Breast Feeding, Post all your questions dumb or otherwise here

Jennyinheaven · May 2014

This is more of a poll or dumb question, but what do you do when you have to go to the bathroom in the middle of breastfeeding?

jenb_99 · May 2014

@Jennyinheaven It depends on the baby and how far you are into the feeding. If I'd just started, I'd probably take a quick break and then come back. If I was close to the end, I'd try to wait if possible. Some babies lose interest toward the end of a feeding and won't resume if they're stopped. Which isn't a huge deal, actually, unless you're on a super rigid schedule or particular about doing things the exact same way every time.

It's no different from having to pause to answer the door or deal with an older child. You'll figure it out and your LO will adapt.

auroraborealis6626 · May 2014

I was wondering if anyone else is having trouble with cracking and bleeding nipples? I use Lanolin cream and it helps a little, but every feeding is so painful! Anyone have any tips?

SMM1986 · May 2014

auroraborealis6626 said:
I was wondering if anyone else is having trouble with cracking and bleeding nipples? I use Lanolin cream and it helps a little, but every feeding is so painful! Anyone have any tips?

Omg mine cracked and bled and hurt so bad I was in tears. Keep using your cream is the only advice I have. DD is almost 2 weeks and it is much better. Everything is healed and it only hurts on the initial latch now. Just try and push through if you can, it does get better.

spinsoffresonance · May 2014

auroraborealis6626 said:

I was wondering if anyone else is having trouble with cracking and bleeding nipples? I use Lanolin cream and it helps a little, but every feeding is so painful! Anyone have any tips?

Medela Hydrogels, run them under cold water and freeze before putting on your boobs. They feel awesome. You can also try alternating which position you hold the baby with every nursing session, it will help relieve the pain. But really you need to fix the underlying issue of why your nipples are cracking in the first place, most likely you have latch issues. Make sure LO is taking most of your areola in the mouth, not just the nipple. I'd recommend seeing a lactation consultant to help you with proper latch. Or maybe seek out a BFing support group.

mirdamae03 · May 2014

@Jennyinheaven‌ if I was halfway through I'd bring him with me to the potty. If I could wait, I would.

Jennyinheaven · May 2014

mirdamae03 said:
@Jennyinheaven‌ if I was halfway through I'd bring him with me to the potty. If I could wait, I would.

Lol this is sorta why I asked, I had an attack of stomach issues and needed the potty A.S.A.P. the other day, I picked up my breast friend with her and continue d to nurse from potty but I felt sorta gross about it $:\$ ">

SMM1986 · May 2014

I think I would do the same thing!

Any experienced bfers remember how long it takes for the initial latch pain to go away? It's the only pain I have left, my nips have healed up (yaay). It hurts for maybe 15 seconds.

mirdamae03 · May 2014

I think it was probably two weeks for me. The first three or four days were fine, the next week was rough, and then it took a few days for them to heal.

Tnpeach · May 2014

Not necessarily a question, more of a statement. I had issues remembering which boob I needed to pop out for the next feeding, and without my milk coming in, I can't feel who is more full. The LC at the hospital suggested a hair tie on the wrist of the next feeding side.

SMM1986 · May 2014

Tnpeach said:
Not necessarily a question, more of a statement. I had issues remembering which boob I needed to pop out for the next feeding, and without my milk coming in, I can't feel who is more full. The LC at the hospital suggested a hair tie on the wrist of the next feeding side.

i use a phone app. Keeps track of which side, how long she feeds, when she feeds, how many dirty diapers she has, etc.

jenb_99 · May 2014

Jennyinheaven said:

mirdamae03 said:
@Jennyinheaven‌ if I was halfway through I'd bring him with me to the potty. If I could wait, I would.
Lol this is sorta why I asked, I had an attack of stomach issues and needed the potty A.S.A.P. the other day, I picked up my breast friend with her and continue d to nurse from potty but I felt sorta gross about it $:\$ ">

Don't feel gross about it. Your bathroom is more sanitary than a playground or a mall bench, and your baby doesn't have a clue. You gotta do what you gotta do!

Empireceo · May 2014

Okay, after two weeks of latching just perfectly, DD suddenly only wants the bottle, no breast. She screamed for a half an hour and pushed my breast away but is now working on her 4th oz of formula. Advice how to get her back on the boob? We were doing so well!

ho11yday · May 2014

No outside baby here but I had anxiety with let down with my first. Has anyone had that with their first but not with any subsequent children?

I stopped bf-ing with DS for other reasons, but I'm anxious that I'll have this issue with every child, which makes me partly not want to attempt to breastfeed again.

ThereBeDragons · May 2014

Empireceo said:

Okay, after two weeks of latching just perfectly, DD suddenly only wants the bottle, no breast. She screamed for a half an hour and pushed my breast away but is now working on her 4th oz of formula. Advice how to get her back on the boob? We were doing so well!

