This thread is for all things related to breast feeding, formula feeding, up to introducing solids. A well fed baby is a healthy baby. What works for one may or may not work for another. There are no wrong answers. Please share your experiences, questions, and advice. The goal here is to collect all the info we can so when our babies are born, if something isn’t working for us, we already have something else we may be able to try!
Re: Feeding
in hives and choked a lot. I thought it was due to breastfeeding, so I stopped around the 6 week mark. We quickly found out that the same issues existed on formula and had to have him tested and eventually switched to a speciality formula. DS2 vomited a lot the first few weeks. I cut out dairy and that didn’t work, so I researched and found out caffeine and citrus are common irritants for newborns. I cut out both and we went on to nurse with no issues. So I only caution don’t give up if you have tummy issues. Know that newborns can be very sensitive to our diets and be prepared to eliminate things.
I’m sure it will be well traveled
Eta: baby should be getting enough to eat, even though you're uncomfortable. If not, please reach out sooner.
I lost a lot of blood during labor (just under the amount to need a transfusion) and I have PCOS so getting my milk to come in wasn’t easy. DD went to the NICU for blood sugar issues and I was determined to breastfeed. I pumped, I hand expressed, I spent majority of my 24 hour recovery in the NICU nursing her whenever I could to try and stimulate something.
After about 10 days to two weeks of feeding like this every 2.5 hours and pumping for 45 minutes after, my milk finally came in! Since I was going to go back to work and wanted a freezer stash, even when we didn’t have to use formula anymore, I still pumped after every feed to freeze.
After those first few weeks of blood sugar issues, many weighted feeds, only 30 minute increments of sleep, and blood, sweat, and tears, we had an amazing breastfeeding journey. I went back to work at 9 weeks PP but was able to keep my supply strong. DD stopped nursing on her own at 8 months but I kept pumping and was able to feed breastmilk through her first year (which was my goal).
TLDR: rough breastfeeding start, but I put in the time and effort and it became glorious!
DD #2: May 2020
Baby #3: EDD May 2023; MC October 2022
Breastfeeding is not *supposed* to hurt. It’s really hard to get a perfect latch with a newborn though.
for example, I had a LC tell me that my low supply/production was because I wasn’t nursing enough—I was doing every 2.5 hours for ~30-45 minutes per side and then pumping for 45 minutes after. She said that there are African tribes that nurse 50 times per day or just wear their babies all day and keep them latched almost all day. Well.... that didn’t fit my life. And I’m blessed to have access to formula in order to adjust my feeding needs/demands to what fit my life until my supply came in. Needless to say, I didn’t see that lady again haha.
Married Sept. 2013
DS1: Nov 11, 2016
MMC: 11/16/18 (9w6d)
CP: 2/3/19 (5w3d)
BFP! 8/24/19
DS2: May 10, 2020
This is all to say, find what works for you. Don't force something if it's not working. Your mental health is so important those first few months and FED is best.
This time around, I'm taking it day by day. I'm fully prepared to provide colostrum for the first 2 days and introduce the bottle as early as day 2 if I want. I'm going to do what's best for my baby, me, and my family. There will be LOTS and LOTS of discussion about this during pregnancy and after if/when we transition to a different platform, and it's so important we all feel supported no matter what decision you make!!
(edit: typo)
Married Sept. 2013
DS1: Nov 11, 2016
MMC: 11/16/18 (9w6d)
CP: 2/3/19 (5w3d)
BFP! 8/24/19
DS2: May 10, 2020
My advice is to do what is right for you and resist guilt/pressure/shame, no matter your choice. If you need help, get it. If you have to bounce around to a few LCs to find a good fit, do it. If you have to make big adjustments to make BFing work and are willing/able to, go for it. If it's too much, there is no shame in saying, "This isn't working for us" and moving on to formula.
