Have you tried any other burping positions, @DeriveMyPi? Sometimes if I don't get a good one with her on my shoulder I will try with her sitting on my leg, either just patting or the 'magic' burp technique posted here a few months ago (it's not really magic, but sometimes it will work).
I don't always get good burps. DH usually does. I will try for a few minutes but sometimes we just leave it up to chance, and I'm certainly not going to wake her when she's nursing herself to sleep.
@DeriveMyPi My DD had bad reflux and spit up multiple times after each feeding, sometimes hours after eating. She also screamed like she was in pain all of her waking hours. Have you been back for a weight check? That will give you a good idea of if it's as bad as you think it is. Does your LO seem upset when it happens? If not, and weight gain is good, doctors consider it normal. Some babies just spit more than others.
@joleri23@erin7264@whataboutscience thank you for the help! DH is definitely better at burping then myself so I usually pass her off. (And yet he's never been spit up on haha) It's only within the first 20 minutes of eating and she doesn't seem in pain. It just kinda happens and then she's fine. Idk if she is just eating too much? We go tomorrow for our two week weight check so hopefully it's just me being a FTM and paranoid.
Me: 28 | Husband: 39 Married March 2016 DD: born 7.22.16 DS EDD: 6.23.18
I just came here to say I am so over this pumping every 3-4 hours business. I might as well just permanently affix this thing to my boobs and carry it around on my back. I don't know if I will make it a full year, it's only been a month!
@erin7264 My thoughts exactly; I feel like I am attached to the pump 24/7. At least you aren't having to pump every 2 hours like I am. I had a darn plugged duct last week and my supply has gone down since so I'm desperately trying to get it back up
I just came here to say I am so over this pumping every 3-4 hours business. I might as well just permanently affix this thing to my boobs and carry it around on my back. I don't know if I will make it a full year, it's only been a month!
This. I just went to 4 hours between sessions instead of 3 just to regain some sanity. I'm determined to make it til at least 3 months. Then I'm back at work and I'm not sure how feasible it will be to continue.
I'm going back to work full time in September and I'm starting to worry about having enough milk for daycare. My LO is not on any type of schedule and I'm currently feeding on demand which seems to be anytime that she's awake. I'm not sure how I would be able to pump enough to keep up with that. At 4 weeks pp I'm currently pumping between 1.5-2.5 ounces per session (both breasts) and I'm pumping about 3 times a day. Should I be pumping a lot more to build a supply? I also feel like my supply should be higher at this point which is discouraging. I just don't know how to keep up with her when she seemingly eats all the time.
I had been pumping really well when i would pump once a day and she was feeding every 2-3 hours but the last few days she feeds like every 45 minutes and I can barely produce when I'm pumping I'm afraid my supply is going down
@erin7264 I also feel attached to my pump and it's so annoying. Baby M was in the NICU for a while so never got going with BF like I wanted so I basically pump and then bottle feed her the milk when she's hungry.
@Heathereaddy@Backbypopulardemand I am also worried about my supply going down. She jumped from eating 3 to 4 oz per feeding about 2 weeks ago. The past day or so, she's been wanting/eating 5 oz! I am not keeping up so I'm also worried about having any milk for daycare. I am taking a fenugreek + blessed thistle supplement everyday as well as incorporating a power pumping session every day. I'm starting to get about 3-4 oz per session now but I'm already behind again!
Me: 31 DH:35 Started TTC in June 2014 Started seeing RE in June 2015 HSG in July 2015 = normal, started Clomid/Ovidrel/IUI cycle in August 2015 Cycle #3 in October afforded 1st month of mature follicles - underwent IUI BFP on 10/27/15 - EDD 7/8/16 DD#1 born on 7/1/16
TTC #2 in September 2018 BFP on 12/2/18 - EDD 8/16/19
Team Green!
My breast are at odds with each other. My right side produces great and my let down is almost instant. However my left side, which has an inverted nipple, is fighting me and my son. I use the nipple shield when we attempt that side and I've also pumped it twice, getting a total of 1oz. DS gets frustrated because he works so hard and nothing comes out. I spoke with the lactation nurse today to get some advice that'll hopefully make things easier. But I was wondering if any of you have any advice or similar experiences.
My baby sleeps all the time. He's a week and a half old and I am making sure he nurses 8 times a day. I end up waking him probably for 6 of those feedings in an average day. Is it okay to let him sleep more? I cannot find good information on this. I've tried. Anyone know minimum feedings for a 1 month old? Is it still at least 8 or would it be okay to let him sleep more if he's gaining weight well? I know some people say to never wake a sleeping baby, but I really wonder if he would get enough nourishment left to his own devices. For the record, he was 7 ounces above birth weight at 9 days old (with me waking him for the vast majority of feedings).
