@ea301 do you pump separately from your feeds? I pump and feed one baby at the same time. H feeds the other in our room. For me, it forces me to pump because I'm stationary for 20+ minutes anyway - might as well kill two birds. We're every 3.5-4 hours at night and every 2-2.5 during the day with feedings. If they go 4 hours and I get two solid stretches of 3 hours (with feeding/pumping/changing etc) I feel pretty good.
@DiFazette Well... we are bottle feeding right now. Long story short, I became severely anemic and LO lost 17% of her birth weight, so for the first 10 days or so we had to supplement pretty aggressively with formula. I had tried BFing in the hospital but ended up with blisters right away, so there's also something going on that I need professional help with. I keep reading that it shouldn't be painful but every time we try BFing, it feels like shards of glass. I'm hoping the lactation consultant will get back to me tomorrow. But for now, I pump and we bottle feed.
@maamawaabangi there are stitches but I'm not sure exactly where or how many. I agree that 6 wks is a bit ridiculous. I delivered (with some complications) on 11/13 and they don't want to see me until 12/28. seems like too long to me. I'll keep up the peri bottle - I don't use it often enough - and will try coconut oil too. thanks!
Oh also, I would estimate maybe 4-5 wakings during my shift. she's much more fussy during mommy time
@DiFazette also in case I'm being dense and I didn't understand what you were asking, I change, feed, burp, then rock baby back to sleep (if i can)... then pump after that.
@ea301 I'm sorry you're dealing with anemia--I am too and it's not fun. How much does LO eat during a session? Ashton eats every 4 hours around the clock so I pump every 3 hours during the day, but at night I sleep a longer stretch because I usually pump enough during the day that DH could feed Ashton during that stretch (I average 2-4 oz each pump). The longer stretch I get 5 hours of sleep. Then I wake up and immediately pump and then continue the 3 hour schedule until I visit Ashton and breastfeed at 4pm. Ashton averages 60-65ml (2 oz) a feeding, which is probably why he eats in longer stretches. I realize Ashton is in the hospital so it's not exactly the same but we stick to his feeding schedule since I was in the hospital too. I plan to continue to pump and breastfeed when he comes home. I notice a dip in my supply if I'm not constantly drinking water, and I have heard that Gatorade can help too, if supply is an issue for you.
If pumping just isn't working out, it is okay to continue to use formula...seriously. If it means you can get some sleep, then go for it. Can DH take a longer stretch? Are you sleeping at all during those 6 hours of your shift?
@dmontgo aw, another anemic buddy Im sorry to hear you're in the same boat but it sounds like you're doing really well with it!
To answer your questions: I would estimate she downs about 50-70 ml average per session. sometimes its in one big session, other times she will want more after 30 minutes. She tends to wake up about every 2 to 2.5 hours, so she feeds pretty often! Our pediatrician told us that since she lost weight initially, we should try to stick to no more than 3 hours between feedings. Now that her weight is back up, Im not sure if we need to continue that strict of a schedule... Im adding it to my list of questions now
I do try to nap in between feedings during my shift, but it's hard for me to get to sleep right away, so I get maybe 45 minutes (which is great when it happens!). Since the feeding + soothing + changing + pumping cycle lasts between 1-1.5 hours, there isn't a whole lot of time for me to sleep before we are due for the next one.
I think hubs could probably extend his shift a bit... but I need him well rested for all of the manual labor, so I feel like it is a good trade - he gets more sleep but does more around the house than me. Plus since I need to get up more regularly to pump anyway, it's not a huge deal for me to take most of the night feedings. it's just tiring. so, so tiring.
@ea301 are you open to pumping and feeding at the same time? It'll save you sleep at night and time during the day. It's a bit awkward but I make it work so I can get back in bed ASAP.
@DiFazette oh definitely! i have to work on it I think. the last time I tried, she screamed so much I just melted into a puddle of tears. Maybe something to practice during the day when I have more help.
@ea301 Im in the same boat, just 5 days behind you. I am pumping every other feed between 10pm-6am. Just so I get some good sleep. That also gives me 8+oz at each of those 2 pumps. Since E takes between 1-3 oz each feeding, I can make H take one while I nap later in the day.
