The Great Big Breastfeeding Thread

thejewelster · July 2014

So, my lo still seems to be having issues with my milk (has cmpa). Our ped has suggested we try nutrimigen formula exclusively for 2 weeks to see if his issues are breast milk related or something else. I'm open to trying and will pump in the meantime so I don't lose supply. Has anyone else experienced this before? I need pointers on how to do this!

Jennmoak · July 2014

I need a couple pointers :-/

My left breasts supply seems to be so much less than the right (I know this because when I do pump I can usually get about 7-8oz on the right and 1-2oz on the left). We usually only do one sided feedings but do you think I should always start my LO of on the left breast to help stimulate more?

Cecilbear · July 2014

Jennmoak said:
I need a couple pointers :-/

My left breasts supply seems to be so much less than the right (I know this because when I do pump I can usually get about 7-8oz on the right and 1-2oz on the left). We usually only do one sided feedings but do you think I should always start my LO of on the left breast to help stimulate more?

I would. I'd also add in an extra pumping session at the same time every day. My LC told me that I could slowly train one of my breasts to produce more by doing this.

Holljade · July 2014

To those following my weight story- we went in for a weight check today and Vin gained 9 oz in two weeks (he's three months)

The doc is very happy and we don't need to go back until the 4 month check up!!

All of this was done with no supplementing at all (we tried to supplement one bottle of formula but he refused to eat it) WAHOOO!!!

Rrrrrachel · July 2014

Yeah for weight gain!!

Lopsided boobs are very normal and there may not be anything you can do about it. You can certainly try always starting with the weaker side, though, and see if it helps.

Dixon813 · July 2014

@Holljade‌ so so happy to hear!! Way to go, Vin and mama!!!

Rrrrrachel · July 2014

Some women can hand express milk for years after breastfeeding.

Manda+panda · July 2014

I've been at work a month my supply is good, I'm still producing more milk than DD needs. There I'd nearly 300oz in my freezer, and she always gets fresh not frozen.

The last two weeks, she's been pooping less. Her gas and poop no longer smell like they used to, they smell horrible! She's 15 weeks and (to my knowledge) EBF. Her poop is almost a peanut butter consistency. Family watches her, and I've had a problem with them disregarding my instructions in the past.

Is it normal for her poop to change with no change to her diet? Or, should I start questioning what's being put in her tummy while I'm at work?

rockstarlaw · July 2014

I think it's normal to poop less. I've done a lot of reading on BF poops lately since at 10wks LO has started only pooping like every 5 days. If consistency changes, though, that would concern me (other than not being seedy, but still yellow)

Manda+panda · July 2014

It's more the consistency abd Snell change that concerns me.

smushi · July 2014

@celticlullaby I've read that if you pump with thrush it can get into your equipment?

RedDawnsRevenge · July 2014

If I was pumping with thrush I'd sterilize in boiling water between pumpings. Also I don't remember LOs BMs changing until solids were introduced. I would be highly suspect.

rockstarlaw · July 2014

So I've recently started leaking pretty badly on my overproducing side. Especially at feedings when I nurse the other side, as I switched to one sided feedings a few weeks back. I know, everyone else was leaking months ago & I start doing it in real quantity now.

Anyway, today I put on my pumping bra and sit there with a heating pad for less than 5 minutes but don't do any pressure or hand expressing, etc., I just sit there and still managed to leak (spew) 2 full ounces with no effort. It makes me sad to think how much I've wasted leaking!

Anyway, I say all this as a lengthy prelude to asking about those milk saver things that catch leaking milk. I remember some discussion about them months ago when everyone else was leaking (but I wasn't. Great timing). Are they worth it to wear during other side feedings to try and salvage some of the leaking? I wouldn't wear them all day or anything...does anyone else use these? Or has everyone else's supply regulated and I'm the only weirdo?

MrsZ0811 · July 2014

@rockstarlaw you are not the only one. I literally spray out of the left when dd feds on the right, or if I pump one side at a time (no pumping bra yet) So I am starting to wonder about the milk saver things too, and if they are worth the money. Sometimes I wake up and my shirt is soaked through if she has gone longer than 7 hours without eating,

I have another question too. I am pretty sure that dd is getting an imbalance of foremilk and hind milk. When she just nurses her poop is very green. However when she gets a bottle or two a day of pumped milk the next couple poops are mustardy again. She I worry about what to do? Should I switch to just pumping and feeding bottles? FYI She has a pedi appointment tomorrow and I plan on asking them too. Pedi is very supportive of breastfeeding but I was just wondering what the wonderful ladies of A14 would do about it.

