The Great Big Breastfeeding Thread

Holljade · April 2014

@LalaMama81‌ glad to know it's normal.

I am feeling SO sexy these days, lol.

@chichi589 I'll have to try those out!

haziedaze · April 2014

Mamamonzo said:

I'm mostly pumping at this point but I still nurse once or twice a day just for comfort. I've used coconut oil on my nipples, but it seems to just keep them moist, and isn't helping with the pain. What can I use for actual pain?

The All Purpose Nipple Ointment (APNO) has a steroid in it which can help some. I've also heard of people having ibuprofen powder added to it for pain relief. Taking ibuprofen can also help. I thought the gel soothies (cold out of the fridge) really helped last time also. If the pain isn't getting better or the crack aren't healing then you have to think about oral treatment for thrush or staph.

ksulli · April 2014

aronie82 said:
I nursed in public today!!! Totally freaked out the in laws. Oh well.

I nursed at the ILs today. Love making them a tad uncomfortable (even though I love them).

khammond3 · April 2014

I was so excited to breast feed but lately I have not been enjoying it. I feel like it is a chore and at night I dread waking up to do it. Is anyone else feeling like this or is it just me? I'm a FTM so idk if it is just pure exhaustion or what. I feel like all I do is nurse our baby and my husband can't help which just wears me out.

ksulli · April 2014

@khammond- that's pretty normal. Maybe it's a growth spurt? Also, talk to your an about it. Some guys (my H included) tend to think if we BF that food is literally all baby wants, so they won't even try to calm a fussy baby and just hand it off to mom. He can rock her, change her, bathe her, burp her- really anything but feed her. When they're brand new they are on the boob a lot, but it'll slow down.

heids4787 · April 2014

ksulli said:

aronie82 said:
I nursed in public today!!! Totally freaked out the in laws. Oh well.
I nursed at the ILs today. Love making them a tad uncomfortable (even though I love them).

I nursed my LO yesterday when my MIL was over. Before I started, she offered to excuse herself and vacuum the first floor (yay). By the sounds of it... I think she vacuumed all surfaces 3x so not to interrupt me, LOL. I know my house isn't THAT large! What a sweet woman :-)

MamaFantastic · April 2014

MamaFantastic said:

UUUUGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

/dramatic whine.

ok, from day 1 i have dealt with a sore left nipple. it wasn't a big deal at first because everything was sore and i just dealt with it, assuming it would go away as my nipples adjusted to the onslaught of breastfeeding sessions. but at this point i'm just straight up in pain. i dislike feeding from that side and i just writhe in pain for the first 20 or 30 seconds and i grin and bear the pain for the rest of the feeding.

i'm assuming this isn't thrush/yeast for the following reasons:

1) the pain started by the second or third feeding ever, day 1. she wasn't a great latcher on that side for the first handful of days and i think it just set me up for a bad situation right from the start.

2) i don't have the same pain on the right side. the right feels like a normal amount of pain. the left is a different story. it has been like this the whole time.

but still... i get shooting, throbbing pain in my left boob at feeding and non-feeding times of the day. i was using the ameda hydrogel pads for the first 2ish weeks, and now i'm slathering them with EMAB nipple butter after every feeding.

any ideas? i keep looking in her mouth to see if there's any white yeasty looking residue. she has classic white breast milk tongue, but i haven't seen any patches on her gums so far.

update:

i went to my OB's office yesterday and also spoke with my doula and with a local LC at one of the pediatrician offices. doula thought maybe yeast based on what i described to her via text messages (granted, not the most accurate way to address an issue) and the LC thought the same based on my description of the shooting pain. when i was seen by my midwife and their LC, they both agreed my current latch was great, but there was some compression when she would pull off the nipple, which indicated maybe it wasn't so great after all. they also both agreed the nipples didn't look that "angry" and showed no visible signs of thrush (also peeked inside baby's mouth and didn't see signs of it there) so they were leaning toward thinking maybe this is an issue of a terrible latch initially which led to possible nerve damage that was causing me side-specific pain. they suggested i visit with the hospital LC to address the latching and possibly work on some alternate positions. ironically, the left side feedings have actually been a bit less painful in the past 24 hours, so who knows... maybe it really is just an issue of latch or positioning. i'm thankful no signs point toward yeast at this point, though! they did call a prescription in just in case, though - so the pharmacy will have this triple nipple cream (good for yeast, bacteria and something else?) just in case it turns into something that requires a cream.

