2/13 Newborn Check In

[lilyelayne]

Welcome! Please come in and join us!


How old is LO?

How's everything going?

Questions/concerns/cute stories to share?

Is this your first experience with BF?

GTKY: where is one place you've never traveled to that you'd love to visit?

[flyinghorses6]

Hello! New here.

How old is LO? 5 days old

How's everything going? My milk has been in for 2 days which is great, I'm quite engorged which is not so great, and my nipples are still very sore. The left is pretty abraded, so this morning I'm using the shield with some serious relief.

Questions/concerns/cute stories: I'm happy we've made a lot of improvement, but I'm frustrated that the nipple soreness hasn't subsided. We are dealing with a shallow latch, that I am doing my best to correct but it's hard at night in the dark, and on little sleep. I have been getting frustrated with the pain on initial latch. Any tips to help her more naturally get a deeper latch? Right now I'm just trying to pull her lip, chin down, and try to wait until her mouth is wide open. She just seems to constantly close her mouth up tighter after latching.

[flyinghorses6]

Feb 13, 2017 9:57:43 GMT -5 opheliainwaders said:

flyinghorses6 have you tried laid-back breastfeeding? Once she latches on, if you recline and let gravity help keep her chin in place, it can get you a deeper latch.

I've been doing that and biological hold to try and hit those pressure points that cue baby to open wide. I'm having the pedi assess her tongue and lips tomorrow. I don't think she's tied but since we have a weight check anyway- I want them to look.

Also idk why I missed the second half of the questions....but

I breastfed my first for 8 months before she self weaned, I pumped but couldn't keep my supply up past 8 months and we did formula until 1 after that.

And I'd love to visit Greece.

[flyinghorses6]

@opheliainwonders I wish I knew the answer to your supply question, but I don't. I remember with my first that evenings were ALWAYS full of cluster feeding. My LC said it's the normal response from the baby because supply is naturally lower at that time of day. I wanted to increase supply at that time but didn't ever know how because she was constantly attached to me. So I would sit there and nurse through it. The second she fell asleep I'd lay down and pray for a good stretch of sleep. Sorry this isn't that helpful- but I do think it's normal.

[lilyelayne]

Welcome flyinghorses6!

For nipple care, express breast milk on nipples after each feeding. Let air dry and then apply nipple cream (lanolin, non-lanolin cream like Earth mama angel baby nipple butter, virgin coconut oil.)
Gel soothie pads or breast shells may help.
Saline soaks may help speed healing of wounds.

Have you seen an IBCLC or been to an in person support group, or had a LLL (la Leche League) leader come visit?

Flipple technique of latching
youtu.be/OGttPTx7iSs

Laid back nursing as mentioned above has gravity helping LO keep deep latch
youtu.be/KYRg8DTbZCc

[lilyelayne]

Latch issues-

Make sure LO has room to tilt head back when accepting breast. Tickle her nose with your nipple until she opens wide. Push your breast into her mouth and roll your nipple in last. She should have a big mouthful of breast, and your nipple should be aimed at the roof of her mouth. It's an offset latch, not directly centered on your nipple/areola. Make sure baby's nose is clear to breathe, which it should be if she tilted her head back to accept breast. Look at lips. They should be flanged outward over your breast, not tucked in. LO will have her tongue out over her gums; you may be able to feel it on the underside of your nipple, especially as she gets things situated in her mouth before settling in to nurse.

I found it helpful to think of pushing on LO's chin with the underside of my breast when she opened wide, to keep her mouth open as I rolled breast & nipple into mouth. Your partner might can help hold chin in open position. It's okay to need 4 hands to latch at first, if 4 hands are available.

Some women find holding boob like a sandwich can help LO get an appropriate mouthful when they are still small. If you have inverted nipples, this may cause your nipple to retreat further into your breast, which isn't ideal. If cradle or cross cradle is giving you issues, try football or laid back.

Make sure LO's body is totally against yours and well supported. So baby's tummy & thighs should be against you as much as possible. This keeps a sleepy baby from relaxing, body weight pulling away from you, thereby pulling to a shallow latch. Baby should relax into you, not away.

Bring the baby to the breast, not the breast to the baby. So don't lean down; instead, put more pillows under baby or your arm to bring baby up. You don't want to get a good latch and then have to sit up or straighten up for your comfort and mess up the latch!

If you need to try again, slip a finger in the corner of LO's mouth between gums to break suction, remove nipple, try again.

You can also try keeping a hand between her shoulder blades to remind her to stay against you & keep a deep latch.

