Breastfeeding Tips, Questions and Advice!!

Cici3913 · November 2014

AmyG* said:

Cici3913 said:

I'm wanting to pump when I go back to work but so far I haven't been able to save any. She eats it all during her feeding. So if I pump after she feeds there is nothing left. If I pump before I'm afraid she won't get anything. I can only get about 3oz combined when I pump.

I'm already taking fenugreek. What kind of pumping schedule is best? And how do I increase the supply?

How old is baby? For the first three weeks it's best to nurse primarily to have baby establish your supply. Then sometime after the three week growth spurt you can start trying to pump every day to get that stash you want. The growth spurt will have increased your supply by baby non-stop nursing, but baby tends to want to sleep a bit extra right after a growth spurt and gives you a bit extra time.

Usually it works best to try pumping once a day first thing in the am right after the first morning feed. supply is highest in the am cause prolactin level is higher at that time of day. baby is often more satisfied with just one side, so you can try pumping the other side that baby barely touched.

If you have trouble letting down for the pump you can try pumping one side while nursing the other side, and baby nursing will help with let down. sometimes that feels like you need 8 arms to make that happen, so you might have to just try pumping right after the feeding ends. Then be very consistent on pumping at the same time every day, and pumpng for 5-15 minutes after the milk stops flowing to signal a higher milk supply. once that is working well you can start the bottles at another time of day, and pump again at that time of day.

good luck, but don't stress over how much you pump right now while you are trying to get this whole thing started.

*******************************************

Thank you! She will be 3 weeks old on Thursday so I guess I was trying to start too early with the pumping.

crizz13 · November 2014

I'll play! My LO (2 weeks) has very short feedings - her longest was a few days ago at 15 minutes, but usually she'll only stay latched for 4-6 minutes before falling asleep or just stopping. I've tried everything to keep her awake and eating, but nothing works. I know she's gaining weight (at our last appointment, she was up 9oz from her birthweight). Is it normal to have a baby that just doesn't feed for long periods of time, or should I be concerned?

crizz13 · November 2014

Thanks @emw87‌ !

scarlet3egonias · November 2014

I have a storage question: If I pumped 4 days ago and kept that stash refrigerated can I still freeze it? I didn't use it and I worry that it has been in the fridge for too long (I have no intention of using it tonight or tomorrow). Do I have to toss it or is it still safe to freeze?

uncharted01 · November 2014

@scarlet3egonias - Give it the sniff test. You should be able to tell if it's still good

carafern · November 2014

Regarding pain, I know it's normal right when baby latches, but I'm experiencing random pain in between feelings. It's sharp and and shooting and only lasts a moment but comes back. I'm assuming this is not normal? Anyone else have this? This is baby's 5th day so we are both still learning.

She's a good eater, but often I'm not sure if her latch is deep enough. My nipples are a bit cracked but I don't think that is related to the between feelings pain.

tigerpawie · November 2014

I have a question. I am struggling with both supply and latch issues, mainly with my left. I have a nipple that's just too big for LO's mouth. A LC said just to pump to keep supply up and focus on latching and he needs to grow more until he can latch on better. Use the paced bottle method. Ever since I started pumping the past two days, LO's poop has started to be more greenish than his usual yellow. This indicates lack of hind milk. Thing is, I do give him the pumped milk and I encourage him to drain my breasts. For most of the day if he wants it, I flip between both breasts about 3 times each breast before he seems to be satisfied or I give in and give him some pumped milk I made earlier or formula if I don't have pumped milk. The past two times I pumped got about 1-1.5 oz per session and that's right after feeding LO.

I am a little puzzled about the hind milk problem. I give him a lot of opportunity to drain my breasts and he gets pumped milk first before formula. Wouldn't that mean he's good w getting the hind milk he needs? I am not sure what more I could do to ensure he gets the hind milk. I also compress my breasts during feedings especially on the left since the latch is bad.

He also spends a lot of time on my breasts comfort sucking.

uncharted01 · November 2014

@Econosaurus - If you gently swirl the bottle, the thicker stuff will combine and then you can pour it into a bag.

