https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 27 Oct 2026 02:56:18 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-feel-like-giving-upsupport-needed#post-1169610 Wed, 23 Oct 2013 17:56:03 +0000 hilsy85 1169610@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaMagpie: oh yes, definitely rent a hospital grade pump! They are awesome! Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-feel-like-giving-upsupport-needed#post-1169355 Wed, 23 Oct 2013 15:50:39 +0000 irene 1169355@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't read others comments but...</p> <p>1. Try more milk plus! (Available at whole food store)<br /> 2. Try drinking papaya juice. (Also available at whole foods)<br /> 3. Must get Ibclc In home appt... I suspect you may have an incorrect latch<br /> 4. Don't limit the time. Just feed him when he cries.... There were times I was completely empty and my NB LO would suck vigorously for an hour. Just attach them to your boob all day if needed.<br /> 5. I would ditch that bottle of formula completely. Your body will not create enough to match your baby's needs if you supplement. Even if you pump it doesn't retrieve as much milk as your baby could.</p> <p>But at the end don't stress yourself. It is crazy mental and physical challenge to breastfeed.... Bottom line is do whatever you think is right for you. Hugs!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-feel-like-giving-upsupport-needed#post-1169237 Wed, 23 Oct 2013 15:14:59 +0000 MamaMagpie 1169237@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsStar: @Smurfette: thank you!<br /> @char54: aw, thank you :) I'm wondering if she'll want me to take the domperidone if the fenugreek doesn't work...she didn't mention it, though. Ugh I'm so sorry you developed mastitis! Hope you're feeling better now, though.<br /> @Adira: yah, it was sort of a strange feeling of relief to know that there actually was an issue...because now I feel like I have something to fix! We are going back on Tuesday, so a week and a day from our last appointment. I really hope there's a change!<br /> @hilsy85: ugh, I feel for her! It's really tough. I've tried pumping twice after sessions but hardly anything comes out and it's such a hassle (I hate the pump my insurance covered) so I've been bad about it. I'm going to see how things go with the fenugreek and hope that when my supply increases that I'll be more successful at pumping. I'm also going to rent a pump from the hospital and see if it makes a difference.<br /> @swurlygurl: oh my gosh, you give me such hope!!! How long did it take to increase your supply? And did it work with just the fenugreek or did you have to add in the other supplements for it to increase? I may very well take you up on the offer for those, thank you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-feel-like-giving-upsupport-needed#post-1165423 Tue, 22 Oct 2013 09:03:08 +0000 swurlygurl 1165423@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaMagpie: Oh man - I went through the same thing! :( If you want any Blessed Thistle, Fennel, or Brewer's Yeast tablets, I have a crazy extra amount (unoppened bottles) of all of them and I would be happy to send some to you! I was able to double my (extremely small) supply by taking those + fenugreek. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-feel-like-giving-upsupport-needed#post-1165300 Tue, 22 Oct 2013 08:25:38 +0000 hilsy85 1165300@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaMagpie: good luck! My sister is going through almost exactly what you are--a baby that nurses constantly and falls asleep a lot at the breast. She also has low supply and started taking fenugreek...she is also pumping after she nurses, have you tried that? I hope things get better!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-feel-like-giving-upsupport-needed#post-1165110 Tue, 22 Oct 2013 06:51:27 +0000 Smurfette 1165110@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaMagpie: Good luck! I really hope it works for you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-feel-like-giving-upsupport-needed#post-1165090 Tue, 22 Oct 2013 06:25:42 +0000 Adira 1165090@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaMagpie: Bummer!! But it's good that you know a low supply is an issue now! Are you going to go back to the LC in a week to double-check how much he's transferring now that you're taking the fenugreek? I really hope it works for you!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-feel-like-giving-upsupport-needed#post-1165040 Tue, 22 Oct 2013 04:07:24 +0000 Charm54 1165040@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaMagpie: I was thinking of you and wondering how things were going! Sorry about the low supply (I can sympathize!) but at least you know what the root issue is and can make a plan moving forward...my LC had me on domperidone which really boosted my supply (so much so that I developed mastitis and now am afraid to take it again). Let me know how the fenugreek works! