hannahbear huge hugs. Boobs and babies are so complicated
Everything I read online says no to topamax (migraine meds) while BF. The pedi didn't sound 100% sure and was looking it up, but said it was fine. I really don't want to risk it. ::runs off to corner and throws a tantrum::
I am having such a hard time. I wish I could figure out what was different between a good feeding and a bad one. Honestly it seems totally random - sometimes I can bf and sometimes it just won't happen. It's so incredibly frustrating
I can't get my girl to latch if she has burps, gas or needs to poop. And sometimes she will. Not. Latch. on the right side until after she feeds on the left side. Sometimes she won't latch until her arms are swaddled down. She tends to eat better if I play with her feet.
8-15 minutes a side should be good, but it really depends on the baby. You should hear the "tuck, tuck, tuck" kind of clicking noise when baby swallows.
hannahbear huge hugs. Boobs and babies are so complicated
Everything I read online says no to topamax (migraine meds) while BF. The pedi didn't sound 100% sure and was looking it up, but said it was fine. I really don't want to risk it. ::runs off to corner and throws a tantrum::
I feel very confused about it all. Like he will have the nipple in his mouth and kick and push away, so I thought maybe it was the angle? I've tried propping my breast up or putting something under his head, or moving the pillow around. Sometimes it's like everything just lines up and he latches and sometimes he just won't have it.
eaglewife I go back Monday so I'll ask then. The midwife that I asked at the hospital when she stopped by (she's part of the practice) told me to ask the pedi. Hopefully my OB will know more.
Can you get in the shower, @suesposa ? A hot shower on the chest for a good 5-10 minutes with massage is a good way to get past the painful coconut stage. You can massage as well to make it easier to get kiddo to latch.
I'm cuddling him into a nap now so I should be able to get a long enough stretch to shower. Hopefully they go down enough that I can sneak a feed in before he gets worked up again.
Guys, for this to be such a "natural" thing, its hard work.
Completely random and OT, but now I wonder do all mammals have the same problems with engorgement, etc 🤔 I'll dive down that google rabbithole at some point today I'm sure.
A heating pad on a breast can provide some relief while you're snuggling. You can put little dude to one side and the heating pad on the other.
Breastfeeding is very hard work. I completely agree there.
eaglewife the shower made me feel better. As soon as I stepped out they were instantly heavy again, but the shower was still refreshing. I took the time to clean up, wash pump parts, and start a load of laundry. Just doing that makes dealing so much easier. A lot of this game is purely mental I'm beginning to realize.
Yes! There's a huge mental aspect, @suesposa. My challenge to myself this postpartum is to shower daily. So far it's helping (I think).
I am having such a hard time. I wish I could figure out what was different between a good feeding and a bad one. Honestly it seems totally random - sometimes I can bf and sometimes it just won't happen. It's so incredibly frustrating
Could gas be the culprit? Usually when DD isn't latching or is pulling off a lot, she needs to get a burp out
I feel very confused about it all. Like he will have the nipple in his mouth and kick and push away, so I thought maybe it was the angle? I've tried propping my breast up or putting something under his head, or moving the pillow around. Sometimes it's like everything just lines up and he latches and sometimes he just won't have it.
Ditto. Sometimes DS will even have latched for a second then it doesn't work anymore. Then he gets upset and it's very difficult to latch a baby who is too far gone. This stuff isn't easy...it did get much better with DD though so there is hope! These babies are still learning.
I'm cuddling him into a nap now so I should be able to get a long enough stretch to shower. Hopefully they go down enough that I can sneak a feed in before he gets worked up again.
Guys, for this to be such a "natural" thing, its hard work.
Completely random and OT, but now I wonder do all mammals have the same problems with engorgement, etc 🤔 I'll dive down that google rabbithole at some point today I'm sure.
A heating pad on a breast can provide some relief while you're snuggling. You can put little dude to one side and the heating pad on the other.
