Newborn check in. How's it going? 2/16

[Deleted]

Newborn breastfeeding is very very tough.

So tell us how old baby is?
Regained birthweight yet?
What's working well?
What's bothering you?

Favorite breastfeeding links?

Remember the hardest is weeks 1-6. It usually gets easier after 6 week growth spurt

Who wants to start this check in every week?

[cherryfive]

Feb 16, 2015 1:01:11 GMT -5 @amyg said:

Newborn breastfeeding is very very tough.

So tell us how old baby is? 19 days
Regained birthweight yet? Yes in one week!
What's working well? She eats a lot I am not worried she's not getting enough. We decided to give her a pacifier because she overeats from soothe sucking. She's getting the hang of that after a week now..
What's bothering you? I get random shooting pains in my nipples, but the chapping healed a week ago, and her latch isn't painful.. And I'm nervous to ask Dr Google. Also worried maybe she gets too much? Trying to identify soothe sucking.. She spits up large quantities or is that her difficulty burping?

Favorite breastfeeding links? Haven't looked!

Remember the hardest is weeks 1-6. It usually gets easier after 6 week growth spurt

Who wants to start this check in every week? I'll participate

[ellabee]

cherryfive I too had random shooting pain in my breasts when I first started breastfeeding. Sometimes it would be so bad that it would wake me up or prevent me from falling asleep. I was convinced I had something like thrush, but went to see a LC and she said that some people can have initial pain from their breasts re-filling with milk and that it was all part of your body adjusting to producing something it hasn't before. Anyway, just thought I would share my experience because Google didn't help me much either.

[cherryfive]

Feb 16, 2015 3:47:51 GMT -5 ellabee said:

cherryfive I too had random shooting pain in my breasts when I first started breastfeeding. Sometimes it would be so bad that it would wake me up or prevent me from falling asleep. I was convinced I had something like thrush, but went to see a LC and she said that some people can have initial pain from their breasts re-filling with milk and that it was all part of your body adjusting to producing something it hasn't before. Anyway, just thought I would share my experience because Google didn't help me much either.

Thank you! If it gets worse I'll get to a local bf clinic and inquire further. But your response makes me feel much better

[tomorrowisanotherday]

So tell us how old baby is?
4 weeks, 4 days
Regained birthweight yet?
Yes, LO had gained an ounce from birth weight at his 4 day appointment with my midwife.
What's working well?
We have been blessed; LO breastfeeds like a champ and has gained almost 3 pounds already! He is very efficient and has taken a bottle well when I pumped and left him with his grandparents for a date night.
What's bothering you?
I hate when he spits up because he got too much milk too fast (happens rarely now that I got some advice on how to avoid this), but I guess I should be glad I have such a great supply.

Favorite breastfeeding links?
Anything kelly mom and this forum!

[Deleted]

Feb 16, 2015 3:04:44 GMT -5 cherryfive said:

Feb 16, 2015 1:01:11 GMT -5 @amyg said:

Newborn breastfeeding is very very tough.

So tell us how old baby is? 19 days
Regained birthweight yet? Yes in one week!
What's working well? She eats a lot I am not worried she's not getting enough. We decided to give her a pacifier because she overeats from soothe sucking. She's getting the hang of that after a week now..
What's bothering you? I get random shooting pains in my nipples, but the chapping healed a week ago, and her latch isn't painful.. And I'm nervous to ask Dr Google. Also worried maybe she gets too much? Trying to identify soothe sucking.. She spits up large quantities or is that her difficulty burping?

Favorite breastfeeding links? Haven't looked!

Remember the hardest is weeks 1-6. It usually gets easier after 6 week growth spurt

Who wants to start this check in every week? I'll participate

Yeah random boob twinges and pains are pretty par for the course. It usually is "just" milk refill pain and random let downs. It should regulate soon.

