I feel for you mamas with the breastfeeding challenges. I had a lot of trouble early on with DD, and unfortunately, there's no great advice other than keep trying, and know you're not alone. I really hadn't anticipated how much work it would be, and with DD's jaundice, all she wanted to do was sleep. And some LCs were better than others at being helpful with our challenges, so don't be afraid to ask if there's another one around.
I will say it gets easier in some ways--they get better at eating, and your expectations change, and you figure out how to make things work. I had heard that every 2 weeks or so, things seemed to get better.
Most of this is true (minus the jaundice experience) for me too. It was much more difficult than expected in the beginning to BF DS1.
carolyngrace, I am friends with a local la leche league leader if contacting her would help you. She has meetings in Greenfield.
ajm11 so sorry about the heart issue, hope the procedure goes as smoothly as possible. Sending strength your way!
I don't go here yet either but wanted to lend my support and empathy to those struggling. BFing was the hardest thing for me and I'm nervous for it again this time. It got so I would cry every time from the pain and DS would look like a vampire every time he pulled off from the blood. After mastitis compounded the issue, I stopped nursing, pumped exclusively for two weeks while the crack healed, and then begin to nurse again. Once it healed, it was good to go. It just never had a chance to heal because he reopened the wound every time with a bad latch due to oversupply and crazy letdown. The pump was much gentler and allowed it to heal, albeit slowly. Just another option for those struggling, took me way too long to figure that one out! Whatever you need to do for your health and happiness, do. I hate that some of the most poignant memories I have from the first 6 weeks with DS1 are related to pain and crying from nursing.
Post by mrskblack11 on Jun 6, 2015 20:27:41 GMT -5
ajm11 sending big ((hugs)). I can't imagine how hard this is emotionally for you as a parent. My sister was born with a heart defect where the valve wouldn't open properly. She had a stent put in after she was born. She had to have a replacement stent put in when she was 10. We were told then that she would probably have to have another surgery when she turned 20. She is now 23 and her stent still looks great. T&Ps for your LO.
I wish I could tag all of you ladies, but I am on mobile and operating with one hand. I appreciate the thoughts and prayers so much. I'm sorry for kind of hijacking the thread-I just needed to get it out, and it feels good to know E has more people thinking of her and praying for her.
I meant to post yesterday, but I will be praying for you all and sending well wishes your way!
I'm so sorry to everyone struggling. Having a new baby can be so, so hard.
I'm struggling right now emotionally. Our little one was born with an unexpected heart defect and will require a cardiac cath next week to fix a stenotic heart valve. The cardiology team told us that it is also possible that she will need a heart valve replacement in 10-15 years. Getting this diagnosis has crushed me. I'm just now, after a week, getting to the point where I can talk or write about it without breaking down.
If you need to wake to feed then I would go mild techniques first like pick the baby up and feed them while still asleep and see if they swallow while asleep then if not tickle there back or massage head or tickle feet as feeding. If that doesn't work you can do skin to skin which usually wakes then up while feeding. For a last resort you can do an unnecessary diaper change which should totally wake them up then feed them.
I'm of the camp unless there is a medical reason to feed I don't wake to feed since in my experience more daytime sleep usually means good nighttime sleep. Right now we are waking DS to feed since she has jaundice so need to feed her every 2 1/2 hours. But if she didn't have it I would just let her sleep for as long as she wants ( as long as it didn't go over 4 hours I would still wake if they slept over 4 hours day or night)
Any suggestions for waking your LO for feeds? We had a rough night last night and V didn't sleep; he got circumcised this morning and between those two factors has been sleeping all day. I can rouse him to latch and suckle once or twice, but cannot keep him awake to feed sufficiently. I undress him, do skin to skin, pat his back and/or sit him upright, but none of that really works well. I spend so much time trying to feed him that I am not getting any rest in the meantime. This is our first day home and only day two of life on the outside for him, so I know it's a learning curve. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
I was having the same problem until day 4 when my milk came in. Without the milk, baby was lethargic and unmotivated to eat. Well now he wants it every hour! Keep doing what you're doing. Each day is a new day. Agreed that diaper changes help.
