@rspalding001 Thats what I've been doing. But LO gets upset sometimes when it takes more than a minute. Lol I think I'm just going to start pumping a bit before I feed her. Cause it mostly only happens in the morning after her 6 hour stretch of sleep.
@kristah2 You would definitely know. She sucks for a little bit to start the letdown calmly. Then all the sudden she starts gulping really fast like she's trying to keep up with the flow. After that I'll take her off the breast or she will let go herself, spraying her all over her face & dripping down me. It basically won't stop and you have to let it go in a towel for a bit. It's pretty annoying..
@kvruns I recently got the Medela manual and used it while we were out on NYE. It is awesome! Oddly though it was about $44 at the store but i showed them the online price and they adjusted.
Re forceful letdown: DS starts having/coughing and pulls away when my letdown happens. If I pull up just a little on my breast to give him room I shoot milk over him. He gets really mad when it happens but it's usually when he's gone longer between nursing.
So LO still has not reached her birth weight (9lbs 15oz) at 7 weeks . She's gaining, but very slowly. Our old plan was feed an additional two oz of pumped or formula after a feed three times a day. New plan is replace three breastfeedings with formula feeds. I think I'm making enough (weighted feed at 5 weeks showed she gained 2.5oz after a feed) and she's eating every 2-3 hours, so not sure what the issue is. It's very frustrating.
@BLyn627 I'm so sorry this is happening! We went through something similar but not for as long. The important thing to focus on is that she IS gaining. That's so great! I know I almost went insain so try to focus on the positive and know that your little baby is happy and healthy and continuing to grow!
I think DS is finally figuring out side-laying nursing. We were struggling for a while. It makes motn nursing so much easier on both of us. Trying to stay awake while sitting up with him in my arms was seriously stressful. I felt like I was going to drop him or not be supporting his head properly even with the boppy there to help. I feel much more comfortable even if the arm I'm laying on tends to get sore.
Thanks, @anne11716. That's what the nurse at the weight check yesterday was saying. She kept telling us, "it's just a few ounces. We're not talking pounds." It also helps to focus on the fact that she is hitting milestones (rolling over and cooing) and still developing. You said you went through something similar, how did you guys come out of yours? Did you have to change what you were doing?
@tigerfish227, that's great that he's getting it. I keep toying with the idea of side-laying nursing at night and I honestly don't know why I don't do it. I think sitting up actually keeps me awake more and I'm afraid laying down, I would just pass back out. I did side-laying nurse her on ODD bed tonight while she was getting ready for bed lol. She does such a good job with it and it's so easy, which is why I think I'll fall asleep during the middle of feeding her that way.
Nursing bra questions: How many do you own (especially if your working and don't need them at work)? Do you wear underwire bras at all?
I have one nursing bra that I had from ODD. I hate it, but she never ended up latching well and my supply tanked, so I never really needed it. Now, I want to get some more, but I'm wondering how many I need, especially with going back to work next week. Which brings me to my second question. I read mixed things about wearing underwire. Some things say it's bad when your breastfeeding and other things say it's okay if the wire isn't sitting tight on you boobs. If I can wear underwires to work, then that's less nursing bras I need b/c I can just wear my old bras (underwires) to work and nursing bras when I'm home and on weekends. If that's the case, do you think two (new ones) are enough? I'm all about not buying more than I really need lol.
@BLyn627 it took our son about 5 weeks to be back at birth weight and reallt start to gain. We had to supplement and we still do a formula bottle 1-2 times a day. Thats I think what helped a lot. Once I got over it and realized I'm not a terrible mother because I give my baby formula it became easier for me. My baby is happy and healthy and very loved and that's what matters! I stressed out so much about breastfeeding and if he was getting enough that it was affecting my milk supply. I take Fenugreek pills now too! He's now 12 weeks and last week when he was weighed was 12 lbs 9oz and birth was 7lbs 5oz.
@BLyn627 I am too busty to not wear an underwire ! At home I go wireless but anytime I leave the house I wear a nursing bra with wire (but I also need the ability to nurse). I expressed some concern about underwire causing blocked ducts and the bra lady mentioned to be that a nursing bra with underwire is different then a regular bra because it's shaped a bit different near the armpit so it doesn't pinch the boob. Honestly I don't feel too much of a difference. But if you can just wear one that's not too tight (with wire tight against your boob) or manipulate the end of the wire near your armpit to go back further (toward your ribs instead of being that perfect u) and you should be fine! Just keep an eye for any duct issues.
Ive been side lying while nursing. Baby hates it but I'm too tired to do anything else when he's up all night. I think it gives him bad gas. The second I sit him up he has the hugest burp!
@BLyn627 I started side-lying because I was too tired to stay awake while I was nursing and I was more afraid of dropping him than I was of sleeping with him next to me. If I'm going to fall asleep anyways I'd rather do it with him safely laying on the bed instead of propped in my arms where he could fall and get hurt. I wake up if I need to roll over at night and I don't just toss and turn in my sleep so if I doze off a bit is not a big deal. I am no good to DS if I'm not getting ANY sleep and I'm definitely not doing him any good by not supporting his little body properly while I'm too tired to sit up and nurse him(or if he's falling off my lap or the bed). Do whatever you are comfortable with. If sitting up works better for you that's awesome.
