Nursing Mamas Thread

[augustmom]

Lets talk about our nursing experiences so far, both the good and the not so good (latch issues, nip pain, over supply, under supply, marathon sessions, hunger, thirst, exaustion, plugged ducts, etc.)

I figure we could use this thread to vent and to learn from each other's experiences and celebrate our nursing joys, too.

B

[cymbeline]

Well, at 9 days, we finally have the nursing thing down. I really didn't expect it to take so long. Seeing as this is my third, I thought I was an expert!

Ellie has a small mouth and recessed chin, so we had some latch on difficulty (which led to sore, cracked, bleeding nipples and engorgement, OW!). I found that using the (very uncomfortable) cross-cradle position made all the difference (and occasionally switching to the football hold just to give my nipples a little different latch and some rest).

I consulted the articles here:
http://www.bflrc.com/newman/articles.htm

And the amazingly helpful videos here:
http://www.thebirthden.com/Newman.html

I almost called a lactation consultant on Friday, but then opted against it because my nipples were healing and Ellie was making LOTS of wet diapers. However, I had a LC come out when I was 3days PP with my first, and it was a huuuuge help. She was kind and patient and really saved our breastfeeding relationship. It took me a full 6 weeks to get comfortable bf'ing my first, so it feels pretty good to be going strong at 9 days this time! Of course, my second child was a pro bf'er from day one, so, go fig!

Oh, and last night we successfully nursed lying down all night! I am so rested!

Talk to me about nursing bras. Anyone tried Bravado basic and what did you think?

[Amys1st]

I'm w ya mama!

I lucked out this time- Maggie is a champion at nursing at 13 weeks in the nicu. But then again I have done this before so it was easier than some other mamas struggling. Also a bit of luck on my side too after all we have been thru.

Anyhow,
I have the bravado and some matching undies too. I have 6 of them this time around and well worth the investment. From my ebfeeding experience, these will be paper thin when I am done

I also have some old style motherwear tops (from the previous owner who sold it when they were made in usa), majamas, expressiva, and blue canoes. Love all of them.

Maggie is real good at helping herself at night. She sleeps right at my side and nurses when she wants. Some nights I wake up engorged and I guess she didnt nurse, others wake up normal and I guess she ate buffet style that night. Today she is hungry since her diaper was so full last night of interesting stuff, dh took a picture. wasnt sorry to not change that one!! But neither of my girls were ever "scheduled" heck dd1 is still not a good schedule person!! so we are on cue w nursing.

[sehbub]

We're still not nursing, and the pumping will probably stop soon as well, since my supply decreases every time I pump. It looks like it just wasn't meant to be! I'm trying to console myself with the realization that I EPed for 10 weeks, which is better than nothing. I was kind of looking forward to CLW though! Hopefully, it will be in store for us with the next baby. I wish Sam and I had gotten to experience that, but I'm trying to accept that we can be bonded even if I can't nurse her!

to all of you mamas who are BFing your darling babes! I wish I could join your ranks, but am eternally grateful to have a happy, healthy DD!

[augustmom]

Originally Posted by sehbub

We're still not nursing, and the pumping will probably stop soon as well, since my supply decreases every time I pump. It looks like it just wasn't meant to be! I'm trying to console myself with the realization that I EPed for 10 weeks, which is better than nothing. I was kind of looking forward to CLW though! Hopefully, it will be in store for us with the next baby. I wish Sam and I had gotten to experience that, but I'm trying to accept that we can be bonded even if I can't nurse her!

to all of you mamas who are BFing your darling babes! I wish I could join your ranks, but am eternally grateful to have a happy, healthy DD!

Good work Sehbub

We're doing pretty good at this nursing thing. I'm just working on perfecting his latch so that my nips feel better. He nurses like a champ. Thanks for the links Cymbeline. I checked a few out while dawson was napping.

I get hungry, ok, I get ravished never mind thirsty. I find nursing wonderful, but exhausting, too. I just love the relationship that I'm building with Dawson, though, so I realize that the rewards will be greater than the woes, kwim?

Off to doze until the next nursie.

[loudmama]

I agree, good work Sehbub! Any amount of breastmilk is good, IMO.

