The Great Big Breastfeeding Thread

Manda+panda · April 2014

I would pump to comfort. You don't want to get all the milk out, but you don't want to be miserable, either.

Dixon813 · April 2014

DS is 3 days old and milk came in today (yay!) I had been nursing him on both sides every time (to stimulate milk production)... Do/did you continue on both sides? Most times just one side?

As @smashton14th‌ said, don't want to have one rock hard boob... So was curious as to whether I should try to "train" the breasts (and baby) to only use one side at a time.

TIA, ladies! I've really enjoyed reading this thread both before DS arrived and now that he's here!

heids4787 · April 2014

It's 4am EST. I just fell asleep while LO was feeding and she nibbled for over 45 minutes. Oops #-o

Laroo0220 · April 2014

I've really enjoyed reading this thread so thank you ladies. I'm jn the middle of a horrendous night where I have
Gotten pretty much zero sleep. Seeing as tmre were having ppl over throughout the day I had a bit of a melt
Down from exhaustion. Dd has been nursing every hour and a half all
Night and nursed every hr all day. She had been doing 3 hr stretches at night and sleeping great. Last night she was super fussy and woke up every time I
Laid her down. She is 10 days old. Does this sound like a growth spurt or Are we seriously going backwards
After making so much progress.

ksulli · April 2014

@Laroo0220‌ sounds like a growth spurt. The good news is, they usually only last a few days. The bad news is, they last a few days. Good luck with the company today.

maelic · April 2014

Jessieann1020 said:
How do you drink alcohol and know it's out of your milk? I'd love a rum and coke but I'm scared.

You can have a drink and nurse just fine, don't worry. Our pedi said not more than 3-4 drinks a week, but rock on otherwise.

maelic · April 2014

Just have to brag: my little bug gained 4oz in less than 48 hours, pedi is no longer on the lookout for weight gain issues though she's not back to birthweight yet. Makes all that cluster feeding feel sooooo worth it.

Rachnan · April 2014

Not sure if a similar question had been asked since I'm still working through this awesome thread: my LO is not gaining weight at the rate the pedi would like (lost a ton in the hospital too) so we've been supplementing a small amount. In order to stimulate supply we discussed me pumping after feeding him. Anyone have recommendations on how often and how long to do this?

heids4787 · April 2014

maelic said:
Just have to brag: my little bug gained 4oz in less than 48 hours, pedi is no longer on the lookout for weight gain issues though she's not back to birthweight yet. Makes all that cluster feeding feel sooooo worth it.

Yay!!! That's so exciting @maelic‌ :-). My LO gained 5 oz in 5 days this past week and is almost back to birth weight. You go, mama ;-)

lilmama412 · April 2014

Idk if this is the right thread for this, but DD is EBF, and I have notices her spitting up a lot lately. She has only spit up on us once or twice, but when I put her in the bassinet, there will be a giant wet spot to the side of her mouth. I have also seen her do it when I lay her down to change her diaper. Could this be reflux? Is it normal? It doesn't seem to bother her. I have also noticed her gagging when I am burping her, like something came half way up and she gagged on it. Is there anything I should do for her?

MissWhis · April 2014

Rachnan said:
Not sure if a similar question had been asked since I'm still working through this awesome thread: my LO is not gaining weight at the rate the pedi would like (lost a ton in the hospital too) so we've been supplementing a small amount. In order to stimulate supply we discussed me pumping after feeding him. Anyone have recommendations on how often and how long to do this?

I was doing this when my baby was in the NICU and for the first week at home. I pumped for 10 min after nursing, or for 5 minutes after the milk stopped - whichever came first. Sometimes that would mean pumping one side longer than the other, especially when she had a solid nursing session beforehand.

Edit to add: it worked well for us and we have a good freezer stash built up now, but I had serious engorgment when I stopped pumping and went to EBF. Just be aware of that.

AcaAwkward · April 2014

lilmama412 said:
Idk if this is the right thread for this, but DD is EBF, and I have notices her spitting up a lot lately. She has only spit up on us once or twice, but when I put her in the bassinet, there will be a giant wet spot to the side of her mouth. I have also seen her do it when I lay her down to change her diaper. Could this be reflux? Is it normal? It doesn't seem to bother her. I have also noticed her gagging when I am burping her, like something came half way up and she gagged on it. Is there anything I should do for her?

True reflux would cause discomfort -- usually baby would arch her back and act super fussy after each feeding. Sounds like she's just spitting up -- totally normal! Just make sure you're burping her every time you nurse -- maybe in the middle of the feeding as well to best alleviate any gas bubbles.

