Nursing Support Thread

[mum2be]

So who's all nursing here? I thought a nice thread to share our experiences would be helpful.

Elisabeth has been doing pretty well. We had some trouble right after the birth, but now that my milk has come in she is nursing more. She does this thing where she'll latch on, but then spit it out, fuss, repeat, etc. until she finally latches on and stays. It's frustrating! We spent about an hour doing this yesterday.

My boobs are sore! And I seriously don't even think I will need a pump the way I am leaking...I just need to put a bottle under my nipple to catch the milk I haven't been wearing a bra, so dh's t-shirts have been getting soaked. Is anyone else leaking profusely, or is it just me?

[quinbearzmama]

So glad you started this thread! We are still waiting on #2's arrival, but our 2 1/2 year old son has nursed throughout this pregnancy and I'm looking forward to tandem nursing.

My first time around I was sore for about 3 weeks- his latch was correct, everything was as it should have been according to all of the books I read and my local LLL leaders. It just took a bit of time before it clicked...and we've never looked back!

Anyone had any luck with cotton or wool nursing pads? I tried both with DS and nothing was absorbent enough- I would soak a pad in minutes. I had better luck with 'sposie pads but I'd really like to find a natural option. I'd love suggestions!

[huggerwocky]

The leaking is driving me crazy,too and I'm heavily disappointed that my disposable pads hold up better than the cloth ones! I still have pain on the right side while nursing but don't know the cause, there's no sore or blister. It's not excrutiating, but still...

[blairinargentina]

i've had luck with some cotton pads i made... 6 layers of flannel. they work well and wash well too. i am soaking them occasionally at night if i lay on my stomach.

is anyone having pumping issues? i just cant get the dang thing to work like its supposed to (it's a manual avent isis). either there isn't enough suction and it wont make a seal or its super strong and makes my nipples bleed. uh. i get about 1 oz for twenty minutes of pain. what gives? any advice? i tried the visualizations and relaxation and have had no luck.

[maciascl]

As far as the leaking what I remember working for me was counter pressure. I would leak/pour on the side I was not nursing on so I would just hold my palm or arm over that nipple for a few min applying light to heavy pressure depending on how much I was leaking. And usually it would stop. Same thing if your not nursing & suddenly start to leak. Hope that helps! It is so hard in the first few weeks until your supply starts to regulate. Ahhh...I can't wait :

[dvons]

Originally Posted by mum2be

So who's all nursing here? I thought a nice thread to share our experiences would be helpful.

Elisabeth has been doing pretty well. We had some trouble right after the birth, but now that my milk has come in she is nursing more. She does this thing where she'll latch on, but then spit it out, fuss, repeat, etc. until she finally latches on and stays. It's frustrating! We spent about an hour doing this yesterday.

My boobs are sore! And I seriously don't even think I will need a pump the way I am leaking...I just need to put a bottle under my nipple to catch the milk I haven't been wearing a bra, so dh's t-shirts have been getting soaked. Is anyone else leaking profusely, or is it just me?

Sounds like you have overactive letdown! I had so many problems with this with #1 it was awfull. I totally didn't feel comfortable BFing with her until she was almost 8 weeks. The good news is that for me #2 and #3 have been SOOOOO easy to get nursing. I feel very lucky that at now at 2 weeks old, all the nipple pain and toe curling latching is gone!

Deb

[dakotamidnight]

Originally Posted by mum2be

She does this thing where she'll latch on, but then spit it out, fuss, repeat, etc. until she finally latches on and stays. It's frustrating! We spent about an hour doing this yesterday.

My boobs are sore! And I seriously don't even think I will need a pump the way I am leaking...I just need to put a bottle under my nipple to catch the milk I haven't been wearing a bra, so dh's t-shirts have been getting soaked. Is anyone else leaking profusely, or is it just me?

this sounds exactly like me! except I've been using washcloths to soak the milk up, since I spend most of my time at home in my robe: Trinity does the same on & off latch too - I found that hand expressing a little before nursing helps.

Trinty had her 1st bottle of EBM today {I had to go to an exam and be gone from noon to 5} - she ate just over 2 oz in one feeding! Wowsers: I'm working on pumping enough for me to be able to go back to classes fulltime next week - we'll see how this goes though. I'm getting 2-3 oz at each pumping session, so it should go pretty good.