Nuring for us is going well. Still nursing with a nipple shield, but starting to wean off of it. DS actually has nursed w/o a shield. That NEVER happened with DD, so its encouraging!

L

[lisap]

We are having a lot of latch issues! I went to see a lactation specialist and she helped me a lot, but DS still has some problems. He also will marathon nurse at some point in the day....I just never know when: ! But he's gaining weight (ped was worried at first) and he has a lot of wet and poopy dipes! All in all we are doing well!

I nursed DD, but I never got the hang of NIP. This time around I told myself I would not be embarrassed so last weekend I bought a nursing cover and nursed DS at a sold out baseball game with my entire family around me. I know many are not in favor of the covers, but for people like me they are a lifesaver!

[seekermage]

Hi there mamas!
Im sorry I dont get online much....trying to juggle three little ones and currently house sitting for my parents...ugg one busy mama! Things are actaully goign really well for us. Im doing the happy dance since I had such a hard time with Lil'bit. At the same time its hard trying to get anything done since I only have so much time inbetween feedings. Atleast I have some milk stored and pump on occasion. We finally found a bottle that he would take, the new soothie bottle, he drank it down without a problem vs gagging on any other slow flow nipples. sooo Im celebrating because that means getting a break if I need one finally. He is pretty routine and only does any kinda marathon nursing at night right after the girls go to bed so it works as our bonding time. My nipples on the other hand have good days and bad days. He has a good latch but I think gets lazy at times and the fact that im soo well endowed and have a good supply doesnt help any. Im occasionally nursing a little crack or bliseter, no bleeding luckily just the start of soreness that so far has been easy to treat.

Oh..and I have to say I LOVE the new Medela Harmony..the hand pump...it rocks! Even with my sore hands I have no problem using it, let alone using it one handed...soo if anyone is looking for a nice hand pump I HIGHLY recommend it. I have yet to use my pump in style i like it so much. Oh...and for the mama who has made it 10 weeks so far...great job mama! Hang in there, if you do give up, youve done great...if you are still determined you can do it. I dont know the site but I know on yahoo groups and here at mdc I think there is a exclusive pumping group....maybe they can help you with supply issues if you are determined to stick it out. Either way you have done a great great thing.

great job nursing mamas....

[StacyL]

Originally Posted by lisap

I nursed DD, but I never got the hang of NIP. This time around I told myself I would not be embarrassed so last weekend I bought a nursing cover and nursed DS at a sold out baseball game with my entire family around me. I know many are not in favor of the covers, but for people like me they are a lifesaver!

I like to NIP covered. I never NIP uncovered because I think it can be rude to people who don't necessarily want to see it, so I just throw a little blanket over my shoulder and babe's head. I look at it this way - to the people who say, "Nursing is a natural process so people shouldn't be offended," - I say, "So is peeing, but you wouldn't do that in public!"

[fireant]

I'm in the same boat as sehub. Marlow still has a hard time nursing. Serious nipple confusion. I've had to pump most of her feedings thus far. I love to nurse her though and it makes me sad when I can't. Lately she's taken to crying on my breast when I try to nurse her.

I was able to get this shot of her to remember it does work sometimes (warning: boob in picture):

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...y/IMG_5103.jpg

I've had mastitis twice now, low supply, and thrush as well. I get plugged ducts all of the time but I believe that it's just the nature of exclusively pumping. I use a Medela PIS and my supply is doing fairly well right now. I just am glad to be able to give her my milk right now but I am also looking into donor milk programs in case my milk supply decreases again.

[SoCaliMommy]

We had some latch problems.. I had latch probs with Alexandria but when my doula came over for a PP visit she helped me realize my cracked and bleeding/sore nip issue was because i prob didn't have my nipple far back in Ryker's mouth so he was sucking my nipple like a straw after fixing that it's been pretty smooth sailing.

[chiromama]

We're doing well with nursing. I did call a LC because i had blisters and really wanted to make sure we were getting off to the rightstart. After a c-section, you really doubt everything. She helped us correct our latch a little bit, and she helped get side lying nursing down. OH GOD< I SLEPT LAST NIGHT!!!!

Since I really haven't been out of bed much, NIP isn't something I've had to do yet. but I have no issues with it. If I can eat in public, why can't Ruby? But we all have to do what's comfortable.

