Pumping for 15 minutes. I turned it down this last time and it seemed to help but my nipple is still being pulled in really far. I am not putting anything on my nipples before. I will try that next time!
Definitely lube your nipples up. What pump do you have? I have a medela and only turn it up to the second whole line.
Medela as well. From the pictures it seems as though my nipple is going too far. I'm going to try to lube the nipples and YouTube it. Thanks!
Post by moutonrouge on Apr 25, 2017 20:41:46 GMT -5
Lube will definitely help. Your nipple will start off like the pictures for selecting flange size, but as the pump starts they are drawn in pretty far. I think that's normal, although it may still be too far.
Lube will definitely help. Your nipple will start off like the pictures for selecting flange size, but as the pump starts they are drawn in pretty far. I think that's normal, although it may still be too far.
Post by ladytiffany24 on Apr 26, 2017 7:20:02 GMT -5
Just popping in to say that used my silicone pump for the first time yesterday and I love it! Got 2 oz between both breasts. So excited for this! Going to have H try to start giving a bottle a day. My hope is that he'll be okay with bottles in a few weeks for our Disney trip.
Lube will definitely help. Your nipple will start off like the pictures for selecting flange size, but as the pump starts they are drawn in pretty far. I think that's normal, although it may still be too far.
The nipple and the areola go into it though
Definitely sounds like it's too big. Pumping should never hurt. My nipples get sore after sometimes but it never hurts during pumping.
Did you measure your nipple for size? I think they make a size 17 that you can order if you need it.
How long are you pumping? Do you have your pump turned up too high? And are you putting lanolin or coconut oil on your nipples before you pump?
Pumping for 15 minutes. I turned it down this last time and it seemed to help but my nipple is still being pulled in really far. I am not putting anything on my nipples before. I will try that next time!
Once you can get it so it doesn't hurt, try going to 20 mins. That helped me pump more - I started at 15 mins.
Although 20 is the limit I've noticed I get another let down at the 20 min marks and get quiet a bit more if I push it to closer to 30 now.
I sized down when this happened to the smallest Medela size and it feels better. There is a size chart if you want to bust out a measuring tape!
Also I was told not to pump for longer than 20 mins Max.
Yup I sized down. I may have to size down again but I have to play around with my pump setting a bit first and the lube. With Clara I was told 30 minutes but since T most of the time eats within 10 minutes I am pumping for 15-20 minutes.
Bottle question: C is bottle feed, so he regularly gets bottles and has pretty much since birth.
When he eats (And the hungrier he is the more I think this happens) he drools/leaks some on his chin. I don't really think it's the brand, because we had a few free sample bottles from other brands from when we registered and it happens with those too. Any suggestions on what is causing this? Usually about halfway through we just wipe his chin, so it's not like he's losing half the bottle every time. Are the nipples to fast? Is he over eager? Is it the angle of the bottle?
Just popping in to say that used my silicone pump for the first time yesterday and I love it! Got 2 oz between both breasts. So excited for this! Going to have H try to start giving a bottle a day. My hope is that he'll be okay with bottles in a few weeks for our Disney trip.
I just got a silicone pump too and it's amazing! I'm struggling with oversupply and forceful let down so I've been advised not to pump-pump, but when L is nursing on one side I usually leak from the other side anyway so I pop the pump on the other one and get 1-2 oz. it also helps relieve the pressure so L isn't drowning sometimes when they are really full.
ladytiffany24 oh and good luck introducing bottles! L wouldn't take the medela brand. We ended up trying a nuk bottle since he's been sucking on nuk pacifiers and he took to it perfectly
Post by kristhegirl on Apr 27, 2017 3:35:40 GMT -5
sterl724 if it's more when he's really hungry, I would think he's drinking quickly and not emptying his mouth when he swallows. Not necessarily a problem, just eager hungry baby. If it's just a dribble, I wouldn't worry about it.
Bottle question: C is bottle feed, so he regularly gets bottles and has pretty much since birth.
When he eats (And the hungrier he is the more I think this happens) he drools/leaks some on his chin. I don't really think it's the brand, because we had a few free sample bottles from other brands from when we registered and it happens with those too. Any suggestions on what is causing this? Usually about halfway through we just wipe his chin, so it's not like he's losing half the bottle every time. Are the nipples to fast? Is he over eager? Is it the angle of the bottle?
DS is bottle fed and does this too sometimes. I just chalk it up as something that happens.
C is such a lazy boob eater. Like so slow, always falling asleep. Typically session is an hour, and often he takes an ounce or two in a bottle on top of that. He takes a bottle like a champ.
We're currently combo feeding. I don't think I'm ready to let go of him getting breast milk, but it takes so much time. I do pump one a day now in the motn, after he gets a bottle. During the day, I mostly breastfeed. I'm considering going to pumping, because even 20 minutes pumping and then the bottle is less time than what it takes me to nurse him. However, it's an extra step, more stuff to wash, etc.
Post by kristhegirl on May 1, 2017 11:02:12 GMT -5
sterl724 is he actively eating for that long at the boob? There are videos and descriptions you can look up.
I honestly can't imagine nursing for that long every session. Do all the things to keep him awake - naked baby, wet rag, harass him, etc. Look into any latch issues.
sterl724 is he actively eating for that long at the boob? There are videos and descriptions you can look up.
I honestly can't imagine nursing for that long every session. Do all the things to keep him awake - naked baby, wet rag, harass him, etc. Look into any latch issues.
I think latch is ok but we are using a nipple shield, which I know slows things down. He isn't actively eating the whole time, but he isn't pulling off either. It's frustrating that it takes so long, because I think that's influencing me not leaving the house as often.
sterl724 is he actively eating for that long at the boob? There are videos and descriptions you can look up.
