The Great Big Breastfeeding Thread

rockstarlaw · June 2014

Thanks for the replies and support, everyone! It's good to know this is normal and there is light in the future. I really appreciate your input!

macynsnoop · June 2014

Ooopsbaby14 said:

rockstarlaw said:

Ok. Here I am at 5wks 1 day, and while I can definitely say breastfeeding has gotten substantially better, my boobs still hurt. Ache is probably the better word. My nipples feel like they are just constantly bruised. When LO latches, and I've had his latch checked several times, I still have that 30 seconds I have to breathe through, but then it gets way better. Nonetheless, there is still some pain there.

I guess I just want to know if this is normal. I know the "it should never hurt" statement is largely bullshit, but are others experiencing this as well? Does the bruised feeling go away? I know my little dude is a super strong sucker (nurses have commented on it) which maybe contributes to this. I am committed to BFing and right now just working through the pain. I've already made it through cracked/bleeding nipples, mastitis & thrush so this is way less bad, but I just dream of this pain-free experience and wonder if I'm ever realistically going to get there!

I'm at the 9wk mark and I was thinking the same as you are at 5 weeks. Feeling bruised describes it perfectly. It does go away. I'm much more comfortable now and have been for a couple of weeks. Hang in there! The worst is behind you.

^^ this! I was just thinking about this yesterday! I was enjoying feeding my guy & thought man, a few weeks ago my boobs were killing me & now I don't even notice!

hordol · June 2014

Eireyes said:
How much do you pump when you're at work and LO is at daycare? I could pump what I think he'd eat, or should I just go until empty? I'm going to try and pump three times (what he'd normally eat), but it's the volume that confuses me!

I would pump until you're empty if you have the time. It takes me about 15 min to pump until empty. If you have too much you can always freeze it for your stash. Plus pumping to empty will keep your supply up.

hordol · June 2014

I'm sure this has been discussed but I don't wanna sort through 73 pagers to find an answer...if you take fenugreek, how much did you start off with? 3 capsules 3x a day? Just one? Two? I don't want to be going through 9 capsules a day because that's kind of expensive...but I'm trying to increase supply so I Can pump more. Getting only 2 ounces when I haven't pumped/nursed for 3-4 hours is really wearing on me. I feel like I spend my whole evening with LO trying to pump enough to get enough for his bottles the next day because what I get at work is depressing.

Emily041285 · June 2014

@hordol‌ I take 6 a day (two three times a day. Basically with my meals). I've noticed a huge difference. I also pump twice a day at the same time, I'm still ebf. Both times I get a full bottle that I freeze. Then I randomly pump during the day (if she doesn't take both sides or magically takes a long nap and I get full) and get varying amounts.

littlesocks · June 2014

@hordol are you drinking mothers milk tea?
I've found that if I drink 2-3 cups a day it makes a difference with my supply. I'm also taking fenugreek (actually more milk blend) and I take 1 capsule 4 times a day. The kind I had before this (was strictly fenugreek and) I was taking 2 capsules 3 times a day.
I think the tea is helping more than the Fenigreek in my case. I also think the more milk blend is helping more than just the fenugreek.

Eta: you can buy 6 boxes of mothers milk tea on amazon for something like $22 with prime

hordol · June 2014

Awesome! How soon did you see results? Also, is fenugreek/the teas soemthing you need to take indefinitely until you're done nursing or just until your supply is up?

heids4787 · June 2014

hordol said:

Eireyes said:
How much do you pump when you're at work and LO is at daycare? I could pump what I think he'd eat, or should I just go until empty? I'm going to try and pump three times (what he'd normally eat), but it's the volume that confuses me!
I would pump until you're empty if you have the time. It takes me about 15 min to pump until empty. If you have too much you can always freeze it for your stash. Plus pumping to empty will keep your supply up.

^Agreed @hordol (reply to @Eireyes). LO nurses anytime between 5-6:30 am, I pump right after she leaves with DH for DC drop-odd (7-7:30 am). Then I pump two more times during the workday around 10-10:30 am and 2-2:30 pm. I typically pump until the drops slow (for at least 20/25 minutes) and collect ~16 oz across those 3 pumps. My supply hasn't changed by dropping the consistency of feeding/pumping, but I just have to pump for longer each session.

littlesocks · June 2014

hordol said:
Awesome! How soon did you see results? Also, is fenugreek/the teas soemthing you need to take indefinitely until you're done nursing or just until your supply is up?

