The Great Big Breastfeeding Thread

Emily041285 · May 2014

jenniferb123006 said:
@celticlullaby‌ and @Emily041285‌ -- I BFed DD1 for 15 months with a nipple shield. We tried everything to get her off the shield, but she never could latch properly. Just wanted to give you some encouragement that it can be done and it is okay (even if it is a big pain).

I think what's the hardest part for me is nip. I haven't mastered that without fully flashing someone (usually DH).

chichi589 · May 2014

I can't figure out my k'tan either and I want to use it so bad! He just seems uncomfortable and he's not a big baby. I can't follow YouTube directions whatsoever.

Little man & I took a walk to Niagara Falls today. He was not impressed with one of the wonders of the world..

Edit: this is totally in the wrong thread.opps!

MamaFantastic · May 2014

Hearty swirling always worked for me when I was transferring chilled milk to freezer bags and I wanted to get all the fat.

I forget who asked, but you definitely want all the fat... that stuff is essential!!

Rrrrrachel · May 2014

I would say you have hope and it should be measured in weeks, but that's kind of a guess.

scarles · May 2014

Re: mixing cold milk and fresh milk - the la leche league recently posted that it was perfectly fine to mix refrigerated milk and freshly expressed milk. I read it recently but can't remember where. I'll post when I find it.

Vjlewis07 · May 2014

Need some support/ feeling frustrated. LO has a terrible latch --pinches and blances my nipple. Started using a shield and now he is getting lazy with that as well (just sucking on the nipple rather than getting a good latch) tried to stop using shield yesterday and I am in so much pain becuase of the pinching. Saw an LC today and he did so much better nursing while we were meeting with her and using some of her tips. I even got a good latch without help before we left and he nursed pain free. We get home and guess what !? We are right back to bad latch and pain. I am so ready to throw in the towel but I know I'll hate myself if I do.. But I also hate that I dread every feeding.. I don't know what to do. Does it get better .. Or do I give up!?
Little man is 3 weeks old..

Rrrrrachel · May 2014

It can be a lot of work to consistently get a good latch at the beginning. Especially with my daughter I remember having to take her off and relatch over and over. It did get better, though, and eventually we were pros!

manda10884 · May 2014

Sorry if this has been asked before- I am having problems with over supply and an over active letdown. Baby girl can hardly keep up- it just sprays her in the face when it lets down. She gulps and chokes and gasps for air so I know she is swallowing a lot of air and it's making her fussy. I have switched to just letting her nurse on one side each feeding and if she wants to nurse again before it's "time" then I put her back to the same side. I burp her several times during feeding as well. We also do an elevated football hold and I try to lay back a little bit to help her out. She is 2wks 4 days. Any other advice to help her from being drowned? My pedi said I could be feeding two babies I have such good milk- she already gained 1lb 1oz over her birth weight at her 2wk. Should I nurse more frequently to help even out the supply or go longer between feedings? I'm not sure what to do! When should my supply even out? TIA

Rrrrrachel · May 2014

You're doing all the right things! Unfortunately she probably just needs time. She will handle it better as she gets bigger.

manda10884 · May 2014

Thanks @Rrrrrachel‌
It just makes me feel bad that I can't control the flow and it gags her! Hopefully she will get used to it soon.

Rrrrrachel · May 2014

Yeah I've had some of the same problems but fortunately only on one side. It is pitiful

heids4787 · May 2014

It's official. LO has spent some quality time on my boob EVERY hour since 6 am. 5 week growth spurt, much? I'm exhausted, but it'll be worth it if she sleeps a 3+ hour stretch tonight. [-O<

Here's to the ladies of A14 who are dishing out le leche like the 7 Eleven! 8-}

macynsnoop · May 2014

@Vjlewis07 I have the same issue with my guy, but fortunately just on the right side now for some reason. My guy also always nursed better at our LC appts too, something about being in a relaxed environment I guess. Anyway, I stuck with it & kept trying different positions & started letting him do his own thing. He needs to root around & kind of take his time getting around to latching. Once I did that he actually started latching on his own! Not every one was perfect, but it worked a lot better than me trying to force the latch on him! The right side is still a work in progress & I do pump to give a bottle occasionally in order to give the nip a break. He is 5 weeks old now, so I would def say it gets better, just takes practice & some patience I think.