[BelgianSheepDog]

We went for our first non-medical outing today and nursed at Starbucks. If anybody cared, they were too busy asking me how old the baby was to say so.

[mochimama]

:bawl Any support appreciated--having a tough time!

I am having some serious bfing issues and I am starting to freak out. I thought things were going pretty well until dd was weighed at week 2 appt. She lost 2 oz from the previous week and dr. suggested moving to a 40 minute feeding schedule every 2 hrs. Prior to this I was going on a demand schedule making sure to wake her up if she slept more than 2.5 hours. This new schedule has made a wreck of dh and me and dd doesn't seem to be getting enough sleep. On top of that, I suspected that my milk supply was low and have started pumping after each feeding. I'm getting less than a quarter ounce for both sides!!! And she's really hungry after feedings. And I'm just so sad. I have an appt. with a lactation consultant tomorrow afternoon, but I live in a remote area and need to drive 4 hours to get there. This is just tearing me up! I had such joyous dreams of bfing my dd and it seems like it isn't going to happen. She's been so hungry after feedings that we've been having dh give her some formula supplements and it just eats me up to see her sucking them down. I'm really devastated that I can't feed my baby. And I don't have any idea why...Also my parents are completely unsupportive and keep telling me to stop beating myself up and switch to formula. It's against every part of my being to do that. Yet I'm completely exhausted and am starting to have trouble taking care of myself. Dh has been taking off work to support me and he's been wonderful, but this is killing both of us. I can't get to that consultant soon enough!

[eco_mama]

Nursing is going great here. He latched right on from the beginning and has been nursing steadily. Lauren came over for the 1st time since his birth (it's been 6 days) and he's already gained a half a pound! She was rather surprised and said I must have some power milk.

[Amys1st]

Originally Posted by mochimama

I am having some serious bfing issues and I am starting to freak out. I thought things were going pretty well until dd was weighed at week 2 appt. She lost 2 oz from the previous week and dr. suggested moving to a 40 minute feeding schedule every 2 hrs. Prior to this I was going on a demand schedule making sure to wake her up if she slept more than 2.5 hours. This new schedule has made a wreck of dh and me and dd doesn't seem to be getting enough sleep. On top of that, I suspected that my milk supply was low and have started pumping after each feeding. I'm getting less than a quarter ounce for both sides!!! And she's really hungry after feedings. And I'm just so sad. I have an appt. with a lactation consultant tomorrow afternoon, but I live in a remote area and need to drive 4 hours to get there. This is just tearing me up! I had such joyous dreams of bfing my dd and it seems like it isn't going to happen. She's been so hungry after feedings that we've been having dh give her some formula supplements and it just eats me up to see her sucking them down. I'm really devastated that I can't feed my baby. And I don't have any idea why...Also my parents are completely unsupportive and keep telling me to stop beating myself up and switch to formula. It's against every part of my being to do that. Yet I'm completely exhausted and am starting to have trouble taking care of myself. Dh has been taking off work to support me and he's been wonderful, but this is killing both of us. I can't get to that consultant soon enough!

krissy- hugs hugs hugs

Are you taking care of yourself too? Make sure you are eating protein and good food to make that milk as well as plenty of water. After feeding it would be hard to get pumping- I never have been able to. Maybe try pumping before putting dd to your breast to give her more of the hind milk which is the real good stuff.

OTH, if she is around 3 weeks, 6 weeks etc she may be growing. Are you getting 8-10 wet daipers daily??? If yes, she is getting fed. But I understand why you are having a rough time. Try to relax ( I know its hard) but it will help your supply too. Hang in there!!

Add-
Also- let her rest and sleep thru a feeding if need be- sleeping is good and they are growing. Just pump during that time. IMO I think you'll stress your self out more if you are getting up and then waking her.

[Keeta]

Silas will be one week old tonight, and nursing is going pretty well so far. He's a really good eater! It was a little hard at first because of my stitches (3rd degree episiotomy), the nurses didn't really want me to sit up too much. Sidelying nursing is great and all but learning how to latch that way compared to sitting up is a little more difficult.

