SS questions

[sabrinaml]

Any special snowflake questions??
Or some serious non snowflake questions.

[sabrinaml]

Anyone have any tips on getting P to actually latch and nurse? Because of our NICU stay and her having to get a certain amount of food each feeding she was bottle fed. (First 24ish hours she used a g-tube for feedings.) I did try nursing for each feeding I was available for (I believe I missed 1.) but she didn't always latch and she began to prefer bottle over breast. I'd rather nurse than pump. I have gotten her to nurse a handful of times, but it's never consistent.

[applemuffins]

Any or all of these could potentially help:

1. Bottle feed a little, but not a full feeding, then try the breast. In theory, she will be less desperately hungry and more willing to try nursing .

2. Try nursing her just before she fully wakes up. Same sentiments as above.

3. Try a nipple shield. The firmer silicone nipple will remind her of a bottle.

4. Try to trigger letdown just before she latches so she doesn't have to work so hard to get the milk out at the beginning. It will be more like the instant gratification of a bottle.

5. When you do give a bottle, used paced bottle feeding methods. Check kellymom.com for info as well as YouTube.

And of course, a lactation consultant should be able to help too!

[sabrinaml]

Jun 18, 2017 15:03:02 GMT -5 applemuffins said:

Any or all of these could potentially help:

1. Bottle feed a little, but not a full feeding, then try the breast. In theory, she will be less desperately hungry and more willing to try nursing .

2. Try nursing her just before she fully wakes up. Same sentiments as above.

3. Try a nipple shield. The firmer silicone nipple will remind her of a bottle.

4. Try to trigger letdown just before she latches so she doesn't have to work so hard to get the milk out at the beginning. It will be more like the instant gratification of a bottle.

5. When you do give a bottle, used paced bottle feeding methods. Check kellymom.com for info as well as YouTube.

And of course, a lactation consultant should be able to help too!

Thanks!! I've been trying to start with a little bit of bottle so she's not starving and a little more willing to latch. I've also tried to put a few drops of milk on my nipple so there is already something there when she latches. I'll try to trigger letdown before I latch her next time. She's currently nursing now.
I'll have to look up paced feeding methods. She does not like the shield. The LC at the hospital gave me one and P won't latch with it.

[starsandshamrocks123]

This is a legit question (not meant to be braggy) but DD is the ripe old age of 2.5 weeks. She sleeps a lot. Like she could sleep 3 hours, wake for diaper change, eat, then back to sleep for another 3 hour stretch. I'm never recall DS like ever sleeping this much. I'm trying to figure out if I need to extend the wakeful periods. Pedi didn't seem concerned. She's gaining fine. I just feel weird, like I should try to keep her awake

[sdlaura]

starsandshamrocks123, count your lucky stars and go with it, as long as she's gaining fine!

DD loves the story about how I couldn't tell other new moms about what a good sleeper she was because it seemed mean . Of course my second kid was a crappy sleeper.

[honda13]

Jun 18, 2017 20:23:26 GMT -5 starsandshamrocks123 said:

This is a legit question (not meant to be braggy) but DD is the ripe old age of 2.5 weeks. She sleeps a lot. Like she could sleep 3 hours, wake for diaper change, eat, then back to sleep for another 3 hour stretch. I'm never recall DS like ever sleeping this much. I'm trying to figure out if I need to extend the wakeful periods. Pedi didn't seem concerned. She's gaining fine. I just feel weird, like I should try to keep he,r awake

This is both my kids (so far). If she is gaining well, keep on keeping on. It'll probably change soon 😉

[sabrinaml]

Jun 18, 2017 20:23:26 GMT -5 starsandshamrocks123 said:

This is a legit question (not meant to be braggy) but DD is the ripe old age of 2.5 weeks. She sleeps a lot. Like she could sleep 3 hours, wake for diaper change, eat, then back to sleep for another 3 hour stretch. I'm never recall DS like ever sleeping this much. I'm trying to figure out if I need to extend the wakeful periods. Pedi didn't seem concerned. She's gaining fine. I just feel weird, like I should try to keep her awake

P is like this. She has an awake period in the morning (last few days it's been from 6ish-9ish depending on when she ate.).

[Deleted]

sabrinaml I was going to suggest a nipple shield but I see that hasn't worked either. I would really recommend working with an LC. They made a huge difference for me.

Also, is she still sleepy when you try to nurse? S1 had to be totally awake to even attempt latching bease otherwise he would just be lazy and go back to sleep instead of attempting to nurse.

