Anyone else having BF problems?

[luminesce]

It is day 7 for me and my milk still isn't in. I took baby to MW's yesterday for a weight check and he had gained but I had supplemented with a tiny bit of formula while nursing (through a syringe/tube the MW gave me) while crying the whole time. ) I'm trying two days with no supplementation to see what happens. I go back tomorrow at 1PM for another weight check. I also BF at the MW and did a before/after weight check. He got a little over 1/2 ounce in 23 mins from one breast. I took in the pump I bought and pumped just a litlte - and it still looks like colostrum/transitional milk. My breasts have gotten larger but only a little hard at times. I started Fenugreek last night at midnight but I'm not sure if it will help my milk come in, since it is usually used to boost supply. Baby has been peeing lots but no poo since yesterday.

I'm nursing constantly (1-2 hours, sometimes more) and sleeping for short naps. I'm determined to do everything I can to exclusively breast feed but I am scared. The baby seems to not be sated for long (30 mins maybe) and it is very hard.

Anyone else been in this situation?

[Jenns_3_babies]

I just wanted to let you know it's ok. I'm one of those few rare individuals who just can't BF. It kinda runs in my family (maternal aunt, paternal grandma). With my 1st DC, I was dead set on BF. I tried everything. Fenugreek (you'll smell like maple syrup...that's when you know it's working), Alfapha, pumped every hour, nursed every 1 1/2, drank so much freaking H2O, and something else.??. But, my DD would cry all the time. I know now it was b/c she was starving. She was 9lbs even when born so she demanded more. I remember after I started the herbs, I did feel fuller, but never had the engorged feeling or let down. They never tingled or burned or anything. After the herbs, while pumping, I was able to express a couple drops, but that was it. After 4 weeks, I gave up totally. I never leaked or had problems letting whatever milk I did have dry up.

With my 2nd DC, he was a month early and in the NICU for a week. My boobs actually deflated during that time. The night he came home, I remember in the wee morning hours with him crying my boobs started hurting and leaked a couple drops in response to him. I started pumping that morning when I woke and tried nursing him, but I was too late. He wouldn't take me and was used to the bottle. I instead pumped and was able to get a 1/2 oz total from both breasts. That only happened once. Drops after, then nothing.

So, don't beat yourself up over this. I was really upset that I couildn't w/ my 1st and felt like my body let me down. some women just can't

[ktmelody]

I did not have problems with milk coming in. But I have hypoplastic breasts, so keeping a supply is hard.
I tried the fenugreek, but it made me smell really bad. I would sweat and smell really gross.
But I am nursing around the clock and feeding expressed milk by bottle once a day. My dd still has some jaundice, so I want to make sure she is getting enough.
I know reglan and domperidrone can help with bringing milk in, but you need a script for it and it can have some side effects.
Big hugs to you for keeping it up, it will pay off in the end.

[frenchie]

It sounds like everything is perfectly fine....and I seriously doubt you need to be supplementing. Supplementing will only hinder the progress at this point. If your breasts are full, sounds to me like you have a supply. My son was on the breast every 30-45 minutes for the first few weeks. It's hard, but that is par for the course! Just keep your babe on the breast, your supply will build as the baby's need builds.
I'd recommend seeing an LC.

[finn'smama]

Originally Posted by frenchie

It sounds like everything is perfectly fine....and I seriously doubt you need to be supplementing. Supplementing will only hinder the progress at this point. If your breasts are full, sounds to me like you have a supply. My son was on the breast every 30-45 minutes for the first few weeks. It's hard, but that is par for the course! Just keep your babe on the breast, your supply will build as the baby's need builds.
I'd recommend seeing an LC.

I agree...it does sound like things are okay. I also had a newborn who nursed that frequently and my milk didn't come in until day 5 last time. It sounds like your milk is coming and output is okay. Just keep nursing! You're doing great!
http://kellymom.com is a great resource and seeing an LC would be a good idea too.
Anika

[bobbirs]

i could have written your post....well minus the formula and add hospitalization for jaundice and my lo hasn't pooed since sat....any who,,,just keep feeding on demand and the milk will/should start to flow. i wish u luck!!!!!

[Ammaarah]

If he got half an ounce from one side, he's probably getting an ounce total from both sides, which is normal for this age! So put him on the other side when he finishes one side.

And your milk may be yellowish in appearance for even another week. If he got a half ounce, your milk IS in. And it is normal for him to want to nurse again, even within an hour or less. I think you are doing OK. He may be a little plugged up from the formula. If he's peeing a lot, he should start pooping soon too.

Try compressing your breasts if he gets sleepy on the breast or fussy. I think you will be OK.

[Fairy4tmama]

Originally Posted by frenchie

It sounds like everything is perfectly fine....and I seriously doubt you need to be supplementing. Supplementing will only hinder the progress at this point. If your breasts are full, sounds to me like you have a supply. My son was on the breast every 30-45 minutes for the first few weeks. It's hard, but that is par for the course! Just keep your babe on the breast, your supply will build as the baby's need builds.
I'd recommend seeing an LC.

yep and

If he got half an ounce from one side, he's probably getting an ounce total from both sides, which is normal for this age! So put him on the other side when he finishes one side.

And your milk may be yellowish in appearance for even another week. If he got a half ounce, your milk IS in. And it is normal for him to want to nurse again, even within an hour or less. I think you are doing OK. He may be a little plugged up from the formula. If he's peeing a lot, he should start pooping soon too.

yep
My first ds nursed every 35-40 min it is definatly normal for some babies to nurse that frequently! Like Ammaarah a 1/2 oz each breast at a time may sound like a tiny amount but really is with in the norms for a nb. Your babies tummy is tiny that combined with the fact that BM is SO digestible is what is keeping him back at the breast every 30 min. If you can have someone rent you some movies and bring you some meals and healthy snacks, take some deep breaths and set your self up to do nothing but nurse for the next day or two!

I hope your milk comes in soon (i'm sure it will), remember the first few weeks can be tough as you both try to get the hang of it!

[krismarie]

eat oats and quinoa too...both help increase milk supply. try to stay positive and get some rest when you can! stress doesn't help with supply issues...it will all be ok! and you don't need to get engorged to know your milk's come in...my breasts never got "hard" but i definately had milk

[annettemarie]

Hey, mama. I'm sorry you're stressed over this. Give your local LLL leader a call! If you need help finding one, PM me. You can do it!

[luminesce]

Thanks for the encouraging words. I feel a bit better today. I've been nursing *constantly* and feel like my supply has increased (though no engorgement, etc.) Baby has had 10 wet diapers and 3 poopy diapers in about 36 hours w/just my breast milk. We go for a weight check this afternoon.

[crunchymomof2]

I just wanted to say my milk came in late with dd. And marshmallow(the herb ) helped my supply with ds. I relactated to nurse him exclusively for a couple months after a very rocky start and quitting for a couple weeks. Glad things are looking better this morning. Hope the weight check goes well.

[luminesce]

I talked to my MW who said since I had so many wet and poopy diapers to keep up what I was doing and said I could come in for a weight check tomorrow or Saturday if needed. It was a rough start but I think things are improving! The encouraging words really helped me feel better.

[mezzydotes]

It sounds like everything is falling into place for you Keep it up!

[Fairy4tmama]

Originally Posted by serenitii

I talked to my MW who said since I had so many wet and poopy diapers to keep up what I was doing and said I could come in for a weight check tomorrow or Saturday if needed. It was a rough start but I think things are improving! The encouraging words really helped me feel better.

: yay your doing it congrats!!!!!!!!!!!