The Great Big Breastfeeding Thread

Emily041285 · May 2014

So I'm overthinking this I know but, I had a bottle of pumped milk I ended to use today because it was refrigerated. It was 3 oz and honestly I thought dd would need more. It was a struggle to get her to eat the whole thing! And she's been passed out content since. Then I pumped to replace the feeding so my supply wouldn't be screwed. All I got then was 2 oz. and actually that's a lot for me to pump at once. (I did usually pump after a feeding and only get an oz if I'm lucky) She's 5 weeks. Isn't that a low amount to eat for a baby her age? Could that be why she's up every 2-3 hours to eat? Or am I over thinking this?

Dixon813 · May 2014

Emily041285 said:
So I'm overthinking this I know but, I had a bottle of pumped milk I ended to use today because it was refrigerated. It was 3 oz and honestly I thought dd would need more. It was a struggle to get her to eat the whole thing! And she's been passed out content since. Then I pumped to replace the feeding so my supply wouldn't be screwed. All I got then was 2 oz. and actually that's a lot for me to pump at once. (I did usually pump after a feeding and only get an oz if I'm lucky) She's 5 weeks. Isn't that a low amount to eat for a baby her age? Could that be why she's up every 2-3 hours to eat? Or am I over thinking this?

I think this when I pump, too! But I've heard many times that our LOs are much better about getting milk than pumps... So I try not to overthink too much.

rockstarlaw · May 2014

Rrrrrachel said:
For most women (short of a true and large oversupply) you really don't need to worry about what the baby is getting. They'll get the right mix for them.

Thanks, @Rrrrrachel‌ - I suspect this is what she was getting at - for me not to worry so much about it

michaelad3 · May 2014

I'm hoping she is just getting more efficient. I'm also worried because at least once per day she is acting like she is hungry, but cries uncontrollably and won't stay latched or eat. She's ate at a little after 11:30, and she woke up around 1:30 or so. I tried feeding her and she ate for almost a minute and then started screaming. She keeps rooting, but won't eat and just keeps crying. I'm sure she's hungry, but I don't know what to do

Eta: in case it's gas, I've burped her, she pooped, and I gave her gas drops, but nothing makes any difference

Rrrrrachel · May 2014

Generally if they're giving you huger cues but won't stay latched or eat it's has. At least in my house

. Or they've over hungry and too upset to settle down.

michaelad3 · May 2014

Thank you guys. She settled down and fell asleep for a little bit, and when she woke she was calm enough to eat. It's just hard in the moment to not panic and feel like I should be doing something.

Teresa1896 · May 2014

@michaelad3‌, no advice to offer but I want you to know I'm going through the exact same thing. I figure it's a phase and will pass. My DS is 5.5 weeks. He's usually a 10-minute, one-side eater but the last few days I'm getting 5ish minutes, crabby, fussy! Fwiw, my DD was an 8-minute, one-side eater and she was perfectly healthy!

rockstarlaw · May 2014

I'm somewhat jealous of you guys with quick eaters (healthy ones!). My child would eat forever if I let him. Right now we're doing 15 mins first side, usually let him fall off the second, which is around the 30 min total feeding timeframe.

rockstarlaw · May 2014

I hope my strong little sucker gets it soon too, thanks @mamrotu73‌!!

Dixon813 · May 2014

hvmom2b said:
What is LO doing while you pump? I've pumped 3 times so far (in 2 days) and each time LO has woken up and been super fussy so I've had to stop. The longest I've been able to pump is 10 minutes and am only getting an oz, if that.

I pump twice a day (but DH is giving DS a bottle during one of those times) and DS is either sleeping or playing in his activity mat. If he's playing and gets fussy I can still talk to him, calm him down and if need be I can carefully hold him in one arm off to the side.

ksulli · May 2014

@hvmom2b‌ i wait till she's sleeping and put her in the bouncer. If she wakes up I can talk to her & bounce her with a foot until I finish.

thomas930 · May 2014

@hvmom2b I either have him in the swing or even lay in next to me on the couch or bed (most common places I pump). If he gets fussy while in the swing I talk to him and depend on his level of fussiness I stop. When he is right next to me I can usually get through a session with no issue at all. I pump for about 10-15 mins.

Getting only an ounce right now is normal since you just started, assuming you are still BF around these pumping session. I found that if I pump on around the same time each day then I would produce more at those times, it took about 5 days to start making the consistent extra which is about an average of 5oz combined.

ksulli · May 2014

Just wanted to share my favorite BFing thing- when dd is done and passed out on the boob I'll pop her off. Then she does one final suck/smack and pulls her tounge back into her mouth.
Cutest. Thing. Ever.

mamahann · May 2014

@hvmom2b‌ are you pumping right after nursing? I was and was only getting an ounce total but I've started waiting about an hour after I nurse and am getting 2.5 ounces+. I pump after DDs first morning feeding. She's usually happy and will sit in the RNP with a rattle until I'm finished.

