Nursing Mama's - week of 9/23- 9/30 - Page 2

[spsmom]

Originally Posted by Galatea

I guess I do have big, floppy breasts. They were fimer and smaller with ds1.

Thanks - I'll go look for the pictures.

geez, i haven't been able to check in much at all since ds2 was born! just thought i'd jump in here. i, too, have big floppy boobs. i saw a lc last week, amazing woman!. one of the things she showed me was to roll a hand towel (i actually use a receiveing blanket) under my breast and that holds it at the perfect level for him to nurse. it gets to tiring to have to hold the boob with one hand and the baby with the other. this works like a charm.

nursing did not get off to a good start. we were having the same problems as we did with ds1. he has a very recessed chin, short tongue, and i have the big boobs. not a good combo. he was not having sucess with being able to open enough to latch on properly. i was bleeding and blistered by the end of the first week. i ended using a nipple shield over the weekend until i could see the lc on monday. i am so happy she worked her magic! i used the shield for 2 months with ds1, but we only used it this time for 2 days! woo hoo!

baby did lose almost a pound, but is gaining steady now. but of course mw and lc agreed that an 11 pound baby has a little more to spare than a smaller one! so i think we are good to go!

[Autumn Breeze]

no time, about to be nak...but wanted to say

Michelle, don't feel bad if you feel like your 'dumping' on us! That's why I started this thread! I wanted all of us to have somewhere to share our nurseing pains, and joys!! It's just as, if not more importnant for us to have the same loving support while nursing as we did while pregnant. ((hugs))

GTG!

[Goldiemom]

Michelle, about nipple confusion, I have found that I have needed to suppliment Allissa a few times in our nursing relationship. I use a Platex reusable nurser with the NaturaLatch silicone nipple. So far no nipple confusion. The only thing is that it takes her a minute to figure out how to latch on to the bottle. That goes away pretty quickly though. Another thing about that NaturaLatch nipple is that it is supposed to simulate how milk comes out of the breast. Formula {or EBM} will only come out when they suck instead of being a drip that baby doesn't really have to work for. At least I think that is how regular nipples work. Been awhile... you will get things worked out. I know that you will. If you don't want to spend the money for a pump, you can hand express {makes me feel like a cow, but hey, I do what I have to. :LOL } into a cup and then put the milk in a storage bag in your frig or freezer. Yes a pump is easier and faster, but I can usually get about .5 - 1 ounce at a time when I express. Kids lost the suction part to my pump! *sigh* HTH

[Shell_Ell]

AHA! That's the name of the other nipple the IBCLC recommended! I couldn't for the life of me think of it. We've been using the Avent bottle since last night. He does well with it, and if anything it seems to be making his latch stronger? Is that possible? LOL!

I've been expressing today. I managed to get an ounce each time I did it. It took less than 10 min to express that much. Now, I'd like to think that my baby is getting at least that much then in a 20 min nurse, right? I think my supply has gone way up. I can't wait to have him weighed tomorrow and talk to the IBCLC and see how much supplementing I need to be doing or if we can start weaning off the formula. I'm thinking of expressing at least 2 of the 10 oz of supplementing he needs daily, so then he's only getting 8 oz of formula a day. She might even agree to less. We'll see!

[curlyfry]

Originally Posted by Shell_Ell

AHA! That's the name of the other nipple the IBCLC recommended! I couldn't for the life of me think of it. We've been using the Avent bottle since last night. He does well with it, and if anything it seems to be making his latch stronger? Is that possible? LOL!

I've been expressing today. I managed to get an ounce each time I did it. It took less than 10 min to express that much. Now, I'd like to think that my baby is getting at least that much then in a 20 min nurse, right? I think my supply has gone way up. I can't wait to have him weighed tomorrow and talk to the IBCLC and see how much supplementing I need to be doing or if we can start weaning off the formula. I'm thinking of expressing at least 2 of the 10 oz of supplementing he needs daily, so then he's only getting 8 oz of formula a day. She might even agree to less. We'll see!