[ihatepizza]

Jun 18, 2017 20:23:26 GMT -5 starsandshamrocks123 said:

This is a legit question (not meant to be braggy) but DD is the ripe old age of 2.5 weeks. She sleeps a lot. Like she could sleep 3 hours, wake for diaper change, eat, then back to sleep for another 3 hour stretch. I'm never recall DS like ever sleeping this much. I'm trying to figure out if I need to extend the wakeful periods. Pedi didn't seem concerned. She's gaining fine. I just feel weird, like I should try to keep her awake

So normal, even at four weeks this is her normal. She will rarely be up for ten minute stretches, maybe. I also called the pediatrican panicking of course

[starsandshamrocks123]

Jun 19, 2017 3:31:09 GMT -5 ihatepizza said:

Jun 18, 2017 20:23:26 GMT -5 starsandshamrocks123 said:

This is a legit question (not meant to be braggy) but DD is the ripe old age of 2.5 weeks. She sleeps a lot. Like she could sleep 3 hours, wake for diaper change, eat, then back to sleep for another 3 hour stretch. I'm never recall DS like ever sleeping this much. I'm trying to figure out if I need to extend the wakeful periods. Pedi didn't seem concerned. She's gaining fine. I just feel weird, like I should try to keep her awake

So normal, even at four weeks this is her normal. She will rarely be up for ten minute stretches, maybe. I also called the pediatrican panicking of course

Ok glad it's not just me. I was secretly hoping that this might mean she might be a good sleeper, naturally. But I know that this stuff changes daily and I started overthinking it!

[marshian]

Inside baby question: How did you know you were having true contractions? I've had Braxton Hicks and cramps for the past few days. Very vice-like and either too short or too long to be contractions, nothing wave-like to them. I was told to watch for a wave pattern (builds up, then fades), lasting 30 seconds to a minute, feeling it around to my back, then eventually becoming more regular in time between them. Accurate?

H is nervous I won't realize I'm actually in labor since I've been dealing with the BH and cramps for days. I don't think he's wrong.

[mreve]

Jun 19, 2017 12:03:04 GMT -5 marshian said:

Inside baby question: How did you know you were having true contractions? I've had Braxton Hicks and cramps for the past few days. Very vice-like and either too short or too long to be contractions, nothing wave-like to them. I was told to watch for a wave pattern (builds up, then fades), lasting 30 seconds to a minute, feeling it around to my back, then eventually becoming more regular in time between them. Accurate?

H is nervous I won't realize I'm actually in labor since I've been dealing with the BH and cramps for days. I don't think he's wrong.

I think that description is accurate. For me, it was obvious when the contractions had a regular pattern, could be timed, and were gradually getting closer together/more intense.

[applemuffins]

My contractions were wave like, but I also believe everyone has different experiences. Some people feel contractions in their thighs, or their back, others feel It low across their belly, etc. Mine never get that close together, even once it is time for me to push. They were still 3-5 minutes apart for both my labors. Basically, its just different for everyone. When I got to the hospital, I was 7cm dilated but i was still walking and talking through contractions. If your contractions keep going despite rest, or activity, or a bath, they could be the real deal. I was totally in denial my first time, but I assume once transition starts it would be impossible to be in denial. I already had an epidural by that point though.

[Deleted]

Jun 19, 2017 12:03:04 GMT -5 marshian said:

Inside baby question: How did you know you were having true contractions? I've had Braxton Hicks and cramps for the past few days. Very vice-like and either too short or too long to be contractions, nothing wave-like to them. I was told to watch for a wave pattern (builds up, then fades), lasting 30 seconds to a minute, feeling it around to my back, then eventually becoming more regular in time between them. Accurate?

H is nervous I won't realize I'm actually in labor since I've been dealing with the BH and cramps for days. I don't think he's wrong.

You're description sounds pretty close. For me the biggest difference was the wave pattern to it and intensity. My BH would be sudden tightness that would come on then go away just as suddenly. Also there was no regularity to them some times would last for a minute sometimes 30 secs, sometimes 1 minute between sometimes 8 minutes between.

I was also worried I wouldn't know when they were real contractions even though this was my second. With my first I had zero contractions until my water broke spontaneously and it still took an hour for contractions to start, but I was already on my way to the hospital by then because it was obvious I was having the baby that day. This time around was completely opposite I had almost constant BH for about 4 hours every day for about a week leading up but when the real contractions started they were undeniable. And this time my water did not break on its own OB had to do it when I got to 9.5 cm.
Also I used the app Full Term for timing contractions and I really liked it.

[marshian]

Thanks mreve, applemuffins, and @lilybilly!

I'm definitely going to test any I think may be the real deal with rest/water and then a bath. So far just status quo around here, though!

[panda]

A lot of skin to skin may encourage her to latch too sabrinaml

[sdlaura]

All I can say is,marshian, is that you will know. A PP mentioned intensity, and that was one measure for me. Another was the fact that they were timetable - I downloaded an app with a contraction timer for my first pregnancy and thought I may have been in labor a couple times before the real deal and so I used the app to time and there was no discernible pattern.

