What issues are you having? I'm sure there are many STM's here that could offer up advice!
I dealt with oversupply for a while last time.
I was probably going to post on the breast feeding forum today.
I am just producing a ton of milk. At least 12—16oz pumped everyday beyond what she nurses. If I don't pump I leak like crazy and omg the pain. But I already have 30 oz in the freezer so how do I stop producing so much. I know pumping stimulates supply. I just feel like I am in a cycle. And I still have to syringe supplement due to the jaundice (although I personally think we don't need to at this point) . I am also suspicious that my supply is causing over active let down and making it difficult for her initially. A guard had helped but she doesn't nurse well with out it...
I could pump more but that fills the containers in 10 minutes so I stop. I have not done a weighed feeding but if I pump right after there is usually an ounce difference so I am guessing that is pretty close to what she is eating.
I am OK with the shield although it is a pain, I just am trying to figure out if I am doing it because it is easier for me or best for dd. Kwim? I started it when she was still lethargic from jaundice and it made a drastic difference, and if I try not to use it it's still hugely different but is that because she has learned to have the shield?
I should probably make another thread for all of this lol.
The "famous" AmyG will likely show up at some point to help us with BF. Not sure what her screename is on here or if you can tag her but I saw her on some other boards helping out.
The "famous" AmyG will likely show up at some point to help us with BF. Not sure what her screename is on here or if you can tag her but I saw her on some other boards helping out.
The "famous" AmyG will likely show up at some point to help us with BF. Not sure what her screename is on here or if you can tag her but I saw her on some other boards helping out.
I have lurked on BF mom's and think she is the same over here. I still may post over there. If my MIL wasn't here and I didn't feel the need to be social I probably already would have posted there.
I was probably going to post on the breast feeding forum today.
I am just producing a ton of milk. At least 12—16oz pumped everyday beyond what she nurses. If I don't pump I leak like crazy and omg the pain. But I already have 30 oz in the freezer so how do I stop producing so much. I know pumping stimulates supply. I just feel like I am in a cycle. And I still have to syringe supplement due to the jaundice (although I personally think we don't need to at this point) . I am also suspicious that my supply is causing over active let down and making it difficult for her initially. A guard had helped but she doesn't nurse well with out it...
If diaper counts are high and jaundice is passing you should be able to slowly back off on any syringe feeding. Just give a bit less each day and evaluate. Cking with dr for jaundice levels first.
For the pumping problem just slowly start to pump a bit less often going longer between pumps and start to pump less time/oz and leaving some milk behind. That remaining milk in the breast will signal your body to make a bit less milk to get it down to a reasonable amount so you don't have to pump
I could pump more but that fills the containers in 10 minutes so I stop. I have not done a weighed feeding but if I pump right after there is usually an ounce difference so I am guessing that is pretty close to what she is eating.
I am OK with the shield although it is a pain, I just am trying to figure out if I am doing it because it is easier for me or best for dd. Kwim? I started it when she was still lethargic from jaundice and it made a drastic difference, and if I try not to use it it's still hugely different but is that because she has learned to have the shield?
I should probably make another thread for all of this lol.
If you can pump that much you certainly need to back off on that or you'll totally drown the little one The difference in what you pump doesn't mean that's how much they got. It's likely they got much more. A weighted feed would be ideal. I'm on mobile so not sure how old we are talking here
Shields come with a lot of possible hazards and baggage. Try to go without for one feeding a day it part of a feeding and see what happens. Usually with the shield baby gets more milk faster and easier and nursing becomes easier for you too. So give it a try and see. Shields often interfere with baby getting enough milk so should always be used with weighted feedings to be sure baby can get enough milk.
@amyg thank you for coming over. DD is 11 days old. We go back to the Dr on Monday which will include a reeval for jaundice but everything has improved since we were rehospitalized for jaundice. She is not lethargic, she is eating well, is a pooping machine, she gained 3oz within 2days of leaving the hospital, and she is not nearly as yellow (I think I still see a hint of it in her eyes)
I pump 4 times a day and if I go 7hrs, like this morning, I seem to start leaking- a lot. So I am concerned about extending between pumping sessions. A question about pumping a shorter period, I was told you don't get hind milk unless they feed for 8min. Does that go for pumping too? If I pump shorter should I not save that milk since it doesn't have the fatty part of the milk? I know it still has a lot of good nutrients but if I planned on supplementing with bottles in the future I didn't know if that was a big deal.
