Breastfeeding Links & Talk

imagine7696030614 · November 2014

Any idea why baby's tendency to fall asleep at the breast would come back? So depressed as I thought we had overcome this. I haven't pumped in almost a week. I had been trying to nurse (she'd fall asleep after about 2-5 minutes, tried to wake her, nothing, then switch sides, again nurse 5 minutes, fall asleep, etc. For 1/2 hour then give bottle, then pump, and repeat) Anyway, almost. A week ago something just clicked and she was nursing pretty well. Now, the past couple days she's doing it again! It's such a struggle to get her to nurse and I'm not sure if she needs the supplemental bottle. I just keep nursing her, waking her up, etc. For 40- 60 minutes because I so badly don't want to back to the nurse/bottle/pump routine. Anyone have any ideas? LC thought she was falling asleep because she didn't want to work for the milk, but why is she regressing? Also, sometimes she pulls her head back (and my nipple with it) and will occasionally have a really big gulp/swallow which I can hear go down her throat into her belly. I've tried to look up different possibilities...maybe milk allergy/silent reflux or forceful let down? But don't think either of these would lead to her falling asleep during Feedings? Thanks for reading!

suncake · November 2014

Thrush at 9 days old ? What did I do wrong? I'm so sad. I thought breastfeeding was going so well. And now this. My nipples dint seem to look different just her mouth. The back of her tongue is white. And I see a small white spot on the back of her throat. Any thing I can do. Calling pedi Monday. Or is this an emergency ?

rosalie12 · November 2014

@crawford411‌ I'm so glad you asked this because it happens to me too! Although both breasts leak like crazy. I soak through pads constantly.

suncake · November 2014

@theresat858 ... maybe I'm freaking out for no reason then. She has a couple tiny white dots in the back of her throat and her tongue is white but I haven't tried wiping to much yet. My nipples seem fine. I have never had a yeast infection so it seems odd to me she would get it. I boil every thing after every use. And she doesn't seem to have a problem eating.

I Googled thrush and it put me in tears. If it is what it is I want to stop it before it looks like the pictures.

Etd: epstien pearls ... looks more like it. Thank you for calming my nerves. I will try to wipe her mouth good tonight during her little sponge bath.

My mother is telling me to give her water.... SMH. Um NO.

ashie0610 · November 2014

@sweetadeline31‌ We gave a bottle of pumped milk for the very first time tonight. He was just 5 weeks yesterday.

He wasn't very hungry so we only offered an ounce to see how he'd do. Thankfully he drank most of it and then I gave him the boob to top him off.

My H gave him the bottle and I left the room, which I highly recommend. I didn't like seeing him trying to figure out the bottle!

windwithfingers · November 2014

I'm not really looking for advice, just somewhere to sort of think out loud.

Am I crazy for continuing to use my baby tracker for feeding and diapers? I've never been able to pump more than 4oz (2oz per side), DS still takes 30-40 minutes to eat, and he still wakes up every 2-3 hours. He has tons of wet diapers and went from 8lbs 3oz to 11lbs 3oz in 3 weeks so I know he's gaining well. I know pump output doesn't actually give a good indication of supply. I don't know why I'm worried that he's not eating enough. I feel better just having written this all in here.

ashie0610 · November 2014

windwithfingers said:
I'm not really looking for advice, just somewhere to sort of think out loud.

Am I crazy for continuing to use my baby tracker for feeding and diapers? I've never been able to pump more than 4oz (2oz per side), DS still takes 30-40 minutes to eat, and he still wakes up every 2-3 hours. He has tons of wet diapers and went from 8lbs 3oz to 11lbs 3oz in 3 weeks so I know he's gaining well. I know pump output doesn't actually give a good indication of supply. I don't know why I'm worried that he's not eating enough. I feel better just having written this all in here.

Maybe. But if you are, then I'm crazy too. I am in the exact same boat but I am still tracking everything exactly. I feel like the one day I stop I'll get like one poop and then will be worried I missed something. I think I will probably stop after 2 months.

angeltennis3 · November 2014

I have two questions for the breastfeeding gurus!

