The Great Breastfeeding Thread

Re: The Great Breastfeeding Thread

• Big+Lil member

  July 2014

  Make sure babe gets as much boob in their mouth as they can. It's a nipple saver!
  
  Change, swaddle, nurse is our favorite routine.
  
  Drink lots and lots of water.
  
  Pacifiers aren't confusing and can also be nipple savers.
  
  When the schedule becomes predictable, nursing gets way easier.
  
  It's okay to have days during growth spurts where you feel like a topless cow, it passes.

  

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• emineminem member

  July 2014

  I mostly have questions :-/
  
  Like, what's with this lump next to my nipple? Dr. Google says probably a blocked duct or mastitis, but it's not painful...any suggestions for a remedy?

  
  

  

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• Big+Lil member

  July 2014

  @missquela‌ have you looked at kellymom.com? If it's a blocked duct or mastitis you have to feed or pump it out.
  
  I get lumps when very full and massage them out while nursing.
  
  I like this thread because it's the first time I feel like I can contribute. I nursed my first for 15 months, and pumped while I worked full time for most of that time.

  

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• Ekg688 member

  July 2014

  I know they say to not start pumping until 4 weeks, but I'm worried I won't have enough milk saved up for DD when I go back to work in 6 weeks. Andddddd I'm also worried once I go back to work I'll stop BF all together (pumping at work will be a major inconvenience on multiple levels).

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• 1982Babies member

  July 2014

  For the love of god, FTMs, wear appropriate sized bras and tops, and make sure you nurse or pump frequently.  I've gone twice with company visiting and 5-6 hours between pumping and have had hellish painful boobs with fevers.  Ugh.
  
  
  

  *SIGGY*
  Baby G born 6/6/14, 37 weeks 1 day due to preeclampsia.  5lb12oz 19"
  #2 due Christmas 2016. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

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• Soon2BMrsN member

  July 2014

  Glad to see this thread start! I nursed each of my boys for 16 months but still doubt myself at times. Supporting each other is so important!

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• reils500 member

  July 2014

  @Ekg688‌ I am also worried about my ability to pump at work. I was able to give DS1 at least partial breast milk till 6 months. My goal with DS2 is to be exclusive breast milk till 6 months.
  I plan to start pumping once a day (lo is 2 weeks)- but I'm not sure when to fit the pumping in

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• ichamommy member

  July 2014

  Love this thread. Just getting started and I am by no means an expert but I do highly recommend the My Brest Friend nursing pillow. It has helped me tremendously after a very rocky start.

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• honeybee434 member

  July 2014

  The best advice I read here on TB so far is that when I'm getting LO to latch to point my nipple up to the roof of her mouth, get as much in her mouth as possible, and to move her onto my nipple and not move my nipple towards her. Latching hurt like hell for 2 weeks until I read that and it's been incredible how much better BF'ing has gone since I started implementing that. If I don't get a comfortable latch right away, I'll make her re-try until it happens.

  

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• melissaquinn106 member

  July 2014

  reils500 said:

  @Ekg688‌ I am also worried about my ability to pump at work. I was able to give DS1 at least partial breast milk till 6 months. My goal with DS2 is to be exclusive breast milk till 6 months.
  I plan to start pumping once a day (lo is 2 weeks)- but I'm not sure when to fit the pumping in

  I'm trying to start pumping next week when LO is 2 weeks. I've been told by many people to either pump right after a feeding or pump one side when I nurse the other. I'll probably start by trying to pump right after a feeding. I think it's going to be a trial and error experience though.
  
  
  

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• iris427 member

  July 2014

  quinncat said:

  Ok, dd's latch seems to be getting more shallow. I really try and wait until she has a big open mouth and point my nipple towards the top of her mouth. She slowly pulls herself off until she just has the nipple in her mouth. My ninnies hurt! Any advice?

  When you see her slipping into a more shallow latch, take her off and relatch her.  She will learn to stay on better (and as they get older, they get less sleepy and also have a bigger mouth which helps a lot too).

  
  

  
  

  Big sister {September 2008} Sweet boy {April 2011} Fuzzy Bundle {ETA July 2014}
  

  
  

  
  

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• Ekg688 member

  July 2014

  My pedi recommend 4 weeks (much like other "sources") but I'm going to call the LC at the pedi on Monday. I'm sure she'll give me the green light.