Skin to skin time, a lot of offering the boob at the very first signs of hunger (long before she gets upset), and a ton of patience. DD only wants the bottle and basically has to be tricked into the boob when she's basically still asleep and hungry. She still does most feeds by bottle but we are making a tiny bit of progress every day.

spinsoffresonance · May 2014

SMM1986 said:

I think I would do the same thing! Any experienced bfers remember how long it takes for the initial latch pain to go away? It's the only pain I have left, my nips have healed up (yaay). It hurts for maybe 15 seconds.

2-3 weeks or so.

ThereBeDragons said:

Empireceo said:

Okay, after two weeks of latching just perfectly, DD suddenly only wants the bottle, no breast. She screamed for a half an hour and pushed my breast away but is now working on her 4th oz of formula. Advice how to get her back on the boob? We were doing so well!

Skin to skin time, a lot of offering the boob at the very first signs of hunger (long before she gets upset), and a ton of patience. DD only wants the bottle and basically has to be tricked into the boob when she's basically still asleep and hungry. She still does most feeds by bottle but we are making a tiny bit of progress every day.

Are you guys using slow flow nipples and/or breastfeeding friendly bottles. If you make it harder for them to suck out of the bottle they might lose interest in it. I used the first years breastflow bottles with DD, they're suppose to mimic breastfeeding by using both suction and compression, we never had any trouble going back and forth between boob and bottle.

usernewname · May 2014

Anyone have flat nipples and have tricks for a good latch?

Once he's on it's great, but he's not latched properly and it hurts!

cowpoly959 · May 2014

Do any if your babies arch their back and throw their head back after eating? It's right after he finished a side and I tilt him upright to burp him. He rarely had a burp in him and I burp him for a long time after each side. It looks like he's stretching at first then he seems mad or uncomfortable. Just wondering if anyone else had experienced this.

Junebug060609 · May 2014

florassecret said:
Anyone have flat nipples and have tricks for a good latch?

Once he's on it's great, but he's not latched properly and it hurts!

Use a nipple shield
Make sure you get a good latch or you can get nip damage which could land you at the doctors office.

Junebug060609 · May 2014

cowpoly959 said:
Do any if your babies arch their back and throw their head back after eating? It's right after he finished a side and I tilt him upright to burp him. He rarely had a burp in him and I burp him for a long time after each side. It looks like he's stretching at first then he seems mad or uncomfortable. Just wondering if anyone else had experienced this.

The arched back and head throw back sound like reflux

mirdamae03 · May 2014

@MK1013‌ yes it's normal. Your boobs are just gearing up for LO's arrival. For me it's kind of a dull stinging pain, almost reminiscent of early pregnancy sensitive boobs.

Miggg · May 2014

I've been having shooting pains in my left boob. I thought it was related to my clogged duct but that seems to be cleared up now and the shooting pains have persisted. Also no signs of thrush on DS. Is this normal? Is three anything I can do to make it stop?

Dellaramsey · May 2014

Hands-free pumping bra = best invention EVER!!! Wish I had had one with DD!!!!

SMM1986 · May 2014

Dellaramsey said:
Hands-free pumping bra = best invention EVER!!! Wish I had had one with DD!!!!

isn't it awesome?!

Junebug060609 · May 2014

Miggg said:
I've been having shooting pains in my left boob. I thought it was related to my clogged duct but that seems to be cleared up now and the shooting pains have persisted. Also no signs of thrush on DS. Is this normal? Is three anything I can do to make it stop?

Is it a burning/stinging sensation? Is your nipple white when it happens? Is it worst when he latches and then for an hour after he is done?

Sorta sounds like blanched nipple or maybe a damaged nip (crack or milk blister). Number one peice of advice for any of you having nip pain is to check the latch. Every problem i ever had with pain nursing DS stemmed from an improper latch.

Miggg · May 2014

Junebug060609 said:

Miggg said:
I've been having shooting pains in my left boob. I thought it was related to my clogged duct but that seems to be cleared up now and the shooting pains have persisted. Also no signs of thrush on DS. Is this normal? Is three anything I can do to make it stop?
Is it a burning/stinging sensation? Is your nipple white when it happens? Is it worst when he latches and then for an hour after he is done?

Sorta sounds like blanched nipple or maybe a damaged nip (crack or milk blister). Number one peice of advice for any of you having nip pain is to check the latch. Every problem i ever had with pain nursing DS stemmed from an improper latch.

It's really strange, the pain seems unconnected to feeding times and comes and goes sporadically. It doesn't usually happen at all during feedings. My nipples are sore but not affected by the shooting pain. Do you think it could just be milk production? DS is 3 weeks old if that makes a difference

Bieny18 · May 2014

Have you taken antibiotics during or since labor? If so, it could be Thrush. Mine started to kick in at 3 weeks.

ThereBeDragons · May 2014

E has gotten noticeably better at latching and nursing in the last two days. She's taken feeds boob-only several times, and the struggle to get her latched on is getting easier. We still aren't up to full time boob feeding, but it's only a matter of time.

