Breastfeeding Chat

[sanibel21]

Can we have a breastfeeding thread?
I swore I wasn't going to get bent out of shape about nursing this time around. But I'm having some concerns and feels.
I don't even know where to start. LO has always been fussy after feeds. In the beginning I thought it was due to my oversupply, fast slow causing gas and reflux and/or her just not realizing she was full yet because it was so fast.
Now in the evenings especially she is super fussy after feeds for awhile. I was assuming since she eventually calms down, it was something similar even though supply is way down. But of course now I'm worrying that is still hunger and I'm not making enough.
Though she is going a 7 stretch at night. Which is really good, right?
I also suspect she has a lip tie. Her top lips doesn't flare like dd1s did. I boroughs her to a LC who said it looks like she does but it's not severe and she's in the 90th percentiles, so don't do anything.
But I'm reading about lip ties causing gas and fussiness and eventually tanking supply.
So I think I'm going to an ENT for second opinion. They're the ones who clip them here. But then I'm nervous about recovery etc.
Now I wonder if DD1 has the same thing. Her speech is a little hard for others to understand and she was gassy fussy.
Thoughts?
How are you guys doing? How often, how long, how are they sleeping, how are you feeling?

[becole]

My guy will be 3 months the 19th. He's an overall happy guy and frequent nurser. A normal day for us night look like nurse at wakeup, let's say 8am, then 10:00am,12,1:30, 3:30, 5,6,7,8 on a normal cluster feeding kind of night. Then he usually wakes around 4 and 6 give or take an hour and really gets big full feeds. When I pump, I get about 3 ounces total but I don't make much.
I also have a fast let down, baby is fussy before he has a big poop or is working on a poop. He's sometimes gassy and I give him drops.
He had a TT and LT and I had them cut at 5 weeks. I go to an LC tomorrow who will tell me if he's still effectively using his toungue to transfer milk even with them cut.

[becole]

In general, younger or newly trained LCs tend to be highly trained on TTs and from my experience blame everything on ties and think they will fix all problems. They also require you to get them revised "deeply" and then want you to do all these exercises and training for them to learn how to latch perfectly.
I've also seen an old school LC who thinks that unless the TT is severe, leave it alone, and teach baby how to latch comfortably and you're good.
Baby did fine with having it cut. The ent used a shot of numbing med. his mouth bled from the shot which freaked me out but otherwise it was fine.

[becole]

sanibel21 did you do a weighted feed with the LC to see how much Lo took in her feeding?
That always helps to see how much babe takes it, how often she feeds and the LC can calculate approx calories and give you an idea if she's getting enough. I had a fussy/ colicky baby first go around and I was always worried about the enough question. But he was huge and grew well, he just liked to eat. He also was fussy from 7-10pm every night unless he was asleep. Some babes just do that- it has nothing to do with eating.

[sanibel21]

becole, no, the LC didn't even have me feed LO. So she didn't even see the latch. Which kind of irritates me to be honest. Ugh. There's a breastfeeding support group at the hospital I delivered LO at but not with an LC. There's a breastfeeding support group at the hospital I delivered DD1 at with amazing LCs. But I don't think I can/should go if I didn't deliver LO there.
Good point about the evening fussy time. It could be that too.
I tried to top her off with pumped milk again tonight and she wouldon't even take a full ounce, so I guess supply is sufficient.

[erien22846]

Hugs, sanibel21. Definitely consult an ent for a second opinion.

I'm struggling with breastfeeding too. I resent that I can't hold my baby without him wanting to eat. I understand that I only see him for a few hours at night so he's tired and wants to be comforted. But I want to see his smiles and hear his laugh. I want to be more than just a good source for him.

And on the weekends I question my supply. At least during the week I know he's getting 10 oz or more while I'm working. But is he satisfied on the weekends? I always have to unlatch him and end nursing sessions. If I don't, he'd easily nurse an hour (I tested it this weekend). Is he still hungry? Just comfort nursing? Who knows?? He most often naps well and easily goes 3-4 hours between feedings during the day and 6 hours at night (he was going 8 hours but that only lasted a week). If he seems off or won't nap, I blame myself and just assume he's hungry.

Ugh. I wish breastfeeding were easier. With my first two, I distinctly remember reaching a point when I was over breastfeeding. I think it might happen sooner this time (7 months is the longest I've made it) because I want to enjoy my time with baby, not dread the time he's awake.

