6/13 breast feeding/pumping check in

tbmadeamistake · June 2014

Hi Ladies. It seems like a lot of us are struggling right now. I'm calling my lc in the morning and hoping they can cut me a deal, as the hospital they work out if is considered out of network for me. Charlie can latch well, but once my breasts get even a little floppy, he gets lazy and wants to tighten his latch to a point where I feel like he's biting just my nipple. My left side is fine but my right side is fucking sore and doesn't seem to be getting any better. I think I'm being used as a pacifier, which is frustrating and also makes me sore. He also only falls asleep on the breast maybe half the time. The other half he stays awake, will root but not eat if I put him on the breast, and I then lull him to sleep on my chest. Its exhausting and I feel like something must be wrong.

He's gaining fine and producing plenty of both types of diapers, so from that perspective we are fine. We can't afford formula and I do not want to pump if I don't have to, I hated it last time.

QT3.14 · June 2014

LO gets so aggressive when she latches. I think my right nipple is cracked. Her latches are good but I wish she would be more gentle when she latches.

fsumom · June 2014

DS is losing weight so I'm nursing and supplementing with formula. I also pumped yesterday and early this morning but I think I'm going to try and get away from it as it became too much. I'm hoping to meet with an LC today and will just continue to nurse frequently until then. I felt it necessary to supplement with formula due to DS losing almost 15oz from his birth weight at 11 days old. He had plenty of wet and dirty diapers so that wasn't helpful in determining if he was getting enough.

tbmadeamistake · June 2014

Sorry @fsumom‌. I'm also going to be calling the lc today. hopefully you get some positive input!!

jshrop · June 2014

I may be a little bit tired and frustrated today, but I'm starting to resent feeling like a dairy cow. I'm also starting to resent hubs going to do whatever he wants when he wants and not helping much here. I just want an hour where I can sit or sleep but not have a baby attached to me.

katekat8721 · June 2014

@jshrop you're not alone. I call myself a dairy cow too, especially when hooked to my pump. Gah.

I have another LC appt Tuesday morning. Last night/this morning both girls did surprisingly well without the nipple shield. They just get really frustrated sometimes because the milk comes out slower with nursing vs. bottles/nipple shields. I'm afraid they're getting used to the faster flow of bottles/nipple shields.

On Monday we have a pedi appt and I'm wondering if she'll let us stop supplementing with formula anytime soon. Of course I'm running out of milk at times and the girls are starving so we give them formula while I pump anyways, so it's probably a moot point!

ncbelle · June 2014

Hang in there mamas!! Remember these early weeks are by far the hardest - everything gets SO MUCH easier around week 6 or so - really does!

I always find it helpful to remember that all that newborn cluster feeding and comfort sucking is mother nature's way of forcing us to just sit and chill for a few weeks. And it's great for building a strong supply. I also like to remember that pacifiers are a substitute for mama - mama is never a pacifier - so don't ever feel it's "wrong" for baby to comfort nurse. They really won't nurse like this as they get older. Down the road, you'll be wondering how you can get them to sit still for a nursing session

Hope everyone's LC appointments are helpful. Getting that hands on help can be key if you have any concerns or bumps in the road.

Savvy122 · June 2014

@Lilygrace48 Let me know what your LC says. D has started doing the exact. same. thing. I've been dealing with OAD and have been trying to fix that problem to cut down on his gassiness/fussiness; but now, he's getting lazy because the milk is coming out more slowly and he completely changes his latch. It's perfect when the milk is flowing rapidly, but once that initial letdown passes, it's like he's biting rather than sucking. It hurts like a biotch! And no matter how many times I unlatch/relatch him, I can't seem to fix the problem.