The only problem- I've been pumping and I have an oversupply. Pumping alone I can easily pull out twice what she needs to eat in a day. Which is nice in the abstract- I've already stashed away a good freezer supply. But I'm nervous to let my supply regulate to just what she needs. If I let my breasts go between her actual feedings and don't pump- will such a big drop in need dry me up completely? I'd rather deal with an oversupply than suddenly have nothing.

JDBerthon · May 2014

Anyone have to pump a little before a feeding so your baby will actually latch on? Sometimes I am too "full" and he won't latch.

Junebug060609 · May 2014

ThereBeDragons said:
E has gotten noticeably better at latching and nursing in the last two days. She's taken feeds boob-only several times, and the struggle to get her latched on is getting easier. We still aren't up to full time boob feeding, but it's only a matter of time.

The only problem- I've been pumping and I have an oversupply. Pumping alone I can easily pull out twice what she needs to eat in a day. Which is nice in the abstract- I've already stashed away a good freezer supply. But I'm nervous to let my supply regulate to just what she needs. If I let my breasts go between her actual feedings and don't pump- will such a big drop in need dry me up completely? I'd rather deal with an oversupply than suddenly have nothing.

Your supply should adjust to her needs

cowpoly959 · May 2014

If you are breastfeeding, when did you start pumping? Any tips for getting started? Little man is 9 days old and I just got my pump. I plan to continue breastfeeding but want a stash for dh and others to use if I cannot be there. Thanks

mirdamae03 · May 2014

@ThereBeDragons‌ your supply should regulate, but if your worried, just start cutting back a little at a time.

@cowpoly959‌ I started around 3-4 weeks pp. If your little one is doing fine on the breast and your just wanting some stash, wait until your supply evens out a little more so you don't have a massive oversupply.

mirdamae03 · May 2014

@jkanter107‌ that would definitely create oversupply. If you wanted to follow that advice, I would only do it once or twice a day. Definitely not after every session. The first few weeks your body is trying to regulate your supply. If you're sending your body signs that it needs to make more, it will. Supply and demand.

spinsoffresonance · May 2014

cowpoly959 said:

If you are breastfeeding, when did you start pumping? Any tips for getting started? Little man is 9 days old and I just got my pump. I plan to continue breastfeeding but want a stash for dh and others to use if I cannot be there. Thanks

I started pumping after 3 weeks, to build a stash to go back to work at 6 weeks. The first 2 times I didn't get anything at all. Then I might get about 0.5oz from both boobs combined. If you're pumping to build a stash, Best to pump at the same time everyday about 30min-1hour after a feeding. Of course DD never went more than an hour in between feedings so it was hard to find a time to pump but I tried to do it after she went down for the night
So don't be surprised if you only get very little. Pumping in addition to BFing never gave me much, but it was still enough to build enough of a stash for the first day back at work. Once you're at work and are pumping instead of BFing you'll get much more milk, about 3-4oz for me.

SMM1986 · May 2014

I started pumping after about 10 days. I pump right after one feeding. It usually takes me 20 mins with a double electric.

Has anyone had issues with nipple confusion?
DH fed DD a bottle last night and when it was time for her next feeding, She couldn't/wouldn't latch. We tried for over an hour before she got it - I even had a formula bottle ready because we were both getting so upset.
This morning she latched faster, but it was still MUCH longer than it usually takes (took 20 mins, usually she latches after a few tries at most).
I hope I didn't mess things up! After pumping once a day, I know I could never EP- kudos to those mamas!

mirdamae03 · May 2014

@SMM1986‌ this young it may cause some confusion issues. I would wait until you're both comfortable at the breast before doing more bottles. I would say 4 weeks (maybe 3) would be the earliest is do bottle feed.

SMM1986 · May 2014

mirdamae03 said:
@SMM1986‌ this young it may cause some confusion issues. I would wait until you're both comfortable at the breast before doing more bottles. I would say 4 weeks (maybe 3) would be the earliest is do bottle feed.

I read to start around 3 weeks if you have to go back to work early (I go back June 5) so I figured this weekend would be a good trial run since DH is off and could feed her. She is 17 days so almost 3 weeks.

SMM1986 · May 2014

She latched fine after I pumped, I'm guessing I was so full from skipping the feeding she couldn't latch properly.

Miggg · May 2014

Bieny18 said:
Have you taken antibiotics during or since labor? If so, it could be Thrush. Mine started to kick in at 3 weeks.

No haven't taken any antibiotics and haven't seen any signs of thrush on DS. Will keep checking though as that seems to be the only usual explanation for shooting pain.

cowpoly959 · May 2014

Mine has been having latch problems and I haven't started pumping so I am blaming it on using a pacifier to get him to sleep at night. We are trying to not use it. I had the same thing of a half hour of trying to get him to latch! Beyond frustrating for both of us as I leaked milk everywhere!

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