~Breastfeeding Thread~

[bobloblaw]

babycaps is wise. My 2014 LO, he lost 11% of his body weight by our pedi appointment. They freaked out but it did not last long. He caught his stride and he's been at least 85% for weight ever since. My pedi has always found something to worry about with the BFing. They were concerned about his iron intake after his weight was up. And that never was an issue either.

It took us about 5 days to get it right, but then it was lots of deep breaths upon latching and tons of lanolin and letting your nips dry out. He had occasional BM bottles but he never liked them. We had no nipple confusion ever.

Not to freak any of the new moms out but it was a good 5 weeks before it didn't hurt when he latched. Even with a good latch that's pretty typical. However, I will say that once he was latched, it did not hurt past 10-20 seconds. if it did, I popped him off and we tried again. If I got a sore spot, I'd switch positions, maybe try a football hold.

Hang in there. Give it time. Trust your instincts.

[PAruby525]

I know ive been MIA. I am struggling to get the hang of this all consuming newborn thing- mostly due to bf issues.

E lost 9.9% of her weight by day 2 at her first pedi check up. I wasn't initially that concerned because Id had a LOT of iv fluids in my labor as well as the feeding trouble early on, and my milk wasnt in.

The appointment was Monday and Sunday night was horrible because E seemed starved and I had no clue what to do.

So now, I'm nursing her 20-30mins, 1oz bottle, and pumping 15 minutes after EVERY feed. Im exhausted. When the pediatrician told me I needed to bottle feed formula I was devastated. I was bawling in her office. I felt like a bad mom already (crazy, I know... Noone who supplements or uses formula for any reason is a bad mom- its just not what I wanted)

Ive seen a LC twice, both have agreed with the pediatrician that we just need to fatten her up. They told me about paced feeding (westiemom you might look at this if the syringe gets old). I use a shield about every other feed. Pumping is exhausting but now Im able to pump enough to use thst to supplement instead of buying formula. I hardly sleep. I dont think she sleeps much either. It is hard.

She was back up one ounce on Wednesday. I'm hoping by Monday she will be back up a bit more so i can lay off at least some of the pumping and preferably the bottle in general.

Bf is so much harder than I ever imagined.

[shadesofgold]

I love all the wisdom and solidarity on this thread! Thanks for the tip on the flipple technique, mrssqueegy! I looked it up and also found this video I want to share:


We had been having okay feeding but having some painful latching and a strong preference for one boob. I watched this video twice and tried the hold and tips on the more difficult side and viola! We got 25 minutes of really good feeding after only two latch attempts! The only thing I didn't totally follow was the thumbs-up technique. I used a sort of combo of flipple and hamburger - E is too small to keep his head in place for the thumbs-up to work for him. But the hold (especially the chin in/nose out aspect) seemed to work wonders for us!

[westiemom]

PAruby525 ((hugs)) it's so hard. I'm sorry you are dealing with feeding and pumping. Hang in there. I have no wisdom to offer but I genuinely hope it gets better.

We had our weight check today at the pedi. O gained 2 ounces since Monday. The pedi wasn't too thrilled with her weight gain so she had me do a weighted feed while there. After feeding for 15 mins, she gained 2 more ounces. The pedi says it's obvious she is eating well so she is baffled by the fact that she is gaining so slowly. We go back in a week for another weight check. She did say we could stop the syringe since she is eating well enough from the boob.

The LC wants us to take O to an ENT to have her tongue tie rechecked because she doesn't think the surgeon did a good job totally releasing it. I'm torn because she was able to gain 2 ounces in a 15 min feed (using the nipple shield) so I feel like she is eating efficiently but I don't know what to do. She is 5% for weight.

[bobloblaw]

May 6, 2016 13:11:18 GMT -5 westiemom said:

PAruby525 ((hugs)) it's so hard. I'm sorry you are dealing with feeding and pumping. Hang in there. I have no wisdom to offer but I genuinely hope it gets better.

We had our weight check today at the pedi. O gained 2 ounces since Monday. The pedi wasn't too thrilled with her weight gain so she had me do a weighted feed while there. After feeding for 15 mins, she gained 2 more ounces. The pedi says it's obvious she is eating well so she is baffled by the fact that she is gaining so slowly. We go back in a week for another weight check. She did say we could stop the syringe since she is eating well enough from the boob.

The LC wants us to take O to an ENT to have her tongue tie rechecked because she doesn't think the surgeon did a good job totally releasing it. I'm torn because she was able to gain 2 ounces in a 15 min feed (using the nipple shield) so I feel like she is eating efficiently but I don't know what to do. She is 5% for weight.

