Breastfeeding General Chatter #13

[deletedit]

DD#2 got her doctor's kit, poked the sore booby with several plastic medical instruments and declared me 'all better'.

And then I suddenly come down with a roaring fever ... I don't think its booby related though, but it will completely mask any issues. I was sitting in front of the heater in a toasty warm room shivering (with toddler on lap of course) but its probably the flu, I have a headache, sore throat, cough, sniff and several sets of sore joints now too on top of the sore boob. Fun fun fun. 2 panadol made me feel somewhat less crap. I can see why Theo is so reluctant to wake up.

What is it with illnesses that just sneak up on you and whack you over the head?

[MantaRay]

Hun, that sounds like mastitis. Please go and see a doctor ASAP. Also keep feeding from and if need be expressing from that breast frequently. You can definitely express in a warm bath if you like.

It might also be helpful to call the ABA helpline on 1800 mum 2 mum (1800 686 2 686) for some other ideas on clearing any lumps and preventing this from happening again. The doctor can give you antibiotics for the infection, but you still need to clear any blockages.

Best of luck hun I hope you feel better really soon. If it is mastitis, antibiotics kick in pretty quickly (if they are the right ones!).

[deletedit]

Much better this morning, although we're still both snotty as.

I think I know what the problem is - I think I slept funny feeding bubs that night with a bra too small and half open and pinched across all the ducts under one boob. I've swapped to a bigger, softer bra today (yay for old 10h or 10i bras ... or whatever it works out to in Australian sizes). I massaged under there in the bath, boob is still sore but nowhere near as bad as yesterday. It had no lumps and wasn't hot or red localised, but if it *had* got infected and gave me a fever I wouldn't have been able to tell because I already had a fever from being sick

[human bean]

So I'm aware BF bubs can go quite a few days without bowel movements. We're on day 5 now without a soiled nappy, the longest she's ever gone is 24hrs prior to this. We've only just started BLS last week so naturally she's eaten very little, still drinking like normal and seems happy. She's a little squirmy when feeding over the last day or two, and is passing the most shocking smelling wind. I mean bad. Not just when feeding. She almost propelled herself round the bath tub last night lol I'm guessing this is because she is getting a bit of a back log? Is it normal to be so smelly when passing wind? I'm dreading the soiled nappy when it comes.....

[Sterla]

Yup, totally normal to go a while without bowel movements. My DS went 6 days between them for a while there, but I've heard of much longer. When he finally went there was SO much!!!

AFM: I had actually been wondering about this thread recently... whether it was still going! I thought maybe a new thread had been started and I'd missed it, but no - just very quiet! I am still feeding my 19 month old DS, and still feeding a fair bit - 3 or more times a day usually, it's pretty unpredictable though. I'm still trying to get my head around the fact that DS could wean when my milk changes while I'm pregnant... will just have to deal with it when/if it happens.

[Persephone1]

HB, one of my friends says that her DS would go 10 days between bowel movements, and then they would have to stay home for the day because there was so much poo. Not sure about the wind though, I'm sure that's pretty normal.

I'm still here too! Bfing is a delight - I love that DS talks to my boobs, kisses them, pats them, smiles at them. My only problem right now is the growth-spurt which is just about killing me. Anyone with any advice: 3-month-old sleep, bfing and growth-spurt questions.

Meanwhile, I'm becoming increasingly disappointed about my MG ladies all giving up bfing in favour of FF, for the sole reason of wanting their bubs to sleep through the night I find this very demoralising, and suddenly I'm the "hippie" who exclusively breastfeeds and wears her baby. What's saddest about this is that we live in a very "yuppy" inner suburb of Melbourne, and all the ladies in my MG are University-educated, highly intelligent women. Somehow the memo on the benefits of bfing passed them by

[human bean]

Thanks for that - I've always known in can be days in between poops, just didn't realise such a cute baby could stink out a room in seconds

Persephone at 12 weeks exactly my DD went through a week of waking 2hrly during the night to feed. I thought it was because we had been away and co-slept the last 2 nights of the trip, and it took a full week once we got home for her to resettle to only a few feeds overnight. During the day never changed, just upped the night feeds. I never really knew if it was the travel or a growth spurt....but it was hard and very tiring. Hope your nights get easier too.

Only 2 of us in MG exclusively BF too, and everyone is mortified that I am doing BLS - one even asked how I could let DD go hungry! They all went to formula or comp feeds/early solids in an effort to get their bubs to sleep through too, and only 2 babies in the group are. My DD and the other exclusively BF little guy. It makes me chuckle, I never brag but I'd love to ha ha

ETA just realised how awful that sounds. I don't mean brag that we are better, just would love to remind them all how they kept saying I should intro formula or solids 2 months ago to get her to sleep through. We managed quite fine ourselves with just BF

[Jellyfish]

Hello! I'm still here and feeding my 18month old DD. We are having a feed before her day sleep, feed before night sleep, 2-3 overnight and sometimes another couple fit into the daylight hours.. It can be a bit tiring still having no long stretches at night but my body clock seems to have adjusted so I'd probably feel worse if something changed (but I won't complain if some of the night feeds disappear suddenly hehe).

DD used to go 10-11 days between bowel movements before she starting consuming decent amounts of solids and now goes daily. Never any issues from it, they were always "normal" so I just enjoyed the break from smelly nappies!