[vavavictoria]

@sansibel21 depending on where you live another possible option is finding an LC who can come visit in your home. With #1 I had horrible latching issues and went to a few different LCs until I found the one who came to my house. I paid for it for sure but it was money well spent. She weighed V before and after the feed as well as looked at her latch and helped me make sure I was using the right size shields (inverted nipple) and right size pump flanges and showed me different ways to feed. I was a new mom at the time but I'm sure it could be valuable in your situation as well.

Also #2 is being super fussy pretty much all day right now and acts angry while eating and eats frequently and won't sleep for naps unless she is latched on or in my arms. Your kiddo could be going through something?

[hikingmama222]

sanibel21 Sorry the LC wasn't helpful. That's ridiculous that they didn't even check the latch.

We're trucking along here. Last couple of weeks have been rough (I'm guessing the 3 month growth spurt) fussy, cluster feeding, empty boobs. He still eats every 2-2.5 hrs day and night. I can get maybe one or two 45 minute naps in his swing. The rest of his sleep he needs to be attached to me. So much more high maintenance than my first.

[adouces06]

sanibel21 does your ped offer help from an LC?? Might be worth checking there too!

Meh things are going ok. I think my supply is coming back up after my weekend food poisoning/dehydration stint. I have never drank more watered down Gatorade in my life than I did the last two days.
I am going to try to eat more lactation boosting foods to try and help my supply out. With going back to work I have definitely noticed a drop in supply. It's not terrible and I am fine with supplementing with formula (she currently gets two formula bottles on days she is at daycare plus whatever pumped milk I have from the day before), but I would like to see our BFing relationship make it to at least the 6 month mark. I only made it to 2.5 months with DS, and I was sort of bummed it didn't go longer.
Otherwise though, she is so much better at nursing than DS ever was. She is incredibly efficient. 10-15 minutes tops and she is done. I think that part alone is what is allowing me to enjoy it this time. DS was a 45 minute nurser and it just made me feel like all he did was eat.

[becole]

I would do a weighted feed before worrying about supply. Your supply is supposed to match baby. And if baby is having wets and dirties and growing in inches and pounds, then there may not be a need to supplement. Babies do nurse for comfort, not just for food. All the changes are hard, including being away from mom for longer periods and not having her full attention. You have to remember that nursing your baby is spending time with them and giving baby what no one else can- that special comfort.
It's hard and all babies are different. I would definitely trust your supply until you see growth signs/ lack of wets.

[adouces06]

So, I had a bunch of bananas in my fridge that are super ripe. I ended up making this for breakfast and it is DELICIOUS. No idea if it will really help with my supply, but it is worth a shot and it's a healthy and filling breakfast!

[saraml13]

BF DS2 is going well. I'm so glad I don't have the nipple damage I got with DS1. My supply has regulated a bit and DS2 isn't choking on my letdown or spitting up as often as he had been.

Weekends with a toddler are too hectic for me to really notice a schedule. DS2 is nursing on demand, but is generally pretty laid back. He doesn't have to be fed instantly like DS1 did.

Now a typical weekday schedule with him at daycare looks like this:
Usually one MOTN wakeup around 2:00-4:00, nurse and right back to sleep
7:00 - Wakeup and nurse
10:00 - 3oz bottle at daycare
1:00 - 3oz bottle at daycare
longest nap of day
4:00 - 3 oz bottle at daycare
5:00 - home, nurse
6:00 - nurse
7:15 - bedtime, nurse to sleep

[jcrewgirl]

DS turned 3 months last week.

I'm back at work and I pump 3x a day - usually between 16-20 oz total.

Our schedule looks like this during work days:

6:15 am - nurse
8:30/9 am - 4 oz bottle
11 am - 4 oz bottle
2:00 pm - 4 oz bottle
4:30 pm - 4 oz bottle
6:00 pm - nurse
7:30 pm - nurse/bed
1:00 am - nurse
4:00 am- nurse

We are still waking up a few times to nurse. I don't even pay attention on the weekends since I nurse on demand. I know my pumping seems to be right since I pump on average 18 oz and he takes 16 oz at daycare.

[iwantbacon]

jcrewgirl--what times do you pump at work? My DS's feeding schedule looks similar to yours, expect one more bottle at daycare.

[jcrewgirl]

Jan 17, 2017 11:29:52 GMT -5 iwantbacon said:

jcrewgirl --what times do you pump at work? My DS's feeding schedule looks similar to yours, expect one more bottle at daycare.

I pump at 8:00, 11/11:30, and 2/3pm. 

[danizee]

I nurse on demand. Typically every 2-3 hours (depending on nighttime sleep). If she sttn then she is wanting to eat a little more frequently. I'm trying to make sure she isn't snacking throughout the day and is actually filling herself up during feeding. My milk is very watery in the mornings and I want to make sure she is getting enough hind milk. It's easier said than done though, I can see she is already starting to get distracted with feelings. She is 3.5 months old.

