PAIF Graduates - New Mommies - July 2018

byrneme · August 2018

@mtpbadger - this was the exact situation I was in and I felt the EXACT same way. My ped told me to do whatever I needed to do to survive and was 100% supportive of me exclusively pumping. You do you - fed is best and so is sanity!

MMD1986 · August 2018

@mtpbadger I felt the exact same way with Brooks, although he never took to breastfeeding. But feeding and then pumping was exhausting, so add in the extra step of breastfeeding and I hear you, it gets old quick. I haven't pumped in a few weeks and morale is up with everyone at my house. Brooks takes formula fine. My husband doesn't have to do all the feedings (he always gave the bottle while I pumped) and I feel like I have so much free time on my hands. It's definitely made me feel closer to Brooks because I don't feel like I'm tied to that dang pump and I have more time to feed and play with him.

You have to do what is best for your sanity. Hopefully she is doing well enough that you can eliminate the supplement/pump and continue on your breastfeeding journey you've worked so hard at, but know whatever you decide is ok! A happy baby and mom is all that matters.

mtpbadger · August 2018

I definitely don’t mind pumping it’s just everything together. If I go back to exclusively pumping I’d also be able to work on reducing the number of sessions which would be so nice! And even if we decide we can go mostly breastfeeding, I’d still prob pump a few times a day so DH can do some feedings and build up my stash when I go back to work but would be able to do those during her nap times or whenever I have time, not on such a strict schedule. I just can’t keep doing it all!! Hopefully a good solution will be discussed on Friday

JWatt5 · August 2018

@mtpbadger - I had that point too with Parker. I was lucky enough to have DH home with me for 2 weeks but when he went back I knew I could do the whole routine anymore. But by then, breastfeeding was enough - no supplement bottle. Is it that your milk hasn’t come in enough for a full feed? Or she’s just not eating enough?

@Hopeful_mom - hang in there - it does all get easier in a lot of ways. Those first 3-4 months are hard - one day at a time and you’ll make it!! **hugs**

mtpbadger · August 2018

@JWatt5 she really only started breastfeeding about a week and a half ago consistently so the dr still wanted her on the high cal supplement added to expressed breastmilk for brain development and growth. When I saw the LC two weeks ago, she wasn’t too impressed with her weight gain (although the ped didn’t say anything). She had only gained about half an oz per day instead of one once. This Friday we’ll do a weight check before and after a feed to make sure she’s getting enough and if she is, I’m really going to push for limiting the supplement. I’m pumping anywhere from 24-28oz/day so my supply shouldn’t be an issue, as baby tends to get more from the boobs than the pump anyway.

byrneme · August 2018

1/2 - 1 ounces a day is totally normal @mtpbadger. Though I did find that the LC's I saw wanted more like .75 - 1 vs the 1/2 - 1 my ped was fine with.

mbradfo2 · August 2018

24-28 oz should really be more than enough! Our doctor focuses more on the growth trend rather than specific amounts -- she just wants to see a good rate of growth on the chart, every baby will vary in how much they gain. Has she doubled her birth weight yet -- she was a NICU preemie, right? As long as you are on track to doubling or have already doubled, most peds will be really calm about daily weight gain.

For those who bottle fed, how much were you giving per bottle? We've been doing -ok- with a bottle every 4 hours during the day (with 1/2 jar of baby food instead of afternoon/evening bottle) but I keep wondering if I'm giving her too much or too little in each bottle. I've been doing about 5-6 oz per bottle (she usually gets around 4 bottles a day) but I feel like maybe it should be more like 4 -5 oz? I just want to make sure she's full and comfortable between bottles but not stuffed -- and she'll stuff herself to the max if I offer the enough milk to her!

mtpbadger · August 2018

Thanks ladies!!

@mbradfo2 she was a nicu preemie and has doubled her birth weight....at her 2 month appt she was 8lbs 5oz and was born at 3lb11oz.

Can you offer her 4-5oz and see if she’s still giving hunger cues after (or shortly after?). I feel like so much of this is a guessing game and trial and error!

JWatt5 · August 2018

@mbradfo2 - I think every baby is different. So many babies were taking 6-8oz when Parker always just took 4oz. We didn’t get to 6oz/8oz bottles until 8 months. He then kept the same about of total daily ounces. Just more at once (and it was super nice not to do 7 bottles a day!!)

Polythene Pam · August 2018

@mtpbadger that was me with my daughter. Nurse, supplement, pump to up supply, repeat repeat repeat. I HATED it and hit my breaking point when she would be screaming as I pumped, I knew THAT wasn’t a good bonding time. I went to all formula after talking to our ped (she also had an intolerance to something I was eating). With Graham I can fully nurse. Honestly choosing one way or another (all formula, all pumping or as much nursing as possible) is a game changer, I’ll never do all 3 again. Both my kids are healthy, right on track for developments and we had tons of bonding. I hope talking to the dr helps you!!

Hopeful_mom · August 2018

Thanks for all the advice ladies, so nice to not be alone!!

is it possible that the baby gets way more then we pump?

