2 weeks and 3 days. It is going well now. His latch is much more better and it is easier for him to latch on by himself. I was having to spend a good amount of time adjusting it. I was afraid NIP wasn't going to be possible without flashing everyone .
I think M had thrush and now I do. He has white, creamy looking area all around the inside of his lips. Now it's spread to his cheeks. My nipples are incredibly sore now.
Any suggestions until we can go see his pedi? Of course, the office is closed due to labor day.
It's going pretty well now, after a few issues with painful latch, mastitis, and thrush we seem to have found our happy place.
If we go 7-8 or more hours without nursing more and more, will that affect my supply? I fed her at 9:30pm, she fell asleep around 11, and didn't wake up to eat til 7 am this morning. That's almost 10 hours. My boobs almost exploded, but mainly I'm worried it'll decrease supply if it starts happening more.
If it becomes common your body will regulate. She will probably eat more during the day so your supply will go up then and supply will go down at night. My daughter slept 10-6am consistently at 8 weeks and my supply regulated to her. I'm pretty sure this guy won't be giving me those long stretches for awhile though.
Post by bibliothecary on Sept 7, 2015 13:16:59 GMT -5
He's 5 weeks today.
We're doing well, thrush issues aside.
Speaking of thrush, I have advice for the moms with it. Medela makes nipple shields with little air holes. Air is the enemy of yeast. They've been helping me.
2dumbdogs when Ethan was first learning to Bf the nurses would pull his chin down as I was bringing him to the breast. This reminds me that I could try this also. Ethan gets a lazy latch sometimes too.
I pull my Ethan's chin down after he is on if I need to adjust him a bit to give him a better latch. It is so hard to judge what is going on down on the bottom of the breast!
ETA: the LC showed me/recommended doing this for him
Post by elvenqueen on Sept 7, 2015 13:44:18 GMT -5
Age of LO: 6 weeks
How is it going: A's latch is improving all the time. It's still a little shallow and his suction isn't perfect, so he really struggles if I get overly-full, or if he's dribbled a bit then he tends to slip right off. He's definitely managing it much better now though and can empty a breast/get a good full fee. E is fantastic with her latch as always and I can't think of a single issue with her apart from her needing to come away/cough a bit at let-down on occasion. One breast seems to have a very forceful let-down and its nipple does get sore from time to time, so maybe they're not latching well on that side, but no problems getting them to empty it now.
Any advice or questions: I've been pumping once a day just to get a bottle or two for the evening/night for DH to feed one baby. I'm getting 4-5oz out of leftie (forceful let-down boob) within 5 minutes easily, but rightie only seems to give 3-4oz and it takes about 10 minutes to get that. As I don't really have the option of block feeding with twins, is there anyway to improve rightie's production and calm leftie's let-down? 99% of the time, I'm swapping boobs between the twins for each feed, so I thought it should be pretty balanced but doesn't seem to be...
Called my La Leche League leader today for help. Bruised and cracked nipples already. She said latch is good so it just might be the learning curve. Milk is in and she has a tiny mouth so there are those issues as well.
How is it going: Eh...good I guess... I think DD has a shallow latch and I'm still using a nipple shield because they're so large/flat. I never had to use a shield with DS so I'm in unfamiliar territory. I'm calling a LC to come this week; my right nipple is ridiculously tender/sore/cracked and BFing on that side is killing me.
Any advice or questions: Is there some point where I should wean from the shield? Or is this something I need to use the entire time I'm BFing? I thought I read somewhere that it should only be used in the beginning...if so, what the heck do I do now?
I used a shield with my first. Once I was healed I would start with the shield and then unlatch baby and latch him back on. Eventually, I just stopped using the shield.
Thanks for starting this thread, runningmommy519, it is nice to feel less alone.
Age of LO: 3.5 weeks
How's it going: better. We aren't using the nipple shield anymore. I'm still pumping once a day and I'm worried it has lead to too much let down for C. Today, she started crying half way through eating and then popped off my boob a few times and acted like she was starving. It was frustrating and I hope it isn't the new norm.
Advice or questions: question as above. No advice just wanted to tell you ladies to hang in there!
Elijah is doing well. We use nipple shield but he does well with it. I was actually pleasantly surprised I got him to latch without it when DH brought him in while I was napping one day. There's a small pinch feeling when he first starts out, but it goes away fairly quickly. Biggest issue we have is he sleeps too much after nursing during the day and only wants to sleep on my chest after nursing at night haha.
