@vflux33 my little guy was in the NICU for two weeks and we had a lot of the same restrictions as far as not wanting him to try for too long to burn calories, needing him to gain weight, etc. I ended up deciding to exclusively pump until he was on track for weight and didn't even try breastfeeding because just trying for 5 minutes was frustrating for both of us! I can't remember how old your little ones are but mine is a month old now and just in the last five days or so we've been able to switch almost exclusively to breast. I find it so interesting about the correlation of skin to skin and breastfeeding success for you!
@vflux33 feeding one baby is tough, I can't imagine the stress of two. You are doing a phenomenal job and I think it's pretty admirable how much effort you are putting into making sure they are thriving. I remember from my oldest the stress of trying to maintain and increase weight and how much feedings and weight checks use to stress me out. Fortunately, this time and stress will eventually pass and you will probably move on to another area of parenting to stress about in the future like the rest of us. For now I hope you know you are doing a great job.
@scoogy19 Yeah, exactly--the failing to BF is soooo frustrating and I can feel them expending too much energy and not getting enough back. I think exclusively pumping until they reach normal weight range is probably going to have to be my path too, I'm realizing right now.... to answer your question they are 2 weeks old and though they are gaining well and have a good shot of catching up, as of the weight check today they are both still at less than 1%ile in terms of weight and head circumference for their age. Definitely frustrating, but they are making progress. The fortifying breastmilk thing is working and they are gaining more than average per day.
@DDRRT1982 Yeahhh... sore and cracked nipples all 3x here though I will say it was the worst and lasted 8 weeks with DD. Undiagnosed Thrush + lip tie will do that I guess...... This time they were healed up by the time she was a week old. I was hoping I could get by without cracks, but nope. At least the holes weren’t the size of M&M’s this time!
I think this has been discussed before but anyone have a good rec for a hands free pumping bra? How does that even work- do you wear your regular strap off bra then take off and put other on? I feel clueless in that regard and didn’t have one with first and really need one this time.
@vflux33 grow babies, grow!! If it makes you feel any better my little guy less than 1%ile at one month... his pediatrician is not concerned as of now because he is gaining and following a curve. My first was the same way and slowly but surely caught up. At 1.5 he's now in the 20th percentile. So try not to stress too much!
@slr1229, wear your regular bra, then what I did was pull it up so I could then put the pumping bra on. Then when done pumping, take pumping bra off and pull regular bra back down. I used Simple Wishes D Lite Hands Free Pumping Bra. Highly recommended on Amazon and a friend of mine had also recommended it to me.
Ahhh help! I just got home from the hospital 4 hours ago and my milk still hasn't come in, so obviously baby is living on me. Problem is I miss my two year old and he misses me! He keeps hugging ( jumping on and squeezing) baby so I had to run away upstairs for all our sanity but I feel horrible I've been missing for days and now I still can't give him attention... I don't know how to make this work!
@DDRRT1982 cracked nipples and clogged ducts both times... this time from pumping v breastfeeding.
@vflux33 like @scoogy19 the older that LO gets, the more successful he is at breastfeeding. I’m still pumping at night and at times throughout the day because sometimes he still just wants the bottle ((he’s tired)) and sometimes I just have too much milk. You sound determined and I think as the babies grow, you’ll find it easier. I hope.
@slr1229 I second @enigmaticjj ‘s suggestion for the simple wishes bra. Of the 2 brands I bought I like this one way better— it supports the funnel on all sides and feels pretty secure, also it adjusts easily to different sizes.
@mdfarmchick I hope so too. I’ll revisit when they’re bigger and just keep pumping along now, I guess!
@bravoandprosecco can you put in a movie or something to get him to sit nicely by you but then at least you’re still “together?” Or grab a coloring or sticker book?
@bravoandprosecco I can confirm the novelty of the baby really does wear off. My kids were all over the baby the first few days but don't even notice she is really here now. Lol, they'll be interested in her again when she can play.
Game changer...we might have learned the art of side nursing. Nursing all night long is not as bad if you don't have to sit up Everytime. However, my husband told me I got myself another snuggle bunny and I an never going to get this one out if our bed either.
