Breastfeeding General Chatter #12

[kelebek]

I didn't want to dismiss your fears by saying she is due to start solids soon so glad it is on your mind, blah I don't know I am certainly not an expert but I would think that if all the other boxes were ticked then 60 g is about 4 tablespoons of butter I would think that is not a major concern but I can only imagine how heartbreaking a loss is when you are obviuosly doing everything you can to feed her. I also meant to ask that if she hadn't lost the weight where is she on the weight growth chart thing?

[Laranna]

Thanks kelebek, on the chart she was sitting around the 12th percentile but as she hasn't gained any weight she's just gone straight across and is now below the graph. I am stumped. She doesn't appear to be unwell nor has had any colds etc at all. I asked some playgroup mums the other day if they thought she looked underweight and maybe I was just blind to seeing it but they all said she looks healthy and fine and in proportion.

My sister has similar troubles with her 2yo DS. He stopped putting on weight at 4 months of age and at 2 he weighs only 8kg. He has had many tests etc and no health professional can find anything wrong. So dunno maybe it's a genetic thing?DH & I were small babies so I don't expect to have fatty chubba babies but I also didn't expect my babies to not put on weight kwim.

[Lenny]

Eluned - It seems puzzling that DD's weight has plateaued (if that's a word!). You know her very well though and would know if she was unwell. I doubt there is anything you are doing that could affect her weight. You know if she was hungry she'd let you know.
DS 2 is 5 months old today. Wow, time flies. I can finally say things are getting better with the feeding. He has been such hard work to feed, but has never had any problems with weight gain or anything, so that's a huge relief.

How are you doing now Kate?

[dusty]

I thought I would jump in to share my excitement as I attended my first ABA gathering today to learn about baby led attachment. It was great to sit around with mums and dads with kids of all ages from 1 week to 5 years to learn more and talk about experiences. We also watched a great DVD on baby led attachment.
I'm looking forward to spending more time in this area soon!

Jo I can't believe DS 5 months already! Well done you on your BF efforts.

[alioops]

Eluned I have to agree with the solids recommendation. Either that or feed constantly for a few days to build more supply.

Dusty - Yay on the BF class!!

Next week we will reach 12 months BFing. Leah loves her boobies!!! The other day she said Booboos while looking at me but hasn't said it again.

[Laranna]

Thanks girls. I've decided to take her to the GP just for a general check and to rule out anything and if rhatvis all clear might just start solids.

Lenny, I can't believe they are 5 months now! Gone so quick. I do have to remind myself that I've come this far with the breastfeeding.

Ali, yeah DD tends to let me know about my supply. I've had days here and there where she's constantly on the boob and then the next day I feel much fuller. It's hard though because DS is missing out on time with me when we do more feeding.

[HotI]

How are you doing now Kate?

We had one week where the scales only showed a 30gram* gain (after 90gram and then 100gram gain), and so the MCHN (a different one to who i usually see) suggested i book in to the breastfeeding day stay in case they could see any issues.

Unfortunately, i came back feeling less confident of my ability to feed my bub. I started with baby led attachment from our first feed. I was fortunate that i only had one night of dodgy feeding (waiting for my milk to come in) where i got slight damage to my nipples because i was so tired and wasn't watching what we were doing. This cleared up pretty quick, and so i continued letting bub attach her way.

The lactation consultant (LC) said that bub was slurping and needed her mouth wider so she was taking more of the breast. Fair enough, except she was shoving bub against my chest who was then fighting against her and coming off.

The second thing was the LC asked about my meds and as they can inhibit prolactin (which you need to make milk) decided that i must not have enough milk and told me that i would have to start doing supplementary feeds with formula. Any of the normal meds to increase milk supply would counteract my meds. She kinda had me convinced that it was inevitable.

So i came away feeling pretty ***** about it all. BUT, then i got home and talked to DH, and he reminded me that i had plenty of milk (i was leaking lots then) and that I just need to be able to get my little one to take more in. (she has had some tummy issues)

ok, will have to finish later, little one just woke up

So i was starting to question what i had been told at the clinic. But was still concerned that my milk wasn't right.