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• MrsLele member

  July 2014

  Love this thread! Support is so so important! My toddler just recently weaned but I'm expecting a new set of challenges with #2. Bits and pieces of advice that always helped me: EAT. Like a lot. More than when you were pregnant. And water. All the time water. Pumping is NOT indicative of supply. I had to pump early on last time bc my dd was so early, and I was always so stressed about the amount I was pumping. Baby is MUCH more efficient than any pump. When in doubt, nurse your baby. Even if you think they are using you for a "pacifier". You are all they know and they are doing their natural job of getting your supply to come in and to regulate! And finally, it gets SO much easier at the 6-8 week mark! Hang in there and it will be the most rewarding thing you've ever done. I've missed nursing these last couple months and can't wait to do it again

  
  

  
  

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• Allison546 member

  July 2014

  melissaquinn106 said:

  reils500 said:

  @Ekg688‌ I am also worried about my ability to pump at work. I was able to give DS1 at least partial breast milk till 6 months. My goal with DS2 is to be exclusive breast milk till 6 months.
  I plan to start pumping once a day (lo is 2 weeks)- but I'm not sure when to fit the pumping in

  I'm trying to start pumping next week when LO is 2 weeks. I've been told by many people to either pump right after a feeding or pump one side when I nurse the other. I'll probably start by trying to pump right after a feeding. I think it's going to be a trial and error experience though.
  
  
  

  I'd definitely recommend pumping in the morning sometime. I would always get more milk from a.m. pumping sessions.
  

   

  
  

  

  
  

  
  

  

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• Allison546 member

  July 2014

  MSUDucks said:

  1982Babies said:

  For the love of god, FTMs, wear appropriate sized bras and tops, and make sure you nurse or pump frequently.  I've gone twice with company visiting and 5-6 hours between pumping and have had hellish painful boobs with fevers.  Ugh.
  
  
  

  Yes! And, I am normally a stomach sleeper but found that I got more clogs when sleeping on my stomach.

  Agree totally. I couldn't wait to resume stomach sleeping but it definitely caused a lot of problems.. Keep using that body pillow ladies, even PP.
  

   

  
  

  

  
  

  
  

  

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• MississippiCatfish member

  July 2014

  Does anyone have any tips for NIP when you have forceful letdown? At this stage, it's overwhelming for LO and he usually unlatches and coughs and gags. It's embarrassing (to me) to have his face all covered with milk or pull out a sopping wet burp cloth, but I think those are my only options until he's a little bigger and can handle the letdown a little better. Any tips?

  *E 10/2012, H 7/2014, F 2/2016*
  

  
  

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• hgtvmom member

  July 2014

  I am basically EP for LO. When I was sick after she was born, she got used to a bottle and hasn't transitioned back well. We usually get one or two nursing sessions in daily, where she actually eats enough to be satisfied. Other times, she is using me as a pacifier and goes to sleep or throws her head around when my let down isn't what a bottle would be.
  
  So my question is about pumped milk and storing. My supply is more than she needs, so I add to my freezer stash daily and keep my fridge supply at 3 days and make sure to rotate. let's say I get some good nursing sessions in a couple days in a row and my supply is getting close to the 3 day limit. Can I move the older milk to the freezer for further preservation? Or do I need to toss it?

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• Soon2BMrsN member

  July 2014

  tundrabunny said:

  Any tips for the breast pump? I'm intimidated by mine....

  I remember feeling that way the firwt time, too. Just give it a try. I'd do it sometime in the morning, after LO has eaten and you think she might sleep for awhile, and just see how it goes the first time. Try a little lanolin in the flanges to make it more comfortable.
  
  

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• Soon2BMrsN member

  July 2014

  Pup4gdb said:

  I am basically EP for LO. When I was sick after she was born, she got used to a bottle and hasn't transitioned back well. We usually get one or two nursing sessions in daily, where she actually eats enough to be satisfied. Other times, she is using me as a pacifier and goes to sleep or throws her head around when my let down isn't what a bottle would be.
  
  So my question is about pumped milk and storing. My supply is more than she needs, so I add to my freezer stash daily and keep my fridge supply at 3 days and make sure to rotate. let's say I get some good nursing sessions in a couple days in a row and my supply is getting close to the 3 day limit. Can I move the older milk to the freezer for further preservation? Or do I need to toss it?

  Yep, just move it to the freezer!
  
  This link contains more info on storing EBM: https://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/milkstorage/milkstorage/

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• jennp1979 member

  July 2014

  Are you all taking anything that is said to increase your supply...tea, vitamins etc

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• bgoodbpar member

  July 2014

  Love having this thread....
  
  I BF DS for 14 months and pumped at work. In regards to waiting to pump I started a few days ago with one pump session after DDs morning feeding (DD was 1 week old). Doesn't work for everyone but because my supply is so abundant in the am it just makes sense to utilize it and I have had no issues with it this far.
  
  I also second/third/fourth ( whatever number we're on) the my Brest friend pillow. I tried it at the LC appt with DS 3 years ago and loved it but never bought it. I didn't this time and my back thanks me for it.
  
  Keep hanging in there ladies! BF is no walk in the park but it does get a little easier with time!