[Deleted]

Feb 16, 2015 8:42:31 GMT -5 tomorrowisanotherday said:

So tell us how old baby is?
4 weeks, 4 days
Regained birthweight yet?
Yes, LO had gained an ounce from birth weight at his 4 day appointment with my midwife.
What's working well?
We have been blessed; LO breastfeeds like a champ and has gained almost 3 pounds already! He is very efficient and has taken a bottle well when I pumped and left him with his grandparents for a date night.
What's bothering you?
I hate when he spits up because he got too much milk too fast (happens rarely now that I got some advice on how to avoid this), but I guess I should be glad I have such a great supply.

Favorite breastfeeding links?
Anything kelly mom and this forum!

Fast weight gain plus lots of spit up can be signs of oversupply. They just chug a lot of milk fast and then they let go with a burp and milk comes up esp any excess foremilk. Make sure you aren't switching sides too soon make sure they get all they want on side one before burping very well and offering side two for dessert. You may find they don't need side two and when they do nurse on side two they spit up more. We are mammals and no other mammal ever switches sides.

[taberbtb]

So tell us how old baby is? 2 weeks 2 days
Regained birthweight yet? Yes. DD was 1 ounce over bw at her 5 day check with the midwife.
What's working well? I *think* we might be starting to get the hang of this! DD still nurses very short feeds but I have had to just get over worrying over this. We just when she's hungry for as long or short as she wants and move on to the next feed. She has tons of dirty/wet diapers and the midwives are satisfied with her weight gain so I have just had to let go trying to control things ignore the clock.
What's bothering you? I am wondering when/how to start pumping and to start with a bottle? My mom has offered to look after DD for a couple hours so DH and I can grab groceries or dinner together but wondered when and how to start? I have a manual pump but don't want to create an over supply or nipple confusion though we are using a pacifier and it has not yet created problems.
Favourite breastfeeding links? Definitely this site and kellymom!

Edit: I just read @amyg 's post on another thread about waiting until after the three week growth spurt to start pumping.

[firelizard8367]

So tell us how old baby is? 3 weeks today!
Regained birthweight yet? Yes
What's working well? I don't know for sure. We just both keep on truckin'. Still dealing with latching on pains, and now he's starting to have some lazy latching.
What's bothering you? Oi. 3 week cluster feed started late last night and I was all by myself. That was rough. Not sure how much of that I can take mentally, though I know I don't have a choice.

Favorite breastfeeding links? So far, here and Kelly mom


Who wants to start this check in every week? I want to participate, and I guess I could start it, though I will only have a newborn for 3 more weeks?


update: nevermind, I'm going insane. He seems to want to be attached to my boobs constantly, but he's just hanging there, not sucking at all. Should I give him a pacifier? Is this just a regular, crappy part of the growth spurt? My nipples are dying!

[Deleted]

Feb 16, 2015 14:56:52 GMT -5 firelizard8367 said:

So tell us how old baby is? 3 weeks today!
Regained birthweight yet? Yes
What's working well? I don't know for sure. We just both keep on truckin'. Still dealing with latching on pains, and now he's starting to have some lazy latching.
What's bothering you? Oi. 3 week cluster feed started late last night and I was all by myself. That was rough. Not sure how much of that I can take mentally, though I know I don't have a choice.

Favorite breastfeeding links? So far, here and Kelly mom


Who wants to start this check in every week? I want to participate, and I guess I could start it, though I will only have a newborn for 3 more weeks?


update: nevermind, I'm going insane. He seems to want to be attached to my boobs constantly, but he's just hanging there, not sucking at all. Should I give him a pacifier? Is this just a regular, crappy part of the growth spurt? My nipples are dying!

yes sometimes they just want to hang out and be one with the boob! lol! You can try a pacifier and a bit of swaddling and hand him off to dad for a while to get a break.
don't forget rubbing breastmilk into the nips and lanolin or non-lanolin based nipple cremes during growth spurts! 

Prop your feet up with a bunch of drinks and snacks and hang out.  the constant holding and skin to skin of a growth spurt works to raise your prolactin level which raises your supply along with the constant nursing.  You can do this it will last a couple days and then settle down. 

