It's only been 4 weeks and I'm already ready to throw this pump out of the window.
I've been experimenting with different flanges to try to make pumping less painful and OMG I injured the crap out of my left nipple/aerola using a too large flange. It's been throbbing and having sharp, shooting pains for the last 8 hours and of course since I'm EP I'm pumping every 2-3 hours and it hurts like hell to pump that breast. I just want it to be numb.
Are you using a low setting? Higher power doesn't mean more milk, it only means more pain!
I've never gone above the lowest setting. I can barely stand even that!
@runningwild I'm using a Medel PISA. I'm going to ask the LC at our appointment this week about renting a hospital grade pump though to see if I can get better results.
It's only been 4 weeks and I'm already ready to throw this pump out of the window.
I've been experimenting with different flanges to try to make pumping less painful and OMG I injured the crap out of my left nipple/aerola using a too large flange. It's been throbbing and having sharp, shooting pains for the last 8 hours and of course since I'm EP I'm pumping every 2-3 hours and it hurts like hell to pump that breast. I just want it to be numb.
Are you using a low setting? Higher power doesn't mean more milk, it only means more pain!
I've never gone above the lowest setting. I can barely stand even that!
@runningwild I'm using a Medel PISA. I'm going to ask the LC at our appointment this week about renting a hospital grade pump though to see if I can get better results.
Oh wow. I have the PISA also and find that the letdown mode is far more gentle than the regular cycle. I've also heard that rubbing lanolin on the inner part of the flanges can help with the discomfort from rubbing. The only other thing I would suggest is hand expressing, which would be obnoxiously time consuming and would yield less it it's definitely more gentle. Otherwise I have a Medela hand pump and it's far more comfortable than the machine. Might be worth trying while you heal.
It's only been 4 weeks and I'm already ready to throw this pump out of the window.
I've been experimenting with different flanges to try to make pumping less painful and OMG I injured the crap out of my left nipple/aerola using a too large flange. It's been throbbing and having sharp, shooting pains for the last 8 hours and of course since I'm EP I'm pumping every 2-3 hours and it hurts like hell to pump that breast. I just want it to be numb.
Are you using a low setting? Higher power doesn't mean more milk, it only means more pain!
I've never gone above the lowest setting. I can barely stand even that!
@runningwild I'm using a Medel PISA. I'm going to ask the LC at our appointment this week about renting a hospital grade pump though to see if I can get better results.
Definitely rent a hospital pump. It made a world of difference for me.
Help meeeee! How do I get this under control!! I never produced like this w DD1. And I don't want to end up screwing up my supply (bc I know how blessed I am to have it) but what can I do to just slow it down a bit? DD2 is 10 days old.
@thaisac1 my lo grunts and growls if you try to remove the breast or bottle. He also sometimes has fits at my nipple and almost gets so hysterical that he sounds like a mad man.
This is my baby, exactly!!! If he is having difficulty pulling my (flat) nipple out, or if he can;t get milk right away, he will grunt, growl and cry hysterically as well! What a temper...
Help meeeee! How do I get this under control!! I never produced like this w DD1. And I don't want to end up screwing up my supply (bc I know how blessed I am to have it) but what can I do to just slow it down a bit? DD2 is 10 days old.
Help meeeee! How do I get this under control!! I never produced like this w DD1. And I don't want to end up screwing up my supply (bc I know how blessed I am to have it) but what can I do to just slow it down a bit? DD2 is 10 days old.
---- QBF ---
Holy moly! I have no experience/ advice for you, just wish I had half of your milk-making/ pumping abilities!! Yesterday it took me 3 pumping sessions (only one breast per session though) to get me 3.5 oz….
Help meeeee! How do I get this under control!! I never produced like this w DD1. And I don't want to end up screwing up my supply (bc I know how blessed I am to have it) but what can I do to just slow it down a bit? DD2 is 10 days old.
Slowly reduce how much you're pumping. If you're pumping in order to get relief from engorgement, pump just enough to be comfortable. If you're EPing, I would say maybe pump just a little more than what LO takes in just in case you have an extra hungry baby now and then.
@seasidesweete look up gift bag storage & freezing flat to save yourself the freezer space. lansinoh bags work great for that. I don't have advice on slowing down the supply though.
Help meeeee! How do I get this under control!! I never produced like this w DD1. And I don't want to end up screwing up my supply (bc I know how blessed I am to have it) but what can I do to just slow it down a bit? DD2 is 10 days old.
Help meeeee! How do I get this under control!! I never produced like this w DD1. And I don't want to end up screwing up my supply (bc I know how blessed I am to have it) but what can I do to just slow it down a bit? DD2 is 10 days old.
