All things breastfeeding

[microworm]

Put all your questions, suggestions, and tips here!

[microworm]

I'm in prep mode for baby #2. One thing I remember I lacked last time was a stash of healthy and filling snacks to fuel that breastfeeding hunger. What are your go to snacks?

I have Greek yogurt, almonds, and cheese sticks for now.

[txmommy14]

microworm, I am planning to stash my nightstand with tons of snacks. I think the ones you have are great! I remember being shocked how STARVING I was when breastfeeding DS. I haven't gotten there yet since my milk hasn't come in, but I know it's coming. I brought a back of sweet/salty cashews to the hospital and ate almost the entire bag, I'll probably get more for BFing. Other than that, greek yogurt, granola bars, and to be honest, lots of high calorie things like oreos, etc.

Those of you that have had your babies, how is it going? My nipples hurt way more than they did last time. Her latch is good actually (I had a few nurses check), but it still hurts. I need to be better about using the gel soothie things and lanolin.

[shoogars]

Oatmeal supposedly helps with milk production so I make protein balls...natural peanut butter, oats, protein powder, honey and maybe a few mini M&M's. Keep in the refrigerator. Make an easy snack.

[frecklesnbrains]

I'm definitely craving dairy: yogurt, chocolate milk, cheese, ice cream

Nuts are a good idea too. I feel like I need protein and healthy fats... lots of it.

And I'm making a point to drink a tall glass of water every time he nurses.

[frecklesnbrains]

txmommy14, my nipples were definitely sore the first few days despite a good latch, but it's getting much better. It still hurts for a few seconds after he latches but gets better during the feed. I've been using Motherlove nipple cream and soothies. Both seem to help.

[broadwaymama]

Steel cut oats helped my supply the last time.
I'm really nervous about cramping during nursing this time around. Last time it was excruciating and the nurse told me it gets worse with each child.

[regal]

If anyone is interested, I'm a La Leche League Leader. If you have any specific issues feel free to PM me and I can try and help as best as I can.

[Flair Underwood]

I swore by oatmeal for my supply last time and fenugreek even though it made my armpits smell like maple syrup (weird but true).

[txmommy14]

broadwaymama, My cramping during nursing is already getting better. It was pretty bad, but I don't think it's worse than it was with my son. I was so nervous about them coming in to massage my uterus back down, but it was much better than I thought. Who knows, maybe the cramping will get worse though once my milk comes fully in, since DD is only 3 days old!

[titania]

For snacks I have been eating a ton of Greek yogurt, fruit, and kind bars that are made of nuts. I will have to try oatmeal!

txmommy14 My nipples were super sore even though I was told her latch was good, so I have been using a combo of Motherlove nipple cream and lanisinoh lanolin. I don't know why but I started using both at once and it really made a difference for me. Maybe it's in my head but I will take it . I also have these little boob gel packs I keep in the fridge that I use.

[athn64]

I kept my giant water jug from the hospital buy the rocker and pretty well drained that every time I nursed. And made DH bring me granola bars and peanuts.

[titania]

May 30, 2016 13:09:41 GMT -5 athn64 said:

I kept my giant water jug from the hospital buy the rocker and pretty well drained that every time I nursed. And made DH bring me granola bars and peanuts.

The giant water bottle from the hospital is awesome!! I also drink the entire thing pretty much with every feeding.

[manybellsdown]

+1 to the giant hospital water bottle! BFing made me parched. That thing was attached to me.

I found things OTHER than lanolin the best when my nipples were sore. I eventually got some All Purpose Nipple Cream as well (rx).

Even instant oatmeal worked for my supply last time. I also plan to make some lactation cookies sooner rather than later. Because, cookies.

[frecklesnbrains]

I have another question: my DS has an obvious preference for one side (the left). He can't seem to maintain a latch as well on the other and gets frustrated. Is this a problem? Should I try doing something to maintain supply on the other side (like pumping)? I do offer it every time we feed, but he always ends up back on the left for most of the feed.