[Jellypepper]

So tell us how old baby is? 2 weeks 4 days

Regained birthweight yet? Yes, at our 2 weeks appt she was over birth weight

What's working well? We seem to be in a groove with feeding now. I'm starting to feel like a "pro" at breastfeeding. DH is very supportive and works hard to give me a baby break overnight and just bring her to me for feeds so I can rest.

What's bothering you?

-I sometimes feel like I'm handcuffed to my baby. It's tough having to be present all the time and not getting much of a break. I keep telling myself that this all consuming phase in our lives will pass very quickly and not to wish it away.

-Breastfeeding in public is still really awkward for me as well. I have trouble positioning her without my pillows and my arms/hands get tired easily.

Favorite breastfeeding links? Breastfeeding made simple was the book I read when I was pregnant and I used their website as a resource in the first few days(latch videos, etc)

www.breastfeedingmadesimple.com/index-home.html

[firelizard8367]

Feb 17, 2015 10:34:19 GMT -5 Jellypepper said:

What's bothering you?

-I sometimes feel like I'm handcuffed to my baby. It's tough having to be present all the time and not getting much of a break. I keep telling myself that this all consuming phase in our lives will pass very quickly and not to wish it away.

I agree with this completely! Add to it the envy I feel towards DH for his being able to get away from all this. It just doesn't seem like he gets it sometimes.

[tomorrowisanotherday]

Feb 17, 2015 11:09:55 GMT -5 firelizard8367 said:

Feb 17, 2015 10:34:19 GMT -5 Jellypepper said:

What's bothering you?

-I sometimes feel like I'm handcuffed to my baby. It's tough having to be present all the time and not getting much of a break. I keep telling myself that this all consuming phase in our lives will pass very quickly and not to wish it away.

I agree with this completely! Add to it the envy I feel towards DH for his being able to get away from all this. It just doesn't seem like he gets it sometimes.

This exactly. It's good to know other people feel this way.

[mapetitefamille]

So tell us how old baby is? Three weeks today

Regained birthweight yet? Yes, she was 8 lbs. 9 oz. at birth and is (as of four days ago) now 10 lbs. 2 oz. I was shocked to learn how much weight she had gained!

What's working well? I think we've sorted out our issues with shallow latching. It's been totally fine for the past week at least. Even the oversupply seems to be less of an issue this time around. The laid-back nursing position seems to be great for LO; she doesn't spit up nearly as much as DD1 did.

What's bothering you? Just the normal relentless frequency of breastfeeding a newborn. She's still nursing every two hours around-the-clock. It's a lot harder now that my husband is back at work and isn't here to help me with my 2.5 year old.

Favorite breastfeeding links? Kellymom.com

[haybaleinthemiddle]

So tell us how old baby is? 6 days
Regained birthweight yet? Yep, she was 4 ounces bigger at her appt yesterday.
What's working well? Ummm....we are moving along. This my second bf baby so I guess I see a light at the end of the tunnel?
What's bothering you? My first babe was very much an every two hr feeder up until he was almost a year, which was tough but I always knew when he would be hungry. This babe has already slept a couple times for a little over three hours. I know I'll appreciate it eventually, but right now I'm super engorged.

Favorite breastfeeding links? Anything with @amyg on it.

[melody330]

Feb 17, 2015 16:52:03 GMT -5 jmcbick said:

I also echo what PPs have said about feeling handcuffed to baby and like I'm doing a majority of the work. DH has been pretty good about getting up and doing the diaper changes or comforting in the MOTN but he's heading back to work on Thursday so that's probably about to end... I'm dying to pump and get a break for at least 1 feed, but I know I've heard it's best to wait until 4 weeks ish

Sounds like you are doing a great job. Don't forget that any time baby gets a bottle you must pump at the same time to replace the feeding.

Also - just because your DH is going back to work doesn't mean your MOTN routine needs to (or should) change. Parenting is a team effort, regardless of who is working outside the house.