The past two days lo will only latch and stay latched if I'm walking around. Otherwise he is literally screaming. I'm still using a shield as he won't latch without it at all. I'm going to go crazy!
@tigerfish227, makes sense. I'm glad your DS is working better with nursing that way and you're able to do that. I'm definitely looking forward to the time when there are no more middle of the night feedings. It's one thing I won't miss.
@anne11716, I'm hoping the formula bottles help for us too. With ODD, she never latched so I tried to EP, but had to stop after 4 months bc I was only getting 4oz a day. I was prepared for it not working out this time and had actually stocked up on some formula when I was able to get really good prices, so I'm happily surprised breastfeeding is going a lot better this time and my supply is keeping up better. My best friend is a NICU nurse and mentioned today that they sometimes have a moms milk tested for calories and find out that even though mom is producing enough, there just isn't enough calories in her milk. She says there is nothing you can do/eat to make it have more calories and the only option is fortifying it with formula. I'm now wondering if that could be my case. Also, I'm sorry that's going on with your LO. Hopefully it's a quick phase.
@kristah2, thanks for the info. I'm pretty busty too, but I did find one wireless nursing bra from Walmart that I'd be able to wear out. My regular underwires don't seem to fit too tight and wire lays against my ribs and don't press into my boobs, so I think I'll try those for work and then the wireless nursing when I'm home and/or need to go out somewhere with LO.
I think I had my first clogged duct. I noticed a hard spot when I was massaging and it hurt to press on. I worked on it and I don't think I feel the spot anymore but the area is still tender. How do I know if it is gone?
I'm glad I'm not alone. This is insane! And he's not sleeping because he's eating THAT much. I already have a 15 lb 7 week old. How much bigger is he going to get?!?
@kvruns your duct will be sore for a little but after, just keep working on massaging it and using warm compresses. Eventually the pain will dwindle to nothing. Good luck! Those suck!!
Me:23 DH:32 Married 5/14/13 TTC #1 since 5/14 TTC #1 w/ treatments since 5/15 BFN 7/15 BFP 8/15-MMC 9/15 BFP 10/15- Diagnosed BO 12/15 BFP 2/16-EDD 11/18/2016
Is anyone else having a hard time keeping up with this sudden increase in demand? I swear my boobs are completely empty and I'm getting a preview of what they'll look like when we start weening.
We're feeding a ton over here too. He used to only nurse on one side each feeding, now he's eating from both sides for a long time on each side, sometimes even wanting to go back to the first side. It's crazy! He was 8 weeks on Friday. I always worry that I feel empty but he still has enough dirty diapers so I'm hoping we're doing OK! I did not anticipate breast feeding to be so anxiety arousing. I wish I could just relax about it!
@MrsMaryK2016 I feel like there are definitely times where I don't have enough. I fed him before I went to lunch with my sister today and I was gone about and hourish. He was asleep when I got home and after it had been a few hours since I fed him he was still sleeping so I pumped.. (I haven't pumped at all yet so I wanted to see what I would get). We didn't he wake up right after I finished (15 minutes of pumping). I tried feeding him since I wanted to save what I had just pumped and he has seemed pissed off the whole rest of the day like I'm not making enough for him.. hopefully it's just today but I'm also glad I have ready to go formula if needed.
I was JUST thinking how I haven't felt "full" in a few days and was questioning my supply. But he is wetting diapers and he isn't complaining during nursing, just taking a lot longer than usual.
Its a little comforting that that we're all having the same experience. No? I mean if it's that many of us, it's got to be okay.
Sometimes I swear she doesn't want to eat but just wants to be on my breast. Sometimes the paci helps, but there's just something about mom's boob during the leaps/growth spurts that makes her just want to be there whether or not I feel like she's getting anything! I've been on the couch all. dang. weekend.
Side note: I've read lists about foods that [allegedly] help production. Oats/oatmeal is a super easy fit for my diet. I think almonds are another that are easier to get in.
@kvruns yep! I really like it so far. There's a book too--you can buy chapters right within the app. Didn't get a chance to tell DH that before he bought the physical book.
I can't remember if anyone has asked this, but when you give LO a bottle and pump while he's eating that bottle, should you be pumping an equal number of ounces that he eats? Tonight he ate a 4oz bottle but I only was able to get 2oz out of the one side, and am wondering if I should have pumped the other side too to get the same amount. I'm so nervous I won't be able to pump as much as he's needing to eat while I'm gone at work!
@desoky01 why did you only pump one side? I do bottles at night and always hope I pump enough to cover the bottles but for a while I was not pumping enough to cover. Now I am which is nice but I always pump both sides and just hope for a lot
I often only feed on one side unless LO is super hungry, so I usually just pump on the side he didn't eat on, and then feed him from the other side when he gets hungry again. I think once I'm actually at work I will pump both sides at once, but while I've been home and we're just practicing bottles I sometimes feed shortly after he takes a bottle and don't want him to have nothing in the boob. I really don't know what I'm doing, so I'm just doing my best!
