Breastfeeding General Chatter #12

Mel, it is hard :hug: I can't even imagine how much more difficult with two others so you really are doing so well and a huge legend. You know Imogen, she was such a tiny bub and attachment was such a challenge for us also BUT it does get better, I promise! Now she could attach with her eyes closed from across the room and I wouldn't even know she had because I can barely feel her anymore haha. Those first couple of months felt like forever but you can do it -- you know you can and we know too, just take one step at a time.

:cheer::cheer::cheer::cheer::cheer:

Well ladies, I'm back :) DD was born on Friday and this time my milk came in Saturday night. I think the BF'ing is going well. Just having a few attachment issues and got grazed nipples but they are getting better now. She's feeding roughly every 2 hours during hte day and having a big cluster feed session from around 11pm til 4 in the morning. I'm not sure why maybe because it's just the hot weather?

I'm feeling more confident this time around, but still a bit paranoid and anxious about not having enough milk, mainly because of all the trouble I went through with DS. Hopefully, this time it's smooth sailing.

WTG Eluned... wow that is fast for your milk to come in!!

Hello to everyone else...

Things are going well with DD. I have quite a healthy little stash of EBM in the freezer as DD has been going longer for her naps each evening and then waking for a quick feed and then off for the night. The quick feed doesn't drain the breast so I have been expressing just before bed to give my bbs some relief. Then sometimes she will sleep right through until 6am or so... those mornings I need to express before DDs feed as the boob is quite full.

I am starting my ABA training next month (fingers crossed as this is when I will have fulfilled the 6mnths breastfeeding requirement). Have to fill in the paperwork etc.

Has anyone got an idea of BFing on special events... DDs christening is next month, I have a few dresses that I think will be easy access for feeding etc and am going to do a trial run of wearing the dress around the house for a day to see which is the easiest... is there anything else I need to consider?

Oops double post

Eluned - CONGRATS on the arrival of your gorgeous DD!!! I have been away so only just read your post now!! :cheer: woohoo!!! I am so happy to hear breastfeeding is going well keep up the great work.... it's understandable to be worried about it all seeing as you had such a difficult start with your DS. I have been thinking alot about #2 and when that happens and hoping it won't be as difficult as DD's feeding was.... surely the 2nd time around is MUCH easier ;) different baby too. You had similar probs I had I remember....
Congrats again!!

TK - good luck starting your training next month! I start my training as of now! Got my starter package and can start now... we just got back from hols overseas 2 days ago so i am keen to start this week now that my washing is up to date! :)
That's great we are doing it together so may be able to bounce off tips etc for each other along the way?

AFM - we got back from FIJI :dance: on Sunday night! 12 days over there.. Had a wonderful holiday.... met some lovely locals and even did tours of their villages and saw how they live over there.... even breastfed in one of their houses!!! that was pretty cool... they don't have much furniture (not much money, developing country) but they did give me a chair to sit on so that was nice. My Dh took a photo of me b.feeding DD in a Fijian house! I'm going to send it into ABA Essence mag and with a story about it hoping they publish it!

I can't believe our baby girl will be ONE on 02nd Feb!!! :o Her party invites are out.....
Can't believe we've been breastfeeding almost 12mths!!! :clap: so proud of me and DD and DH for supporting us this whole time....

Hope you all had a wonderful Xmas xx

Hi ladies - I know I don't post in here much but just had to share something funny!

DD#2 just had a lovely relaxed feed as I was sitting here on BB - she was wrapping her legs around my arm (as she does!) and just generally chilling out.

Then she pulls off and sits up and gives me a big grin - then says "Yay!" and starts clapping! It was the cutest thing! :lol: :D

That is so cute SS. I miss those days!!

Shanti, that sounds like such an awesome trip. I can't wait to see your photo in Essence! My favourite bfing moment ever was when DS2 was 3 months and we were in Vanuatu. We'd gone to a local village on an island for a day trip. I sat down in the shade in the middle of the village to feed DS2 and a group of local women came and sat with me. I was trying to be discreet but one of the women lifted my T-shirt up more as if to say "there is no need to hide". They all sat there with me while I fed, none of us able to communicate, but nonetheless I felt the solidarity they were offering.