It wasn't immediate with the fenugreek.
And it's hard to tell with the mothers milk tea because at first I was only having 1 cup a day and I didn't really notice a difference but once I upped my intake to 2-3 cups per day the results were immediate. I would say aim for 3 cups. I'm doing that as often as possible.
I'm not sure if you have to continue taking fenugreek once your supply becomes what you want it to be but I know with the mothers milk tea I have to continue drinking it to notice a difference. If I don't have any I notice less output.

SoulTermination · June 2014

So, while I was in the hospital, one of the nurses mentioned a company that will pay you for your breast milk, but she didn't get back to me before her shift was over and I never found out what company that was. She said they send you a freezer and you pump and send it back, then they send you a check. She also said she knew people who had used it, and that it wasn't some sort of black market breast milk scam, lol.

Anyone happen to know what company that would be or have used it themselves? It'd be nice to make a little extra money with the little oversupply I have. >.>

Husker20 · June 2014

I'm not sure of the place but I have a friend that donates her milk and she was reimbursed $300 for her pump. I don't think you can sell your milk but I think they can "reimburse" you for your time. I also think it is different depending on where you live

SoulTermination · June 2014

I might just have to call the Pediatrics department of the hospital during the week and see if I can manage to get a hold of that nurse, heh. :-c

Cecilbear · June 2014

@rockstarlaw‌ I'm at 5w 2d and still feeling that initial pain as well. One of my midwife friends watched me nurse last night and instructed me to push LO's nose to my breast with each latch. That has made a huge difference! I was worried about DD not being able to breathe, but she assured me that DD will flare her nostrils to breathe while nursing (and I can see that she does). Maybe try always having your LO's nose touching your breast?

rockstarlaw · June 2014

I'm sure this has been addressed multiple times, but here goes:

I feel like T is eating less. His diapers are fine...he's just falling asleep after one side more often & not always making it to the second side. Maybe he's becoming more efficient, who knows, but my left boob (the high producer) is not happy. I don't want to keep pumping it to keep upping the supply, as I'm hoping it will regulate....but I'm also paranoid about leaving it full too (I've already had mastitis once). What to do?

Dixon813 · June 2014

rockstarlaw said:
I'm sure this has been addressed multiple times, but here goes:

I feel like T is eating less. His diapers are fine...he's just falling asleep after one side more often & not always making it to the second side. Maybe he's becoming more efficient, who knows, but my left boob (the high producer) is not happy. I don't want to keep pumping it to keep upping the supply, as I'm hoping it will regulate....but I'm also paranoid about leaving it full too (I've already had mastitis once). What to do?

DS normally only has one side at a feeding and sometimes (MOTN or first thing in the morning) one side will be very full! In the morning, I don't mind pumping for the freezer stash, but MOTN I try to get him to eat a little from that side to lessen the fullness.

I think I've read on here from others to hand express or pump just a little to make you comfortable and know that time will adjust your supply.

hordol · June 2014

I feel like I'm being annoying with all my stupid questions. I apologize but here's another.

I am typically at work for 8 hours, that's including my commute time so LO and I are only apart for that long. I leave 3 bottles and a 4th "emergency" bottle just in case there is a spill or he is extra hungry. My mom, cousin, and MIL have been graciously watching LO for the last couple of weeks before my summer vacation as a teacher. He has gone through his emergency bottle half of the days. I feel him twice in the morning, once when we wake and once right before I leave. I'm really hoping 3 bottles will be enough because I am not able to pump much. I honestly think that 3 is enough but that they just feed him when he is fussy, which I know is easier for them but it is super hard on me. I'm all for feeding on demand, but while I'm at work would it be terrible to tell the caregivers to feed him at 8, 11, and 2 instead of just leaving it up to them? Obviously I'm not going to insist they starve him if he is truly hungry, but that's what I'm wondering--I don't know if he is really truly hungry when they feed him so I wonder if giving them a schedule will be helpful or if it will be problematic. Thoughts?

