Breastfeeding General Chatter #13

[ezymay]

Vent ahead! I'm so over this mastitis!! It's appeared in the other boob and I'm still so sick! Fever and chills came back during the night. It's making it hard to want to continue feeding that's for sure. I'm miserable, DH is miserable, DS is never satisfied sucks!!

[Arimeh]

Vent ahead! I'm so over this mastitis!! It's appeared in the other boob and I'm still so sick! Fever and chills came back during the night. It's making it hard to want to continue feeding that's for sure. I'm miserable, DH is miserable, DS is never satisfied sucks!!

I think you are doing a really awesome job My midwife said to get apple cider vinegar on the inflammation because it helps draw it out. And to get LOTS of rest. xxxxx

[onthefly]

It's not ridiculous, it's quite understandable really - that's what you know and it worked for you. But this can work too
On paper it sounds like she's doing ok. The restlessness could be due to all sorts of things, not necessarily lack of milk. But you know the golden rule - listen to your mummy instincts.
So she feeds 2 hourly during the day? Both sides? How long for? And at night?
DD wouldnt' feed to sleep to start with but she's over that now Which is handy as she also doesn't like feeding when tired. She makes up for it through the night though

[courts&munchkins]

It's not ridiculous at all Arimeh, do you know how many times I have been that close to running out and buying a tin of formula each and ever single day over the last 3 months. If I only had 1 child I probably would have but as you would well know taking multiple littlies out isn't a small errand it's a mission so I haven't. But I understand that feeling very well, I battle it EVERY day. Every day we keep going is a success

[Arimeh]

So she feeds 2 hourly during the day? Both sides? How long for? And at night?

She feeds on one side every 2 hours. She has about a 10 minute feed, then gets fussy, so I take her off and burp her (change nappy if needed) and then she wants more, so I put her on the same side and then she pulls off herself sometimes, or I take her off when she starts pulling and chomping a bit, give her the dummy and she usually wants to go to sleep. So a feed usually takes on average 40 minutes all up. Then at night she usually wakes once - her last feed is usually around 8pm, then wakes around 1.30am (ish!) and then up again at 6.30am.

I can't wait till she falls asleep at all feeds though...

[Heaven]

Even though she feeds every 2 hours during the day, I think maybe its cos I don't have enough and thats why she doesn't settle for long periods - arghhh!

Mel, it sounds like everything is fine to me. That weight gain would be about 180g a week so that's good. And what you've said of her feeding is just like my DD2, nothing out of the ordinary, she also fed every 2 hrs at that age on one side for 10 mins or less. Sometimes it doesn't feel like she's emptied that side so I burp her and put her back on, then if she doesn't want it I try her on the other side to see if she wants that, sometimes she does, sometimes she doesn't. She also doesn't settle for long and is a catnapper, PITA but it's not coz she's hungry (you've seen her, she's a fatty).

So all that behavior you're talking about seems perfectly normal to me, only in the last couple of weeks DD has stretched out to 3hrly feeds, but sometimes still every 2 hrs.

From your photos S definitely looks like she's growing and looks well fed You're doing a great job. All you have to do is feed her when she wants it and your boobies will take care of it. If you're worried could you take her to the MCHN to get weighed or something just to reassure you?

[JLeigh29]

OK, I'm new in here but was hoping for some advice (and hugs !). I'm just getting over my second bout of mastitis, which seems to have been brought on by a sore, cracked nipple and white spot (bleb) I've had for ages that has been causing me pain on feeding. Has anyone else had any experience with white spots? I did what the chn/lactation consultant suggested and 'popped' it with a sterile needle, which seemed to help for a few days, but my nipple is soooo sore again and the white spot is back. It hurts where the fabric of my bra touches it, and absolutely burns when I feed, to the point I have tears in my eyes.

Ezy - Huge hugs and sympathy with your mastitis. Hope you're feeling a little better.

[onthefly]

Oh hang on, weren't we wondering a few pages back whether you had an oversupply?
The only thing I'd suggest is if she's done with the first side and it seems empty, then switch her over maybe?

Sorry JL I don't know. That sounds nasty though.

[Arcadia]

JL it could be a blocked Montgomery gland. Google it or search bb or aba for info. I had one and it was so painful!

Hth

[Arimeh]

Oh hang on, weren't we wondering a few pages back whether you had an oversupply?
The only thing I'd suggest is if she's done with the first side and it seems empty, then switch her over maybe?

Yeah we were - but that hourly feeding could have been a symptom of her silent reflux - which she is now medicated for. So I dunno, its all very confusing for me.

I have an achy right boob - does this mean mastitis is coming? I cant feel any lumps in particular but it seems to be a bit harder all over - even when she drained that side?

argh this boob stuff is confuzzling to me...