2 oz is amazing at a feeding for such a young newborn! I'm confused as to why the pedi is freaking out. This may be a strange question but are you and/or H tall, average, or short?  The reason I ask is that some kids just are small, petite and will never fit into the bell curve the way a pedi might like them to. My mom fought her pedi with all of my siblings and me. I know I had to trust my instincts with my pedi and LO #1 because they are so used to babies with bottles and super measured feedings. LO #1 was a big baby and it still took a while for him to gain. She IS gaining. Will you have another pedi appointment or does the office offer weigh-ins on  certain days/times? (Mine did)

As for LC...  I'm also going to tell you to use your instincts. I had a LC come out to my home and by the time she left, I was sobbing for hours. She told me that we would never sustain a nursing relationship if we kept on the way we were and if I didn't get all of these things taken care of... we did none of the things she suggested- AND SHE WAS WRONG. LO nursed until he was 15mos old (through my first trimester of this pregnancy) and we had no problems, not even supply issues like she said we would have. You can take LO to get it rechecked but don't feel pressured into doing anything you're not okay with. 

[westiemom]

May 6, 2016 14:17:48 GMT -5 bobloblaw said:

May 6, 2016 13:11:18 GMT -5 westiemom said:

PAruby525 ((hugs)) it's so hard. I'm sorry you are dealing with feeding and pumping. Hang in there. I have no wisdom to offer but I genuinely hope it gets better.

We had our weight check today at the pedi. O gained 2 ounces since Monday. The pedi wasn't too thrilled with her weight gain so she had me do a weighted feed while there. After feeding for 15 mins, she gained 2 more ounces. The pedi says it's obvious she is eating well so she is baffled by the fact that she is gaining so slowly. We go back in a week for another weight check. She did say we could stop the syringe since she is eating well enough from the boob.

The LC wants us to take O to an ENT to have her tongue tie rechecked because she doesn't think the surgeon did a good job totally releasing it. I'm torn because she was able to gain 2 ounces in a 15 min feed (using the nipple shield) so I feel like she is eating efficiently but I don't know what to do. She is 5% for weight.

2 oz is amazing at a feeding for such a young newborn! I'm confused as to why the pedi is freaking out. This may be a strange question but are you and/or H tall, average, or short?  The reason I ask is that some kids just are small, petite and will never fit into the bell curve the way a pedi might like them to. My mom fought her pedi with all of my siblings and me. I know I had to trust my instincts with my pedi and LO #1 because they are so used to babies with bottles and super measured feedings. LO #1 was a big baby and it still took a while for him to gain. She IS gaining. Will you have another pedi appointment or does the office offer weigh-ins on  certain days/times? (Mine did)

As for LC...  I'm also going to tell you to use your instincts. I had a LC come out to my home and by the time she left, I was sobbing for hours. She told me that we would never sustain a nursing relationship if we kept on the way we were and if I didn't get all of these things taken care of... we did none of the things she suggested- AND SHE WAS WRONG. LO nursed until he was 15mos old (through my first trimester of this pregnancy) and we had no problems, not even supply issues like she said we would have. You can take LO to get it rechecked but don't feel pressured into doing anything you're not okay with. 

Thank you for sharing your story. That helps so much. You are right, I need to trust myself more. It's so hard as a FTM!

My DH is short for a man and Chinese so he naturally has smaller genes. I'm average height and have always been overweight. Neither of us were small babies. We go back for a weight check next Friday. I am thrilled she gained some and even happier the weighted feed went well so I need to focus on that and not be so stressed out that the pedi and LC both think we need to be doing other things. Parenting is hard yo!

[tincupchalice]

Seconding the some babies are just small thing. Someone's got to be at the bottom of the bellcurve, just like someone has to be at the top. If baby is gaining, there are no other warning signs, and your mom-dar isn't going off... I think you're probably great.

[bobloblaw]

May 6, 2016 14:34:59 GMT -5 westiemom said:

May 6, 2016 14:17:48 GMT -5 bobloblaw said:

2 oz is amazing at a feeding for such a young newborn! I'm confused as to why the pedi is freaking out. This may be a strange question but are you and/or H tall, average, or short?  The reason I ask is that some kids just are small, petite and will never fit into the bell curve the way a pedi might like them to. My mom fought her pedi with all of my siblings and me. I know I had to trust my instincts with my pedi and LO #1 because they are so used to babies with bottles and super measured feedings. LO #1 was a big baby and it still took a while for him to gain. She IS gaining. Will you have another pedi appointment or does the office offer weigh-ins on  certain days/times? (Mine did)

As for LC...  I'm also going to tell you to use your instincts. I had a LC come out to my home and by the time she left, I was sobbing for hours. She told me that we would never sustain a nursing relationship if we kept on the way we were and if I didn't get all of these things taken care of... we did none of the things she suggested- AND SHE WAS WRONG. LO nursed until he was 15mos old (through my first trimester of this pregnancy) and we had no problems, not even supply issues like she said we would have. You can take LO to get it rechecked but don't feel pressured into doing anything you're not okay with. 