So glad to see that things are looking up for you! You sound so positive about this...that's wonderful.

I just got home from the pediatrician a while ago and he sent me home with a RX for some vitamins in a dropper that apparently she's not getting from my breastmilk? I've never heard of this before...is that really necessary. I thought breastmilk was perfect. I'm not sure if I'm going to fill it or not. I mean, it's just vitamins, but still.

(posted about that in the weekly thread too...plus my whole pediatrician saga...*sigh*)

[Shell_Ell]

Lisa- Posting this here but I already mentioned it in the weekly thread. I'd be willing to bet it's Vitamin D. Not unusual. http://www.caringforkids.cps.ca/babies/VitaminD.htm

[curlyfry]

Originally Posted by Shell_Ell

Lisa- Posting this here but I already mentioned it in the weekly thread. I'd be willing to bet it's Vitamin D. Not unusual. http://www.caringforkids.cps.ca/babies/VitaminD.htm

Thanks Michelle...let's see...the RX says "Trivisol drops. 1 ml daily." I should have asked what exactly it was, but I was kind of emotional and worked up.

(o.k...edit...I just looked it up and apparently they're vitamin a,c,d drops...but they also contain Inactive Ingredients:Glycerine, Water, Polysorbate 80, Ascorbic Acid, Artificial Flavor and Color (Caramel), Vitamin A Palmitate, Vitamin D3...I wonder if there's a more natural drop for babies that doesn't have the additives?)

By the way, is everyone still taking their prenatal vitamins while bfing? I forgot to this past week! I'm slightly scatterbrained.

[spsmom]

there is a natural supplement called just d by sunlight vitamins. there's an add in the most recent mothering mag, if you get it, on page 71.

website is www.sunlightvitamins.com or you can call 877-730-2522. i was actually thining about getting some.

has anyone bothered to supplement? i didn't with ds1, and he is fine, but i was still thinking maybe i would do it this time around.

Originally Posted by curlyfry

Thanks Michelle...let's see...the RX says "Trivisol drops. 1 ml daily." I should have asked what exactly it was, but I was kind of emotional and worked up.

(o.k...edit...I just looked it up and apparently they're vitamin a,c,d drops...but they also contain Inactive Ingredients:Glycerine, Water, Polysorbate 80, Ascorbic Acid, Artificial Flavor and Color (Caramel), Vitamin A Palmitate, Vitamin D3...I wonder if there's a more natural drop for babies that doesn't have the additives?)

By the way, is everyone still taking their prenatal vitamins while bfing? I forgot to this past week! I'm slightly scatterbrained.

[Shell_Ell]

Well, we went to the free bfing clinic and saw the IBCLC.

Good news: Riley is up to 7 lbs. He gained 8 oz since Friday. The supplementing has worked. And she said he looks great, too. Very healthy.

Bad news: I'm still only producing .5 oz based on the naked weighs. *sigh* I'm so frustrated! I nursed him there but had to come home because he needed formula. I just don't make enough for him! I was holding him just a few minutes ago just sobbing. I HATE that I can't give him what he needs! HATE IT! She suggested starting domperidone next week. It's a med that enhances milk supply that's not FDA approved, and not covered under insurance. I have to do some looking into it. Anyone know anything about it? It's expensive, but certainly worth it if it brings my milk in. No one will be putting me on Reglan due to the risk of depression. I have way to much of a history. I know I don't want to risk it, either. So maybe the domperidone is an option? I'm really down at the moment.

[curlyfry]

Michelle...I'm so sorry that you're feeling down today. Unfortunately I don't know anything about that drug. Just one thing...if you are willing to spend the $$$ on it, how about trying the breast pump first?

Sorry I couldn't be more help! I'm sure whatever decision you make will be right one for you and your son.