[ihatepizza]

Jun 19, 2017 9:08:03 GMT -5 starsandshamrocks123 said:

Jun 19, 2017 3:31:09 GMT -5 ihatepizza said:

So normal, even at four weeks this is her normal. She will rarely be up for ten minute stretches, maybe. I also called the pediatrican panicking of course

Ok glad it's not just me. I was secretly hoping that this might mean she might be a good sleeper, naturally. But I know that this stuff changes daily and I started overthinking it!

I'm hoping that too, or at least a laid back baby? We will see

[sabrinaml]

So P is finally starting to nurse more often. When she was bottle fed I knew she took between 1.5-2oz a feeding.
I'm assuming she'll let me know she if needs more? When I pump I get roughly 1.5 oz (both sides combined) and I know she should do a better job at emptying me.
Also, how long are your LOs spending on each side (roughly?) I feel like she's the slowest nurser ever.

[applemuffins]

As long as baby is having enough wet and dirty diapers, she's getting enough DS was a very fast nurser in the beginning, averaging around 5mins. But my let down was very fast and I was engorged. Once things settled, he slowed down. Takes him maybe 10-15 minutes now, but even up to 20 minutes or more is normal for newborns since they go through periods of being alert and sleepy as they nurse. My DD was a slower and frequent eater.

[sdlaura]

sabrinaml My first baby took forever and ever to nurse and each one has gotten more efficient. Third baby can do both sides in like 15 min. I would just look for any hunger cues. I stick a boob in my kid's mouth pretty much anytime they fuss in the early days

[cateyes]

Jun 21, 2017 12:58:34 GMT -5 sabrinaml said:

So P is finally starting to nurse more often. When she was bottle fed I knew she took between 1.5-2oz a feeding.
I'm assuming she'll let me know she if needs more? When I pump I get roughly 1.5 oz (both sides combined) and I know she should do a better job at emptying me.
Also, how long are your LOs spending on each side (roughly?) I feel like she's the slowest nurser ever.

We nurse each side for about 5-15 minutes depending on his interest/sleepiness level. I also have to supplement so we have to take that into account as well but he does not nurse as long as I thought he would for sure!

[honda13]

Jun 21, 2017 12:58:34 GMT -5 sabrinaml said:

So P is finally starting to nurse more often. When she was bottle fed I knew she took between 1.5-2oz a feeding.
I'm assuming she'll let me know she if needs more? When I pump I get roughly 1.5 oz (both sides combined) and I know she should do a better job at emptying me.
Also, how long are your LOs spending on each side (roughly?) I feel like she's the slowest nurser ever.

I feel like dd2 is a way slower nurser than dd1, but maybe I just don't remember. Dd2 takes about 20 minutes a side, but sometimes longer.

[iris1264]

Jun 19, 2017 12:03:04 GMT -5 marshian said:

Inside baby question: How did you know you were having true contractions? I've had Braxton Hicks and cramps for the past few days. Very vice-like and either too short or too long to be contractions, nothing wave-like to them. I was told to watch for a wave pattern (builds up, then fades), lasting 30 seconds to a minute, feeling it around to my back, then eventually becoming more regular in time between them. Accurate?

H is nervous I won't realize I'm actually in labor since I've been dealing with the BH and cramps for days. I don't think he's wrong.

Hoping I'm not too late on this! My labors have been unusual. I've had only one (DS1) where the contractions were regular (ie 5 min apart, each lasting one min), getting closer together steadily. My other two have had irregular contractions with no clear pattern. With DS2, they were 3-4 min apart, then started coupling with two contractions back to back, then were 9-10 min apart, then came on furiously 3 min apart only 30 min or so before he was born. So just be aware of this when you are timimg contractions!

What they have felt like for me though has been more 'normal'. Like a wave with a peak in the middle. Pretty much always across my abdomen, and only in transition did i feel them wrapping around my back and into my thighs.

[applemuffins]

Mine were also irregular like that, every 3-5 minutes, lasting 45seconds-1minute. And they never really got closer than that, even when I was fully dilated. And then sometimes they would spread back out again for a couole hours, then go back, and so on and so forth. I think that's partially why I take so long to fully dilate. I feel like my body never hits transition. But maybe it goes into transition late, after I had the epidural, I don't know.

[bagels]

My kids are fast eaters but this kid was lazy from fast flow bottles in nicu so I've gotten him to eat better by doing skin to skin and letting him stay attached for practically a whole weekend. He's much better now.

My first was an amazing sleeper. Totally normal. He could fall asleep anywhere at the drop of a hat. Very happy healthy kid who, like his mom, loves sleep! Enjoy it! Haha

[bagels]

With my first 2, it was the latch that was painful and I would get blisters. I don't have that this time. His latch is good. Right now it's my letdown hurts so bad. My boobs feel deflated so I have a hard time believing it's over supply. This has been going on for the 2 weeks I've been nursing him and hasn't gotten better.

[marshian]

iris1264 - Not too late! No baby yet.

Still just cramps/Braxton Hicks all day and then nothing at night for the past few days.