The Great Big Breastfeeding Thread

haziedaze · April 2014

Kellymom.com has a great article on meds and breast feeding with quotes from Hake's research. Looks like Claritin is safe. Can't link article on phone but you can google or go to the site and search.

ETA: Hake was supposed to be Hale (guru who wrote Medications and Mother's Milk)

haziedaze · April 2014

eme520 said:

Manda+panda said:
@eme520‌ how bad is her tongue tie? I'm so glad that things got better! I completely understand the frustration of baby not being able to latch due to tongue tie.
Not bad enough that she thought it needed to be clipped. These issues cab be so frustrating!

So happy things went well! Engorgement can wreck havoc. Glad you are hanging in there the worst is probably behind you now!

isamaraguirre · April 2014

haziedaze said:
Kellymom.com has a great article on meds and breast feeding with quotes from Hake's research. Looks like Claritin is safe. Can't link article on phone but you can google or go to the site and search.

Thanks

Ill check it out.

littlesocks · April 2014

I went to the pediatrician yesterday and they checked DD's weight. She had only gained 3oz in 8 days and the Dr. was not thrilled. The doctor told me to take fenugreek and to drink mothers milk tea to help increase my supply.
Does anyone have experience with either of these?
She also said I need to make sure I'm eating, drinking and sleeping enough. I know I'm drinking enough but I need to work on eating and sleeping enough.
I feel like I'm nursing all the time! So hopefully getting my supply straightened out will help.

littlesocks · April 2014

LalaMama81 said:

Amsull324 said:
I went to the pediatrician yesterday and they checked DD's weight. She had only gained 3oz in 8 days and the Dr. was not thrilled. The doctor told me to take fenugreek and to drink mothers milk tea to help increase my supply.
Does anyone have experience with either of these?
She also said I need to make sure I'm eating, drinking and sleeping enough. I know I'm drinking enough but I need to work on eating and sleeping enough.
I feel like I'm nursing all the time! So hopefully getting my supply straightened out will help.
That is a little low but not emergency low. Average is 4-7 ounces a week. I am a huge fan of motherlove more milk plus in tincture form. It's fenugreek and other herbs that are galacatogogues. I think it's better than straight up fenugreek and stronger than the tea. Regardless, they'll all help but you have to take a lot.

It's true about the water, eating and skeep, too. Also try eating oatmeal.

When is your next weight check? A visit with an LC to get the latch evaluated and have a weighted feed is never a bad idea.

I go back on Friday for another weight check.
One thing that has me a little concerned is that the last time she got weighed she had gained 3oz in 4 days. So her weight gain has definitely slowed. She also has watery bowel movements (not seedy) quite often. The doctor said that's due to her immature digestive system. But when I say often, I mean ill be changing her and she'll pass gas and small amount of watery stool will come out. I thought she might have diarrhea but, again, the doctor thinks its normal.
You're right about visiting an LC. I might do that if the weight check on Friday doesn't go well.

Mamamonzo · April 2014

Amsull324 said:
I went to the pediatrician yesterday and they checked DD's weight. She had only gained 3oz in 8 days and the Dr. was not thrilled. The doctor told me to take fenugreek and to drink mothers milk tea to help increase my supply.
Does anyone have experience with either of these?
She also said I need to make sure I'm eating, drinking and sleeping enough. I know I'm drinking enough but I need to work on eating and sleeping enough.
I feel like I'm nursing all the time! So hopefully getting my supply straightened out will help.

I've been taking Fenugreek an noticed a huge difference!! A plus, instead of having BO my armpits smell like maple syrup!

littlesocks · April 2014

Mamamonzo said:

Amsull324 said:
I went to the pediatrician yesterday and they checked DD's weight. She had only gained 3oz in 8 days and the Dr. was not thrilled. The doctor told me to take fenugreek and to drink mothers milk tea to help increase my supply.
Does anyone have experience with either of these?
She also said I need to make sure I'm eating, drinking and sleeping enough. I know I'm drinking enough but I need to work on eating and sleeping enough.
I feel like I'm nursing all the time! So hopefully getting my supply straightened out will help.
I've been taking Fenugreek an noticed a huge difference!! A plus, instead of having BO my armpits smell like maple syrup!

