BF Check in!

sharkmama39 · October 2014

I feel like its been quite a while since we have had one of these, so thought I would get one going:

Overall, how do you feel things are going?

Have you started back at work? If so, how is pumping going?

Any particular challenges you feel you are facing?

Any questions you have for the group?

sharkmama39 · October 2014

Overall, how do you feel things are going?

Pretty good, still having to use the shield but I am starting to be better about offering without it on a more consistent basis. Got a full feed in yesterday without it.

Have you started back at work? If so, how is pumping going?

Yes, it has been interesting trying to fit it in, especially when I end up in back to back meetings, but otherwise I feel like I have been able to keep up with LOs demand. Oh and there was that time I forgot a part, luckily there's a BRU close by and hopefully it won't happen again!

Any particular challenges you feel you are facing?

DH watches her during the day and I wish he would be more consistent in trying to get LO to go at least 3 hrs without eating. Then what ends up happening is she eats to take the edge off and I end up having to feed her every three hours at night bc she isn't used to spacing it out anymore than that

SoSayWeAll · October 2014

Overall, how do you feel things are going? Great.
Have you started back at work? If so, how is pumping going? I start Monday

I have a fear of the unknown. I am nervous about pumping and maintaining my supply and everything.
Any particular challenges you feel you are facing? Not really. I have a DS who loves to comfort nurse, so it is somewhat of a challenge doing anything during the day other than sitting in a recliner.
Any questions you have for the group? How do other working moms handle morning feedings? Do you feed right before you leave or do you feed earlier and pump at work before work starts.

sharkmama39 · October 2014

@sosayweall, to answer your q,

I think it depends. For me, I leave at 7 a.m. LO is usually still asleep. depending on when she last ate, I will either pump before I leave or pump as soon as I get to the office.

Rarely, she is awake and I will feed her right before I leave.

jamjoyful · October 2014

Overall, how do you feel things are going?

Things are going great! She's starting to be able to go a little longer at night which is awesome.

Have you started back at work? If so, how is pumping going?

I'm a SAHM.

Any particular challenges you feel you are facing?

Keeping enough calories so my milk supply is enough for her but plateauing on weight loss.

Any questions you have for the group?

None right now!

Cat&S · October 2014

Going great. DD loves the boobies, lol. I go back to work on the 17th and plan to pump. Hopefully that goes smoothly as well. And she isn't a fan of bottles. Crossing fingers that she doesn't throw too much of a fit when I'm gone for an extended period. The longest I've left her so far is 4 hours. I will be gone 9 for work.

mustangchick6504 · October 2014

Overall, how do you feel things are going?

Things are going good. He is a fussy eater sometimes and that can be frustrating. Also frustrating is his lack of hunger cues.

Have you started back at work? If so, how is pumping going?

Been back four weeks now. Pumping is going good. I have a routine and my supply has been good. I had an oversupply after week two but now I only pump 12 minutes a session so I'm not uncomfortable on my days home.

Any particular challenges you feel you are facing?

Any particular challenges you feel you are facing? No

rainbowwillow · October 2014

BFing is awesome, I love it & I am so happy I didn't quit when I had supply issues the first few weeks.

I go back to work on Monday. I have a decent freezer stash. Concerned about pumping and keeping my supply up. I'm hoping to run home at lunch to nurse LO.

No questions at the moment but I'll probably have some next week.

mustangchick6504 · October 2014

SoSayWeAll said:
Overall, how do you feel things are going? Great.

Have you started back at work? If so, how is pumping going? I start Monday I have a fear of the unknown. I am nervous about pumping and maintaining my supply and everything.

Any particular challenges you feel you are facing? Not really. I have a DS who loves to comfort nurse, so it is somewhat of a challenge doing anything during the day other than sitting in a recliner.

Any questions you have for the group? How do other working moms handle morning feedings? Do you feed right before you leave or do you feed earlier and pump at work before work starts.