kittenslove · June 2014

I'm seeing the LC today, my right nipple hurts so much, I don't know what's wrong. The left is fine, but the right has to milk blisters, at one point had a scab across the middle (still weird looking) had a stringy milk in think came for a clogged pore, and in general just hurts. I have tried warm and cold therapy, hand expression before and after, and petty much everything I have read on the internet. Really helping she can help me figure it out. Little dude should be okayed it move to the breast as early as Monday, and I can't wait, exclusively pumping is doable, but way a lot of work. No matter what I was told, I was not rap easy for this,

meritsamomma · June 2014

Starting the day with a fresh perspective. Determined to find a way that works for us and decided the LCs aren't at every feeding so they can't possibly address every issue. While I was pumping last night at 3 am and DH was happily feeding her a bottle I watched the shape the pump made my nipples, especially the left which is slightly inverted.
I started thinking how much easier it would be for her to latch if I hadn't just pumped... then I remembered that they gave me the manual attachment to my Medela Pump. So this am I primed with a few squeezes on the manual pump until the nipple was fully erect and milk was ready to flow and let her try to latch. SUCCESS!!!
LO has been nursing for 45 minutes with a few stops to burp and a couple pumps on the manual before re-latching. She just let the nipple pop out and went to sleep. .. This is the first time I've nursed my girl until she was full!
FX this continues to work! GL ladies and here's hoping we all get over these bumps in the road. Thank god we have this community to support one another! !! ♡♡♡♡

Cherylwang · June 2014

I have to bring my LO to the doctor tonight bc of throwing up. I am EBF and posted this on the other breastfeeding thread. She throws up like a cup of liquid. It's all over her, me the couch. I made sure yesterday I had no caffeine or anything that I thought would upset her stomach. She did it twice last night and once this morning. I don't think it's anything I'm eating bc this morning when it happened. I hadn't eaten or drank anything in 10 hours. I will see what the doctor says tonight.

Damnliz · June 2014

ncbelle said:

Hang in there mamas!! Remember these early weeks are by far the hardest - everything gets SO MUCH easier around week 6 or so - really does!

I always find it helpful to remember that all that newborn cluster feeding and comfort sucking is mother nature's way of forcing us to just sit and chill for a few weeks. And it's great for building a strong supply. I also like to remember that pacifiers are a substitute for mama - mama is never a pacifier - so don't ever feel it's "wrong" for baby to comfort nurse. They really won't nurse like this as they get older. Down the road, you'll be wondering how you can get them to sit still for a nursing session

Everything she said is true. These first few weeks are a huge learning curve for you and baby, especially if it's your first time nursing. Hang in there!

My problem is my baby nurses on one boobs, falls asleep, unlatches and milk is still dripping out of my boob. Not to mention he's totally asleep and I have to change his diaper and aggravate him to get him to nurse on the other side. Then because my boobs still feel like rocks- I pump. Oh Lord, get me through this first week!!!

CJnKR2014 · June 2014

Having a tough fkme keeping my head up. I knew breastfeeding twins was going to be tough, but i didn't know THIS tough... @katekat8721‌ what do you do if theyre both freaking out at the same time? Cuz i can only handle one baby at a time!

irenewslee · June 2014

My LO gets so frustrated when the milk doesnt come out right away. She also has trouble latching because my nipples are big and swollen. She screams every time i put her on.

I had some trouble getting enough milk initially but now i am getting better. Last night we tried to give her 2ozs of formula at 5. By 6 she wanted boob, she went on and off for 30 mins before she fell asleep and would not wake up to take the other side. Then she woke up again at 650 screaming for more. And because she was so hungry, she couldnt calm herself down to latch properly. It also doesnt help that my mom is constantly giving me her "opinion" about everything. I know she is trying to help... But i am just so tired!

meritsamomma · June 2014

AmyG* said:

@meritmacalpine Perfect!
Sometimes when latching is difficult, pumping to "prime" the nipple and get it standing erect, and help with let down allows baby to latch on easier and get milk faster!

