I'm glad to read that some of you have LOs who are eating 2 1/2 - 3 oz via the bottle, I was starting to feel like I was starving my kid all over again! Since I bf and then feed formula, I feed 2oz per sitting from the bottle, but of course do not know how much he gets from the breast. I have been wondering if I should be making larger bottles, but the formula is so expensive, I've just been making a 2oz one and if he still seems like he wants to eat when I'm done I will just go and make another. So far this has been a rare occasion, where he wanted more than 2oz after a bf session, but I've had twice in the past few days he wanted more, so he must be getting hungrier. Weight check on Friday again to see how he is doing.
Thanks for the feedback, ladies. I appreciate it and will take it to heart. I need to talk to DH about it when we are both calm. DH and I are both home with the baby. Once LO is 7 months, I will go back to a physical office and DH will be LO's primary caretaker. So DH does have and will have plenty of bonding time. But I'm a stubborn arse, and need to recognize my opinion isn't the only one that matters.
All this feeding stuff feels like such high stakes... But at the end of the day (or at the end of 6 months, I guess), it will all change. And as long as the kids gain weight and stay healthy, whether they are EBF, fed pumped milk, formula-fed, or whatever... Probably won't really matter much in the long run. The devil is in the details.
Maybe your husband could take the baby for half an hour once every weekend and you could get set up in front of the TV with some snacks and your pump. Rather than being another stressful thing you have to deal with pumping for that one bottle could be a nice relaxing baby-free thing to look forward too every week. And then he could clean the pump parts.
At the end of my BF rope. At my BF group today she only took 1 oz out of my bad side (the clogged ducts, scabs now Etc) after being on there for 15 minutes, and then I put her on the other side and she took 2.5 oz on 6 minutes. She gained weight since Thursday but not her normal amount. I feed her on the clogged side first which is leading to a low supply on my other side. I hope she gets her lip tie fixed tomorrow and everything is corrected. I just want to cry...everything was going so well I don't get why the change now.
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 just need to complain over breastfeeding. I have severely cracked nipples and my LC is convinced the root of all my problems is thrush but the doctor doesn't believe it's that and isn't giving me anything so after being back and forth a few times between the two I'm just sitting in my bedroom bawling while my husband tries to soothe my bawling baby in the other room who probably just wants to eat but I'm scared to feed him because of the pain and I just feel like I'm begging for help and I'm caught in the cross fire and just getting worse and worse as they continue disagreeing.
@lwyz I've been in the same situation so I know the frustration. In hindsight I can see both sides, thrush is hard to definitively diagnosis, I was ultimately treated for thrush repeatedly and yet doing this all again I wonder if breastfeeding is just challenging and painful for me and it wasn't thrush. Who knows? BUT thrush or no thrush they need to work together and help you out. Could you nicely ask your doctor for a script for All Purpose Nipple Ointment. Pharmacist will make it. It will treat the sore cracked nipples AND thrush but you don't need to have thrust to need it. From there are lots of home remedies you can pursue and all of these worked a lot better than the rx we tried. Look online. And what they normally subscribe is nystatin which doesn't often work, the the next rx is actually available over the counter (athlete's foot like cream). If you don't get any help from your providers post again and when i get home tonight I'll see if I kept the rx tube. Its been 3 years but I think I did so I'd know exactly what to buy if needed.
@henrytviii I have the APNO, I've done gentian violet, and am currently applying grapefruit seed oil, and taking a probiotic. The gentian violet started to work but I hit the 7 day limit before it was completely gone and the grapefruit seed oil seems to be less effective for me. My doctor has finally prescribed my LO nystatin and done a swab for yeast for me, so maaaybe ill get fluconazol out of him if that comes up positive. The LC just has no idea why else I wouldn't be healing and LO is exhibiting all the 'thrush behaviours'. I've calmed down a tad. Just hoping I can stop dreading feeds soon! Thanks for the ideas, though!
@lwyz When I had cracked nipples, I found using a shield helped me heal. You've probably discussed that with the LC already, and it doesn't help thrush, but helped me manage pain.
I'm so sorry you're going through this. The pain on top of being tired, and then bouncing back and forth with no answers. So aggravating. Thinking of you, lady, hoping for healing and solutions soon
I wasn't 100% for BFing during my pregnancy. I wanted to do it, but was okay with formula if I needed to use it. After the hell of the first two weeks I am so invested & connected. I hate pumping, but I have to go back to work next week. I've forced myself to pump this week to start a mini stash. I'm hoping I can get into a routine of pumping at work & be okay with it.