[Galatea]

Michelle - You will get lots of support for domperidone in the low milk supply tribe in "finding your tribe" forum. Or maybe the "breastfeeding forum." I'm not sure which.

Hugs to you!

[musicmaj]

This baby is giving me more nursing trouble than my other two did. He doesn't want to nurse from my left side at all - but I am trying to work with him and get him to take it. It is very frustrating. I am pretty engorged on that side and I pump some before offering it to him so that the nipple won't be flat and he can latch on. He also sleeps for hours at a time and I find myself having to wake him every two to three hours to nurse. As of yesterday he lost a whole lb from his birth weight so I don't want him to sleep so much that he continues to lose weight. He also sleeps 4-5 hours at night. Oh, and he is 1 week old today.

[Shell_Ell]

Angie, the LC I see said that babies need two stints of 3 hour stretches of sleep a day to conserve calories. So sleeping is good! Sleeping HELPS them gain weight!

I am a bit confused right now. I took Riley to his ped today. He is up to 7 lb 5 oz, so he's up almost a pound since his last appt, and 5 oz since Tuesday. I know that's thanks to formula. So here's the deal. His ped wants me to wean off formula. He thinks that the LC and midwives are feeding me crap and that I probably would make enough if I just stopped supplementing. I'm really nervous about this. First of all, he's a much happier baby with supplementing. He's sleeping better, his moods are better, and his color is better. Not to mention he has gained all that weight. But the ped said his opinion is that I do not need medication to help my supply, I simply need to nurse more often. I don't know how I could nurse more often. I nurse 16 times a day at least, plus giving him formula. Now, who's to say that I'm not making more than .5 oz that shows when we do the naked weighs. Who knows. He says that's not accurate. I'm really annoyed that I keep getting varying opinoins. I really think that the LC I see knows far more about breastfeeding than Riley's ped. But he also says that in his 20 years of practice he's never met a woman who couldn't produce enough for her baby. He kept saying there's nothing wrong with me, that he just needed to get fattened up and now he can be weaned. I have no idea which end is up right now. Believe me, I want to wean him off the formula, but I'm scared he'll get dehydrated, be cranky, not sleep well, etc. because he won't get enough from me. He wants me to wean 2 oz a day (so 10 oz today, 8 oz tomorrow, 6 oz Sat, etc) until he gets no formula. Scary part is, he demands more food now that he's used to full tummy, and I DO NOT make the 1.5 to 2 oz that he takes in a bottle of formula. I'm afraid he's going to be on the breast 24/7 and still not be satisfied. Ack, sorry for the vent. I'm just not sure what to do now!

[wenat]

Oh Michelle, hugs to you. What do your instincts tell you to do?

I think it's worth trying the ped's weaning idea, since it's only reducing it by 2 oz/day. And if Riley starts to fuss after a day or two of the reduction, then you can go right back to the supplementing. But if Riley nurses better and helps you produce more in that time, then you'll end up getting to where I think you want to be.

Good luck and keep us posted.

[wenat]

So, what are your tricks of the trade for nursing time?

I've re-learned that I need to put a towel underneath Geoffrey before nursing him, to catch the spitups. (Only once a day, but that one is a BIG one!)

I've got my nursing bracelet going as well. Basically, I've got a bracelet that moves from wrist to wrist depending on which side is going to be used next. (The safety pin in the bra never worked for me because I don't wear a bra to bed.)

And my palmpilot is loaded with books and games for those upcoming nursing marathons. The best part of the palmpilot is that it's got its own light, so that I don't need to have the room light on to read a book.

Got any other tips to share?

[Autumn Breeze]

Michelle....since you are staying at home, is it possible that you could go shirtless all day,and hold Riley (except when you need to put him down, if you have a sling, you could wear him all day between feeds) and just let him nurse any time he turns to root. Switching breasts, or staying on one breast longer. For example, when Kate nurses for a few mintues, like lets say she nurses for 10 mintues, then goes to sleep for an hour, when she wakes again, I put her back on that breast for the next meal. Once she's been on that breast for 2 feedings (or if she has a LONG feeding like this afternoon- for 1 hour) then I switch breasts. Sometimes it seems she needs a 'drink' at the end of her meal rather than more hindmilk...and that's ok.

