THe BF Thread - Page 2 « Back to Group Discussions

[josie423]

I'd love to be able to BF without getting my period back so fast, but I don't see what I can do about that. My milk supply is great until 6-8 weeks PP when I get AF and then it seems like I make just barely enough. I always thought it was my diet or something, but I've been thinking about it lately and I wonder if it's my darn cycles.

The longest I was able to BF was 14 months and then she weaned because I was pregnant and had almost no milk. My youngest I started supplementing with homemade goat's milk formula because he was still EBF when I got pregnant and my supply quickly went down. The last time he nursed was when he was 9 months. He bit me hard, dragged his teeth across my nipple while unlatching and laughed. 

I got thrush and cracked nipples with my first, but fortunately my other three have been pretty easy.

I don't really have any goals. I just want to make lots of milk. And one thing I have an issue with is patience. When my babies want to nurse and nurse my skin starts to crawl and I unlatch them. I'd like to be able to let them nurse as long as they need without getting antsy.

[Brambleberry]

Adaline'sMama - I think you're wise to have a sanity plan in place for twins.  I'm hoping to nurse both at the breast most of the time with just a little pumping so that I can have uninterrupted work days 2x week or so, but I'm going to try to keep my expectations flexible.  I'm a little worried that pumping will actually be a lot more of a hassle than just taking breaks from work to nurse, so we'll see about that plan.  We didn't try a bottle with DD until she was too old to take to it easily, so she never had anything but the breast.  DH is very proud of this (), but I really wish we could have gotten away a little more for our own sanity.  

I didn't have many issues with nursing DD except for having TOO MUCH milk in the early months.  She was a nice fat chunker, but started having explosive green poo until I managed to cut back the supply.  So I'm not worried about my supply for twins.  DD napped at the breast for the first few months which I don't think was really a good thing for anybody involved.  She rarely slept during the day except while nursing for at least the first two months, and she would nap-nurse for 45-60 minutes at a time.  I'm going to be more intentional about encouraging good sleep habits with these two.  It's so easy at first to nurse to sleep but it makes it SO much harder down the road.  As for duration - we'll just see how things go.  I definitely want to nurse for at least a year, but I'm not ready to commit to allowing twins to self-wean - we'll see.  DD finally weaned last month (at about 32 months old), but she'd hardly been getting any actual milk for most of my pregnancy.  It took her about a month from the time she last nursed for her to decide that she was really done for good.  After she hadn't nursed for about a week I told her we could have a weening party if she thought she was all done nursing, and it took her three more weeks to decide to do that.  But she finally brought up the subject on her own and said she was done and wanted a cake .  

[LadyCatherine185]

Definitely planning to nurse again this time, and for me pumping and doing bottles is more hassle than just nursing..

DS1- nursed for about 27 months (until DS2 was born) but lost my milk supply around 20 months (due to pregnancy with DS2), though he still nursed about 2x a day from 20-27 months (he weaned when DS2 was born and he didn't like the milk! haha!).. Had some difficulty in the beginning with him wanting to nurse every hour or more, stay latched on for hours at a time, etc. and then with my overactive letdown and oversupply, and he had some issues with food I was eating and reflux. After he was about 7-8 weeks old we got most of those things worked out and I got used to his every hour feeding schedule. ;)

DS2- nursed for 19 months, basically until I got pregnant this go 'round with DS3 and my milk dried up and he was not happy about that. He was throwing huge tantrums through each feeding and was so upset that there wasn't any milk left so I slowly weaned him over about a month.

I nightweaned them both around 19 months.

also just wanted to add something real quick about the bottles!!

Like others have said, every baby is probably going to like a different bottle. Mine didn't take much to bottles (we only gave them maybe 2-3 bottles in their lives, while we were on a date) but they would NOT take any of the "slow flow" nipples like they recommended. I actually had to cut the nipples so that they would drink from them. I have oversupply and overactive letdown, so they were used to a very fast flow and wouldn't do all the work required to suck from a slow flow nipple!

