Breastfeeding TIPS and learnings go here! :)

mommy_wife_nurse · July 2015

Hey everyone, I searched and found a lot of questions regarding breastfeeding, but I didn't see a thread JUST for sharing what we have been learning as far as tips and facts. So.. I figured why not make one??

Put any tips, interesting facts, and learnings about BF that you may have heard or learned here. I thought it'd be nice to have all the tips in one spot!

carlymarie021 · July 2015

Is it possible to squirt breast milk in your boyfriends eye when he pisses you off? That would be nice.

MamaOwl15 · July 2015

carlymarie021 said:
Is it possible to squirt breast milk in your boyfriends eye when he pisses you off? That would be nice.

Actually, yes. At least some women can make their milk squirt out. Mine mostly just dripped, but I could make it squirt a fine stream when I hand-expressed (like if I forgot to bring my pump to work). Some women's milk squirts out when they let down, you just don't see it because it's going right into baby's mouth.

carlymarie021 · July 2015

@MamaOwl15 Haha! Yes!

CaitLewis15 · July 2015

Lock 'n load, ladies

CaitLewis15 · July 2015

^^ (Clearly I had nothing helpful to contribute here)

MamaOwl15 · July 2015

The best tip I can offer is hang in there.
For some moms and babies, breastfeeding comes easily and naturally, but for some of us, it's hard. Babies who have a tongue or lip tie can have trouble latching. You may find that your milk supply is low and need to take supplements like fenugreek to boost supply. (Especially if you're pumping).
You may think about quitting at every nursing session for the first few weeks, hearing the siren song of that Similac sample you signed up for, just in case. You may feel like your boobs are broken or your body is betraying you . . . And then one day, baby suddenly gets the hang of this nursing thing and you decide you're glad you didn't quit. Keep trying, if you really, really want to breastfeed. Keep trying for 6-8 weeks or so and you might find it gets easier.

BUT . . . If you can't BF, or you have to supplement, it's OK. Breaking open that formula sample because it's 3 am and baby's hungry NOW, and you only pumped 2 oz last session, which is already gone . . . is OK. Deciding that you just can't do it and switching entirely to formula is OK, too. I'm not shaming anyone who decides, for whatever reason, not to breastfeed at all. But don't give up just because it's hard. It gets easier.

Kara7787 · July 2015

My cousin is a nurse and a lactation consultant, and she told me for ladies with bigger chests, that the football hold where you hold the baby along your side is easier in the beginning to get baby latched properly.

ameares721 · July 2015

Anyone know if we can take some supplements for supply before baby is born? Thought it would be good to start fenugreek and a couple others the week or so before I'm due if it's safe!

SarahAnne1101 · July 2015

The big square chucks pads that the hospital gives you to sit on - that go one the bed, not in your panties - are a lifesaver. I put them on my bed where my chest would be laying. Because when i fell asleep and laid on my side I would leak a lot fro that breast even through a nursing pad sometimes. The chucks pad under me meant I didn't have to wash the sheets, sleep on a wet patch, or clean breastmilk off the mattress.

smlowe9311 · July 2015

If you have trouble with your pump (like the motor dies) before giving up or shelling out $100s for another call the company. I've heard of many woman who got the company to ship them new parts-some even overnight so they could continue pumping.

carlymarie021 · July 2015

I seen a women on TV breast feeding her 2 year old. Anyone heard of this? Have you done this? No judgement if you have I'm just curious.

Knottie1445378742 · July 2015

carlymarie021 said:

I seen a women on TV breast feeding her 2 year old. Anyone heard of this? Have you done this? No judgement if you have I'm just curious.

Yes! I nursed #1 for 14 months, #2 for 20 months and #3 for 30 months. Plan on going that long with #4 as long as she wants to.

carlymarie021 · July 2015

@Wee3Kings I'm so new at this mom thing.. Breast feeding the whole 9. I'm learning slowly. Lol. I commend you for your patients!