Thank you for sharing your story. That helps so much. You are right, I need to trust myself more. It's so hard as a FTM!

My DH is short for a man and Chinese so he naturally has smaller genes. I'm average height and have always been overweight. Neither of us were small babies. We go back for a weight check next Friday. I am thrilled she gained some and even happier the weighted feed went well so I need to focus on that and not be so stressed out that the pedi and LC both think we need to be doing other things. Parenting is hard yo!

Your LO may just be on the smaller side, Westie. I was a tiny baby but my kid wasn't. My parents weren't tiny babies but my siblings and I were.

It's really hard. Really hard. If you think something is wrong, look into it. If you think it's just going to take time and your baby isn't going hungry or eating abnormally in any extreme, then trust that. I know it's hard as a FTM but babies will tell you when they are hungry or if something is wrong.

I didn't trust my instincts either last time. It's hard to know if you are doing the right thing. But also know that you can make a decision and then change your mind. That was some of the best advice I got from my SIL. Roll with the punches, try what you can to see what works. *hugs*

If I were you, I'd continue what you are doing and take her in for weighings once a week or two weeks to see if she's still gaining (to ease your mind) and make decisions off of that.

[babycaps]

May 6, 2016 14:50:23 GMT -5 tincupchalice said:

Seconding the some babies are just small thing. Someone's got to be at the bottom of the bellcurve, just like someone has to be at the top. If baby is gaining, there are no other warning signs, and your mom-dar isn't going off... I think you're probably great.

This!!!!!!
All of this!!!
2oz in 15min with a nipple shield is awesome!!! Some babies are smaller! That is all!!!

[snoris]

((Hugs)) for all the struggles ladies. This is all really good for me to read and build realistic expectations for when my bean arrives. Obviously you all are getting/giving great advice, but I'm still concerned about some of the lack of support I'm reading about! I know in my area there are loads of support groups for breastfeeding moms. There are free classes, two chapters of la leche league groups, as well as a whole heap of postpartum doula services and of course LC's. I would hope similar resources are available to all of you too!

If you have the means, a postpartum doula might be a great option for both breastfeeding and emotional support through all of the confusing Doctor suggestions. (They also help with housework and caring for older sibs too!) Sometimes it's just nice to know a lady who has been around 50 or 100+ births and postpartum periods in a more intimate way than doctors have. Or maybe just finding a la leche meeting and existing in a room of a dozen other lactating women might be helpful.

Anyway, I'm just feeling for you and when I read about ending up in tears with an LC or people putting pressure on you or doctors over reacting a little. No fun. I know I'll be right here with you in a matter of days.

[helloerrbody]

westiemom, B is even smaller. At his appointment 2 days after birth his head circumference was .3%, weight 1%, height 9%. At 2 weeks his head was 1%, weight .24%, height 4%. My pedi and I are not worried because he eats often, has lots of wet and dirty diapers, and he IS growing, just slowly. My husband is 6' 3" and 225 lbs but We were both pretty small babies. B is just small!

[westiemom]

May 6, 2016 16:44:58 GMT -5 helloerrbody said:

westiemom, B is even smaller. At his appointment 2 days after birth his head circumference was .3%, weight 1%, height 9%. At 2 weeks his head was 1%, weight .24%, height 4%. My pedi and I are not worried because he eats often, has lots of wet and dirty diapers, and he IS growing, just slowly. My husband is 6' 3" and 225 lbs but We were both pretty small babies. B is just small!

Thank you! This makes me feel a lot better.

[o2girl]

westiemom I hope that everyday that passes the nursing becomes easier for you and O. FWIW, every baby is so different. My first was a terrible breastfeeder, and I gave up after she lost more than 15% of her birth weight..... Then my DS was a champion feeder, not a sore nipple in sight! Then there is Will.ow..... I turned her into a baby vampire last night as my sore cracked nipple (the worst of the two) fed her probably mostly blood..... Nothing like bloody spit up. I folded today and bought a nipple shield to try and get through this rough patch.... That and I'm pumping and dumping the bloody side and substituting with formula....

You do you and do what is best for you and O. You will both get through this! Xoxo

[walkek85]

Add me to the cracked nipples group. It's been a little over a year since I BF DS so I figured it would be like riding a bike, but nope. I'm not sure if my nipples just need to toughen up or if his latch is bad. It's so hard to get an excellent latch when their mouths are so tiny. I plan to talk to a LC next week, have her check his latch.

[westiemom]

o2girl sorry for the cracked nipple! We had that happen a couple weeks ago. Blood everywhere!

walkek85 sorry you are dealing with cracked nipples too! Ugh.

