Feeding thread

[notagoddess]

There's enough of us experiencing feeding challenges that it's worth starting one of these, right?

[notagoddess]

So, I've been hearing about babies being on the boob for hours at a time. My nipples HURT. They are beat up, although all the nurses at the hospital said S's latch looks good. I think they're in the natural process of toughening up -- there's some blisters and cracks and bleeding.

I break S's latch after 15-20 minutes to preserve them for the next feed. Is this really affecting how much she's getting? When I pump nothing comes out after about 10 minutes. As of now I'm not producing enough, so I feel bad breaking her latch, but also I'm not sure I could feed for hours given how much it hurts.

[notagoddess]

Also, thank God for those premixed bottles of formula.

[Deleted]

Twins are unfortunately doing the hour+ feedings now that we are in the 3 week growth spurt. So that and the cluster feeding are no joke.

If your nipples need a break try a shield for 1-2 times a day. Also putting some milk on then after feedings and letting air dry helps to heal them.



After you break the latch is that when you pump?
Breaking the latch will tell your body you are making enough.

[flyinghorses6]

Also pumping a few minutes after your milk seems to have stopped can help the body make more milk. The stimulation will make the body know that more milk is needed, and hopefully increase your supply.

[dancerspose]

I definitely second expressing some milk out after you're done and rubbing it on your nipples. It sounds weird, but it does wonders to speed up the healing process. Are you using a nipple cream too?

[shawnabm1320]

Nipple creams like earth mama nipple butter, gel soothies, milk on the nipples, and I would not hesitate to try a shield if all those things aren't helping. When you say you're breaking her latch, are you putting her back on after a little, or do you stop the feed then? If you can find a way to get your nipples feeling more comfortable, I would let her nurse longer if you feel like you're not making enough for her. Like others have said, latching on is what signals your body to make more milk. These first 6-8 weeks sort of builds your supply, so cluster feeding is pretty normal.

There's obviously absolutely nothing wrong with supplementing if that's what you want to do, but if you'd like to do without, those are things I'd try.

[notagoddess]

Feb 22, 2017 12:17:36 GMT -5 dancerspose said:

I definitely second expressing some milk out after you're done and rubbing it on your nipples. It sounds weird, but it does wonders to speed up the healing process. Are you using a nipple cream too?

I need to try this! I keep hearing about it. I'm alternating lanolin and Motherlove nipple cream.

[Evelyn3]

notagoddess mine were a mess before I left the hospital (and his latch is good)
The shield really helped
Letting them get air in between feedings and the lanolin cream (purple bottle) really helped

I supplemented as well because he was just too hungry and it took my milk too long to come in for him to have enough from the get go.

So I think that helped give them some extra time to heal as well.

[ellabee]

Ugh. I was hoping nursing would be smooth sailing the second time around. Bs latch has given me a milk blister on the right side. I'm seeing a LC tomorrow to see if it's worth looking into getting his tongue and lip ties looked at. ☹️

[wildflower810]

The shield saved me with DS1. I have one just in case for this kiddo, though I'm hoping I can nurse without it.

And yes, let your nips get plenty of air dry time! Walk around the house hanging all out if you need to. That will help them heal.

Oh, and this graphic is good if you need a sense of how much baby should be eating at a time.

[oldbaylover1024]

With J I alternated lanolin and aquaphor on my nips. Also, like others have said, air time is great for healing. And don't forget to change your nursing pads frequently. Pads with old cream or milk can kill your healing time.

I also struggled with yeast issues with J. The LC recommended putting white vinegar on, air drying, then wiping my boobs clean before the next feeding. It really helped clear my yeast issues without prescriptions.

And I'll +1 the pumping after nursing. Set your pump to the preemie setting and pump for about 10 minutes to stimulate. Hand expressing and massage can help, too.

[allisong87]

We've definitely been having issues breastfeeding this time around. He constantly latches on and off the breast and for some reason spits up more when breastfeeding. When I give him a bottle of breast milk he does a lot better. I don't understand why...I've started to give mainly bottles of breast milk during the day and breastfeeding during the night.

[loves2shop4shoes]

I'm about ready to give up with breastfeeding. It's fucking bullshit.

My nipples are destroyed and everyone gives all this advice on how to make it better, which if I took, would mean I'd be spending every free non-nursing minute tending to my tits. Because I have nothing else to do.

E has been so fussy every night for the last 3 nights. I always make sure she is fed (minimum 20 minutes each side), but then she continues to scream. I can't be comfort nursing her given the state of my nipples.

Today I was worried that maybe the problem is with my supply. So DH gave her 1oz of some milk I had pumped. She polished that off in about a minute and then fell asleep on his chest.

She woke up around 9:30. I nursed 20 mins each side and as soon as the boob was out she started wailing. According to my pedi, after 20 minutes they're not getting milk anyway so it's not worth the damage to my nipples to keep nursing post 20 mins.

And now I'm second guessing supply again. If she wants to comfort nurse, I can't give her what she needs. And if she's still hungry, I'm clearly not producing what she needs. I feel completely worthless and frustrated.

I put on the nipple shield and nursed a bit with that on. She definitely was getting some milk there. I heard the gulping. But now I'm just waiting for the gas attack.

I can't take this shit anymore.

[shellbell]

loves2shop4shoes it's okay to be done. You can quit right now and you should feel no guilt or shame. You tried something, and it didn't work. There are alternatives. You do not need to put your body through this -- physically or emotionally. You are not a bad mother if you stop. You are not a bad mother if you FF. We sacrifice a lot for our babies, but there's a time to say when. From reading your posts tonight, I'm worried about you. So I'm letting you know -- it's okay to be done.