Rachnan · April 2014

LalaMama81 said:

Rachnan said:

Not sure if a similar question had been asked since I'm still working through this awesome thread: my LO is not gaining weight at the rate the pedi would like (lost a ton in the hospital too) so we've been supplementing a small amount. In order to stimulate supply we discussed me pumping after feeding him. Anyone have recommendations on how often and how long to do this?

Well if you're concerned about your supply then yes you need to be doing something to tell your body you need more milk. Every oz of supplement they take is one oz less your body thinks they need, KWIM?

So, first…what gain have they had? What is the pedi looking for? An EBF baby should gain 4-7oz a week on average. It can take a few weeks to get back to birthweight, especially if they lost a full 10% and if you got fluids during labor which inflates their weight.

How are you supplementing? If you pump you can supplement w/ BM instead. I prefer non-bottle methods of supplementing initially. Have you seen an LC? How is the baby's latch?

Easy ways to boost supply - pump after feedings, drink tons of water, eat oatmeal, make sure you have enough calories, get as much sleep as you can. You can also take a fenugreek based supplement via tea, pills or tincture like More Milk Plus by Mother love or Mother's milk tea.

He was born at 6lbs12oz and was down to 6lbs0.8oz at 3 days. He is looking for a gain of 25g a day which is a little less than an ounce. So far he is back up to 6lbs8oz (with diaper) at 11 days. So he lost more than 10% which is when we started supplementing with approx 1 oz of formula. Much of this week we only supplemented when he wasn't satisfied which was only once or twice and he didn't gain what the pedi wanted to see. So we are back to supplementing after every feeding. I did see a LC and she was very happy with his latch.

So really it sounds like I should be pumping after every feeding to mimic the supplement he is getting and eventually use in place of formula?

Thanks for the responses!

heids4787 · April 2014

MrsMeatball41 said:
My lo has reflux and spit up goes through her nose. She does it about 4-5 times maybe one or two huge one. Even if yours doesn't have reflux, holding them up, like you sitting and them on your shoulder will help. That little flap isn't quite developed and holding them up helps

Sorry if this was answered already, but my LO just spit up through her nose today for the first time. Should I use a nasal aspirator on her afterwards, or just burp/rub her back if it just happened? Thanks, in advance!

EmmaD312 · April 2014

My LO is 2 1/2 weeks old and we've been doing pretty well with BFing, but today I feel like I've suddenly lost my touch.

All he wants to do is eat, and if he's not eating, he's crying. He's spent hours and hours attached to my boobs today and half the time I can't tell if he's really eating or just nibbling. He'll rarely detach unless I do it for him. Then he hangs on for dear life, and afterward he arches his back and cries. I don't feel like I'm burping him correctly, either. Can't find a position that works, always feel like I'm not supporting his head enough while trying to burp him.

Is this cluster feeding? Or is this me letting him go for too long? Or not long enough? My nipples hurt. My back hurts. BFing meltdown happening here!

Rrrrrachel · April 2014

Growth spurt!

Mrs.Kohalic17 · April 2014

Having a meltdown over here

( I keep going back and forth about giving up on BF. We had to supplement in the hospital bc of weight loss/jaundice which lead to nipple confusion.

Now he's latching like a champ, will nurse 30-45mins but then screaming a little later and will take a breast milk bottle. Doesn't make any sense to me. So I've tried exclusively pumping but now barely any is coming out. What's wrong with me??? He'll be 2wks tmrw. I really wanna EBF/EP but when he's screaming DH gets frustrated and pushes a formula bottle bc I can't pump enough to have some stock.

hlm184 · April 2014

I figured out our latching trouble came from my breasts getting too full. If he eats every hour or two, we're fine. Four hours and I need to pump some.

Is burping strictly necessary? We haven't been doing it.

chichi589 · April 2014

@EmmaD312‌ I could have written that myself from our last 2 days... Your not alone my little guy is 2 weeks today. I already prepared myself for a night on the couch.

Rrrrrachel · April 2014

Mrs kohalic he may just want to nurse a lot. My daughter could easily eat several times anhour at that age! Some babies just want the boob all the time. The more you can have baby at the breast the better for your supply, and your husband just needs to cool it.

Manda+panda · April 2014

I have a bladder infection, and am on antibiotics. The antibiotics aren't doing anything to my digestive track, but DD is pooping ALL THE TIME. So much so that she's getting diaper rash and SCREAMS as soon as she poops. I obviously do not let it sit and change her right away. I'm using A&D ointment on her, and am taking acidophilus once a day. Hearing her scream from being sore has me either wanting to give her formula for the time and pumping and dumping, or stopping the meds. Neither of which is a good idea.

Had anyone had this experience? Does anyone know if I can up the acidophilus twice a day? A better ointment for her bottom? Any advice would be appreciated.

