https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 19 May 2026 01:31:23 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/new-mom-bfingpumping-support-thread/page/4#post-924396 Thu, 11 Jul 2013 19:16:46 +0000 Tidybee 924396@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Trailmix: I also had an amazing LC who worked on the west side if you need another. She was my hero...best money I ever spent. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/new-mom-bfingpumping-support-thread/page/3#post-913955 Mon, 08 Jul 2013 19:26:59 +0000 Ra 913955@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Pepper: I am so sorry! Poor little guy :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/new-mom-bfingpumping-support-thread/page/3#post-913676 Mon, 08 Jul 2013 17:07:39 +0000 Bookish 913676@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We just got home from the hospital a few hours ago, and I haven't had a chance to try many of the tricks, but omg, hearing her cry and freak out for 20mins before she latches onto the damn shield is killing me. I had to get her fed because today I think over stimulated her, and she slept for 4 hrs..the ped said I didn't have to wake her to eat at this time...but gah, even after that long she had so much trouble. :'(</p> <p>Anyways, I'm gonna try a couple things, I just needed to vent a bit. We're currently cuddling in bed and watching mulan..once again, she's completely out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/new-mom-bfingpumping-support-thread/page/3#post-913672 Mon, 08 Jul 2013 17:06:19 +0000 Pepper 913672@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just got back from the pediatrician's office... LO has been coughing and choking at the boob, and when he's not eating, I can hear him spit up, but he swallows it. He's been making a lot of chewing motions with his mouth, and he's been really fussy the past few days. He screams whenever he's not sleeping or eating and he can't stand being on his back. He grunts and groans a lot too. The pediatrician thinks he has reflux, and I now have baby Zantac for him. Poor LO. :( I'm hoping the Zantac and propping up his mattress will help him feel better, he has been so miserable. Thank goodness for the Rock n Play, it's the only way either one of us gets any sleep!</p> <p>She wants me to mix the Zantac in a pumped bottle since apparently babies hate the minty taste. I'm hoping to find some nursing positions that help with reflux. Poor baby. I feel so bad :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/new-mom-bfingpumping-support-thread/page/3#post-913288 Mon, 08 Jul 2013 14:58:11 +0000 Espion 913288@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@grizz: I hear ya, lady. I hear you. I have to say, I'm so jealous of all your LO's weight gain. :( I get so worried about E's weight gain that I'm not confident at all in my supply. He nurses forever and I'm so afraid to de-latch him even if he is comfort nursing. But this morning he had been chewing on my nip for 45 minutes and then barfed everything back up!! I couldn't take it. After a sleepless night, I handed the baby and supplemental formula to DH and put my head under a pillow. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/new-mom-bfingpumping-support-thread/page/3#post-912212 Mon, 08 Jul 2013 09:49:32 +0000 Trailmix 912212@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For getting off the shields, I started with them on and then would take them of after they'd eaten for a few mins, so my nipples stuck out a lot and they were calm since they'd had some milk.<br /> I also forced myself to nurse without a shield nearby so I couldn't grab it when it got hard to hear LOs cry, it forced me to have to keep trying to get them on without the shields.<br /> It took me probably about a week of consistently trying at almost every feed. It was hard!<br /> Have also heard that you can cut the tops off but that was a huge disaster when we tried, so I can't personally recommend that technique!</p> <p>@Hilsy85 Would def love the name! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/new-mom-bfingpumping-support-thread/page/3#post-912162 Mon, 08 Jul 2013 09:24:43 +0000 hilsy85 912162@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Trailmix: I think for most people, the pain subsides around 6 weeks--so you could give it another week, but then if you are still having pain, I would definitely have an LC come...I have an AMAZING rec for an LC in NYC--she's based in Brooklyn but I'm sure would travel to you--the NYT called her the breast whisperer. Let me know if you'd like her name! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/new-mom-bfingpumping-support-thread/page/3#post-912133 Mon, 08 Jul 2013 09:09:12 +0000 Bookish 912133@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Pepper: no lactation consultants, but the nurses have been very helpful, other than not knowing how to get me off the shield. They gave me some names of consultants to call once I get home :)<br /> @hilsy85: I think I will try that!<br /> @mewtill: ok glad it seems normal. For now every 2-3 hrs I'm waking her up, and she seems to be hungry every time.