DD #2: May 2020
Baby #3: EDD May 2023; MC October 2022
- BFP: 3/10/16 — Baby Girl born 11/20/16
TTC#2 April 2019FTM
BFP 08/25/19, EDD 05/04/20
DD #2: May 2020
Baby #3: EDD May 2023; MC October 2022
- If you have no breast changes in pregnancy that is not normal. It can be a sign that you may have breastfeeding supply issues. In particular this can be a sign of mammary hypoplasia/IGT (insufficient glandular tissue), which can be hereditary.
- IGT does not mean you have small breasts, they can be any size and depending on how much tissue you have, people can produce various amounts. There is a huge difference between fat tissue and glandular tissue. I have very small, wide spaced breasts, while my mom has really, really large tubular breasts. Both fall under the category of IGT and we both had troubles with lack of supply.
- Hormonal imbalances can cause breastfeeding issues and low supply. Things such as insulin resistance, PCOS, thyroid issues, prolactin issues, diabetes (any form), and much much more. Although having these issues does not always mean there will be an issue.
- Oral ties (tongue and lip) can effect your breastfeeding journey so much. Even minor ones. It also can cause issues for the child or adult later in life. I almost had to have mine clipped when I got braces and a lip tie is the reason I had a gap in my two front teeth and need a permanent metal piece to hold them together. DH almost had to go to speech classes, and I honestly think his is so bad it should be revised as an adult. It can also cause headaches and poor posture. There are a ton of other small things that can be because of ties. Tie's can be partially hereditary, so if you our YH has one, your child is more likely to have one. Laser treatment (usually by a dentist) is far superior to getting them clipped. Mouth and tissue exercises are super important after revisions.
Tips for formula feeding- Make sure you get the lowest flow nipple you can in the beginning. I used Dr. Browns which come with size 1, I ordered a premie nipple for the beginning.
- You will have to try out different bottles to see what works.
- People generally overfeed when formula feeding. Pace feeding and really paying attention to your babies cues can be super helpful.
- The Dr. Brown's formula pitcher was amazing! You have to make sure not to bring the thing up too high or you get bubbles. Bubbles can give the baby gas.
- Try out room temp and cold milk before offering warmed milk. We did with DD and she was fine with it, so we never had to warm bottles.
- You probably will have to try out different formulas to figure out what works, and you may have to change a few times as baby grows too.
- There is no nutritional difference between name brand and generic. However there is a difference in how much the proteins are broken down. You can actually physically see it, Generics are more yellow and larger powder/granules, name brand are a bit more white and more powdery. DD got horribly constipated by generic brands because of this, name brands she still was constipated but not nearly as bad. We did have to do a suppository a few times.
- Sign up for the free samples and coupon/checks. Also people post them on FB to give away to those who need them too.
As for my story. I will put it in a spoiler because it will probably be long. Also just a general TW and TMI warning. Also I want to put a disclaimer that I am in the 5-15% of people that have severe issues, my experience is not typical.I had a uncomplicated vaginal delivery (see birth story thread) on a Sunday night. I used the hospital pump and hand expressed in the hospital and the LC (Lactation Consultant) came in to help me a few times. I really didn't get much in the hospital, but that was expected since it is just colostrum at that point. It was determined that DD had a minor tongue tie and since DH and I had issues we should get it revised.
I went home on Tuesday afternoon and my milk still had not come in. I was feeding constantly. She BF for about an hour total (that is too long) each time, and my nipples were sore and cracked. I called the nurse hotline so many times, I was always told to keep breastfeeding, power pump, and hand express. Specifically I was told every time "DO NOT GIVE FORMULA, it will mess up your supply" In hindsight this was really bad advice.
Wednesday (3 days old) we went and got the tongue tie clipped. Breastfeeding felt so much better instantly. They had me feed right after the clipping. It made a huge difference in nipple pain and latch. That evening I got super sick (shitting and vomiting, mostly shitting), I thought it was food poisoning. Once again constantly BF, power pumping, hand expressing. The whole process taking almost 3 hours and then starting it all over again right away. I was sleep deprived and exhausted, DH was mean to me because he just wanted to give formula but all the nurses said not to. I borrowed a scale and DD weight was not changing with feeds. I was drinking teas, eating oatmeal, drinking water, ALL THE THINGS. Nothing was helping, my milk still had not "come in". That evening I was still sick and DD was not producing wet or dirty diapers and her lips were extremely chapped. We went to the ER, they said she was slightly dehydrated and gave her a little formula.