1) we have been having supply issues, so after every nursing session I have been pumping for 20 minutes. I am 11 days post partum and have noticed a very small increase in supply, which is great. However, this is not a sustainable life style. Eventually I am going to need to leave the house and not be tied to my breast pump all day. Is there a length of time I should do this to give myself the best chance of really increasing my supply? In my mind I was kind of thinking 6 weeks then quitting the pumping, unless I want to try and build a freezer stash (which is laughable to me at this point since I have such low supply).

2) in the morning, I feel like it takes a lot longer for milk to let down and we get a much less efficient feeding. Would it be bad for me to try to pump first then nurse in order to kind of being everything to the front?

Dani0329 · November 2014

I am feeling discouraged, though it may be unwarranted. I started pumping yesterday to allow DH to help with feedings. I pumped once yesterday after our first session and 5 oz out of one side and 2.5 out of the other. Today I pumped in the AM again and had difficulty again. The flow will be steady and then stop. I added a session on tonight and between both sides only got 3 oz.

Why am I having so much difficulty? Pumping actually is more uncomfortable than nursing for me.

Mmylsa · November 2014

ashie0610 said:

windwithfingers said:
I'm not really looking for advice, just somewhere to sort of think out loud.

Am I crazy for continuing to use my baby tracker for feeding and diapers? I've never been able to pump more than 4oz (2oz per side), DS still takes 30-40 minutes to eat, and he still wakes up every 2-3 hours. He has tons of wet diapers and went from 8lbs 3oz to 11lbs 3oz in 3 weeks so I know he's gaining well. I know pump output doesn't actually give a good indication of supply. I don't know why I'm worried that he's not eating enough. I feel better just having written this all in here.
Maybe. But if you are, then I'm crazy too. I am in the exact same boat but I am still tracking everything exactly. I feel like the one day I stop I'll get like one poop and then will be worried I missed something. I think I will probably stop after 2 months.

I was also tracking each and every little thing but recently I started letting some of it go because it was becoming tedious and unbearable to keep up. Aram had many wet diapers each day so I now only track the BMs. I also stopped tracking his sleep habits as there is really no pattern to his napping yet and it's pretty much a nap after each feeding.
The thing I love tracking is the pumpings- because my app keeps a milk log and tells me when every bottle expires whether it's at room temp, in the fridge or freezer.
I think picking and choosing what to track has helped me feel like I've gained some time back for other things.

angeltennis3 · November 2014

theresat858 said:

angeltennis3 said:
I have two questions for the breastfeeding gurus!

1) we have been having supply issues, so after every nursing session I have been pumping for 20 minutes. I am 11 days post partum and have noticed a very small increase in supply, which is great. However, this is not a sustainable life style. Eventually I am going to need to leave the house and not be tied to my breast pump all day. Is there a length of time I should do this to give myself the best chance of really increasing my supply? In my mind I was kind of thinking 6 weeks then quitting the pumping, unless I want to try and build a freezer stash (which is laughable to me at this point since I have such low supply).

2) in the morning, I feel like it takes a lot longer for milk to let down and we get a much less efficient feeding. Would it be bad for me to try to pump first then nurse in order to kind of being everything to the front?
1. I guess it depends how low your supply really is and how much you want to commit. Have you been checked for retained placenta or thyroid issues? Both can cause low supply. Have you tried domperidone (sp?) yet?

I think 6 weeks is admirable. Maybe before then you could even skip a session of pumping or a few to go out somewhere with baby for a couple of hours.

2. Maybe pump for just a few minutes to get a letdown?

I haven't been checked for retained placenta...but I was a c-section so they should have gotten it all...right? And I haven't been checked for a thyroid issue recently, but was checked probably within the last two years and it was normal. Do thyroids change?

I am so clueless...i just never got that "my milk came in" feeling. People kept asking me if it had and I had no idea what they were talking about. I am taking over the counter supplements, but nothing else. My DD's pediatrician wanted me to give breastfeeding another week to see if my milk was just trickling in instead of that real feeling. She said that at our two week appointment we could discuss it again and see if she could prescribe something to help. We have that appointment on Tuesday.

windwithfingers · November 2014

@theresat858 4oz is the most ever, it only happened once when DS slept almost 4 hours during a day out and I pumped to get relief. Usually I get an ounce from both. I never really considered oversupply but looking at the symptoms on kellymom makes me think maybe I do.