I get a "needle sticking" like pain when I nurse LO on one side. It stings then itches a little bit. It's a different feeling from the normal let down pins a needles feeling, more intense and localized just above the areola. No other symptoms and it goes away after about 30 sec. Does anyone know what this is?
Our LO is a chow hound and I am lucky to produce a lot of milk to keep up. But I am still using the nipple shield at 6 weeks. I can get him on the nipple with the old bait and switch but it is so painful! I seriously cringe and I cried one time bc it's so painful.
Does anyone have any experience with this? I want to get rid of the shield but it works well and LO likes it.
Our LO is a chow hound and I am lucky to produce a lot of milk to keep up. But I am still using the nipple shield at 6 weeks. I can get him on the nipple with the old bait and switch but it is so painful! I seriously cringe and I cried one time bc it's so painful.
Does anyone have any experience with this? I want to get rid of the shield but it works well and LO likes it.
^^^ I just said this to my DH last night. Always wearing a bra is so uncomfortable. I tried just wearing a nursing tank but it wasn't enough support for these D cups that I'm still carrying around. Starting to wonder if these boobs will ever return to normal and if so, when???
Our LO is a chow hound and I am lucky to produce a lot of milk to keep up. But I am still using the nipple shield at 6 weeks. I can get him on the nipple with the old bait and switch but it is so painful! I seriously cringe and I cried one time bc it's so painful.
Does anyone have any experience with this? I want to get rid of the shield but it works well and LO likes it.
We're working on weaning off the nipple shield at 5.5 weeks. I have it down to just overnight and some unusual circumstances (we're out somewhere weird and I don't want to take too long to feed him, when I'm engorged and he has trouble latching, etc.) I was having some pain too, but I've been working on taking care with his latch and it's improved a lot. I'd recommend trying to talk to a lactation consultant if you're having pain and can't figure out why.
@virginiaunicorn11 I've been warned by my doctor,LC, and cousin who used them to never ever use nipple shields. I'm not sure why though, maybe difficulty going back? Did you find any downfalls to them?
@virginiaunicorn11 I've been warned by my doctor,LC, and cousin who used them to never ever use nipple shields. I'm not sure why though, maybe difficulty going back? Did you find any downfalls to them?
My Doctor said they can lower production for some people if used long term. She strongly recommended using them for a few days or some feeds just to get the nipples to heal, but said to try to get back off them quickly. I ended up not using them but would have if the intense nipple pain hadn't been improving.
@henrytviii@virginiaunicorn11 Thanks for the info! I think I might be starting to improve now, at least I feel like things are a little better today, but that may be an option if things start getting worse!
@dancegurl1118 hang in there girl! Have u started the lecithin yet? You are such a good, strong mama to be pushing thru these challenges and I hope they are resolved soon.
When I had cracked nipples from my baby's fierce latch, I used the All Purpose Nipple cream and a shield for one week. It helped so much allowing the poor nips to heal, that is until my baby started pulling my nipple literally THROUGH the holes at the top of the shield. What a little hoover. So painful and the LC said it's rare but it happens and I had to stop the shield. Otherwise had a great experience with the shield and would recommend it for ladies who need to let cracks heal while continuing BF.
I unfortunately am one that has to use the shield. I have very flat nipples and a huge chest. I have tried to get my twin girls to latch without it, but it ends up with severe frustration and them crying. My LC said if they get frustrated like that to just use it. I ended up having to use it the whole 13 months I bf DS. It really sucked, but it was that or formula. I'll do what I have to do to feed these girls. I'm lucky to have a good supply. Sometimes the girls are really crappy, sleepy eaters. I have a small stash of fresh milk I keep in the fridge that I will supplement in those cases. Otherwise I already have 140 ounces of breastmilk frozen. With DS I didn't even have a fourth of that by now. The girls are 9 weeks today.
I unfortunately am one that has to use the shield. I have very flat nipples and a huge chest. I have tried to get my twin girls to latch without it, but it ends up with severe frustration and them crying. My LC said if they get frustrated like that to just use it. I ended up having to use it the whole 13 months I bf DS. It really sucked, but it was that or formula. I'll do what I have to do to feed these girls. I'm lucky to have a good supply. Sometimes the girls are really crappy, sleepy eaters. I have a small stash of fresh milk I keep in the fridge that I will supplement in those cases. Otherwise I already have 140 ounces of breastmilk frozen. With DS I didn't even have a fourth of that by now. The girls are 9 weeks today.
I'm still using it at 11 weeks. Flat nipples and huge boobs over here too. Plus tiny baby.
The new thin nipple shields are not usually a cause of supply drops according to my LLL leader and LC. She does consider it a "bandaid" to an underlying issue but if it saves the BF relationship, I'm gonna keep using it.