Emily041285 · June 2014

@hordol‌ try giving this to your caregivers.

https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/system/files/ABACaregiversGuideApril2013_0.pdf

An lc gave it to me and I think it really helped.

eireyes · June 2014

@hordol I'm probably going to have to tell the daycare to feed at specific times as well (unless absolutely necessary), but for different reasons. Aiden fusses a little if he is slightly hungry, but if he is fed any earlier than every three hours he only eats a little and then refuses the bottle. We end up wasting more than he eats that way, and he actually eats less! My mom came to town and has been watching Aiden, so thankfully she's been just fine being "mean grandma" and forcing Aiden onto more of a schedule than I was able to get

Jennmoak · June 2014

I have been EPing since LO was about 5 days old due to latching issues and her losing 1.2lbs. Despite meeting with a couple LC she would not latch correctly and I decided that I could not bear watching her starve

As a FTM I really didn't know any better but I wish I would have stuck it out trying to BF a little longer. The Doctors just scared me so much and said it's either you pump or give her formula and I had plenty of milk so I rented a pump.

I always had a hunch that LOs mouth was just too tiny and my breasts were just too large. My nipple would barely fit in her mouth. So going off my hunch this week (LO is 7 weeks old) I tried BFing again and she latched!

Here's my problem...
Although everything I read says that a baby cannot over-eat, I believe that she is. Majority of the time she will nurse on one side for approximately 20 minutes and go about 3 hours between feedings (same amount of time between feedings when I have her 3oz of breastmilk). A couple times now she has nursed for about 40 minutes and ends up spitting up everything. It's not projectile but looks like a couple ounces at least.

Is it wise to put a limit on how long she feeds for? I'm meeting with the LC again but she can't see me until the end of the week.

Rrrrrachel · June 2014

Personally I wouldn't limit it. I would let her figure it out. Spitting up is normal.

Dixon813 · June 2014

@Jennmoak‌ DS was spitting up A LOT this weekend so I've been stopping him to burp and that helps, but I let him go back and eat as long as he wants.

Jennmoak · June 2014

Thanks ladies. I guess because prior to BF she never really spit up and when she did this time she was completely soaked. Looks like we're going to be doing some learning this week - her and I!

rockstarlaw · June 2014

On the spit up question, T has been spitting up A LOT more than usual today. He's also been nursing a lot more frequently, but often for shorter periods if time. It may be a growth spurt (5wks2days) but the volume of spit up kind of concerns me even though I know it usually looks like more than it is. It certainly is a lot more than usual. Diapers have been normal - lots of pees & 2 good poops. Worry or no big deal?

Rrrrrachel · June 2014

It doesn't sound like anything to worry about to me, but you're there and I'm not. Trust your mama gut.

rockstarlaw · June 2014

Highly possible, @poru‌ - thanks. I'm going to watch him for another day or two & see how it goes. Thanks!

Cecilbear · June 2014

@jennmoak Also thought I should mention this: Feeding from a bottle is easier for babies than bbreastfeeding, which explains why your LO is eating for longer stretches. It's just more work on her part!

Manda+panda · June 2014

DD is quite capable of STTN. She does most nights. I'm able to pump three times at work, and I pump once after her first morning feed. I also feed her as soon as I get home from work.

I'm nervous about letting her sleep more than 4 hours now that I'm back to work. I'm scared my supply is going to tank, so if I do let her sleep more, I'm trying to give her a bunch of feedings in a short amount of time. I pump 16 oz, she takes 12 while I'm at work and I pump 16. While I'm home, she gets 5 or 6 nursing sessions. I worry that's not enough. If I let her sleep, it would only be 5.

Do I need to calm down and just follow her lead? Or should I keep waking is both up?

hordol · June 2014

@Manda+panda‌ I am kind of in the same boat and wondering the same thing. DS takes 3-4 bottles while I'm at work and I pump 3 times, however I'm not pumping very much and now DS is all of a sudden sleeping longer stretches at night so I'm no longer nursing him as frequently now too. Outside of his bottles we do 5-6 nursing sessions. I'm kind of worried he is under eating, but I have to remind myself that of he were hungry he would wake up (at least...I hope so, right?) I'm also worried about my supply but thankfully I have one more week of work until my summer off so I know I can bring it up again if it suffers. I would guess if you are making enough milk to feed your child then you are probably fine. If she starts wanting to nurse and it seems like she isn't getting enough then I might worry, but if she's STTN then I would think that is a sign that she is doing just fine and your supply isn't hurting. I read on kellymom that ebf babies need anywhere from 19-30 oz a day, the average being 25. So if she is taking 12 while you are at work, then she only needs another 13ish through nursing and I would think your 5 nursing sessions would cover that. Obviously each baby is different and may need more or less.

Manda+panda · June 2014

The schedule I'm on she nurses 4 or 5 times in the morning, I pump the Times set work and come home and nurse her once more before bed.