Dani0329 · November 2014

theresat858 said:

@windwithfingers‌ 4 ounces is great for pumping to replace a feeding....if thats in addition to feeding, you have a bit of an oversupply (which i am guessing based on baby's rapid weight gain -- 5-7 ounces per week is average/expected, so a pound a week is really high). @dani0329 I'm confused...your supply and pumping output sounds great. 0.5-2 ounces extra per day is all one should expect when pumping in addition to nursing full time. 3-4 ounces is the most one would expect from pumping to replace a feeding, and the amount baby should get in a bottle. So it sounds like you currently have an oversupply. Try turning down the suction or checking flange size if pumping hurts.

Thank you!! I don't know why I was expecting to get 4 oz from each side no matter what. I don't want an oversupply issue, so I think I will pump once a day for now to replace 1 session!

windwithfingers · November 2014

@beezbeez no, it helps. I'd go even more crazy if I didn't know.

AmandaJean12 · November 2014

So my baby has become super spitty and gassy the last few days, when she wasn't before. I'm paranoid it's because of what I eat/drink but nothing's changed. Ive always had this fear about not eating super healthy enough for breastfeeding though.

At what point does a non-paranoid person start to cut things out of their diet? I mean some period of this is probably normal, right?

LightBright515 · November 2014

Whoa, LO just chomped down so hard on my nipple! We almost switched to exclusive formula feeding....

vrj0522 · November 2014

Whenever I pump I get very little milk out of my right breast. It is the smaller breast so I'm guessing it's the one with the lower supply but is there anything I can do to increase how much I get out of it? Sometimes I pump first thing in the morning and after I'm done with my pumping session I can tell there is still milk in it yet it doesn't come out. Ideas?

LightBright515 · November 2014

@knittymeggy‌ I have an Ameda. The hospital gave it to me while I was there. I like it, but it's all I know! I get way more milk out with my manual than my double electric!

[Deleted User] · November 2014

If LO eats from only one breast in a session once in awhile (he usually takes both), do I need to pump the other to keep the supply up? Otherwise the boob he doesn't take will go hours ignored.

I still haven't broken out my pump yet because I find it so intimidating. :-S

Emerald27 · November 2014

deezidee04 said:
If LO eats from only one breast in a session once in awhile (he usually takes both), do I need to pump the other to keep the supply up? Otherwise the boob he doesn't take will go hours ignored.

I still haven't broken out my pump yet because I find it so intimidating. :-S

There's no need unless you're uncomfortable. As long as LO is eating as much as he needs and you're nursung on demand, you'll have a supply that will meet his needs.

If he's still awake after finishing the first breast, you can offer the second to see if he'll take it even enough to take the edge off, or even wait 15 minutes and then offer it.

Emerald27 · November 2014

vrj0522 said:
Whenever I pump I get very little milk out of my right breast. It is the smaller breast so I'm guessing it's the one with the lower supply but is there anything I can do to increase how much I get out of it? Sometimes I pump first thing in the morning and after I'm done with my pumping session I can tell there is still milk in it yet it doesn't come out. Ideas?

Massage and breast compressions. Also, at a morning nursing session on which you begin with that breast, pump that breast after you switch, at the same time as you nurse LO on the other. Some mothers find that pumping while nursing increases their yield, and that would get you extra, supply-boosting stimulation too.

Emerald27 · November 2014

beezbeez said:

AmandaJean12 said:
So my baby has become super spitty and gassy the last few days, when she wasn't before. I'm paranoid it's because of what I eat/drink but nothing's changed. Ive always had this fear about not eating super healthy enough for breastfeeding though.

At what point does a non-paranoid person start to cut things out of their diet? I mean some period of this is probably normal, right?
From what I've read, what we eat doesn't really impact baby's gassiness, except in the case of an allergy.