YES, it's really hard that an LC can't just move into your house with you for the first 3-6 weeks to help you deal with middle of the night latching issues and all the things that come up.
A visit with an LC in person can help considerably but then we have to go home and figure out what they did when home and everything is hard to remember.
If you can, bring dh with you and have him listen and take notes sometimes that helps, or if you have a best friend that isn't embarrassed by boobs. lol
Also don't be afraid to google up some nursing latching videos--Dr Newman has some good ones, and prob others linked thru kellymom that might help. sometimes watching someone else do it right as you are trying to do it gives you the hints you need to make it right yourself.
Moms have a unique perspective, and sometimes LC's say it looks right from here but you KNOW it aint right from where you are sitting.

It's funny you mention the LC saying it looked right. When I saw her on Tuesday she kept saying it was perfect and I was saying she's not latching to me, she's just got the SNS in her mouth. My nipple was below her mouth!

Hoping this continues to work and give us a nice starting point with LC next Tuesday. I will definitely look into some of those sites for tips! Thank you!

Just had weight check with pediatrician and she only put on a half an ounce since Tuesday and her face is a little yellow again so we all have FX this morning is a step toward her gaining weight and kicking this jaundice out for good!

Damnliz · June 2014

@amyg

thanks for the advice! I am only pumping just a small amount to relieve rock hard tenderness. Jaundice and low diapers are not issue so I'll stick one side a nursing session and see how that goes. How long do you think engorgement will last? My milk came in on day 2 (this is my 3rd baby I'm nursing)...

thanks for being super helpful.

katekat8721 · June 2014

CJnKR2014 said:
Having a tough fkme keeping my head up. I knew breastfeeding twins was going to be tough, i didn't know THIS tough... @katekat8721‌ what do you do if theyre both freaking out at the same time? Cuz i can only handle one baby at a time!

Its so hard when it's 2 am and they're both crying and hungry and I only have two hands! I have one baby who is more chill than the other one, so I usually tend to the super fussy one first because I know my other one is more patient. I just talk calmly to them and tell them I love them and that mama's doing her best. That's really all you can do!

You know hubby and I take shifts, so when we're starting or stopping our shifts is when we're both there and try to do the feedings. It's just soo much easier with two people!

If you ever need to talk/vent/cry, I'm always here! Have you found a twin group in your area?

katekat8721 · June 2014

@CJnKR2014 are you exclusively nursing or do you pump too? Have you tried tandem nursing?

CJnKR2014 · June 2014

@katekat8721‌ i haven't had the chance to look for the group in my area. I'm currently doing a combo of BFing, pumping, and formula feeding, but its a majority of formula feeding which makes me feel terrible

tbmadeamistake · June 2014

Lc never called me back. I'll try again on Monday and then try another lc nearby. Its not covered by my insurance so I guess it doesn't really matter who I see...

irenewslee · June 2014

emilyh107 said:
It's going. We've battled a bad latch, mastitis and thrush. I'm beginning to think we can pretty much tackle anything Actually, it is getting a lot easier. She is latching great and I am finally feeling like she is getting full after feedings. I am glad I haven't given up when things are rough because I actually really enjoy BFing. The bond is amazing and knowing I am giving her the good stuff is an extra bonus.

Definitely encouraging to hear! I have only been in this battle for a week and it feels like ages. I am so close to giving up and just do bottle feeding.

fsumom · June 2014

So I left a message for a LC to call me and never heard back today. DS went from 6lbs15.8oz yesterday morning to 7lbs2.2oz this morning due to supplementing formula and giving pumped breastmilk along with continuing to nurse.