[Deleted]

Feb 17, 2015 16:52:03 GMT -5 jmcbick said:

So tell us how old baby is? 3 weeks tomorrow

Regained birthweight yet? Yup, 8lb6oz at birth and up to 9lbs at his 2 week appt!

What's working well? I've only been putting him on one side per feeding for about a week and a half now and it seems to have helped his spitting up.. I think he was over eating before because he just likes to suck sometimes

What's bothering you? Lots of milk and Over active letdown... LO gets annoyed when he can't latch on right away if I'm engorged, and then gets even more frustrated when I have to pull him off when the fire hydrants start. I've shot him in the eye more than once with a flying stream of milk. Tell me I'm going to stop drowning my baby in breast milk soon, please??

I also echo what PPs have said about feeling handcuffed to baby and like I'm doing a majority of the work. DH has been pretty good about getting up and doing the diaper changes or comforting in the MOTN but he's heading back to work on Thursday so that's probably about to end... I'm dying to pump and get a break for at least 1 feed, but I know I've heard it's best to wait until 4 weeks ish

Favorite breastfeeding links? Agree with PPs, Kelly mom and here!

You'll stop drowning baby in breastmilk soon, honest. Be sure you let baby finish on side one before offering side 2 as dessert.  and they may not need side 2. If the milk sprays out too fast, do what you are doing, pull baby off and let the extra hard spray go into a towel or cup. then relatch. It should settle down a bit soon.

If you are at your whits end and HAVE to give a bottle, just pump to replace the feeding and make sure the slow flow bottle paced feeding stuff takes place. And yes, keep your dh involved even after he returns  

[Deleted]

Feb 17, 2015 10:34:19 GMT -5 Jellypepper said:

So tell us how old baby is? 2 weeks 4 days

Regained birthweight yet? Yes, at our 2 weeks appt she was over birth weight

What's working well? We seem to be in a groove with feeding now. I'm starting to feel like a "pro" at breastfeeding. DH is very supportive and works hard to give me a baby break overnight and just bring her to me for feeds so I can rest.

What's bothering you?

-I sometimes feel like I'm handcuffed to my baby. It's tough having to be present all the time and not getting much of a break. I keep telling myself that this all consuming phase in our lives will pass very quickly and not to wish it away.

-Breastfeeding in public is still really awkward for me as well. I have trouble positioning her without my pillows and my arms/hands get tired easily.

Favorite breastfeeding links? Breastfeeding made simple was the book I read when I was pregnant and I used their website as a resource in the first few days(latch videos, etc)

www.breastfeedingmadesimple.com/index-home.html

Sometimes you just have to hand baby to dad and run away, even if running away means going to the bathroom taking a bubble bath and having dh bring you the baby to nurse in the tub cause he can't settle the baby and then you hand baby back and sink under the bubbles for a few minutes of peace.

Nursing in public? Start to practice in the bathroom in front of the big mirror.  use the diaper bag to help hold up baby or bring up an inflatable pillow to help hold up baby while you nurse.  You'll get the hang of it, and yes you will get stronger arms soon enough.

[toadandbuggie]

So tell us how old baby is? 4 weeks yesterday
Regained birthweight yet? Yes, he had regained birth weight 3 days after being discharged from hospital. At 2 week checkup he was 6.5 after being born at 5.13
What's working well? Breastfeeding is going as well as I could expect it to go. I too am feeling overwhelmed with the responsibility of being the sole provider of nutrition. It's exhausting.
What's bothering you? I am pretty sure I have a forceful let down (LO chokes shortly into it, pulls off, and milk sprays all over his face). I am also very tired of leaking! I constantly forget to put breast pads in my bra at nighttime which leads to a soaked shirt on one side after nursing. I want to know when this will end and I can nurse without the other side pouring out milk!

Favorite breastfeeding links? kellymom.com

[Mazinator]

@amyg, My son is 4 weeks tomorrow and we have had a great bf relationship. I've notice in the last week or so, he has been really fussy at the breast at night. He will be nursing and randomly just cry or make a sad whimpering sound. During the night time feeds he is just an angry little guy and will fuss for an hour or so. During the day time he is just fine. I'm not sure what is wrong.