I also do hope to supplement with bottles in the future. I trying to wait until we have established a good nursing routine etc so right now we are EBF.
About the shield. I have been skipping using it a few times a day, partially because I don't want to be dependent on it and also because it is an inconvenience to get. When we do she will latch and not suck for most of the time. I tickle her etc and she will suck for a min and then stop. I partially wonder if she is getting plenty just by latching because of my quick let down and isn't learning to suck because of that. (I seriously touch my boobs and they leak no matter when I last pumped). The LC at the hospital was great but she did mention me having shallow nipple and DD having a shallow latch. Which is actually why I got the shield in the first place because it seemed to be effecting her sucking and with the jaundice I didn't want to fall behind again and syringe supplementation stinks.
@amyg thank you for coming over. DD is 11 days old. We go back to the Dr on Monday which will include a reeval for jaundice but everything has improved since we were rehospitalized for jaundice. She is not lethargic, she is eating well, is a pooping machine, she gained 3oz within 2days of leaving the hospital, and she is not nearly as yellow (I think I still see a hint of it in her eyes)
I pump 4 times a day and if I go 7hrs, like this morning, I seem to start leaking- a lot. So I am concerned about extending between pumping sessions. A question about pumping a shorter period, I was told you don't get hind milk unless they feed for 8min. Does that go for pumping too? If I pump shorter should I not save that milk since it doesn't have the fatty part of the milk? I know it still has a lot of good nutrients but if I planned on supplementing with bottles in the future I didn't know if that was a big deal.
I also do hope to supplement with bottles in the future. I trying to wait until we have established a good nursing routine etc so right now we are EBF.
About the shield. I have been skipping using it a few times a day, partially because I don't want to be dependent on it and also because it is an inconvenience to get. When we do she will latch and not suck for most of the time. I tickle her etc and she will suck for a min and then stop. I partially wonder if she is getting plenty just by latching because of my quick let down and isn't learning to suck because of that. (I seriously touch my boobs and they leak no matter when I last pumped). The LC at the hospital was great but she did mention me having shallow nipple and DD having a shallow latch. Which is actually why I got the shield in the first place because it seemed to be effecting her sucking and with the jaundice I didn't want to fall behind again and syringe supplementation stinks.
There is no specific time to get hindmilk. Whoever told you that is wrong. Hindmilk is just that your body has made some milk and it sits there within the breast for a while waiting to be let down and the fat separates out and sticks to the walls of the ducts. As you nurse milk lets down and is ejected out with let down and as it flows the fat loosens and begins to enter the milk. There is no set time that this occurs and if you are nursing frequently the fat doesn't have much time to stick to the ducts. You can also use breast compressions and massage to help loosen the fat so it enters milk faster.
So as supply regulates and baby gets efficient they may get all the milk they need in 5 minutes with plenty of hindmilk. If too up and raise supply so much above what baby needs baby would have to nurse and take in way too many oz to get to the hindmilk as you are signaling your body to make more and more milk as you pump longer. So if you get 3-4 oz but an 11 day old may only need 1.5-2 oz baby wouldnt get the hindmilk either unless they overeat. So try to back off on the pumping so you don't get that supply too much ahead of baby's needs
If you pump keep all the milk! If baby is primarily nursing at the breast and you give them a bottle or two that may be a bit more or less hindmilk than normal they'll make up the difference by adjusting their nursing schedule the rest of the day. And at certain times of the day baby would naturally get more foremilk to quench their thirst so it's all good
Everything you say tells me that baby's getting all they need and clearing the jaundice just fine. Of course I can't tell how yellow she is from here so I won't say you are totally out of the woods and it's ok to stop with the supplement. You could go in to see an LC today or tomorrow for a check of how much milk she's getting and see if it's high enough LC feels you could stop supplementing. Talk to them about positioning and shield and latching.
If you have flatter nips and shallower latch try laid back nursing to see if that works for you. It uses gravity to help pull baby into a deeper latch. You can also pump just til let down to help nipple stand up more to help with latching. But engorgement can make nips look flat even if they normally aren't.
For jaundice to clear you need to see lots of poopy diapers so count and see how that is going.