@mtpbadger you're pumping so much how many times r u pumping? My ped suggested the same thing to me but I wasn't pumping enough and can't physically do it all. I'm trying to feed on one boob and pump the other in the am as the baby usually falls back asleep...it's tricky! I have appt Friday too. Right now just getting to my appts is a big deal!!

i feel like I'm still waiting for my milk to come in...how much r babies suppose to be eating By 2 months?

MMD1986 · August 2018

@hopeful_mom I've always heard babies are much more efficient at getting milk out of your boob than a pump.

All babies are different in regards to the amount they eat. But I've always used the guide 2.5 oz per pound divided by the number of feedings per day, up to 32 oz per day. That's for formula. For breastmilk I've read they never need more than 4 oz at a time because calorie content changes with the baby. Not sure the truth on that one, as I've never really looked into it. Trust your gut though! You will know when baby is hungry or if she is full/satisfied.

Polythene Pam · August 2018

@Hopeful_mom Graham is a tank, he’s huge, so I don’t know how much he gets when he nurses but clearly it’s enough. But just a month ago I was in a wedding and pumped all day and night and got like 8 oz the whole time. I’ve tried other pumps too, some people don’t respond well to pumps.

i just take it by weight checks now, if Graham is gaining enough then I just keep on nursing.

if he needs a bottle we just give formula, I don’t even try pumping anymore.

Feeding them is hard! Hugs!

and edited for midnight sleepy typo’s

mtpbadger · August 2018

@Hopeful_mom I pump 7 times a day which is exhausting. I don’t really know anything different tho since I started pumping while Abigail was in the nicu (and then I was pumping every two hours!). The amount I get definitely varies....sometimes I get 5oz (usually overnight or early morning) and other times I barely get two.

Two months Abigail was drinking about 2-2.5 oz and just recently upped it to 3oz. There were times at night that didn’t seem to satisfy her so we would give her more in 1oz bottles. Then sometimes she will only still drink 2oz.

The worst is giving her a bottle after the boob and her not finish it. It’s heartbreaking to have to dump out hard earned breastmilk.

Hopeful_mom · August 2018

Thanks ladies!! Info is always so helpful!!!

@mtpbadger u actually dump BM

my boob ached when I read that. So far I've left mine out and gave it when she woke bac up after she fell asleep and it was still fine!

mtpbadger · August 2018

@Hopeful_mom I have to dump after an hour bc it has a high calorie supplement (formula) mixed in. It’s heartbreaking when I have to dump.

We took a little trip to target yesterday and I needed some baby stuff and there happened to be a baby scale for sale. Never seen it there before so we caved and bought it. We will see how the breastfeeding journey goes....it’s definitely hard to change my mindset from tracking every oz to just trusting she’s getting enough and will let us know if she’s still hungry.

JWatt5 · August 2018

@mtpbadger - if it makes you feel better then it’s the right thing. Kinda like the Dopplers. As long as you’re using it in moderation, not obsessing I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it! To this day I still track his wet diapers...just habit now

Hopeful_mom · August 2018

@JWatt5 how many wet diapers are they suppose to have about?

mbradfo2 · August 2018

5-6 i believe, but basically they shouldn't go more than a few hours without a wet diapie

JWatt5 · August 2018

@Hopeful_mom - I was told the same as @mbradfo2 Parker used to freak out as soon as he wet his diaper and I think we were changing like 10-12 a day from 0-7m. It was crazy lol. But I think the min at a young age is 5-6 (pending you change them as soon as they wet the diaper!)

mbradfo2 · August 2018

Yeah, Anne basically wets her diaper immediately after we change it, especially if she's getting fed. Usually she likes to poop on the nice fresh diaper too haha (while getting fed, I don't understand the link -- does she need to clear her gut to feel comfortable to eat? haha )

I don't usually worry about changing wet ones right away unless she is uncomfortable...we'd be going through 18 diapers a day that way...I think we are usually 8-10. She's only had one minor episode of diaper rash so I'm not rushing to change a diaper I just put on, especially if she's comfy and wanting to go to sleep. I do change the dirty ones right away since those have a tendency to get messy. So far no poo explosions yet though.

mtpbadger · August 2018

Abigail is the same way, as soon as she gets a fresh diaper she pees. She typically only poops 1-2 times a week (ped says they can go up to 10 days without pooping!!!) and it’s always a massive one that the diaper has trouble containing. I usually hear it so change her right away - or at least get her onsie off and let her get the rest of it out. I made that mistake once of changing her before she was finished and I’ll never make that mistake again!! She did have a blowout in her car seat once and that was totally disgusting!

mbradfo2 · August 2018

We're formula fed so she usually had 1 poops a day but it's gone up to 1-2 a day it seems since we introduced occasional solids to skip a bottle now and then since she's been eating like a horse since day 1 and the doc is worried she's gaining a bit too fast (I didn't know that was possible /shrug ). I think it's mostly that she's just a long baby and is going to be pretty tall like her dad -- her length is over the 98th percentile.