Thank you.

[tee]

Feb 18, 2015 22:53:04 GMT -5 @amyg said:

Sometimes you just have to hand baby to dad and run away, even if running away means going to the bathroom taking a bubble bath and having dh bring you the baby to nurse in the tub cause he can't settle the baby and then you hand baby back and sink under the bubbles for a few minutes of peace.

Nursing in public? Start to practice in the bathroom in front of the big mirror.  use the diaper bag to help hold up baby or bring up an inflatable pillow to help hold up baby while you nurse.  You'll get the hang of it, and yes you will get stronger arms soon enough. Using the diaper bag to help hold up baby is genius!

ETA - My quote was weird.

Using the diaper bag to hold up baby is genius!

[tee]

So tell us how old baby is? 2 weeks 2 days

Regained birthweight yet? 8 lbs 2 oz at birth, 9 lbs 2 oz at 2 week check up!

What's working well? Having DH home for 4 weeks to help with our toddler is going well and helps me be able to focus on nursing when I need to! LO had her severe lip tie clipped on Tuesday and is doing well from that.

What's bothering you? Oversupply. Grrr. I dealt with it with my son too - I thought it was because of the NICU pumping I did with him, but apparently it's just how my body works! I created a separate post about this.

Favorite breastfeeding links? Kelly mom is my go-to.

[seamonster]

So tell us how old baby is? 5 days
Regained birthweight yet? Not yet and but he's regaining (only down 200g now compared to the 388g from before). Public Health Nurse visits us on Monday and will reweigh him then.
What's working well? He's really happy to take the boob and he's not hurting as much when he sucks (he felt like he liked to clamp for a couple days). Nipples are finally starting to heal.
What's bothering you? I posted about the breathing and the taking forever to eat. Hoping that we can start to resolve that because mom is exhausted.

Favorite breastfeeding links? Here. I've checked out Kellymom, but wish I'd read more of it before since it's like information overload right now.

[hollydfromtn]

So tell us how old baby is?
3 weeks

Regained birthweight yet?
Yes. He was born weighing 8lbs 7.6oz, dropped 6oz by day 2 and at his 2 week weight check he was up to 9lbs 5oz.

What's working well?
I have been trying new holds and have found that the laid back position is really great for getting the best burps. DS is a lousy burper from any other position.

What's bothering you?
We're still relying heavily on a shield. I've been able to nurse without it a couple of times but nothing consistent. I need to make an appointment with an LC soon to work on our latch. We're also still dealing with green poo. DS has recently started to seem to have a hard time passing gas. He has been really squirmy and fussy after almost all of the feedings in the past two days. He normally dirties a diaper with every feed.

Favorite breastfeeding links?
Kellymom

Who wants to start this check in every week?
That sounds great

[missys]

So tell us how old baby is? 2 days
Regained birthweight yet? No
What's working well? .....
What's bothering you? 12 hours after birth Oliver was taken to the NICU. I am diabetic even without pregnancy and he was having trouble regulating his sugars. I am going to the NICU every 3 hours to nurse and then going back to my room to pump by doctors orders to help increase milk supply. The doctors and nurses know some feedings/pumpings will be good and some bad but I am just feeling so much guilt and pressure. Guilt that he is in there because of me and pressure that I can't do enough to help him regulate on his own. We have lots of help in the NICU but there are times when he is sleepy and won't eat or we have a really good feeding but sugars are still not up enough to take him down from the IV.

I know my milk has not come in yet and he is only 2 days old but I feel he has trouble latching and staying awake and it can be defeating when he is in such a vulnerable position.

Favorite breastfeeding links?