I honestly have so many mixed emotions about the shield I will probably keep on using it for now. BF is frustrating enough as it is I don't think I could handle the struggles of latch etc that come with no shield. I will still try it once a day but so far the experience is awful.
If it's awful without the shield is it because it's painful? If so that's a sign of bad latch and a shield doesn't fix latch. It's just a protective layer that can help make nipple seem a bit longer for latching with flat nips. But with a bad latch on a shield it may mean baby may struggle to get enough milk. Right now as you say baby could just lay there and get milk sprayed into her mouth lol.
I really go think a visit with a lactation consultant could be very helpful to check up in these things while you are still in the beginning phase of it all.
Shields aren't all bad. They can be a useful tool. But should always be used with a visit or three with an ibclc lactation consultant to make sure they are doing their job correctly.
Post by hollydfromtn on Feb 5, 2015 12:26:22 GMT -5
aggiebug I feel like we are having the exact same issues. I was also given a shield at the hospital due to a shallow nipple and latch. I try to go without it but DS is still latching really shallow and then only getting about 2-3 good sucks before he pops off. We go through this about 5or6 times before I finally give up and put the shield back on. It's so frustrating. My LC have me a few tips but none of them seem to be working.
My let down is also super painful. I'm seriously jealous of anyone that gets the "warm fuzzy" feeling. The leakage is out of control too. I'm actually planning on ordering some Milkies today. I just hate wasting so much into a pad or burp cloth
Post by michelle142 on Feb 5, 2015 12:34:07 GMT -5
DS had a shallow latch at the beginning. I would tickle his chin to get him to open up big and wide, then basically sandwich my boob and shove as much in his mouth as possible. It was awkward at best, but it worked to get as much of the nipple and areola into his mouth as possible. After a few weeks, he would open wide and the boob sandwiching was unnecessary.
If it's awful without the shield is it because it's painful? If so that's a sign of bad latch and a shield doesn't fix latch. It's just a protective layer that can help make nipple seem a bit longer for latching with flat nips. But with a bad latch on a shield it may mean baby may struggle to get enough milk. Right now as you say baby could just lay there and get milk sprayed into her mouth lol.
I really go think a visit with a lactation consultant could be very helpful to check up in these things while you are still in the beginning phase of it all.
Shields aren't all bad. They can be a useful tool. But should always be used with a visit or three with an ibclc lactation consultant to make sure they are doing their job correctly.
The pain is getting better as her latch improves and I can tell it is. The frustration is keeping her latched without the shield. She sucks 2 or 3 times and then stops and will fall off sometimes right away sometimes after 5 min of just sitting there. She will inevitably get upset and it gets almost impossible to get her to latch again without the shield.
DS had a shallow latch at the beginning. I would tickle his chin to get him to open up big and wide, then basically sandwich my boob and shove as much in his mouth as possible. It was awkward at best, but it worked to get as much of the nipple and areola into his mouth as possible. After a few weeks, he would open wide and the boob sandwiching was unnecessary.
Yeah.... Tried that. I just can't get enough in her mouth and that was before I became engorged. She is opening wider but I am beginning to think my areola is too big for her mouth.
Post by toadandbuggie on Feb 5, 2015 12:43:20 GMT -5
I'm not sure I even feel a let down?
When he latches on, it's like a pinching pain that slowly goes away as he continues nursing but sometimes comes back if he pulls back and his latch becomes more shallow. At which point I unlatch him and relatch. Between feedings, sometimes I feel a stinging pain inside my breast.
At the hospital I used a nipple shield because the LC said he had a minor tongue tie. However, once I got home I stopped using the nipple shield because it was just easier and he has been fine - back up to his birth weight 3 days after leaving the hospital. I'm pretty sure he's still been gaining and he's had plenty of wet/soiled diapers.
My question is: is nursing supposed to be completely painless and are your boobs supposed to feel normal between nursing? Because I feel that immediate "ouch" sensation when he latches and my boobs are still extremely sore to the touch between feedings.
DS had a shallow latch at the beginning. I would tickle his chin to get him to open up big and wide, then basically sandwich my boob and shove as much in his mouth as possible. It was awkward at best, but it worked to get as much of the nipple and areola into his mouth as possible. After a few weeks, he would open wide and the boob sandwiching was unnecessary.
Yeah.... Tried that. I just can't get enough in her mouth and that was before I became engorged. She is opening wider but I am beginning to think my areola is too big for her mouth.