Oh and I was wondering, when you are doing the naked weights...how long are you nursing before the weight, until HE is done, or after a certian amount of time? Perhaps your too nervous to get a good let down of hindmilk and that's why your coming up with .5 oz. Just wondering, since I'm not there, I thought I'd ask!

And about the weaning off the supplementing...it needs to be something your comfortable with...the ped wants 2 oz a day...are you comfortable with 1, 1.5...do you think after a longer nap, you'd be comfortable with 2?

And...another question (sorry!) are you eatting oatmeal? Drinking a TON of water (like a gallon a day) and are you drinking Mothers Milk Tea? How about taking Fenugreek (I hate to take 9 a day, 3 w/ breakfast, 3 w/ lunch and 3 w/ dinner)

((Hugs))

[Autumn Breeze]

Now for the "tips"

I was using a nursing bracelet, but I was having more trouble with remembering at night...so I switched my 'night bra' to one with hooks rather than the easy open clasps...and I just leave it 'unhooked' after a feeding. It's also helpful that I don't burp her at night so we stay in the side lying position after she's done eatting (I've even started falling asleep during the feed ) so we just roll over when it's time to eat again. Oh ya, and ds broke my bracelet yesterday.

Lansinoh is so wonderful...I put it on the nursing pad at the beginning at the beginning of the feed so that it's cold when I put it on. That's quite nice after LONG feeds with multipule latches.

When she starts stiring during the day, I get a snack, get a drink, and eat before she wakes up, and leave my drink at my 'nursing spot' for while she's eatting.

[Shell_Ell]

Dang Amanda, I have alot to answer! :LOL

I definately can nurse all day and night if I have to. It's a bit trying though, obviously. I need a break! But today I've tried to nurse more. I've had him on the boob pretty much all day since I've been home from the appt. He basically nurses when he wants overnight. I have him next to me and he just roots a bit and I pop the boob in his mouth. He nurses so much at night I can't keep track. It needs to be like that during the day, too if we're gonna be off formula. I also try to nurse him when he's crabby. Comfort from the breast is okay with me.

When we do the weighs we wait until he's done. He'll fall asleep but I'll massage my breasts and bring a little milk down for him and he wakes up to nurse more. I think it has alot to do with anxiety- even subconciously. I can manually express .5 oz in less than 5 min at home.

If my baby is hungry I'm going to feed him. Simple as that. If I have no milk left, he lets me know. So basically if we've nursed dry and he's still hungry I supplement. I don't just give them automatically. So it will be very hard to wean in that respect because I want to make sure he's not still hungry. I think I might try weaning 1 oz a day and go from there. Maybe just .5 oz less at two feedings.

Oatmeal, tea, lots of water, fenugreek... doing all of it. In fact I smell so much like maple syrup it's disgusting. :LOL I have even been pointed toward having a beer... or a non-alcoholic beer to help with it too. I might try that.

I really really apprieciate the input. I feel like my head is spinning with all of these opinions. Main things to note: I don't like havng my baby on a bottle or on formula and never wanted that. I don't want to be on any kind of medication. So trying so hard to stick with this the natural way!

[Autumn Breeze]

Michelle, I understand not wanting himon the bottle or formula, that's how I felt with Jack!! And YES ON THE STINKING LIKE MAPLE SYRUP!! lmao, I HATED THAT!! YUCK. If I had liked beer, I would have downed a 6 pack of non alcoholic beer!!

More later....Kate's up. YOU ARE DOING GREAT

[phathui5]

We never did do the vitamin supplement and all three kids have been fine. We do spend a lot of time in the backyard, so they get the vitamin D there.