Lilwatz · November 2014

My sister told me that I should bring my breast milk to a boil then quickly remove it and let it cool before freezing it.She says there is an enzyme in SOME women's milk that releases when frozen or boiled that is gross and so that is why some babies won't drink thawed milk. By bringing it to a boil before freezing the enzyme is released.

Anyone know if this is true?

staugustinewedding · November 2014

We are doing really well! She's had a great latch since day 1. We are one week in with BF and the nipple pain is so much better. I use a lot of Lanolin which help a lot and I let my Breastmilk dry on my nipples..that helps a ton too. I dealt with pretty bad engorgement for two days but my body had since regulated my supply.
The only pain I have is the first 10 seconds of nursing and then it goes away..I have been told to give it one more week and then it should get much better. Overall things are going really well! She's a great eater.

staugustinewedding · November 2014

Acedit said:
Congrats to everyone!! Seems like the issues people are experiencing are minimal and our babies are being well fed. Well our little guy was vomiting the first 24 hours so he did not have his first sip of breast milk until day 2. He wasn't latching so the midwives recommended that I try a nipple shield to get him latched. One week in and we are still using the shield.... But he latches and feeds really well, so I'm not complaining. My only complaint is my nipples hurt.... Even with the shield they are tender. I suppose they need to be toughened up. I've been using nipple lanolin... Which seems to help. The hospital told me to apply it before feeding a which can help lessen the pain of the initial latch. My question is-- what is your nipple care, pre/post feeding routine to help keep your nipples healthy??

My LC told me to ditch the shield after day 1 so my nipples have time to "toughen up." They were raw for the first few days but then they started to get better. I think you just have to be really sure that the baby is latching correctly and if they are, you just got to get through a few days of pain and then it gets better. I apply Lanolin after every feeding and let my nipples air dry for about 10min...the lanolin has helped tremendously. Also, make sure your LO is getting off of the boob correctly. You need to stick your pinky in the corner of their mouth so they unlatch correctly bc if they aren't doing it right that can cause A LOT of pain.

crizz13 · November 2014

Anyone have a baby with a blister on the upper lip? I've googled and it says it can be from breastfeeding and will go away...I just feel badly and don't want her to hurt!!

PandaCon · November 2014

Lilwatz said:

My sister told me that I should bring my breast milk to a boil then quickly remove it and let it cool before freezing it.She says there is an enzyme in SOME women's milk that releases when frozen or boiled that is gross and so that is why some babies won't drink thawed milk. By bringing it to a boil before freezing the enzyme is released.

Anyone know if this is true?

That would be scalding your milk if you have excess lipase. I would wait until baby takes a frozen/refrigerated bottle to see if you need to do that. Excess lipase usually makes the milk taste a little soapy. It is completely safe to drink but some babies wont drink it.

If your baby will drink it, then there is no reason to scald the milk first!

PandaCon · November 2014

crizz13 said:

Anyone have a baby with a blister on the upper lip? I've googled and it says it can be from breastfeeding and will go away...I just feel badly and don't want her to hurt!!

My kiddo gets one. His top lip gets a little blistery and a few feeding later it usually falls off. He's 16 days old and he's had a few of them. For what it's worth I;m pretty sure it doesn't hurt him. He had one hanging there and I gently pulled it off. Didn't even flinch.

Lilwatz · November 2014

Thanks, all. Will check out the other thread!

carafern · November 2014

Quick question: is it possible that my baby is full after just 8 minutes on one side? She's passed birth weight (at 7 days old) and seems to suck pretty hard at first but after less than 10 minutes, she seems done. I take her off and burp and change and try for longer but she's often not interested. I just remember someone at the hospital said they don't get hind milk until 15 minutes....

FishyMom · November 2014

Becks517 said:
@Lilwatz‌ ...@AmyG* wrote about that in the thread about when people plan to start pumping. Check it out, really helpful info!

@crizz13‌ My LO has a blister on his lip too. We went to the pediatrician today and he wasn't concerned.