heids4787 · April 2014

After 4 days reading through this thread while LO is munching, I have to exclaim my sincere gratitude for everyone's questions, advice, and support!! I was an occasional emotional mess at first with late night feeding, but to know my frustrations are shared has been soooo helpful! Here's a little info about where I'm at:

1. LO uses a breast shield due to my short nipples/trouble latching. I've had some success without it, too, but only after starting with the shield. I feel your pain for mamas torn about using this tool!

2. I had engorgement issues on day three, but pumping and self expression helped so much.

3. I love using Earth Mama Angel Baby butter and also using my own breast milk to soothe away the pain

4. I definitely need breast pads (even with small ta-tas), but love not wearing shirts around the house, LOL

5. What I have loved learning on this thread;

-making your own pumping bra using an old sports bra = brilliant!

-inserting TP into a diaper for checking wetness. Especially useful for diapers w/o a wetness indicator.

-using a "hamburger" position to help LO latch. I was having difficulty visualizing this concept and it now makes so much more sense!

-Kellymom.com will now become my new homepage on my computer :-)

Edited: pushed "post" too soon!

babybarnes87 · April 2014

Any advice for how to help LO get a better latch? It's ok, but I know it could be wider. I'm always trying to pull his chin/lower lip down while feeding. I typically use the side cradle position because I think it's easiest. I know about the sandwich concept and a lactation nurse helped me some at the hospital, but with my boobs being so full of milk constantly, I'm struggling with squishing my boob for him and getting a good latch. I'll probably ask a LC about it, but wanted to see if anyone had some tips or advice.

Rrrrrachel · April 2014

That's one problem that will get better I it's own as your milk regulates and you're less engorged and baby's mouth gets bigger. Using a warm compress, breast massage, or hand expression to soften things up a bit before trying to latch can help, too.

Rrrrrachel · April 2014

And don't be shy about shoving the baby on there! I have to do hug at even with my two year old.

Mamamonzo · April 2014

haziedaze said:

Mamamonzo said:

I'm mostly pumping at this point but I still nurse once or twice a day just for comfort. I've used coconut oil on my nipples, but it seems to just keep them moist, and isn't helping with the pain. What can I use for actual pain?

The All Purpose Nipple Ointment (APNO) has a steroid in it which can help some. I've also heard of people having ibuprofen powder added to it for pain relief. Taking ibuprofen can also help. I thought the gel soothies (cold out of the fridge) really helped last time also. If the pain isn't getting better or the crack aren't healing then you have to think about oral treatment for thrush or staph.

There's no cracking or anything they are just super sore from pumping

chichi589 · April 2014

LO hasn't pooped in 12 hours when he was regularly going after every feeding. He's 13 days old is his system just starting to change or should I be concerned? He is having pee diapers like normal. Breastfeeding poopy diapers I thought were very frequent

khammond3 · April 2014

chichi589 said:
LO hasn't pooped in 12 hours when he was regularly going after every feeding. He's 13 days old is his system just starting to change or should I be concerned? He is having pee diapers like normal. Breastfeeding poopy diapers I thought were very frequent

I'm in the same boat. She will have like a quarter sized amount of poop but that's it

khammond3 · April 2014

Weird question but how should your nipple look after Breast feeding? I'm pretty sure I have a good latch bc her lips are wide and puckered out but the first couple sucks hurt. The rest of the feedin is fine but when I take the nipple out it looks like those pacifiers you shouldn't use while breast feeding. Looks more long at top and flat on bottom then I get some mild scars. Any thoughts?

khammond3 · April 2014

Another question... I had a c section and was prescribed iron pills. Any idea on why I would need to take those and if they interfere with breast feeding? What about colace?