  
  
  

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• emineminem member

  July 2014

  Thanks for the responses @2lacyblue‌ @MSUDucks‌ and @Big+Lil‌
  
  There is some discoloration on it so I'm assuming its a blocked duct. It has gotten more painful when she latches on that side so I started massaging it and put a hot compress between feedings (difficult since we're mid-cluster.) I'll try massaging it while nursing.
  
  I do want to share a triumph though...Maddie just latched and fed without a shield for five minutes for the first time since her first feeding right after delivery! She sneezed herself off and wouldn't get back on, but it's a start! Maybe weaning will happen someday...

  
  

  

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• hab83 member

  July 2014

  Does anyone find they need to avoid certain foods while BFing so baby doesn't get so much gas? My poor little guy seems to have a tummy ache quite frequently that only settles after lots of farting and popping when he finally gets it out. I tried the gas drops, but they don't seem to be doing much. He's burping fine, too. It's really affecting our sleep since he grunts and fusses all night long while scrunching up his little legs and turning red in the face.

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• Allison546 member

  July 2014

  jennp1979 said:

  Are you all taking anything that is said to increase your supply...tea, vitamins etc

  I'd wait until you know whether you have a low supply and if it's necessary. Just keep up water and calories for now.
  

   

  
  

  

  
  

  
  

  

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• JKGordon member

  July 2014 edited July 2014

  Any tips on positioning for a straight back? I'm 5'7" and BF DD in bed or on the couch using a Boppy. I cross cradle for the left and football hold for the right. My back kills me every single time because I'm slouched over for so long! When I try a pillow under the Boppy to get her higher, she can't get a good latch because she rolls in where her back is higher than stomach. I'm at a loss.

  <a href="http://www.thebump.com/?utm_source=ticker&utm_medium=HTML&utm_campaign=tickers" title="Baby Names"><img src="http://global.thebump.com/tickers/tt19055a.aspx" alt=" BabyFruit Ticker" border="0"  /></a>

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• Allison546 member

  July 2014 edited July 2014

  JKGordon said:

  Any tips on positioning for a straight back? I'm 5'7" and BF DD in bed or on the couch using a Boppy. I cross cradle for the left and football hold for the right. My back kills me every single time because I'm slouched over for so long! When I try a pillow under the Boppy to get her higher, she can't get a good latch because she rolls in where her back is higher than stomach. I'm at a loss.

  Have you tried the brest friend pillow? It is a lot firmer and IMO provides more support, and you can adjust it around your body with the strap as high or low as needed. But yeah slouching is no good!
  

   

  
  

  

  
  

  
  

  

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• JKGordon member

  July 2014

  @Allison546‌ I haven't heard of it but I will definitely look into it! Thanks!

  <a href="http://www.thebump.com/?utm_source=ticker&utm_medium=HTML&utm_campaign=tickers" title="Baby Names"><img src="http://global.thebump.com/tickers/tt19055a.aspx" alt=" BabyFruit Ticker" border="0"  /></a>

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• clk723 member

  July 2014

  I have been amazed at how much I leak during each feeding. I bought the Milkies milk saver and am in love with it. Not only am I more dry afterwords but I'm getting half an ounce to an ounce each feeding with no additional work that then gets stored in the fridge so that DH can feed DS at night.

  

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• ghostof5letters member

  July 2014

  JKGordon said:

  @Allison546‌ I haven't heard of it but I will definitely look into it! Thanks!

  I love it so much more than the boppy pillow. Much more firm, and easier to sit in many different positions. 

  
  

  
  

  User Banned You have been banned from posting on the forums until 01-11-2165 8:18 AM. The reason for this ban is Inappropriate Links or Signature. Please return to participate in the forums after the ban has elapsed.

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• bgoodbpar member

  July 2014 edited July 2014

  JKGordon said:

  Any tips on positioning for a straight back? I'm 5'7" and BF DD in bed or on the couch using a Boppy. I cross cradle for the left and football hold for the right. My back kills me every single time because I'm slouched over for so long! When I try a pillow under the Boppy to get her higher, she can't get a good latch because she rolls in where her back is higher than stomach. I'm at a loss.

  I had this issue with DS. I'm 6'0'' and I also have a weak back and I slouched to feed him. I am finding myself doing the same thing with DD when I'm tired and don't feel like sitting straight or getting the pillow. But the best thing for me was/is the my Brest friend pillow and sitting all the way back into whatever chair/couch/bed I'm sitting in adding extra firm pillows behind me. I have a boppy and it gets the job done (I only had a boppy with DS but tried out MBF at my LC office) but it's definitely not the same as the my Brest friend because it allows you to bring baby higher by positioning it higher on your torso whereas the boppy kinda jury sits in your lap not giving you the lift you need to ring baby closer to your breast.
  

