Post by frodabaggins on Aug 11, 2016 13:07:10 GMT -5
Thanks for starting this! I had this weird dream the other night that I had baby #2 and then forgot how to breastfeed - it was so awkward. I have a feeling I'll be in here often chatting and also complaining about pumping
Post by hannahbear on Aug 11, 2016 15:03:10 GMT -5
I went to a breastfeeding clinic today and got tons of advice - apparently I was doing a bunch of stuff wrong. I have a little hope now, at least! I learned new feeding positions, how to tickle baby awake when he falls asleep at the breast, feeding him unclothed to help wake him up, what size nipple shield to use, better pumping technique (apparently I was mashing!), and am now renting a hospital grade pump. We also were bottle feeding in a less optimal position. I'm going back next week for a follow up. So glad I went - this stuff is not easy!
Post by spicysalmonroll on Aug 11, 2016 15:25:58 GMT -5
hannahbear oh I'm curious what you were doing wrong...as long as he's getting food, gaining weight, and my nipples don't kill- I just assume I'm doing fine haha. I also use the exact same position every time (just standard cradling). He pulls off for a minute and it always drips all over so I feel like I have to sit in the rocker with my towels.
I'm hoping to go exclusive for 3 months but then supplement when I return to work . I just have zero interest in pumping or making a stash. I feel like my supply has finally evened out to what he eats so that's nice.
I got "earth angel mama baby" nipple butter on Amazon and it's amazing. I always heard horror stories about cracked, bleeding nipples but I use this after each feeding and have no problems.
Post by hannahbear on Aug 11, 2016 15:39:11 GMT -5
I've just been on this path since he was born - he had a tongue tie and apparently I have very short nipples (?!?!) and my milk took a really long time to come in, so we've been trying to feed but he has a really hard time latching. Apparently he's extra lethargic because he was born at 38 weeks, so that doesn't help either. I've been breastfeeding, pumping, and supplementing with either donor milk or my pumped milk at every feeding. I was using a football hold, but they recommended a nursing pillow and the cradle hold, plus I guess my breasts are big enough that I have to kind of prop them up so he can latch better. I was using the wrong size nipple shield (which he needs because of the short nipple issue). Since he's kind of lethargic, I'm supposed to keep him unclothed and tickle him when he starts sleeping. Also our feedings were taking a really long time, but he wasn't really eating the whole time so that actually takes more of his energy and burns calories, so I'm supposed to limit his feeding to only active eating. Same with bottle feeding.
Post by spicysalmonroll on Aug 11, 2016 15:56:37 GMT -5
hannahbear aah I see. So glad you were able to get some help and keep up with it, great job!! Hope it keeps getting better for you! Funny mine was born at 38 weeks and he's the opposite - he kinda hates sleep. Lol
Post by gratefulgirl on Aug 11, 2016 16:31:33 GMT -5
Saw the hospital LC today. Anyone else feel like LCs are unrealistic? They always assume DH will be there, I'll have time to pile 5 pillows on, etc. Uh, no. We'll be winging it most of the time.
DD3 has a very strong suck (yay for fewer clogged ducts and a lower chance of mastitis!) and shallow latch. Ouch! We'll work on it. DD3 may have a slight tongue tie (type III according to the LC) and her lip tie is very thick. So I'll watch and see if she needs clipping.
Still waiting on my milk to come in. Here's hoping for tonight or tomorrow! Then hoping we don't have too many oversupply and OALD issues.
Because LO was losing so much weight and dealing with jaundice, they had me start pumping and bottle feeding him after each nursing session. He takes the bottle so well and nursing is such a struggle that I've started defaulting to the bottle ... But I really want to have success with BFing and not end up EPing. I have a LC appt on Monday, so hopefully they can help us get back on track.
Post by hummingbird125 on Aug 11, 2016 17:17:17 GMT -5
Baby should be here tomorrow - anything I should try to remember (or have DH remind me about) for the very first few times we try breastfeeding? I've read a LOT of info but I know so much of it is specific to each baby and each mom, so any general tips & tricks to get us started off right would be appreciated! I still can't actually fathom my boobs feeding a little human being...
Post by spicysalmonroll on Aug 11, 2016 17:18:07 GMT -5
gratefulgirl I was tempted to call the hospital and actually complain about how terrible the LC was (but I didn't). I asked to see her while I was still admitted. She came in and literally said "just get a good latch and you're fine". I was like uum ok...but I always hear how hard breastfeeding can he, so what would be some of those scenarios and solutions? And she just repeated "a good latch is all you need" and left. When my milk came in, I suddenly had 1000 questions - things I feel she should have covered. Luckily one of my best friends has been an excellent resource.
Post by spicysalmonroll on Aug 11, 2016 17:20:41 GMT -5
hummingbird125 I'm so excited for you!! My only tip is chug water like nobody's business. I haven't eaten any of those special lactation foods but my supply seems to be great just by keeping up the water intake. Good luck!!
hannahbear this one passes out hard while feeding. I didn't even think about the fact that it could be because he's early term! And here I've been calling this kid a lazy bum hahahah
Baby should be here tomorrow - anything I should try to remember (or have DH remind me about) for the very first few times we try breastfeeding? I've read a LOT of info but I know so much of it is specific to each baby and each mom, so any general tips & tricks to get us started off right would be appreciated! I still can't actually fathom my boobs feeding a little human being...
My no. 1 tip is to don't stress if it takes a while. DD1 arrived at 3 and we could not get her latched for 5 hours. I was so stressed! She was fine and nursed for 13 mo. after that.
The feeding a little human part is truly cool - try to let that carry you through the hard stuff.
