As someone who ditched out on breastfeeding 2 weeks in, I'm inspired by you guys. I'm comfortable with my choice but I feel like if we have another child that I can do it (bf-ing) next time!
I ditched it too 2 weeks in! Well I still BF sometimes at LOs bedtime but that's it. I feel a lot less stressed and now when I do BF the few times I appreciate the bond. I give all these women a lot of credit! It's a lot of work that no one really appreciates as much as they should
Breastfeeding is for sure hard, all you ladies who do it exclusively kudos! I'm a pumper and truthfully I love the free time to pump and check the bump im actually considering starting a knitting project to do while pumping. Thoughts?
I've been wanting to learn how to knit. I can do a couple of rows but have no idea how to fix mistakes or tie off so I never get farther than that would be awesome to make stuff for LO
I'm allergic to my lansinoh breast pads ( so annoying because I have huge economy boxes. I tried the free Medela ones that came with my pump today and for once I didn't want to rip my breasts off. Between that and all my medicine for thrush I am officially itch free!
Wish I didn't have to use pads but I leak a few drops when I let down. Any idea on how long that lasts?
TTC: 1/2014
BFP: 9/24
EDD: 6/8/2015
Sorry for the poor man's siggy...ticker won't load regardless of how many tips I read.
Lillian eats off one side for 10-20 minutes and eats every hour and fifteen to two hours.. Tuesday is her first weigh in. She poops every hour.. I catch cat naps at this point.lol
DH fed LO her first bottle of breast milk tonight. She's 3 weeks old. I almost cried & I'm looking forward to our feeding at 11pm. Ugh. Never thought I'd be this emotional over BFing.
When he spits up it looks like spoiled milk! I know TMI and I'm sorry for the visual! I just don't know what to do. I want to breastfeed as long as I can but he always seems like he wants more.
Is it kind of chunky? That is the fat in your milk. It comes out of your breast that way (or at least mine does, I've noticed. And my LO also spits that up sometimes, and at first I also thought it had "spoiled" in his belly... Til I noticed that after he eats for a while, I leak that thicker milk, and it comes out already looking that way.)
If your LO wants more, give him more! Especially if you are EBF. It may be a growth spurt.
My dude was projectile vomiting so I started just giving him one boob per feeding and burping him every few minutes while feeding. But some baby spit up is completely normal, anyway.
Keep it up, lady! Sounds like you're doing a great job!
@hoodoll82 you've been through a lot with your LO. I admire how fast you found a solution and got yourselves back on track for comfortable feedings. Those first two weeks are a doozy. I wouldn't relive them for anything!
DH fed LO her first bottle of breast milk tonight. She's 3 weeks old. I almost cried & I'm looking forward to our feeding at 11pm. Ugh. Never thought I'd be this emotional over BFing.
I was engorged the other day, so pumped for the first time (with my Medela Harmony, as recommended on here - woot woot!). We do not have a freezer, so it's in the fridge with a short shelf life. I was almost in tears, telling DH that I just can't bring myself to give LO a bottle yet. He was really understanding and said, "Then we won't!"
I don't know what's right for you and your situation, but I hear ya on being emotional about a bottle!
ANOTHER FREAKING BLOCKED DUCT!!! It's definitely these stupid Target nursing tanks cutting off the flow near my armpit. So mad, especially bc they are easy for public nursing. Another 24 hours of hot compress and painful massage here I come. Praying for no mastitis.
I wasn't emotional about the first bottle...more nervous than anything that she wouldn't take it. We do one a week and DH feeds her. Will do more than one as I get closer to back to work.
TTC: 1/2014
BFP: 9/24
EDD: 6/8/2015
Sorry for the poor man's siggy...ticker won't load regardless of how many tips I read.
Guys, i'm so excited! After having major issues with LO screaming for an hour and a half at EVERY feed, I switched to EP'ing, which completely resolved the issue. I was happy to be able to give him breast milk regardless if it was from breast or bottle, but kind of sad that actual breastfeeding hadn't worked out for us. Well, the past couple of days we've been trying again just to see and it's going so well! He is actually staying on the boob and really drinking. There are still some kinks, but i'm thrilled. I thought we would never be able to do boob again because we switched to bottle so early, but he's doing awesome! I'm so super psyched!
Ugh. I feel like my sessions on the boob are more productive with LO, he draws deeply more often and will sometimes still do deep draws when it appears he is asleep, but my pumping output after our bfing sessions is shrinking. I'm hopeful this means he truly is drinking more, and if so then my body should ramp up some production soon. I've started trying to introduce bf 'snacks' in between scheduled feeding sessions so he spends time on the boob and tells my body to make more, since it doesn't seem that pumping after a feeding is helping. Hard part is that he is usually deep asleep between feedings now. And I'm gonna skip pumping at least once overnight, maybe twice. Its just so disheartening to spend 15 minutes of sleep time having my nipples pulled by a machine for such a small amount of milk. I swear, my nipples hurt more from pumping than they do from LO.