@desoky01 I always pump both sides whenever I manage to pump. This time I've really screwed myself with pumping because I never do! I have no stash and I go back to work in 2 weeks. With my last child I feel like I had a better supply so when I have pumped this time I only get a few ounces which is what he takes from a bottle now but I don't think I'll be able to keep up with him. I guess we will see.
Re: All Things Breastfeeding
Thats what I've been doing. But LO gets upset sometimes when it takes more than a minute. Lol I think I'm just going to start pumping a bit before I feed her. Cause it mostly only happens in the morning after her 6 hour stretch of sleep.
@kristah2
You would definitely know. She sucks for a little bit to start the letdown calmly. Then all the sudden she starts gulping really fast like she's trying to keep up with the flow. After that I'll take her off the breast or she will let go herself, spraying her all over her face & dripping down me. It basically won't stop and you have to let it go in a towel for a bit. It's pretty annoying..
@tigerfish227, that's great that he's getting it. I keep toying with the idea of side-laying nursing at night and I honestly don't know why I don't do it. I think sitting up actually keeps me awake more and I'm afraid laying down, I would just pass back out. I did side-laying nurse her on ODD bed tonight while she was getting ready for bed lol. She does such a good job with it and it's so easy, which is why I think I'll fall asleep during the middle of feeding her that way.
I have one nursing bra that I had from ODD. I hate it, but she never ended up latching well and my supply tanked, so I never really needed it. Now, I want to get some more, but I'm wondering how many I need, especially with going back to work next week. Which brings me to my second question. I read mixed things about wearing underwire. Some things say it's bad when your breastfeeding and other things say it's okay if the wire isn't sitting tight on you boobs. If I can wear underwires to work, then that's less nursing bras I need b/c I can just wear my old bras (underwires) to work and nursing bras when I'm home and on weekends. If that's the case, do you think two (new ones) are enough? I'm all about not buying more than I really need lol.
I expressed some concern about underwire causing blocked ducts and the bra lady mentioned to be that a nursing bra with underwire is different then a regular bra because it's shaped a bit different near the armpit so it doesn't pinch the boob.
Honestly I don't feel too much of a difference. But if you can just wear one that's not too tight (with wire tight against your boob) or manipulate the end of the wire near your armpit to go back further (toward your ribs instead of being that perfect u) and you should be fine!
Just keep an eye for any duct issues.
Ive been side lying while nursing. Baby hates it but I'm too tired to do anything else when he's up all night. I think it gives him bad gas. The second I sit him up he has the hugest burp!
@anne11716, I'm hoping the formula bottles help for us too. With ODD, she never latched so I tried to EP, but had to stop after 4 months bc I was only getting 4oz a day. I was prepared for it not working out this time and had actually stocked up on some formula when I was able to get really good prices, so I'm happily surprised breastfeeding is going a lot better this time and my supply is keeping up better. My best friend is a NICU nurse and mentioned today that they sometimes have a moms milk tested for calories and find out that even though mom is producing enough, there just isn't enough calories in her milk. She says there is nothing you can do/eat to make it have more calories and the only option is fortifying it with formula. I'm now wondering if that could be my case. Also, I'm sorry that's going on with your LO. Hopefully it's a quick phase.
@kristah2, thanks for the info. I'm pretty busty too, but I did find one wireless nursing bra from Walmart that I'd be able to wear out. My regular underwires don't seem to fit too tight and wire lays against my ribs and don't press into my boobs, so I think I'll try those for work and then the wireless nursing when I'm home and/or need to go out somewhere with LO.
Welcomed baby girl: 06.10.14
Second pregnancy EDD: 06.16.16 MC: 10.29.15
Welcomed baby boy: 11.25.16
Welcomed baby girl: 06.10.14
Second pregnancy EDD: 06.16.16 MC: 10.29.15
Welcomed baby boy: 11.25.16
Married 5/14/13
TTC #1 since 5/14
TTC #1 w/ treatments since 5/15
BFN 7/15
BFP 8/15-MMC 9/15
BFP 10/15- Diagnosed BO 12/15
BFP 2/16-EDD 11/18/2016
Its a little comforting that that we're all having the same experience. No? I mean if it's that many of us, it's got to be okay.
Welcomed baby girl: 06.10.14
Second pregnancy EDD: 06.16.16 MC: 10.29.15
Welcomed baby boy: 11.25.16
Side note: I've read lists about foods that [allegedly] help production. Oats/oatmeal is a super easy fit for my diet. I think almonds are another that are easier to get in.
Leap 2 occurs *around* 8 weeks.
Married 5/14/13
TTC #1 since 5/14
TTC #1 w/ treatments since 5/15
BFN 7/15
BFP 8/15-MMC 9/15
BFP 10/15- Diagnosed BO 12/15
BFP 2/16-EDD 11/18/2016
Married 5/14/13
TTC #1 since 5/14
TTC #1 w/ treatments since 5/15
BFN 7/15
BFP 8/15-MMC 9/15
BFP 10/15- Diagnosed BO 12/15
BFP 2/16-EDD 11/18/2016