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-feel-like-giving-upsupport-needed#post-1164987 Tue, 22 Oct 2013 00:49:21 +0000 MrsStar 1164987@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-feel-like-giving-upsupport-needed#post-1164972 Tue, 22 Oct 2013 00:30:01 +0000 MamaMagpie 1164972@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks for all of the amazing advice and support! I saw an LC today and we did a weighed feed -- H got barely 2oz after a 45-minute session which was like pulling teeth. So...low supply :( He hasn't been able to get a full tummy, which is why he wants to constantly eat. It broke my heart! I've been drinking mother's milk tea thinking it would be enough, but it's time to break out the big guns and I started taking 620mg fenugreek caplets tonight. The LC said I should see a difference in 72 hours...fingers crossed! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-feel-like-giving-upsupport-needed#post-1164427 Mon, 21 Oct 2013 18:46:16 +0000 sunshine83 1164427@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Maybe he's just nursing for comfort. My daughter wanted to for the first couple months. I would get frustrated and overwhelmed but my mom put it into perspective for me. Think about how safe your baby felt in your womb. Now their in this new world and they just want to be close to you. Nursing is how they accomplish feeling secure. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-feel-like-giving-upsupport-needed#post-1161546 Sun, 20 Oct 2013 04:11:24 +0000 delight 1161546@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with everyone to just hang in there! I'm at 9w pp and it hasn't been easy, but the last couple weeks have been better. I don't time how long she goes between feeds anymore, I just feed her whenever she wants. There are still times where she comes off and on the boob in a session constantly and in the evenings I nurse pretty much three hours straight.<br /> I was getting frustrated because in the evening she never seems satisfied and can pop on and off often. A good friend told me that in the evening milk production is down and can be thicker and harder for babe to get. It made me feel better knowing there was a reason why she nursed constantly and seemed frustrated at times with what she was getting. Who knows if that's true or not, but it makes sense to me.<br /> Good luck, you're doing great! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-feel-like-giving-upsupport-needed#post-1161542 Sun, 20 Oct 2013 02:43:16 +0000 Bookish 1161542@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just wanted to chime in to say 5 weeks was hell. If she was awake, she was attached to my boob. I ended up supplementing one morning session to give myself a darn break! I will say we had another mini growth spurt around 8 weeks that wasn't fun either, but it honestly turned a huge corner after that and I love nursing now. I'm unfortunately having to wean her because of supply issues, but if you had told me at 5 weeks that it would upset me to wean I would have laughed you out of my house.</p> <p>Hang in there! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-feel-like-giving-upsupport-needed#post-1161493 Sun, 20 Oct 2013 00:03:41 +0000 Mrs. High Heels 1161493@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaMagpie: I was going to say what @runsyellowlites: said. At 5-6 weeks they go through a crazy growth spurt, and my LO acted exactly the same way as yours during that time. My boobs ALWAYS felt empty, and I was nursing around the clock... but it's because they're stimulating your boobs to make more milk in anticipation of a growth spurt. Hang in there mama!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-feel-like-giving-upsupport-needed#post-1161467 Sat, 19 Oct 2013 23:19:06 +0000 MamaMagpie 1161467@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I cannot tell you ladies how much you've all helped me through this rough day! I honestly don't know how I'd be holding up right now without having your words of encouragement to get me through the last four hours -- instead of being in a state of anxiety and worry that something was wrong while H nursed literally constantly for four hours straight, I read your words and thought "I can do this".<br /> Thank G-d for you ladies and HelloBee &lt;3 &lt;3 &lt;3 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-feel-like-giving-upsupport-needed#post-1161412 Sat, 19 Oct 2013 21:56:05 +0000 Corduroy 1161412@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaMagpie: Hugs! I remember my LO went 45 minutes max between feedings at that age. I think part of what makes 6+ weeks a "magical" time is that colic/fussiness wanes and babies start going a little longer between feeds so you aren't constantly nursing. </p> <p>"He will usually nurse for 25-45 minutes, then gets extremely frustrated at the breast and pulls off but continues to make hunger cues. If I put him back on, he falls asleep and barely suckles but if I take him off to put him down, he wakes and screams like he's starving."</p> <p>I'm no expert, but it sounds like he might be getting more milk than he wants. When he pops off after 25-40 minutes he might really be done eating. He might need to pop off to stop the let down. Then he gives you "hunger cues" (which are really "put a boob in my mouth now" cues) so he can get a nipple to suck on during his nap. That's how my LO loved to nap. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-feel-like-giving-upsupport-needed#post-1161313 Sat, 19 Oct 2013 20:42:36 +0000 Adira 1161313@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaMagpie: Also, for me, I almost quit around 5-6 weeks too. Those were definitely the hardest for me! Week 7 was the beginning of a new era in my nursing relationship and I hope that yours gets better for you soon too!