Breastfeeding General Chatter #13

[Arimeh]

Wow Mel, a month and still going strong. That is so great hun

That is lots of wet and dirty nappies hun and really good weight gains. It does sound like you have plenty of milk. It is really normal not to feel full between feeds and with all those nappies you definitely have milk there! If you are able to go with the flow for a bit, it is likely that she will start going longer between feeds soon. Great work hun - I know how much this means to you.

She fed 17 times in 24 hours - is that too much?! I've tried the block feeding stuff, did it last night and this morning - and she actually settled in her bed after feeds, however, has been really unsettled this morning, wouldn't stay asleep in her bed, so I've had her in the carrier for a while now, just so she can sleep. How long does the whole fore milk/hind milk last for - does your body adjust and just make "milk" so to speak, or do you always have to be mindful of it?

Ezy - hey lovely!! I have no advice, but wanted to say that S was doing the same thing at that age, she would take no more than 10 mins on each side and then sleep for a bit, and then want another side, and then have a longer sleep. How I miss the sleeping period already!!

[onthefly]

I think the mroe you enpty your breasts the more fatty the milk is.... MR will correct me if I'm wrong

Ez, I'd keep waking him if you can to keep him feeding. He'll get there in a bit - they're often so sleepy early on, but then they wake up and it's ON. Maybe a nappy change or cold flannel even?
I'm not sure what your story is with shields? Am I right that you expressed last time? I used shields from 4-11 weeks with DS as he just couldn't get attachment properly. I don't really have any tips.
It's really hard with a toddler as well and takes a while to find your groove. Like first time round only x2.

[ezymay]

Hey mel and madb yep I expressed full time with dd, mainly attachment issues and she got used to the bottle. This time DS had trouble attaching at all the the right and a few dodgy attachments to the left had it bleeding and cracked so fast. The shields are helping so I'm happy to use them if it's the difference btwn bfing or not. Cause I have huge boobs and using shields I don't feel like we can go anywhere yet where I won't have my whole saggy H+ cup boozie out!

[Arimeh]

I'm not comfortable feeding out in public cos I'm still feeding in the football hold. We haven't quite worked out the normal hold yet....

[Sterla]

Ezymay: With being discreet with the shields... well, it's all about practice . I have big boobs too, so I understand where you're coming from. Good luck with it!

[Lily Dust]

I'm not comfortable feeding out in public cos I'm still feeding in the football hold. We haven't quite worked out the normal hold yet....

hun, I dont think Ive fed in public yet! When and if you're ready. I was never coordinated enough in the early days and always engorged. Now, heavens knows what looks I'd be have shot at me

[MantaRay]

Mel, the foremilk/hindmilk thing will usually work itself out after the first few weeks. It's really only something to keep in mind if you have an oversupply. As MadB says, the emptier your breast is, the fattier the milk. That's one of the ways that block feeding helps. It seems that is has made a difference for Sahti already which is great - and after a few days that should also help the supply settle down. 17 times in 24 hours is not as unusual as you would think - it's certainly within the normal range. But it does settle down, it won't be like this forever.

[Arimeh]

Thanks manta I've missed seeing you around here!

[courts&munchkins]

Ok so I'm having a bad day and am completely over the recurrent bouts of mastitis and thrush that I just can't get rid of. Dd must be going through a growth spurt because she has been attached all day, my two older boys have used this to their advantage and are being little ferals. And just for good measure I am completely over the posterior tongue tie doing damage to my nipples and the clicking is driving me insane. I need someone to slap me and remind me why I am still persisting with this. That eventually we will get through this and one day I will enjoy breastfeeding her.

[onthefly]

I really admire your determination and hard work mumof2boys. I'd rather give you an encouraging , if that's ok?

[Lily Dust]

Wont give you a slap but will give you a big . Why are you persisting when its so hard??? Because you know that this is the ultimate gift you can provide your DD with. Everything in your boobs is exactly what she needs, no extras and no less. One month of breastfeeding has been shown to improve the bubs immune responses and they are less prone to allergic illnesses. You are providing her with something that no one esle can....how awesome is that?!?! As well as providing a lowered incidence of cancer to your child. That all said, mumof2boys, you are doing a really fantastic job. It is a very hard and sometimes frustrating job (BF) but you will be so glad that you pushed through all the bad days. Hang in there

[ezymay]

I'm not comfortable feeding out in public cos I'm still feeding in the football hold. We haven't quite worked out the normal hold yet....

Mel we are using the football hold too. I need pillows and the couch to feed. Even feeding in bed is hard. I'm getting a sore neck and shoulders! I've booked an appointment with an LC on Monday hopefully she will help me with positioning.

[WeeMansMummy]

Hey mel and madb yep I expressed full time with dd, mainly attachment issues and she got used to the bottle. This time DS had trouble attaching at all the the right and a few dodgy attachments to the left had it bleeding and cracked so fast. The shields are helping so I'm happy to use them if it's the difference btwn bfing or not. Cause I have huge boobs and using shields I don't feel like we can go anywhere yet where I won't have my whole saggy H+ cup boozie out!

I had the exact same problem... But we feed fine in public with a shield now, not sure if it will help but here is how....

We were using a medela (?) one, which needed to be stretched right out and really suctioned on the the breast/nipple to work effectively. So putting it on in public was very awkward as it involves getting the whole boob out, I would do it with a wrap over my whole head and body! Lol

Then I discovered the Advent shield doesn't need to suction on as much, so now we use BFing tops with a good flap and I hold it between my fingers over the nip just as he goes on and his suck holds it in place! Then I can let go and sort my top or wrap or whatever.
I should mention I have big boobs as well

[~clover~]

OMG... she's started to occasionally bite! So glad there are no teeth yet, but really not liking it
Just gotta watch out for when she's bored... Poo it!

[Lily Dust]

OMG... she's started to occasionally bite! So glad there are no teeth yet, but really not liking it

Is she teething ~clover~? I found DD would occassionally nip when she had teeth coming through, but also rest her teeth on the top of my nipple- Ouch. No matter how many times I re-attached she would still do it.

[Laranna]

DD has a cold and it's, well, very gross, breastfeeding a snotty 15 month old! Actually, on Sunday she'll be 16 months and that's a record for me Only got to 14 months with DS who was down to just the one in the morning. DD still has 3-4 during the day and one overnight now.

[~clover~]

Its possible. No red cheeks or drool, but irritable & chewing. But slightly fluey & mouthing objects could mean the same thing iykwim.

[onthefly]

How old is she clover? DS did that around 6-ish months I think, but no teeth till 8. Gumming hurts!!

Snot milk, huh Laranna? It'll help her get better sooner though.