Breastfeeding is very hard work. I completely agree there.
A warm rice sock is also very soothing bc it provides moist heat
Post by gratefulgirl on Aug 15, 2016 19:12:31 GMT -5
The LCs always want to set me up with 5 pillows and no free hands to get a good latch. This time I finally looked up laid back nursing at the suggestion of a friend with bad OALD. Oh my gosh - SO easy once you get the hang of it. Recline, lay baby on you, and let gravity take care of things. DD3 is a finicky and shallow latched, but generally does well this way. Her latch is deep. Plus she gulps and sputters less even when I am engorged. The spit up when I nurse sitting up is much worse.
Apparently the theory is that laid back nursing used to be the norm and was passed on just by watching fellow women nurse.
I feel very confused about it all. Like he will have the nipple in his mouth and kick and push away, so I thought maybe it was the angle? I've tried propping my breast up or putting something under his head, or moving the pillow around. Sometimes it's like everything just lines up and he latches and sometimes he just won't have it.
Ditto. Sometimes DS will even have latched for a second then it doesn't work anymore. Then he gets upset and it's very difficult to latch a baby who is too far gone. This stuff isn't easy...it did get much better with DD though so there is hope! These babies are still learning.
I had to cup her head in my hand and do the sandwich hold on my breast to help her wobbly self get started quite a few times in the first week. When their mouth is aligned, dunk them right on. If they're really upset, expressing a few drops can help get them enticed to eat. I had to hold on like that for some of the entire sessions until her wobbles slowed down.
For cradle hold, pull baby in to your torso and line up your belly buttons. Baby's ear, shoulder and hip should be aligned.
I use a flatish hospital pillow on my lap with a boppy on top of that and lay baby on the boppy.
I'm trying to think of other things that were helpful at first and hope that this all makes sense.
The U and C thing helped me a lot when DS1 wasn't latching properly. Your thumb and index finger should always make a U ir C shape around your nipple (depending on baby's position) with your thumb by baby's chin and your index finger by his or her nose. So, for example, in cross cradle hold your thumb and indrx finger make a U shape, but in football hold they make a C
The U and C thing helped me a lot when DS1 wasn't latching properly. Your thumb and index finger should always make a U ir C shape around your nipple (depending on baby's position) with your thumb by baby's chin and your index finger by his or her nose. So, for example, in cross cradle hold your thumb and indrx finger make a U shape, but in football hold they make a C
This is a a much better description than my "sandwich hold" attempt, dc2london! 😂
Anyone have extreme cluster feeding? At one week old, DS has had a couple of 2-3 hour sessions going back and forth. He will fall asleep and right when I put him down, he cries and gives hunger cues. Both times we have him bottles that he ended up finishing then was finally able to sleep. I think he must be exhausted being awake so long and since he takes the bottle, it isn't just comfort feeding, right?
So far each kid has had a day of cluster feeding. LC/pedis said it's because my supply hasn't caught up to demand yet so they don't get as much out of each feeding and have to eat more frequently.
Anyone have extreme cluster feeding? At one week old, DS has had a couple of 2-3 hour sessions going back and forth. He will fall asleep and right when I put him down, he cries and gives hunger cues. Both times we have him bottles that he ended up finishing then was finally able to sleep. I think he must be exhausted being awake so long and since he takes the bottle, it isn't just comfort feeding, right?
So far each kid has had a day of cluster feeding. LC/pedis said it's because my supply hasn't caught up to demand yet so they don't get as much out of each feeding and have to eat more frequently.
I just talked to pedi about it today too and she said the same thing and that the stimulation will prompt the supply to increase. Sigh, so tiring. I had forgotten how tiring.
So far each kid has had a day of cluster feeding. LC/pedis said it's because my supply hasn't caught up to demand yet so they don't get as much out of each feeding and have to eat more frequently.
I just talked to pedi about it today too and she said the same thing and that the stimulation will prompt the supply to increase. Sigh, so tiring. I had forgotten how tiring.