That's awesome! On both accounts.
How long did it take for you to notice a difference?
Do you take 2 capsules with 2 meals a day?
This is the kind I have...

AcaAwkward · April 2014

Yeah, I wouldn't be worried about the sharks! BM poo is watery by definition. You can always bring in an example of a soiled diaper to your pedi to ease your mind, though -- I've totally done this before (and felt super lame but my pedi assured me parents do it all the time).

Mamamonzo · April 2014

Amsull324 said:

Mamamonzo said:

Amsull324 said:
I went to the pediatrician yesterday and they checked DD's weight. She had only gained 3oz in 8 days and the Dr. was not thrilled. The doctor told me to take fenugreek and to drink mothers milk tea to help increase my supply.
Does anyone have experience with either of these?
She also said I need to make sure I'm eating, drinking and sleeping enough. I know I'm drinking enough but I need to work on eating and sleeping enough.
I feel like I'm nursing all the time! So hopefully getting my supply straightened out will help.
I've been taking Fenugreek an noticed a huge difference!! A plus, instead of having BO my armpits smell like maple syrup!
That's awesome! On both accounts.
How long did it take for you to notice a difference?
Do you take 2 capsules with 2 meals a day?
This is the kind I have...

This is what my LC said.. Take this advice as you will and ask your provider. Start with 1 pill 3 times a day, then 2 pills 3 times then 3 pills 3 times. At some point your pours will start to smell like syrup that's how you know it's working. If the 2 pills 3 times a day works don't up it.

I never take it with food, just when I remember. I noticed a difference in 24 hours!!

mamahann · April 2014

I was just going to ask about watery BMs. LO just pooped while I was changing her and it was really thin and watery. Good to know it's normal!

littlesocks · April 2014

Ha! I was going to refer to it as a shart but I didn't know if you'd stop taking me seriously.
I'm glad other LOs have watery Poo. I heard it is more common in breastfeed babies but at one point my DD had seedy poops (when she was 5 days to maybe 8 days old) and they went away. I'm probably over thinking everything.
I just wish I could feed my DD and know she is completely satisfied and not left feeling hungry.
I can spend over a half hour with her going from boob to boob and she'll still want more but I can tell she isn't getting what she needs because she'll shake her head and get annoyed/frustrated -- and my boobs will feel completely deflated.
She'll sleep 10-15 minutes and try to eat again but only sucks for 5ish minutes until she gives up. This can go on for a couple hours and it seems my boobs never get a chance to fill up to a level to satisfy her

AcaAwkward · April 2014

Here's a KellyMom link that contains good information about POOP (what is should look like, consistency, etc)! Among other common Qs about baby's first weeks and nursing!

https://kellymom.com/parenting/parenting-faq/bf-links-concerns/

haziedaze · April 2014

Amsull324 said:

I went to the pediatrician yesterday and they checked DD's weight. She had only gained 3oz in 8 days and the Dr. was not thrilled. The doctor told me to take fenugreek and to drink mothers milk tea to help increase my supply. Does anyone have experience with either of these? She also said I need to make sure I'm eating, drinking and sleeping enough. I know I'm drinking enough but I need to work on eating and sleeping enough. I feel like I'm nursing all the time! So hopefully getting my supply straightened out will help.
I've been taking Fenugreek an noticed a huge difference!! A plus, instead of having BO my armpits smell like maple syrup!
That's awesome! On both accounts. How long did it take for you to notice a difference? Do you take 2 capsules with 2 meals a day? This is the kind I have...

If you're going to do it I've heard 3 capsules 3 times daily. Here's some Kellymom info: https://kellymom.com/bf/can-i-breastfeed/herbs/fenugreek/

Another thing is to make sure you're letting baby do plenty of comfort sucking at the end of feeds. This will get baby more of the fatty hindmilk for weight gain and help increase your supply.

AcaAwkward · April 2014

eme520 said:

AcaAwkward said:

Yeah, I wouldn't be worried about the sharks! BM poo is watery by definition. You can always bring in an example of a soiled diaper to your pedi to ease your mind, though -- I've totally done this before (and felt super lame but my pedi assured me parents do it all the time).

Haha, best autocorrect ever.

Woops!