SS - that is so cute... I can wait to interact with my DD like that when BFing

Help ladies! Just need some reassurance. DD just had her 10 day checkup and has only put on 70grams in 6 days. I was feeling so confident that the breastfeeding is going well. She's feeding 2-3 hourly, has at least 6 wet nappies and 3-4 pooey nappies a day so far, is waking herself for feeds and is content afterwards. The nurse is happy with it at the moment but wants to weigh her again next week to make sure we're on track still. I know all that sounds normal to my rational mind. But my irrational self is all worried now. I don't want to go through the same weight gain issues I had with DS!

Hi Girls
I haven't posted here before, but would love to join in if that's cool :)
Just quickly have been BF my little DS for nearly 5 months and we both are loving it. Will be going back to work soon (2-3days a week) my mum and DH will have him and I will continue to express.
Anyway!
Eluned congratulations on the arrival of your darling girl. I was going to mention that DH also had reallt poor gains at first. I got all worried and then suddenly they picked up by themselves and didn't stop. I would keep an eye on it but worry, she'll put some more on, sounds like you are doing a brilliant job. Just keep putting her on that's the only thing I can think of. But it is early days yet!

SS I also love it when DS does stuff like that! His favourite thing to do is pull off give me the cheekiest smile you have ever seen then launch himself back onto the boob! It is so funny - but not a good habit! LOL He also loves a lil chat after feeds when he is sleepy, just goos and gaas away it is very special to me.

Must go he is a calling! Hope to catch up with you all soon!
Rach xx

Anyone else's little ones grunt or talk to their boobs? My Ds has started doing it lately and its driving me batty. Cute at first but now it just interupts feeds then ends with him biting me because he gets distracted :lol:

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Anyone else's little ones grunt or talk to their boobs?

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LOL Freya. I bet he is telling them how delicious the milk is and to keep up the great work!! DS and I went to a baby shower yesterday and he kept looking at the the girls boobies - I said 'sorry but to him that's like looking a golden crunchy fried chicken!' ;) He sure loves them :lol:
rach xx

haha Rach its so funny how they get fascinated with ANY boobs. All 3 of my boys will touch or stare at boobs; I always have to warn my friends they are boob boys (even though Ds3 is the only one who breastfed past a couple of months!)

Although Ds1 is now fascinated with his own 'boobies' and offers to feed Ds3 for me when he is cranky and wants a feed. He doesnt believe me when I tell him his dont exactly work the same way mine do :lol:

Hopefully next week she'll post a big gain Eluned. It can be so irregular. DS was a slow gainer, so I understand the anxiety. If she's peeing and pooping that much she must be getting plenty of milk.

Will have to keep an eye out for your story in essence Shanti.

Hi everyone else! We're still here, but will be winding down ahead of our return to IVF land...

Freya -

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Although Ds1 is now fascinated with his own 'boobies' and offers to feed Ds3 for me when he is cranky and wants a feed. He doesnt believe me when I tell him his dont exactly work the same way mine do

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That is priceless :rofl:

Marcellus - you've given me some great adv on BF before - so thank you! Also, I wish you all the very best with weaning and IVF - we will be doing the same in August I think. Goodluck!
Rach xx

good luck returning to ivf marcellus

Freya - DD has talked or mumbled during a feed for a while now - sometimes i think it's a sign of frustration when she's tired - telling it to hurry up and let down!

ok ladies - need some help - at this stage, unless our fortunes change, i'm going back to work next month 2 days a week. am thinking i'll give E a big feed before i leave (7am) and pump from the other breast. will be home around 4.30 for another feed. how much milk will i need to leave with her each day. at home it won't be so bad as DH will have the frozen EBM stash - but how much will i need to leave if DD is spending the day with mum (on thsoe days, mum is likely to bring her to work for a feed, but i'd like to make sure she has enough if she can't)

and, e feeds as closely as 2 hourly thought the day - i don't want to have to express that often - if i express once (after about 4.5hours) would that be ok for supply - i will work a day, have a day off - so on my home day she will have unrestricted access to the breast...

Eluned hun, it can be so worrying when the weight gains are less than expected. All babies put on weight at different rates and I think health nurses can get a little too focussed on numbers. Your little one sounds like she is doing very well. Those nappies counts show that she is getting enough, and really any weight gain is good. It is perfectly normal for weight gains to fluctuate from week to week, so it can be helpful to look at the gains over 3 - 4 weeks if there is any concern.

The best advice I can give you hun, is to follow your instinct. If you hadn't weighed her, would you have any reason to worry? Also the 24 hour ABA helplline on 1800 mum 2 mum is fantastic for when you need some reassurance or information.

Best of luck hun.

MR, you're exactly right. I would not be worrying if she had not been weighed at all!