Post by darkbluesunday on Sept 29, 2015 4:56:51 GMT -5
I've never been so excited about poop! He's had 2 stools so far in the past several hours. I guess the pumping is working. Let's get that bilirubin out of there!
Post by Squishy622 on Sept 29, 2015 5:45:34 GMT -5
I hate football hold too @usernamesarehard. It's the only way we can tandem, blargh. I hope the LC is helpful.. if not (sometimes hospital LCs are subpar), maybe start looking for one to work with when you're discharged.
Post by leopardgurl831 on Sept 29, 2015 7:04:49 GMT -5
darkbluesunday, I had to pump and supplement with DS till he hit about 2 weeks. It worked!
@usernamesarehard, I also hate football hold. BF is hard at the beginning! You would think it would be easier since it's natural. Hope the LC can help.
That's what the nurse recommended I start with, and we both hated it. I just asked the night nurse to send in an LC asap this morning, so hopefully they will come in before he's hungry again.
Thanks for the suggestion though! I knew nursing would be hard at first, but damn.
We're not good at the football hold either and I totally agree on the BFing being natural but sometimes ridiculously difficult! I will agree with others that sometimes the hospital LCs are not stellar, so don't be afraid to ask your pedi for recommendations after you are released if you need extra help. We have our 2 week apptmt on Thursday and I really hope she's back up to her birthweight but I feel like my supply is already taking a hit and we are supplementing more than I'd like but I'm trying to find that happy medium between pushing the breastfeeding and making sure she's getting enough to make up for her preemie issues- UGH :-(
I hate football hold too @usernamesarehard. It's the only way we can tandem, blargh. I hope the LC is helpful.. if not (sometimes hospital LCs are subpar), maybe start looking for one to work with when you're discharged.
I still can't believe you do this with two babies! You are seriously such a rockstar.
Thanks buddy. A lot of my motivation comes from my miserable experience last time. I'm really tickled to actually have babies that will latch and eat and to have enough of a supply to at least feed them somewhat. I yearned so much for these things when DD1 was a newborn.
Post by darkbluesunday on Oct 1, 2015 7:28:58 GMT -5
The pediatrician had me go to a consultation with the lactation consultant yesterday. Luckily DS hadn't lost any more weight since our appointment on Monday, but he's still on the low side. We've been having issues getting him to poop and staying awake long enough to feed. So between all that and having jaundice, the dr. has been concerned. At the LC, we worked on our latching issues and made a plan for supplementation. Last night went really well, so hopefully we continue on so DS can gain some weight and get some energy!
Lucy is nursing 7-8 times a day for 20-30 minutes each time (combined both sides). It is difficult to keep her awake. I pump once a day or every other day once. Lucy definitely nurses less than her full term sister did. I'm a little worried about keeping my supply up (hence, the pumping).
Yay for a good appt with the LC, @usernamesarehard. Engorgement gets better with time. Mine only lasted a day or so this time. I think it was longer with my first. Letting warm water hit your boobs in the shower can provide some relief too.
Hey ladies, up feeding baby my first night with little J. He's doing so much better than DD did. His latch needs work but at least he's latching. My boobs are huge so that's good. He's also almost 2 lbs bigger than his sister was...
Anyone else having horrible cramping while bf-ing? Definitely worse than with DD. I ended up taking an oxy....
I had pretty bad cramping when I was in the hospital, but by day 3 it was completely gone. The cramping is good though and means your ute is shrinking back down-- thinking about it that way helped me get through. So sorry it's so bad. Hopefully it'll stop soon.
Same. And for about a week my bleeding was worse when I was BFing or pumping. It should ease up soon, hang in there!
I have to AW. It's been 24 hours since either of the girls have had formula. Also for the first time today we had multiple feedings where they didn't need to be topped up with a bottle afterwards. And I pumped more total today by far than I have in a day so far. So many wins!
I'm hoping this means we can start dropping pump sessions, I've been pumping 6-7x/day in addition to BFing both babies. Tired.
Obvious disclaimer: I am all for using formula and we've used a lot of it, but our goal was to be able to EBF and we're on our way!
TTMA engorgement. I've been icing my boobs and that has helped with the pain some, but only while the ice is on there. Anything else I can do? I assume pumping is a no go because it would cause over supply, right? And how long does this fun little phase last? On the bright side, my nipples don't even feel sore at all anymore in comparison.
Put cabbage leaves in your bra for a few days. I had to do that when my milk came in.
The cluster feeding has officially begun. Luckily I was gifted this magical twin BFing pillow that my mom's cousin saw on Shark Tank (so random). I used it for the first time today to tandem and it's the best thing ever.
At the pediatrician's appointment tomorrow I know they are going to discuss starting to wean off the nipple shields. This has me really nervous because she is doing so well breastfeeding right now with them and I am worried it will be a rough transition. Has anyone else gone through that already? Any tips?
