Post by erinshelley21 on Mar 17, 2017 13:06:05 GMT -5
glb30 your life is revolving around your boobs and it's quite a mind game all while you're still adjusting to being responsible for another human life. A meltdown isn't uncommon.
How do you wake up a baby to eat? We're trying to switch A's days and nights but I can't get her to stay awake long enough to eat even though she's been napping for 3 hours. I've changed her diaper, undressed her, tickled her hands/feet and nothing is working long enough to get her to latch
kristhegirlerinshelley21 thank you! I am going to start slowly stretching these out and dealing with the leaking with some of your suggestions. I know this doesn't sound like that big of a deal, but I was melting down briefly....
Getting feedings right is a big deal, it is OK to feel that way. You may also want to try some ice packs between feedings. That might help slow down the production of milk and will definitely make letdown harder. Just don't do it right before you pump.
DD is just under 9 lbs and 2.5 weeks old. She usually eats 2.5-3 oz per feed but at night between 5-7 she wants up to 5oz.
Is this normal? I don't render how DS ate.
I'm not a formula mom so take this with a grain of salt, but this sounds like "cluster feeding" in formula form - kiddos tanking up for night sleep, having a big dinner. Is she spitting it up more or seemingly uncomfortable, though? Or just hungrier, but eats it well and it stays down just as well as any other meal?
Pacifier question. I've tried twice - once at the hospital and once since we've been home. DS2 seemed to like it at first but then got fussy. When I attempted to BF immediately after, he wouldn't latch and was crying. He's otherwise had no issues with latching. Should I just back off the paci for now? If so, for long? I'd love for him to take one but I don't want to fuck up our BF relationship. DS1 didn't take a paci so I'm out of my element.
Post by kristhegirl on Mar 22, 2017 20:28:30 GMT -5
caer maybe just don't push it before nursing. Sounds like maybe he was just frustrated with the whole thing.
I read something ages ago that the best time to try offering is when they are fed and happy so they associate the paci with calm/full. No idea if it's true but hey, worth a shot?
caer maybe just don't push it before nursing. Sounds like maybe he was just frustrated with the whole thing.
I read something ages ago that the best time to try offering is when they are fed and happy so they associate the paci with calm/full. No idea if it's true but hey, worth a shot?
DD is just under 9 lbs and 2.5 weeks old. She usually eats 2.5-3 oz per feed but at night between 5-7 she wants up to 5oz.
Is this normal? I don't render how DS ate.
I'm not a formula mom so take this with a grain of salt, but this sounds like "cluster feeding" in formula form - kiddos tanking up for night sleep, having a big dinner. Is she spitting it up more or seemingly uncomfortable, though? Or just hungrier, but eats it well and it stays down just as well as any other meal?
Pacifier question. I've tried twice - once at the hospital and once since we've been home. DS2 seemed to like it at first but then got fussy. When I attempted to BF immediately after, he wouldn't latch and was crying. He's otherwise had no issues with latching. Should I just back off the paci for now? If so, for long? I'd love for him to take one but I don't want to fuck up our BF relationship. DS1 didn't take a paci so I'm out of my element.
The only time A will take a paci is right after she's eaten and is full but needs a little help falling asleep. I've tried to give her one a couple times when she's hungry to buy myself a couple extra minutes but it just pisses her off
Yes this is us too, she gets pissed when she's hungry and tries to get something out of the pacifier. But it took a few tries for her to take one when she was full and just needed a little comfort. She's now 2.5 weeks and she takes it well.
Eta: she still sometimes will just refuse it and just lay there chilling
Did anyone who breastfed use a nipple shield? The lactation lady at the hospital had me use one (I believe somewhat flat nipples was the reason she gave). It's working for us, but I wasn't given any information on how long to use it, how to wean off it, etc. We do supplement with formula, so he's used to a bottle as well, so I think it helps in that regard. And my nipples are protected - minimal damage at this point, and he's 2.5 weeks old. I've tried offering boob without it, and he doesn't latch.
But it's just another thing to deal with while nursing, another thing to clean and keep track of, etc. Also, he is definitely getting milk from me, but it still takes an hour to feed him. I'm wondering if not using it would speed up the process.
Post by erinshelley21 on Mar 23, 2017 6:54:13 GMT -5
sterl724 I used one with ds for a bit. I think I just started taking it off mid feed a few weeks in. Nursing didn't go very well for us though. But when taking it off mid feeding, my nipple was easier to latch onto and he wasn't as hungry so he was a little more patient. Losing the shield will definitely speed up the feeding process though. I think the shield I used had 2 holes for milk to pass through while your nipple has multiple.
Did anyone who breastfed use a nipple shield? The lactation lady at the hospital had me use one (I believe somewhat flat nipples was the reason she gave). It's working for us, but I wasn't given any information on how long to use it, how to wean off it, etc. We do supplement with formula, so he's used to a bottle as well, so I think it helps in that regard. And my nipples are protected - minimal damage at this point, and he's 2.5 weeks old. I've tried offering boob without it, and he doesn't latch.
But it's just another thing to deal with while nursing, another thing to clean and keep track of, etc. Also, he is definitely getting milk from me, but it still takes an hour to feed him. I'm wondering if not using it would speed up the process.
Thoughts, suggestions, advice?
