Breastfeeding/EP check in 9/14-9/20

[anna87]

Sept 14, 2015 8:56:56 GMT -5 melohdy said:

1 month today

Breastfeeding and attempting casual pumping

It's going well. She's gaining like a champ. Pumping isn't going very well. I get up after our MOTN feedings to pump the other side, fully engorged, and hardly get a drop. Not sure how that's possible.

Biggest struggle: just getting over the mind fuck of not knowing whether or not they're getting enough.

Advice: I don't think it can be said enough: feed your baby without stress or guilt. If they/you need to give them formula, it's perfectly fine! Just don't give them Pepsi.

I agree with the advice. My DD wasn't latching so I started pumping after my DH walked in on her screaming and me crying. I don't cry so he said we were done with BF. My husband NEVER puts his foot down so I knew the situation was bad. 

Then I started measuring how much milk I was pumping, which was hardly any. I had colostrum until about day 12. Insert "I'm a terrible mother" breakdown #2 and we started supplementing.

The next day she had the rest of her meconium come out. I was horrified as she was almost 2 weeks old! Then she started eating more, stopped crying, stopped fussing, and started needing about 10 diapers a day!

My supply has been gradually increasing and I can now pump 10 oz a day and she gets 12 of formula. 

BUT NOW SHE IS GROWING! And she's eating enough and I feel great about that! You just do what you can.

[cupcakecutiern]

Ugh. I have been breastfeeding all day. Literally. Alexis has been going an hour between feeds if that. Rough on my two year old. The only upside is no shield. She's latched on her own.

[2dumbdogs]

Flucanazole for me and nystatin for baby. She just this afternoon developed the white crap in her mouth. Hope we can beat this thrush.

[esgrunner]

FX we are having a breakthrough. I think my right boob has finally gotten with the program, now waiting on the left! I did some power pumping yesterday and I've been drinking mothers milk tea since Tuesday. I wanted to power pump again today but napping won. (I didn't actually fall asleep but I did some guided relaxation which was nice.) I'll try again tomorrow.
 If E will consistently take 30 min or so to BF (instead of closer to an hour), my current life will dramatically change! It happened a couple times this afternoon.

[esgrunner]

Sept 17, 2015 17:03:25 GMT -5 2dumbdogs said:

Flucanazole for me and nystatin for baby. She just this afternoon developed the white crap in her mouth. Hope we can beat this thrush.

Sorry to hear it but hopefully the treatment works quickly!

[layloo08]

So I've mentioned already that Noah's latch has regressed and is shallow again.
Today and part of yesterday, my breasts do not feel full and he isn't eating for very long at all and is eating more frequently (1.5-2hrs).
We see the LC on Tueaday for another weighed feed.

I read on Kellymom that the empty feeling is your body regulating to what your baby needs. It said it happens usually at 6-12 weeks. He is 16 days old so I'd say it was too early for that.

Anyone experience this?

[gr8tdanemom]

Emma is 6.5 weeks.

We EBF. We did bottles occasionally the first couple weeks but haven't since. I do pump a couple ounces daily to have a little stored.

I'm finally loving breastfeeding! After fighting mastitis and thrush I am feeling normal again and she is latching awesome on her own and eating faster and on more of a schedule. My boobs are weird though, one day they are engorged and the next they feel fine and normal. Get it together boobs. When I'm engorged or feel like I have a clogged duct I get so paranoid about getting mastitis again.

Emma is huge and pees and poops a ton but not exactly sure on weight gain, we go to the doctor next week.

[astheria]

I just tossed a tablespoon of flax seed into a batch of no bake cookies. Praying they turn out and help with lactation lol. Oats and flax should do some I would imagine. I will increase the flax if it helps at all. I just wanted to make sure they taste ok before putting more in because I am super picky. Here's hoping!

[packmomma]

Age of LO: 1 month saturday

Breastfeeding, EP or a combination of both:breastfeeding

Supplementing with some formula?
No

How is it going? Working on some latch issues but we're making it through.