Thursday-Sunday (4-7 days old) and still doing the BF, pumping, expressing thing. Nurses still saying not to give formula. All of these issues still at play... oh and I was still deathly sick. I lost all of my baby weight from Wednesday to Friday by shitting out water basically and I got a rash on my legs because the hair follicles were angry from the drastic quick change. Nurses never mentioned coming in and getting checked out. DH then got whatever I got over the weekend. My milk still had not "come in". The most I had ever gotten in a whole entire day was 1 oz.
Monday (8 days old) I finally had an appointment with a LC and still no supply. She did a weighted feed and observed me. She also asked me questions about my breasts during puberty and pregnancy and my mothers experience. No changes and my mom had issues too. Everything we were doing was "perfect" the latch, the hold, everything. DD was not gaining anything after feeds on each breast. She was realistic with me and said that "I don't have the right kind of tissue" and need to supplement her food completely. She said I could continue to breastfeed for bonding and comfort if I wanted. At the time I was super thankful that she was compassionate but realistic. I decided to exclusively formula feed from then on and getting rid of my "milk" was no big deal since I didn't have any. I took some ibuprofen for a couple days and then I was completely fine.
In hindsight, all of the medical professionals were not educated enough and I did not know enough to be my own advocate. I had done a breastfeeding class in pregnancy and they never mentioned the possibility of things not working out. No one ever suggested any kind of testing on me to figure out what was going on. After all of my research over the last 3 years (in preparation for #2) I believe I had a combination of IGT and hormonal imbalance. I had GD and I ended up with undiagnosed postpartum thyroiditis. I also think whatever bug I got played a huge roll in my lack of supply. I am hopeful that I can produce a bit more this time around especially because most of the issues I had are treatable with diet, lifestyle, sleep, supplements, and medication. However, IGT is not. You do grow more tissue with each pregnancy and since I had all of the other factors I really do not know how much IGT played a roll in the lack of production. So this time around I am trying to be more proactive, get my medical team on board for testing after birth if I have issues. I am also looking into IBCLC's that specialize in these chronic low supply issues that I can maybe work with virtually during pregnancy and after.
- BFP: 3/10/16 — Baby Girl born 11/20/16
TTC#2 April 2019I’m not saying that formula is wrong or bad (we supplemented, too) but there are breastmilk options out there if it something that you’re interested in pursuing!
Married Sept. 2013
DS1: Nov 11, 2016
MMC: 11/16/18 (9w6d)
CP: 2/3/19 (5w3d)
BFP! 8/24/19
DS2: May 10, 2020
I would nurse at wake up around 7. We would leave the house around 7:45. Then I would pump around 10, 12:30, and 2:30. I pumped for 20 minutes and the whole thing would take about 30 minutes each time. I often watched Netflix on my phone while doing it (my job was pretty boring, I didn't have work to be doing during those times). I picked my daughter up around 5:15, we would be home by 5:30 and I would nurse again then. At some point we dropped that early evening nursing session.
At first she had three four-once bottles per day, so I'd send 12 ounces and would be away from her for about 10 hours. At some point daycare wanted her to have more so I sent three five-ounce bottles. Many LCs recommend 1-1.5 ounces of BM for every hour you're away from baby.
I HIGHLY recommend keeping a pump at work and just schlepping your parts to and from (if you have time/space to wash them well at work, you could leave parts there too). Honestly it's worth the $150 to buy a spectra S2 OOP to keep one at home and one at work if you will be EBF for a year. Also keep a full set of spare parts in your desk drawer or a hand pump. You will forget your parts one day.
DD #2: May 2020
Baby #3: EDD May 2023; MC October 2022