</p> <p>It looks like my milk is coming in, because holy cow where did these monster boobs come from?! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/new-mom-bfingpumping-support-thread/page/3#post-912109 Mon, 08 Jul 2013 09:01:18 +0000 JoyfulKiwi 912109@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Bookworm: I didn't use shields, so I'm sorry I don't have advice there. But for the first couple of weeks, my son had NO hunger cues. He'd sleep forever and we had a really hard time waking him up to eat. So that sounds pretty normal to me. And my pediatrician said, once he had gain a certain amount of weight (in the 2 or 3rd week I think) that I could stop waking him every 2 hours to eat. </p> <p>@grizz: hating breastfeeding is so normal! I wanted to quit all the time in the beginning. When I'd tell my husband I didn't like it/wanted to stop/complained in general he didn't get it. He'd try to be supportive with suggestions that weren't helpful. Once he said "if I had boobs, I'd feed him." I flipped out :) And, also, I underestimated how crazy my hormones would be postpartum, so don't forget that you're not entirely yourself these days. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/new-mom-bfingpumping-support-thread/page/3#post-912084 Mon, 08 Jul 2013 08:47:55 +0000 Trailmix 912084@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hi everyone!! I'd like to join this thread, if that's cool.</p> <p>I'm BFing my 5-week-old twins and have experienced SO much of what others have mentioned here. Just for Sime encouragement, I started using shields on both nipples and have now gotten both babies off them, so it can be done! There were a few rough nursing sessions where we wrestled with getting them on without the shields but patience got us through it. Much easier to nurse without them, LOs always knocked 'em off with their hands!</p> <p>My current challenges are along the lines of everyone else, that LOs will eat for 30 mins then be starving again in another half hour and take 2oz in a bottle (of formula...still not producing enough milk to get more than 3-4 oz a day, which we save for the evening). It is so frustrating and disheartening to go through a nursing session, only to have LOs still be hungry and have to give them formula :(</p> <p>My other issue is pain while nursing. I had a pretty gnarly cracked nipple which is finally starting to heal but still hurts when they latch, plus in general my nips just hurt! I'm wondering if maybe their latch isn't so good? I want to have an LC come but it's $200 so not ready to spend that yet...</p> <p>Anyways, have been following this thread since the beginning and meaning to join, but it's hard to find a chance to have even one free hand with twins! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/new-mom-bfingpumping-support-thread/page/3#post-912060 Mon, 08 Jul 2013 08:26:08 +0000 hilsy85 912060@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Bookworm: just lurking and jumping in, but you can try pumping a few minutes before you latch LO on--the pump should pull out your nipple and make it easier for LO to latch. Or some people use ice cubes to get the nipple to stiffen/stand out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/new-mom-bfingpumping-support-thread/page/3#post-912025 Mon, 08 Jul 2013 08:09:59 +0000 knittylady 912025@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Bookworm: I have the same issue. It makes me wonder if I even wean from the shield since its an anatomical problem.... I'm not putting too much pressure on myself to wean because of this.... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/new-mom-bfingpumping-support-thread/page/3#post-911986 Mon, 08 Jul 2013 07:43:11 +0000 Pepper 911986@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Bookworm: Does your hospital have a lactation division that would come visit you? They were able to get LO to latch without the shield, but my problem is pain. It hurts SO much when he latches without the shield because he clamps down on my nipple. I need to go back to the lactation consultants there and work on it because I hate the shield! Also, C didnt have very many hungry cues at first because he was so sleepy. Now, he lets me know!! He gets mad when he's hungry! I feel like once my milk came in he was a lot more eager to eat. </p> <p>@grizz: Hugs. Only 6 minutes of sleep? Poor mama! :(. I can somewhat relate; i was up almost every hour with LO last night. I'd feed him, (after he calmed down enough to eat) he'd eventually fall asleep, then less than an hour later he would be up screaming for more food. Combine that with frequent diaper changes (which he hates) and our nights are just very unpleasant. The pacifier helps us to avoid tons of comfort nursing, but his problem is he'll scream his face off if it falls out of his mouth. BF'ing and I are not friends at the moment either. I hope he gets some sleep soon! And you as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/new-mom-bfingpumping-support-thread/page/3#post-911814 Sun, 07 Jul 2013 23:04:07 +0000 Boheme 