When I pumped, I'd use the letdown setting a lot to get more milk. I'd also squeeze from all directions to empty the whole breast. It's kind of weird, but I also had better output if I leaned forward. When I was really full and she hadn't eaten, I could pump 6 ounces. You really just have to experiment to find out what works for you.
+1 when my flow slowed I would turn on the letdown setting again. So my typical session was sort of: 1) let down setting for two minutes 2) pump 10-15 minutes 3) repeat
When I pumped, I'd use the letdown setting a lot to get more milk. I'd also squeeze from all directions to empty the whole breast. It's kind of weird, but I also had better output if I leaned forward. When I was really full and she hadn't eaten, I could pump 6 ounces. You really just have to experiment to find out what works for you.
I don't really understand the letdown botton. Mine just makes the suction go slower, and it automatically goes to that if you don't press it within 2 minutes. So then I just leave it on that. Do you mean you'd stop the pump and restart it?
When I pumped, I'd use the letdown setting a lot to get more milk. I'd also squeeze from all directions to empty the whole breast. It's kind of weird, but I also had better output if I leaned forward. When I was really full and she hadn't eaten, I could pump 6 ounces. You really just have to experiment to find out what works for you.
I don't really understand the letdown botton. Mine just makes the suction go slower, and it automatically goes to that if you don't press it within 2 minutes. So then I just leave it on that. Do you mean you'd stop the pump and restart it?
So when you start pumping, it's in letdown mode. It's quick suction to mimic when your baby first starts nursing. It lasts 2 minutes on the medela pump, and it's supposed to just get the milk flowing. Then the pump cycles into stronger slower suction. If you hit the letdown button, it will go back to the fast suction. I hit that button all the time, because for some reason I responded to that fast suction a lot better.
The past three nights for one of the feeds, R will be inconsolable because of OALD to the point where I have to get H to hold him while I pump and then give him a bottle. Does anyone else's baby have trouble with OALD to this degree? It's weird because it's only for one of the MOTN feelings...he is able to somewhat work through it for the other ones.
spicysalmonroll Have you increased the suction power? I know I start at a certain point and when the milk slows down, I just turn it up a bit and it starts flowing again. Sorry if this is super obvious. I just know as a FTM I didn't know to play with the suction strength to figure out what worked.
The past three nights for one of the feeds, R will be inconsolable because of OALD to the point where I have to get H to hold him while I pump and then give him a bottle. Does anyone else's baby have trouble with OALD to this degree? It's weird because it's only for one of the MOTN feelings...he is able to somewhat work through it for the other ones.
Maybe your letdown is stronger at night. Do you go longer between feedings?
G also has trouble with my OALD (M handles it better). I've been told they get better at dealing with it over time.
I try to keep a cloth available to catch the milk until I stop spraying, then I offer the breast. Another option is to hand expressing a little before you feed. I let down multiple times during a feeding and she will pull off, so I try to catch it with the cloth right away so she gets sprayed less. I also try to get her as calm as possible before we start the feeding (easier said than done with a hungry baby).
You can also experiment with different positions. Laid-back or side-lying are recommended for OALD but neither have worked well for us. I usually prefer cradle but sometimes football works better when we are struggling. Also, sometimes I stand while nursing and that seems to help.
Can silent reflux cause increase gas with difficulty burping? And can overeating make things worse? At night this is especially true as he's too tired to burp but once I put him down (even after keeping upright for a little) he gets hiccups and wants to eat again..only making things worse. How can I tell if he's overeating though? He'll nurse for 25 minutes usually but at night can go an hour. How long is too long? Sorry for all the questions with DD she was FF and after eating always seemed satisfied.
Post by hannahbear on Sept 28, 2016 12:47:18 GMT -5
When breastfeeding, if you don't hear LO gulping does that mean they aren't eating anything? Do you hear those gulping noises the entire feed? Sometimes he is sucking, but I don't hear those active swallowing sounds
When breastfeeding, if you don't hear LO gulping does that mean they aren't eating anything? Do you hear those gulping noises the entire feed? Sometimes he is sucking, but I don't hear those active swallowing sounds
That's when I assume he's done eating when I no longer hear the gulping. I then try to burp to see if he's done or wants more.