This! Foods in mom's diet can only make baby gassy if baby is sensitive to some component (like a protein) of the food that passes into the bloodstream. This is because breastmilk comes from your blood, not from your digestive system.

So things like onions and broccoli and beans that make you gassy won't make LO gassy. But if LO had a sensitivity to dairy, that would cause colic/reflux and gas. Does that make sense? So you really don't need to worry about eating healthy enough for breastfeeding.

Gassiness in newborns is very common and has to do with their immature digestive systems. They also are gassy when they get air in their tummies at feedings that doesn't get burped out, and when they swallow air while crying.

My LO is extremely gassy, especially during the latter half of the night. Massaging his tummy and bicycling his legs helps a lot, as does burping him during and after feedings.

hecklet · November 2014

Any insight on what it means when baby keeps latching and unlatching? DS sometimes gets really fussy and will not stay latched or plays what I I call tug of war with my nipple- turns his head back and forth and then forcefully pulls back while still latched. I know I have a forceful letdown and overactive supply but most the time he's great at nursing. It's breaking my heart and my nipples tonight. I know he's hungry but he won't nurse efficiently and I'm starting to loose patience. Any help or ideas on what to do is appreciated.

ETA: he is crying whenever he unlatches and is still acting hungry. He also sometimes scrunches his body up.

hecklet · November 2014

AmyG* said:
It can mean that let down and flow is high so baby is latching and unlatching to keep from drowning. they let go to swallow.
It can also mean that the flow is slow and they are latching and unlatching to trigger another let down.
And it can mean they found a new playtoy.

occassionally it means they have thrush and it hurts to nurse.
or with older babies they may be teething and it hurts to nurse.
Hard to tell which one it is from here but I'm guessing maybe the first. what have you tried for oversupply/overactive let down? change of position? does milk come out when he unlatches? are you hearing gulping and sputtering or chugging?

@AmyG*‌ I don't think he is choking or it's because of let down. It is usually after 5-7 minutes of nursing on one side. He usually gulps at the beginning and if he gets to much he does pull off or cough but then if I burp him and put him back to the breast he's perfectly content to keep nursing. This is different in that he pretty much screams the second he unlatches and like I said doesn't want to relatch again. I alternate between football hold and cross cradle- doesn't make a difference with positioning. I've tried laid back nursing and every time his latch is so painful so I'm not a fan of that. He will do the same thing from the getgo if I put him on the other side too. It's just so frustrating. I'd say it happens every 4-5 days. Does not make me excited to try NIP. He's 4.5 weeks old at the moment.
Milk does not come out when he unlatches and I don't think it's thrush as its sporadic not every time/day he nurses.
I have thoughts of how much easier FF would be on days/nights like this

[Deleted User] · November 2014

Is it possible that my nipple pain is due to just soreness from DS yanking on it and pulling away while latched?

There are finally no scabs or any sign of nipple damage, but the nipple itself is so sore. It hurts if I even brush it up against anything. Can I do anything to make it hurt less? I want to cry when he nurses on that side.

I've been expressing breast milk and letting it dry, then using lanolin.

hecklet · November 2014

apk4 said:
Is it possible that my nipple pain is due to just soreness from DS yanking on it and pulling away while latched?

There are finally no scabs or any sign of nipple damage, but the nipple itself is so sore. It hurts if I even brush it up against anything. Can I do anything to make it hurt less? I want to cry when he nurses on that side.

I've been expressing breast milk and letting it dry, then using lanolin.

I'm sure it's possible! My nips are still sore (DS is 4.5 weeks old) but I have no cracks, bleeding, or scabs. Apparently pale blondes(me) and redheads have more sensitive nips. Not sure if you fall into that category or not but I'm attributing to that. It has slowly gotten better for me but I expected it to be gone by now!

Have you tried the earth mama angel baby nipple butter? That's my favorite remedy and seems to help the soreness more than lanolin or breast milk.

[Deleted User] · November 2014

@hecklet‌ I have some of that, but haven't used it yet. I will give it a shot, thank you!