Can someone put the link to the thread? I don't see it and am curious about when to start pumping.

BridgetThoams · November 2014

I always only give LO one breast per feed and alternate. As soon as LO latches I get a really painful let down in the other boob and spray everywhere. This cannot be normal, is anyone else experiencing this?

highbornhunter · November 2014

Stuck in box!

Just checking in - Bumping & Pumping at 2 AM, my little guy was 3 weeks yesterday so we started experimenting with pumping and giving a bottle in the middle of the night. I felt pretty full on the right though so I thought I'd go ahead and pump some more while I am awake.
Great thread, thanks to AmyG, lissydee, and all the other STM+ moms for their great information!

CarrieAnne09 · November 2014

Today Brooke is being so weird with eating. She eats for 5-10 minutes every hour. Our routine has normally been 15-20 every couple hours. Are cluster feeds short like this?

crizz13 · November 2014

@CarrieAnne09‌ my LO does this. I'm not sure if it's the same as cluster feeding though...when she does (what I consider to be) cluster feed, it's pretty much non stop for a few hours straight.

CarrieAnne09 · November 2014

@crizz13‌ - yea it seems different than what she did the other night. But it's unusual for her. I much prefer every 2 hours. Lol

BridgetThoams · November 2014

@WildFlower810‌ when my milk came in I started pumping as well to relieve some of the pressure, I pumped 10 minutes after feeding and get 7.5 oz. and then fed LO again. I had no idea boobs could even hold that much milk.
I don't pump everyday, just when I feel overly engorged. I can get between 3 and 7 oz each pump. I don't think I upped my milk supply or anything by pumping, as I'm not crazy engorged everyday.

CarrieAnne09 · November 2014

So baby girl totally favors eating from my left boob. She doesn't like the right side at all. My left boob is definitely producing way more than the right side now because it is constantly more engorged than the right side. What do I do? I'm worried my right boob is going to underproduce... Should I be pumping it to keep it up? Or just try to offer the right side hoping she'll take it? The only problem with that is that my left boob may explode. She's a week old today if that helps.

@AmyG*‌ - any insight? Thanks for all your amazing responses so far. You're a rockstar.

soulcupcake · December 2014

It's tempting to pump to relieve pressure/discomfort. If I need to relieve pressure/build up I hand express.

I'm actually strongly considering weaning my right side again. I was diagnosed with a delayed/dysfunctional let down with my youngest. We had a lot of struggles with his tongue and lip tie issues, and I had a love/hate relationship with the pump. Pumping from my right was god-awful (hence the hate). He rejected that breast even after issues were resolved. The supply was there, but let down was always severely delayed, so he gave up. Part of the difficulties we had were related to that side, so I eventually weaned that side and nursed from my left until he stopped at 21 months.

My left produces in spades, especially when I boost with galactgogues as I did before. I don't even want to bother working on the right side anymore. I tried to make it work before, and it was such a painful and frustrating ordeal for 5.5 months. Ruby rejects it practically every time. My older two took that side okay. They nursed primarily from my left. It's the best producer, latch and let down.

soulcupcake · December 2014

lovebuggies1 said:

Has anyone had experience with Fenugreek to keep their supply up? I of course don't know how my supply will be (lo isn't here yet) but I see this stuff everywhere. I just don't know when I can start using it. Some reviews say your skin starts smelling sweet like syrup though lol. But I want to pump and feed a lot so that hopefully won't bother me too much.

I took a lot of Fenugreek with my youngest. About 9-12 a day, and I smelled like maple syrup. I also took Motherlove's More Milk Plus and Domperidone. I was EPing for a while and needed to establish a supply and stash. My highest output was 52 oz a day, which is a lot, but it allowed me to build a stash. But for an exclusively breastfed baby, 25 oz is about what they need after the first few weeks/month.

AnnieRoo13 · December 2014

What does an occasional green poop mean? I have read that green poop can mean an imbalance in fore milk and hind milk, but what if it's only sometimes? Will usually has yellow seedy poops with the odd green one.