**wanted to add that DS's pediatrician wants us to now give an ounce of formula first, then nurse and then pumped breast milk. I just feel so inadequate. LC's seem so against formula but I found out today that if DS hadn't gained any weight from yesterday to today, they were going to have him hospitalized.

fsumom · June 2014

@Lilygrace48‌

What's up with these LC's never calling us back?

jshrop · June 2014

@CJnKR2014‌ DON'T FEEL TERRIBLE! The most important thing is that you're taking care of your little ones! Being a new mom of a single baby is hard, I can't imagine having twins! You girls rock!!! Keep in your mind that you are one bad ass momma. Regardless of how they're eating, they're eating! Yeah for being a good mom. Hugs to you.

katekat8721 · June 2014

jshrop said:
@CJnKR2014‌ DON'T FEEL TERRIBLE! The most important thing is that you're taking care of your little ones! Being a new mom of a single baby is hard, I can't imagine having twins! You girls rock!!! Keep in your mind that you are one bad ass momma. Regardless of how they're eating, they're eating! Yeah for being a good mom. Hugs to you.

All of this!! Girl, ALL the twin moms I know are doing the same BF, pump, supplement regime. I'm doing it and I totally hate the formula too! But the thing is, I'm only able to get so much milk right now. If we didn't use formula, the babies would be hungry and not adequately gaining weight. So yeah it sucks, but it's necessary for now and only temporary! Eventually our boobs will figure out WTF is going on and make us plenty of milk for both babies. Just keep nursing and pumping. You're a great mama and doing everything you can for your boys.

sumochik · June 2014

katekat8721 said:
@jshrop you're not alone. I call myself a dairy cow too, especially when hooked to my pump. Gah.

I have another LC appt Tuesday morning. Last night/this morning both girls did surprisingly well without the nipple shield. They just get really frustrated sometimes because the milk comes out slower with nursing vs. bottles/nipple shields. I'm afraid they're getting used to the faster flow of bottles/nipple shields.

On Monday we have a pedi appt and I'm wondering if she'll let us stop supplementing with formula anytime soon. Of course I'm running out of milk at times and the girls are starving so we give them formula while I pump anyways, so it's probably a moot point!

@katekat8721‌ my hat is off to you BC I don't know how you are doing the BF thing with twins!!!! I can't even imagine.

Cherylwang · June 2014

@AmyG*‌ thank you. That's good advice about the Hind milk. I probably do not empty one whole side. I am in the waiting room at the doctor now.

gatorMom2014 · June 2014

Does anyone else have pain in their hand from holding/squeezing your boob for LO to eat? I feel like I sprained my left hand!

Bozzy2 · June 2014

Moo... So tired. What's the best nipple cream? I thought I had more time so I don't even have any on hand.

JujuB22 · June 2014

So I'm consistently short on milk every day, 3-6 oz, and freezer supply is getting used up. I'm eating every herb and tea and cookie to try to increase supply. What type of formula do you recommend to make up for what I'm short? I tried using the Neosure the NICU used and sent home with us, but it seems to make him really gassy and miserable.

tbmadeamistake · June 2014

@JujuB22‌ we used Target brand gentle (purple container) with C and she took it with no problems.

katekat8721 · June 2014

JujuB22 said:
So I'm consistently short on milk every day, 3-6 oz, and freezer supply is getting used up. I'm eating every herb and tea and cookie to try to increase supply. What type of formula do you recommend to make up for what I'm short? I tried using the Neosure the NICU used and sent home with us, but it seems to make him really gassy and miserable.

The Neosure has 22 calories instead of 20, so if the doc didn't say to continue using it you can probably stop and use regular stuff! We have to use Neosure (or Enfacare, same thing) for two feedings a day to bulk them up. Any other feedings we use Enfamil Gentle Ease (purple container) which supposedly helps with gas and fussiness. you can also get gas drops to use with the formula. We usr the Little Tummies brand.

MrsAMB07 · June 2014

My kids have always been two-side nursers. This DD usually nurses 10-15 minutes on each side, but will sometimes do one side. I don't mind if she's full and refuses the second side, but since she's inconsistent with this, will it affect my supply? Especially if she does this in the morning and one side hasn't been emptied in a long time?