We had to supplement him during his episode with jaundice, but now we rarely give him formula. We have it as a just in case. And about once a day I end up pumping and if I have to go out for something DH ends up giving it to him. I probably should start pumping more to start up a stash for when I have to go back to work, but for now I'm just happy with nursing him on demand.
No real advice other than stick in there even if you have to supplement at first. We are making headway and he definitely gained by his 2 week appointment (was over birth weight by 3oz after losing 14oz at the start).
Post by heavenwhip on Sept 7, 2015 16:05:59 GMT -5
Age of LO: 6.5 weeks
How is it going: after getting the tongue tie fixed at 5 days old things have been good. We do combo breast feed/formula feed at night (last feed or two before bed) I find she sleeps better at night doing that and it hasn't affected my supply negatively which I was worried about.
Piper Lilly-lee - Born Sept 11, 2013 New Tiny Human - Due Aug 7, 2015 August 2015 - July Siggy Challenge - After Pregnancy Plans It will start like this:
Called my La Leche League leader today for help. Bruised and cracked nipples already. She said latch is good so it just might be the learning curve. Milk is in and she has a tiny mouth so there are those issues as well.
Those tiny mouths are a bitch! Try football hold. One hand behind her head, the other, you smoosh your areola into a smaller, flatter size. Bring nipple sandwich to mouth, hold in place until she latches deep enough that she's not directly on your nipple.
@carabasa what type of doctor did the tongue tie? I'm scheduled with an ENT tomorrow but my LC said they don't always take enough tissue and recommended a different doctor that will take longer to get in to see.
It's going okay now that we're mostly using laid back breastfeeding to deal with my overactive letdown. She's much less fussy/gassy and she doesn't pull off the breast choking now and spits up much less. Unfortunately I can't lay back to NIP which is limiting for getting out of the house.
No questions. Advice, get help if you need it. My local La Leche League was invaluable for helping me figure out what was going on and how to fix it.
@carabasa what type of doctor did the tongue tie? I'm scheduled with an ENT tomorrow but my LC said they don't always take enough tissue and recommended a different doctor that will take longer to get in to see.
It was a doctor of otolaryngology...can't say I know what that means! She was one of only two in the city that our LC said could handle a posterior tongue tie (or willing to handle.)
runningmommy519 oh my goodness he's so cute! Jake definitely has the milk dribble going on. Still only feeding for around 10 mins but lots of dirty/wet diapers. Thank you for starting this!!
Age of LO: 10 days
How is it going: Really well actually. No pain at all. Jake has a great latch. He's definitely getting milk everywhere though. When we gets sleepy and starts to fall off there's always milk all over his chin and sometimes my boob just doesn't know when to stop and drips everywhere. =/ He's still cluster feeding some during the day but we've been getting around 3 hour stretches at night which is glorious, although he isn't going down until around 2am.
Any advice or questions: Stick with it and stay calm. It can get overwhelming when baby's crying. Sometimes, usually in the middle of the night, Jake loses it and won't stop screaming even with my boob literally in his mouth. I try to talk to him calmly and try to get him to latch until he does. Sometimes it takes all I have not to have a breakdown and start crying too, but once he latches, all of that stress is gone.
Post by hopefulreturn on Sept 7, 2015 19:33:52 GMT -5
Age of LO: 5 weeks
How is it going: ok. I feel like we're finally over some hurdles. Latching can still be hard and I'm really hoping for good weight gain this week. Reflux meds have definitely made feedings a little smoother at times.
Any advice or questions: I came very close to giving up some nights so my advice to anyone struggling in those first few weeks is to hang in there! I promise that it does get better. 'm still waiting for things to feel easier/more natural for us but the pain is minimal now. While I definitely recommend meeting with LCs and I found it very helpful, self-confidence and trusting that I could do this was the most important thing for me.
ETA: I also feel that I should share that I've cried my way through many feeds when we couldn't latch, it hurt, and/or I felt like a failure. So if you're doing that, know you aren't alone!
Post by girlonabike on Sept 7, 2015 19:40:18 GMT -5
Age: 2.5 weeks
How's it going: Was a little rough in the beginning, but now its fairly smooth. Had to use a nipple shield in the beginning for a flat nip, and the Earth Mama Angel nipple butter was my savior for some scabbed nipples. Now everything is healed and good to go.
Question: do you have any recommendations on nursing tops? All I have in my closet are t-shirts and a few maternity tops. Lifting up my shirt to feed Liam, especially in public, is annoying. Any brands you like?