Jennmoak · June 2014

Cecilbear said:
@jennmoak Also thought I should mention this: Feeding from a bottle is easier for babies than bbreastfeeding, which explains why your LO is eating for longer stretches. It's just more work on her part!

That makes a lot of sense!

I have to say, it has been AMAZING to feed her in the MOTN and not have to spend another 30 minutes pumping. That I have to say is a great benefit of breastfeeding

\:D/

Dixon813 · June 2014

I posted on the EP thread but maybe you ladies can help.

DS hasn't gained any weight in 2 weeks

so ped wants us to give him 1oz bm by bottle after every feeding. I have about 70 oz in the freezer, but I'm nervous I'm going to blow through it, plus not sure how I'll have time to pump more during the day...

Had a bottle question. I know that milk can be left at room temp for hours, but what about after LO has eaten part of the bottle? What I read on Kellymom says there isn't much conclusive research ... Thought I'd see what others are doing?

rockstarlaw · June 2014

So I am having difficulties with LO feeding off my left boob. It is my larger boob & produces far more than my right. I struggle to get a decent latch on that side if my boob is engorged, and often when I do get a latch that seems ok (whether engorged or not), when LO is eating off that side I hear him make a noise that sounds like a loud lip smack. His lips don't leave my nipple/boob most of the time, but I think he is unlatching when I hear that? Regardless, it is often painful for me. I don't know if he's just getting flooded with milk or what....does that even make sense? Alternatively, on the right side he is fine...I have virtually no pain on the right even when he has a latch that looks less "big" or wide than other more painful latches on the left side. It's getting to the point I almost dread feeding him on the left side, but again - that is my heavy producing side and gets fuller and needs draining so of course I don't skip it. If it wasn't such an absolute PITA I would breast feed on the right and then pump out of the left. Currently I switch sides every 10 minutes and start on opposite sides with each feeding. Has anyone else experienced this? Should I assume that he is, in fact, unlatching due to getting flooded out on the left? I've tried leaning back a few times and positioning him higher than my boob as I've read others do to try and use gravity in my favor....the results have been mixed. Maybe I haven't been trying that hard enough though. Any thoughts or suggestions?

rockstarlaw · June 2014

PS - sorry my damn iPad ran all of that together despite the fact when I typed it out there were paragraph breaks in there. Grrr.

rockstarlaw · June 2014

OK - a little bit of internet research may have answered my question (perhaps I should have started there...) Looks like this may be my issue: https://kellymom.com/bf/got-milk/supply-worries/fast-letdown/

Dixon813 · June 2014

@mamrotu73‌ do you put the unfinished bottle back in the fridge or leave it out?

macynsnoop · June 2014

@rockstarlaw‌ my guy does the lip smacking thing too. My LC said it is him breaking suction, so I guess an issue with tongue sealing on the nipple? Not entirely sure how the mechanics of the thing work. At any rate mine doesn't hurt, but she had said I should get him checked for the tongue tie again. That after getting snipped it can sometimes grow back a little which can in turn cause this kind of issue. I think I remember that your LO had a tongue tie? Anyways, something to consider. He also only does this in my right boob, which is the lesser producer but I think might have a faster letdown. For you it might help to express into a cup first before latching him? This was a suggestion from my LC today when I mentioned the fast letdown. Good luck!

rockstarlaw · June 2014

Thanks @macynsnoop‌ - no, my guy did not have a tongue tie, but at least you confirmed that it his breaking the suction. I'm going to try the suggestions on the link and see if they help.

This whole process is just frustrating. I feel like every time I take one step forward something else comes up that suggests I'm doing things wrong. Sigh.

twinklemoon · June 2014

Bump

macynsnoop · June 2014

@rockstarlaw‌ hang in there! I realized the other day that I suddenly didn't have nipple pain anymore! I realized it when I was in the shower & I wasn't hunching over to protect the nips from the water spray! I'm 9 weeks pp today & I wanna say around 7 weeks or so things did start turning around. That being said, I squirted LO in the face with boob milk today, which is when I realized the right boob had developed a new issue. I think this entire breast feeding thing is that once you finally feel comfortable with the status quo that is when things change on you again. My breast feeding support group at my hospital has been a lifesaver. If you have access to something like that I highly recommend it.

rockstarlaw · June 2014

Do most of you feed only one side per feeding? Or feed from both boobs?

I've been doing 10mins on one side, then switch, but the link from Kellymom on over active let down suggests feeding on only one side per feeding. Curious if this is going to impact my supply...particularly on the non-over active side.

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