MrMrsandBaby · November 2014

I'm about at the end of my rope. Brooke is still eating all the time...like every 90 minutes. Day and night. Sometimes I don't even have time to hand her to DH and shower before she is gnawing on his arm. The only time we go more than two hours is if we are out and she is sleeping in the car seat.

Tell me it gets better soon. She is 4 weeks old.

Mewwwwws · November 2014

This is me still too. Baby is 4 weeks. I use the mama baby angel nipple butter and seems to help, I like it more than lanolin . However they are still sensitive and I HATE wearing any kind of bra. Going braless makes them leak though so that any shirt will
Have two round wet circles - I can't leave home for more than a hour or so because I can't wear a bra for more than an hour. When we have guests at home I have to take breaks and go to our room to let nipples get a break from the bra. But they have no sores or cracks and look normal... So not sure. My LO does the Laffy taffy pull on the nipple before she un latches
So maybe that's it.

I'm thinking to buy a cone shaped bra - a bullet bra to see if that helps keep the bra off the nipples, will post to update if that works.

hecklet · November 2014

AmyG* said:
@hecklet‌
If baby is eating fast and furious and gulping after 5-7 minutes they may be full but still want to nurse and that makes them mad. It may also be that they have taken in a lot of air and need a lot if help to get out a large burp.

@AmyG* thanks! I do try to burp him often but I'll just be more diligent about it

Mewwwwws · November 2014

Thanks Amy - I did buy a pair but i was worried that pressing up against the nipple all day might cause a duct to be blocked... The LC said that it could have caused my two previous blockages... Have you heard of shells doing this? What's the longest u can safely wear shells in a day?

LightBright515 · November 2014

I'm reading such conflicting information regarding hydration and milk supply.

Anybody clear on the relationship between hydration and breast milk supply?

Emerald27 · November 2014

LightBright515 said:
I'm reading such conflicting information regarding hydration and milk supply.

Anybody clear on the relationship between hydration and breast milk supply?

https://kellymom.com/nutrition/mothers-diet/mom-calories-fluids/

MrsSarahRenee · November 2014

Baby spits up undigested milk. She in latches and straight milk spews from her mouth sometimes.
Is this okay? What does it mean?

Should I still offer her the other side if she does that?

cmac6186 · November 2014

@keelyd at 3.5weeks I just started noticing engorgement. Not sure how that's possible considering how much DD is feeding.

cmac6186 · November 2014

I'm getting frustrated with how much time we spend feeding. For example so far DD fed at 5:30 for 15min (at least-I fell asleep at some point) then 6:45 for 10min. Then 7:30 for 15min. Then 8:40 for an hour (with breaks for burps and DD whining).

I've been blaming it on the 3 week growth spurt but this has been going on since last Wednesday. Thoughts??

hecklet · November 2014

beezbeez said:
Question for anyone: How many attempts did it take for someone to successfully give your baby a bottle?

@beezbeez 1. He got his first bottle on Saturday. No issues! (Was kind of a gamble to leave his first bottle for an eventful day like his baby shower haha)

AmandaJean12 · November 2014

beezbeez said:
Question for anyone: How many attempts did it take for someone to successfully give your baby a bottle?

She took the tommy tippie on the first try. Never had an issue going back and forth between the bottle and the boob.

shannonshare · November 2014

@cmac6186‌ that seems like a normal feeding schedule for us when NOT in a growth spurt. I'm no expert, but it seems like your baby is just tanking up for the night. On growth spurt days for us, we feed up to 6 hours over the course of the day, with much in the evening.

cmac6186 · November 2014

@shannonshare‌ thanks for the input.

If this is the new normal I don't know how long I can continue doing this. I feel like a milk dispenser and not much else. I also don't know how we're going to transition when I go back to work next month. Just a lot of questioning right now. I'll feel bad if we stop bc so many ladies here struggled with supply and I don't have that issue but the constant demand is emotionally draining. If she's not on the boob she's usually whimpering or crying. And DH has been giving her a bottle at night of expressed milk to give me a little break but even after that she wants the boob. And pumping seems to be even more time consuming than just on demand feeding. No real question here just getting thoughts out. Thank God for this outlet

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