https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 03 Apr 2026 19:20:02 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-about-bottle-feeding-and-breastfeeding#post-2676002 Sun, 08 Jan 2017 13:23:25 +0000 snowjewelz 2676002@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm sure someone already said most of these things...</p> <p>DD2 is pretty lazy/sleepy too so I also always have to pull out all the tricks to get her to eat. It is really annoying.. Takes like 40 min and then I feel like it's time to do it again. I do two things as long as she is gaining well - if she takes both sides, I'll let her sleep longer till next feed, but if she is just out after one side I'll wake her up 2 hrs sharp. </p> <p>Def find an LC... Both my girls had tongue ties but my dr always said they were minor but LC would tell us to cut, which we did both times. Last time she suggested nipple shield for me since my nipples were a little short. This time she just suggested diff positioning to get a deeper latch. I also find doing weighted feeds with LC helpful. </p> <p>DD2'a latch isn't great, so I'm seeing how well she is gaining tomorrow before making another appt with LC </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-about-bottle-feeding-and-breastfeeding#post-2676000 Sun, 08 Jan 2017 13:16:28 +0000 Iced Tea 2676000@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I second the suggestions to follow up with a good lactation consultant. And at this early age, I'd for sure go with an SNS over a bottle. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-about-bottle-feeding-and-breastfeeding#post-2675923 Sun, 08 Jan 2017 02:34:58 +0000 bees_knees 2675923@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd encourage you to talk to a LC again! It can't hurt anything. :) Also, I know several people who have had their docs dismiss tongue/lip ties, only to have them diagnosed by a LC, confirmed by an oral surgeon. After getting them released, breastfeeding became MUCH easier. Worth checking out! Hang in there! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-about-bottle-feeding-and-breastfeeding#post-2675922 Sun, 08 Jan 2017 02:27:53 +0000 gingerbebe 2675922@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Pumpkin Pie: I have always done a combination of nursing and doing pumped bottles, but I'd say by after the 6 week growth spurt, they could get enough in a feeding from direct nursing to not need the top off. Their mouths are big enough, their oral muscles have strengthened from the growth spurts, and they aren't so sleepy anymore and can focus on eating. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-about-bottle-feeding-and-breastfeeding#post-2675839 Sat, 07 Jan 2017 17:01:08 +0000 Pumpkin Pie 2675839@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gingerbebe: how long did it take you to have them nursing only? When after nursing, she'll still take 2-3 oz from the bottle. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-about-bottle-feeding-and-breastfeeding#post-2675835 Sat, 07 Jan 2017 16:26:00 +0000 gingerbebe 2675835@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's not an instant fix - it's harrd workkkkk. But in the long run you are teaching them not to associate nursing with sleep, but nursing to eat. Both my boys relied heavily on pumped bottles for several weeks in combination with nursing and the 3 week growth spurt is tough (the 6 week one is worse but they are more awake for that one). Just put the baby to breast first, try to keep her awake for 15 minutes while nursing, change diaper, offer other side, then top off with the bottle. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-about-bottle-feeding-and-breastfeeding#post-2675794 Sat, 07 Jan 2017 14:49:04 +0000 mrswin 2675794@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Pumpkin Pie: I would try and follow up with an LC, so much changes in the first few weeks and they can be such a great resource. When we did our weighed feeds with the LC she was only taking 1.5oz per feed! When she should have been closer to 3oz. It was super frustrating in the beginning but it got better the bigger she got and we ended up nursing until 15 months!</p> <p>BTW there is also a pretty big growth spurt at 3 weeks so baby may be legit hungry! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-about-bottle-feeding-and-breastfeeding#post-2675791 Sat, 07 Jan 2017 14:46:17 +0000 mrswin 2675791@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Pumpkin Pie: She sounds like my DD, she was a VERY lazy nurser when we first brought her home. The lactation consultant we worked with had us use an SNS for a while and also suggested that I break her latch and burp her every time she started to doze off to get her to stay awake long enough to eat a full feed. The bottles may be adding to the issue. What level nipple is it? If you are giving a bottle afterward she may prefer that because the milk comes faster and she doesn't have to work for it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-about-bottle-feeding-and-breastfeeding#post-2675787 Sat, 07 Jan 2017 14:32:55 +0000 Pumpkin Pie 2675787@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I tried the suggestions from @DesertDreams88: and @gingerbebe: and she still falls asleep, but was able to stay awake just a bit more. </p> <p>@Kemma: she isn't always actively swallowing. She starts out fine, but then it becomes just suckling. I was wondering if it was a latch issue, but the lactation consultant at the hospital said she seemed fine. I read that falling asleep might be a sign of a shallow latch, but I have no idea how to tell if that's the case.</p> <p>The doctor said she doesnt have tongue/lip tie. </p> <p>Breast compressions help a little, but she never gets full from just nursing. I always have to give her a bottle. </p> <p>Any other ideas? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-about-bottle-feeding-and-breastfeeding#post-2675776 Sat, 07 Jan 2017 13:41:43 +0000 Kemma 2675776@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Is baby actively swallowing and taking in milk while nursing? I'm just wondering if it might be worth you getting in touch with IBCLC and possibly having baby checked for tongue and lip tie. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-about-bottle-feeding-and-breastfeeding#post-2675764 Sat, 07 Jan 2017 13:04:36 +0000 sugarpea 2675764@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, both are definitely common/normal :happy: I second the suggestions above and my MW/IBCLC also suggested nursing on one side, switching to the other side when DS was getting sleepy and no longer swallowing, and then switching back to the first side when he was falling asleep again. You can also try doing some breast compressions too. They really helped us in the beginning!<br /> <a href="http://breastfeedingmommas.com/why-we-love-breast-compression-while-breastfeeding-and-you-should-too" rel="nofollow">http://breastfeedingmommas.com/why-we-love-breast-compression-while-breastfeeding-and-you-should-too</a></p> <p>The fullness will gradually go away (likely in the next couple of weeks) as your supply regulates. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-about-bottle-feeding-and-breastfeeding#post-2675602 Fri, 06 Jan 2017 22:44:17 +0000 gingerbebe 2675602@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Keep her awake - we would strip down, tickle under the armpit, put on cold wash cloths, or lay my boys on the floor for a minute or two (they'd always wake up). It's really hard and a lot of work in the beginning especially in the MOTN but you want them to get that full feeding so they get a nice stretch of sleep. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-about-bottle-feeding-and-breastfeeding#post-2675601 Fri, 06 Jan 2017 22:41:38 +0000 DesertDreams88 2675601@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I tried to avoid LO falling asleep while nursing, bc it always seemed to lead to a cycle of a little nursing, a little sleeping, waking due to hunger, and then starting the cycle all over again! I wanted him to stay awake and get full feeds in! So I often tickled his feet, blowing gently on his face, got him semi-undressed (don't know how cold it is in the house...?), and/or changed his diaper midway. Hope those ideas help!</p> <p>And in terms of fullness, newborns eat every 2ish hours so it's great that your body is ready to nurse again so quickly :) It will all even out within the next couple weeks I imagine, as your supply self-regulates. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-about-bottle-feeding-and-breastfeeding#post-2675595 Fri, 06 Jan 2017 22:30:37 +0000 Pumpkin Pie 2675595@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DD2 is almost 3 weeks and I've been trying to breastfeed, but I'm also pumping and giving her the bottle after nursing. The issue I'm having is that she always falls asleep while nursing, and then will be hungry very shortly after. Any suggestions on what to do? Is that a common problem? I thought about withholding the bottle, but that seems like she would just be nursing all day long and I'm not sure I could handle that. </p> <p>My breasts also feel full very shortly after nursing or pumping. Anyone remember when that goes away? Im assuming that's normal? </p>