---- QBF ---
Holy moly! I have no experience/ advice for you, just wish I had half of your milk-making/ pumping abilities!! Yesterday it took me 3 pumping sessions (only one breast per session though) to get me 3.5 oz….
It wasn't like this w #1. I was on the struggle bus w her. Pretty sure she almost starved. I spent 20 minutes in the pumping room at work and would be lucky to get 1oz total. So I have been in your shoes too. That's part of why I'm in so much shock over what I have produced so far!
@sprocketsngadgets I will try that! Problem is I hurt so frequently throughout the day. I'm pumping 4x a day and nursing on demand(sometimes she gets a bottle if I have just pumped when she gets hungry). Even toward the end of the pump session my boobs still feel hard. I'm massaging them too to try to get the milk to release from those areas. I'm so nervous of screwing up my supply due to my lack of milk w DD1.
Help meeeee! How do I get this under control!! I never produced like this w DD1. And I don't want to end up screwing up my supply (bc I know how blessed I am to have it) but what can I do to just slow it down a bit? DD2 is 10 days old.
I have no advice to offer. Sadly I'm lucky if I get an ounce out of each breast per pump. LO eats 4oz at a time now because he's a little piggy
Anyone else's baby clamp down and pull off the nipple while fighting the boob? LO has been doing this for a few days and my left nipple feels like it's going to fall off. It's not distraction so I think maybe my letdown is too fast for her. Any advice?
Help meeeee! How do I get this under control!! I never produced like this w DD1. And I don't want to end up screwing up my supply (bc I know how blessed I am to have it) but what can I do to just slow it down a bit? DD2 is 10 days old.
Slowly reduce how much you're pumping. If you're pumping in order to get relief from engorgement, pump just enough to be comfortable. If you're EPing, I would say maybe pump just a little more than what LO takes in just in case you have an extra hungry baby now and then.
This. I'm currently EPing, and I was getting about 8 oz or more a session (?!). I cut back slowly so my body would get the signal to not make QUITE so much, and now I get between 4-6 oz depending on how full I am. DS currently takes 3-3.5 oz at 3 weeks old, so I have a little extra for building my freezer stash.
Anyone else's baby clamp down and pull off the nipple while fighting the boob? LO has been doing this for a few days and my left nipple feels like it's going to fall off. It's not distraction so I think maybe my letdown is too fast for her. Any advice?
T does that occasionally, too. Ouch! Overactive letdown is usually related to an oversupply. We switched to block feeding and it's helping. It's a slow process to get your body to regulate, but I feel like it was worth it.
Anyone else's baby clamp down and pull off the nipple while fighting the boob? LO has been doing this for a few days and my left nipple feels like it's going to fall off. It's not distraction so I think maybe my letdown is too fast for her. Any advice?
My LO clamps down and it's really painful. It's more when it slows down for me, or when he's almost full. The first 5 minutes do not hurt but then as he's almost ready to stop but still wants to nurse a but on and off he clamps. It's not the latch because it doesn't hurt until he does this. So I put my finger in and open up his gums and then pull out and if he seems still hungry then we will try again. If it keeps happening I switch to the other side. I can't wait for him to just stop doing it entirely but it is better than it was in the beginning.
@ladylolly89 If I was pumping that much each time, I would just go with it so I could ditch the pump sooner! You could get a stash to feed LO to a year and be done pumping at 6 months! Of course, that would only work if you had a place to store it all...I wish I could pump enough that I could stop nursing. I've been feeling so resentful this time around to BFing, for some reason I'm feeling so much more a slave to my body. LO is EBF, but I pump once a day so I can to start building a supply for when I go back to work in August, as well as occasional date nights. I get 3-5ozs each time (even if I just nursed) so I know I get a good amount, but not enough to think I'll be able to wean off nursing or a pump early and still make it to a year (though I still may not make it to a year, hope to though).
When do you ladies plan to introduce a bottle? Breastfeeding is going very well and I've pumped twice so far, but I'm not sure when we should try a bottle. DS is 3 weeks. I don't want to start to early but also on the other hand don't want to do it too late. I've been trying to pump after our morning feed but the last two mornings DS has been super fussy and I've not beed able to.
@mumidi we started at three weeks and we have been giving one bottle every other day for the past week. LO starts daycare in July and I wanted to make sure she took a bottle sooner rather than later. Ask your pediatrician if you are unsure, but I think if BF is going well it's fine to start!
Does the boob leakage get better? I have been doing this two weeks and I keep soaking through breast pads and my clothes.