Rachnan · May 2014

Thank you again to all those experienced moms responding to our questions! I have been pumping each morning and still haven't gotten more than a few drops each side. I try waiting for a little after LOs feeding but that doesn't seem to help. Feels like I'll never be able to build a stash! Any advice?

littlesocks · May 2014

@Rachnan‌ you may have better luck using a different size shield. I think just your nipple and maybe an 8th of an inch of your areola should be getting sucked in while pumping.

Eta: I had supply issues (not saying you do) but some things I've done to increase my supply is to eat oatmeal, drink lots of water and mothers milk tea 2-3 times a day and I take fenugreek.

hordol · May 2014

Amsull324 said:
@Rachnan‌ you may have better luck using a different size shield. I think just your nipple and maybe an 8th of an inch of your areola should be getting sucked in while pumping.

Eta: I had supply issues (not saying you do) but some things I've done to increase my supply is to eat oatmeal, drink lots of water and mothers milk tea 2-3 times a day and I take fenugreek.

Also, even if you are not exclusively pumping, the EP thread has a lot of tips for increasing output. A lot of them had a lot of success increasing flange size. I have had a lot more success using the larges myself. I actually ordered the smalls because according to sizing directions, the mediums were too big because they pulled in so much of my areola. But they did not work for me. The larges almost doubled what I was getting (less than 1 oz, now I get close to 2).

Rachnan · May 2014

@Amsull324‌ and @hordol thanks for the advice on the flanges. After looking on the medela website I think mine are too big, so I just ordered small sized ones. Hopefully that helps!

Emily041285 · May 2014

What are the downsides to an oversupply besides a wet shirt? I've been adding a pumping session after a feeding on the advice of a lc to maintain my supply and I was thinking of adding another one because I like being able to give dd a bottle every once in awhile. Will this even cause oversupply? And is that really a huge deal?

rockstarlaw · May 2014

XP from RTT: at what point do you all stop waking to feed? Previously we were feeding every 2 hours, but I was told by the pediatrician I can stop waking my 2 week old to feed because his weight gain is good. Last night he slept for a 5 hour and a 4 hour stretch. I'm actually less concerned that he NEEDS to eat than I am that my boobs need to be drained...but then again I have a hearty supply and maybe my body needs to space these feedings out to regulate my supply a bit better. WWA41D? Let him sleep and feed on his cues, or go ahead and wake him to feed?

ksulli · May 2014

Downside is wet shirt and feeling engorged. Can make it hard to go out because you'll be needing to express for comfort and/or before starting your own wet tshirt contest. And weaning will be longer/more painful.

Emily041285 · May 2014

What if I don't pump at the same time every day just the same day part? I've been doing mornings, but never the exact time. Doesn't matter, right?

sf214902 · May 2014

My little guy is sleeping four-five hour stretches at night, which is awesome, but I'm having major engorgment issues. Will my body adjust to this schedule or should I pump in the middle of the night? I already have a large supply, so I really don't want to increase it too much. Ugh...it's so hard to find a balance.

sherks11 · May 2014

I was feeling a little under the weather earlier and it got me thinking about what to do about bf when I'm really sick... At what point should you NOT bf bc of your health? Cold? Flu? Or am I totally off base and it wouldn't effect your LO at all and just be harder on you?

pete0121 · May 2014

I've always heard you should bf as much as possible when sick. Baby actually gets the antibodies to protect them.

rockstarlaw · May 2014

@sf214902‌ - I'm no expert but I've been told NOT to pump. Your body will adjust. If you pump your body will think LO is feeding & continue overproducing.

thejewelster · May 2014

@ahoefling‌. I am sick now (bad cold) and have bf through it. Lo didn't get sick at all but you do need to watch the meds you take. I was lucky to be okay with Tylenol but it's been a miserable few days.
However, I'm curious to know if being sick can impact your milk supply? Lo has been fussing at every feed. Downing one boob and then the other. Not sure why? Anyone experience this before?

macynsnoop · May 2014

Anyone have any ideas why my little guy would insist on eating every hour at night but can go 3 hours during the day? He's almost 6 weeks old now & I had been hoping he would start going longer, but tonight has been the worst yet! Besides needing to eat every hour he does pretty good at night, once he's done he goes right back to bed, versus during the day he likes to be awake, so I don't think he's got his days & nights mixed up. It's getting super frustrating that he hasn't started longer stretches at night yet, I would even take consistent 2 hour stretches! He's eating about 5-7 minutes on each boob, which is consistent to what he does during the day. Maybe this is just gonna be my life for a while, just thought I would ask, see what the collective wisdom says!

Rrrrrachel · May 2014

Oversupply makes you more likely to get plugged ducts and mastitis, it's uncomfortable, and often means a gassier baby. It can also mean a baby who fusses more at the breast and is harder to get latched.