What has been the biggest struggle? If you overcame it, what did you do?
Latch was helped by multiple lc's.

Advice for others?take it one moment at a time.

Questions? It seems like I can only comfort walt with the breast and I get really down on myself for this. Everyone else can calm him down but it seems like when I hold him he gets more riled up. Anyone else dealing with this? And any tips to comfort?

[bibliothecary]

GENTIAN VIOLET IS A GODDAMN MIRACLE.

It's messy, it stains EVERYTHING, but it is a MIRACLE. My left nipple hasn't felt this good in AGES. And that's from ONE DAY. 24 HOURS. BLESS YOU, HORRIBLE STAINING CRAP!

[melohdy]

I bought the Avent version of Milkies I've used them during two nursing sessions and I've collected half an ounce each time.

This is the same amount I've gotten during some pumping sessions!

They're silly but every drop counts.

Eta: can't link correctly

[Laverne]

Sept 17, 2015 20:37:23 GMT -5 melohdy said:

I bought the Avent version of Milkies I've used them during two nursing sessions and I've collected half an ounce each time.

This is the same amount I've gotten during some pumping sessions!

They're silly but every drop counts.

Eta: can't link correctly

umm, you are not saving milk from shells i hope. Ijust got done using these, the do encourage supply because of the constant pressure, but i found my self having to change my shirt 2-3x a day. Just one more thing to clean and keep track of,

[Laverne]

Finally got my hands on apno !!!
Akready feeling relief, will be calling ped 1st thing for some preventive nystatin for lo

[maggiemae85]

Appointment with an LC tomorrow to discuss latch issues, supply, and pumping (esp. whether the flanges on my pump are the proper size, which I suspect they aren't).

Has anyone met with one yet? I only spoke with the ones on staff at the hospital in recovery. Any tips? Anything you wish you would have prepared for/asked them?

[oopsiedaisies]

Sept 17, 2015 21:11:36 GMT -5 Laverne said:

Sept 17, 2015 20:37:23 GMT -5 melohdy said:

I bought the Avent version of Milkies I've used them during two nursing sessions and I've collected half an ounce each time.

This is the same amount I've gotten during some pumping sessions!

They're silly but every drop counts.

Eta: can't link correctly

umm, you are not saving milk from shells i hope. Ijust got done using these, the do encourage supply because of the constant pressure, but i found my self having to change my shirt 2-3x a day. Just one more thing to clean and keep track of,

Milkies and this Avent version aren't like the medela shells. These are designed to save the milk for usage.

[melohdy]

Sept 17, 2015 21:51:04 GMT -5 oopsiedaisies said:

Sept 17, 2015 21:11:36 GMT -5 Laverne said:

umm, you are not saving milk from shells i hope. Ijust got done using these, the do encourage supply because of the constant pressure, but i found my self having to change my shirt 2-3x a day. Just one more thing to clean and keep track of,

Milkies and this Avent version aren't like the medela shells. These are designed to save the milk for usage.

This. I don't wear them except for during feeding. I wear on the other side and it catches milk that leaks out from that side.

[packmomma]

Sept 17, 2015 21:56:56 GMT -5 melohdy said:

Sept 17, 2015 21:51:04 GMT -5 oopsiedaisies said:

Milkies and this Avent version aren't like the medela shells. These are designed to save the milk for usage.

This. I don't wear them except for during feeding. I wear on the other side and it catches milk that leaks out from that side.

Can you grab these locally? (Target, ealmsrt, etc)?

[Laverne]

Sept 17, 2015 21:56:56 GMT -5 melohdy said:

Sept 17, 2015 21:51:04 GMT -5 oopsiedaisies said:

Milkies and this Avent version aren't like the medela shells. These are designed to save the milk for usage.

This. I don't wear them except for during feeding. I wear on the other side and it catches milk that leaks out from that side.

awww! I.Need.

[melohdy]

Sept 18, 2015 1:41:08 GMT -5 packmomma said:

Sept 17, 2015 21:56:56 GMT -5 melohdy said:

This. I don't wear them except for during feeding. I wear on the other side and it catches milk that leaks out from that side.