Cecilbear · July 2014

MrsZ0811 said:
@rockstarlaw you are not the only one. I literally spray out of the left when dd feds on the right, or if I pump one side at a time (no pumping bra yet) So I am starting to wonder about the milk saver things too, and if they are worth the money. Sometimes I wake up and my shirt is soaked through if she has gone longer than 7 hours without eating,

I have another question too. I am pretty sure that dd is getting an imbalance of foremilk and hind milk. When she just nurses her poop is very green. However when she gets a bottle or two a day of pumped milk the next couple poops are mustardy again. She I worry about what to do? Should I switch to just pumping and feeding bottles? FYI She has a pedi appointment tomorrow and I plan on asking them too. Pedi is very supportive of breastfeeding but I was just wondering what the wonderful ladies of A14 would do about it.

I am trying to solve the mystery of green diapers, too. My LO's doctor suggested hand expressing a bit before nursing to ensure LO is getting the hind milk as well.

mamahann · July 2014

Has anyone drank coconut water to increase supply? It was mentioned on a BFing Facebook group I'm part of. I had 16.9oz while I was pumping this morning. I'm due to pump in 30 minutes and I feel so full almost to the point of engorgement! I hope it's working because I haven't been pumping enough for the next days bottles.

RedDawnsRevenge · July 2014

Ashleyahann said:
Has anyone drank coconut water to increase supply? It was mentioned on a BFing Facebook group I'm part of. I had 16.9oz while I was pumping this morning. I'm due to pump in 30 minutes and I feel so full almost to the point of engorgement! I hope it's working because I haven't been pumping enough for the next days bottles.

Can't hurt.

cjpell0 · July 2014

Maybe it's just the extra hydration that helps?

Dixon813 · July 2014

MrsStanton87 said:
When do we get to that magical eating every 3 hours time? DS eats every 2 hours almost to the minute during the day, and will be 3 months on Wednesday.

I want to know the same thing!! Some days I get ONE three hour stretch... But I never know when that stretch is going to be!

RedDawnsRevenge · July 2014

MrsStanton87 said:
When do we get to that magical eating every 3 hours time? DS eats every 2 hours almost to the minute during the day, and will be 3 months on Wednesday.

Some babies never go to this magical state you speak of.

sherks11 · July 2014

rockstarlaw said:

So I've recently started leaking pretty badly on my overproducing side. Especially at feedings when I nurse the other side, as I switched to one sided feedings a few weeks back. I know, everyone else was leaking months ago & I start doing it in real quantity now. Anyway, today I put on my pumping bra and sit there with a heating pad for less than 5 minutes but don't do any pressure or hand expressing, etc., I just sit there and still managed to leak (spew) 2 full ounces with no effort. It makes me sad to think how much I've wasted leaking! Anyway, I say all this as a lengthy prelude to asking about those milk saver things that catch leaking milk. I remember some discussion about them months ago when everyone else was leaking (but I wasn't. Great timing). Are they worth it to wear during other side feedings to try and salvage some of the leaking? I wouldn't wear them all day or anything...does anyone else use these? Or has everyone else's supply regulated and I'm the only weirdo?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000058DQJ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I ordered these after the advice of someone else on the bump. The milksavers are almost double the price and there is no top to them (so you can't bend over too far or the milk will spill out). The advent ones are completely enclosed so you don't spill any milk. I used them a lot in the beginning when I was leaking a lot but my supply has started to even out so I don't use them as much anymore (usually just during the first feeding when I'm extra full from the night before). I really like them and they are totally worth the $16 to save your clothes at each feeding!

Dixon813 · July 2014

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000058DQJ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I ordered these after the advice of someone else on the bump. The milksavers are almost double the price and there is no top to them (so you can't bend over too far or the milk will spill out). The advent ones are completely enclosed so you don't spill any milk. I used them a lot in the beginning when I was leaking a lot but my supply has started to even out so I don't use them as much anymore (usually just during the first feeding when I'm extra full from the night before). I really like them and they are totally worth the $16 to save your clothes at each feeding!

I have the medela breast shells - used them in the beginning. But they said they're to help your nips and you should not use the milk that collects in them.

rtv3 · July 2014

MrsZ0811 said:
@rockstarlaw you are not the only one. I literally spray out of the left when dd feds on the right, or if I pump one side at a time (no pumping bra yet) So I am starting to wonder about the milk saver things too, and if they are worth the money. Sometimes I wake up and my shirt is soaked through if she has gone longer than 7 hours without eating,

I have another question too. I am pretty sure that dd is getting an imbalance of foremilk and hind milk. When she just nurses her poop is very green. However when she gets a bottle or two a day of pumped milk the next couple poops are mustardy again. She I worry about what to do? Should I switch to just pumping and feeding bottles? FYI She has a pedi appointment tomorrow and I plan on asking them too. Pedi is very supportive of breastfeeding but I was just wondering what the wonderful ladies of A14 would do about it.