  
  
  

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• TurtleMonsters member

  July 2014

  MississippiCatfish said:

  Does anyone have any tips for NIP when you have forceful letdown? At this stage, it's overwhelming for LO and he usually unlatches and coughs and gags. It's embarrassing (to me) to have his face all covered with milk or pull out a sopping wet burp cloth, but I think those are my only options until he's a little bigger and can handle the letdown a little better. Any tips?

  Express a bit before feeding is what I'd try. Also check kellymom, sure there is info there.
  
  
  
  

  hab83 said:

  Does anyone find they need to avoid certain foods while BFing so baby doesn't get so much gas? My poor little guy seems to have a tummy ache quite frequently that only settles after lots of farting and popping when he finally gets it out. I tried the gas drops, but they don't seem to be doing much. He's burping fine, too. It's really affecting our sleep since he grunts and fusses all night long while scrunching up his little legs and turning red in the face.

  I have to watch what I'm eating. It's a beeyatch...I've been on a lot of different diets due to my own allergies, the GD, now for mine and ds2's problems. he's refluxing bad, meds aren't helping ALL day. I am easing into eliminating dairy and coffee, just having less though I know I need it all out soon. I'm half hoping that the things I need to stop eating (histamine containing/relreleasing food) will be enough to help LO.
  

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• reils500 member

  July 2014

  @JKGordon‌ For overnight feedings in bed I keep a big firm couch throw pillow next to my bed. This along with other pillows to prop me up along with the Boppy seems to do the trick.
  Also make sure you're bringing the baby to your boob vs boob to baby

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• TexasGirl81 member

  July 2014

  For those wondering about supply boosting foods. About 1 month into pumping, I started on Steel cut oats, put done fruit in there with a tad of honey. A big glass or bottle of water too. I did this for a long time every morning.
  
  I would get a pretty good amount of milk daily. Really though as PP's have said. Lots and lots of water!!!!

  We have our "Irish Twins"

  DD born 8/7/2013

  DS born 7/28/14

  <>

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• ariel8200 member

  July 2014

  When giving LO an occasional bottle of breast milk, is two ounces the right amount give?

  

  
  

  
  

  
  

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• TexasGirl81 member

  July 2014

  kam3100 said:

  When giving LO an occasional bottle of breast milk, is two ounces the right amount give?

  Yes, it really does depend on age. The good thing is with BM it lasts for 5-7 days. Once given to LO I believe it lasts 3 more days if they don't finish it. I learned a lot from
  https://kellymom.com
  
  I don't know if this is what you were trying to get at but I hope it helped a bit.

  We have our "Irish Twins"

  DD born 8/7/2013

  DS born 7/28/14

  <>

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• jnnfrrose6 member

  July 2014

  How long are your LOs nursing (per side and/or total per session)?  DS never stayed on for more than 8-10 min/side and DD seems to be following in his path.  I don't have any issues with short sessions and she seem to be doing just fine with weight gain like her brother, but I read all the time about people nursing for double that time so I'm curious what others are actually doing.

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• melissaquinn106 member

  July 2014

  I've been trying to nurse 15 min a side. She's a pretty good nurser so she's handling it ok. Sometimes she'll go 15-18 min on the first side and then only 6 or 7 on the other.

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• bgoodbpar member

  July 2014

  5-10 minute sessions tops and only on one side. But she gets a lot pretty quickly because of my fast let down.. I posted on the random thread about my water hose boobs. Milk SHOT out on its own for like 30 seconds after she latched and let go.
  
  I was concerned with her short sessions too, even after my experience with DS. Had to remind myself that regardless of everyone else's nursing times, as long as weight gain and poopie/wet diapers are legit then it's all good

  
  
  

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• honeybee434 member

  July 2014

  jnnfrrose6 said:

  How long are your LOs nursing (per side and/or total per session)?  DS never stayed on for more than 8-10 min/side and DD seems to be following in his path.  I don't have any issues with short sessions and she seem to be doing just fine with weight gain like her brother, but I read all the time about people nursing for double that time so I'm curious what others are actually doing.

  Our pediatrician said that on average most babies get most of what's stored in a breast between feedings in about 12-13 as they are pretty efficient. I will often get about that much on one side, then distract her with a diaper change because she gets sleepy and switch to the other side, unless one nipple needs a break and then I'll do that feeding from all one side because each side still has milk, just takes her a little longer to get to.
  

  

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• lowen83 member

  July 2014

  "Linzlu214">I have thrush and oh my Lord, it's agony. If I weren't dead set on breastfeeding, I'd quit instantly. Try to avoid getting it!
  
  DS1 and I had thrush also. I had no idea what kind of pain breastfeeding could cause untill this! I like you was dead set on BFing so thankfully a trip to his pediatrian for a script for DS1 and I both and all was better in a couple of days. Praying to avoid it this time

  
  

  

  
  

  

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