Once we found a position that worked, feeding has been fine. He really can only feed side lieing but last night while holding him sitting up, he tried to find the nipple so I gave it to him and ahah it worked. We both have to be kind of reclined to form a good latch and ensure he can breathe but Whoo! I may be able to sit up while feeding!
My dr said to give him vitamin d supplements. Is that a thing?
Once we found a position that worked, feeding has been fine. He really can only feed side lieing but last night while holding him sitting up, he tried to find the nipple so I gave it to him and ahah it worked. We both have to be kind of reclined to form a good latch and ensure he can breathe but Whoo! I may be able to sit up while feeding!
My dr said to give him vitamin d supplements. Is that a thing?
Yup! Unless mom supplements herself with a lot of vitamin D, breastmilk lacks it. They make baby vitamin D supplements. I prefer the kind that are just one drop to the dropper full kind.
Rogue we bought Baby D Drops from Amazon for DD...just drip one drop on your nipple before you start nursing.
hummingbird125 make sure to use the restroom before you start nursing in case it takes a while! Do have water nearby. Make sure you are comfortable with the position you are sitting in. I'd have a washcloth or towel handy for spit ups or leaky messes. If it is hurting or you don't feel it's working well, have someone (LC, doctor, nurse) check for a tongue tie.
Because LO was losing so much weight and dealing with jaundice, they had me start pumping and bottle feeding him after each nursing session. He takes the bottle so well and nursing is such a struggle that I've started defaulting to the bottle ... But I really want to have success with BFing and not end up EPing. I have a LC appt on Monday, so hopefully they can help us get back on track.
Lazily quoting this because this is my same experience. EPing is exhausting bc it's twice the work. In addition we are having to work with a speech pathologist to do suck training & tongue exercises. I hope we can eventually get back to BFing
Baby should be here tomorrow - anything I should try to remember (or have DH remind me about) for the very first few times we try breastfeeding? I've read a LOT of info but I know so much of it is specific to each baby and each mom, so any general tips & tricks to get us started off right would be appreciated! I still can't actually fathom my boobs feeding a little human being...
The one thing I always forget is that you have to kind of be a touch forceful with brand newbies to get a good latch. I am always so super gentle with them--bc newborn--but you have to sort of shove their face into your breast lol. As soon as I remember that, we are off and running. Also, make sure they approach the breast chin first. Those are like the main 2 things I always have to remind myself in the first few feedings with each new baby
hannahbear is that a thing with 38 weekers? I have only ever had 38 weekers so I guess I don't know any different. gratefulgirl DD has a strong suck too and had a shallow latch. I asked the LC to come help me with it in hospital and she reminded me about shoving the baby to the breast. "Shoving" sounds absurd but, basically, I have to push my breast into her mouth bc it is so tiny, and she doesn't like to open it super wide for me.
hummingbird125 I completely agree with gratefulgirl that getting baby latched might take a while. For both my girls, I had to try for a whole day before I got them to latch successfully. In addition to what dc2london said, I also have to kind of smash my boob flat and shove it into baby's mouth like she is going to take a bite of a sandwich. I read that somewhere, and it helps me so much!!
Also, feelings about LLL aside, this is a great comprehensive look at positioning and breast support www.llli.org/faq/positioning.html#Breast Support Techniques
I'm having some serious oversupply issues. Im wondering if I should just start pumping and storing now but I'm worried that'll make it even worse.
Anecdote: I had oversupply and built up a stash, once I felt like I had a good stash I stopped and my milk regulated within the week. The issue was getting less sleep due to pumping time.
spicysalmonroll we just made a trip to BBB and I saw the earth angel mama baby nipple butter. Threw it in my cart so fast!!! the Medela stuff I bought is kind of- meh.
I'm having some serious oversupply issues. Im wondering if I should just start pumping and storing now but I'm worried that'll make it even worse.
I was told that pumping exacerbates oversupply. So I immediately stopped pumping when I learned that with DS2 and my supply regulated nicely. This time, I haven't pumped at all yet, and I am noticing a marked decrease in problematic oversupply/OALD.
Post by bocaburger on Aug 12, 2016 22:18:27 GMT -5
Oh boy am I going to need this thread! Breastfeeding twins is HARD. Even though I've been super lucky so far.
My question: how different is feeding after milk supply comes in? (And when does that happen?) Our biggest challenge right now is that Baby Girl is cluster feeding. She also gets very frustrated sometimes while feeding (I think because there's not enough coming out?) and simultaneously opens wide to latch, screams, and flings her head back away from the boob. It's really hard to deal with because I know she's screaming because she's hungry, but I'm trying to give her what she wants and she won't have it.
My mom thinks these issues will get much better after my milk comes in and is available to them as quickly as they want it. Until then I'm thinking of pumping extra in advance and having it available in syringes so that when the babies are ready to feed, I have something available right away to hold them over and not be starving when I put them on the boob. Does anyone know how long colostrum will stay good for at room temperature?
I'm having some serious oversupply issues. Im wondering if I should just start pumping and storing now but I'm worried that'll make it even worse.
I was told that pumping exacerbates oversupply. So I immediately stopped pumping when I learned that with DS2 and my supply regulated nicely. This time, I haven't pumped at all yet, and I am noticing a marked decrease in problematic oversupply/OALD.
Ugh. I gave in and whipped out the pump after I fed him earlier. My boobs were hurting! I only used it for 8 mins and got 6oz. I started googling and emailed CHOP about possibly becoming a milk donor. I'm not sure I want to put in all that effort but the idea of doing it sounds really nice at this moment! It's probably because I saw the news story about the lady who donated 131 gallons- just wow!!
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