My DD has frequent green poops too, interspersed with enough yellow ones that I don't worry. How long/often does your LO nurse? Also, with DD, if she's hungry again before 2 full hrs I'll put her back on the same side and that seems to help.

sherks11 · July 2014

MrsW26 said:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000058DQJ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I ordered these after the advice of someone else on the bump. The milksavers are almost double the price and there is no top to them (so you can't bend over too far or the milk will spill out). The advent ones are completely enclosed so you don't spill any milk. I used them a lot in the beginning when I was leaking a lot but my supply has started to even out so I don't use them as much anymore (usually just during the first feeding when I'm extra full from the night before). I really like them and they are totally worth the $16 to save your clothes at each feeding! I have the medela breast shells - used them in the beginning. But they said they're to help your nips and you should not use the milk that collects in them.
Also wouldn't it just really be all foremilk? I've considered using them too because I seem to be responding to the pump a lot worse lately. I want to collect every last drop, but I don't think a bottle full of foremilk will do DD any good.

I take what I have collected in the shells and add it to a bottle that I have pumped so LO gets hind milk too. So at most I only add an ounce of the milk from the shells (out of 4 or 5 in the bottle) so its a good mix.

sherks11 · July 2014

At my last appointment my doctor said that at 3 months babies stomachs are capable of sustaining the milk from the last feeding at night to last them until morning. He also said that if I continue to feed her throughout the night it can become a learned behavior rather than a necessity. When I transitioned LO to the crib a week and a half ago, she actually went all through the night without eating for about a week straight. Whenever she would cry, I put the pacifier back in her both and that would sooth her back to sleep (I wouldn't have to feed her). But for the last two nights that wasn't enough and when nothing else calmed her down I did feed her. I have no problem doing this if she needs it but I also want to get her to sleep through the night. Has anyone else's pediatrician told them to ween them off like this? Any tips on how to do this?

Rrrrrachel · July 2014

Pediatricians tend to focus on the food side of the need to breast feed. While it's true that your baby may not need the nutrition at night, there is a lot more about breastfeeding they need than just that. Physical closeness to you is a need that is very real for them. While it's true that learned hunger is a thig (if you got up every night and ate a sandwich at 2am you would be hungry at 2am even though you didn't really NEED the sandwich) it's way too early to worry about it, IMO. But I'm a fan of letting kids sleep mature in their own time.

Rrrrrachel · July 2014

And if you do want to night wean I think you're taking a good approach. Try other things first and resort to the breast if they really need it.

Dixon813 · July 2014

ahoefling said:
At my last appointment my doctor said that at 3 months babies stomachs are capable of sustaining the milk from the last feeding at night to last them until morning. He also said that if I continue to feed her throughout the night it can become a learned behavior rather than a necessity. When I transitioned LO to the crib a week and a half ago, she actually went all through the night without eating for about a week straight. Whenever she would cry, I put the pacifier back in her both and that would sooth her back to sleep (I wouldn't have to feed her). But for the last two nights that wasn't enough and when nothing else calmed her down I did feed her. I have no problem doing this if she needs it but I also want to get her to sleep through the night. Has anyone else's pediatrician told them to ween them off like this? Any tips on how to do this?

This is what's going on with my LO, too! Trying to decide if the waking between 2-4 really is hunger or just needs soothed back to sleep - most nights it's soothed back to sleep, but then I wonder if I'm doing the right thing.... Why can't babies just fall us exactly what they want when they want it?!

rtv3 · July 2014

ahoefling said:
At my last appointment my doctor said that at 3 months babies stomachs are capable of sustaining the milk from the last feeding at night to last them until morning. He also said that if I continue to feed her throughout the night it can become a learned behavior rather than a necessity. When I transitioned LO to the crib a week and a half ago, she actually went all through the night without eating for about a week straight. Whenever she would cry, I put the pacifier back in her both and that would sooth her back to sleep (I wouldn't have to feed her). But for the last two nights that wasn't enough and when nothing else calmed her down I did feed her. I have no problem doing this if she needs it but I also want to get her to sleep through the night. Has anyone else's pediatrician told them to ween them off like this? Any tips on how to do this?