[oldbaylover1024]

loves2shop4shoes - You are NOT worthless, a failure, or a bad mother. You are trying something and it sounds like it's stressing you out and really difficult right now. It is not worth the agony you're going through. There is nothing wrong with stopping. You obviously have been trying really hard, but damn girl... Do not destroy your body or mind.

Again, you are an amazing mother going through something really hard. There is 1,000% nothing wrong with FF. Fed is best. That's what's important. And your sanity is JUST as important. Huge {{hugs}}

[flyinghorses6]

Hugs loves2shop4shoes no matter what you choose, you are a wonderful mother! Please don't put so much pressure on yourself. I am sorry you are having such a tough time. Sending my love.

[shellbell]

Feb 23, 2017 8:21:29 GMT -5 @wineandcupcakes said:

Feb 22, 2017 20:36:59 GMT -5 oldbaylover1024 said:

With J I alternated lanolin and aquaphor on my nips. Also, like others have said, air time is great for healing. And don't forget to change your nursing pads frequently. Pads with old cream or milk can kill your healing time.

I also struggled with yeast issues with J. The LC recommended putting white vinegar on, air drying, then wiping my boobs clean before the next feeding. It really helped clear my yeast issues without prescriptions.

And I'll +1 the pumping after nursing. Set your pump to the preemie setting and pump for about 10 minutes to stimulate. Hand expressing and massage can help, too.

Can I ask - why the preemie setting? I was told this as well.

I would assume so you don't cause oversupply.

[Deleted]

Huge hugs loves2shop4shoes! BF can be such a great experience but spectrum is very wide and it can be just as horrible too. Very sorry you are on the bad end. With all the effort and things you've tried switching to formula may be best for all.

BUT given all the effort and work you've put in I have to ask - does the pump bother you? If not maybe try EP for a week to let your nipples heal then try BF again. The break may be all that is needed since it sounds like you are done but not on your terms.

If you are done you may want to keep pumping just to relieve pressure because stopping cold turkey hurts! Eat all the peppermint and cabbage leaves.

[ls2012]

Hugs , loves2shop4shoes. I'm right there with you. I stopped breastfeeding Tuesday because I couldn't handle the tears and her cries and the pain in my nipples. I've been pumping since then and supplementing with formula while I build up my supply. The last two nights have been much easier for her. I'm waivering on pumping because it's not giving me much relief or time to sleep, and she seems to be tolerating formula pretty well.

All that is just to say, it's definitely ok to stop and do what's best for you both. Formula will not wreck your baby or ruin her future. Retaining your emotional and mental health is critical, especially right now when you're sleep deprived.

[nomnom]

L just demanded 4oz of formula over an hour's time. I may have another massive eater like his big brother R. R ate about 45oz/day of formula. He also gre from 6lb5oz at birth to 28lbs and the size of a 2yo at 17 months.

[ellabee]

Oh jeez nomnom. You just have me a glimpse of my future. At the LC consultation B transferred 4.5oz in like 15 minutes. He's been gaining just over a pound a week for the last three weeks. 😬I have the feeling he's going to be a chunky monkey.

[callmeKD]

Feb 23, 2017 16:34:15 GMT -5 nomnom said:

L just demanded 4oz of formula over an hour's time. I may have another massive eater like his big brother R. R ate about 45oz/day of formula. He also gre from 6lb5oz at birth to 28lbs and the size of a 2yo at 17 months.

Wow! Go L! And I thought my baby girl was eating a ton with close to 3 oz each feeding at 3.5 weeks old.

[shellbell]

LO is having her first ever bottle. Please take it. I'm nervous I waited too long to introduce the bottle? But she's only 3 weeks.

[ellabee]

Feb 23, 2017 17:58:08 GMT -5 shellbell said:

LO is having her first ever bottle. Please take it. I'm nervous I waited too long to introduce the bottle? But she's only 3 weeks.

GL! 3 weeks is definitely not too long.

[oldbaylover1024]

I have a clogged duct. And no baby home to nurse it out. FX the pump, hot compress, and hand expression work.

[shellbell]

Feb 23, 2017 18:01:14 GMT -5 ellabee said:

Feb 23, 2017 17:58:08 GMT -5 shellbell said:

LO is having her first ever bottle. Please take it. I'm nervous I waited too long to introduce the bottle? But she's only 3 weeks.

GL! 3 weeks is definitely not too long.

She took the bottle!

DS started bottles at 3-4 days old. This felt so late. Lol.

[mrsbaldwin2012]

Baby E is such a big eater that it stresses me out! She basically wants 4 oz of formula every 2-3 hours. This just seems like so much for her little belly, but she is tolerating it well. No spitting up or throwing up, she poops at least 1-2 times a day. I've called the pedi a few times this week about it and I'm sure that they think I'm crazy because they keep telling me it's ok to feed her up to 32 ounces in a 24 hour period. However it's barely 130 pm and she's had 22 ounces already since midnight!! The pedi told me to try soothing her and other things before jumping to feeding her when she cries, but she legit is giving me feeding cues not just crying. At her one week weight check she gained 17 oz!! Which the doctor said was fine too. I'm just wondering if something else is going on or if I just have a huge eater on my hands.

[notagoddess]

I saw the LC yesterday. It was a game changer in terms of improving her latch, but I'm also dealing with oversupply. My boobs hurt so much and I've had several clogged ducts already. I'm trying to follow the LC's recommendations but it's overwhelming. Basically I'm feeding or pumping or icing my boobs all day long. I'm supposed to be icing them right now but instead I'm catching up on laundry. I hate how breastfeeding takes over the whole day.

[ellabee]

Glad to hear the consultation helped notagoddess! Seeing the LC with my DD was a game changer for me too. I hope your supply and clogs clear up soon. Hang in there - it gets easier and less time consuming with each week! (I know it doesn't feel like it when you're in the grind)