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Completely random, and off topic... The new emoticons look like my avatar!
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@Cupcake: Yep, I have a 4 week old and he eats every other hour for about an hour. It makes for some interesting nights
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@grizz: lo is 8 weeks! He has been STTN, so it's just during the day.
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@Cupcake: I am hoping my LO will STTN at 8 weeks - you give me hope!
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My nipples are so torn up. I really think his latch is all messed up. Anyone else dealing/dealt with bleeding cracked nipples? I'm feeling weird about offering him milk when my nips are bleeding.
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@Pepper: I had torn up nips until E's latch improved. I used lanolin religiously (careful though, it stains) after expressing breast milk and letting it air dry on my nips.
I know the shield can help buy you some time for you to heal and to develop better latch habits in your LO, but it can become a crutch for them too. A LC gave me a shield, but E never latched with it, so I had to power through healing.*Definitely* see a lactation consultant to improve your LO's latch. They can help tremendously. Most insurances cover a LC visit. If not, I know the LCs here will give a substantial discount to women who have to pay out of pocket.
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@Pepper: I had the town up nipes too. See about getting a script for APNO (all purpose nipple ointment). That really helped to speed up my healing.
I think J is in the middle of a growth spirt, he's been feeding every 1-2 hrs for 30 minutes at a time...it is exhausting! However, today is the first day since we started supplementing with formula (at day 4) that he had had ALL breast milk! He's been at the breast today (yesterday rather) for all feedings except for one top off after a feed of 1 oz expresses breast milk. We used the shield all day but I got him to successfully latch on one side without it for about 15 minutes. Feels like a very successful day!
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@Espion: @maybebaby: Glad the bleeding isn't too abnormal at this stsge. My insurance covers lactation consultation visits, so I need to get something scheduled. I'll definitely ask about the APNO too.
@maybebaby: Yay for all breast milk and a good latch!!
LO is so fussy at night for some reason. The ped recommended mylicon drops and they've made a huge difference! They're my BFF right now. I used my little manual pump while watching TV last night and was able to get 2 oz! I had DH feed it to LO, which I think they both really enjoyed.
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Two questions:
1. Does anyone else's LO do marathon sessions? B has been spending 30-45 mins per boob (and he nurses on both each session) and it's killing me! My whole day is spent with a kid attached to my chest.
2. Shield wearing mamas: Does your LO sound like they're gulping when they nurse? B makes really loud gulping noises the whole time he nurses. It sounds like I starve him the way he gulps it down (almost like a higher pitched swallow/hiccup noise). I'm wondering if I'm doing something wrong.
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@rahlyrah: sounds like you could have a fast/ strong letdown? He could also be taking in a bit of air when feeding
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@Kemma:
I wonder if there is something I can do to make it easier for him?
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@rahlyrah: Yes and yes! C is a marathon nurser. I've got to figure out the difference between real nursing and comfort sucking with him. And he does sound like he's gulping with the nipple shield, but our LC has never said anything about it!
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@rahlyrah: Try reclining while you feed him, it should help with a fast letdown.
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@hergreenapples: Thanks! I'll try that. I'm so frustrated. First, I starved my kid. Now, I'm choking him with my milk. He gets so frustrated sometimes and pulls off, cries, and rips off the shield. It kills me because I know he's hungry and I can't give him what he needs. Why can't this be easy?
Two steps forward. Two steps back.
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@rahlyrah: Ugh, my LO is doing the same thing!! He wants to eat, latches on with shield because he can't latch without it now (gah, my fault), and fusses and cries until I can finally get him to latch. Then, he'll nurse for 5-10 minutes, fall asleep, and we repeat after an hour!
Curious, but does anyone else notice that their boobs are really lumpy? I'm wondering if this is just engorgement and normal? I'm assuming it's not clogged ducts because they aren't red...
I'm making an appointment with an LC in the coming week. I'm hoping to do something to get off these nipple shields because they're SUCH a pain. Wash, feed, repeat. Wash, feed, repeat. Plus the fact I keep losing them around the house.
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@Pepper: Ugh, I'm with you on the nipple shield. LO is four weeks and has til 6 weeks to wean off of it, per the LC. We are nowhere close to weaning off of it! He just screams and slides his mouth all around like he can't find my nipple without it.
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@Pepper: @grizz: maybe try pumping for a minute, so your nip is really erect?
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@rahlyrah: I second reclining. I would also let down into a burp cloth !
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@grizz: what is your LC's reasoning for weaning by 6? I really want to wean off too, but I feel like putting pressure on myself to wean off by 6 weeks (we're a day off from you!) would be too stress for me!
Has anyone heard of a "nursing vacation?" I read about his online where you spend two days in bed/on couch, nap when LO naps and let them spend as much time at breast as they want. Sounds impossible--there are errands and chores and meals to be made! At the same time I wonder if it would help my supply.
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@maybebaby: The LC today recommended doing a nursing power hour to increase supply. She said to sit on the couch (or in bed) and watch your favorite show(s). Start pumping when the show starts and then take a break during each commercial. One of the moms in my BFing support group said it really helped improve her supply.
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@rahlyrah: @maybebaby: I've done the pumping "power hour". The idea is not to suck your boobs dry, but to trigger as many let downs as possible. I had the most success with, pump 10 minutes, off 10, and massage during the rest times.