And when I got home today, and she got hungry she still latched on like a pro {for her at least - only miminal on & off latch }, nursed, and is now sleeping on my lap

[crazyeight]

BF is going pretty well now. i am not having excessive leaking but let down at odd times...like when i was wondering whats wrong with my computer????!!! i don't see a connection! i wish i had some reusable nursing pads but i am not sure where to buy them and don't have time to make them anymore! my disposable ones are doing ok but they aren't the kind i like so i will have to buy some gerber ones that are actually soft.

shes still a slow eater. 20 min on one side and another very slow 10 min suckle sometimes on the other side. but it does feel like shes learning how to empty the breast a lot better. at night i still have some pain nursing. mostly cause i can't see!!

[Mrs_Hos]

Originally Posted by blairinargentina

i've had luck with some cotton pads i made... 6 layers of flannel. they work well and wash well too. i am soaking them occasionally at night if i lay on my stomach.

is anyone having pumping issues? i just cant get the dang thing to work like its supposed to (it's a manual avent isis). either there isn't enough suction and it wont make a seal or its super strong and makes my nipples bleed. uh. i get about 1 oz for twenty minutes of pain. what gives? any advice? i tried the visualizations and relaxation and have had no luck.

Some people's bodies (like mine) aren't good at producing for the pump...either the pump isn't providing the right 'action' to draw the milk down or the brain isn't 'believing' that it is a baby nursing at the breast and it won't let down. Very common.
Pumps can actually damage your nipples--sounds like that is happening if you are bleeding. Is there a reason you are pumping? I would say STOP pumping unless you have to...

[mum2be]

Do your babies feed off of both breasts at each feeding, or just one?

Elisabeth will nurse quite well on one for about 10-15 minutes, then fall asleep. I burp her, hoping she'll wake up (which she sometimes does) and then offer the other, but she has little interest.

So is it okay to alternative each breast at feedings? I know it's better to get them to nurse from both, but right now that isn't happening for us.

[Mrs_Hos]

Originally Posted by mum2be

Do your babies feed off of both breasts at each feeding, or just one?

Elisabeth will nurse quite well on one for about 10-15 minutes, then fall asleep. I burp her, hoping she'll wake up (which she sometimes does) and then offer the other, but she has little interest.

So is it okay to alternative each breast at feedings? I know it's better to get them to nurse from both, but right now that isn't happening for us.

It is ok to nurse on only one side...and it is much better than only getting some milk from one and some from the other (ie, not draining a breast). Your breasts will regulate even if you are only giving one breast per feeding. I would always offer just in case she hits a growth spurt (3-4wks or so).

[bookwormommy]

I'm really struggling with BF'ing at night. My little one wants to nurse almost constantly in the evening and until about 3am and won't be consoled by anything else. Yesterday I tried letting her nurse as much as she wanted, even if it was just "comfort" nursing. She was on my breast for 9 out of 12 hours and by the end I was a mess, crying all over her while she happily slept with my boob in her mouth. Every time I take her off, even if she's been asleep for 10 minutes, she'll cry and want to nurse again.

I'm making plenty of milk, she's healthy and growing. She may have just had a growth spurt - she's 13 days old now.

This is only in the evening and at night - in the morning she'll sleep in someone's arms and be fine.

Any advice? Is this normal for her to want to nurse this much? I'm really having a hard time with this - just because I get so tired and sore.

Erin

[crazyeight]

Originally Posted by fourpawsmom

I'm really struggling with BF'ing at night. My little one wants to nurse almost constantly in the evening and until about 3am and won't be consoled by anything else. Yesterday I tried letting her nurse as much as she wanted, even if it was just "comfort" nursing. She was on my breast for 9 out of 12 hours and by the end I was a mess, crying all over her while she happily slept with my boob in her mouth. Every time I take her off, even if she's been asleep for 10 minutes, she'll cry and want to nurse again.

I'm making plenty of milk, she's healthy and growing. She may have just had a growth spurt - she's 13 days old now.

This is only in the evening and at night - in the morning she'll sleep in someone's arms and be fine.

Any advice? Is this normal for her to want to nurse this much? I'm really having a hard time with this - just because I get so tired and sore.

