Real question.....My boobs are huge and very sore, similar to the engorged feeling but not rock hard. I'm getting a little milk so far, but why isn't there more if they feel this way? My experience with DD was very different, so I have no idea if this is what's supposed to happen. With her, if my boobs felt heavy and sore there was tons off milk. I had supply issues with her, tho, and no milk at all on day 4 so I really don't know what to expect.
@SkiChic626 I'm not sure, but I remember that happening with my ds. He never got good at latching on and I ended up just pumping, but still hardly got any milk. Is baby nursing?
@bananers How do you know if there is a lipase issue? Does baby react poorly to thawed milk?
I figured it out with DS1 about 2 weeks before I went back to work. Tried to give him a bottle of frozen and he refused. Thought it was the bottles. Bought different bottles, same reaction. Finally figured out he would take fresh expressed milk but not the frozen. I remembered reading about excess lipase in one of my breastfeeding books, which said the milk takes on a soapy flavor/odor. Smelled/tasted it - sure enough, tasted like soap.
ETA: it's not harmful to baby and some babies don't mind it. But DS1 would never drink it (and I don't blame him - I tried it and it tasted gross).
@bananers How do you know if there is a lipase issue? Does baby react poorly to thawed milk?
I figured it out with DS1 about 2 weeks before I went back to work. Tried to give him a bottle of frozen and he refused. Thought it was the bottles. Bought different bottles, same reaction. Finally figured out he would take fresh expressed milk but not the frozen. I remembered reading about excess lipase in one of my breastfeeding books, which said the milk takes on a soapy flavor/odor. Smelled/tasted it - sure enough, tasted like soap.
ETA: it's not harmful to baby and some babies don't mind it. But DS1 would never drink it (and I don't blame him - I tried it and it tasted gross).
I was wondering about this and tried asking my LC at the hospital about it but couldn't remember the word. She looked at me clueless. Glad to know there's options. I totally have no clue if I'll have this issue but I do have a track record of the most random issues becoming my own. Thanks for the info!!
@Stephanie7693 He is nursing but he's been under the bili lights and ever since he's been very sleepy and lazy. I'm hoping it's just the process of my milk coming in. The hospital have me a pump but I deff didn't get as much as i would expect with how my boobs feel, but it could still just be early. It took 10-11 days with DD. He sucks well, latch isn't great yet but he's getting it.
@Stephanie7693 He is nursing but he's been under the bili lights and ever since he's been very sleepy and lazy. I'm hoping it's just the process of my milk coming in. The hospital have me a pump but I deff didn't get as much as i would expect with how my boobs feel, but it could still just be early. It took 10-11 days with DD. He sucks well, latch isn't great yet but he's getting it.
Do you ever strip him down to just a diaper to nurse? DD nurses much better naked than when bundled up, I noticed she was falling asleep right after letdown, and she was slow on starting to gain weight back, and so I started doing that and it's made a big difference!
Yes to above! If DD is extra sleepy and not latching or feeding well, I strip her right down to her diaper and that helps!
More recently, when she's hungry and rooting she will quickly latch and then pop off and do this repeatedly until she's frustrated. Even with guiding her to the nipple, she still sometimes does this and this can go on for what seems like an eternity (though more realistically about 5ish min). My nipples are not appreciating this for sure! Lol. Any other recommendations for helping with this, or just continue guiding her like I am?
TTC 9/2013
BFP#1: 9/28/2013, EDD 5/28/13, MC confirmed 10/15/13, D&C 10/17/13
Yes to above! If DD is extra sleepy and not latching or feeding well, I strip her right down to her diaper and that helps!
More recently, when she's hungry and rooting she will quickly latch and then pop off and do this repeatedly until she's frustrated. Even with guiding her to the nipple, she still sometimes does this and this can go on for what seems like an eternity (though more realistically about 5ish min). My nipples are not appreciating this for sure! Lol. Any other recommendations for helping with this, or just continue guiding her like I am?
My older DD would do that, lactation consultant suggested hand expressing a little before latching her, not sure if that would help?