ANOTHER FREAKING BLOCKED DUCT!!! It's definitely these stupid Target nursing tanks cutting off the flow near my armpit. So mad, especially bc they are easy for public nursing. Another 24 hours of hot compress and painful massage here I come. Praying for no mastitis.
I wasn't emotional about the first bottle...more nervous than anything that she wouldn't take it. We do one a week and DH feeds her. Will do more than one as I get closer to back to work.
The tanks MUST be causing these hard knots I'm getting too!! I didn't think of that!!
I seriously JUST felt a hard knot near my armpit & freaked. I've been wearing my Target nursing tank for 2 days. ( I LOVE these tanks & how easy it is to feed in them! Dang. Massage & showers for all!
We are doing 1bottle/day this week to get her used to taking one, then I'll start adding more in during the day to prep her for the 3 she'll get at daycare in August. She did amazing with it!
@klkonwi In a sleepy daze I was cleaning pump parts and I accidentally dumped about 2-3oz of milk down the drain! It was after I pumped in the middle of the night with no sleep.
@mellymar pumping shouldn't hurt too much. Are you using the correct flange size? Or maybe the suction is too high? Comfort makes a big difference with output! I'm glad breastfeeding feels more productive though!
@CillyMama I've been experimenting with the sizes. It seems even the smaller ones pull more than my nipple into the 'tunnel' so by the time I am done I end up with kinda a two-tiered boob - below the nipple you can see where its been shaped by repeated pulls into the tube. It goes away, but the general discomfort (not chapping or cracking or anything) hangs around, as opposed to after a bf 'snack' where I don't pump after. Maybe the suction is too high, but it doesn't seem like it should be that bad... Its not even to halfway on the suction, and I know I'm not that big of a wuss. Maybe the suction is just that powerful, I guess. I have one more set of sizes to try out tomorrow, then if those don't work, we'll try less suction.
Edited, cause I made a mess of the original post (tired)
@mellymar I was having issues with finding a comfortable fitting flange. I found comfort with the pumping pals flange. Is a different shape then the traditional ones. Recommended by my LC. https://www.pumpinpal.com/
@mellymar I'm not sure what pump you have but with mine I can adjust suction and speed. At first I cranked it up thinking I'd get more milk but I ended up with sore and bleeding nipples. Then I adjusted it where I felt it tug but was comfortable and I noticed that I actually got more milk that way.
I know it can be annoying with all this trial and error. I'm sure you'll find your groove soon and that it all works out!
I cannot get rid of this clogged duct. I can barely get it to soften while I feed (with painful massage) and then it's hard immediately again. And I've had hot compress on for hours now. So frustrated bc it makes me not want to feed...
TTC: 1/2014
BFP: 9/24
EDD: 6/8/2015
Sorry for the poor man's siggy...ticker won't load regardless of how many tips I read.
I second the pumpin pals! Love my pump now and I'm getting more milk out in less time. Does anyone have them and the hands free strap? Wondering if it's worth ordering? I only ordered the flanges.
@klkonwi thanks, lady. I've done everything in my clogged ducts bag of tricks and it's still there as painful as ever. It's like 1/4 of my right boob..hurts to even pick her up. Just really terrified it will turn into an abscess and I'll need surgery and then all this struggle will be for nothing when I have to stop EBF because of this mess.
...clearly getting into my own head here.
TTC: 1/2014
BFP: 9/24
EDD: 6/8/2015
Sorry for the poor man's siggy...ticker won't load regardless of how many tips I read.
Hi ladies! My little man is 9 days old today and was born via c-section - I've been breastfeeding and pumping since he was born to increase my milk supply since it took forever for it to come in. I am still doing both but still need to supplement 2-3 bottles a day of formula due to still having a low milk supply. Has anyone tried the Mothers Milk Organic Tea? Does it work?
Ugh. I feel like my sessions on the boob are more productive with LO, he draws deeply more often and will sometimes still do deep draws when it appears he is asleep, but my pumping output after our bfing sessions is shrinking. I'm hopeful this means he truly is drinking more, and if so then my body should ramp up some production soon. I've started trying to introduce bf 'snacks' in between scheduled feeding sessions so he spends time on the boob and tells my body to make more, since it doesn't seem that pumping after a feeding is helping. Hard part is that he is usually deep asleep between feedings now. And I'm gonna skip pumping at least once overnight, maybe twice. Its just so disheartening to spend 15 minutes of sleep time having my nipples pulled by a machine for such a small amount of milk. I swear, my nipples hurt more from pumping than they do from LO.