AnnieRoo13 · December 2014

Thanks @AmyG*‌! Your explanation makes perfect sense, especially with the morning vs. evening thing. You're such a wealth of knowledge it's awesome

mamatohne · December 2014

I need help figuring out when I should pump. My lo will be 4 weeks tomorrow. She eats all day long short periods of time. How do I switch to longer feeds every couple hours? What is your routine for pumping? I really need to create a freezer stash it's really stressing me out! !

ambular81 · December 2014

Question for you nursing moms.

My LO will be two weeks on Thursday and he eats ALL night long. Like it may start at 6pm and continue until 4am. We are getting no sleep. Anyone else experiencing this! OR experienced this? Is this normal? How long will it last?

Also, I'm trying to establish a good milk supply. I pump at least twice a day after feedings and been taking Fenugreek but I'm not seeing an increase yet. I ordered some lactation cookies today too....I'm desperate.

Any advice or tips will help.

crizz13 · December 2014

My 3 week old suddenly has smelly poops and the consistency has changed, the only difference is we started giving her vitamin d drops a few days ago.... Could this cause the change in poop? Or should I call the pediatrician?

mockingjay1 · December 2014

I am breastfeeding some (last pre and post weight check LO was only getting 45ml when he ate from me), pumping, and supplementing with formula. I started with a low supply (pumping 30-50ml a session) to now pumping 80-90ml a session without breastfeeding first (still not enough for what LO eats). The last couple days I've noticed a painful, red ring around my nipples that is painful. I did some power pumping for 3 days (1-2x a day), so I don't know if the more frequent pumping is the reason? Is this normal or does it mean I could have the wrong flange size? If it is normal what can I do to help it?

ambular81 · December 2014

thank you @AmyG for the advice.

FishyMom · December 2014

@becks517 we have this problem too. And the. Once she is latched we are good to go but it takes a while.binam interested to see if anyone has a solution. Just wanted to let you know you are not alone.

mockingjay1 · December 2014

AmyG* said:

dmo1371 said:

I am breastfeeding some (last pre and post weight check LO was only getting 45ml when he ate from me), pumping, and supplementing with formula. I started with a low supply (pumping 30-50ml a session) to now pumping 80-90ml a session without breastfeeding first (still not enough for what LO eats). The last couple days I've noticed a painful, red ring around my nipples that is painful. I did some power pumping for 3 days (1-2x a day), so I don't know if the more frequent pumping is the reason? Is this normal or does it mean I could have the wrong flange size? If it is normal what can I do to help it?

A full milk supply at about 3 weeks of age is 3 oz, which is 90 ml. So I don't see anything wrong with your supply. normal would be 2.5-3 oz every 2.5-3 hours, less oz if baby is nursing more ofte than 8-10 times a day. we figure for young babies if they get 2 oz every 2 hours that's about right.
How much extra milk are you givig baby in a bottle? are you using a super slow flow nipple and paced bottle feeding to avoid overfeeding/stretching out tummy?
45 ml =1.5oz,
Usual suggestion from most LCs is if baby got 45 ml (.5 oz) when nursing you pump and supplement 15 ml (1/2 oz) more and aim to nurse 12 times a day to boost your supply for a day or two. r give 30ml more (1oz) and nurse 10 times a day. Then evaluate how much they can get at the breast with another weighted feeding. As you pump more, you encourage baby to stay at the breast longer, use breast compressions and massage to speed the flow of milk and get baby to actively nurse for longer at a time--so they can just get the milk themselves rather than you getting the milk with a pump.
For nips, sounds like too large of a pump flange/horn, or too high of suction or both. lube up nips with a food grade oil until you can get a different size. lower suction to be as low as possible.
When did you see an LC for a weighted feeding, and when can you go back for another evaluation?