Emily041285 · April 2014

Xp from RTT: Any ideas to curb the leaking all over my shirt besides the pads? If I nurse on the left my right side soaks through my bra and the pads. I'm too embarrassed to go out of my house like this....

Rrrrrachel · April 2014

Manda+panda said:

I have a bladder infection, and am on antibiotics. The antibiotics aren't doing anything to my digestive track, but DD is pooping ALL THE TIME. So much so that she's getting diaper rash and SCREAMS as soon as she poops. I obviously do not let it sit and change her right away. I'm using A&D ointment on her, and am taking acidophilus once a day. Hearing her scream from being sore has me either wanting to give her formula for the time and pumping and dumping, or stopping the meds. Neither of which is a good idea. Had anyone had this experience? Does anyone know if I can up the acidophilus twice a day? A better ointment for her bottom? Any advice would be appreciated.

You cannot od on probiotics. Typical grocery store or drug store ones also way under dose. Take those suckers by the fist full. Just take them as far apart from the abx as you can (so if the abx are six hours apart, for example, do the probiotics half way between). You can also give them to the baby. Crush or open a capsule, mix with a little water or bm, and give it to them with a dropper or syringe (the pharmacy can give you one if you need one). Sorry their poop is upset right now

MapleLeafMama · April 2014

ImnAtari said:

starting to get ready to switch little A from breast to formula. Im actually terrified to do it for no good reason I can think of. I have NO idea how to go about it... shes had a fewbottles of formula here and there while weve supplemented and did just fine with it. Any tips / tricks to help with the transition?

When we did this with DS we mixed breast milk and formula, gradually changing the concentration. I,e 1/2 and 1/2, 3/4 and 1/4 etc. it seemed to work fine.

ksulli · April 2014

@Emily041285 said:
Xp from RTT: Any ideas to curb the leaking all over my shirt besides the pads? If I nurse on the left my right side soaks through my bra and the pads. I'm too embarrassed to go out of my house like this....

I use cloth diapers for burp cloths (suuuuper absorbent) and shove a folded corner of it in with the 'spare' boob when nursing. Saves the pads from the let down.

Emily041285 · April 2014

Ah love that idea @ksulli‌! Someone suggested something else that I ordered but won't get here till Monday. This I can try right away!

heids4787 · April 2014

LuckySquare said:

heids4787 said:
Thanks, @LuckySquare‌! She seems ok now with no further spit-up this afternoon, but I'll use the aspirator in the future just to make her more comfy.

Instead of the nasal aspirator I received at the hospital, I'm using the Nose Frida, which my LO doesn't seem to mind. The concept is gross, but it works really well! I wanted to mention it in case it could help your LO.

https://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=nosefrida&tag=hydsma-20&index=aps&hvadid=21125389074&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2338702413124199040&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&hvdev=m&ref=pd_sl_8fynwl65k2_e

heids4787 · April 2014

@dani+california‌ - congrats on your LO! I'm on day 9 with my first LO, and she does the same thing sometimes. If I still have her partially clothed, I start undressing her in my arms while she's still latched. If this doesn't work, nor the chin/back stroking, I pop her off after 5-10 minutes.

My next tactic is burping her and then checking her diaper. These actions can wake her up enough to return to feeding on either breast. Other mamas on TB might have more suggestions since I'm still definitely a rookie!

haziedaze · April 2014

Rachnan said:

LalaMama81 said:

Rachnan said:

Not sure if a similar question had been asked since I'm still working through this awesome thread: my LO is not gaining weight at the rate the pedi would like (lost a ton in the hospital too) so we've been supplementing a small amount. In order to stimulate supply we discussed me pumping after feeding him. Anyone have recommendations on how often and how long to do this?

Well if you're concerned about your supply then yes you need to be doing something to tell your body you need more milk. Every oz of supplement they take is one oz less your body thinks they need, KWIM?

So, first…what gain have they had? What is the pedi looking for? An EBF baby should gain 4-7oz a week on average. It can take a few weeks to get back to birthweight, especially if they lost a full 10% and if you got fluids during labor which inflates their weight.

How are you supplementing? If you pump you can supplement w/ BM instead. I prefer non-bottle methods of supplementing initially. Have you seen an LC? How is the baby's latch?

Easy ways to boost supply - pump after feedings, drink tons of water, eat oatmeal, make sure you have enough calories, get as much sleep as you can. You can also take a fenugreek based supplement via tea, pills or tincture like More Milk Plus by Mother love or Mother's milk tea.

