Breastfeeding Links & Talk

Emerald27 · October 2014

apk4 said:
I am majorly struggling. DS finally seems to latch on more instead of just sucking on the tip of my nipple. Now that he does, the pain is incredible. Last night I bawled through an entire feeding. I've been reading and I think it might be due to his lips being curled in. I try to take him off and attempt a new latch and/or roll his lips out. My nipples are so sore and bloody that I'm starting to dread every time he is hungry. His pedi appointment is tomorrow so I'm going to ask some questions and see what I can do. There is also an LLL meeting close by tomorrow night. I'm going to call for the time later today.

I just put so much pressure on myself to do this right and I don't want to let him down. I'm not opposed to switching to formula, but I don't want to give up just because I'm in so much pain. It seems so selfish.

Has he been evaluated for lip ties? If his lips don't flare when he nurses, that can be a sign of lip ties, which make it difficult for baby to get a deep latch. I hope you get some great help from your pedi and LLL! ((Hugs))

ashie0610 · October 2014

Question for fans of side lying position - I am starting to love it for nighttime feedings, but it seems extra difficult to put him down when he's done nursing. How do you handle putting the baby back down? Do you pick the baby up to burp after?

I seem to jostle us around too much and wake him up completely when we are done. If I don't burp him I at least have a chance of keeping him asleep but then he wakes up gassy within a few hours it seems.

windwithfingers · October 2014

ashie0610 said:
Question for fans of side lying position - I am starting to love it for nighttime feedings, but it seems extra difficult to put him down when he's done nursing. How do you handle putting the baby back down? Do you pick the baby up to burp after?

I seem to jostle us around too much and wake him up completely when we are done. If I don't burp him I at least have a chance of keeping him asleep but then he wakes up gassy within a few hours it seems.

I'm wondering this too. We bedshare, but if I have to burp him after I feed him, he wakes up and then I have to either give him the other boob or rock him to sleep, which only works maybe a quarter of the time. But he's been so gassy lately I feel like I have to burp him.

LightBright515 · October 2014

This suspected growth spurt has me and my boobs ready to jump off a cliff.

They haven't even had the chance to get full because she's always on them. They legitimately feel like pancakes.

Emerald27 · October 2014

ashie0610 said:
Question for fans of side lying position - I am starting to love it for nighttime feedings, but it seems extra difficult to put him down when he's done nursing. How do you handle putting the baby back down? Do you pick the baby up to burp after?

I seem to jostle us around too much and wake him up completely when we are done. If I don't burp him I at least have a chance of keeping him asleep but then he wakes up gassy within a few hours it seems.

Great question! I burp DS in the middle of a feeding, and then nurse him to sleep. Once he's asleep, though, I don't wake him to burp him. We bedshare, so all I do once he's asleep is shift his hips so that he's on his back instead of on his side, and I fix his head so that his cheek is propped on my boob like a pillow.

If your DS is uncomfortably gassy, you may find that burping him after feedings does help, but it's sad to wake them when they're so happily asleep...you get so much more sleep when it's less work to help them sleep.

LightBright515 · October 2014

LOL they can't even be pumped.

They're so soft that they just got sucked into the flange. Womp.

Emerald27 · October 2014

LightBright515 said:
This suspected growth spurt has me and my boobs ready to jump off a cliff.

They haven't even had the chance to get full because she's always on them. They legitimately feel like pancakes.

Getting full isn't a good thing. If your breasts become too full, that will signal your body to make less milk.

You'll have enough for LO even with pancake boobs. She's increasing your supply!

[Deleted User] · October 2014

Emerald27 said:

apk4 said:
I am majorly struggling. DS finally seems to latch on more instead of just sucking on the tip of my nipple. Now that he does, the pain is incredible. Last night I bawled through an entire feeding. I've been reading and I think it might be due to his lips being curled in. I try to take him off and attempt a new latch and/or roll his lips out. My nipples are so sore and bloody that I'm starting to dread every time he is hungry. His pedi appointment is tomorrow so I'm going to ask some questions and see what I can do. There is also an LLL meeting close by tomorrow night. I'm going to call for the time later today.