[athn64]

May 30, 2016 14:38:20 GMT -5 frecklesnbrains said:

I have another question: my DS has an obvious preference for one side (the left). He can't seem to maintain a latch as well on the other and gets frustrated. Is this a problem? Should I try doing something to maintain supply on the other side (like pumping)? I do offer it every time we feed, but he always ends up back on the left for most of the feed.

I'd try to maintian supply on both sides. Babies usually will have a preference, DD1 did. I'd probably talk to a LC about how to help him latch better on both sides and keep offering him the right.

[manybellsdown]

May 30, 2016 14:38:20 GMT -5 frecklesnbrains said:

I have another question: my DS has an obvious preference for one side (the left). He can't seem to maintain a latch as well on the other and gets frustrated. Is this a problem? Should I try doing something to maintain supply on the other side (like pumping)? I do offer it every time we feed, but he always ends up back on the left for most of the feed.

I'd definitely try to maintain supply on both sides.  Does he get frustrated regardless of whether you offer it first or second?  I might just keep offering it first, if it's truly neglected.  Pumping could help.  Real LC advice may vary.

[manybellsdown]

May 30, 2016 14:23:59 GMT -5 manybellsdown said:

+1 to the giant hospital water bottle! BFing made me parched. That thing was attached to me.

I found things OTHER than lanolin the best when my nipples were sore. I eventually got some All Purpose Nipple Cream as well (rx).

Even instant oatmeal worked for my supply last time. I also plan to make some lactation cookies sooner rather than later. Because, cookies.

Quoting myself but need to add that the BEST thing about drinking all this water is that it actually DOESN'T make you pee every 5 minutes.  I totally remember going pee once after DD and thinking to myself, wait, has it been HOURS since I last peed?  I can't even remember!  Can't wait for that part of not being pregnant anymore.

[Flair Underwood]

May 30, 2016 14:38:20 GMT -5 frecklesnbrains said:

I have another question: my DS has an obvious preference for one side (the left). He can't seem to maintain a latch as well on the other and gets frustrated. Is this a problem? Should I try doing something to maintain supply on the other side (like pumping)? I do offer it every time we feed, but he always ends up back on the left for most of the feed.

Ditto that they always have a preference and that you need to keep up the supply... You'll also always have a more productive side. Just offer that side when it's time. Might you have a forceful let down that he's having a problem keeping a latch on that side?

With DD, I'd always nurse from the preferential side overnight every time she was up and then pump the un-nursed side in the morning.

[frecklesnbrains]

May 30, 2016 15:41:03 GMT -5 Flair Underwood said:

May 30, 2016 14:38:20 GMT -5 frecklesnbrains said:

I have another question: my DS has an obvious preference for one side (the left). He can't seem to maintain a latch as well on the other and gets frustrated. Is this a problem? Should I try doing something to maintain supply on the other side (like pumping)? I do offer it every time we feed, but he always ends up back on the left for most of the feed.

Ditto that they always have a preference and that you need to keep up the supply... You'll also always have a more productive side. Just offer that side when it's time. Might you have a forceful let down that he's having a problem keeping a latch on that side?

With DD, I'd always nurse from the preferential side overnight every time she was up and then pump the un-nursed side in the morning.

How would I recognize a forceful let-down? He usually latches and sucks for a few seconds and then loses the latch and has difficulty re-establishing it.

[manybellsdown]

May 30, 2016 15:50:25 GMT -5 frecklesnbrains said:

May 30, 2016 15:41:03 GMT -5 Flair Underwood said:

Ditto that they always have a preference and that you need to keep up the supply... You'll also always have a more productive side. Just offer that side when it's time. Might you have a forceful let down that he's having a problem keeping a latch on that side?

With DD, I'd always nurse from the preferential side overnight every time she was up and then pump the un-nursed side in the morning.

How would I recognize a forceful let-down? He usually latches and sucks for a few seconds and then loses the latch and has difficulty re-establishing it.

