Hi everyone! It's been a while since I posted and that's because I gave birth early at 37 weeks to my little guy! It was a pretty rough birth - I labored for 20 hours and then ended up having a c-section because he stopped progressing at 8cm. I also had a giant cyst removed and my right ovary that the cyst was on (size of a baseball cyst 
) anyways I'm just now starting to feel better again 10 days later. Breastfeeding has been such a struggle and has gotten me so anxious. I had/have no clue what I'm doing even though I saw a lactation consultant. everything went fine at the meeting but as soon as I get home I feel like it just doesn't go well. for this reason and because my baby was jaundice I started exclusively pumping. I liked knowing he was getting fed every two hours and 2-2.5 ounces every time. I'm trying not to give up breastfeeding completely so I tried again today instead of pumping. well he latched great but he only fed on one side for 10 mins and then pulled off and acted totally full and sleepy and then fell asleep. I changed him and tried to have him take the other side but he Wouldn't. in the midst of changing I must of got him all worked up because he spit up a lot and I figured that was all he had just taken in from feeding! does anyone have any clues or advice for this mama? should I just stick to exclusively pumping every three hours and bottle feed expressed milk? or give it a few more days and try breastfeeding longer. btw- I produce about 6 oz of milk every pump (total of two breasts) so I know my supply is just fine. is this why he is full after 10-15 mins on one side? thanks for any advice ladies. 
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Congratulations on your LO and I'm sorry for your rough birth experience!
One thing that breastfeeding doesn't allow you as much control over as pumping or formula is that you can't know how much your LO is drinking in any given session. You can judge that they're getting enough based on wet/dirty diapers, if they seem happy, if their jaundice is wearing off, they're gaining weight, etc. I know it's hard not to be anxious, but try to follow your baby's cues if they're doing well.
Spitting up can be perfectly normal, or it could be a sign they drank too fast, too much, or perhaps an oversupply and a foremilk/hindmilk imbalance. You can address any of those things if they are issues.
But you're recovering from birth, and have to be gentle with yourself. If nursing is giving you anxiety, you should allow yourself to pump for now and try again a little later.
Hugs!
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Congratulations!
The one thing about breastfeeeding that the books dont tell you is how much of a mental game it is. You have to give up a lot of control and trust your baby and your body.
It sounds like it was a great nursing session and I would totally keep trying!
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update; so I just tried again on the other side cause it's been two hours and same thing! 8 mins and he's passed out and looks satisfied...
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they are so sleepy at this stage... i was told to use a wet washcloth, tickle, or strip my baby down to her diaper if it seemed like she couldn't stay awake for feedings.
ETA these things didn't always help, but they did often enough to try to keep the feeding going.
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sorry about your difficult birth, I had an emergency c section with my first son too, without the cyst removal so I can't imagine!!
that's the tricky thing about breastfeeding you have to trust your instincts.
All I can say is keep at it, it will get better, and if you find pumping best for you do that or if you need formula do that.. whatever works for your baby and you is best in my opinion.for example...my 11week old drinks about 4oz a feeding of breastmilk from a bottle if he's eating that way, so if you're getting ~3oz each breast pumping your LO may be getting enough from just one breast per feeding
babies drain more efficiently than the pump does too so LO may be getting more than that 3oz on one side -
One of the best pieces of advice I got regarding spit up is that what looks like a lot probably isn't a lot. If you spill a tablespoon of water onto a cloth, it looks like a lot, but in the grand scheme of a feed, it's not too bad.
Your LO could be a very efficient nurser and be full from one side in 10-15 minutes. DS was like that, although he sometimes took more as he got older. I would personally keep trying the breastfeeding, because pumping, preparing bottles, and cleaning everything takes so much time. If you're ok with that (or have help) by all means pump and give bottles.
Also, if your LO is acting sleepy during a feed, you could gently try to wake him up by either stroking his cheek or blowing on his nose.
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@Mrs. Pickles: thank you!! it was such a hard birth but he's worth it. I just wish the feeding was going better for us. I didn't think about what you mentioned with him possibly getting enough when he drains. I pump for 15 mins and get 3 oz on each side and so maybe that means he gets enough in 8-10 mins?
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@paigeface: in general, babies are more efficient at getting milk out than pumps are, so if you're pumping 3 oz per side, he's probably satisfied with taking one side at a time. My DD only nursed on one side until she was 13-14 months old and my supply diminished, now she takes both sides but she's nursing more for comfort than for nourishment at this point. Your little guy is only a couple weeks old, right? 3 oz is likely plenty for his tiny tummy right now! I totally understand the anxiety, my DD was also a 37-weeker with jaundice and was super sleepy the first couple weeks, but if he seems happy and you know you're producing a sufficient amount of milk, I think you should take a deep breath and trust that he'll be okay. My DD also did better when feedings were spaced at 2.5 hours than 2 hours (until she went through a growth spurt and nursed aLL THE TIME, haha). So if he doesn't want to eat after 2 hours, try giving it just a bit longer and you might have better luck.
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I'd keep at it with trying to breastfeed because the freedom from pumping and bottling is wonderful when you can get it to work out! That being said, let no one judge you should you choose to pump! You are a loving mama just doing what you need to do. So with that said I have a few tips I've learned.
First, if you can find an LC you love and/or a BF support group, you should totally go! I loved my BF support group and learned so much. It really helps tremendously.
I learned from the LC a few things:
- When they spit up, it's often not as much as you think. Try spilling a tsp. of water on a counter. It looks like a lot, but it isn't. So there's a very good chance your baby is still keeping a lot down.
- To keep LO interested, try undressing baby before the feeding to keep them awake and ready. But if it gets too stressful, and you both get worked up it's just not worth it. Try again later and give yourself a break. Supplement some feedings with the bottle, that's ok! Just keep trying.
- If you would love to know how much baby is eating you can buy a baby scale. Weigh baby before and after feeding, sans diaper. One mom at our group was SURE her babe wasn't getting enough. She came to a meeting and used the scale there. Low and behold, her kiddo took 5 whole ounces in one go! So if you can get ahold of a baby scale some way that can really ease the mind.
- Try holding baby upright after feedings to reduce spitting up.
Remember that you're doing your best. You got this, mama.
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@PixieStix: those are some really amazing tips! tonight I tried again and it was a disaster. he was crying, I was crying because he wouldn't latch he kept coming off every 2 seconds and drowning in a sea of my milk all over his chest! I had to go grab the EBM from the fridge because it was just too much. he sucked the whole bottle down in a few minutes which made me feel even worse! I felt like he was starving because of the struggle we had for an hour. I am putting a lot of stress and pressure on myself and I don't think it's helping. I find myself just so upset when it doesn't work out, like I'm doing it all wrong. it's crazy how something maternal could be so difficult for some. thanks for your wonderful tips! I will keep those in mind for the next time I try to BF!
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