@whataboutscience- I was worried about how much DD2 was sleeping, since it is so much more than DD ever did! At 1 month, my Pedi said don't worry about waking DD2 for feedings. However, she jumped the curve and was putting on 2 ounces per day. I've heard that you can stop waking baby up in the night once they've reached their birth weight (unless there are weight concerns). I think a 1 month old baby nurses 7-9 times on average, unless they are growing/have weight concerns/etc. However, I am not a doctor and every baby is different!
@whataboutscience we were told once they reach above their birth weight you can feed them on demand. That's what we've been doing. She usually wakes up anywhere from 2.5-4 hours and she's still gaining roughly an ounce per day. Sometimes she goes a little longer at night but the nurse said it's OK.
For those of you feeding on demand (not waking babies to eat anymore), Do you still wake your LO during the day in hopes they'll sleep better at night?
@megstervt I had been wondering the same thing since I had a few days where he was sleeping a lot during the day (still in that phase actually) after a week of staying awake all day and it doesn't really seem to make that much of a difference for his nights. At least lately. If he stays awake when he's obviously tired it just makes him cranky, so I feel like if he needs to sleep I'll just let him unless it really starts to affect his nights. So maybe you could see how your LO does sleeping vs being woken up and whether it makes a difference for you. I'm finding that everything seems to be happening in short phases so next week he could be on a whole new sleep pattern!
Married 6/1/13
BFP #1 7/2013 MMC 9/17/13
BFP #2 5/2014 MC 6/15/14
BFP #3 11/13/14 (Found in ER with ruptured cyst) Diagnosed MC 11/15/14
BFP #4 4/2015 MC 7/1/15
BFP #5 10/21/15 EDD 7/3/16 Praying for our rainbow!
@winnie1122 thanks! LO cluster fed last night from 4-7 and then was dead asleep. We tried to keep him awake, but finally at 8 we gave up and just went to bed. The night was pretty average, but I was so worried he'd be up starving in the middle of the night.
@megstervt I celebrate the longer stretches between feedings at night, haha. It's so nice to get those good chunks of sleep instead of getting up every 2 hours and it has made me feel better able to take care of him. I know he'll wake me up when he gets hungry so I just welcome the extra sleep when he gives it to me! But yeah, it definitely freaked me out the first time he slept for four hours at a time at night, I was so worried I'd missed a feeding and he'd be starving! But he was fine
Married 6/1/13
BFP #1 7/2013 MMC 9/17/13
BFP #2 5/2014 MC 6/15/14
BFP #3 11/13/14 (Found in ER with ruptured cyst) Diagnosed MC 11/15/14
BFP #4 4/2015 MC 7/1/15
BFP #5 10/21/15 EDD 7/3/16 Praying for our rainbow!
I just wanted to say how amazingly supportive this group is about feeding. First of all, the amount of moms successfully bfing on here is wonderful. Your struggles sound so difficult, but yet you are sticking with it. Second, with both sons, I only bf a few days to get them colostrum and then pretty much switched to formula. My anxiety just can't handle bfing. 3 years ago, I felt practically like an alien, and wasn't in the "in" crowd any more for choosing formula. This board is soooo nice about making me feel ok with a happy mom and fed baby is best. Thank you all for guilt free formula feeding.
@megstervt we only wake C up to feed when we have some place to go and it's been at least 2 hours since she ate. She usually sleeps 2-4 hour stretches during the day and at night it'll range 3-5 hours. (We got 6 earlier in the week!) Were 13 days PP.
Me: 28 | Husband: 39 Married March 2016 DD: born 7.22.16 DS EDD: 6.23.18
I'm almost 3 weeks PP and I'm still having issues with a painful latch on one side. It seems like we're doing everything right but I don't get it! Also, for those trying to add in a couple of pumping sessions, how long are they? I usually do a pumping session after the morning and night feeds.
omg the day 2-3 cluster feeds are intense...she's waking up pretty much on the hour since Tuesday night and I'm exhausted. Anyone have any survival tips? My milk isn't in yet so I can't pump yet.
I pump maybe every 2 or 3 days twice a day. Once at lunchtime when DH comes home over his break. and usually at night after I take a shower (I try to space it maybe a half hour after a feeding). Each session is maybe 10 minutes long. I also have been setting an alarm overnight since E has been going 5-6 hours from when I fed her last and put her down for bed and when she wakes up to eat again. The first time it happened I was painfully engorged so I need to get that relief if she's going to sleep for that long! I don't need to pump every night as the 5-6 hour stretches are maybe a few days apart, but it's nice to have that option if I need it.