Just wanted to see if anyone else has been unsuccessful with breastfeeding? In part due to a long and rather traumatic labor, my poor body just cannot produce enough milk or hardly any at all. Resigned to the fact that I gave it a good try and we're moving on... anyone else in the same (dry!) boat?
It's been 3.5 weeks of constant trying 24/7 and we are still struggling over here. I also seem to have a low milk supply at this point (might be related to DS coming over a month early - some people say it might take until the due date to get a full supply.) We actually ended up seeing pediatric dentistry yesterday and DS had a tongue tie release procedure done. Apparently this is a very commonly missed problem from the pediatrics standpoint and can be the root of low supply (it may also be related to an MTHFR gene mutation - which apparently runs in my family). We go back in one week to see about doing a lip release as well.
I have also tried Mother's Milk Tea (3-4) glasses a day, and diluted basil oil on my feet, and pumping 8 - 10 times per day. DS was struggling SO much with feeds that for several feeds I ended up just giving a bottle of pumped milk and not even attempting to BF. It's been SO frustrating, and I feel like I've been chained to this pump like it's a prison cell. I am also not able to keep up with his demands, so we have been supplementing with donor milk because he was preterm. We recently added a nipple shield, but it took a bit to find one that actually worked for him. Medela brand has been the best one for us and using the smallest size possible. We have another outpatient appointment with an LC on Friday, and next will be adding Fenugreek and Blessed Thistle supplements. If things aren't going smoothly in 2 more weeks - I think I will be forced to throw in the towel. I'm also worried that with his procedure yesterday and trying to make him BF each time that he is going to have a low weight at our peds appointment on Friday.
Real question.....My boobs are huge and very sore, similar to the engorged feeling but not rock hard. I'm getting a little milk so far, but why isn't there more if they feel this way? My experience with DD was very different, so I have no idea if this is what's supposed to happen. With her, if my boobs felt heavy and sore there was tons off milk. I had supply issues with her, tho, and no milk at all on day 4 so I really don't know what to expect.
STUCK IN BOX. I feel like I had this problem in the hospital as well. I read something recently that made me think it may have been related to getting IV fluids during deliver. I'm assuming since you had a RCS that you also had a few liters of IVF. I read this article about 1 - 2 weeks too late but I think it would have helped me. https://kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mother/rev_pressure_soft_cotterman/
I started breastfeeding about an hour after my c-section and I have been doing pretty well - it's only been 2 days but, going better then I thought. My nurse in the recovery room was amazing and just helped my latch 1000%. I will express a tiny bit and then rub the nipple on his lips and he will open really wide and start sucking. I nurse on demand and/or every 2 hours - I do wake him up if he's napping during the day to try and get him to understand the difference between day and night.
Its crazy how I literally have lost all modesty and will whip my tit out in front of strangers now. Mostly medical professionals but still I always thought id be too embarrassed.
When did everyone's regular milk supply come in? I'm just going on my 3rd day and wasn't sure if I should notice anything different than colostrum at this point.
@Mrsrundell That's awesome that baby is latching well! I also had a c-section... it was in the morning on a Thursday and my milk started coming in on Sunday afternoon - the day we went home from the hospital.
My LO likes to fill her mouth with milk at the end of a feed and then let it run out every single time, she does it whether she's asleep or awake. Everything ends up wet every time...my clothes, her clothes, boppy, blankies.
@Mrsrundell I totally was the same way at the hospital I had an LC just grab my boob to help with DS latch lol and after that I was like allllright any embarrassing is officially out the window.
My LO likes to fill her mouth with milk at the end of a feed and then let it run out every single time, she does it whether she's asleep or awake. Everything ends up wet every time...my clothes, her clothes, boppy, blankies.
That is too cute...maybe not for the mess though. I would so take a picture for the memories
@Stephanie7693 He is nursing but he's been under the bili lights and ever since he's been very sleepy and lazy. I'm hoping it's just the process of my milk coming in. The hospital have me a pump but I deff didn't get as much as i would expect with how my boobs feel, but it could still just be early. It took 10-11 days with DD. He sucks well, latch isn't great yet but he's getting it.
