Those who are pumping... How many ounces does your baby eat from a bottle at one time?
@SarahS11, At 3 weeks MJ has been taking 1.5 - 2 ounces. I pre-divide into 2 ounce portions because she usually does take that. If it hasn't been 2 hours since her last feeding, I take 1oz from my daily pump collection that hasn't been divided out.
Any tips on how to relieve engorgement pain? My boobs are so full and DD's nursing doesn't help much. I have pumped just a bit, but I'm trying to avoid it as I don't want to cause an over supply.
Also, any tips on cracked nipples? They hurt so bad that the only way I can get through a feeding is with a nipple shield. I've been using nipple butter, letting them air dry, etc, but they don't seem to get any better.
@Pepper6 & @katburdette I have been using calendula cream. I've heard coconut oil works too. I pumped my left side (the really cracked side) for 24 hours and that made a huge difference. Now we are hitting a growth spurt again and feeding every hour so they are getting sore again.... Anyway, for me, time does help. Plus I think we are both getting better at it.
June '14 September Siggy challenge- Favorite things about fall
@Babywear holy crap lady!! I am so sorry, you've been through the ringer! I think its awesome to go to one person to get sorted, all those different opinions must have been crazy making. A suggestion that my sil did is to pit a clear bottle nipple in his mouth, just the nipple, and watch through it how he is latching / chomping. It really helped her figure out what the problem was. Hope it gets better and good job for following those mommy instincts!
@Babywear I am so proud of u. I would have been done at the first site of blood. Keep it up and thanks for the cookies. I tried the beer thing and instead of my 1 oz an hour. I got almost twice as much!!!
My LO is a week old and is cluster feeding without a pattern. I have a wedding shower that I really want to go to next Sunday when he'll be 2 weeks old. I was thinking of pumping so DH could give him a bottle while I'm out of the house but I'm scared it will mess with my supply and hard fought BFing latch. Does anyone have any experience with pumping at 2 weeks? Any suggestions? Should I just bring him with me? I don't want him around a lot of people yet. Do I just use my FTM pass and not go? Decisions, decisions...
@wareagle1220 For large breasts definitely go with the football hold. Makes it so much easier to see LO and control the latch. That's what I'm using and it definitely seems to be working well without me suffocating him
I just want to cry!! My nipples hurt so bad, I'm engorged again thanks to non-stop nursing since Saturday, and my LO hasn't slept more than two hours since that time either. Oh, and my hubs figured that the solution was for him to go back to sleeping in the guest room so he can sleep rather than helping me. I need a break but won't be getting one anytime soon. I hate that I felt like we were getting into a groove and getting the hang of this bf thing. I had even started to feel normal and no pain while nursing. Now the nipple pain is back worse than before. (
June '14 September Siggy challenge- Favorite things about fall
I'm not sure where to ask this so I'm going to put it here... I have one breast that isn't producing like the other. It's only making about half the milk the other one is doing so the LC is having me pump to stimulate it to make more, I forgot to ask how often I should pump and for how long. I'm going to be continuing regular feedings and then pumping afterwards. Any thoughts on how often or how long?
Thanks @Katherine200713! I'm nervous that I'll mess him up by introducing the bottle a week earlier than recommended but I just have to trust that it will be OK if I leave the house for a few hours. Stories like that help.
Anyone else have milk taking it's sweet time to come in? Little guy will be a week old tomorrow and it's still only colostrum. I only know because I have to pump after every feeding because it isn't in yet and he will only take the right nipple and refuses the left. I barely get an ounce when I pump.
DX PCOS June 2011, SA: low volume and concentration, 2% morph
June 2011 Clomid 50 mg + metformin 500 mg = BFN
August 2011 Clomid 100mg + metformin 500 mg = BFN
October 2011 Clomid 100mg + metformin 500 mg = no response
January 2012- Clomid 150mg + metforming 750 mg ER + trigger + IUI #1 = Cancelled due to poor response.