[HotI]

Meanwhile, I'm becoming increasingly disappointed about my MG ladies all giving up bfing in favour of FF, for the sole reason of wanting their bubs to sleep through the night I find this very demoralising, and suddenly I'm the "hippie" who exclusively breastfeeds and wears her baby. What's saddest about this is that we live in a very "yuppy" inner suburb of Melbourne, and all the ladies in my MG are University-educated, highly intelligent women. Somehow the memo on the benefits of bfing passed them by

I have been pleasantly surprised by the majority of my MG ladies who continue to breastfeed. This is in a semi-rural area, many of the women are intelligent but i think have low education. They definitely understand the benefits in BFing.

[kungfubecca]

wow rumpled elf im jealous. i dont loose weight like that and i've had to ditch most deserts cause doc said i have high cholestorol

[Tel]

Hi Ladies - I'm new to this group :-)

I already have a gorgeous little boy who's know 16 months old and sadly I couldn't BF him...he attached well etc, but Mummy had NO MILK! I used to sit there for 2-3hrs and get no more than 40ml. Needless to say he was FF, but that's fine with me, he's a healthy happy little boy and that's the main thing!

I'm now pregnant with #2 and really keen to give BF another go - but I want to do everything I can to increase my chances of getting a decent amount of milk. So any suggestions?

[leckert]

Hi Ladies - I'm new to this group :-)

I already have a gorgeous little boy who's know 16 months old and sadly I couldn't BF him...he attached well etc, but Mummy had NO MILK! I used to sit there for 2-3hrs and get no more than 40ml. Needless to say he was FF, but that's fine with me, he's a healthy happy little boy and that's the main thing!

I'm now pregnant with #2 and really keen to give BF another go - but I want to do everything I can to increase my chances of getting a decent amount of milk. So any suggestions?

Suggestion #1 - get in touch with the ABA - see if you can do one of their BF courses

suggestion #2 - look into hiring a lactation consultant

(sorry for the short post - currently expressing for DS and I'm not so good typing one handed
PS you're only supposed to have 1 ticker)

[starangelk]

Hi Tel, wow - you are so organised Your ticker says 7 weeks pregnant and you are already thinking about the whole BFing thing. Good on you! In no way do I pretend to be an expert at this but from what I have read, the amount of milk you can express has no reflection on the milk you are able to supply for your baby. I believe it is about building supply in the early days and establishing a good supply from the get go. This means lots of feeding with your newborn. I second the idea to contact the ABA, there is lots of good advice available. Good luck and congratulations on your pregnancy

How is everyone else going? I am still breastfeeding and DD is showing no signs of cutting back on her milk despite starting solids - baby led style. She did go on a BFing strike and would only take EBM from the bottle but that only lasted about 4 or 5 days and she's back with a vengance. Her feeds are taking longer than ever and she is feeding alot too. I figure she knows what she is doing so just letting her go with whatever works. With the holidays coming up, I am looking forward to exclusively BFing her and not having to express. Woot Woot

[Tel]

Thanks ladies :-) Will get in touch with them for sure!

OH and thanks about the ticker...will go fix it now!

[Laranna]

Hi tel, welcome to BB! I would put bubs to the breast as soon as possible after the birth and then every time bubs even glances in your direction, put him/her straight on. Lots of sucking and skin to skin straight up will get the hormones flowing and help to bring your milk in. You might find also that being your second, your milk will come in quicker this time. Definitely speak to the ABA and an LC as soon as you feel you need some help even if it is just to check your attachment.

As for us, we are going well. DD will be one on New Years Day and I am so happy that we still breastfeeding She is feeding 4-5 times during the day and once or twice overnight. Still no sign of AF either! I am loving it. Apart from the lack of weight gain issues at the 3-6 month mark, this has been relatively easy. With DS I was taking it day by day and this time with DD, it doesn't look like our breastfeeding relationship is going to end any time soon

[wysiwyg]

Hi Tel - I also recommend the ABA Breastfeeding Education classes - I didn't actually go to a class prior to DD being born as I wasn't aware of them, but have been a demo mum at several since DD was born and I know from talking to the mums and dads there how useful they found it. On the ABA website under breastfeeding classes - QLD, VIC, NSW have dates listed for classes right through to end of 2011 so you plan ahead and book on one now if you like (I think they say towards end of 2nd tri, beginning of 3rd is quite a good time to attend).

AFM - DD is still feeding twice a day, but since I have been pregnant seems just to want to hold and touch my boobs more than drink from them - she likes to kiss them and say boob - is very sweet. I could do without her wanting to put her hand down my top when we are out and about though.

[Barb Glare]

Hi, Tel,

I second the idea of going to an ABA breastfeeding education class. In breastfeeding as with everything knowledge is power. I thought it was interesting....you said you had "no milk" then mentioned that you pumped and got 40 mls. That's not actually "no milk" It's a very respectable amount of milk! Pretty much all a newborn baby needs at a feed. And as Stranegelk says, the baby will always get more out than the pump. When you join ABA you get a great book - free- "Breastfeeding naturally". There is so much misinformation out there it seems in possible that new mums could work their way through it to successfully breastfeed - a bit of knowledge and support makes a huge difference. Good on you for getting the support you need early on this time