Do you ever strip him down to just a diaper to nurse? DD nurses much better naked than when bundled up, I noticed she was falling asleep right after letdown, and she was slow on starting to gain weight back, and so I started doing that and it's made a big difference!
@Stephanie7693 He is nursing but he's been under the bili lights and ever since he's been very sleepy and lazy. I'm hoping it's just the process of my milk coming in. The hospital have me a pump but I deff didn't get as much as i would expect with how my boobs feel, but it could still just be early. It took 10-11 days with DD. He sucks well, latch isn't great yet but he's getting it.
Do you ever strip him down to just a diaper to nurse? DD nurses much better naked than when bundled up, I noticed she was falling asleep right after letdown, and she was slow on starting to gain weight back, and so I started doing that and it's made a big difference!
Yes, actually he was diaper-only every time the past couple days since we were in the hospital. We're finally getting very wet diapers, so I'm feeling better about it. My concern now is no real poop yet other than meconium and today is day 5. Going to pedi tmrw to check on the jaundice so I'll bring that up, too.
@huskymama725 I always tucked a burp cloth under my boob and under baby's cheek because they would occasionally let go when my milk would let down, then I would be squirting everywhere! I liked the heavy flannel burp cloths best because they absorbed more than any others I tried.
Lo is 3 days old. How can i relieve engorgment without overstimulating my supply? I have had to pump right before i feed the last few times because I'm so full lo cant latch. My boobs are rock hard.
So I have been pumping about an ounce off before the last few feedings. Will this cause oversupply? If so what can I do about it?
Lo is 3 days old. How can i relieve engorgment without overstimulating my supply? I have had to pump right before i feed the last few times because I'm so full lo cant latch. My boobs are rock hard.
So I have been pumping about an ounce off before the last few feedings. Will this cause oversupply? If so what can I do about it?
You can hand express a bit but I wouldn't pump that much, your body needs to know it doesn't need to produce that much milk. Otherwise just wait it out. Engorgement only lasted 2 days for me.
Lo is 3 days old. How can i relieve engorgment without overstimulating my supply? I have had to pump right before i feed the last few times because I'm so full lo cant latch. My boobs are rock hard.
So I have been pumping about an ounce off before the last few feedings. Will this cause oversupply? If so what can I do about it?
Stuck in box Just know that engorgement can make you feel crummy. I had no idea and spiked a 103 fever from it. Went to ER thinking I might have had an infection or something. I had my OB and LC tell me that if they are so full the baby isn't emptying them to pump after feeding. Maybe try hand expressing before nursing and then pumping if you still have knots or firmness. Definitely keep an eye on it and don't panic if you get a little warm lol. I had no clue that can happen and thought something was terribly wrong! OB said to take Tylenol if the engorgement is painful (which you prob have) and that should help with any fever. You may not even get fever I just feel like I have to say it to save some other momma from the same panic we had... 103 is a freaking high fever!
For anyone wanting to boost supply-- try consuming foods containing coconut milk or coconut oil. They contain a fatty acid that is the same as contained in breastmilk. When I BF DD I could nearly double my pumping output at work the day after consuming coconut curry (made with coconut milk). There are a ton of great recipes out there for it, so you don't have to drink it straight (and no, most don't taste like coconut).
Ok so I can pump like 2-4 oz with one boob and only about 1 oz even if the baby hasn't nursed the left side. Anyone else experienced this? Or know if that's just how it'll always be?
@jacmkelley "stud & dud!" I have that too - left side produces more than my right.
On another note, I learned from our pediatrician that milk supply is usually at its lowest at night. This may be why baby A cluster feeds between 7-10 PM! Omg the fussiness during that time is unreal - totally different baby! Maybe I need to pump more to get my supply up.
Avent nipple shellss are awesome!! They save leaking breast milk as you nurse the other side...or pump!! Then you save the milk for bottles...less pumping and less mess!!
Exciting milestone today... Levi latched without a shield!
YES! I just got on here to say that today I said to myself no more shield. Here I am second 3rd time today no sheild and he attached to both sides! So excited!
I think we'll be ditching the shield soon too! My milestone is that today is the first day I got in the shower without the spray hurting my nipples! I think they're finally healing next step will be drying them with a towel again.
