pregnant... But my pediatricians office has LC and they told me I would be in to see the LC the first or second day we're home from the hospital (even if all is going well)

The hospital also has LC and offices that I could visit if wanted.

amandamatt72409 · April 2014

I'm due next week so obviously not feeding yet, but hoping to get an idea on how soon is ok to start pumping? I want to make sure she will take a bottle eventually so hubby can help with feedings and so my transition back to work will be less stressful knowing she'll be getting fed at daycare. What's working for you all?

amandamatt72409 · April 2014

aviola329 said:
What is the Earth Mama Angel baby nipple butter supposed to look like? I bought a couple of unopened jars of it at our consignment sale today and it looks kinda funny? Not sure how to describe. I'm wondering if that's just because of the natural ingredients or if there's something wrong with it? Thanks!

I already have some of this and it looks very thick, like a wax almost, and is yellowish in color. Bought it brand new.

scarles · April 2014

amandamatt72409 said:
I'm due next week so obviously not feeding yet, but hoping to get an idea on how soon is ok to start pumping? I want to make sure she will take a bottle eventually so hubby can help with feedings and so my transition back to work will be less stressful knowing she'll be getting fed at daycare. What's working for you all?

I plan to start at two weeks. I think the general recommendation is 2-4 weeks?

ksulli · April 2014

@amandamatt72409‌ with DD1 I started pumping once a day at 4w after reading about it on kellymom.com & the BFing board it seems like if time permits, the 4w will give your supply time to regulate. I added a pumping session about 1 hour after LO's first daytime nursing- that's generally when you're fullest. That allowed me to get a decent freezer stash going before returning to work, and to get her accustomed to the bottle.

Manda+panda · April 2014

DD had tongue tie, it's been corrected. She has a small mouth, two natal front teeth that are coming through her top gums and a horrible lip tie that the LC doesn't want to fix. I have flat nipples and use a sheild.Her latch it's awful. She only wants to put the tip of my nipple in her mouth...and bites instead of sucks. And the biting is getting worse. How can I fix this? What can I do for the pain?

She isn't gaining weight quickly enough, so they have me waking her every three hours, pumping right after she's fed and supplementing with expressed breast milk, half an ounce at a time. As I'm typing this, she has been gnawing on one breast or the other for an hour...and has yet to nurse more than ten minutes. I'm frustrated and in enough pain to think maybe I should pump and bottle feed...but I would rather nurse.

ksulli · April 2014

I'm on day 4&5 and seriously engorged. It's just something you suck it up and get through at first right? Nurse on demand, hot/cold compress for comfort, and it might be gone tomorrow? These breasts look like that girl from Jersey Shore on MTV, but they hurt!

christinanoelle · April 2014

This thread has been great for me so far. I had my baby girl on Sunday and she's been eating well and diapers have been fine too. I'm just feeling a little overwhelmed with how often she's eating and would like to start pumping so DH can help with the feedings. When is the best time to pump (before or after feeding?) and is it too early to start pumping at one week?

ksulli · April 2014

@christinanoelle said:

I'm just feeling a little overwhelmed with how often she's eating and would like to start pumping so DH can help with the feedings. When is the best time to pump (before or after feeding?) and is it too early to start pumping at one week?

pumping isn't ideal in the first few weeks if BFng is working. It is overwhelming, but nursing on demand is how you and baby get the supply/demand thing in synch. I wait until 4w to pump, and then that's just to start a freezer stash (for my return to work). If you want to replace a nursing session with DH feeding LO a bottle, in theory, you would replace that nursing session with a pumping session- so while it does give you time without baby, to me, it doesn't change the demands or make it less overwhelming.

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