[aaemommy]

I don't have cracked nipples (yet) but they hurt like crazy when he first latches! He seems to have a good latch and the pain only lasts the first few sucks but man oh man it hurts until then! I'll be interested to see if the LC has any suggestions on holds/ etc to help or if it's just something where my nipples have to toughen up some more. I've been done BFing less than a year so I'm surprised it's this painful.

[sosayweall]

Do you guys wake baby to eat during the day after they've regained birth weight? This baby is so different from my son who nursed nonstop. She is gaining but today it had been 4 hours since she nursed and I literally gave her a bath to get her to wake. She's 2 weeks old.

[babycaps]

May 8, 2016 17:02:18 GMT -5 sosayweall said:

Do you guys wake baby to eat during the day after they've regained birth weight? This baby is so different from my son who nursed nonstop. She is gaining but today it had been 4 hours since she nursed and I literally gave her a bath to get her to wake. She's 2 weeks old.

If she has regained birthweight, don't wake her up to eat!!!!!!! For reals!! Enjoy the breaks:)

[k3am]

May 8, 2016 17:02:18 GMT -5 sosayweall said:

Do you guys wake baby to eat during the day after they've regained birth weight? This baby is so different from my son who nursed nonstop. She is gaining but today it had been 4 hours since she nursed and I literally gave her a bath to get her to wake. She's 2 weeks old.

The only time I ever woke DD to eat was when my boobs were at the "can't take it" phase. Otherwise.. sleeping babies are great!

[mrssqueegy]

I woke during the day so he would sleep longer at night.

[birkmmm]

May 8, 2016 17:02:18 GMT -5 sosayweall said:

Do you guys wake baby to eat during the day after they've regained birth weight? This baby is so different from my son who nursed nonstop. She is gaining but today it had been 4 hours since she nursed and I literally gave her a bath to get her to wake. She's 2 weeks old.

I don't if he's hungry he will let me know

[babycaps]

sosayweall, the ONLY time I ever woke up to feed was in the evenings I would make sure there was a 3pm, a 5pm and a 7pm feed so that he would give me a longer stretch at night. I looked back on my app and for a while I also did 3, 5, 7, and then a 8-9pm top-off. But I did this more when he was about 5 weeks old and with that he started giving us 5-6hr stretches at night! GLORIOUS. Seriously, the rule applies though....don't wake up a sleeping baby.

[westiemom]

We regained birth weight but I'm still waking to eat because the pedi isn't thrilled with our weight gain speed. Hoping she gains well this week so that I can let her go longer than 2-3 hours.

[birkmmm]

I'm pretty sure I've been feeding this kid all day.... It's been about every hour and a half gahhhh I pray he isn't going to wake up that much tonight. Eek.

[starfishy]

I sometimes wake to eat during day so that baby gets the idea that we eat and play during the day - and to pack the calories in at during the day so that night time we *might* get a longer stretch. When we get into more of a routine/schedule then I just wing it more.

[westiemom]

May 8, 2016 20:13:41 GMT -5 birkmmm said:

I'm pretty sure I've been feeding this kid all day.... It's been about every hour and a half gahhhh I pray he isn't going to wake up that much tonight. Eek.

Omg me too! All day on the hour!

[emmyg65]

Hi everybody! I'm dropping in from the Breastfeeding board. Just wanted to let you know that we have a weekly check in and a bunch of BTDT moms over there. Feel free to swing by for questions. You don't need to lurk or intro or anything fancy.

[PAruby525]

I'm still here! Baby E is gaining, slowly, but her pediatrician thinks she's right on track. we haven't made it back to birth weight but we are on track to make it by 2 weeks... my boobs still hurt BAD, and I'm using a nipple shield, but we are getting through it!

We are told to wake her up every 2-3 hours still to eat. not gonna lie, I've slept through a few feedings. makes me feel pretty lousy when she wakes up screaming after 4 hours... /

[westiemom]

May 10, 2016 21:44:04 GMT -5 PAruby525 said:

I'm still here! Baby E is gaining, slowly, but her pediatrician thinks she's right on track. we haven't made it back to birth weight but we are on track to make it by 2 weeks... my boobs still hurt BAD, and I'm using a nipple shield, but we are getting through it!

We are told to wake her up every 2-3 hours still to eat. not gonna lie, I've slept through a few feedings. makes me feel pretty lousy when she wakes up screaming after 4 hours... /

We are supposed to wake her up to feed every 2-3 hours too. I went to bed and DH just woke me up 5 hours later. Oops! I decided one late feeding won't hurt.

[wanderingheart]

We just got permission to go from 2 hour feeds to 3 hours, but we wake them up throughout the night to feed. We're trying really hard to get them on the same schedule so we have printouts that we fill out saying when they ate, how much, how much time was spent on the boob, and diaper changes. It's strict but helps a lot.