Breastfeeding, etc. - Page 11 « Back to Group Discussions

[birdhappy85]

Our baby LOVES bouncing with us on the exercise ball. If nothing else will settle her down, that is usually our go-to for making her happy. We're getting quite the workout lately during her fussy hours in the evening.

[Jaimee]

Originally Posted by birdhappy85 

Anyone else have a baby who pounds his/her fists on your chest and/or scratches you while breastfeeding? ...I've clipped her nails and she is still scratching the heck out of my boobs when flailing her arms. I have a huge scratch across one of them. Ugh! I'm tired of being beat up. What the heck?

Yep, my first two did this quite a bit, Avery hasn't started yet, but I'm sure he will.  It's a phase just like nipple twiddling.  I would hold baby's top hand while nursing to prevent injury.   You could also try a nursing necklace.  She's probably a bit young for it now since she can't really control her movements to grab at the necklace, but as she gets older it could really help out.  There are some really pretty ones out there or you could make your own.  Here is an example: http://www.mommynecklaces.com/Dangling-Donuts_c_78.html
 

[birdhappy85]

Aww, I love that idea Jaimee! Those are such pretty necklaces! I might have to get one in the future.

[seraf]

Today is my first day back at work. We offered bottles all weekend to try to get him to accept one. Tried cup and dropper feeding with a syringe even. I was nervous but I hear the second bottle today was taken. 

Pumping is fun. I nursed twice and pumped once before I left this morning and I pumped 8 ounces in the first 3 hours away from home. 4 hours down, 12 to go. Then work Tuesday and off for 5 days. 

Happy new year everyone. 

[jhsmama11]

Breastfeeding is going really well for us and I'm really enjoying it. I will likely return to work 1/30 (planning part time but that's a discussion for another thread) and I'm wondering when I really need to start pumping. I tried it the last two days and got 1 oz each day. DH is really pressuring me to pump (partly to have an "emergency" store and so he gets to feed him). But I feel reluctant to pump or intro a bottle yet. I've been on working and pumping and kellymom plus have breastfeeding book, but I'm still having a hard time deciding when it's right. Maybe I will just know (or it will be closer to time to return to work...)

[seraf]

I have a small stash.  I returned to work yesterday.  Silly point, if he feeds him the emergency store, it will be gone.  My DS is 8 weeks and we introduced the bottle early on and then he forgot how to take it and it took several attempts to get him re-aquainted.  The Dr Sears site said to introduce about 2 weeks before returning to work.  

[CDsMom1031]

Originally Posted by jhsmama11 

Breastfeeding is going really well for us and I'm really enjoying it. I will likely return to work 1/30 (planning part time but that's a discussion for another thread) and I'm wondering when I really need to start pumping. I tried it the last two days and got 1 oz each day. DH is really pressuring me to pump (partly to have an "emergency" store and so he gets to feed him). But I feel reluctant to pump or intro a bottle yet. I've been on working and pumping and kellymom plus have breastfeeding book, but I'm still having a hard time deciding when it's right. Maybe I will just know (or it will be closer to time to return to work...)

I started pumping a week before I went back to work. I was only getting 2oz TOTAL... MAX each time I pumped so it took me awhile. Once I started back up at work, I had 3 bottles. I started taking Fenugreek to help up my supply so that I could get more out of each pumping. Now I have 6 bottles. =)

[seraf]

I forgot, when I was at work Sunday the baby took 16 oz but I pumped 22, so he is all set for tomorrow. 

[birdhappy85]

I'm breastfeeding no-handed, woohoo! I bought a Baby K'tan carrier recently to see if I'd like it better than my Moby. It does a lot of the same wrap positions but is so much easier and quicker to put on. Sora is lying in it nursing for the first time. This rocks! Now, if I can just get her to sit in any of these carriers more often than once in a blue moon.... This is just a really rare occurrence today.

[jhsmama11]

I pumped 4 oz this morning. But it looks like mostly foremilk (only a slight layer of "cream" at the top), I think. And it's green. Anyone experience this? Is it ok for baby?

[jbk21]

Yes- breastmilk color can change based on what you eat.  Have you eaten a lot of fiber or greens lately?

[seraf]

All the milk I pump has more foremilk with cream after it seperates. And green, like she said, veggies.

[jhsmama11]

The weird thing is that I hadn't eaten many veggies before. I called a lactation consultant and she thought it might be the mini pill which I had just started.

I expected there to be separation in my milk but I was surprised at how little cream there was at the top and got to worrying that maybe something was wrong with the ratio. But baby is growing fine and seems happy so I guess I'll have to worry about something else...

[LunaLady]

.