Can you grab these locally? (Target, ealmsrt, etc)?

Target probably. I got off Amazon.

[thewop]

Anyone's little one still feeding every 1-1.5 hours? I feel like he only cluster feeds. He's 5 weeks and I'm tired frustrated and just want to be done. He gained 2lbs in two weeks so you would think he could go more than an hour without wanting to eat. He has a perpetual wet diaper and poops at least once a day so he must be getting enough right? He acts hungry all.the.time.

I feel guilty, like really guilty but I am considering going the EP route. I did it with my DD and I feel like once I did I was so much happier. I thought EBF would be magical but....it's just not for me. How do I get over my guilt? I feel like I'm letting the world down by not loving BFing. I was relieved with my DD when I dried up and was exclusively formula after I went back to work. But now I feel like if I do that I failed. Why is it so hard. Feeling down today. I needed to vent.

[bcmomsaysso]

Sept 18, 2015 8:34:03 GMT -5 thewop said:

Anyone's little one still feeding every 1-1.5 hours? I feel like he only cluster feeds. He's 5 weeks and I'm tired frustrated and just want to be done. He gained 2lbs in two weeks so you would think he could go more than an hour without wanting to eat. He has a perpetual wet diaper and poops at least once a day so he must be getting enough right? He acts hungry all.the.time.

I feel guilty, like really guilty but I am considering going the EP route. I did it with my DD and I feel like once I did I was so much happier. I thought EBF would be magical but....it's just not for me. How do I get over my guilt? I feel like I'm letting the world down by not loving BFing. I was relieved with my DD when I dried up and was exclusively formula after I went back to work. But now I feel like if I do that I failed. Why is it so hard. Feeling down today. I needed to vent.

Do what you need to do mama! As long as baby eats and you are both happy, then you are doing the right thing!

Have you talked to an LC? Maybe try to encourage him to nurse longer each feed so he lasts longer in between? And massage the boob while he eats. He might be snacking and comfort sucking but not really getting "full" each time. So he's still getting enough, but it's all spread out.

[bcmomsaysso]

And my LO still eats every 1.5- 2 hours during the day but she only wakes up every 4-6 hours at night.

[esgrunner]

Does anyone feel like they are losing weight too quickly? I lost 4 lbs since Sunday, way more than the recommended 1-2 lbs per week while BFing. Since I am struggling with milk production, I wonder if that is contributing. Anyone else in the same boat?

[melohdy]

Sept 18, 2015 8:34:03 GMT -5 thewop said:

Anyone's little one still feeding every 1-1.5 hours? I feel like he only cluster feeds. He's 5 weeks and I'm tired frustrated and just want to be done. He gained 2lbs in two weeks so you would think he could go more than an hour without wanting to eat. He has a perpetual wet diaper and poops at least once a day so he must be getting enough right? He acts hungry all.the.time.

I feel guilty, like really guilty but I am considering going the EP route. I did it with my DD and I feel like once I did I was so much happier. I thought EBF would be magical but....it's just not for me. How do I get over my guilt? I feel like I'm letting the world down by not loving BFing. I was relieved with my DD when I dried up and was exclusively formula after I went back to work. But now I feel like if I do that I failed. Why is it so hard. Feeling down today. I needed to vent.

During the day, Delilah eats anywhere from 1-2 hours. She's 5 weeks as well. I think is partially her growing and partially me not having the skills to sooth her otherwise.

[Laverne]

Sept 18, 2015 12:57:27 GMT -5 esgrunner said:

Does anyone feel like they are losing weight too quickly? I lost 4 lbs since Sunday, way more than the recommended 1-2 lbs per week while BFing. Since I am struggling with milk production, I wonder if that is contributing. Anyone else in the same boat?

yes but not complaining. I gained too much, i just worry ut is coming from muscle or bone and not fat,that we would suck!