Rrrrrachel · April 2014

It's normal for breastfed babies to go up to ten days without pooping. When that transition happens varies by baby. Short of other symptoms (signs of discomfort, distended tummy, little rabbit poops when they do poop) pooping less isn't a cause for concern. Their little bodies are just super efficiently using the milk!

chichi589 · April 2014

Thanks so much @Rrrrrachel‌ ! You made me feel so much better

sking72 · April 2014

I'm worried I have thrush, I have a weir pain under my breast and in my shoulder blade as soon as she latches and the whole time she nurses. It feels like I'm wearing a bra too right and the underwire is digging in. Anyone else have this symptom or know of any other possible explanation? Also, what doctor do I talk to about this? Do I call the hospital lactation consultant, the pediatrician, and/or my OB/GYN?

haziedaze · April 2014

sking72 said:

I'm worried I have thrush, I have a weir pain under my breast and in my shoulder blade as soon as she latches and the whole time she nurses. It feels like I'm wearing a bra too right and the underwire is digging in. Anyone else have this symptom or know of any other possible explanation? Also, what doctor do I talk to about this? Do I call the hospital lactation consultant, the pediatrician, and/or my OB/GYN?

Could be a plugged duct... can you feel a hard area on that underside? Thrush felt like there was shards of glass in my nipples with shooting pains and then crazy itching between feeds. What you're describing could also be your letdown. Try reading a bit about painful letdown and plugged ducts on kellymom and see if either fits. If not or it gets worse try talking to an LC.

haziedaze · April 2014

babybarnes87 said:

Any advice for how to help LO get a better latch? It's ok, but I know it could be wider. I'm always trying to pull his chin/lower lip down while feeding. I typically use the side cradle position because I think it's easiest. I know about the sandwich concept and a lactation nurse helped me some at the hospital, but with my boobs being so full of milk constantly, I'm struggling with squishing my boob for him and getting a good latch. I'll probably ask a LC about it, but wanted to see if anyone had some tips or advice.

I'd try to do reverse pressure softening or express just a bit. If you're really engorged it's hard for them to get a deep latch. To help them open wide, I had better luck teasing DS's nose rather than his lips. He would smell the milk, open wide, and then tip back nicely to get the nipple in his mouth. If I teased his lips he would open just a touch and then slurp the nipple in- ouch!

Rrrrrachel · April 2014

I call that the straw latch, and yikes it hurts.

Rrrrrachel · April 2014

There is a good little photo series here. Notice how high she points the nipple,and the baby gets their mouth on the bottom part first and then wraps around the top. https://www.pumpstation.com/pumpstation/dept.asp?dept_id=3228

Rrrrrachel · April 2014

And here's a demonstration with PUPPETS! What's not to love.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=oXLFveF1FLA

Rrrrrachel · April 2014

And here's one more trick I've seen but never tried. https://www.drmomma.org/2010/08/breastfeeding-latch-trick.html

kseccomb17 · April 2014

sking72 said:
I'm worried I have thrush, I have a weir pain under my breast and in my shoulder blade as soon as she latches and the whole time she nurses. It feels like I'm wearing a bra too right and the underwire is digging in. Anyone else have this symptom or know of any other possible explanation? Also, what doctor do I talk to about this? Do I call the hospital lactation consultant, the pediatrician, and/or my OB/GYN?

I had a burning sensation in my left breast about 6 days in. My breast was red and swollen but it also felt like my skin was on fire. It had a few hard lumps and a white spot on my nipple. I met with my midwife and LC abd his latch was great, but I had mastitis. I got an antibiotic cream and ten days of oral antibiotics. It cleared up pretty quickly. So, while it wasn't thrush, I was able to get better by meeting with both at the same time. If that's possible for you.

sking72 · April 2014

haziedaze said:

sking72 said:

I'm worried I have thrush, I have a weir pain under my breast and in my shoulder blade as soon as she latches and the whole time she nurses. It feels like I'm wearing a bra too right and the underwire is digging in. Anyone else have this symptom or know of any other possible explanation? Also, what doctor do I talk to about this? Do I call the hospital lactation consultant, the pediatrician, and/or my OB/GYN?

Could be a plugged duct... can you feel a hard area on that underside? Thrush felt like there was shards of glass in my nipples with shooting pains and then crazy itching between feeds. What you're describing could also be your letdown. Try reading a bit about painful letdown and plugged ducts on kellymom and see if either fits. If not or it gets worse try talking to an LC.