@vflux33 for early latches until Sam got the hang of it, the football hold was the easiest for him. Not super comfortable for me, but it was only necessary for about a week or whenever he gets really impatient. And just letting the twins lay on you for skin to skin should help all of you with breastfeeding.
@mdfarmchick I will definitely try the football, yeah. I still feel uncomfortable wasting their energy on it ATM because of their sizes and nutrition requirements as I said before, but once they're ready I'll do that.
In the meantime I think I've brought my supply up enough to not need any formula-only feedings, which I'm pretty happy about. Still technically supplementing because we need to keep fortifying the breastmilk, but progress is progress!
Apologies if I missed this in an earlier post, but other than massaging and taking hot showers, any good tips on clogged ducts? I only get them on my left side, which is also my poorer producing side. I would love lefty to catch up (also they are getting painful).
I have a few tips for preventing clogged ducts. Since you pump a lot you can do these.
1. Try to pump for at least 15 minutes at a time. I usually have another let down around then. Earlier if I am super full.
2. Right before you turn the pump off massage your breast aggressively like you are loosening up the milk (obviously not technically doing that bc it's liquid). Pump again for a few minutes.
3. If you start to feel a knot in your breast aggressively nurse or pump that side. Make it priority when choosing a side.
4. Make sure you are as relaxed as possible when you pump or nurse. I don't have great let downs or release as much milk if I am stressed at the time.
5. Not for clogged ducts, but milk production calories are just as important as water.
@vflux33 heating pads over the clog while pumping has always helped me big time too. Bamboobies makes "therapy pillows" that are bamboo fabric filled with flax seed that you can either microwave or freeze depending on what you need. They're super comforting on sore, clogged boobs.
@vflux33 - besides what you’re already doing, I always made sure to massage the clogged breast/duct pretty firmly while I was pumping. @DDRRT1982 had great suggestions. Relaxing is really helpful too. It sometimes took me a couple pumping sessions, but massaging ahead of time, relaxing while pumping and massaging all along the duct while pumping eventually did the trick for me.
@vflux33 you’ve been given great advice regarding clogged ducts. I used to get clogged ducts horribly with my son. For the really stubborn clogs I would apply moist heat, massage, then get on all fours and either pump or nurse. There were a few occasions that this was the only way I could clear them. Good luck and I hope you keep them at bay, they are the worst
Thank you @ashleyf911@StephBrim24 and @Gingermom15! I tried pumping my left breast for a full hour while kind of pushing/massaging the tender parts today and I think that helped. I will try the bamboobies and other tips too. Crazy about the relaxation helping several of you... I never would have thought of that!
@vflux33, if you have an electric toothbrush (or something that vibrates), you can place it on the clogged duct area. That might help. It was a tip I heard in a breastfeeding class I took for my first.
This kid is driving me crazy. Only at night does she “feed”, gives up and slowly falls asleep then when we transfer to bassinet she all of a sudden roots and fusses. During the day, she doesn’t do this. It’s like she immediately has an alert system go off when she realizes she’s not on me anymore. It’s 11:30 and I’ve been trying for 2 hours- face palm!
Busted the paci our despite my efforts to hold off til 2 weeks but once it popped out, useless.
@vflux33 I also have been advised to take lecithin by my doctor and some LCs because I get clogged ducts on my right side frequently. Also, I don’t know how you sleep, but if you lay on your side, that could cause you to have clogs too.
Emma has been doing a great job with breastfeeding and we’ve officially made it a month!! Yay! However, for the past few days she’s been spitting up quite a bit. I’m not sure if it’s because I’ve been having trouble burping her (when she does burp they are BIG ones!) or if it’s because of something I’ve eaten that’s upsetting her tummy (it seems to happen after I’ve had some red sauce). Do any of you have experience with either of these while BFing?? She has her check up on Wednesday and I have a LC I can call later in the morning if needed.
@BrittnieMariee does it seem like she's still gaining weight? Is she acting overly fussy at all? I'd still run it by her ped if you're concerned, but I've always heard when they're this young that if they're happy and gaining, then spit up is just a laundry problem.
@BrittnieMariee does it seem like she's still gaining weight? Is she acting overly fussy at all? I'd still run it by her ped if you're concerned, but I've always heard when they're this young that if they're happy and gaining, then spit up is just a laundry problem.