I found that after 4 days of paced feedings, E doesn't suck as hard/give me blisters like she did before. So I can nurse 1-2 feedings during the day. When that happens, I use a silicon suction pump. It just hangs on the side not nursing and collects the extra letdown. So far ive gotten an oz a feeding from it.
Formerly known as Kate08young August '18 Siggy April Showers:
Me: 28 H: 24 Married: 7/22/14 Baby L: 8/4/2015 August 2015 Moms Baby E: 11/18/2016 December 2016 Moms TTC #3 08/2017 BFP 11/27/2017. Twin B lost 11/22/2017, Twin A doing well.
@ea301 Definitely follow what the doctors say about her schedule--that's just was an example of what works for us based on Ashton. It's crazy how all babies are different, and I'm sure his schedule will change once he is home.
Gosh I wish I could be more help! Pumping isn't easy, so I commiserate (I'm pumping now ). Sending good vibes your way in hopes you get some more solid sleep soon!
@ea301 first off, hugs to you. If I were you, I'd try working on the latch during the day after you've had your rest. I give props to all pumping mamas, but it really makes a huge difference if you can get baby to latch and decrease how much you pump. The only way I was able to successfully pump was when DD was on one boob, and the pump was on the other boob, otherwise I wouldn't have a good let down. On another note, when breastfeeding my first DD, it took a few weeks for the pain to go away in my nipples. DD had a good latch, but it takes time for them to get used to bfing. I was using lanolin for the first couple of weeks, my nips would crack and bleed with almost every feeding (there were a lot of tears shed on my end, with each feeding, I totally understand your glass analogy). Then...I found nipple butter. (Earth mama angel baby, nipple butter. Amazon!) That stuff saved my bfing experience. I put it on after each feeding and within a week, my nips were fine. You'll be happy to know that once they get used to all that sucking, it is easy. There is a light at the end of the tunnel! I swear! At the same time, you have to do what works for you. And if that path includes formula, or even supplemental formula, I promise that no one here will think anything of it. As long as you are feeding your baby, kudos.
When they say it shouldn't hurt, it shouldn't, but it will when you start. I have some level of nipple pain every single time. I know pumping works well as a permanent solution for some ... so go with it if it works for you. But it seems to be far less stressful on the body and takes less time/stress on your body to just nurse a baby. A pump is a machine and it doesn't function as well and as gently as a baby. But part of being a mama is making that call for yourself. No one can make it for you! Learning to side lie nurse is a huge game changer for rest and nursing. So helpful! Have you tried soothies? They are gel pads for your nips and they are heavenly!!!
But really I think what you are feeling is the blood loss and anemia... I've dealt with that and it really kicks your butt (and might for months). Rest will help but also getting iron and maybe even asking about chlorophyll. It helps oxygenate your blood and helps the effects of anemia not feel so bad.
Thanks everyone! This is really good info! I do have a nipple shield @maamawaabangi - sometimes I'm able to use that to top her off after she drains the bottle. I'm also planning to try breast first at our next feeding, then supplement bottle breast milk if it goes horribly wrong. Fingers crossed!
Thank you all again for all of the support and advice! It's so reassuring to know that I'm not alone in that my poor nips are extra sensitive and may never feel "good" while BFing.
Oh also @yellingbanana I have that nipple butter and it did help heal the blisters. They're still really chappy and sore, but its much better than a couple weeks ago in the hospital. I probably need to order more!
Don't give up hope that they might not adjust and for nursing to feel good/ not painful... mine are crazy sensitive and it took a solid 3 weeks of nursing (I never pumped) for them them adjust and get use to it... the key is to get them as far in the baby's mouth as possible (or that helped me).
Re: Postpartum Healing & Wellness
@maamawaabangi there are stitches but I'm not sure exactly where or how many. I agree that 6 wks is a bit ridiculous. I delivered (with some complications) on 11/13 and they don't want to see me until 12/28. seems like too long to me. I'll keep up the peri bottle - I don't use it often enough - and will try coconut oil too. thanks!
