Breastfeeding Thread

[txmommy14]

May has a thread that I find myself lurking on each day. I thought now that we have more outside babies, we could use this thread as a place to post our questions, comments, etc about breastfeeding.

[txmommy14]

We saw a Lactation consultant last Friday. Things are going much better than they were the first few days, but it is still very painful when she latches. Much more painful than it ever was with DS. I'm glad the engorgement is gone though, that was awful. I'm pumping a bit to comfort when needed but trying not to pump much so I don't end up with an oversupply issue.

[broadwaymama]

Yay for this thread!!!!!! Thanks for starting it!

[Andrea]

We are still rocking the nipple shield and seeing our LC weekly. I knew this was going to be hard, but holy shiz, I am exhausted. He did finally get to/surpassed his birth weight last week- so that gives me the motivation I need to keep going.

[broadwaymama]

txmommy14 what did she suggest for nipple pain? It's awful over here! Nurse at the hospital gave me a trick to pull down their chin once they are latched but it doesn't always help. I got gel pads today seeing if they help at all

[txmommy14]

Jun 7, 2016 22:57:12 GMT -5 broadwaymama said:

txmommy14 what did she suggest for nipple pain? It's awful over here! Nurse at the hospital gave me a trick to pull down their chin once they are latched but it doesn't always help. I got gel pads today seeing if they help at all

She basically just said we needed to work on correcting her latch-pointing the nipple up and getting her tongue down. I have the hydrogel pads but those are for short term use. I also have two different kinds of nipple cream. It's slowly getting better and only feels kind I'm being stabbed for the first part on one side. So painful. For about a week I was in tears every time she latched, though. Another option is the nipple shield.

[broadwaymama]

Yeah I'm feeling that same pain! I have never been to a LC before but I'm thinking this pain may warrant a visit. I have been working on keeping my nipple up, was there a certain trick she gave for getting her tongue down?

[frecklesnbrains]

A friend of mine taught me the trick of pulling down the chin to correct the latch. I had my DH help do that the first few days when he was around and eventually the baby figured it out. Mainly I think the nipple pain improved a lot when my milk came in fully - it provides some lubrication Anyway, for those who are early on, it got MUCH better after a week, and now all the cracks are healed. LC is always a good idea!

[txmommy14]

Jun 7, 2016 23:05:02 GMT -5 broadwaymama said:

Yeah I'm feeling that same pain! I have never been to a LC before but I'm thinking this pain may warrant a visit. I have been working on keeping my nipple up, was there a certain trick she gave for getting her tongue down?

My hospital provides LC support for free-do you guys have someone you could use? Totally worth it and helpful if so. My cracks and bruising has also healed and now I just have a sting right when she latches.

[Andrea]

My LC suggested the nipple shield because O's mouth is still so little it was/is nearly impossible to get him latched on without it and my nipples were a disaster. For my cracked nips she said that lanolin was worthless (it only helps with the prevention of cracking) she suggested to put breast milk on them, & follow up with a bit of neosporin- it is safe for baby (she suggested waiting 30 minutes before relay hung because it can be bitter before it is fully absorbed.)

[frecklesnbrains]

I will also say that lanolin is useless. I followed someone's advice and packed nipple cream in my hospital bag - BEST advice ever! Those first few days were the worst. I have the Motherlove stuff and it's awesome. I went through half the jar in those first few days. The gel soothies were good too.

[pbandj714]

*packs nipple cream in hospital bag*

[txmommy14]

I also just bought the Motherlove stuff and like it! Lanolin stains clothes and I ruined a few shirts the first few days by slathering it on and then it getting onto my clothes

[manybellsdown]

These painful nipple posts are bringing back allll the bad memories for me. Mine hurt SO BAD for at least a week, to the point I dreaded feedings. One was cracked and bleeding, at which point I finally saw an LC. I was terrified of constantly resenting feeding my baby. It did slowly get better! And I nursed that kid for 20 months.