Does the 2.5-3oz every 2.5-3hrs apply to all sizes of babies? I guess working in the NICU we base our feedings on how much the babies weigh, so I've definitely been more in that mind frame. LO is over 10lbs (born 9lb 14oz), so I figured that's why he's always wanted more than typical. Sometimes he is satisfied with 90ml, while other times he eats 120ml. It takes him 25-30min to eat his bottle (very rarely is it faster) and we use Dr Browns Level 1 nipple. We also pace him while he eats. Last night he even took 150ml once. If you try to limit what he takes and he's still acting hungry he will fuss for a couple hours until we feed him again.

The pediatrician didn't want me to nurse longer than 20-25 minutes total per feed since we are having to also supplement after (it was making his feeding time too long). It really has been too much for me to breastfeed, pump, supplement every single feeding. By the time you do all of those things and clean bottles/pump parts it takes over an hour. That's not so bad during the day, but at night I would never get any sleep.

I talked to a LC yesterday, and she thought the soreness right outside my nipples was probably from the power pumping I had done the previous few days (I hadn't had a problem before that, and I have ridiculously sensitive skin) and said she thought I had the right size flange. I have super sensitive nipples, so my pump has always been set low (1 tear drop before let down and 3 bars after).

Last Monday I saw a LC for a weighted feeding. They have classes every Monday and Wednesday where I could go and do a pre and post weight, but I wasn't feeling up to going today (just got cleared to drive due to my c-section yesterday). Hopefully I can go to one of the classes next week, or the LC said I could schedule another outpatient appointment.

So - am I feeding him too much for his age or is it appropriate due to his weight? I have a pediatrician appointment tomorrow, so that is on my list of questions to ask her. I'm just not sure what to do when he is still acting hungry, and is awake and fussy/cueing for hours if we don't give him more food.

mockingjay1 · December 2014

You are such a wealth of knowledge amyg*!

I forgot to add that I am using a nipple shield, so I was also having to pump after breastfeeding to make sure to get a good supply. Do you think I still need to pump after? (I can also call lactation and ask that).

Last time I was at the pediatrician (a week and a halfish ago) I was also only pumping 30-40 or less at a time, so that may have been why she wanted me to limit how long he was at the breast? Again, something I will ask her tomorrow.

After he breastfeeds he still acts hungry (after even 25 minutes at the breast)... Should I just try to keep him there 30-40min and see if he is satisfied? I want to make sure he is stimulating me enough to at the very least maintain my supply.

My nipples aren't rubbing in the flange when I pump it's like 1cm outside of them that's red/rubbing.

mockingjay1 · December 2014

AmyG* said:

and 150ml (5oz) for a 2 week old baby is too much! and if that was in addition to nursing then WOW!
some seem to think that the size 1 nipple on Dr. Browns are still too fast, and prefer a premie size nipple on Dr. Brown's bottles.
If the flow is too fast they'll eat too much, Sometimes they really just need to suck, so pacifier can help, as well as swaddling tightly, changing position holding them, as well as burp burp burp. Often a stuck burp will have them giving same signs as them being hungry, chewing on fists and fussy.
Also be sure you are holding he bottle almost horizontal and sitting baby more upright so they have to work to get milk from the bottle. If you pull backwards on the bottle they'll have to increase their suction to keep the nipple in their mouth which can help to increase their suck strength to be more effective when they nurse. When nursing use breast compressions and massage to speed the flow of milk and help to loosen the hindmilk that sticks to the walls of the ducts so it will enter the milk sooner in the feed. Be sure he's also finishing all he wants on side 1 to get more hindmilk as well.

The 150ml was not in addition to nursing, and he didn't spit or seem fussy after. This feeding thing is frustrating! It's so much easier with NICU babies.

Maybe we'll have to pick up some premie nipples. I think he could benefit from it anyway, because even with the level 1s you have to watch him/pace him pretty well or he occasionally chokes.

We do offer him the pacifier, swaddle him tight, burp him every 20-30ml... He still sometimes acts very hungry after 90ml... I will see what I can do today/tonight.

We feed him in the enface position and fill the nipple half full of milk when we feed him. I'm also doing breast compressions when I breastfeed him. I will put him to the breast next feeding and see how he does. It is just so discouraging to put him to breast for 25 minutes and have him still act like he's hungry (when I hear good sucking and swallowing the majority of the time he is at the breast). That's why I've been mostly pumping the last couple days. It's so time consuming and stressful to have to breastfeed 25ish min, supplement, and then pump.