</p> <p>Also, I agree with @runsyellowlites: that if you should stop supplementing with formula if you can. Nothing helps boost a supply like nursing round the clock, as much as it might suck to do so!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-feel-like-giving-upsupport-needed#post-1161273 Sat, 19 Oct 2013 20:07:58 +0000 Boheme 1161273@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hang in there! You are doing great! If you can make it to an LC, mine helped me immensely. We went through tongue tie, lip tie, reflux, mastitis, you name it. I ended up making a standing Friday date with my LC because I craved her reassurance to be able to make it through. I promise it gets easier every week. Some advice I got from a lovely Bee here: never quit on your worst day. Hugs! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-feel-like-giving-upsupport-needed#post-1161268 Sat, 19 Oct 2013 20:05:23 +0000 immabeetoo 1161268@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaMagpie: Seriously, another vote for not clock watching. I was obsessed with babyconnect and never felt better than when I deleted it from my phone. It sounds totally normal to me!! I remember thinking I was spending 90% of my day nursing. I PROMISE it gets better. Promise. The dirty/wet diaper output is a good indicator that you're not having supply issues! My LC said that all that fussing, crying is simply the baby urging your body to ramp up supply. There is NOTHING wrong with supplementing - but supplementing now could start a chain reaction that your supply can't keep up when LO is older. Hang in there mama. My LO is almost 11 months and nurses 4X a day, none overnight, and nurses for maybe 10 minutes max each time. Its. So. Easy. You'll get here!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-feel-like-giving-upsupport-needed#post-1161238 Sat, 19 Oct 2013 19:44:44 +0000 merriment 1161238@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm sorry you are having a tough go of it. I agree with people that you should ditch the timer for a while. Demand drives supply, so don't wait for your boobs to "refill"-- the more baby nurses, the more you will produce.<br /> If you can swing it, spend ALL day tomorrow in bed with baby...just nurse constantly, lots of skin to skin and stare their sweet little face to try and jump start things. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-feel-like-giving-upsupport-needed#post-1161231 Sat, 19 Oct 2013 19:38:32 +0000 Mrs squirreld 1161231@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaMagpie: sorry you're having a tough time. E sometimes does that. Pulls off, fusses, refuses the nipple even though he is hungry. I find he usually does it when he has gas and sometimes I feel I can't do anything and it's very frustrating. He gets so upset and I feel bad cause I know he wants to eat. Like everyone else has said if he's gaining weight, has bowel movements he's getting enough. But if you feel giving him some formula is right for you guys - go for it I say! :-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-feel-like-giving-upsupport-needed#post-1161208 Sat, 19 Oct 2013 19:17:59 +0000 Penny Lane 1161208@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaMagpie: adding a second motion to leaving the timer alone for a while :) if baby is hungry or wanting boob comfort, no timer is going to convince him otherwise!!</p> <p>he sounds like he's definitely getting enough, and his behaviour sounds very much like my LO during a growth spurt! hang in there, and you'll get through! hellobee is always here for company and support through those marathon, hours long sessions! </p> <p> :heart: :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-feel-like-giving-upsupport-needed#post-1161197 Sat, 19 Oct 2013 19:12:32 +0000 heartonastring 1161197@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaMagpie: oh Mama, hang in there. It will get better! Sounds like your babe is doing exactly what he needs to in order to get your supply well established and set you both up for a fulfilling breastfeeding relationship. I promise you it's going to get easier. For me it was the first nine weeks that were the toughest. After that it clicked. And now, at six months, it's easy as pie.</p> <p>So glad you're going to see your LC again. </p> <p>And yeah, about the itzbeen....put it down! I was a slave to my tracking app and my LC finally convinced me to try to go a day without using it and I've never looked back. I was thinking about it today and if there's one piece of advice I wish I could have given to myself when I was a brand new mom it would have been to trust my baby! Our babies know what they need and when they need it, we just have to trust them to tell us :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-feel-like-giving-upsupport-needed#post-1161182 Sat, 19 Oct 2013 19:02:25 +0000 MamaMagpie 1161182@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@char54: thank you, mama &lt;3 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-feel-like-giving-upsupport-needed#post-1161181 Sat, 19 Oct 2013 19:01:42 +0000 MamaMagpie 1161181@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: oh, yes, 1-2 poopy dipes -- he has about 8-10 wet ones a day. Thank you for telling me about your time with Xander, I'm starting to feel better about this just being normal. I have another appointment with an LC on Monday, so I'm hoping to get some peace of mind then.