Usually there will be some gagging/choking type action, because the milk is coming so fast that the baby can't handle it.  I had this, and I had to change her position so that she was more upright while feeding.  But losing latch I think is common as well.  

Check out:  kellymom.com/bf/got-milk/supply-worries/fast-letdown/

[Flair Underwood]

With my forceful let down, she would latch and then scream when my letdown would happen... Latch, let go, latch, scream, puke. I would have to go to the shower and hand express a little bit first to get the worst of it over first.... Once she got a little bigger it wasn't an issue.

To recognize it you might want to unlatch him right when you feel the letdown and just see what's happening.... I could be wrong on that though!!!

[nymama917]

If they scream on let down or pull away it could be the force of it. Once you feel the let down you can pull him off and see if it's sprsying everywhere. I had a forceful let down and when DD1 was a baby I would pull her off and let it spray into a burp cloth and once it stopped spewing like a fire hose I would re-latch her and then she was fine. Just an idea if they is truly the issue.

[bighair12]

I am almost a week out and everytime I pump my nipples just scream for the first minute. But we are struggling with a latch. They expect it and we are trying. So lots of pumping here.

[chriskoo]

I just want to say I appreciate this thread. I have nothing to contribute because I'm a FTM with an inside baby still, but I really want to have success with breastfeeding and I feel like all I hear about is how difficult it is. Nice to have access to resources and advice from you btdt moms

[happyday]

I found that squeezing breastmilk on my nipples and letting them air dry was better than any cream for early nursing. Topless time really helped with healing.

Also, with side preference: I had to offer a different position on one side than the other in early days.
I was prepared to take her to a chiro bc of it because the midwives were thinking she didn't have the range of motion on one side of her head/neck, which made nursing on that side more difficult for her. We got over the hump pretty quickly though. I think I always offered her "least favorite" side first to make sure that side didn't drop in production.

[frecklesnbrains]

Thanks guys! I don't think the side preference is forceful let-down, from what you describe. I don't think my milk is that plentiful! There has been no gagging or spitting at all. In fact, I rarely even see anything dribble out. Interestingly, the last time he nursed he latched well for 20 minutes on that right side... so maybe it'll be a non-issue. We'll see.

[regal]

May 30, 2016 14:38:20 GMT -5 frecklesnbrains said:

I have another question: my DS has an obvious preference for one side (the left). He can't seem to maintain a latch as well on the other and gets frustrated. Is this a problem? Should I try doing something to maintain supply on the other side (like pumping)? I do offer it every time we feed, but he always ends up back on the left for most of the feed.

What position are you nursing in? It might be that he prefers laying on one side, so switching to the football hold could help. You could also try lying back with him on your chest or side lying. Definitely keep trying. It's also possible to nurse just from one side, although you might get a little lop sided.

[frecklesnbrains]

May 30, 2016 19:56:54 GMT -5 regal said:

May 30, 2016 14:38:20 GMT -5 frecklesnbrains said:

I have another question: my DS has an obvious preference for one side (the left). He can't seem to maintain a latch as well on the other and gets frustrated. Is this a problem? Should I try doing something to maintain supply on the other side (like pumping)? I do offer it every time we feed, but he always ends up back on the left for most of the feed.

What position are you nursing in? It might be that he prefers laying on one side, so switching to the football hold could help. You could also try lying back with him on your chest or side lying. Definitely keep trying. It's also possible to nurse just from one side, although you might get a little lop sided.

Yeah I definitely need to experiment with other positions. We just had good luck with the cross-cradle and I've been hesitant to mess with what works

[Andrea]

This breast feeding business is no joke! Has anyone experienced a heat rash at one time of the day? I am developing this usually between the 9-12pm feeds, I'm thinking it may be hormone related. I had a glass of Prosecco this weekend and it blew up. It eventually spreads all over my chest, up my neck, and face. It fades after I pump or breast feed. At its worst it's itchy and obnoxious, at its best it's just hot.

Mentioning to the LC & my OB. But I was just curious.