Hope this was helpful!

[lilyelayne]

opheliainwaders 6+ wet diapers in 24 hours means she's getting enough. Cluster feeding & witching hour(s) are rough but normal. Babywearing, bouncing on a yoga ball, walking around may help you (or a partner when you need a little break) soothe baby, but being at the breast is normal.

[flyinghorses6]

So helpful lilyelayne thank you! I'm going to try all this!!

[lilyelayne]

Feb 13, 2017 11:33:47 GMT -5 opheliainwaders said:

lilyelayne thanks - knowing this and remembering it are two different things, I suppose! But man, 10 hours of clusterfeeding is no joke!

10 hours of clusterfeeding is an enormous task. They do grow out of it!

The first time my son had a witching hour he was maybe 4 weeks old, and suddenly one night for 5 hours he just shrieked except when I could calm him down enough to latch. I thought he was broken or we were failing or...
And then the next morning with a bit of sleep & a bit of distance it was like, oh yeah, witching hour, I've heard of that.

When you're in the trenches it's hard to remember what's normal. Trust the diaper output. Go to a breastfeeding support group meeting when you feel burnt out. Get outside in the fresh air when you can. :-)

[bazinga]

How old is LO? 6.5 wks

How's everything going? OK. LO continues to gain weight and the suck training is helping in that he only gums if he's frantic or frustrated. I'm resigned to the likelihood that nursing will never be entirely comfortable for us.

Questions/concerns/cute stories to share? LO has started getting frustrated at the boob and I have no idea why because it happens randomly. He'll open his mouth wide and go to latch but then scream and head but my boob repeatedly while wrestling it with his fists. Any suggestions other than removing him for couple of minutes and trying again.

Is this your first experience with BF? No I BF DS1 for 6 months.

GTKY: where is one place you've never traveled to that you'd love to visit? Somewhere luxurious and tropical like Bali or Mauritius. One day.

[tex]

How old is LO? 4 weeks tomorrow

How's everything going? It's going ok. Trying to get him to latch at least once a day to practice. definitely easier for on my left vs my right side. I'm keeping up for the most part with what he's eating with the pump. I'm getting better and better with my output. We only really have to do maybe one bottle of formula a day.

Questions/concerns/cute stories to share? Just trucking along with the practicing. I want to get into see the LC to help tweak things now that his revision is healing. We have a pediatrician appt tomorrow so I would like to do it then.

Is this your first experience with BF? I BFed and pumped for DS1 for 6 months. I'm hoping to make it to a year with W.

GTKY: where is one place you've never traveled to that you'd love to visit? Europe I want to go to Germany and France.

[lilyelayne]

peaseblossom55 thinking of you. Did you start the reglan?

bazinga could be overly hungry or tired. Sometime babies make a fuss to try to get a letdown. If it happens mid feed, you can try breast compressions when you start to feel him get wiggly to keep the milk flowing. Sometimes I would have to swaddle my son to get him to calm down enough to latch. Swaddle & football hold. Or you can try distracting him a bit- can you latch while bouncing on a yoga ball / rocking in a chair / walking around? Then once he's good and latched you can probably settle in a more comfortable position.
6 week growth spurt was the last really noticeable one for my son until 6 months. Hang in there.

[peaseblossom55]

Feb 14, 2017 15:04:36 GMT -5 lilyelayne said:

peaseblossom55 thinking of you. Did you start the reglan?

bazinga could be overly hungry or tired. Sometime babies make a fuss to try to get a letdown. If it happens mid feed, you can try breast compressions when you start to feel him get wiggly to keep the milk flowing. Sometimes I would have to swaddle my son to get him to calm down enough to latch. Swaddle & football hold. Or you can try distracting him a bit- can you latch while bouncing on a yoga ball / rocking in a chair / walking around? Then once he's good and latched you can probably settle in a more comfortable position.
6 week growth spurt was the last really noticeable one for my son until 6 months. Hang in there.

I haven't heard back from my Ob I need to check in with her on that. The week has been busy so far.

[judyblume14]

4.5 weeks

Pretty well! We have had some rough nights from about 10-2. I'm sure it's because I'm letting her sleep too much during the day, but for now and the next few weeks, I'm trying to let her dictate er schedule.