@mnkenned My LO was like that for just a day or two and went back to sleeping almost round the clock. If you have someone to help, sleep whenever you get a chance. A moderate amount of caffeine helps too and just telling yourself it won't last long. Good luck!
@megstervt I don't wake him during the day or night anymore (unless like @DeriveMyPi said, we have to go somewhere). Sometimes he wants to eat three or four times in less than two hours, then sometimes he wants to sleep for three or four. Honestly, I don't keep track of feedings or time them, I just trust my body and his.
@DachshundMomma@Heathereaddy I was a little lopsided too and use a nipple shield. My LC suggested power pumping on that side to help even out supply and it worked for me. I am basically equal on both sides now.
@megstervt I don't wake to feed him (sleep begets sleep for us) but we have found that giving him a big bottle of my warm pumped milk and then giving him the boob after that fills up his tummy more than the boob alone. That has helped get us some longer stretches, but every LO is different.
Hi everyone, I haven't been very active in this community beyond reading a ton of posts, but I have a feeding question that hopefully someone will answer! Thanks!
I am combination feeding my little one and at the pediatrician's request, I offer her 2 oz. of formula after every breastfeeding session. She usually takes the whole thing. I haven't fed her while out and about yet, and today I realized that I'm not sure how! I don't produce enough milk to only breastfeed, so she really needs the formula, but our formula says it must be prepared with warm water. Well, how do you make warm water while you are out running errands? I must be missing something.
@allieshortcake I don't FF and don't know much about it but here is what I do to keep my milk the temp I want it... I bought a stainless steel insulated water bottle like a kleen kanteen or hydroflask (I use a Iconiq because its narrow for the diaper bag) and keep the milk in there when we're out and about. I then transfer it to an empty bottle. You could just keep warm water or pre-mix it I assume? It works well for us!
Hi everyone, I haven't been very active in this community beyond reading a ton of posts, but I have a feeding question that hopefully someone will answer! Thanks!
I am combination feeding my little one and at the pediatrician's request, I offer her 2 oz. of formula after every breastfeeding session. She usually takes the whole thing. I haven't fed her while out and about yet, and today I realized that I'm not sure how! I don't produce enough milk to only breastfeed, so she really needs the formula, but our formula says it must be prepared with warm water. Well, how do you make warm water while you are out running errands? I must be missing something.
Most places you're at will have access to warm water...you could ask for a cup of warm water and most places are very understanding and will do so. I've done that a few times while out to heat up a bottle of breast milk.
@allieshortcake- They also make bottle warmers for the car... they plug into the lighter thing. You could warm the water before mixing in the powder (if that's what you use). I supplement as well and haven't been out and about enough to need to feed in public yet, but I always have a bottle with water already measured out with me and would just add the pre measured formula to it if need be (it's what I did with DD1).
I know I'm not super active but I just want to say how amazing this thread is... I wasn't able to EBF DD1 and still struggle with that emotionally, especially now that I have DD2 a lot of those emotions have resurrected themselves. I didn't feel like I had a support system or a place to open up about it and this thread would've been perfect. I do talk about my struggle (I was diagnosed with Insufficient Glandular Tissue) and those emotions more openly now (IRL) because I don't want anyone else to feel as alone as I did. Hugs to all you mommas!
Hey mamas. I need some help! My LO is now 2 weeks old. The last week she started spitting up a lot when she was placed on her back. Her doctor suggested it was her lack of burping (she's impossible to get to burp..) Then today she started spitting up consistently after feedings and I can tell it bothers her. She gets really squirming and bunches up like she's uncomfortable. Sometimes she gags. I also think she's been gassy today. But it's killing me. I feel so bad I can't help her. She still wants to eat, it's just afterwards when she spits up, usually more than once. Any ideas on how to remedy the situation? I know spit ups are normal but it's just all the time it feels like and now she is clearly uncomfortable. I'm going to start taking diary out of my diet tomorrow.
We went to the pedi for a weight check and 2 week follow up yesterday. My LO has lost 3 oz since Sunday. The doctor recommends to breastfeed from each breast for 15 min each then give her pumped milk or formula at 50ml or more depending on how much she'll take. Since her appt yesterday I have used all the pumped milk I have. Pumping really doesn't get me a whole lot, maybe 5-20ml with each session? Her next supplement will need to be from formula.