Rrrrrachel · May 2014

Yes being sick can impact your supply, but it will bounce back. Be sure to eat and drink.

There's no reason not to bf when you're sick. Germs aren't passed to the baby, antibodies are.

I agree don't pump if you're getting a long stretch at night, your body will adjust.

Some babies just like to nurse a lot at night! My first kid was like that and it was super frustrating. You can try and encourage then to nurse more during the day and it may or may not help. You can also try only nursing every other waking and send husband in or try other soothing techniques in between, depending on the age if your baby and any health or weight issues.

Emily041285 · May 2014

Bump

Rachnan · May 2014

Woke up and my boobs feel completely deflated. LO has been on all morning ad can't seem to get satisfied and I'm not hearing much swallowing. Is it possible for milk production to go down overnight like that?

adheaton1387 · May 2014

So we're looking at LO probably having reflux. We are getting an ultrasound to rule out an intestinal problem, but the doctor said if that's not the case then LO will start Zantac and may have to switch to an "elemental formula" because he may "have a problem" with my breast milk. Anybody ever heard of this? I do not want to stop nursing unless absolutely necessary. I'm pretty upset at this prospect.

hordol · May 2014

hvmom2b said:
When freezing your milk, do you use one bag per day or one bag per pumping session?

I have been freezing in 2 to 3 ounce portions so that milk doesn't get wasted if it doesn't get finished.

Dixon813 · May 2014

Rachnan said:
Woke up and my boobs feel completely deflated. LO has been on all morning ad can't seem to get satisfied and I'm not hearing much swallowing. Is it possible for milk production to go down overnight like that?

Hmmm... I've only had the opposite problem in the mornings... Has the day gotten better?

heids4787 · May 2014

hvmom2b said:
When freezing your milk, do you use one bag per day or one bag per pumping session?

I always fill the bags to 3/3.5 oz before freezing. If there are any leftovers above this, I keep in the fridge until I can combine and freeze another 3/3.5 oz.

adheaton1387 · May 2014

celticlullaby said:

adheaton1387 said:
So we're looking at LO probably having reflux. We are getting an ultrasound to rule out an intestinal problem, but the doctor said if that's not the case then LO will start Zantac and may have to switch to an "elemental formula" because he may "have a problem" with my breast milk. Anybody ever heard of this? I do not want to stop nursing unless absolutely necessary. I'm pretty upset at this prospect.
I had one pediatrician tell me that with DS1's reflux - I think the doctor was weird and old school, and we wound up switching practices. He also didn't want to prescribe any medication unless DS stopped gaining weight, even though the baby was clearly miserable.

The pediatricians we see now advised me stick with BFing, and said switching to formula would be more likely to exacerbate his problems.

Unless the baby actually has allergies or intolerances that would be restrictive and you don't want to go on a strict diet, I don't see how switching to formula would help. It's generally harder to digest. Maybe your doctor meant if the baby doesn't respond to medication, it might be an intolerance and not reflux?

I'd ask for some clarification, and I'd definitely get a second opinion before quitting BFing. If Zantac doesn't work, there are other medications - DS1 responded to omeprazole, not Zantac.

Thank you so much! I will definitely ask before agreeing to that. Maybe he did mean there would be an intolerance or allergy rather than reflux if the Zantac doesn't help. But I will make sure we explore all options first.

Rachnan · May 2014

@Dixon813 same throughout the day, and LO has been attached all day! I usually have a similar issue in the morning, that's why it took me by surprise! ETA after all this his tummy is growling like he's starving!

Eija3014 · May 2014

I'm not sure if it's possible, but I'm starting to feel like I have an oversupply on just one side. I'm obviously lopsided and have been for about two weeks but it seems to be getting worse. I've been trying to stimulate each side equally to try to even them out but now the "bigger" side is making so much that Josie gets full once she empties the other side and not the "bigger" one. Today I noticed a red spot on the big one and I'm starting to worry that it's becoming a problem. Any advise or wisdom?

livin541 · May 2014

This thread has seriously been a lifesaver! Thanks to everyone who contributes

I have a question: my LO is a little over 3 weeks and had been nursing just fine until about a week ago. During our appt with a LC his latch was great and things seemed to be going well. About a week so he started having issues with my left side, which produces less. He often shakes his head around and has a hard time latching even when the nip is right there in his mouth. Now he is doing the same with the right side, almost every single feeding. We are both frustrated! He's taken a pacifier since about day 4, but I'm wondering if this sounds like nipple confusion?

It's just a bit weird to me since he was nursing fine for several weeks. I will meet with our LC again in a few days but though I would see if anyone has any insight. Thanks so much!

Want a personalized experience?

The Great Big Breastfeeding Thread

Re: The Great Big Breastfeeding Thread

Choose Another Board

Search Boards