[saraml13]

Jan 17, 2017 9:51:44 GMT -5 saraml13 said:

BF DS2 is going well. I'm so glad I don't have the nipple damage I got with DS1. My supply has regulated a bit and DS2 isn't choking on my letdown or spitting up as often as he had been.

Weekends with a toddler are too hectic for me to really notice a schedule. DS2 is nursing on demand, but is generally pretty laid back. He doesn't have to be fed instantly like DS1 did.

Now a typical weekday schedule with him at daycare looks like this:
Usually one MOTN wakeup around 2:00-4:00, nurse and right back to sleep
7:00 - Wakeup and nurse
10:00 - 3oz bottle at daycare
1:00 - 3oz bottle at daycare
longest nap of day
4:00 - 3 oz bottle at daycare
5:00 - home, nurse
6:00 - nurse
7:15 - bedtime, nurse to sleep

Of course, as soon as I think we have a routine down, things change.  I'd been sending four 3 oz bottles, but DS2 was typically only eating three of them.  Then yesterday he ate all four and they noted that he still seemed hungry after 3 oz and asked me to make the bottles a little bigger.  I sent four 3.5 oz bottles in today.  Hopefully that works or is only a temporary growth spurt.  I don't really want to have to go up to four 4 oz bottles.  

[becole]

I sent in 4 ounce bottles with my first son and the LC I saw yesterday said 2-3 ounce bottles for BF babies max. Daycare wants you to send in big bottles with fast flow so the babies can slurp it down and they have to do less work and less feedings. No. If they're truly hungry then okay but I doubt your baby was getting 4 ounces from you each feeding all day long.

[jcrewgirl]

Jan 18, 2017 12:07:26 GMT -5 becole said:

I sent in 4 ounce bottles with my first son and the LC I saw yesterday said 2-3 ounce bottles for BF babies max. Daycare wants you to send in big bottles with fast flow so the babies can slurp it down and they have to do less work and less feedings. No. If they're truly hungry then okay but I doubt your baby was getting 4 ounces from you each feeding all day long.

I don't see how this is possible - I easily pump 4-5 oz out of one breast and DS will drain one breast when I'm nursing so I believe he's getting around 4 oz. I mean what is the difference if I send four 4 oz bottles and 8 2 oz bottles? He'll just want to eat every other hour instead of every 3 hours. 

[vavavictoria]

Jan 18, 2017 12:25:25 GMT -5 jcrewgirl said:

Jan 18, 2017 12:07:26 GMT -5 becole said:

I sent in 4 ounce bottles with my first son and the LC I saw yesterday said 2-3 ounce bottles for BF babies max. Daycare wants you to send in big bottles with fast flow so the babies can slurp it down and they have to do less work and less feedings. No. If they're truly hungry then okay but I doubt your baby was getting 4 ounces from you each feeding all day long.

I don't see how this is possible - I easily pump 4-5 oz out of one breast and DS will drain one breast when I'm nursing so I believe he's getting around 4 oz. I mean what is the difference if I send four 4 oz bottles and 8 2 oz bottles? He'll just want to eat every other hour instead of every 3 hours. 

So with my first I was told something similar that babies only need the 3 ounces and to do paced feedings, use a slower flow nipple, etc. well that meant my baby screamed all day and made everyone's life hell at daycare. No matter what they did she wanted more milk. She was eating 5+ ounces of breastmilk 3-4 times a day at 3 months and quickly moved up to 7. I wish they could have slowed her down bc it was really hard for me to keep up with pumping since baby really does a better job of getting milk than the machine.

[saraml13]

Jan 18, 2017 12:56:00 GMT -5 vavavictoria said:

Jan 18, 2017 12:25:25 GMT -5 jcrewgirl said:

I don't see how this is possible - I easily pump 4-5 oz out of one breast and DS will drain one breast when I'm nursing so I believe he's getting around 4 oz. I mean what is the difference if I send four 4 oz bottles and 8 2 oz bottles? He'll just want to eat every other hour instead of every 3 hours. 

So with my first I was told something similar that babies only need the 3 ounces and to do paced feedings, use a slower flow nipple, etc. well that meant my baby screamed all day and made everyone's life hell at daycare. No matter what they did she wanted more milk. She was eating 5+ ounces of breastmilk 3-4 times a day at 3 months and quickly moved up to 7. I wish they could have slowed her down bc it was really hard for me to keep up with pumping since baby really does a better job of getting milk than the machine.