Knottie1445378742 · July 2015

carlymarie021 said:

@Wee3Kings I'm so new at this mom thing.. Breast feeding the whole 9. I'm learning slowly. Lol. I commend you for your patients!

Thanks! I definitely didn't start out thinking I would go that long (and probably would have thought it was weird/creepy if someone told me they were breastfeeding their almost 3 year old back then), but it was just so natural for us. We've always co-slept and it has been so much easier to just roll over and nurse rather than get up for a bottle.

MamaOwl15 · July 2015

carlymarie021 said:
I seen a women on TV breast feeding her 2 year old. Anyone heard of this? Have you done this? No judgement if you have I'm just curious.

I nursed DS for 22 months. We would've gone a couple months longer if I wasn't pregnant and dealing with increased sensitivity.

loveleighmami · July 2015

I breastfed my first for over two years, don't remember the exact month we stopped. My second lost interest around 13 months. I read somewhere that the WHO, World Health Organization, recommends breastfeeding for at least 24 months.

komorebi · July 2015

carlymarie021 said:
I seen a women on TV breast feeding her 2 year old. Anyone heard of this? Have you done this? No judgement if you have I'm just curious.

I nursed my second dd for almost 3 years.

komorebi · July 2015

My advice: don't expect your pediatrician to know anything about breastfeeding. If they have formula ads in their office consider that when they offer advice.

Also, if you have pain, cracked nipples, funny shaped nipples find a board certified lactation consultant and have your baby assessed for tongue or lip tie asap

If your breasts didn't grow much in pregnancy or immediately post birth and your baby is not gaining well or pooping/peeing adequately have hormone levels tested and see about an assessment of your breast glands. Low supply is typically a latch issue but for some it's a breast tissue issue and is good to know so you can decide the best route of getting enough milk to baby.

smlowe9311 · July 2015

Breastfeeding mama talk is a great group to follow on Facebook (not sure if they have a website or just Facebook) and kellymom.com was a wealth of info for me when I had those 3 am questions that just couldn't wait.

komorebi · July 2015

Dr. Jack Newman is another great page to follow on Facebook and his website too. If you've never breastfed his videos are great to show you what it should look like.

zaclina · July 2015

https://breastfeedingusa.org This is one website I recently was looking at. I know there must be tons. I recently was told contrary to my mother's generation, you do NOT have to "rough up" the ladies before you're full term to prepare for breastfeeding. Interesting bc a friend of mine was told to do so.

morganabyrd · July 2015

I just got excited about starting the breastfeeding relationship/journey with y'all! One of my biggest sources of anxiety is failing at BF, but I feel like if I have the right resources and education (and support) I'll be fine. @komorebi especially, I'm going to need you to be on stand by in a few months for your knowledge and encouragement!

komorebi · July 2015

I totally will be @morganabyrd ! Support is so vital and i had some amazing, experienced women in my corner to help me. I hope it's easy for most of us, or that our obstacles are at least easy to figure out. Most of us really just need little fixes to sort it out and time to get used to it. It's a big time learning process for mom and baby.

morganabyrd · July 2015

komorebi said:
I totally will be @morganabyrd ! Support is so vital and i had some amazing, experienced women in my corner to help me. I hope it's easy for most of us, or that our obstacles are at least easy to figure out. Most of us really just need little fixes to sort it out and time to get used to it. It's a big time learning process for mom and baby.