When breastfeeding, if you don't hear LO gulping does that mean they aren't eating anything? Do you hear those gulping noises the entire feed? Sometimes he is sucking, but I don't hear those active swallowing sounds
That's when I assume he's done eating when I no longer hear the gulping. I then try to burp to see if he's done or wants more.
I also notice that they switch to a lighter, quicker suck. I call it the fluttery suck.
Can silent reflux cause increase gas with difficulty burping? And can overeating make things worse? At night this is especially true as he's too tired to burp but once I put him down (even after keeping upright for a little) he gets hiccups and wants to eat again..only making things worse. How can I tell if he's overeating though? He'll nurse for 25 minutes usually but at night can go an hour. How long is too long? Sorry for all the questions with DD she was FF and after eating always seemed satisfied.
Yes. And sucking relieves reflux discomfort, so wanting to comfort nurse can be a big sign. Pacifiers are good for this but, actually, the little bit of milk they get from the comfort sucking also helps reflux.
Post by frodabaggins on Oct 4, 2016 22:54:53 GMT -5
Curious what others think. I read a lot of super dramatic posts on fb about women getting shamed or called out for breastfeeding in public, and lots of talk about how important it is to normalize breastfeeding and support each other. I get it, but I am experiencing the exact opposite. It feels like breastfeeding has become this competitive thing and at least where I'm from, if you decide to stop or don't exercise EVERY LAST OPTION to keep going, THE JUDGMENT IS REAL!! I mean, I myself was only breastfed for two months and my husband wasn't at all. We turned out fine.
I think about myself when my son was born and all the stops I pulled out to keep breastfeeding - renting a hospital grade pump, frantically making batch after batch of lactation cookies, crying my eyes out to my LC, nursing through Nipple blebs. After six months I had to supplement with formula because I just wasn't making enough, and after ten months he pulled off the boob one day and never wanted to go back. The idea of me going through all that again is just absurd and makes me laugh. I'm going back to work in five weeks and I am having such a hard time picturing myself pumping. And if I confess these things to any of my mama friends they go "oh you're just having a rough day, you'll remember how worth it it is tomorrow!" OK...maybe so. But also maybe not, and THAT'S FINE.
frodabaggins I feel like there's a culture of breast is best, but not in public. It's hard to balance your desires and the peer pressure. I guess if you stand by your decision (whatever it is) it'll be easier to block everyone out. With DD I struggled and never made enough and had to stop after 3 weeks. I felt like a failure and wondered about all the reasons why BF is good. My SIL who EBF her children for 14 months, 7 months, and 23 months reminded me about her kids. The first had chronic ear infections, the second had meningitis, and the third at botulism. Basically things and illness happen regardless of the way the child is fed. It's a shame there's this culture of mommy shaming and competition.
Post by spicysalmonroll on Oct 5, 2016 7:12:38 GMT -5
frodabaggins I'm sorry that seems to be the case for you! It's the opposite for me, when people find out I'm breastfeeding they all say "good for you...I was too selfish and needed sleep so I made my spouse give formula". I like that people recognize what a sacrifice it is! But yea, you've been there done that and if you do it differently this time it's no big deal!
Background: I nursed initially, but baby lost nearly a pound. I supplemented, then decided to go to strictly pumping so I knew she was eating enough. I can pump maaaaaaaaaaybe 6 oz in a day (pumping 5-6x a day); my kid eats about 25 oz in a day so she's getting mostly formula. It took time, but I'm at peace with this combination for the most part.
My endocrinologist was like "You're fine with this plan? GOOD FOR YOU. Do what keeps you sane and what you're comfortable with. I wish I had taken the pressure off myself and had confidence in my decision." The pediatrician, my sister and (mostly) my mother have been equally understanding.
But, I then read a Facebook group where women are going to amazing lengths to keep nursing their children and I feel like an alien. The suggestions that are made to keep going and the pressure some women feel to keep exclusively breastfeeding is intense. I freely admit that I could not handle it.
But, not handling it has come with a lot of guilt. I've been told "Oh, if you just nurse her, then your supply will increase. Why don't you just nurse her?" I can't explain it, but I don't feel like I'm missing something by not nursing her. But, at the same time, I worry that she's missing something if I don't give her breastmilk. So, I live next to my pump, take 6 fenugreek capsules a day, and down oatmeal with flaxseed so I can pump 6 measly ounces a day.