Can you hand express just a little (to reduce engorgement) before latching?
When he latches on, it's like a pinching pain that slowly goes away as he continues nursing but sometimes comes back if he pulls back and his latch becomes more shallow. At which point I unlatch him and relatch. Between feedings, sometimes I feel a stinging pain inside my breast.
At the hospital I used a nipple shield because the LC said he had a minor tongue tie. However, once I got home I stopped using the nipple shield because it was just easier and he has been fine - back up to his birth weight 3 days after leaving the hospital. I'm pretty sure he's still been gaining and he's had plenty of wet/soiled diapers.
My question is: is nursing supposed to be completely painless and are your boobs supposed to feel normal between nursing? Because I feel that immediate "ouch" sensation when he latches and my boobs are still extremely sore to the touch between feedings.
In my experience, the first few weeks there was soreness between nursing sessions (and definitely during the initial latch). When you think about it, your nipples aren't used to being sucked on for hours in a single day, so there's bound to be an adjustment period. If there's still soreness after 2-4 weeks (between feedings), there's likely an ongoing latch issue.
Post by firelizard8367 on Feb 5, 2015 13:54:11 GMT -5
I had a consultant show me how to help with the large nipple issue. Just push inwards around the outside edge of the areola a few times, and the center becomes more prominent s9 they can latch easier. Also be sure to watch out for mastitis while backing off the pumping. I was walking a fine edge of that when trying to get my own supply issues under control.
When he latches on, it's like a pinching pain that slowly goes away as he continues nursing but sometimes comes back if he pulls back and his latch becomes more shallow. At which point I unlatch him and relatch. Between feedings, sometimes I feel a stinging pain inside my breast.
At the hospital I used a nipple shield because the LC said he had a minor tongue tie. However, once I got home I stopped using the nipple shield because it was just easier and he has been fine - back up to his birth weight 3 days after leaving the hospital. I'm pretty sure he's still been gaining and he's had plenty of wet/soiled diapers.
My question is: is nursing supposed to be completely painless and are your boobs supposed to feel normal between nursing? Because I feel that immediate "ouch" sensation when he latches and my boobs are still extremely sore to the touch between feedings.
In my experience, the first few weeks there was soreness between nursing sessions (and definitely during the initial latch). When you think about it, your nipples aren't used to being sucked on for hours in a single day, so there's bound to be an adjustment period. If there's still soreness after 2-4 weeks (between feedings), there's likely an ongoing latch issue.
I'm two weeks PP now so I'm hoping it will get better. He is also scheduled for a tongue tie removal procedure next week and I've been told that can impact comfort level.
It's amazing how many questions build up after you leave the hospital!
In my experience, the first few weeks there was soreness between nursing sessions (and definitely during the initial latch). When you think about it, your nipples aren't used to being sucked on for hours in a single day, so there's bound to be an adjustment period. If there's still soreness after 2-4 weeks (between feedings), there's likely an ongoing latch issue.
I'm two weeks PP now so I'm hoping it will get better. He is also scheduled for a tongue tie removal procedure next week and I've been told that can impact comfort level.
It's amazing how many questions build up after you leave the hospital!
DD2 has a slight tongue tie as well. I can't be sure if the pain is from that or general pain of having my nipples sucked on a lot. We are at day 9 so the pain is mostly gonebut she does have a shallow latch as well. So it only takes one time of a slip off and nipple grab to do a little damage. The MW was just here and she is back up to her birth weight so seems like it's all good.
GL with the proceedure! I've heard is very simple and straightforward.
I'm two weeks PP now so I'm hoping it will get better. He is also scheduled for a tongue tie removal procedure next week and I've been told that can impact comfort level.
It's amazing how many questions build up after you leave the hospital!
DD2 has a slight tongue tie as well. I can't be sure if the pain is from that or general pain of having my nipples sucked on a lot. We are at day 9 so the pain is mostly gonebut she does have a shallow latch as well. So it only takes one time of a slip off and nipple grab to do a little damage. The MW was just here and she is back up to her birth weight so seems like it's all good.
GL with the proceedure! I've heard is very simple and straightforward.
Thank you! It is pretty straightforward and only takes 5 minutes or so. They use a laser and it's painless for the LOs.
