The Hungry Thing - AKA the feeding thread

[SheilaTheTank]

This was one of my favorite books growing up and now I have my own hungry thing. Holy cluster feeding! Now that we have some outside babies and more on the way I wanted to create a safe space to ask questions, vent, and talk about your boobies or bottles. 

[SheilaTheTank]

My milk came in a few days ago and as I was getting dressed this was the conversation that occurred:

MH: Holy Cow! Look at your boobs! They're HUGE!!!! They're like those big things that float over the Superbowl.
Me: Blimps?
MH: Yeah that. They look like blimps. *flashes huge grin*
Me: Thanks...?

[awkwardturtle]

No baby yet but I did just eat some banana bread! So good

Is cluster feeding just when baby is extra hungry so you're feeding all the time? I've seen the term before. Guess I could google as well.

[isolemnlyswear]

Feb 29, 2016 9:44:50 GMT -5 awkwardturtle said:

No baby yet but I did just eat some banana bread! So good

Is cluster feeding just when baby is extra hungry so you're feeding all the time? I've seen the term before. Guess I could google as well.

Yes. Sometime they are on the boob for hours at a time. Or they eat and then like 45 mins later they are hungry again. And this trend will continue for hours.

[zombiesquad]

Oh my goodness! We had a cluster feeding session right before bed last night. He was literally on the boob for more than two hours. Any time I thought he was done and put him down, he started rooting again. My nipples were on fire and I was sure all of what he ate was just going to come back up. I actually broke down and cried because I thought it would never end. But he did great overnight so I just need to keep in mind these things are only temporary.

[awkwardturtle]

Feb 29, 2016 9:58:19 GMT -5 isolemnlyswear said:

Feb 29, 2016 9:44:50 GMT -5 awkwardturtle said:

No baby yet but I did just eat some banana bread! So good

Is cluster feeding just when baby is extra hungry so you're feeding all the time? I've seen the term before. Guess I could google as well.

Yes. Sometime they are on the boob for hours at a time. Or they eat and then like 45 mins later they are hungry again. And this trend will continue for hours.

great this sounds fun.

[isolemnlyswear]

Nursing is hard stuff. I just tried to keep in mind that everything is temporary. The nipple pain is temporary, engorged boobs are temporary, even cluster feeding is temporary.

But yes, lots of tears were shed while bfing.

[peachesncream]

All the hugs and commiseration to you knowing that this will be me in a few weeks. I will never forget the nights of nursing nonstop from 6 pm until 4 am. It is so lonely and isolating and HARD!! You are doing a great job, mommas. Beef up that Netflix queue, load some stupid games on your phone, buy a few books, and know that there is nothing wrong with planting your ass for hours with a baby on your boob. Make your SOs wait on you!

[SheilaTheTank]

Forgive me while I spam. First time back on the computer since the baby was born.

I've been EP since this past Thursday until I can have my boobs re-calibrated by the lactation consultant on Wednesday. Originally she wanted me to pump every 2 hours, but i found that after setup, pumping, and breakdown that was almost impossible so I pushed it to 3 hours. That worked for a day and then I started having oversupply so now I pump every 4 hours. Even then I have like 12oz in the fridge and am still producing. I'm worried I'll have so much oversupply that reestablishing breastfeeding will be difficult. Anyone have any experience with this/advice? Should I push it off another hour, decrease my session time, or just keep building a stash?

[SheilaTheTank]

Feb 29, 2016 9:58:19 GMT -5 isolemnlyswear said:

Feb 29, 2016 9:44:50 GMT -5 awkwardturtle said:

No baby yet but I did just eat some banana bread! So good

Is cluster feeding just when baby is extra hungry so you're feeding all the time? I've seen the term before. Guess I could google as well.

Yes. Sometime they are on the boob for hours at a time. Or they eat and then like 45 mins later they are hungry again. And this trend will continue for hours.

Try 10-15 minutes later. Oy!

[peachesncream]

Feb 29, 2016 10:20:37 GMT -5 SheilaTheTank said:

Forgive me while I spam. First time back on the computer since the baby was born.

I've been EP since this past Thursday until I can have my boobs re-calibrated by the lactation consultant on Wednesday. Originally she wanted me to pump every 2 hours, but i found that after setup, pumping, and breakdown that was almost impossible so I pushed it to 3 hours. That worked for a day and then I started having oversupply so now I pump every 4 hours. Even then I have like 12oz in the fridge and am still producing. I'm worried I'll have so much oversupply that reestablishing breastfeeding will be difficult. Anyone have any experience with this/advice? Should I push it off another hour, decrease my session time, or just keep building a stash?

If you don't want to wash your pump parts after every pump you can store them fully assembled in your fridge and wash every 12 hours or so (I know you are talking about pumping less frequently but still a good hack tip!).  It might be worth talking to a lactation consultant, I have no advice on pumping or oversupply.  Paging carissa325 for help as I remember she EPed last time!

[SheilaTheTank]

Feb 29, 2016 10:25:29 GMT -5 peachesncream said:

Feb 29, 2016 10:20:37 GMT -5 SheilaTheTank said:

Forgive me while I spam. First time back on the computer since the baby was born.

