No good advice for you mama but keep up the good work! You are doing great and your DD would thank you if she knew how to talk
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Large Areola/nipple
We have been struggling with low milk supply for a while now. Symptom of low milk supply was it took her 3 weeks to get my DD above her birth weight only after supplementing her at 2 weeks. We supplemented with formula for about 2 weeks and started the usual... pumping, domperidone, fenugreek, non-stop nursing, etc. I stopped the forumula two weeks ago and now her weight gain may be slowing down.
I was reading some of causes of low weight gain in Nursing Mother's Companion and it mentioned large nipples which is what I have. Quite frequently nursing comes with a slight pinching feel even when she is swallowing so I know she is getting milk but not with the best latch. When her latch is good, there is no pinching.
I can pump out just 1- 2 ounces of milk between feedings (combined both sides). I do have large sized flanges but maybe they aren't big enough? HOw much of the nipple and areola is suppposed to be in the tube? I am just all nipple in the tub and I thought that nursing comes from the baby pumping stimulating the area just beyond the nipple.
And only recently do I feel a let down when she nurses, as in triggered by her sucking. I used to only feel a let down between nursings.
If I have to go back to adding formula, can I supplement with goat's milk? I was adding no more than 6 ounces a day when I was supplementing though she is much older now though.
so many questions... this is so much work.
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I was reading some of causes of low weight gain in Nursing Mother's Companion and it mentioned large nipples which is what I have. Quite frequently nursing comes with a slight pinching feel even when she is swallowing so I know she is getting milk but not with the best latch. When her latch is good, there is no pinching.
I can pump out just 1- 2 ounces of milk between feedings (combined both sides). I do have large sized flanges but maybe they aren't big enough? HOw much of the nipple and areola is suppposed to be in the tube? I am just all nipple in the tub and I thought that nursing comes from the baby pumping stimulating the area just beyond the nipple.
And only recently do I feel a let down when she nurses, as in triggered by her sucking. I used to only feel a let down between nursings.
If I have to go back to adding formula, can I supplement with goat's milk? I was adding no more than 6 ounces a day when I was supplementing though she is much older now though.
so many questions... this is so much work.
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Hang in there, you're doing a great job! The first few months can be hard especially when you're having problems, but the hard work you put in now to solve those problems will be worth it.
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I encourage you to take your baby to her doctor's appointment even if you decide not to vax right now. Your baby's health is too important to miss a doctor's appointment when you're concerned about weight gain just because you want to avoid explaining your decision not to vax.
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I had a quick look at the growth charts, and your baby has certainly dropped in percentile. This by itself may not be a problem, but you really need to have your baby assessed by your ped to help you determine if there is cause for concern. Better to find out sooner rather than later.
To answer your question about supplementing, if it becomes necessary to supplement, then you should supplement first with any expressed milk you have, and if necessary, with formula. Your baby is too young for you to supplement with goats milk. Also, what you are able to pump is not indicative of your milk supply.
If you are finding it difficult to get the help you need with the LC at her support group, then consider hiring an LC for one-to-one help. An LC should also be able to tell you whether the flanges for your pump are big enough for you.
If your baby's latch is still not perfect, then it is something you need to continue to work on with the help of an LC. Since you have large nipples, it may take a little bit of time for your baby's mouth to grow big enough for her to latch on properly, but continue to work on it. You want to make sure that she has the best latch possible so that she can transfer milk effectively.
http://www.kellymom.com/babyconcerns..._increase.html
The above link has some good info on ways to increase weight gain in the breastfed baby.
Please see your ped, and let us know how things are going!
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I encourage you to take your baby to her doctor's appointment even if you decide not to vax right now. Your baby's health is too important to miss a doctor's appointment when you're concerned about weight gain just because you want to avoid explaining your decision not to vax.
To answer your question about supplementing, if it becomes necessary to supplement, then you should supplement first with any expressed milk you have, and if necessary, with formula. Your baby is too young for you to supplement with goats milk. Also, what you are able to pump is not indicative of your milk supply.
If you are finding it difficult to get the help you need with the LC at her support group, then consider hiring an LC for one-to-one help. An LC should also be able to tell you whether the flanges for your pump are big enough for you.
If your baby's latch is still not perfect, then it is something you need to continue to work on with the help of an LC. Since you have large nipples, it may take a little bit of time for your baby's mouth to grow big enough for her to latch on properly, but continue to work on it. You want to make sure that she has the best latch possible so that she can transfer milk effectively.
http://www.kellymom.com/babyconcerns..._increase.html
The above link has some good info on ways to increase weight gain in the breastfed baby.
Please see your ped, and let us know how things are going!
Quote:
This is what you want. Nipple should not touch the flange, ideally there is a little space. I would see if you can get her to open her mouth wider every time. This may take some work with someone from LLL or and LC. If she latches correctly every time, and hopefully you can get flanges that fit, your supply should go up and be fine. I guess you have a medela pump? You can order larger flanges online and usually your local hospital will carry the larger sizes too.
Originally Posted by nikihodges my nipple dosen't touch the flange at all if it is centered |
i have the 36.....it will make a bi difference...it did for me
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