Teen mom having trouble nursing...

[MarcyC]

She's having some trouble. She said the first week the baby was sleepy, jaundiced, and wouldn't latch. Finally, the baby is latching and doing better but now she's only 2 weeks pp and she has to go back to school. She said she's pumping and keeping up with her baby's needs (she isn't able to pump extra to freeze, which she had been hoping for).

I'm so sad for her that she has to go back to school. I tried to stay really positive and upbeat for her. She said the school nurse WILL let her pump in her office ! So she has a place to pump and there is a small frig in the nurse's office where other kids store their medications so she can store her bm in there. She also has a freezer pack she can keep in her locker. I bought her some breastmilk storage bottles and bags and few extra ice packs.

I encouraged her to nurse the baby in the mornings before she leaves, in the afternoon and evenings and of course, overnight. She's going to try to keep it up and she seems really hopeful.

Keep your fingers crossed for her mamas! She wants to do this, but the odds are stacked totally against her. Oh, and I could tell she was really sleep deprived. They brought the baby to church on Wednesday and everyone else was going over to the baby and oohing and aahing and instead of going to the baby, I went to mom and gave her a big hug and asked her how she was doing. She said just good at first, but then admitted to being sore and tired. She even started to cry a little. So I tried to focus on her and not too much on the baby.

I told her she is doing a fantastic job under less than ideal circumstances and she's handling it so well and she's a great mom.

Truth be told, I feel like ANY amount of breastmilk this baby gets is liquid gold, but if she's switches to formula, I wouldn't fault her.

[thixle]

Tell her I'm thinking about her!
It sounds like she is doing phenomenal!!!!
I agree, any is liquid gold-- and supplimenting while she is IN school doesn't mean she can't bf at home-- she'll just have to keep pumping (thank that school nurse for me, too!)

And also, tell her not to worry at all about her grades- as long as she passes, that is all that matters with high school- colleges don't actually look at grades

It is just so sad that any woman, of any age, is forced to resume school or work within 2 weeks of childbirth. I am so very proud of her for bfing. And proud of her for continuing school (though I wish I could give them a piece of my mind-- can't she homeschool or get the 504 plan to stay out longer?) ...

to her and to you MarcyC

[utopia760]

darn i know what that feels like ive been there and still i cant give advice

[maygee]

Ugh, I can't imagine doing anything 2 weeks postpartum. Can't she homeschool or do correspondence courses for part of the day?

[MarcyC]

Her home environment isn't condusive to homeschooling, to put it mildly. I won't go into detail, but homeschooling right now isn't an option.

She wants to be in school...she wants to finish her senior year with her friends. I actually asked her if she wanted to homeschool and volunteered to homeschool her, but it's not for her and that's okay.

But the two weeks post-partum thing...she should be in bed loving her baby...not at school. I don't know how she's functioning.

[honeybunch2k8]

Originally Posted by thixle

Tell her I'm thinking about her!
It sounds like she is doing phenomenal!!!!
I agree, any is liquid gold-- and supplimenting while she is IN school doesn't mean she can't bf at home-- she'll just have to keep pumping (thank that school nurse for me, too!)

And also, tell her not to worry at all about her grades- as long as she passes, that is all that matters with high school- colleges don't actually look at grades

It is just so sad that any woman, of any age, is forced to resume school or work within 2 weeks of childbirth. I am so very proud of her for bfing. And proud of her for continuing school (though I wish I could give them a piece of my mind-- can't she homeschool or get the 504 plan to stay out longer?) ...

to her and to you MarcyC

ITA! So many women would have quit under less trying circumstances. She's doing great.

[mom of B]

Just hugs and prayers for her, she is doing so great.

[ewins24]

What a WONDERFUL Mom she is to her baby! She will be in my thoughts and prayers. s to her and what a wonderful friend you are to her.

[waiting2bemommy]

I'm glad you updated...I've been wondering what happened with this girl (if it's the same one I was thinking of). Good for her! I really hope she will able to keep it up and hopefully pump some extra...tell her to eat her oatmeal for breakfast...I know it helps me to get more when I pump. does she know about mother's milk tea?

[GooeyRN]

wow, she seems determined to bf to continue even with jaundice and latching issues. Its great she looked into having a place to pump. She may be able to make this work! Who will be watching her baby during the day? Its great you are so supportive of her. Hopefully others will be, too.

[Smokering]

She has my profound respect! And she's lucky to have you there to encourage her. I wish her luck...

[desertpenguin]

definite kudos to her. i think mother's milk tea might help her to be able to express more milk while she's pumping so she might be able to build up a freezer stash.

[MKury]

give her a big from me and dd- she sounds like a super special mommy!

[art_teachermommy]

way to go! she sounds like a strong strong mama!

[mama24-7]

Her baby is so lucky to have her & she is lucky to have you!

(((hugs))) to the both of you.

Sus

[Equuskia]

Can she get a doctor to write a note saying she should stay home until 6-8 weeks pp, and doesn't recommend her going to school before that? That way she can at least stay with the baby until a little later? Few women are truly healed at 2 weeks pp.

[Wencie]

Hi all,

I have been reading this board for a while, but I wanted to comment on this to try and help. I found some breast shields that really helped me produce more milk during my pumping sessions, and as a bonus, they are MUCH more comfortable.

They are angled breast shields I found here : Pumpin Pal breast shields

They are not expensive ($12.95) and come in three different sizes. They fit right in the original flange that came with the pump, or with some Medela, they will replace the original flange.

I have also found a website that has a lot of great info in a condensed short read that helped me. Breast Pumping Help

Hope this helps.

[Twinklefae]

She deserves so much more than this, but wow! Good for her!

(I can't imagine going to High School still healing... ouch! Those chairs are uncomfortable!)