911814@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm going to go back and reply to everyone later but I'm typing one handed right now because I've been nursing since 7 pm non-stop. I have a confession... I really really hate BF'ing right now. I saw every hour on the clock with LO last night, he has only napped 6 minutes (yes, MINUTES) since 3 pm, and he is a ridiculously inefficient feeder. I think that's where he's getting most of his sleep in - I think he half nurses, half sleeps. My husband keeps suggesting things but its just making me more frustrated because he doesn't get how hard it is. I can't quit but today made me think about it a lot :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/new-mom-bfingpumping-support-thread/page/3#post-911760 Sun, 07 Jul 2013 22:08:53 +0000 Bookish 911760@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hey guys! LO is three days old right now, we are still in the hospital, but I thought I'd send y'all some of my observations/questions so far. My milk has not come in yet, though she's getting tons of colostrum. My nipples are pretty flat, so I'm using shields...here's my concern after reading through this thread... Is there anything y'all suggest I do now to improve my chances of weaning her off the shield! Breast shells don't seem to be pulling them out much, and she can't seem to get any traction without the shield. :/</p> <p>She also doesn't give many I'm hungry cues..she'd sleep for hoursif we let her, and I just have no idea when she's hungry. Frustrated mama over here.... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/new-mom-bfingpumping-support-thread/page/3#post-911731 Sun, 07 Jul 2013 21:49:42 +0000 Pepper 911731@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@rahlyrah: Hugs! I have my emotional days too, trust me! Hope you can get a good nights sleep, I always feel so much better after some decent sleep. </p> <p>Does everyone here use a nursing pillow? I am pretty reliant on my Boppy. I'm not sure that I could nurse without a pillow... which isn't good if I'm ever planning on leaving home without it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/new-mom-bfingpumping-support-thread/page/3#post-911657 Sun, 07 Jul 2013 21:05:05 +0000 Mrs. Lovejoy 911657@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@rahlyrah: so frustrating. It sounds like you're doing everything right though. It has to get easier soon!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/new-mom-bfingpumping-support-thread/page/3#post-911639 Sun, 07 Jul 2013 20:54:19 +0000 Ra 911639@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Pepper: This is the first time I've been able to pump today. DH was gone most of the day and B is going through a growth spurt so he has been on the boob almost nonstop.</p> <p>DH just hot compressed me while I was pumping and I was able to get a little out. I'm hoping when he wakes me for my night session things will be back to normal.</p> <p>I think I am just an emotional mess today. Thank you for helping me through this! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/new-mom-bfingpumping-support-thread/page/3#post-911593 Sun, 07 Jul 2013 20:38:15 +0000 Pepper 911593@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@rahlyrah: I know exactly what you mean! It's good to know you're not alone; I feel the same way. We both can't be doing it all wrong, right?? :) Re: production: sometimes one of my boobs will barely put out anything when I pump, but after a few hours, it's back to being ready to feed again. Has it been like that all day? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/new-mom-bfingpumping-support-thread/page/3#post-911536 Sun, 07 Jul 2013 20:16:31 +0000 Ra 911536@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mewtill: Thank you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/new-mom-bfingpumping-support-thread/page/3#post-911534 Sun, 07 Jul 2013 20:15:48 +0000 JoyfulKiwi 911534@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Gah! Here's the link :/ <a href="http://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/pumping/milkcalc/" rel="nofollow">http://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/pumping/milkcalc/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/new-mom-bfingpumping-support-thread/page/3#post-911533 Sun, 07 Jul 2013 20:15:28 +0000 JoyfulKiwi 911533@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@rahlyrah: here's the link. It's for pumping, so it's a little backward. You can enter the #of feedings a day and it'll tell you oz or mL per feeding. So, if it says the number of feedings gets you close to the amount he's transferring, you may get some peace of mind. Also, I didn't start pumping until closer to 3 months, but I know being stressed about output really did make me produce less. It's hard in the early days, but like Kemma said, it works best when no one is really thinking too hard about it. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/new-mom-bfingpumping-support-thread/page/3#post-911509 Sun, 07 Jul 2013 20:05:58 +0000 Ra 911509@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>As an aside, I am currently in the middle of day #2 of doing a pumping power hour and my left boob is not producing <b>AT ALL.