It does! With DD it got better before I went to work at four months. Not sure when exactly; I still had leakage at 2 months. A lady I pumped with was wearing pads for at least six months. I'm not sure if it was a habit or if she didn't them that long.
When do you ladies plan to introduce a bottle? Breastfeeding is going very well and I've pumped twice so far, but I'm not sure when we should try a bottle. DS is 3 weeks. I don't want to start to early but also on the other hand don't want to do it too late. I've been trying to pump after our morning feed but the last two mornings DS has been super fussy and I've not beed able to.
I'd start soon. We made the mistake of introducing it too late with DD and it was a struggle at 12 weeks and I was freaking out about returning to work. My friend knowing that introduced it early but only like the one time and she had a difficult time, so I'd also recommend using a bottle at least a few times a week.
Ok! So we've been really struggling with nursing. Terrible pain, pinched nipples, bloody at first, blanched, baby is gassy, nurses forever, acts like he never gets enough, cluster feeds like crazy... I've been to an LC chiropractor, pediatrician, la leche club, lactation support group... You name it. My pediatrician said he had no tongue or lip ties, but both the Chiro and LC told me they were pretty sure he did. So I was referred to and expert in the field (people come from other states around ours to see him) Eliot had a 3rd degree tongue and lip tie. (Tongue and lip ties, like vaginal tears only come in 4 degrees) How did the pediatrician miss it! Having it "revised" was one of the hardest things I've had to sit through in my life, but we'll see if we'll be doing better. @Mailmans Baby Momma I've been struggling to drink a ton of water too. I feel like I've running around like crazing and drinking is an after thought.
Fuuuuuck the pump. Omg. I'm so irritated. It hurts for one and I feel like I'm pumping at the wrong time. I just want two bottles a day that's it but I feel like I'm reducing my milk supply for when baby actually goes on my breast! Uggggh! Oh and the whole point in me pumping is so SO can feed him but I warmed up a bottle earlier and my SO didn't want to feed him and baby refused to take the bottle from me. Which I don't blame him... boob is right there. I put the bottle in the fridge and boobed him while I attempted to eat my dinner. Is it OK to reheat the bottle? Oh and yes total dick move of my SO.
Fuuuuuck the pump. Omg. I'm so irritated. It hurts for one and I feel like I'm pumping at the wrong time. I just want two bottles a day that's it but I feel like I'm reducing my milk supply for when baby actually goes on my breast! Uggggh! Oh and the whole point in me pumping is so SO can feed him but I warmed up a bottle earlier and my SO didn't want to feed him and baby refused to take the bottle from me. Which I don't blame him... boob is right there. I put the bottle in the fridge and boobed him while I attempted to eat my dinner. Is it OK to reheat the bottle? Oh and yes total dick move of my SO.
Pumping hurt for me until I realized you're supposed to turn the suction down to a comfortable level Pumping hurt for me until I realized you're supposed to turn the suction down to a comfortable level.
I had mine on full blast. I thought it was going to take half my boob off! No fun.
How much weight is everyone gaining? Just curious. In four weeks since we left the hospital, baby has gained 3 lb and 3-4 inches. From all I've read, that is double what is normal. He doesn't look fat or anything, but he is definitely longer and all around larger!
How much weight is everyone gaining? Just curious. In four weeks since we left the hospital, baby has gained 3 lb and 3-4 inches. From all I've read, that is double what is normal. He doesn't look fat or anything, but he is definitely longer and all around larger!
I was thinking it might be neat to have a one-month stats thread to hear about growth, milestones, funny stories, etc. (we did this on my last bmb each month). Our 1 mo appt isn't until Thursday, but based on the scale we have here and my tape-measuring skills, R has gained just over 2lbs since birth and about 2". She is ebf and definitely has chubby thighs. All around, she is gaining much better than L did at this age or ever and I wonder if she's going to be chubby like me rather than slender like her dad and sister.
If you have an android phone, the app I am using (Baby Daybook) has a growth tracker where it will chart baby's growth on the WHO growth charts to see if they are following their growth curve or not. It has definitely given me some peace of mind.
How much weight is everyone gaining? Just curious. In four weeks since we left the hospital, baby has gained 3 lb and 3-4 inches. From all I've read, that is double what is normal. He doesn't look fat or anything, but he is definitely longer and all around larger!
At 4 weeks, LO gained 1lb 14 oz. and grew 1.6 inches. The weight gain was crucial because of jaundice issues. The midwife told me to keep on doing what I'm doing so the gains must be good.