<br /> @runsyellowlites: I never knew that! It makes me feel better to know those cues aren't necessarily because he's hungry or there's something wrong. I've been carrying around the itzbeen like it's another appendage (the little timer that tells you how long it's been from last feeding/diaper/sleep) and maybe I need to put it away and just go with the flow. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-feel-like-giving-upsupport-needed#post-1161132 Sat, 19 Oct 2013 18:28:47 +0000 Charm54 1161132@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You know my story already (almost identical to yours), but I just want to say that if you do supplement that's nothing to be ashamed of - it was the best decision I ever made (both for DDs health and my mental health). If EBF is extremely extremely important to you then I would say stick it out - but also know that other feeding options are there and they are safe and valid and your child will still thrive. when I was struggling with if/when to supplement, Fearless Formula Feeders website was extremely helpful and reassuring to me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-feel-like-giving-upsupport-needed#post-1161111 Sat, 19 Oct 2013 18:07:39 +0000 runsyellowlites 1161111@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>During growth spurts it's normal behavior for baby to latch, unlatch, fuss, pound/kneed your breast, cry, latch, and do it all again. That's what signals you to make more milk.. it's not so much about him not being statisfied or being hungry, it's just the mechanics of the relationship. It's what gets you through the long haul.</p> <p>Unless he's not gaining weight or not having enough dirty/wet dipes I would stop supplementing, especially if *you* are concerned about your supply. Nursing is the best way to signal your body to make more. And I wouldn't worry so much about the clock &amp; just nurse on demand. It's exhausting but it does work... maybe just spend the day hanging out in bed doing lots of skin to skin, nursing, and napping together. Those will all help supply too!</p> <p>You're doing great!!!! ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-feel-like-giving-upsupport-needed#post-1161109 Sat, 19 Oct 2013 18:07:09 +0000 Adira 1161109@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaMagpie: When you say he's only having 1-2 dirty diapers a day, do you mean bowel movements? How many wet diapers is he having? It's totally normal for breastfed babies to have multiple bowel movements a day OR go days between having them! Wet diapers is what you really need to look at. Is he having at least 6-8 wet diapers a day? If so, then he's probably getting enough!</p> <p>And I agree with the others - it sounds totally normal and could be a growth spurt. I remember Xander wanted to be on the boob CONSTANTLY for hours at a time, especially in the evening! It was so hard, but it's so normal, and it's your baby's way of building your milk supply!</p> <p>But definitely see you can see a lactation consultant! They can do a weighted feed to see if your baby actually is transferring well and getting enough milk!! &lt;3 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-feel-like-giving-upsupport-needed#post-1161102 Sat, 19 Oct 2013 18:00:53 +0000 MamaMagpie 1161102@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Silva: I guess I'm trying to wait that time because I feel like I'm empty and need a little time to fill up the tanks? I would be happy (well, that's maybe an overstatement) to let him nurse sooner but he just seems to get so frustrated. If not for the fact that he's acting dissatisfied, I think I'd just deal with the frequency but I'm worried he's not getting enough. I definitely feed him sooner when he can't be soothed, though.<br /> @Kemma: he's only having 1, maybe 2, dirty diapers per day. I feel like it should be more considering how much he eats. As of last week, he'd gained 1lb 3oz from his hospital discharge weight, and his ped is happy with everything so I'm grateful for that.<br /> @Cherrybee: thank you for telling me that -- it makes me crazy not knowing how much he's getting and feeling like it must not be enough if he's so hungry. It's helpful to know that your LO went through a similar time, knowing how many ounces she actually was getting.</p> <p>Ugh am I just a wimp, then? It's really so much more about being worried he's getting enough, rather than not wanting to BF so often. Aside from the stress of wondering, I very much enjoy feeding him. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-feel-like-giving-upsupport-needed#post-1161035 Sat, 19 Oct 2013 17:04:26 +0000 Cherrybee 1161035@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I can't really help with BF advice because I FF but what I will say is at 5 weeks my LO was eating a ridiculous amount of formula - way more than she is eating now at 3 months - and was still hungry constantly. I think it's pretty normal, however you choose to feed. There is usually a growth spurt around 6 weeks, too, so it's possible that this will continue a little longer but, again, it is completely normal. </p> <p>Hugs. </p>