So when I only feed one baby and I have them in cradle or cross cradle, my unoccupied nipple drips all over them and gets them all wet. We're about to have to change his pjs again after he finally finished nursing (he's been at it for a good hour) and of course that will wake him and I'll have to put him back on.
So what do you do with your other nipple to keep it from soaking the baby?
So when I only feed one baby and I have them in cradle or cross cradle, my unoccupied nipple drips all over them and gets them all wet. We're about to have to change his pjs again after he finally finished nursing (he's been at it for a good hour) and of course that will wake him and I'll have to put him back on.
So what do you do with your other nipple to keep it from soaking the baby?
I wear a sports bra 24/7 with the disposable pads inside. When I feed, I lift the bra up over the top of just the one boob. I can actually feel the other one leaking into the pad.
So when I only feed one baby and I have them in cradle or cross cradle, my unoccupied nipple drips all over them and gets them all wet. We're about to have to change his pjs again after he finally finished nursing (he's been at it for a good hour) and of course that will wake him and I'll have to put him back on.
So what do you do with your other nipple to keep it from soaking the baby?
*lurking from S16 since my twins will be here 8/25.
Milkie's Milk Savers (there are other/cheaper versions by Medela and Avent too I think! With DD I just stuffed a towel in my shirt but a few friends swear by the milk savers so I got one for this time. I figured I might as well try to save as much milk as I can.
So when I only feed one baby and I have them in cradle or cross cradle, my unoccupied nipple drips all over them and gets them all wet. We're about to have to change his pjs again after he finally finished nursing (he's been at it for a good hour) and of course that will wake him and I'll have to put him back on.
So what do you do with your other nipple to keep it from soaking the baby?
*lurking from S16 since my twins will be here 8/25.
Milkie's Milk Savers (there are other/cheaper versions by Medela and Avent too I think! With DD I just stuffed a towel in my shirt but a few friends swear by the milk savers so I got one for this time. I figured I might as well try to save as much milk as I can.
bocaburger, I wear a soft nursing bra with disposable nursing pads. I have the Medela thera shields, which are great for letting soggy nips air out but I feel like they make more of a mess than actually catch milk usefully (overnights anyway). dc2london mentioned the Milkie's the other day, so I've been considering them instead.
*lurking from S16 since my twins will be here 8/25.
Milkie's Milk Savers (there are other/cheaper versions by Medela and Avent too I think! With DD I just stuffed a towel in my shirt but a few friends swear by the milk savers so I got one for this time. I figured I might as well try to save as much milk as I can.
bocaburger, I wear a soft nursing bra with disposable nursing pads. I have the Medela thera shields, which are great for letting soggy nips air out but I feel like they make more of a mess than actually catch milk usefully (overnights anyway). dc2london mentioned the Milkie's the other day, so I've been considering them instead.
called! They said they use a range of L1 to L5 with L1 being the safest. It's an L3. The amount it crosses over into the milk is pretty high (between 24-55%) but into the babies blood stream was only around 10%. She said that one baby in the study had persistent diarrhea and lost weight because of it. So basically it's up to me. I don't know, i know the medicine made me feel rough when I started it and the fact that the crossover into the milk percentage is so high scares me.
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.
Did they recommend clipping his tongue tie? My LO has the same issue, and the LC seemed to think it should be clipped. Luckily one of my nurses was also a registered LC, and said LO was fine. I really don't want to clip anything, and we seem to be getting better with nursing.
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.
Did they recommend clipping his tongue tie? My LO has the same issue, and the LC seemed to think it should be clipped. Luckily one of my nurses was also a registered LC, and said LO was fine. I really don't want to clip anything, and we seem to be getting better with nursing.
I have one tied and not clipped (DD1), one tied and clipped (DD2), and one borderline and TBD (DD3). Given how many issues ties can cause for mom and baby, I would err on the side of clipping.
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