Soon2bStaff · May 2014

**Question for you ladies - I apologize if this has been addressed but I haven't been able to read through all 55 pages.

Baby girl is 3 weeks and I want to start pumping to start a supply for when I go back to work, have milk for outings, and have DH do midnight feedings (probably one to two bottles a day with the rest being EBF).

I have pumped five times in the last 3 weeks and it seems like DD can't get enough in her tummy after I pump. Makes for long days since I pumped in the morning then had a fussy, hungry baby all day. First, second, and fourth time, I pumped 2 ounces after feeding her. Third and fifth, I pumped 4 ounces after feeding her. The fifth time was when I tried feeding on one side and pumping on the other at the same time... That was interesting to say the least since I had to hold the pump and baby in place at the same time! haha

Is all this just the nature of the beast until the boobs realize they need to make more? Am I supposed to pump after every feeding to complete empty out? I've read up on kellymom but haven't found a "how-to" feed and pump... Am I missing something? If anyone has any direct links/websites they would like to share or maybe your own personal experiences with starting to incorporate pumping, that would help! TIA!

ETA - I'm not going to start offering that 1 bottle a day until she is 4 weeks (19th). Should I not even start pumping until then?

MrsMeatball41 · May 2014

Last night I found out some pretty devestating news regarding my husband and our marriage. I forgot to eat today and dinner last night til dinner this eveining. I feel like my milk is gone or depleting. I since ate dinner power pumped and been letting her nurse. But can something like this affect my milk? ( besides the not eating) like the stress or emotional wxhaustion

rockstarlaw · May 2014

MrsMeatball41 said:
Last night I found out some pretty devestating news regarding my husband and our marriage. I forgot to eat today and dinner last night til dinner this eveining. I feel like my milk is gone or depleting. I since ate dinner power pumped and been letting her nurse. But can something like this affect my milk? ( besides the not eating) like the stress or emotional wxhaustion

Milk issues aside, whatever it is I hope you're ok. Wishing the best for you...I've been through a failed marriage so if that's where you're heading, know that it does get better. A LOT better.

heids4787 · May 2014

@MrsMeatball41‌ - I am so sorry to hear about this news ((hugs))!

Although I'm not positive (FTM), it sounds like you're doing the right things to bounce back. Letting LO nurse as much as possible while trying to hydrate, eat, and sleep (ha... Right) will definitely help in combo with the power pumping. I'm inclined to think that stress may affect your letdown. Listening to relaxation videos on YouTube while you nurse skin-to-skin may help in this area. Good luck, and I hope things get better for you!

heids4787 · May 2014

MrsStanton87 said:

heids4787 said:
It's official. LO has spent some quality time on my boob EVERY hour since 6 am. 5 week growth spurt, much? I'm exhausted, but it'll be worth it if she sleeps a 3+ hour stretch tonight. [-O<

Here's to the ladies of A14 who are dishing out le leche like the 7 Eleven! 8-}
Every 45 minutes since 5am finally got him to sleep for the first time since 10am!

Isn't it just the greatest, @MrsStanton87‌? LO gifted me an hour and a half from 9:30 - 11 pm. And we're back on the boob... But I love her anyway :-)

ETA: posted too early! Darn mobile and big thumbs while nursing LO!

ksulli · May 2014

@Soon2bStaff‌ I've read to hold off on pumping until 4w so your supply can regulate. I then added one pumping session in the morning about an hour after the 1st nursing session of daylight hours. It took about a week of LO then nursing heavily all morning for my supply to regulate to my new increased demand.

EmmaD312 · May 2014

We started swaddling with the Miracle Blanket three nights ago and boy is it working--LO is sleeping for much longer stretches. Just now he slept from 9:30 to 3:30--six hours! Is that too long between feedings for a six-week-old? The sleep is glorious but I don't want to starve him! He's not freaking out or anything, though.

Dixon813 · May 2014

EmmaD312 said:
We started swaddling with the Miracle Blanket three nights ago and boy is it working--LO is sleeping for much longer stretches. Just now he slept from 9:30 to 3:30--six hours! Is that too long between feedings for a six-week-old? The sleep is glorious but I don't want to starve him! He's not freaking out or anything, though.