Erin

i am wondering this also. dd nurses from about 6 or 7 in the evening about every hour for at least 20 min. until about 11 p.m. which i will have to nurse her to sleep IN BED only and then about 11:30 i can put her in the pack n play. she usually sleeps until 3 a.m. but in the evening is when i have the least milk AND i am trying to get ds ready for bed, will have to start making dinner again, pick up the house a little after a long playing day etc.

any thoughts??

[dakotamidnight]

out of curiousity - anyone else finding that their babe has food intolerances?

Trinity can't handle me eating oats {go figure!}, and perhaps eggs {not 100% sure, will reintroduce in a few weeks}. And I've cut out dairy, to introduce later on & see how she handles it since everyone in our family is lactose intolerant.

Just wondering if anyone else is having to eat differently for their babe

[lobster]

We're nearly vegans, occasionally indulging in cheese and yogurt, and after chowing down on grilled cheese sandwiches last night I found Lynden to be a lot gassier than usual. No more dairy for me, I guess. Not that it matters much to me

[crazyeight]

anyone want to tell me how you can tell that a certain food makes them gassier/fussier/sleepier etc? i can never tell after it goes through me, digested, gets in my milk and then she digests it i have no idea what is what!!

[CrunchyKat]

Originally Posted by blairinargentina

i've had luck with some cotton pads i made... 6 layers of flannel. they work well and wash well too. i am soaking them occasionally at night if i lay on my stomach.

is anyone having pumping issues? i just cant get the dang thing to work like its supposed to (it's a manual avent isis). either there isn't enough suction and it wont make a seal or its super strong and makes my nipples bleed. uh. i get about 1 oz for twenty minutes of pain. what gives? any advice? i tried the visualizations and relaxation and have had no luck.

I'm just a lurker but I thought I'de share my experience with the manual Avent Isis. It sucks! I hated it, could never get more than an ounce in an hour. If you must pump, I suggest renting one from the hospital like the Medela. It's a electric double pump. Super fast, super easy, and painless!

[CrunchyKat]

Originally Posted by fourpawsmom

I'm really struggling with BF'ing at night. My little one wants to nurse almost constantly in the evening and until about 3am and won't be consoled by anything else. Yesterday I tried letting her nurse as much as she wanted, even if it was just "comfort" nursing. She was on my breast for 9 out of 12 hours and by the end I was a mess, crying all over her while she happily slept with my boob in her mouth. Every time I take her off, even if she's been asleep for 10 minutes, she'll cry and want to nurse again.

I'm making plenty of milk, she's healthy and growing. She may have just had a growth spurt - she's 13 days old now.

This is only in the evening and at night - in the morning she'll sleep in someone's arms and be fine.

Any advice? Is this normal for her to want to nurse this much? I'm really having a hard time with this - just because I get so tired and sore.

Erin

My dd did something similar. I think it's pretty normal. They do it for comfort. What I suggest is learning to nurse while lying down. It takes practice and you might want to give up on it, but once you have it down, sleep topless and the baby can latch on throughout the night and let go while you sleep! Then you are "aware" but not "awake", YKWIM? If you are comfortable with this, maybe a paci would help?

((HUGS)) Hoping you get good sleep tonight!!

[mum2be]

Originally Posted by dakotamidnight

out of curiousity - anyone else finding that their babe has food intolerances?

Just wondering if anyone else is having to eat differently for their babe

Yup! No more bean chili for me Boy, was she gassy!

I found out I developed copious amounts of food intolerances during pregnancy, so we are wondering if it's because Elisabeth is the one with the intolerance. I am sticking with my diet that I have been doing for 3 months now, only now I can't have beans

Also, are we not allowed to eat peanut butter? Somewhere I read that we should stay away from that. Is it true?

And...

How long does it take for something you eat to get into your milk? Is it a 24 hour thing, or instant?

[blairinargentina]

It's one thing after another here with our nursing... so frustrated at the moment. After dealing with a bad latch, bleeding nipples, not being able to pump, and mastitis... we now have thrush! i am so mad i could scream! not to mention that my nipples feel like raw meat and my boobs are killing me.

i just got off the phone with the pediatrician's nurse (who was less than helpful... thanks.) and am waiting to get some medication to treat the baby. luckily she doesn't seem too bothered yet, so that's a relief.

has anyone else dealt with this? i have been looking online and thrush is a big pain to treat. but we will do whatever it takes at this point. i just want to not be in pain.

uhhhh. thanks for letting me vent. :