My neurologist says I can have my migraine preventative medication back when I'm done breastfeeding. I'm getting a migraine 1-2x a week right now. But, I can't quit pumping. What's more: I can't bring myself to email my neurologist, admit that I failed at breastfeeding long term, and ask for my meds. I feel shame at giving up. I feel shame when I read that breastfeeding group and realize that I'm not doing the most.
What a culture we've created. Fed is best, which I know in the vacuum of my own home, but outside of that? Oy. You need skin of steel.
Post by spicysalmonroll on Oct 5, 2016 9:28:28 GMT -5
joy before coming to this site I didn't know the whole world of infertility. It really opened my eyes to what others have to go through. Same with breastfeeding. I used to be ignorant about why not everyone did it. Sometimes it's not just an issue of "oatmeal and nurse more". Love tits to you for everything you're doing and going through, you're an amazing mother.
Post by gratefulgirl on Oct 5, 2016 11:42:32 GMT -5
I have heard formula feeding shame and seen it subtly (a woman working church nursery snottily saying she had no idea how to mix formula for a baby there - what?!). But I had a friend who was asked to leave somewhere for bottle feeding due to a no food policy when the breastfeeding moms (who were nursing in public) got to stay. Seems like no matter what you do you are SOL.
I just stay grateful for the understanding people who typically surround me.
joy before coming to this site I didn't know the whole world of infertility. It really opened my eyes to what others have to go through. Same with breastfeeding. I used to be ignorant about why not everyone did it. Sometimes it's not just an issue of "oatmeal and nurse more". Love tits to you for everything you're doing and going through, you're an amazing mother.
joy I actually feel I bonded more with DD during feeding (bottle) bc I had to use both hands and not play on my phone. With DS I can play on my phone since I can do it one handed. I never felt the way I fed my kids is how I bond. I also feel sad that DH misses out on the one on one time with DS.
And do not feel like you aren't doing the most. You are doing the most..you are feeding your child while staying sane. That being said it took me until recently to not feel guilt for not BF longer with DD. I just couldn't go beyond 3 weeks and I was starting to resent her so I switched to FF.
joy I actually feel I bonded more with DD during feeding (bottle) bc I had to use both hands and not play on my phone. With DS I can play on my phone since I can do it one handed. I never felt the way I fed my kids is how I bond. I also feel sad that DH misses out on the one on one time with DS.
And do not feel like you aren't doing the most. You are doing the most..you are feeding your child while staying sane. That being said it took me until recently to not feel guilt for not BF longer with DD. I just couldn't go beyond 3 weeks and I was starting to resent her so I switched to FF.
Then you made the right decision, too! Solidarity. :-)
And yes to the bonding with the bottle! It's just a different kind of bonding than breastfeeding and that's cool. I love that she stares at me. I love that she holds my fingers while she's eating. I love that my husband gets to experience that, too.
I had a really weird experience the other day, at Rosh Hashana dinner. It was at MH's aunt and uncle's house, and there were quite a few guests. One woman I had met a few times before, but I would consider an acquaintance. This is the first time that group (not the aunt and uncle, of course) were meeting the baby. This woman comes up to us and asks, with a suspicious tone, "breastfed?" Like, no "oh, he's so cute" or "mazal tov" or "how are you doing?" All of which I would expect as normal responses and greetings to meeting a new baby. And then she goes on about breastfeeding, and how I must have fatty milk because the baby was so sleepy (?) and all about her own breastfeeding (and her kids are in their 20s). It was so weird.
hannahbear clearly she just wanted a segway to tell you all about her own breastfeeding ventures... but seriously, that is strange. Not to mention her breastfeeding experience is probably not one of the top things you wanted to chat about. As we know from pregnancy/birth stories - people love to overshare when it comes to this stuff!
hannahbear clearly she just wanted a segway to tell you all about her own breastfeeding ventures... but seriously, that is strange. Not to mention her breastfeeding experience is probably not one of the top things you wanted to chat about. As we know from pregnancy/birth stories - people love to overshare when it comes to this stuff!
hannahbear clearly she just wanted a segway to tell you all about her own breastfeeding ventures... but seriously, that is strange. Not to mention her breastfeeding experience is probably not one of the top things you wanted to chat about. As we know from pregnancy/birth stories - people love to overshare when it comes to this stuff!
It's true, she probably just wanted to share her own experiences. She was just so focused on BFing and nothing else! Weird.
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