If he was hungry, he'd wake up! Yay for 6 hours!!!

rockstarlaw · May 2014

I think I have mastitis. Going to call dr when they open, but holy shit. I feel like I've been run over by a truck. Something is wrong w my left boob. Truman won't latch and it hurts like a motherfucker when I try to get him to - like 230am sobbing and cursing pain. This is my BIG boob (noticeably larger than the other). I tried pumping out an ounce and then having him latch (this worked before) but he was NOT having it. I know the best thing to do is to keep nursing on that side but I honestly cannot bear the pain. So, I pumped that side until I couldn't pump anymore (almost 4 oz) and applied heat (which did feel glorious). Is there anything else I can be doing in the interim to help with this???

speechie517 · May 2014

Whil I'm not expecting to be on a strict schedule, I thought B would have fallen into a sleep and wake/eat pattern that is discernible by now. She is 4w3d. There are days when I feed her every hour for 5 hours during the day, but mostly every two hours. She goes from asleep to late hunger cuesSO fast too. She sleeps well at night, with me waking her to feed her( my boobs can't handle more than 4 hours without feeding her at night). Other moms I've talked to in person are making it seem like this is unusual?

Holljade · May 2014

speechie517 said:

Whil I'm not expecting to be on a strict schedule, I thought B would have fallen into a sleep and wake/eat pattern that is discernible by now. She is 4w3d. There are days when I feed her every hour for 5 hours during the day, but mostly every two hours. She goes from asleep to late hunger cuesSO fast too. She sleeps well at night, with me waking her to feed her( my boobs can't handle more than 4 hours without feeding her at night). Other moms I've talked to in person are making it seem like this is unusual?

My boy is 6w and isn't in a routine at all.

I thought it was too early for any kind of routine tbh

hordol · May 2014

AllyxCore85 said:
I haven't posted on this thread yet but I have been reading it a lot and found lot's of helpful advice.

Liam is 3 weeks today and so far he has been a pretty good feeder from the start. He latches good and goes about 10 min on each side a feed. During the day I feed on demand about every 3-4 hrs and then at night DH gives him a bottle of pumped milk and he usually wakes twice in the middle of the night and I feed him.

Well yesterday idk if he had a growth spurt or what but he was wanting the boob every hour from 11am to 8pm and he was screaming unless he was being fed or I was holding him. I was about to lose my mind. He actually slept good last night which I'm assuming is cause he was exhausted from not sleeping all day, but is there anything else I could have done for him? I tried changing his diaper, rocking,burping, the swing, the bouncer, nothing made him happy unless I fed him or held him.

Sounds like you just what you should do. As frustrating as this is, it's very normal behavior for a 3 week old baby. It's a common growth spurt time and babies are very needy during growth spurts. He should go back to normal after a few days.

mamahann · May 2014

mamrotu73 said:
Our new bedtime routine addition: DS wasn't hungry yet, but I topped him off right before bed (about 5 min of nursing, 1/3 to 1/2 a session for him). He nodded right off and slept 4 hours without a sound. I had to wake him up because I was starting to leak in bed!

Share your secrets! DD was sleeping so well between 3.5-4 hour streches and since hitting 6 weeks last Saturday is back to waking every 2 hours. I got 3 hours out of her last night and it was great!

heids4787 · May 2014

Does anyone else's LO have "breast milk jaundice?" The pedi said it would correct itself in another 2-3 weeks and it means Elise is just eating lots of milk (yay). I had no idea there are multiple forms of jaundice - who knew?!

For now, we'll just enjoy her spraytan look she's rockin

https://americanpregnancy.org/firstyearoflife/breastfeedingandjaundice.htm

hlm184 · May 2014

heids4787 said:

Does anyone else's LO have "breast milk jaundice?" The pedi said it would correct itself in another 2-3 weeks and it means Elise is just eating lots of milk (yay). I had no idea there are multiple forms of jaundice - who knew?! For now, we'll just enjoy her spraytan look she's rockin https://americanpregnancy.org/firstyearoflife/breastfeedingandjaundice.htm

Yup, mine does.

ksulli · May 2014

^^ both of mine did. It was mild and will clear when the poop a lot (charming!).

Rrrrrachel · May 2014

When my kid acts like that (hunger cues but won't nurse) it's gas.

Emily041285 · May 2014

Cross post from RTT: Had yet another argument with DH this morning about him getting more sleep and me just barely hanging on. He wants to give dd a bottle tonight so I can sleep and "hopefully become a little more normal". I'm so torn. At what point does your mental sanity trump what you know is best for your baby?