Anyway, I also had DH pull the chin/lower lip down until it pursed out and she had as much boob in her mouth as possible. I also squeezed the heck out of each boob, so it was like the shape of a sandwich for her, pre-latch (obvs this is not possible/easy when engorged). Gel pads were awesome for initial relief, but non-lanolin creams and breast milk were the winners for healing. I used a nipple shield when she would reopen a wound (the one nip that tended to crack was flatter, and she needed it at the beginning anyway). But those nips actually heal fairly quickly, thank god.

I'm so so nervous for this again!

[frecklesnbrains]

@cheeze, sounds like gas/reflux. My baby does the same. I try to keep him upright after a feed and I burp him every time but I've never actually heard a burp come out of him so I have no idea if it's helpful. I don't think feeding him less will help - if he's hungry and sucking then you're probably giving him the right amount. Cluster feeding like you describe is really common in the first few weeks (I have read everything there is out there on cluster feeding... my baby fed every hour overnight for 2 weeks straight). So I guess this is my way of saying "it gets better" (or at least I hope it does!)

[titania]

I love the Motherlove cream! I also have these boob ice/heating packs that are awesome.

Side note - don't laugh but I have found that lanolin is great for moisturizing my feet... My heels are really dry and I put some on with some fuzzy socks and my feet are so much softer!

[frecklesnbrains]

titania, oh good! I need a use for the three tubes of lanolin that I have. My feet are horrendously dry and cracked. Perfect!

[bgkc4]

titania I used the lanolin on my feet today too! Now that the swelling has reduced, the skin on the top of my feet is extremely dry and rough.

I saw a LC on Monday. She recommended coconut oil instead of lanolin. We had some in the pantry anyway so I immediately started using it and I love it. It's safe for baby since it's edible.

LC suggested LO may be tongue tied and also suffering from torticollis (twisted neck) which is making latching difficult. She recommended seeing a pediatric dentist and a physics therapist or chiropractor. Honestly, I'm at a point where I'm no longer concerned over her latching. I was terribly sad about it for a while, but now I just want to pump and bottle feed for as long as I physically and mentally can. Part of me wants to throw in the towel and just formula feed. Im having such a difficult time (not just with BF but with mothering in general). I feel like I'm treading water or juggling balls and its nonstop. I pump, then feed, then change diapers, then wash pump parts, then take thirty minutes to an hour off and start all over again. I'm going to give it more time, because I recognize that I'm hormonal and this is all an adjustment; but I have enough presence of mind to know that I'm having difficulty handling this.

[titania]

Hugs bgkc4!! I'm so sorry that you are feeling overwhelmed. Being responsible for a very needy being is so difficult. You can completely lose yourself. Is YH or mom able to help you at all during the day to give you a break?

[babyzebra]

I'm sorry you're having a rough time bgkc4. Your situation and emotions sound almost exactly like what I went through with DS. He was also tongue and lip tied and the LC suggested I get one of my pediatric dentist friends to do the release procedure. I ended up not getting it done because I just couldn't emotionally handle all of it anymore. I ultimately ended up making a decision that saved me from myself. Please lean on those around you for help and please tell your doctor if you feel like all of this is getting to be too much.

[Outofhiding]

Another vote for Motherlove nipple cream. It was a life saver the last time and it's already in my hospital bag. You ladies are doing great!

[Outofhiding]

bgkc4 being a mother especially for the first time is tough. There were many times I thought I was just going to give up on everything. It is good that you recognize you are struggling and should not be afraid to ask for help if you need it. Not having family close by I felt I had to suck it up and get through it. There were a couple of days I broke down and called DH at work and asked him to come home and take care of the baby because I needed to just step away and get some sleep. I hope you find what works for you and your family soon because motherhood is not as inuitive/automatic as we are some times led to believe.