All of this. Wet diapers are also a good indication that she's doing just fine on intake. I know it can be super nerve wracking but it sounds like you're doing a great job @BrittnieMariee.
Anyone with nipple pain during nursing, please try side nursing. It really helped me. I'm able to get more of my areola into her mouth, and I have more control over the baby.
Well, I have mastitis. I haven't had this since my daughter. Having a fever and feeling like shit is a special kind of hell with three young kids and a newborn. The last time I treated it naturally with garlic pills, hot showers, and pumping/nursing around the clock, but I don't have time for that now. I called my OB to get a prescription for antibiotics.
@DDRRT1982 The word Mastitis makes me cringe. I thought it was coming down with it this weekend, but fortunately it was just a nasty clog. And then the next day I woke up and had one in the other side. I figured out I had slept on those sides and that’s likely what caused them. Looks like sleeping on my back it is..
@ashleyf911@fragglemom she’s definitely having plenty of wet and dirty diapers! I feel like she’s constantly pooping lol her well check is on Wednesday so I’ll see how much she’s gained since her 2 week appointment. She was above her birth weight though so I’m confident she’s still gaining well
@mdfarmchick how do I always forget about kellymom?? Lol thank you!
I'm a so scared to get mastitis, never had it with my first but I seriously fear it! Feel better.
During the day LO is so easy and sleeps and feeds and that's it, but at night? Horror. Fussy, lives on the boob ( seriously 5pm to 1230am last night) my nipples and sanity can't handle it!
Re: Breastfeeding Megathread
@DDRRT1982 Thank you, I appreciate that.
@vflux33 like @scoogy19 the older that LO gets, the more successful he is at breastfeeding. I’m still pumping at night and at times throughout the day because sometimes he still just wants the bottle ((he’s tired)) and sometimes I just have too much milk. You sound determined and I think as the babies grow, you’ll find it easier. I hope.
((edit for autocorrect))
@mdfarmchick I hope so too. I’ll revisit when they’re bigger and just keep pumping along now, I guess!
In the meantime I think I've brought my supply up enough to not need any formula-only feedings, which I'm pretty happy about. Still technically supplementing because we need to keep fortifying the breastmilk, but progress is progress!
Apologies if I missed this in an earlier post, but other than massaging and taking hot showers, any good tips on clogged ducts? I only get them on my left side, which is also my poorer producing side. I would love lefty to catch up (also they are getting painful).
1. Try to pump for at least 15 minutes at a time. I usually have another let down around then. Earlier if I am super full.
2. Right before you turn the pump off massage your breast aggressively like you are loosening up the milk (obviously not technically doing that bc it's liquid). Pump again for a few minutes.
3. If you start to feel a knot in your breast aggressively nurse or pump that side. Make it priority when choosing a side.
4. Make sure you are as relaxed as possible when you pump or nurse. I don't have great let downs or release as much milk if I am stressed at the time.
5. Not for clogged ducts, but milk production calories are just as important as water.
https://www.buybamboobies.com/products/boob-ease-soothing-therapy-pillows-1
I used to get clogged ducts horribly with my son. For the really stubborn clogs I would apply moist heat, massage, then get on all fours and either pump or nurse. There were a few occasions that this was the only way I could clear them. Good luck and I hope you keep them at bay, they are the worst
*edited for typo
Busted the paci our despite my efforts to hold off til 2 weeks but once it popped out, useless.
Serenity now.
Emma has been doing a great job with breastfeeding and we’ve officially made it a month!! Yay! However, for the past few days she’s been spitting up quite a bit. I’m not sure if it’s because I’ve been having trouble burping her (when she does burp they are BIG ones!) or if it’s because of something I’ve eaten that’s upsetting her tummy (it seems to happen after I’ve had some red sauce). Do any of you have experience with either of these while BFing?? She has her check up on Wednesday and I have a LC I can call later in the morning if needed.
Good luck!
@DDRRT1982 oh nooo! I am so sorry. Mastitis is the worst. Hugs.
@mdfarmchick how do I always forget about kellymom?? Lol thank you!
During the day LO is so easy and sleeps and feeds and that's it, but at night? Horror. Fussy, lives on the boob ( seriously 5pm to 1230am last night) my nipples and sanity can't handle it!