No hard spots. Looked on kellymom before posting and mastitis and plugged duct did not fit how I'm feeling. Thrush sounded more likely, talked to the lactation consultant over the phone, doctor is writing APNO prescription.

Going to read about letdown though. Haven't checked that.

Emily041285 · April 2014

If dd has milk running out of her mouth at the end of a feeding is she getting lazy or do I have an over supply issue? Fast let down?

Is this something I need to call a lc about or is it normal?

ksulli · April 2014

@Emily041285‌ milk dribbles are normal. And great- it means baby gets all it wants.

Emily041285 · April 2014

Thanks @ksulli‌. I'm paranoid about supply issues. Glad to see its normal!

maelic · April 2014

Shout out to the nipple shield I tried in desperation in the middle of the night: LO loves it, feeding her no longer makes me cry, and I am such a happier, saner mama.

cgoldian · April 2014

Since we switched to feeding on demand, DD often will only nurse for 4-5 minutes at a time. Should I be offering the same breast again so she can get hind milk? Or will it mess with my supply if I don't switch to the other breast at the next feeding. I try to wake her up immediately and get her to continue feeding but she only takes it about 20% of the time.

mamahann · April 2014

How can I know the difference between LO being hungry and just wanting to suck for comfort? She's been attached to my boobs for almost 4 hours now with 15 minute naps in between screaming. I burp her, rock her, make sure she has a clean diaper and the only thing that soothes her is nursing. She falls asleep and then wakes up crying and rooting. I'm tempted to try giving her a pacifier even though we wanted to wait another week. My nips are sore!

heids4787 · April 2014

maelic said:
Shout out to the nipple shield I tried in desperation in the middle of the night: LO loves it, feeding her no longer makes me cry, and I am such a happier, saner mama.

Although I know there are mixed feelings about the nipple shield, I think I would have been an emotional wreck without this thing! LO has some success latching to my right without it, so I know she isn't experiencing nipple confusion, but MAN does this thing make me breathe easier when I know she's feeding well and had trouble latching.

chichi589 · April 2014

@Ashleyahann‌ my LO was doing the same only he ate so much he threw up tried a soothie from someone's suggestion on here and we've never been happier my nipples aren't aching anymore

haziedaze · April 2014

Ashleyahann said:

How can I know the difference between LO being hungry and just wanting to suck for comfort? She's been attached to my boobs for almost 4 hours now with 15 minute naps in between screaming. I burp her, rock her, make sure she has a clean diaper and the only thing that soothes her is nursing. She falls asleep and then wakes up crying and rooting. I'm tempted to try giving her a pacifier even though we wanted to wait another week. My nips are sore!

Honestly they're closely intermingled. If you need a break try a pacifier, the timings also pretty good for a growth spurt. Kellymom has great articles on both if you want another perspective.

LaurenCourtney · April 2014

LO is 8 days old today. She was 6lb 6oz at birth, dropped to 5lb 13oz before we left the hospital. Monday we went to pedi and she was back up to 6lb 4oz. Pedi said to continue to wake her up for feedings for 2 to 3 more days then let her nurse on demand.
I just need a little reassurance I guess. I'm so nervous about doing something wrong, screwing up my supply. It's been 3 hours since we nursed and she is sleeping peacefully and I know I am supposed to leave her alone and let her sleep but i have the overwhelming urge to wake her up and nurse.
I guess I just want someone to tell me I'm not going to screw everything up by letting her nurse when she wants.
I know I probably sound ridiculous, I'm just so scared of doing something wrong.

MapleLeafMama · April 2014

Go with your gut. If you want to wake her to fed her, do it. It won't hurt her.

LaurenCourtney · April 2014

Thanks @aronie82‌ .. I'm glad I'm not the only one. It's just so hard to go from being vigilant about nursing every 3 hours to letting her decide when to nurse. Every 4 hours and no alarms at night is a good plan, I think I will do that.

smashton14th · April 2014

My DS slept about 4 hours after eating at both breasts. When he woke up he only wanted one breast! That means i have a semi-hard breast but a baby that doesn't want to eat from it. Another 3-4 hours until the next feeding. So what do i do? I don't want to pump because that will tell my breasts that he needs it but i don't want my breast to be rock hard and he can't latch next time anyway.

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