Thank you for all the information! I just pumped, but next feeding I will put him to breast for as long as he wants and see what happens. I will also talk to my pediatrician tomorrow. Thanks again!

mockingjay1 · December 2014

AmyG* said:

I know it's hard to do the nurse, pump, bottle/supplement routine. It's impossible to continue long term.
But it seems everyone says to nurse, pump and supplement to new moms lately, but they forget to say the part about how and when to wean from that circus/merry go round!
If I were you I would try to go other weighted feedings or even rent a scale and do weighted feedings for several feeds a day for a week.
I would Leave baby on the breast for longer every day to work on his stamina. Add 1-5 minutes and evaluate. If he's actively nursing, and you hear sucking and swallowing, he may just need longer at the breat to be full. Or he may have come to EXPECT the bottle and the feeling of being stuffed after feeds. So then you'd have to work to wean from the bottle too so he gets less used to that idea.
Another option is to give a smaller amount of supplement FIRST and then let him stay at the breast to finish as long as he wants. Pump to collect the supplement amount. Every few days lower the amount of supplement and pump less.
Switch to the premie nipple so he really has to work for the milk. That can help the strength of his sucking. He needs to work for milk. Then start putting 1/2 oz less in the bottle for a day or two after encouraging longer nursing. Watch diaper count. If you see more than 6-8 a day you are probably fine, if they drop a lot, you up the supplement and reevaluate. It's a process--lower amount of supplement, encourage nursing more often (every 2-2.5 hours) and nurse longer (ideally until he pulls off on his own) watch diapers. Diapers ok, continue process with even lower amount of supplement.
You can do this. Take in some ideas from several sources and see what makes the most sense and push for answers from the dr and the LC.
I really think from what you've said that your supply is fine and you can slowly wean from the supplements. It may take w-4 days of non-stop nursing for your supply to match baby's needs but then you'd be over the hump of pumping all.the.time. BUT I'm not there and I may have some missing data/history you haven't given me. Did you ever say why you are using a shield?

Thanks for the information. Hopefully we can make a plan after my appointment tomorrow that will include more breastfeeding and less pumping. I didn't know you could rent scales... I will definitely look into that tomorrow. I feel like knowing what he was actually getting at the breast would reassure me I'm not supplementing him too little after breastfeeding.

I am using a nipple shield due to anatomy (small/flat nipples). I started off without one, but when engorgement came I really needed it. My nipples got a little beat up during that phase (I have super sensitive skin - they are still healing) so the LC wanted me to wait until I was a little more healed before I started weaning him off the shield. I kind of hate the shield... Sometimes it moves during the feeding and starts hurting (and it doesn't take much sucking to cause more damage as I'm sure you know).

FishyMom · December 2014

I am hoping to meet with a LC tomorrow but am curious if it is mormal to have pain after the feeding is done. I have a little pain when we first start and then (I think) when the milk lets down the pain stops it feels fine. However, once she stops and comes off, the nipple hurts (almost a tingling or burning) again. Anyone else?

FishyMom · December 2014

AmyG* said:

Ashris13 said:

I am hoping to meet with a LC tomorrow but am curious if it is mormal to have pain after the feeding is done. I have a little pain when we first start and then (I think) when the milk lets down the pain stops it feels fine. However, once she stops and comes off, the nipple hurts (almost a tingling or burning) again. Anyone else?

A bit of uncomfortableness (is that a word) after a feeding is ok. cool air and such--rub some breastmilk in, let dry ad then use some nipple creme. but if it's very very painful, or white or purple at the tip, it could be nipple damage, or it could be vasospams. cold air would make vasospasms worse.

***quote fail***

I think it is a bit more than uncomfortableness, but I would not say very very painful. When researching vasospasms I found blanching also, I think it may be that. Hoping that we just have a hollow latch and the LC can help with this tomorrow. Thank you! You are amazing.

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