I've been EP since this past Thursday until I can have my boobs re-calibrated by the lactation consultant on Wednesday. Originally she wanted me to pump every 2 hours, but i found that after setup, pumping, and breakdown that was almost impossible so I pushed it to 3 hours. That worked for a day and then I started having oversupply so now I pump every 4 hours. Even then I have like 12oz in the fridge and am still producing. I'm worried I'll have so much oversupply that reestablishing breastfeeding will be difficult. Anyone have any experience with this/advice? Should I push it off another hour, decrease my session time, or just keep building a stash?

If you don't want to wash your pump parts after every pump you can store them fully assembled in your fridge and wash every 12 hours or so (I know you are talking about pumping less frequently but still a good hack tip!).  It might be worth talking to a lactation consultant, I have no advice on pumping or oversupply.  Paging carissa325 for help as I remember she EPed last time!

I keep them in tupperware in the fridge. It does help in cutting down on setup time. I also make sure I have everything setup and ready to go before going to bed. This way I dont have to fiddle with it MOTN. 

[peachesncream]

Feb 29, 2016 10:30:11 GMT -5 SheilaTheTank said:

Feb 29, 2016 10:25:29 GMT -5 peachesncream said:

If you don't want to wash your pump parts after every pump you can store them fully assembled in your fridge and wash every 12 hours or so (I know you are talking about pumping less frequently but still a good hack tip!).  It might be worth talking to a lactation consultant, I have no advice on pumping or oversupply.  Paging carissa325 for help as I remember she EPed last time!

I keep them in tupperware in the fridge. It does help in cutting down on setup time. I also make sure I have everything setup and ready to go before going to bed. This way I dont have to fiddle with it MOTN. 

Look at you, you are already an expert!!  Awesome job!

[halfahippy]

Feb 29, 2016 10:20:37 GMT -5 SheilaTheTank said:

Forgive me while I spam. First time back on the computer since the baby was born.

I've been EP since this past Thursday until I can have my boobs re-calibrated by the lactation consultant on Wednesday. Originally she wanted me to pump every 2 hours, but i found that after setup, pumping, and breakdown that was almost impossible so I pushed it to 3 hours. That worked for a day and then I started having oversupply so now I pump every 4 hours. Even then I have like 12oz in the fridge and am still producing. I'm worried I'll have so much oversupply that reestablishing breastfeeding will be difficult. Anyone have any experience with this/advice? Should I push it off another hour, decrease my session time, or just keep building a stash?

It could be because when your milk comes in and you get super engorged your body has to figure out exactly how much it needs to be making. Even if you weren't EP'ing you would probably start out with an oversupply and your boobs would have to figure things out for a few days. If it were me, I would keep pumping every 3 hours if possible, maybe give yourself a 4 hour stretch at night if the baby lets you sleep until you can see the LC on Wednesday.

[peachesncream]

I just learned from stalking February 16 that there is a BFing board and there is also an EP spin-off board, they might be able to help too! But don't ever be afraid to go to a BFing support group or call up a LC - that is one of my big regrets with DD.

[sunshineshades]

Feb 29, 2016 10:20:37 GMT -5 SheilaTheTank said:

Forgive me while I spam. First time back on the computer since the baby was born.

I've been EP since this past Thursday until I can have my boobs re-calibrated by the lactation consultant on Wednesday. Originally she wanted me to pump every 2 hours, but i found that after setup, pumping, and breakdown that was almost impossible so I pushed it to 3 hours. That worked for a day and then I started having oversupply so now I pump every 4 hours. Even then I have like 12oz in the fridge and am still producing. I'm worried I'll have so much oversupply that reestablishing breastfeeding will be difficult. Anyone have any experience with this/advice? Should I push it off another hour, decrease my session time, or just keep building a stash?

How long are you pumping for? Could you decrease that time? I'd probably try to do the 3 hours as well because if you are hoping to switch to bf likely lo will want to nurse every 3 hours during the day. But honestly I don't know much about pumping. I know when I started my body got all confused because with nicu time I went from just pumping for 24 hours - bf&pumping for 24 hours- just bf for 24 hours - bf &pumping another 24 hours and finally all bfing. By the time we got home at 5 days old I think my boobs were super confused but figured it out within a few days.

[SheilaTheTank]

Ok so I think I'm going to reduce the time I'm pumping for and slowly increase back to every 3 hours.

[SheilaTheTank]

So while googling solutions on fixing pinched nipples while breastfeeding, I came across a La Leche League forum and now I want to punch someone in the face.

[isolemnlyswear]

Feb 29, 2016 12:05:19 GMT -5 SheilaTheTank said:

So while googling solutions on fixing pinched nipples while breastfeeding, I came across a La Leche League forum and now I want to punch someone in the face.

Those can be pretty intense...

[SheilaTheTank]

Feb 29, 2016 12:29:11 GMT -5 TheCoffeeNinja said:

Feb 29, 2016 12:05:19 GMT -5 SheilaTheTank said:

So while googling solutions on fixing pinched nipples while breastfeeding, I came across a La Leche League forum and now I want to punch someone in the face.