FWIW, I'm not too concerned about large carnivorous fish or poop-farts!

littlesocks · April 2014

Does anyone breastfeed in the laid-back breast feeding position?
It seems like a lot of work for the baby having to keep their head and neck up so their face isn't smooshed into the boob.
Thoughts?

Rrrrrachel · April 2014

I love laid back breastfeeding.

JBellacqua84 · April 2014

So I already know that my baby will be in the NICU for 5(ish) days to be monitored because of a heart arrhythmia. I plan on breastfeeding. How does this work when the baby is in the NICU? Do they come and tell me when she needs to eat? Do I ask? Do I just walk down there? I plan on being there during the day with her and I have 24 hr access to the NICU but I’m just wondering how the whole thing works. I know at some point I will need to rest from delivery (even though I won’t want to leave her). Also, if I am discharged before her I plan on staying in either a parent room they have in the hospital or at the hotel across the street.

I know that every hospital is different so I’m sure things may vary from place to place. Just looking for a general idea of how this works.

Thanks everyone!

MrsMeatball41 · April 2014

JBellacqua84 said:
So I already know that my baby will be in the NICU for
5(ish) days to be monitored because of a heart arrhythmia. I plan on
breastfeeding. How does this work when the baby is in the NICU? Do they come
and tell me when she needs to eat? Do I ask? Do I just walk down there? I plan on being there during the day with her
and I have 24 hr access to the NICU but I’m just wondering how the whole thing
works. I know at some point I will need to rest from delivery (even though I won’t want to leave her). Also, if I am discharged
before her I plan on staying in either a parent room they have in the hospital or
at the hotel across the street.

I know that every hospital is different so I’m sure things
may vary from place to place. Just looking for a general idea of how this
works.

Thanks everyone!

Typically they have touch times and that is when they are to eat and kinda get on that schedule. They also watch the monitors and can tell with a higher heart rate when they start to stir and can call you. I would be ready though every 2-3 hours.

ksulli · April 2014

@Jessieann1020 said:
If I pump and refrigerate the milk and then later heat it and LO doesn't drink it all can I put it back in the refrigerator and heat it and feed it to him later or is it like a once heated use or throw out kind of thing?

I would be mixing it with other refrigerated breast milk and not fresh.

Once you offer it it's done- although if they go back within a few hours it's probably fine. Once they work on a bottle bacteria from their mouth is introduced. Also, you shouldn't mix warm and cold milk, so it'd be awkward to try to make a full bottle out of left overs.

Rrrrrachel · April 2014

Yeah conventional wisdom says if you're using that bottle within a few hours it's ok, but otherwise toss it. I always tried to keep bottles small to avoid waste. You can always make another bottle if they're still hungry!

Mamamonzo · April 2014

I'm losing my mind . Lucas will not latch properly on my right side. It's super frustrating since that side has more milk. I have changed positions, I pull him off and re latch and he refuses to open his mouth wide enough.

Of course when I was last with my LC asking about it he latched perfectly
( turd). I'm not sure what to do anymore. He takes forever to eat,and still acts hungry. I'm about ready to just start pumping and bottle feeding for good.

Rrrrrachel · April 2014

At this stage it's all about persistence! It will get easier soon.

MissWhis · April 2014

JBellacqua84 said:
So I already know that my baby will be in the NICU for
5(ish) days to be monitored because of a heart arrhythmia. I plan on
breastfeeding. How does this work when the baby is in the NICU? Do they come
and tell me when she needs to eat? Do I ask? Do I just walk down there? I plan on being there during the day with her
and I have 24 hr access to the NICU but I’m just wondering how the whole thing
works. I know at some point I will need to rest from delivery (even though I won’t want to leave her). Also, if I am discharged
before her I plan on staying in either a parent room they have in the hospital or
at the hotel across the street.

I know that every hospital is different so I’m sure things
may vary from place to place. Just looking for a general idea of how this
works.

Thanks everyone!

My baby was in the NICU for 6 days. She was on an IV for the first four days so things were a bit different than if she hadn't been, but they had her on a rough schedule of eating every 2 - 3 hours. I would try to nurse her for as long as she would go when I was there at feeding times - and I would try to make it there during those times. I also pumped every three hours, as well as after nursing her, and left bottles of breast milk for them to give her when I wasn't able to be there. My husband was also able to give her bottles if she was too sleepy to nurse or something. I was under strict orders to rest as much as possible (due to blood loss and spinal headache post c-section) so I did not go over to the NICU for overnight feeds.