My milk came in around the third day, and I had to pump a little to get some relief from the engorgement and so that he could actually latch on. We've been working on a better latch, because I was having some pretty bad pain (like an electrical current) with the latch at first, particularly on the left side. Now that I've read up on getting him on better, it's going a lot better. Lansinoh is awesome! And I love love LOVE My Brest Friend. It is sooooo much better than the boppy, I can barely believe it. So much more back support, so much more supportive of the baby, it is rad. I use it all the time when I'm sitting up.

Does anyone know about hard spots in breasts? The top sort of inside of my left breast is hard. It doesn't hurt, it's not a weird color or anything, but it is hard, even after the booober has pretty much emptied it out. I've been doing warm compresses, and they seem to help a little, but just wondering if any of you experienced nursing mamas had any advice about how long it'll last, and if there is anything else to do about it.

[mcimom]

Originally Posted by StacyL

I like to nurse covered. I never NIP uncovered because I think it can be rude to people who don't necessarily want to see it, so I just throw a little blanket over my shoulder and babe's head. I look at it this way - to the people who say, "Nursing is a natural process so people shouldn't be offended," - I say, "So is peeing, but you wouldn't do that in public!"

I've heard this before. But IMO peeing is hardly the same thing as eating. Apples and Oranges, ykwim? Feeding babies is what breasts are for and I *hate* that our society has sexualized them to the point that I have to feel embarrassed about feeding a baby when he/she needs to eat, yk? And I don't eat with a blanket over my head - why should an infant have to? I think if that makes you comfortable, great, but I wouldn't do it. I mean it's not like I'm whipping them out there in anyone's face or going topless, I'm very discreet when I need to NIP.

Originally Posted by mochimama

On top of that, I suspected that my milk supply was low and have started pumping after each feeding. I'm getting less than a quarter ounce for both sides!!!

Okay, I'm no LC, but you're almost certain to get MUCH less by pumping than baby does nursing. I'd just let her marathon nurse wherever/whenever/all the time if you really feel committed to bfing. That should stimulate your milk supply. Listen to the LC and perhaps get a supplemental feeding system so that even when she is taking formula, she's nursing to get it? mama. I have to go help dd3, but hang in there!

[mochimama]

Thanks Amy and Leigh Anne. I also got some advice from the nursing forum where I also posted. I'll let you know how our visit goes w/ the LC.

[augustmom]

Originally Posted by mochimama

I am having some serious bfing issues and I am starting to freak out. I thought things were going pretty well until dd was weighed at week 2 appt. She lost 2 oz from the previous week and dr. suggested moving to a 40 minute feeding schedule every 2 hrs. Prior to this I was going on a demand schedule making sure to wake her up if she slept more than 2.5 hours. This new schedule has made a wreck of dh and me and dd doesn't seem to be getting enough sleep. On top of that, I suspected that my milk supply was low and have started pumping after each feeding. I'm getting less than a quarter ounce for both sides!!! And she's really hungry after feedings. And I'm just so sad. I have an appt. with a lactation consultant tomorrow afternoon, but I live in a remote area and need to drive 4 hours to get there. This is just tearing me up! I had such joyous dreams of bfing my dd and it seems like it isn't going to happen. She's been so hungry after feedings that we've been having dh give her some formula supplements and it just eats me up to see her sucking them down. I'm really devastated that I can't feed my baby. And I don't have any idea why...Also my parents are completely unsupportive and keep telling me to stop beating myself up and switch to formula. It's against every part of my being to do that. Yet I'm completely exhausted and am starting to have trouble taking care of myself. Dh has been taking off work to support me and he's been wonderful, but this is killing both of us. I can't get to that consultant soon enough!

oh, mama, this is rough stuff. I had nursing issues with my first and it's hell, so I feel for you. I agree with pp, that you shouldn't wake the baby--keep nursing on demand. Perhaps bring him to the breast even if he's not rooting (or seemingly hungry) and try to get as many feedings in during the day as possible.

Another thinf that helps with milk production is Nettle Tea in bulk herb form. I would get some of this, steep about a handful in a quart for about 3 to 4 hours then drink the entire quart, yes the entire quart throughout the day. See if this helps with production. Hang in there and let us know how it went with the LC. Hugs, sweetie, you're doing the best you can. IT IS HARD WORK!