https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 16 Apr 2026 00:24:32 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-help-desperately-neededlong#post-200806 Mon, 25 Jun 2012 07:50:37 +0000 JoJoGirl 200806@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My "what do I know" disclaimer: I'm TTC with #1 so have never dealth with this myself. However, my closest friend has been through this twice and the ONLY way she could keep hers awake was with a bag of frozen vegetables nearby tapped *lightly* on baby's foot or back every couple of minutes to wake him up (he'd sleep through the wet washcloth and jostling). Her LC recommended this cause the kids would both snooze as soon as they latched on. I remember watching her just lightly touch the baby to wake him up with the cold pack and it worked like a charm. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-help-desperately-neededlong#post-200746 Mon, 25 Jun 2012 00:34:32 +0000 brownie 200746@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LouLouBelle: one way we would wake our little guy was to change his diaper. Does she stay asleep if you unlatch her? I definitely agree with a minimum time off. She is old enough not to snack but may need more frequent feedings than when she got the bottle. Good luck. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-help-desperately-neededlong#post-200744 Mon, 25 Jun 2012 00:16:05 +0000 lemondrop 200744@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We had the falling asleep problem too for a while- I literally would jostle him every 30 seconds to get him to nurse, cheering him on "ok, buddy, keep eating!". Most feedings we stripped him to his diaper to keep him awake. My LC recommended dripping cool water drops occasionally if he got really sleepy. </p> <p>Remember to trust yourself- it may be your first time doing this, but you do have instincts as a mother. You are doing a great job, and it takes time, but it does get easier. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-help-desperately-neededlong#post-200661 Sun, 24 Jun 2012 20:08:09 +0000 LouLouBelle 200661@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@winniebee yes, I saw that post and felt like I knew exactly where you were coming from. So many tears, such stress and frustration. I hope it gets better for you, too. I admire your determination.! Every time we had a bad day, DD reminds me in some way or another that it is all worth it. </p> <p>@jennylynn thanks..it does feel like we are at least making some progress! Once we started mostly pumping and bottling at 7 weeks, my supply slowed down...6 or 7 oz after nursing first thing in the am and only 3 before bed at night. I was aiming to produce between 25 and 30 oz a day since that's what she would eventually end up taking, and I usually hit that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-help-desperately-neededlong#post-200648 Sun, 24 Jun 2012 19:44:56 +0000 jennylynn 200648@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Wow! First of all, major kuddos to you for sticking it out!!! We struggled for the first few weeks with latch and weaning from the shield, and I know how trying that was for me for such a short amount of time, so you are one dedicated momma! :)</p> <p>I'm no breastfeeding expert by any means, but it sounds to me like you are definitely heading in the right direction and making some progress. I have an 11 week old who is breastfed, and she has about 1-2 poopy diapers a day, and probably about 4-7 pee diapers a day. Our ped. told us that is pretty average for a BF baby, and is a sign that she is getting enough to eat. If she wasn't eating enough, you would start to notice a decrease in diapers, as well as an increase in fussiness. Our LO eats around every 2-3 hours on the days I am home from work and able to EBF, sometimes more often during a growth spurt. On the days I work and she is given a bottle of pumped breast milk, she eats less frequently because babies usually will eat more when bottle fed because it's easier to get the milk. </p> <p>Are you certain she's truly hungry everytime you put her to your breast or is it possible she's just comfort nursing and snacking? My LO likes to comfort nurse sometimes, particularly when she's sleepy. If she's just recently eaten, I try to rock her and get her to sleep first, and if she continues to fuss, then I feed her. I found that a lot of times she just wants to nipple to put herself to sleep, and doesn't really get a good feed. Perhaps that is what your LO is doing, so she always has enough in her tummy to where she doesn't ever really need to take a whole big feeding, and instead is constantly snacking through out the day? Just a thought, like I said, I'm no expert! :)</p> <p>And it sounds like you have a great supply established. How much are you getting when you pump in the morning and at night?</p> <p>Good luck and I hope breastfeeding continues to become easier for you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-help-desperately-neededlong#post-200647 Sun, 24 Jun 2012 19:41:57 +0000 LouLouBelle 200647@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@thehistoryfus thanks, that is a good idea. I thought I should be feeding in demand but perhaps that's rewarding her snacking...maybe I will try to get her to two hours even if she cries? Hopefully she will start to understand that she needs to eat until she is full. </p> <p>@winniebee, yes, I have a call to a LC to have that done this week! I just am scared that she is dropping weight in the meantime! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-help-desperately-neededlong#post-200646 Sun, 24 Jun 2012 19:41:12 +0000 T.H.O.U. 200646@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, you can totally go by diapers alone to know that she's getting enough! Trust your body and your baby! Unless she's really upset/screaming/etc or not having enough wet/dirty diapers, she's getting enough. The worst is when there is a growth spurt and it takes a few days for your supply to catch up, but again, as long as you are nursing on demand it will work out! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-help-desperately-neededlong#post-200645 Sun, 24 Jun 2012 19:38:11 +0000 LouLouBelle 200645@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks for the advice...I guess i should be looking at this like we are just getting started and have to go through the crazy 24/7 nursing that most people do with newborns..but she is almost 3 mos old and we were in such a routine, which included sleeping through the night since five weeks, so this is totally frustrating! Hopefully she will get the hang of this soon and we will get back to normal!</p> <p>Don't want t give her bottles yet because if I do, I have to pump, because she will take so much more from the bottle than breast. and I don't want her to refuse nursing because she loves the bottle so much, which she used to do. I fully intend to give her bottles again if/when we establish healthy breastfeeding patterns, but I want her to learn how to work for her meal and eat enough to get full. </p> <p>And, we have tried EVERYTHiNG to try to keep her awake. Talking, singing, tickling, jostling boob, rubbing cold wash cloth, etc. She just can't stay awake. And therefore she doesn't eat enough, so she isn't always satisfied between feedings. </p> <p>Can I really go by the diapers alone to know if she is eating enough?? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-help-desperately-neededlong#post-200644 Sun, 24 Jun 2012 19:35:42 +0000 winniebee 200644@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>First, I'm so sorry for your troubles! I posted a similarly long BF problem the other day. </p> <p>Second, there are LCs that provide a service where they will weigh your LO before a feeding and then after so that you can tell how much they've taken from a feeding - and it's supposed to be accurate down to a teaspoon. Perhaps that would give you some peace of mind re: how much she is getting? I'm considering doing one of these this week. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-help-desperately-neededlong#post-200641 Sun, 24 Jun 2012 19:32:19 +0000 T.H.O.U. 200641@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Kudos to you for all your hard work! </p> <p>I agree, if you can, try to just let her nurse as often as she wants and watch her dirty diaper output. If you are feeding on demand there shouldn't be a reason you would dry up. </p> <p>To try to keep her awake, we were told to undress her if needed, tickle the toes, and even use a wet washcloth to keep them awake. We also would set a 2 hour timer and try to push her as close to that 2 hour mark between feedings. Sometimes we would give in and feed earlier but I think it helped her to learn to stretch feedings and not snack. If you are worried about sleeping at night, why not nurse and then offer a bottle? What your saying doesn't sound too abnormal so I wouldn't worry too much. Also, around 4-6 months they should become much more efficient at nursing so that should help some too! </p> <p>Best of luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-help-desperately-neededlong#post-200639 Sun, 24 Jun 2012 19:28:24 +0000 chopsuey 200639@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My LO was the same way the first few weeks of her life. I didn't get my milk in completely (or she wasn't an efficient nurser) for a good 2-2.5 months pp.<br /> During the early weeks I had LO at my boob 24/7. She was jaundiced and I was exhausted so I would nurse 15-20 mins each side and give her 2 ounces of formula. Once my milk came in I gave her a bottle of pumped milk first and then nursed her. She usually would fall asleep nursing after a few minutes. She was satiated and would sleep for 2-3 hours though! And she did her first stretch of 6 hours at night when she was 6 weeks old!</p> <p>Is there a reason you don't want to give her bottles? My LO went on a bottle strike when she was 2.5 months old because we took a trip for a few days, my milk came in completely, and I nursed her for 4 days straight. When we got home she refused the bottle .. her strike just recently ended.. and she's almost 15 months old! The strike lasted a complete year. And it was exhausting having to nurse every 3-4 hours without a break! I couldn't leave her for long and DH couldn't help with feedings because I could only nurse her. </p> <p>I'm pregnant with #2 and I'm totally going to pump and give my baby bottles. I don't think I can chase after a toddler and nurse exclusively. So the plan is to bottle feed duirng the day and nurse at night. </p> <p>Okay so back to you... I'm not sure what you can do, but can you try to keep your LO awake? poke her cheek, tickle her feet so she stays up long enough to eat more?</p> <p>My LO just woke up crying so I need to get her.. srry I couldn't be more help! </p> <p>Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-help-desperately-neededlong#post-200638 Sun, 24 Jun 2012 19:27:44 +0000 erwoo 200638@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Since you're trying out nursing exclusively I would recommend to keep on doing it and don't give up. It's SO hard to tell if your baby is getting enough but as long as she's getting the normal amount of wet and poopy diaper then you are fine. And she is satisfied after a nursing session. </p> <p>Breastfeeding for the first time was soooo hard for me as well with my first son (now 3). I had major supply issues and ended up taking fenugreek the entire time I nursed him. I am just not a big milk producer and I finally accepted that. I completely understand where you're coming from with the crazy nursing, syringe feeding, and pumping. That doesn't include the crazy washing afterwards. It took me a couple of months for my supply to stablize and be enough for me to nurse my oldest exclusively.