I like how you say "obstacles". I've had several friends recently cut their BF short at a few week because of pain, supply, latch, etc...all things that usually can be overcome. We aren't often TOLD they can be overcome, though, and so these obstacles are too frequently seen as dead ends. I don't mean that in a judgemental way whatsoever, and I know some people truly do have those issues that end BF, but I feel there are workarounds to them when moms are provided best care.

komorebi · July 2015

Just having a problem accurately discovered helps so much. There seems to be a real lack of knowledge among professionals that set us back. I have had to print out information and shove it down my doctors throat to get heard which is why i said don't expect your ped to know anything. Some do and that's great but usually there is somebody else who can better assess the issue.and if nobody will listen Dr Jack Newman takes email and phone consults.

komorebi · July 2015

It's very important for me to breastfeed. But after my experiences i totally understand why some women give up. My SO was my rock during my struggles and even after breastfeeding two babies for about 4 Years I'm still looking for help this time in advance in case lip or tongue tie is a problem and to see about my own supply struggles and if they are related. There's a chance none of this will happen again but I'm not going to wait until it's too late to sort it out. I'd love an easy go at breastfeeding this time.

amberrmariee20 · July 2015

Tongue ties are a serious reason for the baby having a hard time latching.
My son wouldn't latch, turns out he was tongue tied, he has it cut at 3 months old. This baby will be having it cut right away if he's tongue tide. I EP last time and it was a long process, I'm hoping this baby latches !!

vamomtobe · July 2015

@ameares721 - I wouldn't recommend it. Supply is determined by demand, so the best thing you can do for your supply right off the bat is to nurse baby as often as needed. I did try fenugreek tea (think I got it at the grocery store, sold as "milk tea?" at around maybe 9 months nursing. It was hard to maintain my supply since I work full time and was trying to fit in pumping at work. I don't know if it made any difference besides making my pee smell like maple syrup though. Other things people say increase supply, I'm leery of, but are much more delicious: oatmeal (in the form of cookies!) and dark beer.

@smlowe9311 - yes! Medela's customer support is amazing. My first pump wasn't working properly and they sent me a new one in the mail immediately. I think I actually got it the next day with a box and packing slip to use to return the broken one at no cost.

Tips! Keep water by your side. And snacks. Find your support person - whether it's your SO, mom, or lactation consultant, you're more likely to succeed if you have someone cheering you on (and bringing you water and snacks when your arms are full of baby)! And biggest one - trust yourself and trust your baby. You are both figuring it out together, but you are both programmed to do this!

Another helpful website is kellymom.com. And for smart phone addicts, there are a ton of apps to help you track nursing, something that's often recommended early on (how many minutes on the left/right boob, how often, how many wet/poopy diapers).

LiveNLove44 · July 2015

Someone mentioned this, but this it was the strangest "advice" I had ever heard when I was pregnant with DD. I was told to get a dish cloth and rough up my nipples so I was ready to BF. Don't do it. Please, for the love of all that is good and holy, don't do it. I didn't do it and I am very happy with that decision! I didn't have any issues, and I clearly wouldn't have needed any "roughing up" to prepare (I'm certain that no one does)!!

About a week after DD was born, I tried to start cutting back on my caloric intake thinking that I needed to start actively trying to lose my baby weight right away. I learned very quickly that it negatively impacted my supply and personal health. I stopped after 2 days when I realized I just needed to eat when I was hungry and make good decisions. The weight came off without me trying to be too focused on it, so my tip is to focus on breastfeeding if that's your goal, and take care of your body with everything you give it!

VioletandRose · July 2015

Ladies...
In addition to the pump itself, what "accessories" do you need in relation to the pump? As in extra tubing, flanges, etc?

ameares721 · July 2015

I found a super awesome pumping kit at target - thought I'd share it here in case it would work for other pumping moms! Includes bags, storage, attachment to pump directly into bags from pump, and bottles that attach to the bags! Seems pretty helpful!

https://m.target.com/p/kiinde-twist-breastfeeding-gift-set/-/A-14902949

komorebi · August 2015

https://evolutionaryparenting.com/the-role-of-early-diagnosis-of-tongue-ties-on-breastfeeding-success/

Great resource on tongue ties. Get them checked before you leave the hospital if you have a bad latch and rechecked if the lc doesn't believe tt are an issue.