February 2012 - cancelled due to finaances
April 2012 - Jumped ship to a new RE
May 2012 - New round of testing
June 2012 - starting supplements, saving for IVF
June 2013 - ready to start IVF, one more SA - all clear! Dr. Suggest starting with 50mg Clomid and Ovidrel instead. Have to resolve thryoid issues first.
August 2013 - 50 mg. Clomid + Ovidrel = BFN
September 2013 - 50 mg Clomid + Ovidrel = BFP on Oct. 7th!
10.8.13 = 1st Beta 199
10.10.13 = 2nd Beta 502 10.14.13 = 3rd Beta 3,998
11.4.13 = 1 little bean measuring right on track with a heartbeat of 174!
12.2.13 = Genetic testing normal, It's a BOY!
6.10.14 Our sweet baby boy is born at 1:43 pm - 8lbs, 8oz, 21" long
Dd will be 3 weeks on Wednesday... Normally, she eats and is satisfied for a few hours... Today, she wants to eat every hour or two and when's she's done she does not want to get put down. Today is the most she has cried yet... Is this the lovely 3 week growth spurt? She's crying, I'm crying, DH of course has golf league tonight that he offered to not go to, but I'm not even sure how he could help... I'm exhausted
What happens is, my son will only latch onto the right side. So after he eats, I pump. The right side doesn't pump hardly any. The left side (that he didn't eat from) gives me about an ounce. Does that sound like my milk is in? I guess I thought it would be a lot more. The Dr has us supplementing after every other feeding because he lost almost a whole pound from his birth weight and was jaundiced.
DX PCOS June 2011, SA: low volume and concentration, 2% morph
June 2011 Clomid 50 mg + metformin 500 mg = BFN
August 2011 Clomid 100mg + metformin 500 mg = BFN
October 2011 Clomid 100mg + metformin 500 mg = no response
January 2012- Clomid 150mg + metforming 750 mg ER + trigger + IUI #1 = Cancelled due to poor response.
February 2012 - cancelled due to finaances
April 2012 - Jumped ship to a new RE
May 2012 - New round of testing
June 2012 - starting supplements, saving for IVF
June 2013 - ready to start IVF, one more SA - all clear! Dr. Suggest starting with 50mg Clomid and Ovidrel instead. Have to resolve thryoid issues first.
August 2013 - 50 mg. Clomid + Ovidrel = BFN
September 2013 - 50 mg Clomid + Ovidrel = BFP on Oct. 7th!
10.8.13 = 1st Beta 199
10.10.13 = 2nd Beta 502 10.14.13 = 3rd Beta 3,998
11.4.13 = 1 little bean measuring right on track with a heartbeat of 174!
12.2.13 = Genetic testing normal, It's a BOY!
6.10.14 Our sweet baby boy is born at 1:43 pm - 8lbs, 8oz, 21" long
@KrystaJ yes indeed. Don't let them get cold. The second the warm little mouth pops off, put something on them, like a burb rag, to keep them warm. I also find a little pressure helps. If it's happening when you're not nursing, Google. I think kellymom had good info last time I was nursing, but there is info out there. The warmth works really well for me.
I'm not sure how much longer I can do this. DS is not nursing efficiently. I went to a support group today and the LC wants me to nurse and then pump and then feed him a bottle at a slow pace. It's only been one afternoon and it's just too much. When it's time to pump, he's ready to nurse again. Then he's still hungry but I don't have any more pumped milk so back to nursing he goes and I hope he gets enough. I also have a 7 year that needs my attention and I feel that my entire focus the past 2 weeks has been on breastfeeding DS. He wants to nurse constantly and then he takes an hour to get 1oz if we are lucky. Honestly, formula isn't looking so bad right now. I'm just tired.
@fsumom I have no advice, just support. You are a kick ass lady who is doing the best she can. I know it's hard, but whatever you decide will be best for you. No one here will think less, or judge, or say I told you so. If you need to supplement, then do it. If you need to EBF, then do it. Neither makes you a better or worse mom. It simply makes you a mom who feeds her kid.