I just put so much pressure on myself to do this right and I don't want to let him down. I'm not opposed to switching to formula, but I don't want to give up just because I'm in so much pain. It seems so selfish.
Has he been evaluated for lip ties? If his lips don't flare when he nurses, that can be a sign of lip ties, which make it difficult for baby to get a deep latch. I hope you get some great help from your pedi and LLL! ((Hugs))

No, but I will ask when we go to the doc in the morning. Thank you.

vrj0522 · October 2014

alfibet said:

@vrj0522‌ did you look up the stuff people said to us about flange size? On medelas website is uses the acronym "comfy" and broke down how to tell if you are using correct flange size. I discovered that I am definitely using the wrong size haha. Hoping to pick up a bigger size today!

I have different flanges and I think I'm using the right sized ones based on the fit. I am going to try turning down the suction a bit and see if that helps. If it doesn't, then i might try a different sized flange but I really think I have the right one right now. I hope that bigger size helps you!

ss265 · October 2014

@vrj0522‌, definitely try turning down the suction. I hardly use anything more than the minimum suction and never had issues with nipple pain while pumping. And I have always had decent output - more suction doesn't always mean more milk.

LightBright515 · October 2014

savagek7 said:
Ok. I can't quite get the laid back nursing. Is there like a link with directions anybody wants to share, or just helpful hints? I need to help LO with my overactive letdown...

I was taught to get baby latched, and then recline back as far as I can with her while sitting.

ashie0610 · October 2014

Emerald27 said:

ashie0610 said:
Question for fans of side lying position - I am starting to love it for nighttime feedings, but it seems extra difficult to put him down when he's done nursing. How do you handle putting the baby back down? Do you pick the baby up to burp after?

I seem to jostle us around too much and wake him up completely when we are done. If I don't burp him I at least have a chance of keeping him asleep but then he wakes up gassy within a few hours it seems.
Great question! I burp DS in the middle of a feeding, and then nurse him to sleep. Once he's asleep, though, I don't wake him to burp him. We bedshare, so all I do once he's asleep is shift his hips so that he's on his back instead of on his side, and I fix his head so that his cheek is propped on my boob like a pillow.

If your DS is uncomfortably gassy, you may find that burping him after feedings does help, but it's sad to wake them when they're so happily asleep...you get so much more sleep when it's less work to help them sleep.

Thanks! I will try to burp him midway through and see if that helps. Maybe the bed sharing piece makes the difference then. I get no quality sleep when he's in bed with me so I aways try to swaddle and move him after.

vrj0522 · October 2014

We have definitely had a bunch of marathon feedings the last few days. It's a pain and it has given me second thoughts about bf'ing. I was feeling great the first week or so because this baby is a champion at latching but the last few evenings we've been having 1.5-2 hr sessions and it's seriously killing me. With DS, we started supplementing at 10 days. I am now at 12 days of EBF with DD and I am hoping it's many more days than what I did with DS but I definitely feel like we're climbing an uphill climb. It's hard, yo!

saraheh007 · October 2014

@savagek7‌ I just got laid back nursing last night and have used it the past 3 feelings. But has been wonderful for my latch and heavy letdown.

I just laid LO on my chest and let her do most of the work to get latched. I have large, soft breasts and flat nips so I kind of pinched up my areole to give her something to latch on. I am also having to push down on my boob so she can breathe.

It took me many tries over a couple of days to get it but letting her do the work to latch seems to be what worked for us.

drgriffith · October 2014

Ok so. What do I do about a bloody nipple? I've noticed dry skin on my nipples the last couple of days. But at my last feeding, when LO unlatched, there was bloody milk on the burp cloth under him. When I looked at my nipple I could see tiny red scabs. And now my nip hurts and I'm kinda dreading the next nursing session. Any recommendations? I already slathered on coconut oil and put the gel soothies on there fresh from the fridge

saraheh007 · October 2014

@drgriffith‌ I have been having the same issue. I am meeting with a LC tomorrow to try and correct latch issues so we correct the root cause. As far as healing, extracting some breast milk onto my nipples and letting them air dry seems to work the best for me. The lanolin actually makes me feel like it isn't healing because it isn't really drying up.

