Breastfeeding General Chatter #13

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

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 :(

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.....

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!!! :o

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.

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. :D 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 :(

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 :)

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!

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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 :(

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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.

I didn't know this thread existed - but I'm really glad that it does. I spend so much time BF'ing or thinking about BF'ing and how much milk I am leaving for DD (almost 4 months) and what she is consuming every day I drive myself a bit crazy!

I read this article recently that said that by 12 weeks only 50% of mothers were exclusively BF'ing. I am expressing and giving DD EBM while I am at work but otherwise she is BF and she's not getting anything other than breast milk so I am proud that I am part of that 50%. I also find it strange that so few women exclusively BF. Many of my friends have used the going back to work excuse and talked about how "ideally" they would BF but it's just so unfortunate it's not possible. Now I am in this situation and we are making it work - it just takes work and thought! I can't understand why people who are informed of the BF'ing benefits choose to ignore them? Of course some women are unable to BF but it's those that choose not to that I can't understand. This is probably the most opinionated post I have ever done! I just feel so strongly about it. I wouldn't vindicate anyone who didn't make the same choices as me, I just can't empathise with their situation.

I personally find this whole process so rewarding. Seeing her grow and knowing that I am providing her food source is so motivating to me and gives me such a wonderful bond with her which is important to me as my DH is the SAHP.

I had someone today say I should just give up BF (DS is 14mths old) as the past week I've had to cut out dairy, egg and sesame from my diet & DS's diet as we're trying to figure out his eczema trigger. Given that I don't eat salad - tried but just can't manage to eat it (gag and all) I was having a slight whinge about not being able to eat much. They suggested that I just stop feeding and put him on cows milk - dairy derrrr :wall: then suggested soy milk (can't have that yet either according to the specialist) and cheese and yoghurt for calcium intake :rolleyes: I pointed out it's still cheaper for me to feed than to get formula especially with the fun we're having to sort out the triggers.

Feeling a bit down ladies. I was always so determined to breastfeed, it's never been a matter of whether I would or not, just something I took for granted. I was breastfed until I was 2 1/2, my four siblings were breastfed, and both my parents were active in their local NMAA group, so I guess I always had positive breastfeeding role models around me.

I love BFing and am grateful that DS and I are doing it so well and both enjoying it. I accessed the right supports at the right times and made it work. I would never say that BFing was "easy" in the beginning - it took some effort, patience, time and determination for it to work. We didn't have to contend with mastitis, thrush, poor attachment, supply issues, etc, that I know some women deal with, and I'm grateful for that.

What's getting me down is that it seems almost everyone around me is turning to FF. Those women that have no choice aside, most of the people around me FF are doing it because it's the "easier," "more convenient" "makes DS/DD sleep through" reasons. This flies in the face of everything I know to be true about BFing. They also tell me it's because they "don't have enough milk" which for many of them is only because they supplemented with FF in the first place :rolleyes:

I'm not wanting to judge anyone who chooses to FF, for whatever reasons. What's upsetting me is that I'm working really hard to BF DS. This currently means waking every 2 hours overnight and feeding him. It means BFing in public which is not always relaxing or enjoyable, it means being completely depended upon, (even when I express and give EBM to DH to feed DS, I'm still depended upon to express it in the first place). I KNOW I'm doing the right thing by DS, and I KNOW this gives him the best start in life. But at the moment I feel like there's no payback. My FF friends are boasting about their babies sleeping through - but if I were to boast about bfing then I get the evil eye (not that I boast, but ykwim). Why is it okay to tell me how fantastic FF is but not okay for me to congratulate myself and tell you how fantastic BFing is? BFing, for all it's wonders, is also pretty thankless (although it is rewarding, itms?).

I know I'm going around in circles. I just wanted to vent. If I vent IRL then I risk pi$$ing people who FF off. I am so proud of my BFing achievements already, and that DS is doing so well on MY milk. I just need some sleep at the moment, and I'm frustrated that other people look like they're having it easier than me - but I know it's because they're FF, which is not an option I'm prepared to consider just for some sleep.

On the other hand, I'm actually a bit sad that in less than three months we'll be attempting BLS - meaning my exclusive BFing journey with DS is already halfway finished. Do you reckon anyone would notice if I kept exclusively BFing him for a few more years? :p

Thanks for the ears ladies.

I know what you mean Persephone - I had the same thing in my MG. A lot of mums just stopped breastfeeding in favour of FF, and the reasons they gave were all about convenience for them. I never spoke up, because like you I didn't want to risk offending anyone. Luckily for me, within my MG (it was a huge group) there was also quite a few of us who were still breastfeeding. One stopped at 12 months, and two others have only just weaned theirs at around 16 months. I am now the only one still breastfeeding, but those that did breastfeed longer are still quite supportive.