June '14 September Siggy challenge- Favorite things about fall
@fsumom, I ep'd my dd until she was five months because nursing didn't work for us. At five months, I was feeling seriously down and attached to the damn pump like it was my job. I had oversupply, so I certainly wasn't struggling to get enough. My breaking point? I bought a new dress for a wedding we were going to, got it hone, tried it on for dh, saw the pump sitting there, and realized there was no way to pump in the dress. I burst into tears. I stopped pumping that week. It should not have made me that upset. Babies need a healthy mommy. Of you can make it through, that's awesome. IG you decide to supplement or pump or gf, that's awesome too because you are feeding your baby and you are keeping yourself sane.
@fsumom and @jshrop just some hugs and encouragement for you! I personally had one of the hardest days of my life today with all of the nonstop feeding and crying. This breastfeeding stuff is really hard, but know you are not the only ones with struggles. I wanted to give up about 40 times today, but reading these posts helps me know it's not just me struggling. Thanks for unknowingly being my reason for not giving up today!
My good friend offered this to me when I was having a row of bad days.
Ok. Here are the things I've learned. 1. House work and chores can wait baby come first 2. Right now sleep and feeding baby are more important than supper or anything else 3. Getting use to a baby is difficult. 4. Some days you just need to go with what feels right and breathe 5. Some days getting dressed is too much work so it's a jammy day for both of you. And finally 6. If at the end if the day all you've managed was to nurse /pump and sleep it's a successful day!
This whole new baby stuff is hard work yo. I am sure we are all in the same place. Doesn't it feel like every 3 hours is really every two...? The process takes an hour before you are free to do anything else (like potty) and then it's time to start over??
I'm not sure how much longer I can do this. DS is not nursing efficiently. I went to a support group today and the LC wants me to nurse and then pump and then feed him a bottle at a slow pace. It's only been one afternoon and it's just too much. When it's time to pump, he's ready to nurse again. Then he's still hungry but I don't have any more pumped milk so back to nursing he goes and I hope he gets enough. I also have a 7 year that needs my attention and I feel that my entire focus the past 2 weeks has been on breastfeeding DS. He wants to nurse constantly and then he takes an hour to get 1oz if we are lucky. Honestly, formula isn't looking so bad right now. I'm just tired.
This exactly! Word for word, and I have 7yr old dd too that I feel I am neglecting because my time is consumed by nursing and pumping. Right now my goal is to continue bf/pumping until I have to go back to work. After that I don't know. Having a goal/ possible finish line is helpful. Hugs to you!
For anyone having nipple pain, I highly recommend the soothies breast pads! I went from crying because the pain was excruciating to it's nbd in less than 24 hours! I also have a pretty large crack on either nipple. I am so impressed with this product! The only last 72 hours, but honestly they are worth the money!
June '14 September Siggy challenge- Favorite things about fall
Sometimes while eating, my LO will cough and it's almost like she's gasping for air. I pick her up quickly and burp her. Does that happen to anyone else? She has a doctors appointment today and I'll ask about it there, but I was just curious if it happens to anyone else.
@cspencer85 yes! My LO chocked on the milk every time since this weekend. We went through a growth spurt and I feel like I am engorged all over again so I think my let down is too fast or she's taking too long to breathe between gulps. I just sit her up, give her a second to catch her breath and burp, then put her back on.
June '14 September Siggy challenge- Favorite things about fall
Sometimes while eating, my LO will cough and it's almost like she's gasping for air. I pick her up quickly and burp her. Does that happen to anyone else? She has a doctors appointment today and I'll ask about it there, but I was just curious if it happens to anyone else.
Parker does this frequently, especially with the bottle. He will start choking, then hold his breath for a few seconds and his lips will start to turn purple, and then he will gasp and start breathing quickly and then be ready to eat again. Nurse came out to our house and watched this, said it was normal. She said to just use the slowest flow nipple we can and to stop his feeding if he is gulping too fast.
This whole new baby stuff is hard work yo. I am sure we are all in the same place. Doesn't it feel like every 3 hours is really every two...? The process takes an hour before you are free to do anything else (like potty) and then it's time to start over??