Small concern. For the past 6 days, she has been extra spitty/barfy. I haven't drank or eaten anything different/out of the ordinary. Every time she nurses, within a minute or two of finishing, she spits up what seems to be the ENTIRETY of her feeding. This happens if I'm cradling her, have her sitting up, or have her up on my shoulder. She doesn't seem fazed by it. But it's driving me crazy because I'm constantly changing her sleepers, boppy covers, and my shirts. I asked the ped at her 1 month appt on Monday. She said it could be that she's just drinking too much at once and her tummy can't hold it all. I don't know. I've tried stopping nursing after 2 minutes, to slow down her feeding. But she'll spit at that point too.

Thoughts?

This is not my first rodeo. I nursed DD1 until about 22 months, which was last August (As I was entering 2nd tri with this baby).

I've been to more countries that states. So, I'd really like to explore more of the US! Abroad, I'd like to go on an African Safari. Or go Greece. Or Australia. I don't know. We haven't been on a fancy vacation in about 5 years. So, I'll take anything at this point

[judyblume14]

opheliainwaders, if your LO is cluster-feeding int the evenings, that in itself should start to boost your supply at that time, right?

[ellabee]

LO is 5.5 weeks.

Everything is going pretty well. B is gaining like a champ. I think we've found our groove with nursing. I've found a burping position that works best for him and he's been a lot less gassy now that I can get burps out in between and after feeds.

I started giving a bottle every other day and pumping to replace that feed. I want to be sure B is comfortable with the bottle in anticipation of daycare when I go back to work. He's doing great with it.

I also invested in a milk saver to catch leaks this time around and am pleased with it so far. I mostly just use it during motn feedings when I'm more engorged. It's helping me build up my freezer stash faster than I could otherwise, which reduces my anxiety about producing enough during those first few stressful days back at work.

This is my 2nd bf'd kiddo. DD went to 14 months and it was a wonderful relationship.

I'd love to visit New Zealand. It seems like an outdoorsy person's dream!

[kartish]

How old is LO? 3 days old

How's everything going? So far okay, my milk hasn't come in yet. LO is been on the boob a lot more often today and is acting hungry very soon after nursing; I hope my milk comes in soon.

Questions/concerns/cute stories to share? Trying to remember how this rodeo goes. LO seems to be latching fine most of the time on the right, but really struggles with my left (which is a noticeably larger nipple) and I don't remember all the tips for deepening his latch.

Is this your first experience with BF? No, I BF my son V until he was 18 months, he weaned this last August

GTKY: where is one place you've never traveled to that you'd love to visit? I'd love to travel to France.

[lilyelayne]

judyblume14 spit up severity peaks between 2-4mo of age, so it could be normal. As long as she's having plenty wet diapers (6+ in 24 hours) and gaining weight, and not in discomfort, then it's a laundry problem. And hopefully one she'll grow out of soon! Are you comfortable with her wearing a bib as long as she's not sleeping? That cut down on baby outfit changes for me. Put a burp rag (I love basic cloth diapers for this) under her to protect the boppy, and/or over your shoulder hanging down your chest on the side she's nursing. I had those things everywhere so they'd be within easy reach wherever I was.

kartish hey friend! I posted lots of latch tips and a couple videos earlier in the thread :-D hope your milk comes in soon!

[judyblume14]

Thanks for the reassurance, lilyelayne. I think she's just a happy spitter. And yes, I suppose it's time to break out the bibs!

[bazinga]

Thanks for the suggestions lilyelayne and opheliainwaders. Over the last couple of days I've recognized this happens both when he's over hungry (compressions help) and needs to burp. It's usually been easy to overcome and get him back on happier.

Sorry for tardy reply, I got sick this week and am still feeling pretty awful. This coincides with lots of changes in LO's feeding patterns which has me a bit freaked out. So far he's not sick too so hopefully that's not the cause. I'm just so tired and sick I'm rolling with it but if I haven't figured things out by next week I'll be back with more questions!

Congratulations on your new arrival kartish.

[lilyelayne]

bazinga feel better soon!

[loves2shop4shoes]

How old is LO? One week old today.

How's everything going? It's touch and go.
Sometimes, we get a good latch and it's all good. Most of the time, our latch is shallow and there is at least some pain with it. Both of my nipples are cracked, scabbed, and bleed occasionally. My nipples are sore and in pain all the time, even when she's not at the breast.

She's extremely handsy, and it makes it even harder. Sometimes she'll grab or scratch my nipples, which just hurts me more. I try not to swaddle her while we BF because I've read that babies really need their hands while they eat, but it's hard.