Any suggestions for waking your LO for feeds? We had a rough night last night and V didn't sleep; he got circumcised this morning and between those two factors has been sleeping all day. I can rouse him to latch and suckle once or twice, but cannot keep him awake to feed sufficiently. I undress him, do skin to skin, pat his back and/or sit him upright, but none of that really works well. I spend so much time trying to feed him that I am not getting any rest in the meantime. This is our first day home and only day two of life on the outside for him, so I know it's a learning curve. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
I had the same problems with Cole after we had him circumcised, the only difference is I was still in the hospital because I had a c-section. We had LCs come to the room to help. They said it is completely normal for them to sleep in long stretches and not eat much the day of. I wouldn't stress too much, that won't help either of you. You can try hand expressing some milk and spoon feeding it to V. That's what I ended up having to do with Cole.
Post by mrskblack11 on Jun 7, 2015 16:08:09 GMT -5
budders our baby was also super sleepy after being circumcised. You are doing all the right things. I had to have DH constantly massage his feet or head or hands to keep him stimulated but he always fell asleep quickly. Try not to stress, it will get easier.
Any suggestions for waking your LO for feeds? We had a rough night last night and V didn't sleep; he got circumcised this morning and between those two factors has been sleeping all day. I can rouse him to latch and suckle once or twice, but cannot keep him awake to feed sufficiently. I undress him, do skin to skin, pat his back and/or sit him upright, but none of that really works well. I spend so much time trying to feed him that I am not getting any rest in the meantime. This is our first day home and only day two of life on the outside for him, so I know it's a learning curve. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
We had problems with my LO waking at first. We would try everything...moving her arm, tickling her feet, getting her down to her diaper...have you try a wet cloth against her back/feet? Changing her diaper always helped, she still hates that to this day. Watch out though, if you get LO to wake and latch the hard part will be to not get him to fall asleep on the boob shortly after!
I'm so glad that this thread has been started. I've been MIA from the boards since LO's arrival, mostly because it has been such a whirlwind. I am really thankful that MH and my mom are here and helping with everything. I worry that it'll be a huge adjustment when my mom leaves and H goes back to work, but we'll see...
I too find that breastfeeding isn't exactly what I thought it would be. But I am enjoying the bonding and sweet time with him (just not the sore nipples). It's hard being sleep deprived, emotional, and having all the feelings too. I feel a little anxious at times - more so than normal for me - but am working to keep reminding myself that this is normal and all new for us.
I don't necessarily have any advice, since I'm a FTM and LO is only 4 days old. My milk just came in between yesterday and today, and it seems like he is pretty particular about when he wants to nurse. Because he was so little at birth, I feel like I have been extra cautious about making sure he's eating every 2-3 hours, and have been doing every trick in the book to make sure he's awake. Changing his diaper seems to be the best yet.
I am sending lots of thoughts and prayers to you too ajm11! I am so sorry to hear about the diagnosis. Lots of creepy internet hugs are being sent your way!
Yes. This is #3 for us, and we have a little bit of a system/routine worked out. We have an agreement that we try not to hold DS for naps during the day, but anything goes at night right now, since we're so tired. The lack of sleep does a number on our tempers and judgement, so we just try to survive nights and be present for the 2 older kids during the day. However, we still get disappointed when expectations aren't met. Just remember for better or worse, we probably wouldn't be here without them.
I wish I could tag all of you ladies, but I am on mobile and operating with one hand. I appreciate the thoughts and prayers so much. I'm sorry for kind of hijacking the thread-I just needed to get it out, and it feels good to know E has more people thinking of her and praying for her.
ajm11, I'm so sorry but sending so many prayers your way. Sending love and positivity for a successful surgery for your LO.
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