He was born at 6lbs12oz and was down to 6lbs0.8oz at 3 days. He is looking for a gain of 25g a day which is a little less than an ounce. So far he is back up to 6lbs8oz (with diaper) at 11 days. So he lost more than 10% which is when we started supplementing with approx 1 oz of formula. Much of this week we only supplemented when he wasn't satisfied which was only once or twice and he didn't gain what the pedi wanted to see. So we are back to supplementing after every feeding. I did see a LC and she was very happy with his latch.

So really it sounds like I should be pumping after every feeding to mimic the supplement he is getting and eventually use in place of formula?

Thanks for the responses!

Basically you want to figure out the amt of formula he needs to hit the 20-30g mark and then pump until you can match that amount. Definitely give your own milk when you can! Otherwise you've gotten great advice.

Erikahenderson1 · April 2014

dani+california said:
Sorry if this has been asked already, I had to skip 200 posts. I'm on day 1 of BFing, my milk hasn't come in yet.

When LO has been feeding for some time and starts falling asleep, how long should I let him stay on the boob? I read @ Kellymom and other resources that I can wait about 15 seconds then rub/stroke under his chin, rub his back or arms, etc. This works and he'll start to suck again, but then inevitably falls asleep. I just nursed for 40 minutes before I popped him off after he repeated this cycle dozens of times.

I want to make sure I'm not cutting the feedings short so how long should I let that go on for? I feel like he'd do it for 2 hours if I let him!

This. LO is 3 weeks, we have a pattern but feedings take up to an hour. Mind you this includes her " sleep eating" or not doing constant active sucking and a diaper change between breasts.
My question is if she eats for 15-20 minutes on one side should I still feed her the other side too? Or should I just switch off every feeding?

chichi589 · April 2014

I switch breasts per feeding because my LO will over eat if I don't and throw up. We do about 15-20 mins feedings every 3 hrs he always seems content and he's gaining weight.

Erikahenderson1 · April 2014

Thank you! She has been spitting up quite a bit more suddenly the past 3 days or so, looks like the whole second half of the feeding sometimes.

Manda+panda · April 2014

DD is 25 days old. She's been off the breast for, at most, an hour and a half in the last ten hours. My nipples ate killing me and I'm totally exhausted. I know she's comfort nursing, her diaper rash is awful and she screams until I nurse her. I'm going crazy. What can I do for nipple pain? How can I get her off the breast, even for a few minutes?

columbia1 · April 2014

Manda+panda said:
DD is 25 days old. She's been off the breast for, at most, an hour and a half in the last ten hours. My nipples ate killing me and I'm totally exhausted. I know she's comfort nursing, her diaper rash is awful and she screams until I nurse her. I'm going crazy. What can I do for nipple pain? How can I get her off the breast, even for a few minutes?

My LO was doing this. I finally gave in and used a pacifier. I wanted to wait, but my nipples needed a break from the constant nursing. We luckily have no nipple confusion and I'm pain free! As for nipple pain now-- try the "triple cream" consists of neosporin, 1% hydrocortisone, and athletes foot cream. Healed my cracked nipples within 2 days

Rrrrrachel · April 2014

Dani it's kind of up to you. The more you let them hang out at the breast the faster your milk will come in. But you may want to get up occasionally, too

.

chichi589 · April 2014

@Manda+panda‌ I second the pacifier idea. We use a soothie and it works great for when he just wants to suck and saves my nipples

Manda+panda · April 2014

I tried her soothie. She just spits it out and screams. She finally fell asleep.

Dixon813 · April 2014

mamrotu73 said:
Success! -ish. Improvement!

Tried the RPS and instead of angry cries and no latch, we got semi-successful attempts. He would latch but only suck a handful of times before pulling himself off. We went at it like that for a bit and swapped to the right. He latched well after a couple tries and then sucked until he was full.

I've got a milk-drunk burping baby now!

Yay for improvement/success!!

LC reminded me to hand express just a few drops to get the nipple softer/easier to latch on to a and that has helped us so much!

Emztron500 · April 2014

Sorry if this is a really dumb question, but I'm a clueless ftm. LO is 4 days old and always feeds for 45-90 minutes. I am assuming this means I shouldn't stress about frequency too much and just let her enjoy her long naps in between? Or do I still need to be making sure she eats every 3 hours even if her last feed was crazy long?

ksulli · April 2014

@Emztron500 said:
Sorry if this is a really dumb question, but I'm a clueless ftm. LO is 4 days old and always feeds for 45-90 minutes. I am assuming this means I shouldn't stress about frequency too much and just let her enjoy her long naps in between? Or do I still need to be making sure she eats every 3 hours even if her last feed was crazy long?

OMG your poor boobs. But yeah, my gut says if she eats that long she doesn't need to start again 90 min later.

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