</b> This is worrying me a bit! LO definitely favors the right but I always feed him off both and alternate which one I start on. This is the first time I have ever pumped and got NOTHING out of the left side. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/new-mom-bfingpumping-support-thread/page/3#post-911507 Sun, 07 Jul 2013 20:03:39 +0000 Ra 911507@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@knittylady: Thank you for the encouragement!</p> <p>@Mrs. Lovejoy: It is so frustrating, right?! I even bought a baby scale so I can track his transfer at home. It probably wasn't a good idea because it only feeds into my obsession. Hopefully, we will figure this out!</p> <p>@Pepper: I hope you're right. Everyone says it gets easier. I just didn't expect it to be this difficult. I am impatient, I suppose. This is going to sound horrible, but since we are so close in delivery dates, it comforts me to know you are going through similar issues. Don't get me wrong, I wish it was easy for you and hope it gets easier soon, but it keeps me from feeling crazy knowing that we are experiencing similar ups and downs.</p> <p>@mewtill: I like the "one day at a time mentality." I am going to have to try that! Do you have a link for the calculator?</p> <p>@Mrs. Chocolate: Of course it's not too late! Welcome!</p> <p>@Kemma: LO is a pooping and peeing machine, so that makes me feel better! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/new-mom-bfingpumping-support-thread/page/3#post-911411 Sun, 07 Jul 2013 18:57:24 +0000 Pepper 911411@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Kemma: Great, thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/new-mom-bfingpumping-support-thread/page/3#post-911396 Sun, 07 Jul 2013 18:47:53 +0000 Kemma 911396@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Pepper: this is the link for paced feeding on Kellymom but I think taking breaks is part of the method!</p> <p><a href="http://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/feeding-tools/bottle-feeding/" rel="nofollow">http://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/feeding-tools/bottle-feeding/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/new-mom-bfingpumping-support-thread/page/3#post-911387 Sun, 07 Jul 2013 18:40:44 +0000 Pepper 911387@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Chocolate: Definitely not too late to join in! How is it going for you?</p> <p>@Kemma: My husband usually feeds him the bottles, and I have him take breaks every half oz or so to burp him and let the food hit his stomach. Is that the paced method? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/new-mom-bfingpumping-support-thread/page/3#post-911366 Sun, 07 Jul 2013 18:26:52 +0000 Kemma 911366@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@rahlyrah: for what it's worth, I really believe that breastfeeding works best when baby takes the lead and Mum spends less time over-thinking it. The only real good indicator that baby is getting enough milk is plenty of wet and dirty diapers and weight gain over time!</p> <p>@Pepper: do you bottled feed using the "paced" method and take breaks as you go? From what I've read it takes a wee while for baby's tummy to communicate to the brain that it's full so sometimes a baby can take in more milk than strictly necessary due to the different sucking mechanism required by the bottle.</p> <p>@Mrs. Lovejoy: it's really normal to have a fussy baby in the evening and for your supply to be lower although the calorie content of the milk is higher to compensate. Have you tried having a really good, nutritious snack in the afternoon to see if that will help supply? </p> <p>@mewtill: it totally does get better! I too had to do the "take it one feed at a time" approach and here we are at almost nine months pp still going strong :-)</p> <p>Hang in there ladies, you're all doing awesome! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/new-mom-bfingpumping-support-thread/page/3#post-911304 Sun, 07 Jul 2013 17:49:50 +0000 JoyfulKiwi 911304@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@rahlyrah: for what it's worth, I felt the same way when I first started breastfeeding. I was always worried about something! I would have to tell myself "get through this next feeding, just this next one, and then you can decide to quit." We're still EBF at 9 months :)</p> <p>As for your son taking more from a bottle, an LC once told me that newborns eat like its Thanksgiving - there is *always* room for more. Have you used Kellymom's calculators? I remember using them to see how many feeding sessions to have in 24 hours once I knew how much my son transferred. </p> <p>You're doing great! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/new-mom-bfingpumping-support-thread/page/3#post-911284 Sun, 07 Jul 2013 17:41:02 +0000 Mrs. Chocolate 911284@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hope its not too late for me to join, breastfeeding is always best with support if you ask me </p>