My problem with pumping is that every day is a nursing vacation! This kid would stay permanently latched if I let him. It doesn't help that he likes to be held for naps, which even with a hands free bra, makes it difficult.
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@rahlyrah: @Espion: This sounds promising. is there a best time of day to do it? I am home alone with LO until DH gets home around 5 each day, so an hour on the pump sounds impossible with unpredictable nap schedules over here--at least until he gets home. Are you supposed to do it once or daily?
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@maybebaby: I did it when DH got home, so someone could pick up E if he started fussing. I haven't done it in awhile, because DH just returned from 2 weeks away and because of the move.
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@maybebaby: I think the LC said that you surge hormones first thing in the morning and later at night. I think I remember her saying something about 10 pm and like 4 am. Clearly, 4 am would not be ideal. I always pump the most during my first pump of the day around 8 am though. Or maybe just sometime after the baby goes to bed?
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@maybebaby: She just hates nipple shields. An LC I work with thinks they're no big deal though. I hate the pressure to be off by 6 weeks! I had to do a 'nursing vacation' when he was born and was jaundiced. It wore my husband out because he had to do everything!
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How often are you guys nursing? Do you nurse on demand or try to get baby to have feelings every few hours? I basically nurse on demand, though LO sleeps a lot during the day (wish he did at night!). I feel bad waking him to eat so I usually try to wait until he wakes up on his own. Then I question if he is getting enough! Gah!
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@Pepper: I feed on demand. He never sleeps for more than 3 or 4 hours at a time anyway.
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@Pepper: if your LO is back to birth weight, gaining ok and having plenty of wet and dirty diapers then he'll let you know when he's hungry!
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@Kemma: He's not at birth weight just yet. He was born at 7 lb 9 oz, and as of yesterday was 6 lbs 15 oz. he is having lots of dirty dipes though! He's 1 week today.
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@Pepper: It took B two full weeks to get back to birth weight. He dropped from 6 lbs 8 oz down to 5 lbs 12 oz. Today, he was 6 lbs 10 oz (at 16 days) and it was the first time he weighed over his birth weight. He lost a ton of weight before my milk came in but he has gained consistently since then.
Does your hospital offer a breastfeeding support group or LC services? I take B in, weigh him, feed, and then weigh him again to make sure he is transferring enough. It is really reassuring because I worry about how much he is getting too.
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I am having a fun evening with A!
He only stopped eating long enough between 4:00 and now for me to scarf down a meal real quick. Then DH held him while he cried for more so I could take a shower! He just keeps wanting more-I am surprised there is any milk in there. Fingers crossed his belly is so full that ill be able to sleep a while tonight.@Pepper: A slept a lot in the first week-I agree that he will let you know when he is hungry. I was so surprised at how long he would go sometimes, but he was just a sleepy newborn I guess. And now we are having a night like tonight!
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@tlcbaby: We're having a night like that too! My crazy little cluster feeder has gained almost a pound in the last 9 days - over 14 oz! His fat little belly will barely fit in his newborn cloth diapers - I think he'll officially outgrow them next week!
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@grizz: I saw your post on the one size BG's. we have A in them at night since he doesn't move around much and they don't leak, but we haven't tried during the day yet. The way he is eating I am thinking we will be switching in no time!
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@rahlyrah: They do offer lactation services at my hospital. I need to schedule an appointment and get down there sometime soon, especially since I'm starting to feel better!
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@tlcbaby: I'm thinking you're right, sleepy newborn phase. Full belly should be great for sleep-- fingers crossed for you!
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@Pepper: Sound's as though he's well on the way to making his birth weight again
Also, as a general rule, LLL recommends that newborns nurse somewhere between ten and twelve times a day as they have tiny wee stomachs and breastmilk digests so quick!
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@Kemma: Good to know!
So I was somehow able to get LO to latch without the shield. It only works if I'm not engorged, otherwise he slides around like there's not a nipple there! The only problem I'm having is it HURTS without that shield!! I'm trying to suffer through bc I hate cleaning that thing just as much. But, ow.
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@Pepper: is it possible he's not getting a good latch because he's used to the shield? Does it just hurt when he first latches or does it hurt the whole time he's nursing? Also, re: latching when you're engorged, have you tried hand expressing or pumping off a little to lessen the engorgement and therefore make it possible for him to latch?
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I can't get LO to consistently latch without the shield. He'll latch for about a minute and then bawl his head off. I can't go more than 5 minutes without it because he just gets too worked up. We are both very frustrated this morning
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@hergreenapples: I think he's just used to the shield. He focuses on just the nip which kills! He'll initially latch well, but then he goes for just the nip. So that tends to hurt the whole time.
I do need to pump before putting him on I think. Good suggestion!@grizz:
That has been happening to us too. I've been taking him off and shushing and rocking to "reset" him, then trying again. It's a long process.
I wonder if there is something I can do to make it easier for him?
He only stopped eating long enough between 4:00 and now for me to scarf down a meal real quick. Then DH held him while he cried for more so I could take a shower! He just keeps wanting more-I am surprised there is any milk in there. Fingers crossed his belly is so full that ill be able to sleep a while tonight.
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