I use a shield for flat nipples. I keep trying to latch with or without. Some days he takes it with just the nipple, most times he is better with the shield. I'm not sure of weaning though, maybe once he is fully breastfeeding they will work with me to wean. I mainly have to to pump my milk for him and bottle feed him, topping up with formula when needed.
I know the added thing to worry about sucks. But at least for now, he is latching one way or another.
Have you tried the Breastfeeding board? They have a weekly newborn check in and they have really knowledgeable ladies there.
Question about pumping, how do you know if you're using the right size breast shield thing? Based on the pictures in the user Manuel I think it's right, but I feel like my nipples end up rubbing the sides way too much
Is it uncomfortable? Do you "lube" the sides before pumping?
Not sure I can answer the question, but I know mine rubbed but my nipple never filled the shaft of the shield. And with coconut oil it never was uncomfortable.
Question about pumping, how do you know if you're using the right size breast shield thing? Based on the pictures in the user Manuel I think it's right, but I feel like my nipples end up rubbing the sides way too much
Have you measured your nipples? This photo helped me, but I'm still not 100% sure. Mine measures to the correct size I am using but I feel like it still looks like it might be a tad too big. I might be in between sizes they don't make.
@justinslovo I feel you. I'm pretty sure C had his first cluster feeding last night. He's such a decent sleeper at night that once he finally went down, I slept for several hours and woke up to the same situation. He's eating again now...hoping it's not 2-3 hours again!
At the second breastfeeding clinic today, they found a tongue tie and we're suprised the previous LC clinic and the LC'S at the hospital didn't mention it. We are getting it cut next Thursday. I hope it helps.
He has nipple confusion so we are trying the feeding tube at the nipple again. And it's very difficult and he hates it just like when we first tried it at the hospital. It took us 2 hours just to get through 40 ml. So I'm just going to do my best and still give him the bottle if it's not going well. Maybe it will work better after the tongue tie is fixed.
Lots of tears from both of us today. My husband was home today and supportive. He sent me for a 2 hour nap between my pumping sessions when we got home and I feel a bit better about the whole thing.
But when will I be able to exclusively breastfeed? Soon, in a few months or never?! It makes me so sad.
Post by kristhegirl on Mar 28, 2017 18:09:26 GMT -5
mikaela20 I. I'm so sorry it's so complicated and hard! I really believe getting the tie fixed will help.
A friend of mine's baby had bottles in the NICU and then refused to nurse, until she tried a nipple shield. He loved the plastic. She said it was annoying, but he nursed happily with it. Might be worth a try?
You are doing great, feeding your baby. You are a good mom.
mikaela20 I. I'm so sorry it's so complicated and hard! I really believe getting the tie fixed will help.
A friend of mine's baby had bottles in the NICU and then refused to nurse, until she tried a nipple shield. He loved the plastic. She said it was annoying, but he nursed happily with it. Might be worth a try?
You are doing great, feeding your baby. You are a good mom.
Thanks for the kind words.
We have a nipple shield already because he refuses my nipples most times
We try both each time- with or without . It's hit or miss on which one he latches on to.
Post by erinshelley21 on Mar 28, 2017 18:52:07 GMT -5
mikaela20 I want to hug you. This is exactly what ds and I went through. It is such a roller coaster. A fed baby is what matters but it's hard to get over that mental image of how you pictured this going.
Do any of you find one breast has higher pumping output than the other?
My left breast produces way more milk each session. It's the one ds tends to successfully latch on more.
Would pumping the other side every hour help increase the output to match? I'm currently pumping both sides every 2 hours during the day/early evening and every 2.5-3 hrs MOTN.
mikaela20 my left is also my high producer. Always has been.
Pumping every hour sounds like fresh hell, though. Could you pump the right side a little longer each session instead?
I feel like I'm already in fresh feeding hell. I currently pump for 20 minutes each time. I keep reading to only pump for 20 min max- but is it ok to pump longer? I never see an explanation of why only 20 minutes.
mikaela20 It's very common (and normal) to have a "stud" side and a "dud" side. While pumping your lower-producing side more often would probably increase your supply overall due to the increased demand, it's not necessary to do so for the sake of having matching output from both.
I never knew it was common. Thanks!
Sometimes it feels like a waste to pump that side at all. Just wish I could get more out of that side to better improve my pumping session outputs. Massaging during pumping helps a bit to get it going at first, but there still isn't as much coming out.
mikaela20 I'm sorry everything has been so difficult. You are doing a great job. No advice, but one of my breasts regularly produces more as well. I'd never heard the 20 min rule, and usually just pump til I don't see much milk coming out anymore. I'm certain that's often more like 30 min.
mikaela20 I'm sorry everything has been so difficult. You are doing a great job. No advice, but one of my breasts regularly produces more as well. I'd never heard the 20 min rule, and usually just pump til I don't see much milk coming out anymore. I'm certain that's often more like 30 min.
I second this. For me, pumping until empty worked better than looking at the clock. Often I stopped and massaged/shook them (weird I know) and had a second let down. Often more than 20 min too
When should I start trying to give baby bottles of pumped milk to practice? I'm back to work in about 6 weeks. She's five weeks now.
I think you could start now. Actually, not you; I think you could leave the house and your husband could try giving her a bottle. Often babies smell mom and want mom, so an alternative person will have better luck with a bottle.
Then Comes Family, LLC is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising
program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.