I think we'll be ditching the shield soon too! My milestone is that today is the first day I got in the shower without the spray hurting my nipples! I think they're finally healing next step will be drying them with a towel again.
Jealous! I'm almost 3 weeks PP and mine still hurt when the water hits them
My milk came in last night! I was feeding and all of a sudden started feeling drops on my opposite leg - I look down and milk is dripping out. I felt sooo excited/happy/superhero lol. I never anticipated how awesome breastfeeding would be.
A isn't nursing very well today. He's still wetting diapers but he's a sleepy baby to begin with and nothing is keeping him sucking. Like 3 min nursing and even that's a stretch. He has a weight check tomorrow and I'm so nervous.
A isn't nursing very well today. He's still wetting diapers but he's a sleepy baby to begin with and nothing is keeping him sucking. Like 3 min nursing and even that's a stretch. He has a weight check tomorrow and I'm so nervous.
How old is he now? You may want to see if the pedi can do a weighted feed. That's what we're having to do for E's feeding issues. We weigh before and after nursing to find out how much he's getting. We're an unusual circumstance since we're still in the NICU, but it might be worth a shot asking. Sometimes they will surprise you with how efficient they are with doing very little - and sometimes it's the opposite and they nurse forever but you find out they barely get a thing. Good luck with the weight check! DS1 lost a lot of weight in the beginning because he would fall asleep with every feed. We had to go back for several weight checks, but he eventually figured it out and we were able to nurse for 16 months!
@Curls919 agree with @bananers on trying weighted feed! When I went to my breastfeeding group and told them I only pump 1 oz and didn't know if baby was getting enough, they told me to weigh her before and after feeding (the place had a baby scale to do this).
Yes to the weighted feeds! My hospital does this as a courtesy follow up appointment. I was worried about how much DS2 was getting, because he only nurses for about 10 min before falling asleep. I went to the appt on Tuesday and found out he's getting close to 2 oz in that amount of time, which is right on target for his age. I would check with your ped or hospital to see if they have an option for something like this. I believe many do, as a way to encourage breastfeeding.
I'm FTM and my DD is 10 days old, she's latching great with a shield but my main problem is the lack of milk I'm making. My milk didn't come in til day 5 and I had to supplement with formula til then because she became jaundice and we had to make sure she was well fed and had an increase in dirty diapers. So I continued to pump until we came home but was still only getting enough for one bottle for the whole day. I also tried letting her nurse but after being on for an hr she was still hungry and drinking two ounces of formula. I've been to a lactation consultant twice and neither seem to really know why my supply is down. We always try to nurse then I'll pump anytime she eats if she's not getting full from the breast. And still after 30mins on each breast atleast 5x a day I'm getting 2-3oz the whole day. Anyone have any advice or experience with this?
Expecting baby #1 August 2016
Already have three furbabies- Blake, Sydney, and Chester
I'm FTM and my DD is 10 days old, she's latching great with a shield but my main problem is the lack of milk I'm making. My milk didn't come in til day 5 and I had to supplement with formula til then because she became jaundice and we had to make sure she was well fed and had an increase in dirty diapers. So I continued to pump until we came home but was still only getting enough for one bottle for the whole day. I also tried letting her nurse but after being on for an hr she was still hungry and drinking two ounces of formula. I've been to a lactation consultant twice and neither seem to really know why my supply is down. We always try to nurse then I'll pump anytime she eats if she's not getting full from the breast. And still after 30mins on each breast atleast 5x a day I'm getting 2-3oz the whole day. Anyone have any advice or experience with this?
I've had the hardest time with milk supply also, I put a lengthy post about some things I've tried on the first page of this thread. But I was basically told you have to pump 8 times in 24 hours to maintain and about 10 times to increase supply. I've tried Mother's Milk Tea, and have ordered Fenugreek and Blessed thistle to try (should arrive tomorrow), drinking plenty of fluids and things containing calcium. Will also try coconut oil / milk as @Fremdschamen suggested above.