</p> <p>Now with my second son (almost 12 weeks), I pumped right after I nursed him from day one. This helped my milk come in on day 2. It was amazing for me! I did the crazy nursing, syringe feeding (formula), and pumping the first two weeks and then stopped pumping and just nursed exclusively to see if he was having enough. This time around I didn't stress over it. I just nursed him on demand (about every two hours) and haven't touched a pump since he was two weeks old. He's gaining weight and growing and having the normal amount of wet and poopy diapers so I know for sure he's doing well. I am also taking fenugreek again this time and will probably take it the entire time I'll be nursing him. I'm much happier now and love cuddling with my LO when he nurses. Oh, and he's also a sleeping nurser! Just keep on tickling your little one when she's nursing or do anything that'll wake her up. At almost 12 weeks I still have to do that. He LOVES to sleep and nurse. His eyes roll back as soon as he latches on. It's like he's eating the most yummiest thing, ever!</p> <p>All the craziness in the beginning was to help you get your supply up and get going with the nursing and your 80 bags of frozen milk is proof you have good supply! I'm envious! I have zero frozen milk so my LO is pretty much stuck to my side 24-7. ;) I don't mind. :) Hang in there and keep on nursing. She will only get better and better at nursing as she gets older and, hopefully, will stop sleeping while she eats. But I think some babies are just like that. My friend's daughter ONLY ate when she was sleeping. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-help-desperately-neededlong#post-200629 Sun, 24 Jun 2012 19:03:21 +0000 LouLouBelle 200629@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hello...I am new to posting, a first time mom, but have been following these boards since I got pregnant last summer. I k ow how helpful you all are to all the moms who post on here and I am hoping you can help me too! </p> <p>DD is just about 12 weeks old and our breastfeeding journey has been pretty horrendous thus far. At birth, she wouldn't latch at all and therefore lost tons of weight. After seeing two LCs multiple times in the hospital, where we were for four nights (breech baby so i had a section)' we went home from the hospital finger feeding her with a syringe and instructions to see another, local LC. I lasted only a few days of finger feeding before switching to a bottle of pumped milk.,.the whole thing was exhausting, mentally and physically - trying to get her to nurse, then giving her pumped milk (first by finger then eventually by bottle), and then pumping, I had no time at all in between feedings, plus was recovering from an infected incision and had a serious boutof PPD. For the next four weeks, we tried all day and night to nurse with and without a shield, then bottle feeding, then pumping. I was a mess. At four and a half weeks, at yet another LC's suggestion, we took a two day break to 'reset'. After that, I tried, without the shield, and miraculously, at around five weeks, she latched and nursed...but only for a little bit, never enough to take a full feeding, we always had to give her a bottle of pumped milk. So, for the last 7 weeks or so, I've been nursing and bottle feeding and pumping 6 times a day. I have about 80 6-oz bags in the freezer! But I am sick of pumping and I know my baby can nurse do I decided to try to make the switch from pumping and bottle feeding to just breastfeeding...</p> <p>Which is where we are now. I am on day three of no bottles and only pumping first thing in the am and last thing before bed. Our problem, since she started latching (and even since birth, with the bottles) is that she simply falls asleep almost instantly while breastfeeding. So, she is eating for three to five minutes at a time and then falling asleep, and wanting to eat every hour or two. Now that she is nursing and not taking bottles, I am worried she isnt getting enough, and that my supply will dry up! Before, with bottles, she would eat and be content for 2-3 hours, and sleep all night (10-5 or 6). These last three days, only nursing, she is just snacking and wants to eat constantly, and is waking up once or twice at nite, so I know she isnt getting enough during the day like she did with the bottle. She is still pooping and peeing a ton these last three days, and she is happy in between feedings, she just wants to eat so much more often, but, and here is the big problem, when I nurse her, she only eats for three to five minutes on one side and then is disinterested or asleep. </p> <p>Is this normal? What can I do to help make this switch? How long do I have before my supply dries up if she isnt transferring enough milk. We are assuming that we will KNOW if she isn't getting enough because she will be cranky and screaming. She won't starve or get sick without giving us clues that we need to give a bottle first, right!? It's not like she is pulling away or refusing to suck and demanding a bottle...she used to do tha; now she is just taking super short feedings. tI want to trust that she is eating enough and I just have to deal with the round the clock constant feedings, but she nurses for SUCH a short time that I feel like she can't possibly be eating enough. But we will know by her behavior, won't we, if she isnt? </p> <p>Sorry this is so long. It seems like we are finally in sight of a life without the pump and bottles, but I am nervous about making the switch and I don't want to jeopardize her health. Any insights would be much appreciated!! I need help and optimism that we can make this switch to full time breastfeeding even at 12 weeks. I am sick of pumping and I just want my baby to eat full feedings that keep her full for a few hours!! How do I figure out how to do that, and how to keep her awake?! </p> <p>Everyone said breastfeeding is the hardest thing you'll ever do...i had no idea!! I just want us to be in a place where it is normal and routine! </p>