Make sure you are using right size flanges, if so ...turn your suction down... pumping should not hurt! Don't want any added unecessary pain for you
@klkonwi thanks, lady. I've done everything in my clogged ducts bag of tricks and it's still there as painful as ever. It's like 1/4 of my right boob..hurts to even pick her up. Just really terrified it will turn into an abscess and I'll need surgery and then all this struggle will be for nothing when I have to stop EBF because of this mess.
...clearly getting into my own head here.
Have you tried a hot compress and then put your LO in the bed and dangle your boob over them while nursing and massaging? Don't even ask how I came to this.
If I get a huge clog this time around I am in trouble. DS2 is such a lazy nurser. I am bumping and waiting for him to wake up to clear a clot. First day back at work and already missed pumping sessions because we were busy and short-staffed. Now its almost 11pm and I haven't held my baby since 11:30 am. Wake up baby!
@CillyMama@HayesRN13 so I did try turning the suction down on the pump and it WAS more comfortable, and I didn't get the weird mountain effect I usually get from them being pulled into the collection tube and rubbing the sides. My understanding is that only the nipple should end up in the tube, not part of the area surrounding nipple should get sucked in, too, which is what happens if the suction is on with strength. I think I have one more size down in flanges to try. Maybe I just have really small nips. Who knows.
Decreasing suction didn't help output tho. Le sigh. Oh well. Have decided to stop pumping after the overnight feeds. Makes me happier. If I'm going to be up doing something at that time, I'd rather let LO stay on the boob longer. When he does stay longer (I'm not limiting him to 10 min per side) I definitely pump less afterward. I think does a better job now that he isn't aren't always falling asleep
@henrytviii yes ma'am. Gravity was my first trick. I've fed her every 1-2 hours and had a hot compress on for 24+ hours at this point. This is actually the longest stretch she's gone without eating (5 hours..I will wake her up at 6 because I'm going to get engorged). It's definitely gone down in pain level but it's still there. Hmm.
TTC: 1/2014
BFP: 9/24
EDD: 6/8/2015
Sorry for the poor man's siggy...ticker won't load regardless of how many tips I read.
I'm trying to increase my supply. I'm doing everything imaginable. Except waking up to pump. If it's not the LO I turn it off!
How much are you pumping each session? I've finally started freezing almost every other pump to start a stash and I keep around 24 oz in the fridge at a time. My freezer stash isn't growing as fast as I'd like because most of what I pump through out the day goes in the fridge to make sure I have enough for LO to eat that day.
I'm probably thinking too much into this and should just be happy I'm producing enough for LO to eat...a lot and keep her gaining.
ETA hit reply too soon
Did you try putting olive oil in the flange? I found that made a big difference! It's antibacterial too so it's safe.
Re: Breastfeeding/Pumping/Formula Feeding Check-In 6/29 to 7/5
Wish I didn't have to use pads but I leak a few drops when I let down. Any idea on how long that lasts?
If your LO wants more, give him more! Especially if you are EBF. It may be a growth spurt.
My dude was projectile vomiting so I started just giving him one boob per feeding and burping him every few minutes while feeding. But some baby spit up is completely normal, anyway.
Keep it up, lady! Sounds like you're doing a great job!
@hoodoll82 you've been through a lot with your LO. I admire how fast you found a solution and got yourselves back on track for comfortable feedings. Those first two weeks are a doozy. I wouldn't relive them for anything!
I don't know what's right for you and your situation, but I hear ya on being emotional about a bottle!
I wasn't emotional about the first bottle...more nervous than anything that she wouldn't take it. We do one a week and DH feeds her. Will do more than one as I get closer to back to work.
We are doing 1bottle/day this week to get her used to taking one, then I'll start adding more in during the day to prep her for the 3 she'll get at daycare in August. She did amazing with it!
@mellymar pumping shouldn't hurt too much. Are you using the correct flange size? Or maybe the suction is too high? Comfort makes a big difference with output! I'm glad breastfeeding feels more productive though!
Edited, cause I made a mess of the original post (tired)
Love feeding my baby but hate the sore nips!
I know it can be annoying with all this trial and error. I'm sure you'll find your groove soon and that it all works out!
...clearly getting into my own head here.
If I get a huge clog this time around I am in trouble. DS2 is such a lazy nurser. I am bumping and waiting for him to wake up to clear a clot. First day back at work and already missed pumping sessions because we were busy and short-staffed. Now its almost 11pm and I haven't held my baby since 11:30 am. Wake up baby!
Decreasing suction didn't help output tho. Le sigh. Oh well. Have decided to stop pumping after the overnight feeds. Makes me happier. If I'm going to be up doing something at that time, I'd rather let LO stay on the boob longer. When he does stay longer (I'm not limiting him to 10 min per side) I definitely pump less afterward. I think does a better job now that he isn't aren't always falling asleep
Did you try putting olive oil in the flange? I found that made a big difference! It's antibacterial too so it's safe.