DH wants me to remain positive but I can't help but feel like continuing to put her to the breast won't do anything. It's supposed to stimulate my milk supply but it just makes her tired and sleepy from working so hard (before her at check I thought she was just satisfied and milk drunk). Then once I offer her a bottle she perks right up and chugs it down
@tennisbabymama She could have reflux if she seems bothered by the spitting up. My DD spit up a lot every time. You can try to help by feeding her with her body more upright and keeping inclined/upright 20-30 minutes after feedings. If the spitting up continues to be regular and she seems upset by it, bring it up again with your pedi. My daughter was on Zantac to relieve the burning feeling.
@sboston06 I'm so sorry you're having this struggle. Is your LO 2 weeks old yet? I thought you delivered after me. How often are you nursing? If you really want to try to make it work, maybe try nursing more frequently to stimulate production. Of course, formula is an easy way to make sure baby is well fed too, especially if that is causing anxiety for you. Best of luck!
@sboston06 are you pumping after every feed? I was doing that for about a week to increase my supply. It seemed to really help and eventually I started pumping enough so I don't have to supplement with formula anymore.
Re: Feeding Your Baby
I don't always get good burps. DH usually does. I will try for a few minutes but sometimes we just leave it up to chance, and I'm certainly not going to wake her when she's nursing herself to sleep.
Married March 2016
DD: born 7.22.16
DS EDD: 6.23.18
@Heathereaddy @Backbypopulardemand I am also worried about my supply going down. She jumped from eating 3 to 4 oz per feeding about 2 weeks ago. The past day or so, she's been wanting/eating 5 oz! I am not keeping up so I'm also worried about having any milk for daycare. I am taking a fenugreek + blessed thistle supplement everyday as well as incorporating a power pumping session every day. I'm starting to get about 3-4 oz per session now but I'm already behind again!
Started TTC in June 2014
Started seeing RE in June 2015
HSG in July 2015 = normal, started Clomid/Ovidrel/IUI cycle in August 2015
Cycle #3 in October afforded 1st month of mature follicles - underwent IUI
BFP on 10/27/15 - EDD 7/8/16
DD#1 born on 7/1/16
TTC #2 in September 2018
BFP on 12/2/18 - EDD 8/16/19
Team Green!
Married: October 2014
TTC #1 since September 2015
Married: October 2014
TTC #1 since September 2015
Married March 2016
DD: born 7.22.16
DS EDD: 6.23.18
@megstervt I don't wake to feed him (sleep begets sleep for us) but we have found that giving him a big bottle of my warm pumped milk and then giving him the boob after that fills up his tummy more than the boob alone. That has helped get us some longer stretches, but every LO is different.
I am combination feeding my little one and at the pediatrician's request, I offer her 2 oz. of formula after every breastfeeding session. She usually takes the whole thing. I haven't fed her while out and about yet, and today I realized that I'm not sure how! I don't produce enough milk to only breastfeed, so she really needs the formula, but our formula says it must be prepared with warm water. Well, how do you make warm water while you are out running errands? I must be missing something.
I know I'm not super active but I just want to say how amazing this thread is... I wasn't able to EBF DD1 and still struggle with that emotionally, especially now that I have DD2 a lot of those emotions have resurrected themselves. I didn't feel like I had a support system or a place to open up about it and this thread would've been perfect. I do talk about my struggle (I was diagnosed with Insufficient Glandular Tissue) and those emotions more openly now (IRL) because I don't want anyone else to feel as alone as I did. Hugs to all you mommas!
My LO is now 2 weeks old. The last week she started spitting up a lot when she was placed on her back. Her doctor suggested it was her lack of burping (she's impossible to get to burp..) Then today she started spitting up consistently after feedings and I can tell it bothers her. She gets really squirming and bunches up like she's uncomfortable. Sometimes she gags. I also think she's been gassy today. But it's killing me. I feel so bad I can't help her. She still wants to eat, it's just afterwards when she spits up, usually more than once. Any ideas on how to remedy the situation? I know spit ups are normal but it's just all the time it feels like and now she is clearly uncomfortable. I'm going to start taking diary out of my diet tomorrow.
DH wants me to remain positive but I can't help but feel like continuing to put her to the breast won't do anything. It's supposed to stimulate my milk supply but it just makes her tired and sleepy from working so hard (before her at check I thought she was just satisfied and milk drunk). Then once I offer her a bottle she perks right up and chugs it down
@sboston06 I'm so sorry you're having this struggle. Is your LO 2 weeks old yet? I thought you delivered after me. How often are you nursing? If you really want to try to make it work, maybe try nursing more frequently to stimulate production. Of course, formula is an easy way to make sure baby is well fed too, especially if that is causing anxiety for you. Best of luck!