I honestly can't imagine nursing for that long every session. Do all the things to keep him awake - naked baby, wet rag, harass him, etc. Look into any latch issues.
I think latch is ok but we are using a nipple shield, which I know slows things down. He isn't actively eating the whole time, but he isn't pulling off either. It's frustrating that it takes so long, because I think that's influencing me not leaving the house as often.
I was given it day 1 at the hospital, was told I had flat nipples, but was never given any other guidance on how long to use it, how to wean off it, etc. It was just "here, use this." It does help, but honestly it's a pain in the ass, because it's one more thing to keep track of, get situated, etc.
He doesn't do well without it. Ocassionally I can take it off mid feed and he'll latch without it. But starting the feed, I have a hard time getting him to take without it, and he gets super frustrated. Think getting him to eat without it would help with the length of our sessions?
I was given it day 1 at the hospital, was told I had flat nipples, but was never given any other guidance on how long to use it, how to wean off it, etc. It was just "here, use this." It does help, but honestly it's a pain in the ass, because it's one more thing to keep track of, get situated, etc.
He doesn't do well without it. Ocassionally I can take it off mid feed and he'll latch without it. But starting the feed, I have a hard time getting him to take without it, and he gets super frustrated. Think getting him to eat without it would help with the length of our sessions?
I highly recommend finding a lactation consultant in your area to help, if you want to wean off of it. Nipple shields aren't *usually* a long-term solution and they really should have given you more guidance - I'm majorly side-eyeing your hospital. A lactation consultant will be able to give you the best help, but in the mean time you could read everything you can find on flat nipples and nursing, and nipple shields. Kellymom has information on both.
Post by moutonrouge on May 1, 2017 13:21:40 GMT -5
sterl724 this is a TMI question/suggestion, but have you tried lightly squeezing/pinching around your nipple to get it to stand out before he latches? If your nipples are just a little flat, that can help him latch. One of my nipples needs some encouragement to give DD something to latch on to.
You can also use the shield for progressively less time every day or couple of days - so today it's 10 minutes, tomorrow 8, etc or whatever works for you, until it's on for just the start.
Evening supply just tanked 2 nights in a row. What the heck. I did a power pump for an hour and only got 30 ml! Uhhh. I'm using a new pump, Spectra, so maybe my body is adjusting. Day time supply is fine.
Drinking and eating enough? Every time mine plummets at night, that's the issue. Or I ate something I shouldn't. (Like parsley)
Evening supply just tanked 2 nights in a row. What the heck. I did a power pump for an hour and only got 30 ml! Uhhh. I'm using a new pump, Spectra, so maybe my body is adjusting. Day time supply is fine.
Drinking and eating enough? Every time mine plummets at night, that's the issue. Or I ate something I shouldn't. (Like parsley)
I drink constantly but maybe the evening eating isn't great. It went back up slightly over the last week.
There are things we shouldn't eat?!! Do you have a list or link? Omg I bet I eat alot off the NO list.
Idk if this has been covered already, so if it has please feel free to let me know!
First, I current EBF. For the last week (maybe more..) A has been having poops that are definitely not what I'd call normal BF poops. They're green (more bright than dark) and slimy looking. She is also quite gassy and grumpy, but I'm not sure I'd say excessively compared to most 5 week old babies. Dr Google is telling me either a foremilk/hindmilk imbalance (which could make sense considering my forceful letdown and history of oversupply), or an allergy. She did has some signs of her sister's cold last week, which I initially thought might be causing it so I waited to see if it improved, which it has not. She is still super congested sounding (although not much in the way of visible snot), which Google also said could be allergy, but I would believe you if you told me it's likely just a dry nose and/or normal newborn congestion.
Waiting on a call back from the Dr, but does anyone have any experience with this or advice? I'm guessing the Dr will either tell me to block feed and/or cut something like dairy out. I had no issues like this with dd1 so I'm lost. Thanks in advance!!
Post by kristhegirl on May 6, 2017 12:19:23 GMT -5
kaits8 Max had green slimy poo around his 1-month appt. My pedi said she didn't worry about it unless there was blood, or the baby was also very upset, especially after feeding.
Max's went away on its own, but I don't remember how long it took. EBF baby poop can be quite a range of colors and textures. They'll also swallow a lot of mucus laying on their backs, if they have drainage - that definitely ups the slime factor.
Thanks kristhegirl. I just spoke to a nurse who immediately said 99% of the time with EBF babies with green poop it's an imbalance issue, which I'm really hoping it is vs an allergy to something I'm eating. She suggested (as I've read already) feeding longer on one side, which I'm going to try to be better at. A is more of a grazer, which makes it really hard to make sure she gets more hind milk. I guess I'll try feeding her on one side only each time and start on that side the next feeding too? DD1 always finished off both sides so it was never an issue. I'm going to try to stretch time between feedings to make her eat actual meals (I don't even know how long she goes right now, but she eats all the time)..which I doubt she is going to love.
Her poop also smells HORRIBLE. I don't remember this with dd1 and thought EBF poop wasn't supposed to smell much.
kaits8 I had the green poop/imbalance issue with DS1. I worked to keep him nursing on the same boob during a feed, but that wasn't all that easy to do every time and we'd have random green poop bouts every so often every few months.
kaits8 Joslyn just had this- although it wasn't green. Normal color, just slimey. I called the doctor, and they said it was probably likely an infection passing through. Also, said not to worry unless she was really fussy or I saw blood. It went away.
kaits8 not sure if you pump at all, but might help to give A milk you have pumped at the beginning of a feed, or pump in between feeds. When I pump, esp if there is a while in between, I actually will pump 4-5 oz of foremilk. (Since I EP, it's really easy to tell the difference)
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