Yeah this ish is every two hours BC wth it's three hours from the time you start, and sometimes I change feed change or even feed change feed change.
I know we all talked about this a while ago but now that we're all doing it, does anyone have a nursing bra they would swear by? I'm used to bras with underwire, so if anyone is in the same situation and has found a perfect nursing bra, I'm all ears
I'm a plus size girl so idk if this will fit you but I am really liking this one and this is my third baby and I've never had luck with a nursing bra so that should say a lot:
My LO chokes often too and if he's having a hard time catching his breath, I blow in his face and then he will let a breath out. Then we burp and try again. It helps!
I know we all talked about this a while ago but now that we're all doing it, does anyone have a nursing bra they would swear by? I'm used to bras with underwire, so if anyone is in the same situation and has found a perfect nursing bra, I'm all ears
At almost 3 weeks PP, I feel like my boobs still haven't regulated to a consistent size. I bought 2 cheapie bras from Wal-Mart until I feel like I level off. I will be looking into the Cake bras.
I'm almost 4 weeks pp and my boobs went down and then just swelled (is that a word? Swole? Swelling? Whatever) again. I picked up a two pack at walmart for $16. Not great support but definitely a cheap alternative until we figure out where they're going to stay.
June '14 September Siggy challenge- Favorite things about fall
Is anyone else having trouble eating enough? When it's hot outside, I'm never very hungry, but I know I need to eat to make sure baby has enough, too. I force myself to drink water, but nothing sounds appetizing.
Me too. I feel gross after giving birth and eat way less than I should. It's why I lose 50 pounds every time I breastfeed my babies. Maybe try some fruit and picking foods rather than a full meal. I've been eating more yogurt, fruit, and dippable stuff (carrots and hummus etc). Easy to eat while BFing too.
Is anyone else having trouble eating enough? When it's hot outside, I'm never very hungry, but I know I need to eat to make sure baby has enough, too. I force myself to drink water, but nothing sounds appetizing.
Yup. I'm also going fruits, juice instead if water to keep calories up, if I have time I'll make a smoothie. Cold foods are my new best friend. Cold cuts, cheese, hummus, raw veggies, etc. Ice cream because its yummy, has calcium, and has calories. I basically go shopping when I'm hungry and out anything that looks good in the cart.
Question... Does anyone have the issue where you know your LO isnt hungry but she/he just wants boob? My LO always open her mouth and search for my nipple. I know she isnt hungry because i just fed her an hour ago. If that happens, do you just let her suck on it, give her a pacifier, or just let her cry?
@irenewslee I do a combo letting him cry and just giving the boob. Most of the time if I can get him calm I can pop him in his bouncy chair and he'll do all right for a while. It helps if DH is home because he does better if he can't smell my milk.
Re: 6/13 breast feeding/pumping check in
eta- tag
Also, any tips on cracked nipples? They hurt so bad that the only way I can get through a feeding is with a nipple shield. I've been using nipple butter, letting them air dry, etc, but they don't seem to get any better.
Married DH 7/30/11
CSC arrived 5/7/12
CHC arrived 6/2/14
Have you tried gel pads? When mine were really really hurting I put some in the fridge and it soothed in between the craziness. You got this!
10.14.13 = 3rd Beta 3,998
10.14.13 = 3rd Beta 3,998
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
Ok. Here are the things I've learned.
1. House work and chores can wait baby come first
2. Right now sleep and feeding baby are more important than supper or anything else
3. Getting use to a baby is difficult.
4. Some days you just need to go with what feels right and breathe
5. Some days getting dressed is too much work so it's a jammy day for both of you.
And finally
6. If at the end if the day all you've managed was to nurse /pump and sleep it's a successful day!
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003DZWVMY?pc_redir=1402821832&robot_redir=1
https://theleakyboob.com/2014/06/7-risks-to-feeding-your-child-youre-screwed-no-matter-what/
Maybe try some fruit and picking foods rather than a full meal. I've been eating more yogurt, fruit, and dippable stuff (carrots and hummus etc). Easy to eat while BFing too.
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