I used a shield for 10 days at the urging of my MIL who just went out and bought it for me - no dr or LC consultation. I only used it on one side, and just until my nipple healed. LO and I didn't experience any downsides whatsoever - and I don't think we'd have been able to continue BF without it, I was so injured and pained. I have good supply and didn't experience any diminished supply.
Obviously I'm not an expert. I didn't want to use one and refused for several days, until the pain became too much. After things turned out fine, I felt silly for waiting. But if a dr or LC had told me not to, I'm sure I'd have done something differently.
So we exclusively formula feed since about 3 weeks old. Everyone either talks about baby eating 2 or 4 oz or more. Our baby is at 3. Which can make it tricky for measuring but I don't really want to measure out more and have her waste it or eat it and spit it up because she isn't hungry for it What do you ladies do? Make the next ounce up and waste it or just make what they have been eating no matter what. Stupid question I know lol
@katyertl our boy is eating 5 ounces and we do 2 scoops and 1 half scoop (Similac). It might not be an exact measurement, but he seems ok with it. Too expensive to waste!
I know DH is dipping into my freezer stash tonight and it is really bumming me out. I left 3 4oz bottles and that won't be enough. And we'll have the same issue tomorrow since I've only pumped 11oz today. I know its what the stash is for and I'm lucky I have it but I don't see how I am going to ever add to it again . . .
@hgilmore11 lecithin doesn't seem to be doing much. Basically burning my breasts off with hot compresses. LC said to do a hot Epsom salt soak so I will.
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.
Actually 14oz today . . .apparently visualizing your freezing emptying of frozen milk bags helps production! Woohoo! Still a few ounces short for tomorrow but I'll take it!
@KarasTwin@katyertl I've also wondered how to meet in the middle and only give an additional ounce if LO seemed like he needed more after his bottle. We've been just making another 2oz, and luckily on the rare occasions he does want more, he usually takes more than the additional ounce extra. He won't finish, no, but more than 3oz. I was wondering if it might be easier to premix a set # of ounces and keep in the fridge and warm when you need it? I decided not to, seems easier just to make up as we go along
This whole dreamfeeding thing - I get you don't change the diaper to keep them from waking up more, but for those of you who do a bottle / use formula - how do you make that work? I usually burp LO as he finishes 1/3 of the bottle, so he gets at least 2 burps before we are done, and he screams holy hell each time you take the bottle away. I'm afraid if I let him suck it all down the spit up will be epic. So how am I managing a 'dreamfeed' if he is yells his face off? He is obviously majorly wide awake?
So we exclusively formula feed since about 3 weeks old. Everyone either talks about baby eating 2 or 4 oz or more. Our baby is at 3. Which can make it tricky for measuring but I don't really want to measure out more and have her waste it or eat it and spit it up because she isn't hungry for it What do you ladies do? Make the next ounce up and waste it or just make what they have been eating no matter what. Stupid question I know lol
We did formula for a week or so at the beginning, so my memory might be off, but isn't mixed formula (not eaten yet) good for 24 hrs in the fridge? If so, I'd make 6 oz up at once split it into 2 bottles. Save yourself a few minutes at the next feeding too, since you'll have the bottle ready.
Re: Feeding your LO...tips, concerns, complaints, and accomplishments! 8/3-8/9
All this feeding stuff feels like such high stakes... But at the end of the day (or at the end of 6 months, I guess), it will all change. And as long as the kids gain weight and stay healthy, whether they are EBF, fed pumped milk, formula-fed, or whatever... Probably won't really matter much in the long run. The devil is in the details.
Anyway, thanks again, really.
I'm so sorry you're going through this. The pain on top of being tired, and then bouncing back and forth with no answers. So aggravating.
Thinking of you, lady, hoping for healing and solutions soon
I have especially like 9 and 11...
Does anyone have any experience with this? I want to get rid of the shield but it works well and LO likes it.
Does anyone have any experience with this? I want to get rid of the shield but it works well and LO likes it.
The new thin nipple shields are not usually a cause of supply drops according to my LLL leader and LC. She does consider it a "bandaid" to an underlying issue but if it saves the BF relationship, I'm gonna keep using it.
Obviously I'm not an expert. I didn't want to use one and refused for several days, until the pain became too much. After things turned out fine, I felt silly for waiting. But if a dr or LC had told me not to, I'm sure I'd have done something differently.
Good luck, @lwyz Hope you continue to get better!
What do you ladies do? Make the next ounce up and waste it or just make what they have been eating no matter what. Stupid question I know lol