Age: 4 weeks 5 days Going: Awesome! This is baby #3 for me and I had issues in the beginning with both of my others kids, but this has been a smooth ride, so far. Advice/questions: Well I guess my advice is every baby is different so if you have another baby/ies your experience could be better.
Age: 5 weeks, 5 days Going: well I think. Her latch is good most of the time, but I have huge boobs and nipples and she doesn't seem to be able to fit much more than my nipple in her tiny mouth. I have no pain or cracking or anything, and she has plenty of wet and dirty diapers, so... I am still considering consulting a lc because the chiropractor said she thought there might be a tongue tie and if that could help the latch and make her a more efficient feeder, that would be great.
Questions: when does on demand nursing start to follow some kind of schedule? I feel like we are always just winging it, but I'd like to be able to plan my days a little better.
Going: Good! He likes to eat and eats every 2-3 hours all day and gives me one 5 hour stretch at night. He gets a lazy latch sometimes so I still have pain on and off.
My daughter got onto more of a schedule around 12-16 weeks. By then she was eating about every 3 hours during the day and going to bed at the same time every night.
I did always do on demand though. If she got hungry early I would feed her or decided to sleep in longer I always let her. Growth spurts and teething can impact their schedule pretty bad.
Questions: when does on demand nursing start to follow some kind of schedule? I feel like we are always just winging it, but I'd like to be able to plan my days a little better.
I was wondering this too. I'm not too comfortable NIP yet, and it's hard to get out with our every 1.5-2hr feeds. I do make sure we still get out at least once a day though!
Questions: when does on demand nursing start to follow some kind of schedule? I feel like we are always just winging it, but I'd like to be able to plan my days a little better.
I was wondering this too. I'm not too comfortable NIP yet, and it's hard to get out with our every 1.5-2hr feeds. I do make sure we still get out at least once a day though!
This. And I can't nurse in my car. It's too hot, and the a/c doesn't cool down when we aren't moving.
I was wondering this too. I'm not too comfortable NIP yet, and it's hard to get out with our every 1.5-2hr feeds. I do make sure we still get out at least once a day though!
This. And I can't nurse in my car. It's too hot, and the a/c doesn't cool down when we aren't moving.
It's hard to say when it hits more of a routine...it varies with every baby.
Don't apologize for not being ready to nip. It's not easy especially if you're having nursing struggles. Go someplace like Target that has a dressing room you can use to nurse, so you're able to get out and not feel trapped.
This. And I can't nurse in my car. It's too hot, and the a/c doesn't cool down when we aren't moving.
It's hard to say when it hits more of a routine...it varies with every baby.
Don't apologize for not being ready to nip. It's not easy especially if you're having nursing struggles. Go someplace like Target that has a dressing room you can use to nurse, so you're able to get out and not feel trapped.
I was never comfortable with DS1. I have done it with Ethan but I really don't have a choice. I can't keep Ds1 cooped up in the house.
Post by oopsiedaisies on Sept 7, 2015 21:17:24 GMT -5
Age of LO: 6 days
How is it going: getting easier. I knew it would be different, cuz every kid is. Parts of it have been easier and parts harder. Apparently I was never offered help in the hospital because one nurse passed on that I was a 'pro' because I'm still nursing my 2 yr old and she said she thought things were good. Thank god the 2 LCs that run the bf'ing support group are friends! They both stopped by to check on me and meet the lil man and I got to ask for help!
Any advice or questions: never be afraid to ask for help. If something doesn't feel right it probably isn't. Keep pushing until you get the help that you need. Be your own advocate.
Mira is doing pretty well. I think her latch is generally pretty good but today has been an off day and I hope that it's not her latch deteriorating. She has been more finicky this weekend and today is feeding every hour. Does this mean a possible growth spurt?
Arya is 2 weeks 2 days old and has been eating every hour the past couple of days also, though she gives us one long stretch (3-4 hours) at night. It's exhausting! My guess is growth spurt.
Question: do you have any recommendations on nursing tops? All I have in my closet are t-shirts and a few maternity tops. Lifting up my shirt to feed Liam, especially in public, is annoying. Any brands you like?
Finding nursing tops/dresses is proving really difficult but surprisingly I found my favorites at Walmart. They are empire waist with lace detail on the top of the tank top. I've only found them in grey and black. It's in the section with bras and undies and tummy control stuff.
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