Edited by LunaLady - 6/29/12 at 4:32pm

[jill the pill]

I have the same problem.  It's been 9 weeks and my nipples get white for a while after too.  Its called nipple blanching.  It's related to a bad latch and Audrey won't open wide enough either.  I got some advice from a friend of mine who is a breastfeeding coach to let baby suck on your finger before nursing to try to draw the tongue out.  Kind of give it a massage stroking with your finger.  Then she said to lounge back like when you're relaxed watching TV and let baby root around and latch itself.  She said gravity helps get a better latch.  Also be skin to skin with baby while you do this.  I don't know if it will work since I haven't tried yet but I am willing to try anything at this point!  Don't rule out thrush if it wasn't painful before and now it is.
 

Originally Posted by LunaLady 

So I've been breastfeeding Rhyko for 7 weeks, now, and my nipples were just tender there in the beginning - but in the last few days they have suddenly become super tender again! Especially the left one... it's like someone is cutting my nipple off with a hot knife when he latches. And his latch has gotten sloppy, he more just sucks the nipple into his mouth than opening wide enough to take the nipple into his mouth. But, I don't know how to fix that! I do try to help him open wider by pushing gently on his chin, but he just moves his head down, thus keeping his mouth closed just the same. 

It's just so painful.. I end up biting my lip and kicking my legs when he first starts nursing... and the nipple is always white and really hard when he's done and hurts for a couple hours after... and then it's nearly time to nurse again! 

[seraf]

Thrush or bad latch. A LC can help you get a better latch but when Shay had a really messed up latch we did a lot of work on it and what helped the most for us was to sit him beside me in a football hold and tickle his top lip but not let him on the nipple until he opens his mouth really wide. Then check his lips all around to make sure his lips are not tucked in anyplace. If a lip is tucked in, push in on the breast tissue so the lip has to pop out. 

Shay was the first one I had a hard time nursing. I really understand the knee jerking pain. Good luck. 

[Butter is Better]

Originally Posted by LunaLady 

So I've been breastfeeding Rhyko for 7 weeks, now, and my nipples were just tender there in the beginning - but in the last few days they have suddenly become super tender again! Especially the left one... it's like someone is cutting my nipple off with a hot knife when he latches. And his latch has gotten sloppy, he more just sucks the nipple into his mouth than opening wide enough to take the nipple into his mouth. But, I don't know how to fix that! I do try to help him open wider by pushing gently on his chin, but he just moves his head down, thus keeping his mouth closed just the same. 

It's just so painful.. I end up biting my lip and kicking my legs when he first starts nursing... and the nipple is always white and really hard when he's done and hurts for a couple hours after... and then it's nearly time to nurse again! 

NIPPLE BLANCHING

The same thing happens to me, my nipples are constantly blanched and sore :/ I have tried to improve his latch but it doesn't seem to work...worst of all many times he will suck my nipple into his mouth as if it were a straw ... Ouch! I have just come to expect BF to always be painful :/

LO SQUIRMING AT BREAST

Also I read a posting from someone commenting that their LO hits then, kicks and pulls at the breast while nursing - my son (8 weeks old) does this as well, I have realized if I stop and burp him he normally calms down...or if I suspect that side is low on milk I will either squeeze my breast to encourage the milk to flow or switch breasts.

PUMPING

Also it used to take me 1 hr to pump 2oz, now I can pump 4oz in 15 mins from one breast (the side he didn't nurse on...the biggest difference is I'm drinking a lot of water and squeezing my Breast to help encourage the milk to flow faster...it really helps!

[Jaimee]

Originally Posted by Butter is Better 

NIPPLE BLANCHING

The same thing happens to me, my nipples are constantly blanched and sore :/ I have tried to improve his latch but it doesn't seem to work...worst of all many times he will suck my nipple into his mouth as if it were a straw ... Ouch! I have just come to expect BF to always be painful :/

That sucks!  But I have to say that improving latch IS possible, though certainly a PITA.  I would really encourage you to try- especially trying different nursing positions to get him to open his mouth differently (side laying, football, cradle, in a carrier, laying on top of you, etc.).  Breastfeeding should NOT always be painful.  I would hate for you to continue in constant pain not only b/c that's no fun for you, but it might also encourage you to stop nursing sooner than you would like to.  Have you spoken with a lactation consultant or LLL leader?
 

[jbk21]

I need to fix D's latch too.  He is clicking.  It doesn't hurt, but it drives me INSANE.  It just started up again - he had problems as a newborn and then they got better, now the clicking is back.  Tips appreciated!

[dashley111]

Originally Posted by jbk21 

I need to fix D's latch too.  He is clicking.  It doesn't hurt, but it drives me INSANE.  It just started up again - he had problems as a newborn and then they got better, now the clicking is back.  Tips appreciated!

Im in the same boat!  Only on one side though, oddly.  The clicking had me thinking we needed to correct something, then the last few days on just the one side my nipple has been killing me, and looks irritated.