How much weight is everyone gaining? Just curious. In four weeks since we left the hospital, baby has gained 3 lb and 3-4 inches. From all I've read, that is double what is normal. He doesn't look fat or anything, but he is definitely longer and all around larger!
DD2 gained 3lbs and 3 in by month 1 and DS1 gained 2lbs and 1.5 in.
I started on week 2 as on week 1 needed to pump as baby had short stay in nicu. Started pumping just every couple of days 1oz here and there and freezing just incase. Have fed her a bottle a few times now and all well don't be alarmed at how little you will pump takes a little patience as nipple getting used to the pump!
Does the boob leakage get better? I have been doing this two weeks and I keep soaking through breast pads and my clothes.
I only leak if I get engorged. If you leak a lot you may want to get some of those milk savers that you put in your bra so you can save your liquid gold and freeze for later (if you're doing that). Hopefully your supply will regulate soon otherwise!
Does the boob leakage get better? I have been doing this two weeks and I keep soaking through breast pads and my clothes.
I had to wear nursing pads for 6, 6, and 4 mos with my first three. For the most part, if I can tell I'm letting down, I can apply pressure to my nipples to keep the waterworks down.
Does the boob leakage get better? I have been doing this two weeks and I keep soaking through breast pads and my clothes.
I had to wear nursing pads for 6, 6, and 4 mos with my first three. For the most part, if I can tell I'm letting down, I can apply pressure to my nipples to keep the waterworks down.
I'm just picturing a woman wandering around target with four kids in tow, playing with her nipples.
Does the boob leakage get better? I have been doing this two weeks and I keep soaking through breast pads and my clothes.
I had to wear nursing pads for 6, 6, and 4 mos with my first three. For the most part, if I can tell I'm letting down, I can apply pressure to my nipples to keep the waterworks down.
I'm just picturing a woman wandering around target with four kids in tow, playing with her nipples.
Pretty much! My kids know that when I say, "oh, shoot!" and my arm comes up over my chest, that "mommy's making milk." I'd much rather have my arm covering my boobs for a couple minutes than have milk all over my shirt (for any amount of time).
Still struggling with nipple pain going on three weeks of Excusive nursing. Went to a La Leche meeting. I feel like there is no hope we'll ever get this!
Still struggling with nipple pain going on three weeks of Excusive nursing. Went to a La Leche meeting. I feel like there is no hope we'll ever get this!
Have you tried different nursing positions? For some reason, football hold works soooo much better for us. Just a thought?
Lol. I've literally tried everything anyone knows about in our area ( I live in a big city). We have one more thing to try this weekend and that is to feed him though a tube while he sucking on my thumb doing tongue exercises. This will hopefully train his tongue muscles he hasn't been using because of the tongue tie and get him used to sucking with something in the back of his mouth and getting milk from back there. if that doesn't work... I'll nurse till six weeks and if he still doesn't have it, I'll have to switch to EP...
How much weight is everyone gaining? Just curious. In four weeks since we left the hospital, baby has gained 3 lb and 3-4 inches. From all I've read, that is double what is normal. He doesn't look fat or anything, but he is definitely longer and all around larger!
Peter has his 4 week check up on Monday. He's gained 1 lb 9 oz from his birth weight but didn't grow in inches at all, still at 19 inches. His head got a little bigger though.
Re: Breastfeeding Thread
@runningwild I'm using a Medel PISA. I'm going to ask the LC at our appointment this week about renting a hospital grade pump though to see if I can get better results.
@sprocketsngadgets I will try that! Problem is I hurt so frequently throughout the day. I'm pumping 4x a day and nursing on demand(sometimes she gets a bottle if I have just pumped when she gets hungry). Even toward the end of the pump session my boobs still feel hard. I'm massaging them too to try to get the milk to release from those areas. I'm so nervous of screwing up my supply due to my lack of milk w DD1.
Eliot had a 3rd degree tongue and lip tie. (Tongue and lip ties, like vaginal tears only come in 4 degrees) How did the pediatrician miss it! Having it "revised" was one of the hardest things I've had to sit through in my life, but we'll see if we'll be doing better.
@Mailmans Baby Momma I've been struggling to drink a ton of water too. I feel like I've running around like crazing and drinking is an after thought.
I had mine on full blast. I thought it was going to take half my boob off! No fun.
If you have an android phone, the app I am using (Baby Daybook) has a growth tracker where it will chart baby's growth on the WHO growth charts to see if they are following their growth curve or not. It has definitely given me some peace of mind.
PS work from hm too.....the struggle is real lol!
Kim & Keeva (5wks old)
if that doesn't work... I'll nurse till six weeks and if he still doesn't have it, I'll have to switch to EP...