Sigh ... bottles? - Page 3

[starling&diesel]

That sounds awesome, Megan! You make a good spokesperson for the Lact-Aid! I am definitely leaning that way ... we are getting an Medela SNS off of CL for cheap, so I can try it out and it can be an emergency backup. As for the Lact-Aid, I think I will order a set soon! Thanks!

Originally Posted by Megan73

It's no problem at all. I just carry the filled Lact-Aid bags (they need to be upright in a glass or something) inside an insulated lunch bag with a few cold packs. Then I pull it out when I need to nurse. The only part of the unit anyone would see is the clear plastic tube going into the babe's mouth. The rest would show only if you were wearing a very low-necked shirt.
The Medela SNS is much less discreet – it's a hard plastic bottle.
I was actually nursing next to a friend recently and she commented that it was great I no longer need to supplement!

[Megan73]

Originally Posted by starling&diesel

That sounds awesome, Megan! You make a good spokesperson for the Lact-Aid! I am definitely leaning that way ... we are getting an Medela SNS off of CL for cheap, so I can try it out and it can be an emergency backup. As for the Lact-Aid, I think I will order a set soon! Thanks!

I'm so glad!
Yes – I am the postermama for Lact-Aid. It must sound so silly to mamas who don't struggle with supply problems. I just feel so, so lucky to have discovered it thanks to my SIL who is BFAR. There's just no way that at eight months we'd still be breastfeeding otherwise and I just love nursing my little one and knowing that despite all the challenges we faced he gets all of his food at my breast.
I hope you'll get to feel that joy, too.

[sattygirl99]

I responded to your PM but wanted to post my response here as well!

When it comes down to the Lact-Aid (LA), I use it for all feeds, except over night. Overnight I seem to have enough milk to keep DD happy (and she's still gaining so obviously it's enough). I use my LA system when out and about. The way I see it, I am a breastfeeding mom, regardless of whether I supplement at the breast or not. I AM exclusively breastfeeding my daughter, all the time. Unless it's the occasional bottle that my DH gives for when I go out or sleep in.

I personally have never used formula in the LA. I haven't needed to (counting my blessings here). You can call the company and speak with Jimmie (she's wonderful!) and she can talk with you about it. I know it's designed to be used with formula or expressed milk so no worries on having to use formula in it. Many mom's out there do!

I love my Lact-Aid system. It has been well worth the time, money and frustration it took in learning an SNS (I had never used an SNS at all). I am happy to say that outside of maybe 2 bottles a week, my daughter is EBF thanks to the Lact-Aid. I couldn't have that relationship with her if it wasn't for my LA. It's been a dream come true. I no longer need to worry about her weight, the 'is she getting enough' game, because she's always getting enough.

I actually have an increase in my supply since she is at the breast full time. I nurse both breasts first and then switch her back to the breast I first nursed on (so it gets the most stimulation) and add the LA. This way, she empties my breasts at every feeding AND gets her milk. Then I just do it on the opposite side the next feeding. Clear as mud, right?

I really recommend that you call and talk to Jimmie at LA. Her husband designed the Lact-Aid so that she could nurse her adopted babies. She knows exactly how it feels to have to supplement and she's a wealth of knowledge. She's truly wonderful and she will help you and answer all of your questions.

I hope I was able to help! Don't hesitate to shoot me another PM and ask me whatever! I'll help as best I can!

[sattygirl99]

Also, I want to say, there is a HUGE difference between the LA and the Medela SNS. The LA is far superior! Don't base your choice on the Medela. I tried the Medela first and hated it and nearly gave up breastfeeding until I met a local mom who set me up with a lact-aid.

[shogan3000]

I struggled with low supply, too. My 9 lb baby was down to 7 lbs only 3 days after delivery. I was always tired - mentally and physically.

We bottle fed my pumped milk, double pumped a few times a day (and throughout the night while baby was sleeping), used herbs, drank beer, tried a Lact-Aid type device...and I was not able to increase my supply. I was always exhausted. I am proud to say we made it to 15 months!

When my child turned 3, I was finally diagnosed with severe anemia (low iron). My hemoglobin was below 5 (it is supposed to be between 12 and 14).

Looking back I am convinced this was a big part of my milk supply problems. I lost more than the average amount of blood during delivery. The doctor prescribed iron pills. The label on the bottle said do not use when breast feeding, so I didn't. At the time I did not know there are 'breast feeding friendly' iron supplements.

The hemoglobin/anemia test is a pin prick test that is done in the doctor's office. It costs less than $20. You might consider getting your iron level checked. I wish I had.

Good luck to you! Whatever you end up doing, please know it is the right decision for your family.