DS2 has recently moved from mostly nursing one breast at a time to wanting both sides.  I can get 4 oz out of a pumping session (and much more in the morning), so I don't feel like 4 oz is an unreasonable size.  He's only getting up once in MOTN, so I'm not shocked that he's hungry during the day. However, if it's more than a growth spurt, I hope I can get him back down to three larger bottles, instead of four 4 oz bottles.  16 oz is about as much as I usually pump, so that doesn't give me much cushion or any to freeze for a stash.

[vavavictoria]

Jan 18, 2017 13:35:48 GMT -5 saraml13 said:

Jan 18, 2017 12:56:00 GMT -5 vavavictoria said:

So with my first I was told something similar that babies only need the 3 ounces and to do paced feedings, use a slower flow nipple, etc. well that meant my baby screamed all day and made everyone's life hell at daycare. No matter what they did she wanted more milk. She was eating 5+ ounces of breastmilk 3-4 times a day at 3 months and quickly moved up to 7. I wish they could have slowed her down bc it was really hard for me to keep up with pumping since baby really does a better job of getting milk than the machine.

DS2 has recently moved from mostly nursing one breast at a time to wanting both sides.  I can get 4 oz out of a pumping session (and much more in the morning), so I don't feel like 4 oz is an unreasonable size.  He's only getting up once in MOTN, so I'm not shocked that he's hungry during the day. However, if it's more than a growth spurt, I hope I can get him back down to three larger bottles, instead of four 4 oz bottles.  16 oz is about as much as I usually pump, so that doesn't give me much cushion or any to freeze for a stash.

C is doing the exact same thing right now and has been eating frequently during the day. I'm hopeful it's a growth spurt and it will calm down. This time around though I'm not killing my self to keep up. I will add formula as needed.

[becole]

Every baby is different. If it's the mom who knows they need and eat 4 ounce bottles that's different than the daycare saying they're hungry and need bigger bottles when that's not what mom is pumping.
Granted baby usually gets more out of you than a pump. But it's just something for saraml13 to consider.
You're guy might be a totally different story jcrewgirl.

[dke2010]

I'm still EBF both girls. They usually wake up for the day around 9:30am and I feed every 3 hours after that until their 9:30pm bedtime. They wake up once during the night after 6-8 hours of sleep.
I was also starting to question supply because of evening fussiness and they are still at the bottom of the growth charts. After reading through KellyMom again, I think they're just small babies (which is generic) and my supply is fine. We'll see what the pedi says next week at their 4 month check.
I'm not loving BF as much as I did with DD. It's so much more work with two, from positioning to burping. I hope we can make it to 1 year.

[jcrewgirl]

When does the leaking stop?

[Deleted]

I don't go here but I'll leave this here for you guys. I made some of the treats while I was pregnant because I had hoped to increase my supply. I gave my extra baking to my friend who is pumping and she said it's helping. So there you go. I suggest the boobie bites. Super easy to make and yummy! Happy lactating friends

www.buzzfeed.com/mikespohr/23-lactation-recipes-that-will-boost-your-production-and-tas?bffbparents&utm_term=.xueDz68D6P#.yvoBz7vB7d

[hikingmama222]

Jan 19, 2017 8:08:10 GMT -5 @snuff9861 said:

I don't go here but I'll leave this here for you guys. I made some of the treats while I was pregnant because I had hoped to increase my supply. I gave my extra baking to my friend who is pumping and she said it's helping. So there you go. I suggest the boobie bites. Super easy to make and yummy! Happy lactating friends

www.buzzfeed.com/mikespohr/23-lactation-recipes-that-will-boost-your-production-and-tas?bffbparents&utm_term=.xueDz68D6P#.yvoBz7vB7d

I just made these last night. Been making them for years (without the brewers yeast) for energy bites. DH and DD love them.

[danizee]

Jan 19, 2017 8:03:12 GMT -5 jcrewgirl said:

When does the leaking stop?

Mine has stopped unless M sttn more than 10 hrs and I hear her cry in morning or sometimes when I get out of the shower.

[jcrewgirl]

Jan 19, 2017 10:41:34 GMT -5 danizee said:

Jan 19, 2017 8:03:12 GMT -5 jcrewgirl said:

When does the leaking stop?

Mine has stopped unless M sttn more than 10 hrs and I hear her cry in morning or sometimes when I get out of the shower.

Every time I let down I leak - I don't remember when it stops. 

[becole]

You guys just when I think I can't pump... The LC suggested I use a smaller flange- the 24, I was using the 27. It's not the size of the boob but how much of your nipple gets pulled into the open part of the shield- mine was pulling too much aereola. I just got 5 ounces when I normally get 2.