Hopeful_mom · August 2018

Yes I love when I'm changing her and she literally pees before I have a chance to close the diaper and I'm now changing her and everything else

Hopeful_mom · August 2018

When BF other then gas why would baby play with the nipple taking it in and out? She's still so young to just be playing with it? She can breathe, there's milk coming out. It's like she's latched one second spits it out and then wants it back. It's confusing and annoying to say the least!! She also uses me as a pacifier so it's hard to figure out what's going on. She'll nap for 10 min and is then bac at it.

mtpbadger · August 2018

@Hopeful_mom I was literally googling this last night! From what I found it could be several things to include their full or they are playing with the nipple to stimulate more milk production. When Abigail does it I’ll let it happen for a little bit but if she doesn’t relatch after a few tries I’ll either switch boobs or be done completely and if she’s hungry a little bit later I’d rather deal with that than extra sore nipples from her playing with them.

persnickity · August 2018

@Hopeful_mom @mtpbadger It can also be related to the milk flow/let down rate. If it's too fast, they may pop off or bite down to slow the rate. Too slow (in their mind, it's not necessarily slow, but maybe slower than a bottle or they're hungrier than usual) can cause them to play.

Everything @mtpbadger said it's a great way to handle it

mbradfo2 · August 2018

I'm having so much fun finishing up baby's room with little touches! I wish we were going to Paris this fall so I could scrounge in all of their neat little shops but I get my husband's nerves about doing the trip with a 7 month old. I'll probably pop out to some boutiques this week since he hates shopping anyway -- I want to get one or two little decor touches since the walls still feel a bit bare.

I was planning on going to the library tomorrow but I keep getting hung up on whether or not library books are clean enough for her...I know, strange. I just am nervous that some kid got gunk all over it and then she'll put a page in her mouth or just touch it and then suck her hands like always and get sick ><

I know she's going to get sick in her life; I just want to put off the first time as much as possible! We go out alot with her but for some reason the library books are just giving me jitters.

MMD1986 · August 2018

@mbradfo2 what does her nursery look like? I love nursery pics! We need more books for Brooks!

Here is his room. The tv was for us when he was really little for overnight feeds, but I kept it because he likes his pandora nursery rhyme station for sleeping.

Hopeful_mom · August 2018

@mtpbadger that's very interesting!! I purposely squeeze the nipple to make sure there's milk coming out!!! She was doing it again tonight waking from her sleep. She was exhausted so I don't kno if she's just being lazy or what cause she wanted to sleep....and now is wide awake!

mtpbadger · August 2018

@hopeful_mom babies are strange sometimes! Lol. It would all be much easier if they could just talk or we could read their minds! Abigail was sooo overtired last night. We started putting her to bed around 7 and I think she finally fell asleep around 10.30. Not crying the whole time thankfully but WIDE awake and wanting to play. Which isn’t all that bad but gets exhausting.

Hopeful_mom · August 2018

@mtpbadger I'm hysterical u can get ur baby to bed before midnight, it just doesn't happen ever. It's 11:30 and I'm already on her second feeding for the night. She's just napping. She has also had bad gas all day so she really hasn't been herself!! Mine was wide awake too. She was killing my boobs so I stopped it and started with the swing, walking around and then tried again. I'm trying to figure it out by her sucking when it's for hunger vs comfort. It's tough!!! Doing the best I can. My right boob is sore I'm the one whincing her....ugh hurts so bad!!

mtpbadger · August 2018

@hopeful_mom you’ve got a sassy little girl on your hands!! One thing I read that has been helpful with determining if it’s actual sucking vs comfort is to watch their chin. If it pauses at its widest point that’s a true suck for food. They can do a few smaller sucks in between but the pause at the widest point means they are actively feeding. If she hasn’t done one of those in a few min I assume she is just sucking for comfort at that point and take her off and usually she comes off really easily. Think of it like you drinking from a straw - you pause at the height of the suck to start a new one and to swallow.

persnickity · August 2018

@Hopeful_mom you should also be able to hear where she swallows. It sounds like a puff of air. If you don't hear that every few sucks, she's likely comfort sucking, not nursing

Hopeful_mom · August 2018

@persnickity thanks I do see that too! How do I get this LO to sleep without my boob. I'll getbher to release. It but if she's not asleep she's searching till she has a hold of it! It's fine form no way even though it kills but I know this is a bad routine to let her get used to

persnickity · August 2018

@Hopeful_mom try covering up your nipple or giving her a pacifier (not all babies like every kind you might need to try a few) or find a different way to soothe her, like rocking out walking or patting her back. My daughter will be asleep and will still occasionally try to re-latch in her sleep. I have to cover up quickly without disturbing her. After trying for a bit, she stops and stays asleep.

Hopeful_mom · August 2018

I've been trying to cover up a lot but she's so smart and wakes up too much! Once she starts getting upset I give in. She's starting to suck on her hands too so I'm hoping that she'll find comfort in that too!! It's hard now with her being gassy cause all I want to do is comfort her as best I can!! I think she also smells my milk so she doesn't take the pacifier as easily from me as she does from others.

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PAIF Graduates - New Mommies - July 2018

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