[Adaline'sMama]

Originally Posted by LadyCatherine185 

Definitely planning to nurse again this time, and for me pumping and doing bottles is more hassle than just nursing..

DS1- nursed for about 27 months (until DS2 was born) but lost my milk supply around 20 months (due to pregnancy with DS2), though he still nursed about 2x a day from 20-27 months (he weaned when DS2 was born and he didn't like the milk! haha!).. Had some difficulty in the beginning with him wanting to nurse every hour or more, stay latched on for hours at a time, etc. and then with my overactive letdown and oversupply, and he had some issues with food I was eating and reflux. After he was about 7-8 weeks old we got most of those things worked out and I got used to his every hour feeding schedule. ;)

DS2- nursed for 19 months, basically until I got pregnant this go 'round with DS3 and my milk dried up and he was not happy about that. He was throwing huge tantrums through each feeding and was so upset that there wasn't any milk left so I slowly weaned him over about a month.

I nightweaned them both around 19 months.

also just wanted to add something real quick about the bottles!!

Like others have said, every baby is probably going to like a different bottle. Mine didn't take much to bottles (we only gave them maybe 2-3 bottles in their lives, while we were on a date) but they would NOT take any of the "slow flow" nipples like they recommended. I actually had to cut the nipples so that they would drink from them. I have oversupply and overactive letdown, so they were used to a very fast flow and wouldn't do all the work required to suck from a slow flow nipple!

I totally did this too!

[eminvc]

Thanks everyone! I'm learning a lot from this thread.

I'll be a first-time mama and am having twins and my goal is to BF for the first year. I do intend to pump so that DH can help with some of the feedings, and also I know about my own needs to socialize and tandem nursing in public just sounds like way too much for me.

That said, I have put extra money into my FSA card for next year, because I found out I can charge BF supplies to it. And my insurance will give me a pretty great discount on a double-electric pump.

Question for you all--I have not bought a pump yet, because funds won't be available until January. For experienced pumping mamas, do you think it's wise to have a pump and all supplies needed at home, or to rent a pump from the hospital first to see how pumping works out? I seem to have gotten conflicting opinions on this. My gut feeling is to have everything I need at home so that I'm prepared to make it work, but I do understand that if pumping/BFing doesn't work out for whatever reason, I could regret the expense. Thoughts?

Also, I have two different LCs I can use if need be, and there is a local BF support group I'd love to attend. At what point can you start attending a group? I seem to have read/heard that babies shouldn't be exposed to too many people during the first month, but that also seems to be the time when the most issues with BFing arise, so it would seem nice to have a support group during that time.

Feeling a little clueless, actually, now that I'm writing all of this!
 

[odinsmama]

I'm not an experienced pumping mama, so I'll let other mamas answer that one for you.

How often does your local BF support group meet?  Our local LLL meets 2 times a month in 2 separate areas.  I went to my first LLL meeting while I was still pregnant with my first and I *highly* suggest that other first time mamas do the same.  Especially if you can get to more than one meeting before you give birth.  The goal here would be to ask any questions and see other moms nursing but mainly to make a couple of connections and get some phone numbers (especially if the group has a leader of some sort who is semi-trained or more experienced or something) so you can just call someone you already know (as well as the LCs) if you run into troubles.  This was super helpful for me.  You may even be able to make connections with other nursing moms of twins.

And then after the babies come, you could go to meetings whenever you feel comfortable going out with little ones.  We sometimes have moms come to our meetings with 2 week old babies but, most of the time, the brand new moms just call the LLL leader for help and come back to meetings when baby is a little older.  