It's hard when everyone around you is doing something different, and bragging about it - especially when the FF vs BF debate can make lots of mums quite defensive. But you know you're doing the best for your bub, and you're just at the beginning of this beautiful relationship!
Have you thought of joining the ABA? If you go along to meetings, you will be surrounded by plenty of breastfeeding mums who will be more than willing to rave and brag about the benefits of breastfeeding with you! :D

You are doing fantastic Persephone! I know what you mean, not many people seem to appreciate breastfeeding but your little man does, even if he doesn't have the words to thank-you yet :hug:

I have two very beautiful stories to share. I've had cousins say my extending feeding is bordering on paedophilic (which totally isn't offensive because hey, it isn't now; just if you keep it up :rollseyes: ) so I've started being a bit reserved in discussing our continuation but this weekend I went to see my Nan for her Birthday and we were discussing my cousins newest baby when my Nan turned and asked how long we ended up breastfeeding for, without thinking I replied "we are still".. I was nervous but she turned and gave me the biggest hug. She said she was so surprised but beyond proud, that I deserved a gold medal. Those words made me feel amazing! I'm not hiding it anymore, breastfeeding isn't anything to be ashamed about -- my Nan is proud and so am I.

Then today, I tripped over and hurt my knee. It was pretty bad and the tears began to flow when my toddler ran over, pulled down my top and tried with all her might to push my breast towards my mouth while patting me on the back. I could have died, it was so adorable! She knows that milkies are more than just nutrition :)

Jellyfish, that is just gorgeous!

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You are doing fantastic Persephone! I know what you mean, not many people seem to appreciate breastfeeding but your little man does, even if he doesn't have the words to thank-you yet :hug:

I have two very beautiful stories to share. I've had cousins say my extending feeding is bordering on paedophilic (which totally isn't offensive because hey, it isn't now; just if you keep it up :rollseyes: ) so I've started being a bit reserved in discussing our continuation but this weekend I went to see my Nan for her Birthday and we were discussing my cousins newest baby when my Nan turned and asked how long we ended up breastfeeding for, without thinking I replied "we are still".. I was nervous but she turned and gave me the biggest hug. She said she was so surprised but beyond proud, that I deserved a gold medal. Those words made me feel amazing! I'm not hiding it anymore, breastfeeding isn't anything to be ashamed about -- my Nan is proud and so am I.

Then today, I tripped over and hurt my knee. It was pretty bad and the tears began to flow when my toddler ran over, pulled down my top and tried with all her might to push my breast towards my mouth while patting me on the back. I could have died, it was so adorable! She knows that milkies are more than just nutrition :)

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Oh I love it! Your DD is adorable! Thanks for sharing, you've made me feel a lot better.

Sterla, I'm a member of the ABA but my local branch is not very active. I might go to meetings in the next suburb over to get some good BFing vibes. Thanks for the suggestion.

The ABA is a really great idea! I am surrounded by lots of people that are currently BFing and it's wonderful. Interesting though as one of my close friends is heading back to work soon and planning on expressing once during the day. I gently mentioned engorgement and loss of supply etc etc and the obvious one - how are you going to get enough EBM for the next day at childcare and was met with "Oh, I hadn't even thought of that - I am sure it will be fine!" It made me realise how EASY people think BFing is. I think unless you have done it, you never really realise how difficult it can be. Every single woman I meet that has BF I am officially in awe of and those who have tried and been unable, well my heart goes out to them.

Jellyfish - your story is simply GORGEOUS. I love love love that story. And I had the same experience with DH grandmother. She has a heap of great grandkids (over 20!!) and she was so impressed I was BFing. It made me feel really good about it all.

So glad I remembered this thread was around!

And so nice to read that other mummies feel as pro BF as me ;)

DS is coming up to 5 months & I'm starting to think about BLS after 6 months as well.... I'm loving now that he is exclusively BF... I've bought a pump but yet to use it as I don't want to share feeding times with the bottle, lol :rofl:

Strangelk, I'm with you - most people don't understand BF isn't always easy.
This time around I've had attachment issues (due to bub being premmie & away from me for an extended time at birth), mastitis, bleeding nipples & extremely painful Reynauds in my nipples... but never once considered FF.
I just love it too much :)

A little sad, my 17yr old niece asked me a few weeks ago ''so how long until he's on the bottle?''... she had no idea that you BF after a few weeks of bringing bub home as she's never known anyone to do it :( (I BF DS1 for 12 months, but she was only 5yrs at the time so wouldn't remember).
That shows lack of info about the benefits of BF which is a bit sad.... I know she's only 17, but at that age they should start to be learning these things... there's too many girls out there having babies young & have no idea of the benefits of BF :(

I love looking at DS & weighing him each week knowing that he 's growing nice & strong because of me :)

Oooh I was wondering what happened to this thread :)

Jellyfish, that is an adorable story!

Sterla, just take it day by day. DS decided he could do without booby when he was 14.5 months and I was around 3 months pregnant. My supply wasn't great and it really dropped off by the end of the first trimester. I kinda hoped we would get to tandem feed but considering the effort we went through just to feed DS I was happy with where we got to.

HB, in my mothers group I was the only one who fed beyond 12 months. We were actually just talking about it today, one of the mums who has just had her 2nd bub said she was happy it was going much better for her this time and that it's a shame that she gave up so easily the first time. We agreed more support is needed. It was nice to be able to have a chat about it with someone IRL who is on the same page!

DD & I are still feeding really well. After those couple of months where she wasn't gaining, we're back on track and it's rather non-eventful! LOL...She's feeding roughly about 5 or so times during the day and a couple times over night. I still go by her demand. I think we're going to have a nice and long BF'ing relationship :)

And I was just wondering for the long termers, do you remember a breastfeeding debrief thread? I was trying to find it as I'm sure I posted about my troubles with DS and I wanted to re-read it again. I can't find the thread anymore.