Eta: It would have to be a formula bottle since I can't seem to pump squat. So I'm worried how that would effect my supply

Rrrrrachel · May 2014

Emily041285 said:

Cross post from RTT: Had yet another argument with DH this morning about him getting more sleep and me just barely hanging on. He wants to give dd a bottle tonight so I can sleep and "hopefully become a little more normal". I'm so torn. At what point does your mental sanity trump what you know is best for your baby? Eta: It would have to be a formula bottle since I can't seem to pump squat. So I'm worried how that would effect my supply

Not getting enough rest will also hurt your supply. If you can rest during the day that's what I would do, but if you can't you gotta do high at you gotta do. A small bottle at night shouldn't hurt if you're careful about still getting baby to the breast as much as possible otherwise.

Have you tried a hand pump? Manual pumping sometimes works better than an electric. Hugs and get some rest. Although I would probably kick my husband in the shins if he phrased it as "so I could be more normal "

Rachnan · May 2014

Been talking to my LC since LO is stick creasing my nipples and many times causing "lipstick" nipple. She had me come in for a weight check and LO has only gained 8 oz in a week and a half. She wants me to start taking Mother Love More Milk to up supply. I'm just hesitant since LO doesn't seem to be hungry and 99 % of the time seems pretty darn satisfied after feeding. His diaper output is where it should be too. Feel like I would just be setting myself up for an oversupply...any advice or experience?

Emily041285 · May 2014

@Rrrrrachel‌ I haven't tried a hand pump but I have a gift card so maybe I'll get one with that. I did manage to get 2 oz today and I'm going to keep trying for another before I go to bed. That way he won't need formula.

I think by normal he meant not as angry/upset by all these life changes. I have an ob appt next week and he asked me to talk to my dr about ppd. I'm beginning to think he might be right.

Rachnan · May 2014

LalaMama81 said:

You're suppo

Rachnan said:

Been talking to my LC since LO is stick creasing my nipples and many times causing "lipstick" nipple. She had me come in for a weight check and LO has only gained 8 oz in a week and a half. She wants me to start taking Mother Love More Milk to up supply. I'm just hesitant since LO doesn't seem to be hungry and 99 % of the time seems pretty darn satisfied after feeding. His diaper output is where it should be too. Feel like I would just be setting myself up for an oversupply...any advice or experience?

8oz in 10-11 days isn't really low, IMO. Closer to an ounce a day is better, but less can be normal. Have you done a weighted feed with the LC?

We did a weighted feed a few weeks ago and we're happy with the results

babylove4414 · May 2014

Every time I BF it seems like a big ordeal... Get the boppy, get a burp cloth for the messy over active letdown, and then position LO and hold my breast in the "sandwich" position or whatever works to get a good latch and then occasionally I have to correct and relatch. In all the pictures/videos I've ever seen of Breastfeeding women it seems like they can be in any position with the baby automatically knowing what to do without them having to do any sandwich holds or readjusting, etc. They just make it look so easy! LO is 4 weeks. Will we ever get to this point?! Or am I always going to have to do the whole set up with pillows and what not every time? Do your nipples just eventually get desensitized so the latch isn't as important anymore?

Dixon813 · May 2014

babylove4414 said:
Every time I BF it seems like a big ordeal... Get the boppy, get a burp cloth for the messy over active letdown, and then position LO and hold my breast in the "sandwich" position or whatever works to get a good latch and then occasionally I have to correct and relatch. In all the pictures/videos I've ever seen of Breastfeeding women it seems like they can be in any position with the baby automatically knowing what to do without them having to do any sandwich holds or readjusting, etc. They just make it look so easy! LO is 4 weeks. Will we ever get to this point?! Or am I always going to have to do the whole set up with pillows and what not every time? Do your nipples just eventually get desensitized so the latch isn't as important anymore?

DS is 4 weeks and I feel like we're just starting to be "easy". I agree about the whole ordeal. Something that's helped is I've nursed him outside of home without my boppy which has forced us to get comfortable without it. (Today I didn't when bring the boppy down to the couch - I went the day without it!)

Hoping others can give more input!

Rrrrrachel · May 2014

You both get better at it. Latching gets a lot easier as their mouths grow.

babylove4414 · May 2014

Thanks... That's reassuring! And I guess it makes sense that it should be easier once LO gets bigger and can actually start controlling his head more verses me doing all the work.

rockstarlaw · May 2014

When does the toe-curling pain from latching go away? I can tell it's getting better on one side, but I still have that "breathe!" Moment. LO is only 10 days old. I just need to know when I can expect this to get better!

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