Post by boxerrrmama85 on Feb 5, 2015 16:15:56 GMT -5
Wow so much awesome info on here! I think I am going to set up an appt with the LC and figure out this pumping thing-- I am at a total loss of where to start, when to pump, and when to introduce a bottle/ pacifier? I have read kellymom and have tried to figure out how to build up my supply before I have to go back to work. Any advice would be great!
Wow so much awesome info on here! I think I am going to set up an appt with the LC and figure out this pumping thing-- I am at a total loss of where to start, when to pump, and when to introduce a bottle/ pacifier? I have read kellymom and have tried to figure out how to build up my supply before I have to go back to work. Any advice would be great!
To build up my back to work stash, I pumped every day immediately following our first nursing session of the morning. Supply is generally highest in the morning. I would nurse as usual, then pump both sides, usually getting about 6-9oz total to freeze. I started doing that when LO was about a month old.
Pacifier - this is a personal preference really. Most sources tell you not to introduce a paci until BFing is well established. Well, we intro'd one at 7 days old due to our sanity. We never had any problems with "nipple confusion", he took both just fine.
Bottle - again, personal preference. I had reached my witts end by about 2 weeks old. DS had a poor latch and was taking 60+ minutes to nurse each time, giving me only a 45-60 minute break between sessions. So we intro'd a bottle then. Lactation consultant recommended starting with a 1.5oz bottle and work up from there as LO aged. We ended up giving LO one bottle per day, while I pumped. I saved my sanity, and our BFing relationship.
Wow so much awesome info on here! I think I am going to set up an appt with the LC and figure out this pumping thing-- I am at a total loss of where to start, when to pump, and when to introduce a bottle/ pacifier? I have read kellymom and have tried to figure out how to build up my supply before I have to go back to work. Any advice would be great!
To build up my back to work stash, I pumped every day immediately following our first nursing session of the morning. Supply is generally highest in the morning. I would nurse as usual, then pump both sides, usually getting about 6-9oz total to freeze. I started doing that when LO was about a month old.
Pacifier - this is a personal preference really. Most sources tell you not to introduce a paci until BFing is well established. Well, we intro'd one at 7 days old due to our sanity. We never had any problems with "nipple confusion", he took both just fine.
Bottle - again, personal preference. I had reached my witts end by about 2 weeks old. DS had a poor latch and was taking 60+ minutes to nurse each time, giving me only a 45-60 minute break between sessions. So we intro'd a bottle then. Lactation consultant recommended starting with a 1.5oz bottle and work up from there as LO aged. We ended up giving LO one bottle per day, while I pumped. I saved my sanity, and our BFing relationship.
I am glad to hear this. We have marathon sessions with short breaks in between and it's about to make me crazy especially at night. And also with the pacifier, I think DD would sleep much better with a paci. I plan on talking with my pedi and the LC nurse in the office on Monday.
I missed some of these posts but looks like most have gotten pretty good answers. I'll stick my 2 cents in tomorrow morning to see if I can add or clarify anything. k? Hope everyone gets a little bit of sleep tonight.
We are on day 2 and he is not happy staying latched. He wants way less nipple in his mouth than what I need to keep from being sore. It's becoming a battle.
I don't have an outside baby yet, but I do lurk the breastfeeding boards (back on TB when I was still over there, and here on PB) and it looks like AmyG made a newborn question/check in thread over on BF. Just letting everyone know in case we need another resource as time goes by
Thank you! I am going to go check that out now! I didn't realize how much harder this was going to be without NICU induced supplementation like with DS.
Wow so much awesome info on here! I think I am going to set up an appt with the LC and figure out this pumping thing-- I am at a total loss of where to start, when to pump, and when to introduce a bottle/ pacifier? I have read kellymom and have tried to figure out how to build up my supply before I have to go back to work. Any advice would be great!
My pediatrician at the hospital said it was fine to use a pacifier starting whenever. Its helped a few times, getting LO to latch on...i'll get the pacifier in his mouth and he'll start to suck, then I switch on him.
We've also had some laching issues although they are getting much better. I'm using a nipple shield for now, and hoping my very flat nipples start perking up with the pumping and nursing. At the beginning it was really tough to even get him latched on with the shield, so thrilled that he is doing well with the shield so far. Later this week i'm going to hopefully go see another lactation consultant to see if we can start making progress ditching the shield.
Then Comes Family, LLC is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising
program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.