Good luck. I know how much it sucks and I too dread every feeding. I hate feeling this way!

LightBright515 · October 2014

My nipple is on fire after nursing. I hope it's not thrush or anything...

MrsSarahRenee · October 2014

How are you ladies coping with pain after hour+ sessions?

I am at my wits end and it is day two! Such little sleep since labor and I just can't.
She is a good girl with a good latch and a hungry appetite. She only lost 4% of her weight at the hospital so not a concern.
After an hour I am in such toe curling pain, I could cry. No tongue tie, poor latch etc. Her latch could probably be better? But it isn't bad.
It feels like needles in my nipple. I feel like I can't feed my child because I am in pain and I make it worse by stopping her feedings after an hour. She did feed for four hours last night.

I have gel soothies, lanolin cream and DH will have her take a finger (as shown by LC) to give me a reprieve.

sabby2 · October 2014

Would I be able to see a lump in my armpit from a clogged duct? I have one, it hurts, it's visible under my skin. I've tried massage and warm compresses but no change. It really hurts. Thoughts? I obviously plan to ask my doctor.

LightBright515 · October 2014

My breasts are too soft to pump. With my regular flanges..

What in the world?

Emerald27 · October 2014

LightBright515 said:
My breasts are too soft to pump. With my regular flanges..

What in the world?

What happens when you try?

narabug · October 2014

Since yesterday afternoon DS doesn't seem to be eating as well. He'll latch on fine and eat for a minute or so, then his sucking changes and I can't hear him swallowing anymore. It seems like he's just using me as a pacifier at that point. Is there anything I can do to get him to actually eat longer? Or should I assume he's getting what he needs in that short amount of time as long as his diaper output stays the same?

I'm reposting this from yesterday, since it's still a problem about half the time.

LightBright515 · October 2014

Emerald27 said:

LightBright515 said:
My breasts are too soft to pump. With my regular flanges..

What in the world?
What happens when you try?

All of my breast gets sucked in the flange or I get barely anything..

LightBright515 · October 2014

But when I hand express I immediately get milk to come out, and she nurses that side as well.

LightBright515 · October 2014

So to boost my supply on that side, all I can do is nurse often?

Emerald27 · October 2014

crawford411 said:
How do you know when to switch breasts? If the baby seems satisfied after 3 minutes of good eating on one breast, do I repeat that breast next feeding or switch to the other side? We have seen a couple of green poops in the past 24 hours, so I wanted to check.

Unless she falls asleep, baby will usually unlatch when she has finished on one side. You can then offer the same side again to see if she will nurse more from that breast, or offer the second side. I usually let DS nurse on the first breast until he unlatches, then offer the second. I'll sometimes offer the first side again once he's finished the second, if he's still awake.

A couple green poops are nothing to worry about. If it becomes consistent (say, they're all green this afternoon), then you might want to try some block feeding.

vrj0522 · October 2014

MrsSarahRenee said:

How are you ladies coping with pain after hour+ sessions? I am at my wits end and it is day two! Such little sleep since labor and I just can't. She is a good girl with a good latch and a hungry appetite. She only lost 4% of her weight at the hospital so not a concern. After an hour I am in such toe curling pain, I could cry. No tongue tie, poor latch etc. Her latch could probably be better? But it isn't bad. It feels like needles in my nipple. I feel like I can't feed my child because I am in pain and I make it worse by stopping her feedings after an hour. She did feed for four hours last night. I have gel soothies, lanolin cream and DH will have her take a finger (as shown by LC) to give me a reprieve.