[etsdtm99]

eminvc- 

I am also not personally experienced with much pumping - but it seems other moms i know usually go the having everything prepared route - but i think i would personally go the hospital pump rental route because of being able to use a hospital grade pump in the beginning - i guess i kind of did this because I never did buy a pump, i planned to rent one if i needed it and then buy one and i never needed it..  however, that isn't why iw ould do that now - i would go with a hospital grade because if you have to pump in the first month or so it is extra important to be sure you're getting the best stimulation/milk expression you can get to establish your supply - the best is going to be a hospital grade pump - of course, this path would not save you any $$ (unless it didn't work out and you didn't buy a pump) .. but if you don't have problems and don't need to pump in the first 4 weeks while you are establishing breastfeeding, you won't be out any money to order your pump after that time.. i did have a working-mom friend who recently did that, she wanted to establish breastfeeding before she started pumping so she waited to buy her pump until about 6 weeks, only about a week before she went back to work full time ..

Try not to think too much about how tandem nursing in public sounds ;) I have known 2 twin mamas who have nursed their twins in public and  while i would have been overwhelmed thinking about it in your position -  they make it look so easy.. i'm sure its not that easy, but it may change your perspective a bit to actually talk to someone who has done it, or better yet, see them in action..

so yeah,  get to a breastfeeding support group ASAP, make sure you ask at a support group if there are any other twin mamas who they could connect you with  - while you're pregnant would be ideal..  personally though i do take my babies to LLL meetings as soon as i feel up to it  , of all the places to take a newborn, that is where i'm most comfortable - the other moms are always so good about not getting too close/touching etc. and you can nurse and take care of your baby(ies) as needed without worrying about anything - lots of times new moms bring 'back up' to support group meetings, grandma/dad etc. and have them waiting in the wings in case they are needed ..

[HouseofPeace]

with my first i rented a hospital pump.  i was glad to have done this and think it was a great experience b/c then whenever i used a pump from then on, i had experience with 3 different pumps (i was between hospitals and living there, and pumping every 4 hours for 2 weeks, so i learned a lot about pumping).  i know which pumps work better for me, and also found a way to really get it going and then with every other pump i've used (hand-me downs ) i didn't waste time on pumps that didn't work for me.  i ended up with a great medela that was older but worked well, and since then have just bought new gear for the motor and was prepared for each birth.

so i'm w/ the post above, rent and get a good supply established (it was something really reasonable for 1 month plus gear) and then decide what's next for you.  i had to keep pumping after my first b/c i was pumping every 4 hours for 15 min, but also nursing my son on the hospital schedule (they didn't have an 'on-demand' plan for me to sign up for), and my supply was so firmly established it took 4 months to wean off the pump.  also, nursing might be easier than you think (though i did spend a little bit of time w/ a friend w/ twins and at 4 months pp, she was still totally in a daze and completely overwhelmed and fighting hard to keep nursing, and she had every problem in the book but fought for it), so you may find by the time you're out and about more, you can do tandem w/ twins.  i've only done tandem w/ baby and toddler, and my toddlers don't have any interest in nursing in public, but in friend's houses and when traveling i definitely nursed 2 kids without problems.

i plan on pumping after this birth, and will get a new kit to go w/ my pump since it's been so dependable and effective for the first 3-4 months.  but i do dream about the hospital grade ones every so often- they're so much more effective!!!  and i liked spending less time on pumping.  

[kellybeth]

reviving this, since i went to my local la leche league meeting yesterday. some mamas brought up some good questions and concerns and i just wanted to bump the post up for any other mamas in our ddc who may have some, too. 

i still am not showing any sign of colostrum, but i'm staying relaxed and calm about everything, even if i am concerned. giving my boobies a nightly massage and keeping them happy and moisturized, along with belly of course. 

[Chloe'sMama]

Kellybeth-

Do not worry, I didn't have any signs of anything until right when DD1 was born.  I got my milk on the 2nd day and she gained at least 3 lbs a month until she was 20 lbs..... The boobies worked just fine!  

My milk is completely gone and I have even tried to see if I have any colostrum and there is nothing in there.  I am not concerned at all either.  The milk will come when the hormones of birth come!