(Maybe this is better in the questions thread? Or is this just a newer version of that?)

lest12 · June 2014

Hi ladies! You guys are rockstars! I've been reading along... one of the benefits to being due later in the month is getting to learn from all of you early June moms

Can I ask a question here? It's a logistical thing, I'm not actually bf-ing yet

but I don't know where else to ask.

My insurance covers my bp, but what I found out this week is they don't send it without a prescription, and my dr's office doesn't send the prescription until I deliver... so there's going to be some gap there.

Is this ok? Normal? Should I be looking for an alternative at this point?

TIA for the insight

lest12 · June 2014

CAMag said:
@lest12‌ -- you can probably rent a pump from the hospital (by the week) if yours hasn't come in yet & you need one.

Oh, that would be perfect! I'll look into it. Thanks!

shellbell813 · June 2014

So we were in NICU for 5 days and because of my BP and being early my milk didn't come in for a couple of days and I wasn't able to go down and nurse him for every feeding, so he was getting supplemented with formula. He is a great Eater but I would really like to wean him off of the formula (we are almost out of our free supply). His first night home I did exclusive breast but middle of the night his stomach was growling and he freaked out until he got some formula. I know it's probably because he can get so much more from the bottle but I really don't want to have to pump and all the time.

So how do I wean him off the bottle and make sure he is getting enough from the breast to be full (and also without doing 2 hour feedings)?

jshrop · June 2014

@shellbell813‌ I'm no expert (obvi) but I think he may seem extra hungry bc the formula digests slower than bm. Also, because the bm disgests quickly my kiddo eats about every two hours. Sometimes 2.5. At night she usually goes between 3-4. I don't know how old you LO is, but it's likely you will need to feed every 2.

katekat8721 · June 2014

@lest12 I had the same situation! They brought me a hospital grade pump to rent for the first month. When I delivered they wrote the prescription for the pump and when I went home I just called to place the order. It came like 2 days later. I still have the hospital one to use the first month though.

shellbell813 · June 2014

@CDK211‌ and @jshrop‌ thanks! I have been doing every 3 hours so that will probably be helpful. How long do you let LO feed for? That's what I meant by two hour feedings. Noah sometimes takes an hour or more to feed (he falls asleep a lot).

JujuB22 · June 2014

katekat8721 said:

JujuB22 said:
So I'm consistently short on milk every day, 3-6 oz, and freezer supply is getting used up. I'm eating every herb and tea and cookie to try to increase supply. What type of formula do you recommend to make up for what I'm short? I tried using the Neosure the NICU used and sent home with us, but it seems to make him really gassy and miserable.
The Neosure has 22 calories instead of 20, so if the doc didn't say to continue using it you can probably stop and use regular stuff! We have to use Neosure (or Enfacare, same thing) for two feedings a day to bulk them up. Any other feedings we use Enfamil Gentle Ease (purple container) which supposedly helps with gas and fussiness. you can also get gas drops to use with the formula. We usr the Little Tummies brand.

We were supposed to be using the Neosure mixed with breast milk for half his feelings but it made him so gassy. Pediatrician gave us the ok to not use it anymore. I just figure if he had issues with that good chance he will with other formulas. My dd did not tolerate formula very well. I believe we ended up using the gentle ease. Using the gas drops with Parker and it helps a lot. Thanks !

sumochik · June 2014

Baby's blood draw from yesterday was 11, which puts him in the low risk category. So yay I'm happy to be getting rid of Mr. Bili and his friend Mr. Rubin.

Want a personalized experience?

6/13 breast feeding/pumping check in

Married DH 7/30/11

CSC arrived 5/7/12

CHC arrived 6/2/14

Re: 6/13 breast feeding/pumping check in

Married DH 7/30/11

CSC arrived 5/7/12

CHC arrived 6/2/14

Married DH 7/30/11

CSC arrived 5/7/12

CHC arrived 6/2/14

Married DH 7/30/11

CSC arrived 5/7/12

CHC arrived 6/2/14

Choose Another Board

Search Boards