If you feel pinching at all, try re-latching again. If it's uncomfortable for more than the first few seconds, try re-latching again. Initially, it took 4-5 tries each time before I could get DD to latch correctly. I learned in my bf'ing class that any pain should not last so that's what I went for during our first couple of days and it makes the biggest difference. With DS I somehow thought that a painful latch was normal and it wasn't until this time around that I learned that a painful latch means the latch is not correct and it is not "normal." Try talking to an LC (not sure if your hospital offers a consultation) to have your latch evaluated and get some pointers. Biggest thing is you need to make sure that baby is getting a good chunk of the areola in their mouth and not just the nipple.

bananaelizabeth · October 2014

I've been feeding my little guy 20 minutes on each side, alternating which side I start on first. It takes forever but he rarely unlatches himself, I have to pull him off. He's 3 1/2 weeks and has been gaining weight well. A lot of the reading I've done says to offer him the first side and don't move him until the breast is completely emptied. How do you know? Do I then offer the 2nd side? Or is it just better to do what I'm doing? Any advice is appreciated. His poop is yellow, but last night for the first time it was very foamy which I've heard might be an imbalance.

saraheh007 · October 2014

I just wanted to share that I went to a breastfeeding support group today and I am so glad I did. There were only 3 of us in there so we all got a lot of one on one with the LC. Though we all had different issues, it felt so good to know we aren't alone.

I was able to get some feedback on different feeding positions and have found something that works great for me and LO.

I also found out I have fissures on my nipples which is why I have been in so much pain. I knew they were there, I just didn't realize how bad they were. The LC had me call my Dr to get some antibiotic cream so they can start healing.

I almost didn't go because we were starting to do better with BF but I am so glad I did. I highly recommend it to all of you BF ladies who might need just a nudge in the right direction. I really value the information provided in this forum, but physically being with some other women and with a LC really made a huge difference.

ss265 · October 2014

bananaelizabeth said:
I've been feeding my little guy 20 minutes on each side, alternating which side I start on first. It takes forever but he rarely unlatches himself, I have to pull him off. He's 3 1/2 weeks and has been gaining weight well. A lot of the reading I've done says to offer him the first side and don't move him until the breast is completely emptied. How do you know? Do I then offer the 2nd side? Or is it just better to do what I'm doing? Any advice is appreciated. His poop is yellow, but last night for the first time it was very foamy which I've heard might be an imbalance.

@bananaelizabeth‌, I would stop unlatching after 20 minutes and nurse on one side until baby unlatches himself. This will ensure that baby gets all the hind milk and also help your body regulate your milk supply. You will know when your breast is empty when he unlatches.

LightBright515 · October 2014

So, they don't have any flanges smaller than the ones I have. Whomp.

LightBright515 · October 2014

This sucks.

I'm barely getting an ounce from both sides. Wtf.

MrsL2B · October 2014

@LightBright515‌ I'm having similar problems. My nipples are apparently miniature and I barely get anything out of a pumping session. I'm going to keep trying to pump, but for now I think I may have to resort to formula on the rare occasion when I need to bottle feed him. Hopefully I'll get pumping figured out before I go back to work.

LightBright515 · October 2014

MrsL2B said:
@LightBright515‌ I'm having similar problems. My nipples are apparently miniature and I barely get anything out of a pumping session. I'm going to keep trying to pump, but for now I think I may have to resort to formula on the rare occasion when I need to bottle feed him. Hopefully I'll get pumping figured out before I go back to work.

Yeah, I'm realizing how small my nipples really are. The weird thing is, I used to have so much success with pumping, but now that my breasts have softened up, they don't fit properly!!

Buying fenugreek today and making some lactation cookies...

sabby2 · October 2014

I hate breast feeding days where I feel like I'm at my wits end. DD is so hit or miss with good latches and we still have to use the nipple shield probably 75% or more if the time.

She gets so frustrated with latching that nothing calms her except me getting the nipple shield. She will latch right away, suck, and immediately calms down.

She will be a month old on Friday . I feel like we should have gotten the hang of this by now.