Oh also, I would estimate maybe 4-5 wakings during my shift. she's much more fussy during mommy time
If pumping just isn't working out, it is okay to continue to use formula...seriously. If it means you can get some sleep, then go for it. Can DH take a longer stretch? Are you sleeping at all during those 6 hours of your shift?
Hope this helped a little.
To answer your questions:
I would estimate she downs about 50-70 ml average per session. sometimes its in one big session, other times she will want more after 30 minutes. She tends to wake up about every 2 to 2.5 hours, so she feeds pretty often! Our pediatrician told us that since she lost weight initially, we should try to stick to no more than 3 hours between feedings. Now that her weight is back up, Im not sure if we need to continue that strict of a schedule... Im adding it to my list of questions now
I do try to nap in between feedings during my shift, but it's hard for me to get to sleep right away, so I get maybe 45 minutes (which is great when it happens!). Since the feeding + soothing + changing + pumping cycle lasts between 1-1.5 hours, there isn't a whole lot of time for me to sleep before we are due for the next one.
I think hubs could probably extend his shift a bit... but I need him well rested for all of the manual labor, so I feel like it is a good trade - he gets more sleep but does more around the house than me. Plus since I need to get up more regularly to pump anyway, it's not a huge deal for me to take most of the night feedings. it's just tiring. so, so tiring.
I found that after 4 days of paced feedings, E doesn't suck as hard/give me blisters like she did before. So I can nurse 1-2 feedings during the day. When that happens, I use a silicon suction pump. It just hangs on the side not nursing and collects the extra letdown. So far ive gotten an oz a feeding from it.
Formerly known as Kate08young
August '18 Siggy April Showers:
Married: 7/22/14
Baby L: 8/4/2015 August 2015 Moms
Baby E: 11/18/2016 December 2016 Moms
TTC #3 08/2017 BFP 11/27/2017.
Twin B lost 11/22/2017, Twin A doing well.
Gosh I wish I could be more help! Pumping isn't easy, so I commiserate (I'm pumping now
If I were you, I'd try working on the latch during the day after you've had your rest. I give props to all pumping mamas, but it really makes a huge difference if you can get baby to latch and decrease how much you pump. The only way I was able to successfully pump was when DD was on one boob, and the pump was on the other boob, otherwise I wouldn't have a good let down.
On another note, when breastfeeding my first DD, it took a few weeks for the pain to go away in my nipples. DD had a good latch, but it takes time for them to get used to bfing. I was using lanolin for the first couple of weeks, my nips would crack and bleed with almost every feeding (there were a lot of tears shed on my end, with each feeding, I totally understand your glass analogy). Then...I found nipple butter. (Earth mama angel baby, nipple butter. Amazon!) That stuff saved my bfing experience. I put it on after each feeding and within a week, my nips were fine. You'll be happy to know that once they get used to all that sucking, it is easy. There is a light at the end of the tunnel! I swear!
At the same time, you have to do what works for you. And if that path includes formula, or even supplemental formula, I promise that no one here will think anything of it. As long as you are feeding your baby, kudos.
I couldn't agree more!
When they say it shouldn't hurt, it shouldn't, but it will when you start. I have some level of nipple pain every single time. I know pumping works well as a permanent solution for some ... so go with it if it works for you. But it seems to be far less stressful on the body and takes less time/stress on your body to just nurse a baby. A pump is a machine and it doesn't function as well and as gently as a baby. But part of being a mama is making that call for yourself. No one can make it for you!
Learning to side lie nurse is a huge game changer for rest and nursing. So helpful!
Have you tried soothies? They are gel pads for your nips and they are heavenly!!!
But really I think what you are feeling is the blood loss and anemia... I've dealt with that and it really kicks your butt (and might for months). Rest will help but also getting iron and maybe even asking about chlorophyll. It helps oxygenate your blood and helps the effects of anemia not feel so bad.
Due December 27th with baby #7
Due December 27th with baby #7
Thank you all again for all of the support and advice! It's so reassuring to know that I'm not alone in that my poor nips are extra sensitive and may never feel "good" while BFing.
Oh also @yellingbanana I have that nipple butter and it did help heal the blisters. They're still really chappy and sore, but its much better than a couple weeks ago in the hospital. I probably need to order more!
Due December 27th with baby #7