The NICU at our hospital has private rooms for all the babies with fold out beds for parents to stay in the room. I was discharged a few days before her and had the option of being discharged directly to her room. I chose to go home, though, since we literally live right up the street and I hadn't been home in 12 days. And I was feeling pretty rough and needed to get as healthy as possible before she came home.

Mostly, we would make sure to meet the new nurse on shift (they would change every day at 7 am and 7 pm) and discuss with them what the strategy would be for that 12 hour period. That was probably the most helpful thing.

Good luck with your NICU stay! I hope it is short and uneventful.

MrsMeatball41 · April 2014

MissWhis said:

JBellacqua84 said:
So I already know that my baby will be in the NICU for
5(ish) days to be monitored because of a heart arrhythmia. I plan on
breastfeeding. How does this work when the baby is in the NICU? Do they come
and tell me when she needs to eat? Do I ask? Do I just walk down there? I plan on being there during the day with her
and I have 24 hr access to the NICU but I’m just wondering how the whole thing
works. I know at some point I will need to rest from delivery (even though I won’t want to leave her). Also, if I am discharged
before her I plan on staying in either a parent room they have in the hospital or
at the hotel across the street.

I know that every hospital is different so I’m sure things
may vary from place to place. Just looking for a general idea of how this
works.

Thanks everyone!
My baby was in the NICU for 6 days. She was on an IV for the first four days so things were a bit different than if she hadn't been, but they had her on a rough schedule of eating every 2 - 3 hours. I would try to nurse her for as long as she would go when I was there at feeding times - and I would try to make it there during those times. I also pumped every three hours, as well as after nursing her, and left bottles of breast milk for them to give her when I wasn't able to be there. My husband was also able to give her bottles if she was too sleepy to nurse or something. I was under strict orders to rest as much as possible (due to blood loss and spinal headache post c-section) so I did not go over to the NICU for overnight feeds.

The NICU at our hospital has private rooms for all the babies with fold out beds for parents to stay in the room. I was discharged a few days before her and had the option of being discharged directly to her room. I chose to go home, though, since we literally live right up the street and I hadn't been home in 12 days. And I was feeling pretty rough and needed to get as healthy as possible before she came home.

Mostly, we would make sure to meet the new nurse on shift (they would change every day at 7 am and 7 pm) and discuss with them what the strategy would be for that 12 hour period. That was probably the most helpful thing.

Good luck with your NICU stay! I hope it is short and uneventful.

Couldn't have said it better. We did this to a t with pumping, resting, and meeting the new nurse at 7. I tried to be there as much as possible but I was wearing myself in to the ground and with my health problems ( supposed to be on bed rest) I needed to be taking it easy too.
Good luck and lots of t&ps headed your way. It's very hard but yall can do it!

Rrrrrachel · April 2014

I haven't had a baby in the nicu but these mamas have the wise when they say don't forget to take care of yourself, too!!

JBellacqua84 · April 2014

Thanks so much ladies!!!

I appreciate the support and advice!

mamahann · April 2014

When I met with an LC last week she told me to feed on demand as long as my LO is waking up to eat. For the second night in a row LO slept aprox 5 hours before waking. At 12 days old should I be waking her if she goes longer than 3 hours? We had a weight check yesterday and she's one ounce above her birth weight so she is gaining.

littlesocks · April 2014

Vitamin D drop... I had an appointment with the pediatrician at 2 weeks 2 days and they said I should be giving DD one drop of vitamin D (400 ui) every day since I am exclusively breast feeding. I was told this is something they can't get from breast milk.
I just thought I'd mention this incase anyone isn't giving these drops to their LO yet and would like to ask their pediatrician about it.
I wish I had known before she was already 2 weeks old but I had no clue.

AcaAwkward · April 2014

Ashleyahann said:
When I met with an LC last week she told me to feed on demand as long as my LO is waking up to eat. For the second night in a row LO slept aprox 5 hours before waking. At 12 days old should I be waking her if she goes longer than 3 hours? We had a weight check yesterday and she's one ounce above her birth weight so she is gaining.