[soultrane]

bgkc4, I'm sorry that you're having such a rough time. It's a tough transition to make and I remember multiple days where I called DH and asked him to come home as soon as he was able to because I was so overwhelmed. Don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it and take some time for yourself. Big hugs lady! You're doing a great job and will get through this stage!

Separate note, I was also going to recommend coconut oil for sore nipples. We use it for all skin issues in our house and it's pretty much magical.

[vivela]

Oof, breastfeeding. Even knowing in advance how many emotions are tied up in it, I wasn't really prepared. Forgive me if this is most just venting.
DS didn't feed the first day because he swallowed a lot of crap during delivery. Now he's eating, but has jaundice so I'm surrounded by people who keep telling me he needs to be eating as much as he possibly can. His latch is not good, cracked and bleeding nipples, and I'm kind of reluctant to mess with him too much once he starts eating because I'm so worried about him eating enough.
Today the pedi said I could consider feeding some formula tonight before his follow up blood test. But then a nurse at the hospital really emphasized that my milk supply is established the first ten days. So I'm worried about messing with that.
I'm seeing an LC tomorrow and I need to write down my questions so I don't leave there without the nitty gritty of my many silly concerns addressed so I can stop obsessing!

[vivela]

bgkc4 I'm sorry you are having a rough time. I know just what you mean about the constant cycle. You expect to have a little free time to rest your mind/eyes, but the rotation just seems constant sometimes.

[soultrane]

vivela, there are so many conflicting opinions when it comes to supplementing so follow your instincts and do what you feel is best for you and your LO. If you're hesitant to use formula, maybe pumping and bottle feeding would allow you to monitor his intake while also building your supply.

FWIW, I supplemented with formula with both of my boys early on and then went on to successfully BF so I fall on that side of the argument. Granted we're only 2 weeks in with DS2 but so far so good!

We supplemented using a small tube during BFing, so while he nursed my husband would feed some formula through a small tube into the side of his mouth. It was sort of like this contraption from Medela, but they gave us the supplies at the hospital.

Whatever you decide, know that you're making the right decision for you and your LO. Good luck and I hope the LC is helpful tomorrow!

[Andrea]

bgkc4 huge hugs lady!!!

vivela, we supplemented at the hospital with formula due to his glucose levels tanking. We used the hose contraption while nursing and it was a shit show. We ended up doing a mix of both breast milk and formula when we went home to try and get his weight up. We are now three weeks in and EBF- like soultrane said no matter what do what you need to do is right for you & your family. Good luck tomorrow!!!

[txmommy14]

vivela, you are doing a GREAT job, keep it up! It's so hard to not be stressed and feel guilt, especially in the beginning (and honestly, I think through all of parenthood probably because it hasn't really stopped with my two year old!) I am glad you are seeing a LC and I hope that you feel good about whatever you decide-your LO is lucky to have you as a mama!

bgkc4, It's so hard, especially in the beginning. Some day your life won't revolve around feeding, changing diapers, and waking up every few hours though, I promise! My SIL and sister both exclusively pumped and it worked for them and was much less stressful! However, do not feel guilty if you just decide to switch to formula! She will do great and be healthy regardless. Every day is a new day, remind yourself of that on a hard day. A few nights ago, I sobbed my eyes out to my DH and Mom for over an hour, told them I was hanging by a thread emotionally, and then the next day was so much better. Do you have anyone that can help you or at least be there for moral support other than DH? It's so hard when everything about your life/daily routines changes so drastically at once!

[txmommy14]

So on one side, my milk comes out so fast that she almost always chokes on it. Any solutions? Pumping a bit? The other side is fine.

[manybellsdown]

Jun 8, 2016 22:32:57 GMT -5 txmommy14 said:

So on one side, my milk comes out so fast that she almost always chokes on it. Any solutions? Pumping a bit? The other side is fine.

I would adjust her position, if you haven't already, so she's angled a bit up over the boob instead of under it. I'm finding this hard to describe. Maybe make her work against gravity a bit.