Things got better today, as I was able to pump 3.5 ounces this am and haven't had to suppliment yet today at all and I am 2.5 ounces ahead now. Going to drink my 4th cup of tea and pump for the 9th time today right now.
Re: Breastfeeding
Baby #2 due 8/11/2016
ETA: it's not harmful to baby and some babies don't mind it. But DS1 would never drink it (and I don't blame him - I tried it and it tasted gross).
BFP #2 8/22/12 | EDD 5/5/13 | DS1 born 5/9/13
BFP #3 4/25/15 | EDD 1/7/16 | MMC 7/2/15 @ 13w1d | D&E 7/8/15
BFP #4 12/9/15 | EDD 8/22/16 | DS2 born 5/18/16 at 26w2d
Just keep swimming.
Baby #2 due 8/11/2016
More recently, when she's hungry and rooting she will quickly latch and then pop off and do this repeatedly until she's frustrated. Even with guiding her to the nipple, she still sometimes does this and this can go on for what seems like an eternity (though more realistically about 5ish min). My nipples are not appreciating this for sure! Lol. Any other recommendations for helping with this, or just continue guiding her like I am?
TTC 9/2013
BFP#1: 9/28/2013, EDD 5/28/13, MC confirmed 10/15/13, D&C 10/17/13
BFP#2: 1/10/2014, EDD 9/19/2014
I have also tried Mother's Milk Tea (3-4) glasses a day, and diluted basil oil on my feet, and pumping 8 - 10 times per day. DS was struggling SO much with feeds that for several feeds I ended up just giving a bottle of pumped milk and not even attempting to BF. It's been SO frustrating, and I feel like I've been chained to this pump like it's a prison cell. I am also not able to keep up with his demands, so we have been supplementing with donor milk because he was preterm. We recently added a nipple shield, but it took a bit to find one that actually worked for him. Medela brand has been the best one for us and using the smallest size possible. We have another outpatient appointment with an LC on Friday, and next will be adding Fenugreek and Blessed Thistle supplements. If things aren't going smoothly in 2 more weeks - I think I will be forced to throw in the towel. I'm also worried that with his procedure yesterday and trying to make him BF each time that he is going to have a low weight at our peds appointment on Friday.
So NO, in short, you are NOT alone!!!
Its crazy how I literally have lost all modesty and will whip my tit out in front of strangers now. Mostly medical professionals but still I always thought id be too embarrassed.
When did everyone's regular milk supply come in? I'm just going on my 3rd day and wasn't sure if I should notice anything different than colostrum at this point.
@huskymama725 DS does this also! All my white nursing tanks are getting stained from all the dripping milk.
Baby #2 due 8/11/2016
So I have been pumping about an ounce off before the last few feedings. Will this cause oversupply? If so what can I do about it?
BFP #1: 08/17/2012 DD1 born 05/01/2013
BFP #2: 07/31/2015 M/C 09/23/2015 (11.5 weeks)
On another note, I learned from our pediatrician that milk supply is usually at its lowest at night. This may be why baby A cluster feeds between 7-10 PM! Omg the fussiness during that time is unreal - totally different baby! Maybe I need to pump more to get my supply up.
Exciting milestone today... Levi latched without a shield!
BFP #2 8/22/12 | EDD 5/5/13 | DS1 born 5/9/13
BFP #3 4/25/15 | EDD 1/7/16 | MMC 7/2/15 @ 13w1d | D&E 7/8/15
BFP #4 12/9/15 | EDD 8/22/16 | DS2 born 5/18/16 at 26w2d
Just keep swimming.
I've had the hardest time with milk supply also, I put a lengthy post about some things I've tried on the first page of this thread. But I was basically told you have to pump 8 times in 24 hours to maintain and about 10 times to increase supply. I've tried Mother's Milk Tea, and have ordered Fenugreek and Blessed thistle to try (should arrive tomorrow), drinking plenty of fluids and things containing calcium. Will also try coconut oil / milk as @Fremdschamen suggested above.
Things got better today, as I was able to pump 3.5 ounces this am and haven't had to suppliment yet today at all and I am 2.5 ounces ahead now. Going to drink my 4th cup of tea and pump for the 9th time today right now.