[hopefulreturn]

Sept 18, 2015 8:34:03 GMT -5 thewop said:

Anyone's little one still feeding every 1-1.5 hours? I feel like he only cluster feeds. He's 5 weeks and I'm tired frustrated and just want to be done. He gained 2lbs in two weeks so you would think he could go more than an hour without wanting to eat. He has a perpetual wet diaper and poops at least once a day so he must be getting enough right? He acts hungry all.the.time.

I feel guilty, like really guilty but I am considering going the EP route. I did it with my DD and I feel like once I did I was so much happier. I thought EBF would be magical but....it's just not for me. How do I get over my guilt? I feel like I'm letting the world down by not loving BFing. I was relieved with my DD when I dried up and was exclusively formula after I went back to work. But now I feel like if I do that I failed. Why is it so hard. Feeling down today. I needed to vent.

Hug! And YES!

I feel so incredibly guilty for not loving breastfeeding. It is been so stressful. But then of course at the suggestion from an LC that I think of only pumping, I cried and didn't want to! Such a mind game.

My girl is also eating about every hour and a half during the day. i'm eager to stretch it out but I'm letting her decide when. Some days we will have a 2 to 3 hour stretch so I'm hoping it'll be a norm in the future! Luckily she is giving a 4-6 hour stretch at night.

[astheria]

I've started keeping track of E's eating habits on the similac app (it is free and has monitors for breast feeding and pumping including a "which side did you start on" indicator). ATM he's eating about every 2.5-3 hours at 4 weeks and 5 days old. Sometimes he goes longer (he went five hours between this morning, but only slept for about 2 3/4 hours in between, sigh mommy needs sleep).

[Laverne]

At what age should i stop waking him for a feed? Currently its every 3 hours during the day. And i do not wake him between 9&9

[DSHM13]

Sept 18, 2015 12:57:27 GMT -5 esgrunner said:

Does anyone feel like they are losing weight too quickly? I lost 4 lbs since Sunday, way more than the recommended 1-2 lbs per week while BFing. Since I am struggling with milk production, I wonder if that is contributing. Anyone else in the same boat?

I was up 24lbs when I delivered and now I'm only up 3lbs. Aurelia will be 2 weeks tomorrow. I'm not sure if that is good or bad.

[esgrunner]

Sept 18, 2015 13:58:36 GMT -5 hopefulreturn said:

Sept 18, 2015 8:34:03 GMT -5 thewop said:

Anyone's little one still feeding every 1-1.5 hours? I feel like he only cluster feeds. He's 5 weeks and I'm tired frustrated and just want to be done. He gained 2lbs in two weeks so you would think he could go more than an hour without wanting to eat. He has a perpetual wet diaper and poops at least once a day so he must be getting enough right? He acts hungry all.the.time.

I feel guilty, like really guilty but I am considering going the EP route. I did it with my DD and I feel like once I did I was so much happier. I thought EBF would be magical but....it's just not for me. How do I get over my guilt? I feel like I'm letting the world down by not loving BFing. I was relieved with my DD when I dried up and was exclusively formula after I went back to work. But now I feel like if I do that I failed. Why is it so hard. Feeling down today. I needed to vent.

Hug! And YES!

I feel so incredibly guilty for not loving breastfeeding. It is been so stressful. But then of course at the suggestion from an LC that I think of only pumping, I cried and didn't want to! Such a mind game.

My girl is also eating about every hour and a half during the day. i'm eager to stretch it out but I'm letting her decide when. Some days we will have a 2 to 3 hour stretch so I'm hoping it'll be a norm in the future! Luckily she is giving a 4-6 hour stretch at night.

I could have written this word for word (except the part about EP but I have thought about it). 
Plus, I feel guilty for not having enjoyed my maternity leave like I thought I would. This is really hard.

How much does your LO weigh now, hopefulreturn? My guy is still not 9 lb yet, but I'm hoping as he gets bigger those stretches get a little teeny tiny bit longer. Like, to be able to go 2 hours in between during the day (consistently) would be awesome. We haven't let him go any more than about 3.5 hours in the night yet, but I see that happening in our not-too-distant future.