Anyway, the next day i had my appt at the MCH clinic with my usual MCHN. She had had a call from the LC, but i said that i wasn't sure we were going to start formula yet, and i wanted to see what her weight was like first. So we weighed her, and she had gained 320grams in a fortnight! (this included the 30gram week which is why we wonder whether the scales were dodgy that week).

The following week she put on another 120gram. So her weight gains are not massive but she is still gaining and growing and happy. We are still exclusively breastfeeding. Yay! It's weigh day tomorrow, and if that s still ok, i am going to wait a fortnight or month to weigh again (instead of every week). She has lots of wet nappies etc.

We are dealing with colic/reflux thing (been told both but i think its more colicky) and seeing an osteo so hope she can sort that out. Sorry for the essay, but overall we are doing ok. I've learnt too that i need to listen to me, my baby and those that know us and see if the expert s advice fits in with what we know before taking their word as gospel.

*we now think this was possibly an error with the scales

[Lenny]

Kate - Yay. I know that top-ups with formula can sometimes be needed, but i was pretty happy to see that you hadn't needed to go that way. I firmly believe that when i stopped the whole bfing/expressing/formula nightmare, then we all relaxed and my supply settled and we were all much happier and relaxed (with DS1).

Dusty - I've seen that DVD. It's awesome isn't it! Not that I followed that completely, but I did notice with DS2 how clever those newborns are with finding nourishment. They are determined little critters and yet so tiny!

Eluned - 5 months! Boo hoo. I want another one! Please let us know how you go. I'm sure there is nothing medically wrong, she's just not going to fit the moulds

[HotI]

Another 130gram weight gain this week! Good work little one!

[Laranna]

Awesome stuff Kate, well done!

[Sterla]

We have almost reached 16 months here! DS still feeds in the morning, before his sleep, one of an evening, and one before bed, and then several times overnight - so still going strong! I do enjoy feeding, though I have noticed recently that I have started becoming a bit irritated with him feeding to sleep. I have always fed to sleep, and it's always worked quite well, but recently it's only working if he is really, really tired - otherwise he'll feed, but he'll pull on my clothes or scratch/tickle me with his hands and not fall asleep. It sounds cute, but for some reason I am finding it really annoying! Because of this, I guess I'm finding b/f less enjoyable - it's worst in the middle of the night when I'm sitting there in the dark with him not sleeping . Really though, it's the sleep that's bothering me, it just happens that b/f is attached to it. I think I need to find a new method of getting him to sleep.

[alioops]

We have been BFing for over a year!!!! Leah had some cows milk while I was on the GC because DH didnt ask me where the EBM was (even though it was where it has always been kept) but we are still BFing quite happily.

[Gigi]

I'm glad you both (Leah and you) have gotten to have this experience, that's great Ali.

I imagine it might have been a relief to you, not having to try lots of different formulas, to find one she could tolerate, like you had to with your other little ones.

You do what you have to do, cos you love your kids, but having it on tap (IF you produce the milk, IF their bodies can take it), i would imagine, would simplify life a bit.

all three of your lovely girls, no matter how they were fed as bubs, are going to grow up feeling very loved.

[Persephone1]

Hi Ladies,

I'm here! Mr A and I have been bfing a whole week now! It has been quite an adventure, but we've had lots of support from my Doula, and at least some of the MWs at the hospital (and afterwards) have been very helpful. A spent his first day in the NICU on the CPAP, and despite me having had a GA, I was able to express 9ml of colostrum that night, and a further 8ml 10 hours later. Apparently they're good amounts!

Since the milk arrived, we've been doing reasonably well. He showed an immediate preference for the left boob, and almost completely refused the right one unless it was in football-hold. We think this might have something to do with his positioning in the womb and/or his vacuum-assisted birth perhaps giving him a sore neck. Since we took him to a paediatric chiropractor on Thurs, he's been able to latch on the right boob in madonna-style. We're still finding it easier in football-hold but getting there. I'd like to get better at the lying-down feed but it's taking time. Have had cracked nipples but they healed well, luckily.

Anyway, so far a positive bfing experience for us, and I have to say that watching him feed (and fall of the boob at the end of the feed) is the best thing in the world. Hopefully we continue to have such good luck!

to everyone, looking forward to sticking around here for awhile.