MamaOwl15 · August 2015

VioletandRose said:
Ladies...
In addition to the pump itself, what "accessories" do you need in relation to the pump? As in extra tubing, flanges, etc?

It's nice to have an extra set of flanges on hand if you have to pump at work. You can just throw the used ones in a gallon sized ziplock bag and wash them when you go home.

Also, depending on your pump and the size of your nipples, you might need inserts to get a better fit for your flanges. And I'd get some extra bottles or one of the cooler packs that comes with bottles and an ice pack.

I also had a car charger for my pump because sometimes I had to pump in the way to or from work.

And don't forget a hands-free pumping bra! No matter where you're pumping, it's great not to have to sit there and hold the bottles in place. Gotta keep your hands free to Bump. ;-)

morganabyrd · August 2015

MamaOwl15 said:

VioletandRose said:
Ladies...
In addition to the pump itself, what "accessories" do you need in relation to the pump? As in extra tubing, flanges, etc?
And don't forget a hands-free pumping bra! No matter where you're pumping, it's great not to have to sit there and hold the bottles in place. Gotta keep your hands free to Bump. ;-)

My SIL gave me a huge bag of maternity clothes, including a bag of bras. My husband FREAKED when he saw the pumping bra. He thought the baby just nursed through the holes and that it was the weirdest thing he'd ever seen. It was really difficult for me to correct him.

crbpjb · August 2015

We went to a breastfeeding class offered at the hospital the other night. A three hour class is a hard plastic chair was ROUGH, and I'm pretty sure my husband and I stopped absorbing information for the last hour, but it was extremely informative and helpful! I recommend seeing if your hospital offers something similar.

Also, if you get a pump through your insurance, be sure to ask about replacement parts. Mine buys me replacement parts every 3 months, so I plan to get them whether I need them or not so I have them for later.

komorebi · August 2015

This is a great explanation of the different types of support you might encounter. Ibclc is the gold standard and if you are having big time issues, weight loss, failure to thrive they are the way to go.

mllelibbington · August 2015

I'm a soon-to-be first time mom (who hates to use acronyms) and I read this today: https://www.mothering.com/articles/natural-breastfeeding/

I have literally never heard of this. As mentioned in the article, everyone I've ever seen breastfeed is sitting straight up and holding the baby up to their breast, not laying back with the baby on their stomach. Is "natural breastfeeding" legit?

pippamom · August 2015

If you have trouble with breastfeeding get help! there are so many options but I think the best idea is to find a support group in your area with moms who are geared towards breastfeeding like you are. don't give up before you try to get some help from your group or a professional.

komorebi · August 2015

mllelibbington said:
I'm a soon-to-be first time mom (who hates to use acronyms) and I read this today: https://www.mothering.com/articles/natural-breastfeeding/

I have literally never heard of this. As mentioned in the article, everyone I've ever seen breastfeed is sitting straight up and holding the baby up to their breast, not laying back with the baby on their stomach. Is "natural breastfeeding" legit?

Yes it's legit. And preferablefor some babies. I had a baby with am undiagnosed tongue tie and it wad the only way she could nurse effectively for quite a while.

MamaOwl15 · August 2015

komorebi said:

mllelibbington said:
I'm a soon-to-be first time mom (who hates to use acronyms) and I read this today: https://www.mothering.com/articles/natural-breastfeeding/

I have literally never heard of this. As mentioned in the article, everyone I've ever seen breastfeed is sitting straight up and holding the baby up to their breast, not laying back with the baby on their stomach. Is "natural breastfeeding" legit?
Yes it's legit. And preferablefor some babies. I had a baby with am undiagnosed tongue tie and it wad the only way she could nurse effectively for quite a while.

I found the most effective/comfortable way to breastfeed my son for a while was laying on our sides facing each other. When he got bigger and became mobile, I'd often lay on my back and he's lay his head in my chest and latch on that way. I never tried the positioning described in the article (though I did read it not too long ago), but it seems more comfortable than sitting straight up.

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