https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 24 Apr 2026 01:49:56 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-with-bfing-nightmare/page/2#post-460484 Fri, 21 Dec 2012 14:53:22 +0000 wheres_c 460484@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PrincessBaby: So happy things are getting better for you!</p> <p>Things are starting to get worse for me :( Every time I put B to the breast, he sucks for a few minutes then starts SCREAMING. I keep him there for a while, but he just won't re-latch so I give in to the screaming and give him a pumped bottle. </p> <p>I don't want to be a slave to the pump! I just want him to want the boob again. I just cant take the screaming... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-with-bfing-nightmare#post-458625 Thu, 20 Dec 2012 13:52:39 +0000 BabyBruins 458625@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PrincessBaby: Another thing I wanted to tell you to help babies not get too lazy with the bottle... use a preemie nipple. The flow is really slow so they have to learn to work harder with the bottle. Its still easier for them than BFing, but not as easy as a Level 1 which is what usually comes with the bottles.<br /> My baby was a preemie and got a lot of bottles at first and then we successfully switched him over to primarily BFing after 6 weeks when he was closer to his due date. And then we could go back and forth between bottle and breast with no trouble. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-with-bfing-nightmare#post-458568 Thu, 20 Dec 2012 13:39:53 +0000 brownie 458568@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PrincessBaby: Great News! Congrats! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-with-bfing-nightmare#post-458539 Thu, 20 Dec 2012 13:32:44 +0000 dagret 458539@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PrincessBaby: good job mama! Keep it up! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-with-bfing-nightmare#post-458505 Thu, 20 Dec 2012 13:19:24 +0000 T.H.O.U. 458505@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PrincessBaby: This is GREAT news! I am so glad you were able to speak with someone! Keep up the great work! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-with-bfing-nightmare#post-458501 Thu, 20 Dec 2012 13:18:25 +0000 PrincessBaby 458501@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have pretty much been BFing constantly and we did lots of skin to skin since last night and I think it's going better....She wants to feed constantly so I'm just dealing with it. Better than not feeding!</p> <p>I called the La Leche League and spoke with an awesome LC and she spent like an hour on the phone with me and basically gave me tons of helpful advice, the gist of which is to feed, feed, feed, and that it will take the same amount of time to turn her around that we took to bottle feed her, so that I should expect to be feeding her constantly for the next 4 or 5 days until she "gets it" again. Right now she's feeding but also still playing a lot, but talking to the LC made me pretty confident that she'll get there. She said a lot of the same things you guys did, that my supply is actually fine for a 2 week old, and that babies are a lot more efficient than even the best breast pumps, so if I'm pumping 2-2.5 oz, then Harper is probably getting 3 or so oz at each feeding (when she's really trying!). So she didn't think I needed to supplement at this point, and I want to get her next Bili number (tomorrow) and if it's still dropping then I'm going to stick with EBF. If it's going up again after a few days of no formula, then I will probably do SNS.</p> <p>THANK YOU to all of you and your wonderful advice! You got me through the night! It was rough and I'm exhausted but you all gave me the motivation to do it! Thank you so much!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-with-bfing-nightmare#post-457975 Thu, 20 Dec 2012 09:03:17 +0000 Sammyfab 457975@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You have been through so much in such a shirt amount of time (as has Harper!)...you're doing amazing!</p> <p>I think BFing bootcamp sounds like a good idea, as does going to an LC to do a weighed feeding. My LO didn't EBF until he was a month old and I saw an LC weekly for his first 2 months. Just knowing how much he was getting gave me some peace of mind.</p> <p>Lastly, there is nothing wrong with being a BFing snob. You make it very clear that you love that bonding experience with your baby and BFing makes you happy. I would keep the formula on hand but just keep as much as you can to EBF so long as it makes you happy.</p> <p>Keep up the great work mama! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-with-bfing-nightmare#post-457945 Thu, 20 Dec 2012 08:42:01 +0000 Weagle 457945@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You've gotten some great advice! I definitely agree with seeing a LC or calling LLL. I also strongly recommend considering whether or not your pediatrician is the right fit. Obviously, BFing is important to you. It's important that the pediatrician be absolutely supportive of that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-with-bfing-nightmare#post-457940 Thu, 20 Dec 2012 08:39:34 +0000 winniebee 457940@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Echo others comments about getting an LC to help with latch. </p> <p>2-2.5 ounces isn't a cause for concern though - your baby is only a few weeks old and I don't know many babies at that age that drank much more than that. (My son drank 2.5 ounces at 6 weeks.....) </p> <p>Was she drinking more than that from the bottle? If so, could be that she was overeating (since you say she was spitting up tons). It is virtually impossible to overfeed a breastfed baby but you can certainly overfeed a bottle fed baby. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-with-bfing-nightmare#post-457928 Thu, 20 Dec 2012 08:31:51 +0000 littlek 457928@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>As others said, I'd go to a lactation expert at your hospital. My LO was in the NICU and had to bottle feed because he wasn't strong enough to breastfeed. However, when he was about 6 days old we made the transition from bottle to breast with no problem, but we were still in the NICU and I had a lactation expert to help me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-with-bfing-nightmare#post-457911 Thu, 20 Dec 2012 08:15:25 +0000 SAHM0811 457911@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Agree with Baby Boy Mom... This is classic nipple confusion (when they get lazy with latching/sucking after having a lot of bottles). So many people say they don't "believe" in nipple confusion, but this is a classic example. </p> <p>I wasn't able to power through it with my first baby (too many other issues going on at the time), but I did successfully with my second. It can definitely be undone... You've gotten great advice so far... Just keep up with the nursing as much as possible especially the next few days.</p> <p>If you want to up your game a little more... You can pump after feedings, rent a hospital-grade pump (like the Medela Symphony) and take More Milk Plus and nursing teas. But honestly, I bet all that isn't totally necessary at this point since it sounds like you've established a pretty good bf'ing routine and supply even despite the jaundice issues (good job!). </p> <p>Your ped sounds like he/she a little more in the FF camp which is common in the medical community... Mine was too, but like you, I really wanted to BF... I loved it as well and totally understand why you want to keep going. Don't let his/her bias affect you too, too much because it sounds like you can do this the way you want to... As someone who's been there before (on both sides of the FF/BF coin), I think it's too early at this point not to keep trying. </p> <p>We're here for you! Good luck mama! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-with-bfing-nightmare#post-457883 Thu, 20 Dec 2012 07:30:55 +0000 T.H.O.U. 457883@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PrincessBaby: I hope today brings a new day for you and you have a good movie to watch and can lounge around with H and nurse nurse nurse! </p> <p>If you can't get a hold of a LC, I would look up the La Leche League in your area. When I had cracked nipples, I was able to call someone on their cell phone and she called me right back. It honestly probably did save my BFing experience. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-with-bfing-nightmare#post-457757 Thu, 20 Dec 2012 03:16:48 +0000 Kemma 457757@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Feed, feed, feed! And I mean both you and LO, you need to eat and drink plenty so you can keep up your supply.</p> <p>Also, I can't post the link but the breast feeding forums on the La Leche website are awesome and have some really great advice! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-with-bfing-nightmare#post-457723 Thu, 20 Dec 2012 01:29:23 +0000 Penny Lane 457723@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I never supplemented, but my lo was exclusively bottle fed for 2.5 of his first 3 weeks. He's 4 months old now and is an amazing nurser! There's hope!</p> <p>ETA: I would recommend the boot camp. Chuck the bottles and feed as much as you can handle. This will up your supply, and give you and baby lots of practice! In the end, just do what your instincts say. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-with-bfing-nightmare#post-457701 Thu, 20 Dec 2012 01:11:05 +0000 travelgirl1 457701@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We just did a breastfeeding bootcamp and it worked a treat! Now she's on a total bottle strike instead :-) you've got some great suggestions here and with a LC too you will bw fine. There's no way all is lost. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-with-bfing-nightmare#post-457582 Wed, 19 Dec 2012 23:20:14 +0000 Maysprout 457582@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sorry things are rough. Def talk to an LC, it depends on the pediatrician whether they keep up on breastfeeding research and it sounds like he gave you some bad advice. <a href="http://www.americanpregnancy.org/firstyearoflife/breastfeedingandjaundice.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.americanpregnancy.org/firstyearoflife/breastfeedingandjaundice.htm</a> </p> <p>To get rid of jaundice they need to feed a lot and poop, poop, poop. I'd just let her use you as a pacifier for the next couple days if that's what makes her happy. It will help get your supply up and she probably needs to nurse that much to help her poop, poop, poop. Don't pay attention to the pump, I always had plenty of supply and sometimes didn't always pump out that much. If she still is showing hunger signs you can always give her formula in a slow flow bottle after she nurses or do the SNS. </p> <p>But this early on hopefully you can still build up your supply, it's just going to take her suckling a lot more than normal for a few days. Best wishes! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-with-bfing-nightmare#post-457574 Wed, 19 Dec 2012 23:14:32 +0000 sarac 457574@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PrincessBaby: Any lactation consultant worth her salt will recommend whatever it takes to help you get to your goal, WHATEVER that is. If that means bottles, sns, formula, whatever, as long as it serves you in your end goal. I know that my state has a nursing moms council with a hotline to call - maybe yours does too? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-with-bfing-nightmare#post-457573 Wed, 19 Dec 2012 23:12:32 +0000 sarac 457573@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This doctor isn't helping your breastfeeding relationship at all. Is there la leche league in your town? Or in your greater area? They should be able to give you a lot of great advice about how to get feeding restarted. </p> <p>If it were me, I'd throw out the bottles and formula and just power through. She may be pissed for a few days, but she'll manage! There's no reason in the world to consider giving up, you've got this in you like crazy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-with-bfing-nightmare#post-457572 Wed, 19 Dec 2012 23:12:23 +0000 junebugmama 457572@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm in training to be an IBCLC and currently am a breast feeding mentor at a hospital in Connecticut. </p> <p>1st a baby will ALWAYS be more efficient at the breast regardless of how great it is (even hospital grade pumps)</p> <p>2nd You should be feeding your newborn every 2-3 hours. </p> <p>3rd Your supply is normal if you really have a new born. </p> <p>How old is your baby? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-with-bfing-nightmare#post-457560 Wed, 19 Dec 2012 23:01:33 +0000 wheres_c 457560@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I second @runsyellowlites slow flow nipple suggestion. Its only been 2 weeks but so far baby B has been taking both ok. Ive been drinking the lactation tea too. Might be worth a shot? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-with-bfing-nightmare#post-457253 Wed, 19 Dec 2012 21:37:28 +0000 brownie 457253@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Wow, that sounds very difficult. I think you have a lot of suggestions. I did an SNS with breastmilk for a while at around 6 months when we needed to get my sons calorie intake up and I needed a supply boost. The lactation consultant we saw at hospital was really useless (in our case) except if you had a latch issue. What really helped us was our local La Leche League. They have a hotline for just these types of things. Of course others have had difficult times with La Leche as well. So I think it depends on how comfortable you are.</p> <p>Trust your mama instincts. If you think SNS will help, then don't let the lactation consultant scare you out of it. Same for formula (as @zippylef says). If you think the breastfeeding vacation will help do that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-with-bfing-nightmare#post-457229 Wed, 19 Dec 2012 21:34:12 +0000 T.H.O.U. 457229@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PrincessBaby: trust me its worth it to be a snob to keep up with it!!! I don't think there is a two week spurt but I have heard a lot that the fourth week one can come early. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-with-bfing-nightmare#post-457228 Wed, 19 Dec 2012 21:34:11 +0000 DillonLion 457228@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PrincessBaby: Oh no, they totally have negatively impacted our breastfeeding journey. Her latch is finally good and she has the ability to suck strongly, but she's lazy now since we use bottles so often. So, we're still a major work in progress over here, but my number one priority besides making sure she is fed and happy however possible, is to keep my stress level down and get rest so my supply doesn't get damaged. I'm also taking a prescription med to increase my supply that I just started taking. Not sure if it works yet. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-with-bfing-nightmare#post-457204 Wed, 19 Dec 2012 21:31:17 +0000 Baby Boy Mom 457204@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>OMG reading your post made my heart-rate shoot up. We went through this too: classic nipple confusion. It is a pain to reverse but know that it can be done! I agree with everyone else that you need to see a LC ASAP. Ours had us switch up to a system of syringe feeding and having LO "practice" latching on my pinkie finger. It's sort of hard to explain online. (The other option was SNS, and in both cases we would use pumped breast milk). The most important thing for your supply is to have baby on breast as often as possible.<br /> As an aside, I would consider switching pediatricians to someone that supports BF more strongly. I know it is a pain because we had to do it too, but it was so worth it to get extra support from the pediatrician.<br /> I know how much this sucks, but stay strong and calm for your baby girl. You can do it! Lots of hugs!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-with-bfing-nightmare#post-457076 Wed, 19 Dec 2012 21:13:24 +0000 prettylizy 457076@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PrincessBaby: Well, my friend who used one is a super hardcore granola BF crazy mama, and she used one. I work with her hubby and he used to feed their daughter with the SNS on his finger because his wife was SUPER anti bottle. When you meet with her, remember that you are a CUSTOMER and she is providing you a service. If you want guidance on using an SNS, then don't ask what she thinks as much as say you want to use one and have her show you how. Especially if you have all that BM frozen at home, you can feed her that through the SNS. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-with-bfing-nightmare#post-457027 Wed, 19 Dec 2012 21:05:03 +0000 PrincessBaby 457027@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Bee: You are probably right! Every day dragging a newborn out to get stuck for blood or go to the Ped on top of all of this feeding madness has definitely stressed me! Did I mention that DH works offshore and has been gone this past week while all of this happened? Yes, I have been a stressball.</p> <p>@prettylizy: Thank you! THis may be a dumb question but will an LC REALLY recommend and SNS system? The one that I met with in the hospital was one of those hardcore BF people who kind of dogged out formula....I had thought about calling her, because she spent a lot of time with me and we already have a repoire, plus she knows how great H's latch was initially...But I kind of wonder if she's too hardcore to consider SNS.... Hmmmm....</p> <p>@highwire: Bottles have not affected your baby girl at all? I guess it did for us because we had to go from EBF to EFF for a few days, and it was too much bottle all at once....I thought I was SOOOOO lucky with BFing! Gah!</p> <p>@hilsy85: Thank you! Everything you said is exactly what I'm going to do! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-with-bfing-nightmare#post-457017 Wed, 19 Dec 2012 21:03:07 +0000 doodlepoodle 457017@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PrincessBaby: I promise, your sweet little princess will be just fine! :) Luckily, you know about HB...I swear if it wasn't for HB I wouldn't be the mama I am today!!! :) You're doing an amazing job so don't be too hard on yourself! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-with-bfing-nightmare#post-457013 Wed, 19 Dec 2012 21:02:01 +0000 loveisstrange 457013@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PrincessBaby: I used the Medela SNS. My LC gave it to me when I went in to talk to her the first time. You can fill it with formula or breastmilk. I felt like it helped us even though we ended up having to switch to all formula. C had BAD issues with projectile vomiting as a newborn also. The nipples on our bottles were too fast and she was overeating and she had gas issues. </p> <p>If you want to talk, feel free to send me a message. I think I tried every. single. thing. I could make it work for us. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-with-bfing-nightmare#post-457005 Wed, 19 Dec 2012 20:59:48 +0000 runsyellowlites 457005@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would find an IBCLC quick! Generally continuing to breastfeed &amp; not supplementing is the recommendation in jaundice &amp; yes it is more common in breastfed babies because they don't have as much intake in ounces as formula fed babies. Have you also tried letting baby lay in just a dipe near a window for a little bit during the day for the jaundice? That usually helps.</p> <p>I would avoid supplementing unless absolutely necessary. Put baby to breast as much &amp; as often as possible. IF bottle feeding is necessary you can change your feeding technique to help baby not get so lazy. Feed almost upright w/ slowest flow nipple baby will take, bottle horizontal to ground NOT perpendicular, let baby root/take the bottle nipple into its mouth like it would the breast... Don't force it, make the feeding last ATLEAST 10 minutes but really as long as you can. All those things will help baby not get lazy &amp;/or frustrated at the breast.</p> <p>Definitely check out kellymom.com, the la leche league site, &amp; get with an IBCLC quick! Most pedis are NOT well versed in breastfeeding &amp; give bad &amp; detrimental advice all the time concerning the breastfeeding relationship. Keep up the good work! It may be tough to get back in the groove of things but its worth it for both you AND your lo! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-with-bfing-nightmare#post-456999 Wed, 19 Dec 2012 20:57:30 +0000 PrincessBaby 456999@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Jacks: @creativemomma15: Thank you! I am definitely calling the LC that I met with in the hospital in the morning. I hope she can come to my house tomorrow!!!!</p> <p>@babyjmama: Ok, that makes me feel better if you couldn't pump that much, and your baby is still alive and well on the boob;) I had never heard that before, and before today I was totally measuring my productivity based on stupid Medela!</p> <p>@Andrea: I WILL see a LC tomorrow- come hell or high water! And BF bootcamp is about to start in 10 mins and continue every 2 hours. I may be a zombie for the next couple of days, but I. Don't. Care.</p> <p>@zippylef: I saw that SNS system in the Medela book that came with my pump...The only thing is that even though I was feeding H Similac Sensitive and using Dr Brown's bottles, she would throw up A LOT after eating formula. I can't call it spit up because she would cover me in it from my shoulder to my pants. I'm going to talk to the LC tomorrow and see if I should try the SNS thing- it definitely caught my eye...And Ms. Bee used it with great success too...</p> <p>@Thehistoryofus: Thank you:) H is 15 days old today. She was born Dec. 4th. I have been so caught up in Bilirubin Hell that I forgot about growth spurts....Is 2 weeks a growth spurt? I am going to get with an LC tomorrow, no doubt. And I think you're right - I can't kick BFing on Friday. I just can't. I'm not against FF, and I hate to be a big BFing Snob - but I just really LOVE it. I love that look on her face when she's through feeding, I love knowing that when she gains weight- it's because of me, and I just love that bond. If it didn't work out, I'd be okay with the hand we were dealt, but I'm going to try really hard to salvage it! </p>