LLL people scare me. Just back out slowly and don't make eye contact.

They're really hardcore and have a major superiority complex from what little I've read.

[carissa325]

Feb 29, 2016 10:25:29 GMT -5 peachesncream said:

Feb 29, 2016 10:20:37 GMT -5 SheilaTheTank said:

Forgive me while I spam. First time back on the computer since the baby was born.

I've been EP since this past Thursday until I can have my boobs re-calibrated by the lactation consultant on Wednesday. Originally she wanted me to pump every 2 hours, but i found that after setup, pumping, and breakdown that was almost impossible so I pushed it to 3 hours. That worked for a day and then I started having oversupply so now I pump every 4 hours. Even then I have like 12oz in the fridge and am still producing. I'm worried I'll have so much oversupply that reestablishing breastfeeding will be difficult. Anyone have any experience with this/advice? Should I push it off another hour, decrease my session time, or just keep building a stash?

If you don't want to wash your pump parts after every pump you can store them fully assembled in your fridge and wash every 12 hours or so (I know you are talking about pumping less frequently but still a good hack tip!).  It might be worth talking to a lactation consultant, I have no advice on pumping or oversupply.  Paging carissa325 for help as I remember she EPed last time!

I would definitely keep pumping however often baby is eating. If you really do have an oversupply, stop pumping a minute or two earlier than you have been. You don't want to decrease too much too fast or you risk plugged ducts.

[jewel441]

Feb 29, 2016 12:33:51 GMT -5 SheilaTheTank said:

Feb 29, 2016 12:29:11 GMT -5 TheCoffeeNinja said:

LLL people scare me. Just back out slowly and don't make eye contact.

They're really hardcore and have a major superiority complex from what little I've read.

I am about as pro boob as you can get (without actually having BF before) but I found their book incredibly judgmental and it def scared me off the group a bit.

[SheilaTheTank]

Feb 29, 2016 13:53:35 GMT -5 jewel441 said:

Feb 29, 2016 12:33:51 GMT -5 SheilaTheTank said:

They're really hardcore and have a major superiority complex from what little I've read.

I am about as pro boob as you can get (without actually having BF before) but I found their book incredibly judgmental and it def scared me off the group a bit.

They have a book? Good god!

[jewel441]

Feb 29, 2016 14:01:53 GMT -5 SheilaTheTank said:

Feb 29, 2016 13:53:35 GMT -5 jewel441 said:

I am about as pro boob as you can get (without actually having BF before) but I found their book incredibly judgmental and it def scared me off the group a bit.

They have a book? Good god!

The womanly art of breastfeeding. I wanted a practical how to, not a judgement fest.

[Deleted]

Feb 29, 2016 14:01:53 GMT -5 SheilaTheTank said:

Feb 29, 2016 13:53:35 GMT -5 jewel441 said:

I am about as pro boob as you can get (without actually having BF before) but I found their book incredibly judgmental and it def scared me off the group a bit.

They have a book? Good god!

There's a site that's referred on these boards a lot - but the name escapes me... It's a lady's name I think? That's supposed to be super helpful for BFing... Anyone know what I'm talking about? I'll try to track it down...

[michelleca]

Feb 29, 2016 14:10:04 GMT -5 @pugsandwine said:

Feb 29, 2016 14:01:53 GMT -5 SheilaTheTank said:

They have a book? Good god!

There's a site that's referred on these boards a lot - but the name escapes me... It's a lady's name I think? That's supposed to be super helpful for BFing... Anyone know what I'm talking about? I'll try to track it down...

kellymom.com! 

[rachelilly23]

Feb 29, 2016 14:28:58 GMT -5 michelleca said:

Feb 29, 2016 14:10:04 GMT -5 @pugsandwine said:

There's a site that's referred on these boards a lot - but the name escapes me... It's a lady's name I think? That's supposed to be super helpful for BFing... Anyone know what I'm talking about? I'll try to track it down...

kellymom.com! 

Kellymom.com is the best!

[megrae12]

So, we were released from the hospital yesterday. Baby boy did great in the hospital BFing for a 35 weeker. Started yesterday evening and into today, he is disgusted by my boob. He will not latch, if he does, he doesn't stay or only stays on for like 45 seconds. I had a major breakdown last night and i die a little every time he spits me out and screams. Now im EP and it sucks.

[awkwardturtle]

Feb 29, 2016 22:44:54 GMT -5 megrae12 said:

So, we were released from the hospital yesterday. Baby boy did great in the hospital BFing for a 35 weeker. Started yesterday evening and into today, he is disgusted by my boob. He will not latch, if he does, he doesn't stay or only stays on for like 45 seconds. I had a major breakdown last night and i die a little every time he spits me out and screams. Now im EP and it sucks.

sorry you're having trouble. No advice. Just (hugs).

[JukEboXtheTanK]

I am quite impressed with how she is making a stash. Meanwhile DD is eating every hour or so today and I can't believe she hasn't passed out from being tired. She is really paying for it now :/