Personally, I wouldn't wake her since she is already back above birth weight, so long as she's nursing approx 10-12 times per day.

Tferr02 · April 2014

Ashleyahann said:
When I met with an LC last week she told me to feed on demand as long as my LO is waking up to eat. For the second night in a row LO slept aprox 5 hours before waking. At 12 days old should I be waking her if she goes longer than 3 hours? We had a weight check yesterday and she's one ounce above her birth weight so she is gaining.

My son was sleeping 6-7 hours at night in his first week and my dr told us to wake him every 5 hours at night. So if she's gaining and it's 5 hours or so, I wouldn't worry

ksulli · April 2014

On vitamin d drops- the first ones I got are pure sugar, presumably so baby will take them. Not what I want to give my newborn. I asked my pedi about it- carlson's d drops are a much stronger and less sugared version where you can put a drop on your nipple & be done.

Rrrrrachel · April 2014

Ashleyahann said:
When I met with an LC last week she told me to feed on demand as long as my LO is waking up to eat. For the second night in a row LO slept aprox 5 hours before waking. At 12 days old should I be waking her if she goes longer than 3 hours? We had a weight check yesterday and she's one ounce above her birth weight so she is gaining.

I also wouldn't wake her as long as she's gaining and it's just one long five hour period a day.

Rrrrrachel · April 2014

Babies do get vit d from breast milk, as long as mom gets adequate vit d. I chose to supplement myself last time (at least 4000 iu a day is I think the level) but I think the drops are pretty harmless, too.

chichi589 · April 2014

@Mamamonzo Chase refuses my right nipple too! So frustrating. Some suggestions I received were to nurse on my left and keep him in the same position but move him to my right that way he stays more comfortable in the position that he obviously prefers to lay while nursing. That's worked a few times the other suggestion was a nipple shield. Mostly I use the nipple shield for that one side. He hasn't had any confusion and it's not that bad as long as he's nursing both sides I'm good with it.

Mamamonzo · April 2014

@chichi589‌ someone else told me about the positions too. It seemed to work last night. I already use a shield which makes everything harder in my opinion, however he needs it so it must be done!

Thanks for the ideas!

Rrrrrachel · April 2014

@LalaMama81‌ I don't disagree. I forget those gross drops even exist, we always used the good ones when we used it.

Here's info from Kelly mom for anyone who ants confirmation that sunlight and bmilk is enough.

littlesocks · April 2014

ksulli said:
On vitamin d drops- the first ones I got are pure sugar, presumably so baby will take them. Not what I want to give my newborn. I asked my pedi about it- carlson's d drops are a much stronger and less sugared version where you can put a drop on your nipple & be done.

Carlson's D drops are the kind I got. I picked them up from whole foods. I tried it and it has very little (maybe even no) flavor. I put a drop on my boob or even just drop it in her mouth. DD hasn't been bothered by it.
It actually makes me feel better to know the drops may not be necessary incase I miss a day here and there.

Mamamonzo · April 2014

I'm going to lose my mind. I have had a baby attached to me every 45 minutes for the past 2 days. LC told us it's time to cut the bottle since he's gaining weight.

I don't know what to do. I can't get anything done, no sleep, haven't eaten anything in 24 hours. My nipples are so fucking raw. Someone talk me off a ledge before I give up and just pump.

christinanoelle · April 2014

Hugs @Mamamonzo‌ - no advice as a FTM but that sounds very trying

What's the opinion on feeding schedules? Do you wake every 2/3 hours or feed on demand? How early is too early to determine a schedule?

ksulli · April 2014

@Jessieann1020‌ the mixing different temp milks will have it curdle- just like cows milk that we drink. Once it's all cooled it's fine. I found good info about pumping at kellymom.com. Also lurking on the BF board.

@mamamonzo- that's pretty normal for a growth spurt. It should end in a day or two. For the raw nipples get lanolin or mother love nipple cream/lotion, and let the air out a bit when the baby isn't attached. BFing hurts like a b*tch at first, but should settle down. Cracked nipples is usually the result of a poor latch.

@christinanoelle- I feed on demand. I believe it's the generally accepted best way to get your supply in line with LOs demand.

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