[tiggygal23]

I can tell you that my LO had bottles at 6 weeks because I thought something was wrong with my milk. Turns out I think he is just lactose intolerant. So needless to say after a week of bottles, he went back to the breast with no problems. I can switch things for him, so when I am at work my DH can give him a bottle. He has no trouble going back to the breast. What about the lactaid system. I am not sure if that is what others have suggested, as I do not know what SNS is.
Good luck to you... and I would go with the chiropracter thing..... I believe in homeopathic medicine, also check with a nutritionist. When I was having supply issues, I was told quality proteins, nuts, avocados, red meats not fully cooked to get the most enzymes, other meats such as chicken, pork, eggs etc. It really did help me out a bit. I notice a difference when I eat eggs for breakfast, rather than toast or cereal.

[Mother to Sy]

Paced Bottle Feeding

I would like to suggest you check out www.kellymom.com (if you haven't already) she posts great, evidenced based information on breastfeeding. You may get some inspiration...
Also, if you make the move to add bottles to your routine, look into paced bottle feeding. You can find info on it at the above site. It's a technique that works great for the breastfed baby.
Also, what type of pump are you using? Do you have a hospital grade double electric breast pump? If not you may notice a improvement by renting one. Are you working with an IBCLC? Sorry if you've already answered or detailed all this information.......
Good luck to you. I so admire and respect your dedication.

[sattygirl99]

Hey mama... I wanted to check in and see how it's going? Did you order a lact-aid system? I bet you'll love it over the Medela!

[starling&diesel]

Thanks to everyone for your thoughtful replies ... we're hanging in there, still not using bottles. We tried having DD drink from a wee cup today, and she's not sure what she thinks about that. I'm sure she'll get better with practice!
We did get a Lact-Aid, sattygirl, but it seems so fiddle to clean and handle. I do like it better than the Medela SNS, but our syringe/feeding tube set up is really working well for us. I want DD to be drinking from a cup by the time we have to go visit family in a couple of weeks ... so we'll see how lofty a goal that is!
I might give the Lact-Aid another try ...

[velcromom]

Hi mama, I had a little one who was at the 5th percentile on the charts and right off the bat I got some serious flack from medical personell. They actually threatened me with giving formula against my consent! Is your ped using the charts for bf babies? if not that could be the source of some of his concern, the charts are not the same.

There's nothing wrong with being at a low percentile as long as the baby stays on his/her own curve. Like a pp said, there has to be babies at each data point, and there is no better/worse judgement based on how high the number is - each baby should be looked at individually.

Here's an article that you might find reassuring, it helped me a lot with understanding my tiny babe was ok. http://www.drjaygordon.com/development/bf/scales.asp

[nico loves birth]

im so sorry to hear of your challenge. one thing i noticed is that you tried block feeding-this will actually decrease your supply so throw that one away! i dont know how old your baby is but the chances of nipple confusion lessesn with age and nursing experience. some said "someone has to be the 3%" we all come in different shapes and sizes unfortunately nipple confusion is not something you can predict, some children experience it, some dont. topping up with bottles can affect your supply if you are not removing enough from your breasts.

this is all very exhausting for you, i know but hang in there and follow your instincs, do whats best for you and your family. this is really just a small part in the long journey of parenthood and if BF doesnt go exactly like you had hoped thats ok life doesn always work out the way we planned. any amount of breastmilk is better than none! the emotions involved are overwhelming to say the least, take care of yourself so you can enjoy taking care of your family.

much love nico

[Megan73]

Originally Posted by starling&diesel

we're hanging in there, still not using bottles.

Good for you, mama! I'm glad you've found a set-up that works for you. Good luck with the cup-learning and please feel free to PM me anytime if you need Lact-Aid support.

[sattygirl99]

Same here mama... You can PM me anytime if you need lact-aid support or just support in general.

Stick with it... It IS cumbersome at first... It's like learning to BF all over again. But it does get easier. You and babe get used to it. I have a friend who has been using a LA for over a yr (BFAR mom, she knew she'd have to supplement) and she can get it over head and in mouth in less than 30 seconds. It was almost intimidating to me as it takes me a bit longer to get set up. But she's been doing it for over 12 months longer than me! It really is worth it!

You are doing great mama! Anytime you need anything, PM me!

[dida17]

CDC versus WHO growth charts

Have you looked at the WHO growth charts, they are only based on bf babies. Where the CDC (which most doctors use) charts are based on both (and more formula fed babies).

http://www.who.int/nutrition/media_page/en/

My son was at the 50th at birth and kept dropping percentiles...ended up below the 3rd at 6 months, and has stayed around the 3rd. He followed nicely along the 10th on the WHO chart. I agree with the idea of look at the baby not the chart. Producing good wet diapers and bm, sleeps well (well enough for a baby) and is alert when awake, meeting milestones, etc..

Hang in there...you are doing wonderfully!

[Pookietooth]

Is there a latch or tongue tie issue? If so, bottles will make it worse. You could try cup or finger feeding.