I nurse him right before we leave. I always offer even if its only been an hour since he ate last. I drop him off and then have an hour drive to work. This lets me work an hour before my first session.

dbrand1212 · October 2014

It's going pretty well. I started back to work Monday. So far I've been pumping at least what she needs sometimes more. I've been nursing before I leave, the trying to pump about every 3 hrs, cause that's usually how often she eats. My main issue is night time cluster feeding. Especially sine returning to work, seems like he wants to eat every hour from 6/7 to 10/11. Luckily through she has been sleeping 7-8 hours when she does finally go down for the night.

workmm01 · October 2014

The past few weeks have been going well. I'm not going back to work for the near future. My challenges now are after all the work to increase my supply I feel it's dropping again. I never leak any more and my boobs never feel hard if we go longer than normal between feeding. Maybe that just means I'm regulating? I just now thought of this question, do I need to continue taking fenugreek as long as I'm bring?

kraft333 · October 2014

BFing is great, pumping is working out well, now we're just trying to get him to take a bottle. I don't go back to work till Dec so I have some time there, and although he's hesitant, he's showing a little more interest every day (especially as a plaything).

RoccoBabyK · October 2014

Overall, how do you feel things are going?

I think it is going fairy well. I do still have to use the shield.

Have you started back at work? If so, how is pumping going?

Not to work yet. I am nervous about it because I will be substitute teaching and I think it will be difficult to find somewhere to pump. I am also worried about my supply when I start pumping more.

Any particular challenges you feel you are facing?

Any questions you have for the group?

Two questions:

1. Is there a certain timeframe I should "expect" to wean her off the shield? I try a few times a day, sometimes she'll take but most of the time I just make her angry. Are there any issues that come from using it too long?

2. Any tricks to side lying nursing? LO doesn't seem too keen on it. I'm not sure if I'm doing something wrong or if she just doesn't like it.

kaitm22 · October 2014

@RoccoBabyK I would just keep practicing side-lying. It took us a while and he still fusses until he latches sometimes but we are getting the hang of it and doing it every morning before we get up now.

Overall, how do you feel things are going?

I am loving BF!

Have you started back at work? If so, how is pumping going?

I work away from home 2-3 days per week. I only have to pump once if I pump at all, but I try to get my work done fast and get home. I either feed him or pump right before I leave and right when I get home. I have my own business so I try to work fast and time things right.

Any particular challenges you feel you are facing?

Not right now.

Any questions you have for the group?

Not right now. I am currently reading The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding so I am learning some new stuff from them.

becominggold · October 2014

Overall breastfeeding is going well. I am glad I have stuck with it even though at times I would have liked to quit.

Pumping is good. I only work part time. I pump once either right before or right after I pick up LO. He does eat twice at daycare but I can get close to the # of oz in one pump. I am doing an extra pump after his first am feed. This allows me to make up any difference between my afternoon pump and what he needs plus a few oz for the freezer. I actually really like the option of pumping because I usually like to bring bottles when we are out and about rather than BF.

Concerns: I get worried when I sometimes do an extra bottle feeding that I don't pump to account for, but so far no supply issue. I guess if it is only here or there it is ok.

Questions: We had a very hard time getting started BF and the only way LO would latch was in the football position. Now that he is bigger...and long (he is 10 wks and already in 6 mo. Clothes for length) that is not very comfortable for me and I sometimes have a sore back, neck, etc. I have tried having him across the front of me many times and he can't seem to stay on. I am like an E cup. I don't know if this is part of it. For this reason I usually pump and bring bottles if we go anywhere!

ungraceful13 · October 2014

Overall, how do you feel things are going?

Pretty good. He is a great feeder but I realized that he has lip and tongue tie and am unsure what to do about it since we don't have any feeding issues.

Have you started back at work? If so, how is pumping going?

Yes, I have been able to fit it in ok. I have spilt one bottle and been walked in on once so it's not all smooth.

Any particular challenges you feel you are facing?

The sitter is feeding him every 2 hours and I can only pump every 3 hours. It is hard for me to keep up.

Rach604 · November 2014

I know I'm late to this but I'm feeling really discouraged and hoping you ladies can help.

Overall, how do you feel things are going?

