Elsa Louise: a lesson in best laid plans - Page 3

[Helsie]

Do you have a breast-pump? Because if you are worried she is not getting hindmilk, you could try pumping out the foremilk? I have been quite engorged and have been doing this some days.

[dannic]

what about tongue tie? Does her tongue come out fully? Is it heart shaped or does it look like she can reach the top of her mouth? My dd had trouble with latching because of this...
GL and congrats!

[folkgirl]

Originally Posted by Ninetales

I'm sure she's getting enough, but I don't think she's getting hindmilk. She has been having about 4 poops a day (usually there's pee with those) but it's still not EBF poop.

She just won't open. I've tried everything to get her to open wide but she just won't. And then if I mess with it too long she gets upset and she's hard to calm.

The number of pee and poops is great, though! Very encouraging. Makes this whole situation much less of an emergency, know what I mean? My daughter is 2.5 weeks old and she didn't start having those yellow/breastmilk poops until she was 10 days old. She was gaining weight the whole time, though, so I figured she was doing okay.

Have you tried doing breast compressions while nursing? That's the best way I know to keep a baby awake/interested. Here's a video that illustrates how to do compressions. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJrBRYxDNSE

[Ninetales]

I don't think it's a tongue tie issue. She sucks on fingers with no problem and the dr didn't see a problem with it. I just can't figure out the latch or get her to open.

She has an appt at the chiro on fri and I'm going to keep looking for someone to help us that we can afford. Just taking it one day at a time.

[aramat]

Will insurance pay for a lactation consultant? What about a pediatrician? Some pedis and some midwives have LC training.

The Kellymom website is a really good one. Sorry the BFing Challenges board wasnt able to help. Does baby cry at the breast because she's too hungry to latch on? Can you feed her more frequently/spend a day in bed nursing? I wonder if a high palate situation could cause this? Or any possibility of oral thrush?

I agree with what was said previously -- the early days are VERY important; pull out all the stops to get this figured out ASAP! (Speaking from experience of being a boneheaded stubborn lazy person over here who is regretting her slothfulness now that her supply is low!)

[aramat]

Did you see this? http://www.kellymom.com/newman/26bab..._to_latch.html

[Ninetales]

I have looked around at that site but haven't been able to use the information. My problem is getting her to open wide and take enough breast. Also I've noticed her lower lip is always tucked in. I've tried the lower lip flip suggested by Sears but I can't seem to be able to do it.

[leila1213]

How are things going now? I hope the BFing has gotten better.

[Keeta]

Have you thought about a nipple shield? I've been using one this time around and it REALLY makes a difference for me - I have flattish nipples so it's hard to get enough nipple in his mouth without the shield. Now at almost 4 weeks I can get him to latch easily without the shield when we're sitting up and I can really line everything up correctly - but I'm still using it for lying down. One step at a time, right? I hope you find the support you need! Have you looked into your local La Leche League chapter?

[Ninetales]

We're doing lots better. I think it's working for the most part. I still don't think we're doing it "right" but it doesn't hurt as bad and she's getting her milkies so I'm going with it.

[Surfacing]

Yay! It will get easier as her mouth gets bigger.