When it's going well, I feel so proud and accomplished and bonded. When I hit a streak of it not going well, I get extremely frustrated, discouraged, like a failure, and even angry. That scares me. I don't want to feel resentful because of the pain. I know she doesn't mean it. Just the fact that I feel anger about anything surrounding my baby makes me feel like a terrible mother.

The hormones and cluster feeding definitely don't help. Two of the last 3 nights have been all nighters with cluster feeding and today was cluster feeding all afternoon with a shitty latch.

Questions/concerns/cute stories to share?

Do other people feel this way? Is this normal or am I just not cut out for this?

Is this your first experience with BF?

Yes. First baby.

GTKY: where is one place you've never traveled to that you'd love to visit?

Paris

[bazinga]

loves2shop4shoes, I am so sorry you are having a difficult start to this. There are others here who will have better advice and more experience than me but to start...

You are not a terrible mother for feeling the way you do. BF is one of the hardest things to do, especially the early days and weeks. And at 7-10 days there's a growth spurt which is really rough because of cluster feeding. What you wrote sounds so similar to my experience with DS1 and could have been the same with DS2 did I not know better this time around.

It does get better.

However, I've learned through my own experiences that the severity of pain and discomfort you have with the nipple damage is not normal.

lilyelayne gives some good pointers on latch in the thread above. And if you haven't already try and see a lactation consultant for help. Has your LO been evaluated for tongue or lip ties? That was my problem with DS1 and DS2 and I know so many other moms through my BF support group that have had similar problems because of this. Like those you're describing.

For now I would swaddle if you need to. Those little hands can really hurt. What are you doing to help your nipples heal? Lots of lanolin or nipple cream, saline soaks, soothies/gel pads may bring some relief.

I know others will be more helpful with suggestions. Hang in there,you're doing a great job. Hugs.

[loves2shop4shoes]

bazinga, I reached out to the lactation support line at my hospital. Waiting for a call back. Not sure how private LCs work, but I'm open to it if it'll help.

Other than whatever evaluations we don't by the lactation folks at the hospital, No one has evaluated the problem. I'm not sure if they were looking for tongue and lip ties, but they did say I had a shallow latch and I should work on it. Neglected to get into the how.

I just use a ton of lanolin to help my nipples heal.

[lilyelayne]

@love2shop4shoes postpartum hormones are no joke, and adding BF difficulties on top of that will surely contribute to the emotional rollercoaster. Be kind to yourself.

Get the latch evaluated by a professional asap. That level of nipple trauma is neither expected nor acceptable. link to find an IBCLC. Sometimes insurance covers visits. Sometimes they do house visits, or work through a hospital, or have a clinic or BF support group you can visit. Some even do video calls.

Getting in contact with your local La Leche League Leader is a great step too. She can direct you to local professional resources, as well as troubleshoot basic latch issues herself.

If you are overwhelmed by these phone calls, delegate them to your partner or a support person, at least to find out basic info or get the ball rolling.

Nipple healing: after each feed, express breastmilk on nips and let air dry. Then follow with nipple cream. If lanolin isn't doing the trick, you can consider a non lanolin nipple cream, like virgin coconut oil or Earth Mama Angel Baby Nipple Butter.
Do saline soaks several times a day. Fill a shallow bowl or sink with warm water & salt (or epsom salt) and submerge your nipple/breast for a few minutes.

You may need to protect your nipples from your clothing. Gel soothie pads, breast shells, lansinoh 3-in-1 therapearls are options. Many women prefer the gel pads when healing.

I posted latch tips and a few videos earlier in the thread. I can't figure out how to link to a specific post on tapa or mobile, sorry. But I can come back and quote / tag after I've tended to my kid if you need.

You're doing well. I'm sorry your hospital didn't have adequate lactation support. An IBCLC is the best to diagnose ties & also evaluate how any ties are affecting BF. A pediatric ENT can diagnose and revise the ties, if present.

You'll make it through this. You're a great mom!

[loves2shop4shoes]

lilyelayne, you're wonderful. Thank you!

[Deleted]

How old is LO? B/G twins - 3 weeks old

How's everything going? Pretty good!

Questions/concerns/cute stories to share? We started with nipple shields at the hospital due to babies being so small they had trouble latching. Tonight I had set Miss O on my pillow and turned to get the shield and she latched on without any help! Definitely made me jump but didn't hurt so she even got a decent patch on. Guess who gets to practice sans shield tomorrow now??!!'

Is this your first experience with BF? No, BF my first for 14 months.

GTKY: where is one place you've never traveled to that you'd love to visit?
Either Ireland or Spain....