Also, I haven't pumped in over a week. I just feel exhausted all the time so I want to nap when dd actually naps. So I feel like I don't have time to pump and then clean everything. I want to build a stash for when I got back to work but I'm also afraid of over supply as I still get really engorged.

I'm also worried because it seems like everyone else's babies are cluster feeding like crazy because of growth spurts but mine seems absolutely content and fine with eating every 3 hours during the day and every 4 ish hours at night.

Emerald27 · October 2014

@sabby2 Don't stress about pumping now. Minimum you should have the number of ounces you need stashed away for your first day of work, and you can begin feeding her what you pump at work from day 1. So if you don't have lots of milk in the freezer, it will be ok. Rest and enjoy your baby.

Also, many moms find that baby is ready to be done with the shield around 8-9 weeks. In my experience, that seems to be average weaning time. Try taking the shield off in the middle of a feeding and see if she will latch again. Also try when she's done with a feeding and then offer the breast again. See what happens.

Cluster feeding is super common during growth spurts, but not all babies do it and they don't all do it at the same times. And if you have an oversupply, your supply may be abundant enough in the evenings that no cluster feeding is necessary to increase your supply (no increase is necessary) when she grows. Here's a chart that shows common times for growth spurts/cluster feeding:

sabby2 · October 2014

@Emerald27 and @amyg* Thanks. It's just frustrating going back and forth all the time. The shield doesn't always feel good and her latch doesn't always feel right. It's cold and dreary here so I think I'm just having a rougher day. Not ppd but just baby blues. Thanks for the reassurance.

Re: pumping. Do I pump before I feed her in the morning or after?

rosalie12 · October 2014

Is it normal for your breast to be sore during and after a marathon cluster feeding? I'm thinking it's just from constant feeding but thought I'd ask if anyone else experiences this. I don't think her latch is wrong, and I am still using a nipple shield the majority of the time.

LightBright515 · October 2014

My supply seems better at night. I was able to pump 2.5 oz. this morning? Nada.

haboobjob · October 2014

I didn't realize BFing would be so difficult. Maybe it was me being naive about it but I thought this is just what your body did so there shouldn't be any problems with it. Like you have the baby and instantly, the baby thinks... oh there's my source of food, let me eat.

LO is a little over a week old now and I haven't been able to get her to latch since the hospital. Even in the hospital, I worked with every LC I could during my 4 days there (I had a c/s) and we were only able to get her to latch a handful of times. We started by having issues with her pushing out with her tongue and pushing away with her arms. We had to pump and introduce a bottle after she refused to feed for 6+ hours on Day 2. Since then, she's really refused to go back to my boob.

Our routine is feeding every 2-3 hours. I try and get her to latch for 15-20 minutes. She usually screams as soon as I try and get her positioned, flails her little arms and punches my boob away. She would rather eat her hand then look at my boob. She hates, hates, hates getting in position for feeding, which makes things very difficult. Then, I try and calm her down with a little skin to skin time. Luckily, I've had a great supply (especially after skin to skin) so once she's relaxed, I hand her to DH to bottle feed her while I pump.

I'm trying to stay optimistic. She's shown signs of improvement in the last day. Definitely not fully latched but she has entertained the idea. We've tried putting some BM on my nipple during feeding to entice her (a tip from one of the LC that got her to latch). I've tried a nipple shield once, which was fine and sort of worked, but personally, I feel terrible using it.

We've had tons of visitors both in the hospital and at home, which I feel may have kept me from recognizing early cues as they are holding her. I don't know... it's hard not to feel defeated after every rejection. I just feel a lot of pressure, mostly from myself, to figure out a solution. I feel like I'm letting her down by not being able to BF properly and relying on DH to give her a bottle.

Thanks if you made it all the way to the end of my rant/pity party session. This thread is amazing and I am really finding comfort in hearing everyone else's stories. I keep trying to remember, I am not alone in this. Best of luck to all the ladies out there!

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