Remember the hardest is weeks 1-6. It usually gets easier after 6 week growth spurt

Who wants to start this check in every week? Yes please

[casey]

Feb 19, 2015 12:40:09 GMT -5 Mazinator said:

@amyg, My son is 4 weeks tomorrow and we have had a great bf relationship. I've notice in the last week or so, he has been really fussy at the breast at night. He will be nursing and randomly just cry or make a sad whimpering sound. During the night time feeds he is just an angry little guy and will fuss for an hour or so. During the day time he is just fine. I'm not sure what is wrong.


Thank you.

Mazinator, I'm no @amyg, but this sounds like very normal newborn behavior. You are transitioning into the peak of fussiness. Welcome. The best advice anyone gave me: surrender to it. Grab some food and entertainment and get comfy. 

My lo marathined every night from about this point to 12w. Within a week of the 3m growth spurt, she just gave it up. Then I missed it. 

[kartish]

So tell us how old baby is? 13 days
Regained birthweight yet? Yes, he was 10 lbs 4 oz, birth weight was 9 lbs 15 oz
What's working well? His latch seems good and he my nipple are only sore when he first latches.
What's bothering you? My husband thinks I should start pumping to build up a stash and get used to pumping. I'm intimidated by the pump though. I also am still trying to figure when one side is empty. He is a sporadic eater, I never know if he is going to take the second breast as a 5 minute snack or another 20 minutes.

[Mazinator]

Feb 20, 2015 23:54:49 GMT -5 casey said:

Feb 19, 2015 12:40:09 GMT -5 Mazinator said:

@amyg, My son is 4 weeks tomorrow and we have had a great bf relationship. I've notice in the last week or so, he has been really fussy at the breast at night. He will be nursing and randomly just cry or make a sad whimpering sound. During the night time feeds he is just an angry little guy and will fuss for an hour or so. During the day time he is just fine. I'm not sure what is wrong.


Thank you.

Mazinator, I'm no @amyg, but this sounds like very normal newborn behavior. You are transitioning into the peak of fussiness. Welcome. The best advice anyone gave me: surrender to it. Grab some food and entertainment and get comfy. 

My lo marathined every night from about this point to 12w. Within a week of the 3m growth spurt, she just gave it up. Then I missed it. 

Hey, thank you so much for the reply. You're right about giving in, it helps!

[Deleted]

Feb 21, 2015 0:52:40 GMT -5 kartish said:

So tell us how old baby is? 13 days
Regained birthweight yet? Yes, he was 10 lbs 4 oz, birth weight was 9 lbs 15 oz
What's working well? His latch seems good and he my nipple are only sore when he first latches.
What's bothering you? My husband thinks I should start pumping to build up a stash and get used to pumping. I'm intimidated by the pump though. I also am still trying to figure when one side is empty. He is a sporadic eater, I never know if he is going to take the second breast as a 5 minute snack or another 20 minutes.

Wait til after three week growth spurt settles down before trying to pump. There is usually a higher supply from the growth spurt plus baby might be settled into a better pattern by then. For now nurse nurse nurse

[Deleted]

Feb 21, 2015 10:05:41 GMT -5 @holachica said:

This is all super helpful to read! I'm a FTM and really want this breastfeeding to work for us!

So tell us how old baby is? 3 days

Regained birthweight yet? No, pediatrician appointment is Monday, so we'll see.

What's working well? Milk has come in and his poop has changed to the yellowish and he is wetting and pooping diapers, so I know he's getting enough to eat. And man, he's just so cute while feeding, I love it.

What's bothering you? My nipples hurt pretty badly when he first latches. I was seen by LC in the hospital and they all said he had a great latch and it doesn't hurt while feeding, so I think I'm good there. I use the EMAB nipple butter and also have been using the gel soothies now.

My random question: is it OK to wear the gel soothies pretty much all the time, when not nursing? They feel so good and protect my nipples from the tanks and bras I'm wearing.

Favorite breastfeeding links? During night feeds I've been reading Kelly mom and here.

I would give them some time without the gel smoothies to get some fresh air and sunshine. But they are pretty ok to wear most of the time. You can also try alternating warm water soaks of nips to speed healing and cool compresses plus Motrin to help with swelling and inflammation.