[HotI]

I'm here! Mr A and I have been bfing a whole week now!

Yay!

[Lenny]

Wow seph, you sound so positive. It's not been a super easy start for you - but that's great that you got some good support and advice. Long may it last! Good on you both.

[Gigi]

congratulations Persephone, both on having your baby and the breastfeeding too.

colostrum is such "liquid gold", even if all he ever gets, is that initial colostrum, his health is off to a flying start. Every drop of colostrum is precious, even when you count ten drops and think "is that all"? LOL. nb's stomach is so tiny, like a marble, so doesn't take much to fill them up!

i had a midwife visit me VERY regularly at home, for the first six weeks, so helpful, and she taught me how to do the feeding lying down thing, took some practice i can tell you! but it was such a useful thing to learn.

Glad your little guy is off the CPAP machine now.

keep posting, i found the first four months a real rollercoaster (of my bub and me getting th ehand of bf-ing), so it's great you have had doula/mw support in hospy and online support here. i reckon, having multiple avenues of bf support is great,

congrats again! a squishy newborn - awww!

[Shanti]

Hey girls!

Haven't posted in here for a while, thought it was time \

Congrats Sterla and you others with milestones made well done!!

We have made it to 17mths BF now wooohoooo what an awesome milestone!!!! I really have to stop and think sometimes at what a great job I (and others like myself) are doing!!!!! I NEVER thought I'd make it this far, not only with our early probs but also because I thought a child this age wouldn't need to be still BF but that was in my pre-mother days when I didn't know much about BF of course hehe

We were at a wedding in Toowoomba over the weekend and a couple of things about BF I wanted to share. First one was a mum with a very young 5mth old baby was there and her little girl needed a feed and i heard her say to her DH "i've got the bottle but I think she just wants boob" (i dont blame the baby LOL) so they walked off outside to the car to feed the baby..... mind you, it was about 5 degrees outside (very very chilly!!) and they had warmed up the car and left it running so she could go and feed in the car instead of staying at the wedding and feeding at the wedding..... made me feel like saying something to her like "you should feed in here, where it's your right" but I didnt say anything as I don't personally know her myself. I said something to DH about it afterwards and he told me that he'd also heard her say to her DH that 'i tried feeding her in the toilet but she got upset'.... how awful!!!!! That poor Mum didnt feel comfortable to feed at the wedding...... and her baby was only 5mths. I felt I should have said something to her to let her know she has every right to feed wherever she wants to to maybe give her some confidence but i didnt want to 'intervene' kwim? it's hard.... so off they went outside in the freezing cold to feed. How will BF in public ever be considered 'normal' when so many mums dont do it cos they feel 'uncomfortable' arrrgggh upsets me.

Another thing that bothered me over the weekend in relation to BF was that my FIL made a comment about me 'still' feeding DD. I was in the motel bedroom feeding DD and lying down with her and he came to say goodbye as they were going out for bfast and heading back home that morning and my Mum said "they are in the bedroom, A is having a feed and relaxing with her mum!" and perhaps they were bitter that they couldnt see her and say goodbye and as he walked out he said "she needs to wean her off pretty soon"...... how friggen rude is he...... it's none of his business!!!! (DH is having a few probs with him at the moment too so hes not in the good books with us at all!!) sooooo because of that comment, I'm deliberately going to feed DD more often around him.... hahaha..... at breakfast the day before that we had it with them at a cafe and DD wanted a feed and I put her on (discreetly) and you could tell he noticed and felt uncomfortable..... his wife (MIL) never BF the boys so he's never been around BF women....... he must feel so uncomfortable..... oh well his problem not mine.....
AND.... when I was at the wedding he made mention about how so many kids these days have allergies and I felt so tempted to say "could it be perhaps that ppl feel the societal pressures to prematurely wean their babies well before they are both ready to be weaned, hence for the increase in allergies????" ..... *sigh* uneducated people.

There was a tiny 3wk old bub at the wedding too and I felt VERY clucky..... she was gorgeous!! I sure hope this babydust works for me soon!!!!!!!