I think you're doing exactly the right thing. I do the same thing with DD. If she takes the paci, awesome, if not then obviously she needed to nurse

hordol · July 2014

So DS had a weight check yesterday after some concern the ped has over his weight gain at his 2-month appintment. He did gain weight, but at a slower rate and he went from the 3rd percentile to below the charts. She wants me to supplement him with 2-3 bottles of formula a day. Here I thought the reason I couldn't pump was because I didn't respond well, but maybe I really am not making enough milk. I have a bunch of boxes of mothers milk tea--how many cups a day is recommended to see an increase? Anyway, I'm worried that feeding more formula will kind of dry me up and I'm not ready for that. Any tips?

hordol · July 2014

@LalaMama81‌ what do you mean by supplementing at the breast with a supplementing nursing system?

I think I will call my clinic's lactation consultant today to make an appointment for a weighted feed. I think that sounds like a good idea. I did that once awhile ago and he only got like 1.5 oz but he was still little and we were still figuring out our latch issues.

The ped said we could either do 2-3 bottles OR 2oz formula after every feed. I thought 2-3 bottles sounded easier cause of less bottles to clean but now I think maybe 2 oz after each feed would actually be better from a nursing perspective, right?

He went from 9 lb 14 oz to 10 lbs 11 oz in about 28 days.

RedDawnsRevenge · July 2014

LalaMama81 said:
I would see a lactation consultant or go to a breastfeeding group and do a weighted feed. Then you can figure out if there's a supply issue and how much to supplement.

IMO, if you need to supplement but want to protect and increase your supply - the best way to do it is at the breast with a supplemental nursing system. Then they are still at the breast. I think it's hard to add a bottle because if it's replacing a feeding, you have to pump and they're getting less bm than they could.

I have a chronic low supply condition (insufficient glandular tissue) and have had to supplement all three kids. I do it all at the breast with an sns. I eat oatmeal everyday and lots of water. I think more milk special blend as a tincture works best but I'd start drinking that tea - 3 cups a day.

How many ounces did he gain and in how many days?

Very good advice there

Dixon813 · July 2014

That's just under half an ounce a day, right?! But I get the concern of dropping off the chart...

This is the supplemental nursing system @LalaMama81‌ is talking about, I believe.

https://www.medelabreastfeedingus.com/products/51/supplemental-nursing-system-sns

hordol · July 2014

I made an appointment with the LC for a week from now because that's the soonest I could get in. We will see what she suggests. Last night I tried to give him 2 oz when we were done nursing before bed but he didn't really want it. I did get him to take some but he wouldn't finish it. This morning I have him a 4 oz bottle about 2.5-3 hrs after I last breast fed him and he would only take about 2.5 oz from it. So I agree that it seems like the ped's recommendations were a little high.

Rrrrrachel · July 2014

Yes totally possible to nurse on only one side. You will probably end up with lopsided boobs, though. I ended up only nursing on the right side last time because I am disorganized. Nbd.

RedDawnsRevenge · July 2014

mamrotu73 said:
Is it possible to just BF on one side?
Every time I have a problem, it is righty. Righty gets clogged, A latches poorly in comparison on the right, and he has taken to biting only on the right as well.

If lefty could just take over and righty chill-out, that would be awesome.

If I just start feeding him more often on the left and fading out the right maybe? Or does it not work like that? I basically want to dry up one boob and double the other.

There was a study done on a region in China were women only BF on the right (it was a cancer study if you're interested). The whole village for many many generations only BFed on the right side. So it's totally possible to dry up one side.

mamahann · July 2014

Ladies who are back at work and pumping - how many oz is your LO eating during the day? DD is 16 weeks and has good diapers but on average she's only eating about 8-9.5oz per day when she's away from me. I'm pumping just enough to keep up but this seems like a really small amount. She is on the small side and feels heavier to me but her next appointment isn't for 2 weeks so I won't know about weight gain until then.

rockstarlaw · July 2014

@celticlullaby‌ - I hope you feel better!

@mamahann‌ - my LO is 11 wks and averages about 12oz while I am away from him for about 9 hours. He's about 14 pounds. If she is eating well with you maybe she's ok? How long are you away from her?

Rrrrrachel · July 2014

That sounds like a perfectly normal amount. FYI the amount of breast milk won't change much as he gets bigger and older. The content changes vs the quantity.

Rrrrrachel · July 2014

I'll add that my daughter only took like six ounces when I was at work. She just didn't like bottles. She made up for it later and nbd. If you saw what a chunky baby she was you'd know she was fine

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