[Teles]

As a first timer I was not expecting this whole sticking-to-your bra sensation and it's rather disturbing.I had been leaking consistently since somewhere around 25 weeks, but over the past week I've been leaving puddles in my bras. It's getting pretty ridiculous.

I've had some lanolin for a long while now, but I just bought this "Nursing Balm" from Aleva Naturals (http://well.ca/products/aleva-naturals-nursing-balm_41288.html) that has good reviews, since lanolin really stinks and I wouldn't blame baby if she hated it. I put coconut oil on my breasts and belly every morning and stretch mark oil on them everynight, but I don't think I'm going to bother with the nipple cream until I start breastfeeding since the excessive amount of colostrum is keeping them pretty moist.

[Chloe'sMama]

I am sure this has already been brought up, but make sure you are not putting anything on your nipples other than approved nipple cream when baby starts nursing, no lotions or oils or anything else....

Also, I have heard not to use soaps on your nipples when showering.  Our breasts clean themselves and washing away the natural oils is no good.

[rachieface]

I'm surprised at how excited I am to nurse again! I've had a 4 or 5 month break since my toddler self-weaned, but even then it is so different since he was only nursing briefly once or twice a day for a while. I've started leaking colostrum, mostly at night, maybe forecasting the massive oversupply I had the first time around? We will see. But honestly, every woman is different and like Chloe's Mama said, I don't think NOT leaking is a bad thing...enjoy it while you can!

[HouseofPeace]

Originally Posted by rachieface 

I'm surprised at how excited I am to nurse again! I've had a 4 or 5 month break since my toddler self-weaned, but even then it is so different since he was only nursing briefly once or twice a day for a while. I've started leaking colostrum, mostly at night, maybe forecasting the massive oversupply I had the first time around? We will see. But honestly, every woman is different and like Chloe's Mama said, I don't think NOT leaking is a bad thing...enjoy it while you can!

me too!  

not looking forward to the obscene engorgement, but really really happy to be nursing again soon!

[loveandgarbage]

I'm excited to nurse my little guy, too. I have to be honest, though. I'm not really looking forward to 2+ yrs of nursing (I might have talked about this upthread re: health issues?) and really hope I can force myself to listen to my body this time around if I need to wean sooner. I never want to feel that sick again in my life.

[HouseofPeace]

Originally Posted by loveandgarbage 

I'm excited to nurse my little guy, too. I have to be honest, though. I'm not really looking forward to 2+ yrs of nursing (I might have talked about this upthread re: health issues?) and really hope I can force myself to listen to my body this time around if I need to wean sooner. I never want to feel that sick again in my life.

here's to a better and healthier round 3!  you're already wiser and can be more prepared.  that's huge.

[kellybeth]

Originally Posted by HouseofPeace 

here's to a better and healthier round 3!  you're already wiser and can be more prepared.  that's huge.

 agreed

[loveandgarbage]

Thanks ladies! At least I've had 2 yr break in between this time and I'm sure that will help a lot.

[katiesophie]

All you mamas that have done this before - what clothes do you find best for BFing?  Is a "nursing" wardrobe necessary?  I already have a couple nursing tanks that I have been wearing for weeks.  I plan on being home with the baby for maybe a year or more so I don't need to worry about looking professional.  Just interested in comfy and realistic clothing ideas.

I imagine some of it will be personal preference, but I'd love to hear your opinions and experiences.

[molive]

After nursing for 5 years straight I would say that the article of clothing I could not live without is the tank top with a built in bra- not a nursing tank, actually I get mine from express. I always liked having it under whatever I was wearing so I could lift up the outer layer without my whole torso being exposed and pop the breast out over the top of the tank but still under the outer layer. In the summer, just the tank. I was never/am not a fan of nursing specific apparel. I don't like all the straps and clips and openings, just give me normal clothes.