Up to nurse and had to clean the worst meconium poop off of little man. I hate meconium and add balls to the mix, it's pretty brutal. It took so long to clean he peed all over my bed. Ai yi yi.
At the pediatrician's appointment tomorrow I know they are going to discuss starting to wean off the nipple shields. This has me really nervous because she is doing so well breastfeeding right now with them and I am worried it will be a rough transition. Has anyone else gone through that already? Any tips?
I spent about 2-3 weeks using the shield with DD1 and then I started with the shield and removed it a few minutes in to the feeding (long enough for the nipple to stretch out a bit) and DD really didn't notice. We had a few frustrating times when I tried to start cold turkey without it but it only lasted about a week and then we never went back. Just give it a try when ready and have it there if needed. Ultimately do what works for you and don't let anyone guilt you Mama!
So I am still hoping I get more breast milk. I should have given up by now probably but haven't. Looking for a little advice. Right now I am only putting him to breast once a day. Pumping a few times a day. Was pumping more but been kinda slacking. Do you think it would be better if I put him to breast every three hours and then top up with formula? When I pump at max I get 15-20ml so he would definitely need more. If I am feeding every three hours at breast he may not even get that much. My hope is that may bring more milk in. What do you ladies think??
So I am still hoping I get more breast milk. I should have given up by now probably but haven't. Looking for a little advice. Right now I am only putting him to breast once a day. Pumping a few times a day. Was pumping more but been kinda slacking. Do you think it would be better if I put him to breast every three hours and then top up with formula? When I pump at max I get 15-20ml so he would definitely need more. If I am feeding every three hours at breast he may not even get that much. My hope is that may bring more milk in. What do you ladies think??
The pump won't show your true milk production since baby is more efficient. If you're serious about giving it one last shot, it would probably be worthwhile to see an LC. I was attempting to nurse multiple times per day and was seeing milk flow but had no idea until we did a weighed feed that she was getting little to nothing. Once the LC sees how much milk baby is getting at the feeding, she can help you figure out the best plan. Mine was to solely focus on pumping right now to get my supply back up. The other suggestions for supply were oatmeal (or some sort of oats- lactation cookies, etc), Gatorade and a supplement called Motherlove More Milk. Also skin to skin as much as possible. Good luck Mama!
So I am still hoping I get more breast milk. I should have given up by now probably but haven't. Looking for a little advice. Right now I am only putting him to breast once a day. Pumping a few times a day. Was pumping more but been kinda slacking. Do you think it would be better if I put him to breast every three hours and then top up with formula? When I pump at max I get 15-20ml so he would definitely need more. If I am feeding every three hours at breast he may not even get that much. My hope is that may bring more milk in. What do you ladies think??
I would start with the breast and then top him off with formula. Are you doing anything extra to try to increase your supply? When I was EPing/breastfeeding I was drinking over a gallon of water a day, oatmeal for breakfast every morning, lactation cookies, fenugreek, mothers milk tea, and the best one of all, ICE CREAM. If you opt to pump instead of straight to breast then you will need to pump 8-10 times a day for 20-30 minutes a time to establish a good supply. Once your supply is steady you should be able to drop to 6-8 pumps a day.
I am taking fenugreek and blessed thistle. Also the prescription domperidone (spelling may be off). All of these were recommended by the LC at the hospital. I am going to see if I can get into the one at my family doctor. I was pumping 8 times a day but was getting such little amounts that I was getting frustrated. It didn't seem to matter if I did it 8 times or 4 times the total amount for the day was the same. Thanks for the advice I think I will make sure to put him to breast before I give him formula and then just pump after. I just really want to be able to breastfeed and it is frustrating.
Mother effer, my nipples! With one baby you can trade off sides but these poor things literally can't catch a break. I'm really scared my LC is going to recommend using a shield tomorrow when I see her.. I'm scared of using it because I don't want the stress of weaning them off.. but I guess if it helps me feel better..
I think my main problem is that they have crappy latches despite my best efforts because their mouths are so tiny. Is that possible? I'm hoping they'll grow out of the latch problem.
Mother effer, my nipples! With one baby you can trade off sides but these poor things literally can't catch a break. I'm really scared my LC is going to recommend using a shield tomorrow when I see her.. I'm scared of using it because I don't want the stress of weaning them off.. but I guess if it helps me feel better..
I think my main problem is that they have crappy latches despite my best efforts because their mouths are so tiny. Is that possible? I'm hoping they'll grow out of the latch problem.
Definitely possible to have a bad latch for all kinds of reasons including their mouth size (it was the first thing my LC looked for). I promise though that weaning off a nipple shield doesn't have to be a nightmare. It was pretty easy to do over a week or two for me and DD1.
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