Breastfeeding is going well. The pediatrician encouraged me to try for more frequent and longer sessions since baby girl only gained 2 pounds between her 2 week and 2 month appointments. She has fallen off of the percentile chart :-(

Have you started back at work? If so, how is pumping going?

Yes, I have. I am terribly discouraged because I've tried 2-3 pumping sessions a day and I only get 5-6 ounces. Total. Both sides. LO eats 9-11 ounces while she's at daycare so I am blowing through my stash and will have to start formula supplementation soon.

Any particular challenges you feel you are facing?

Just trying to get my supply up. Is it too late in the game to do that? I'm drinking Mother's Milk tea, taking fenugreek and moringa, and nursing her all the time while trying to pump in between whenever I can. Any other ideas?

Any questions you have for the group?

I'm trying not to feel bad about formula supplementation but at the same time I want to give my supply a boost. I'm terrified that at this point it can only decrease and I might wind up drying up.

Shiva14 · November 2014

Rach604 said:
I know I'm late to this but I'm feeling really discouraged and hoping you ladies can help.
Overall, how do you feel things are going?
Breastfeeding is going well. The pediatrician encouraged me to try for more frequent and longer sessions since baby girl only gained 2 pounds between her 2 week and 2 month appointments. She has fallen off of the percentile chart :-(

Have you started back at work? If so, how is pumping going?
Yes, I have. I am terribly discouraged because I've tried 2-3 pumping sessions a day and I only get 5-6 ounces. Total. Both sides. LO eats 9-11 ounces while she's at daycare so I am blowing through my stash and will have to start formula supplementation soon.

Any particular challenges you feel you are facing?
Just trying to get my supply up. Is it too late in the game to do that? I'm drinking Mother's Milk tea, taking fenugreek and moringa, and nursing her all the time while trying to pump in between whenever I can. Any other ideas?

Any questions you have for the group?
I'm trying not to feel bad about formula supplementation but at the same time I want to give my supply a boost. I'm terrified that at this point it can only decrease and I might wind up drying up.

Hugs to you! >:D<

I don't have advice but my cousin went through the exact same thing with her now 8 month old. She started supplementing with organic formula at 3 months and her baby got back on the charts and is a chunky monkey now. FWIW her supply didn't decrease further. So she still has to supplement, but majority of his milk is still BM. I'm sure some of these ladies can help though but if you need to supplement it doesn't necessarily mean you will dry up.

Shiva14 · November 2014

Overall, how do you feel things are going?

Going well!

Have you started back at work? If so, how is pumping going?

I got a seasonal WAH job that I start the Monday after this upcoming one. It is a job that requires me to stay in my home office during work hours so I can't nurse on demand (although I will on my lunch break). A little nervous about pumping but I realize I have it easier than most.

Any particular challenges you feel you are facing?

The above is my biggest worry.

Any questions for the group?

I guess this is a down the road question but when LO starts eating fewer times per day but more in capacity, will your boobs just learn to hold more? This is probably a dumb question, I just feel like when I am full and about to burst I get like 4-5 oz and he will take that in a bottle now...

candyland33 · November 2014

Overall, how do you feel things are going? BF is going well! Like PP I'm so happy I stuck with it! It's

Have you started back at work? If so, how is pumping going? This is my first week back. I work from home a lot and only go into the office when I need too.

Any particular challenges you feel you are facing? My supply has been good. I worry when she has growth spurts I won't be able to pump enough. I have little to no back up. I pump in the morning after I feed her and after she goes to bed to help with a stash.

Any questions you have for the group? How do you deal with growth spurts while pumping and LO is at day care.

herecomesthesun · November 2014

Things are going great for EBF, bad for pumping. The ped made me feel good about his growth and it calmed my fears about supply. He is nursing better than ever, though we have lots of fussy moments and reflux.

I haven't started back to work but daycare is on site. I will continue to bf as often as possible because pumping does not work well for us. It causes my spray to go haywire and drown LO. And then my supply goes nuts and I get engorged and plugged ducts. I thought this was supposed to calm down?

The pumping thing is our biggest issue. There are times I won't be able to bf him. Anyone have input on this? I could use any help from those who are experienced at pumping. I have a little stash from early on but am not adding to it currently.

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