Breastfeeding General Chatter #14

Gooo Teni! That's awesome.

We are still going really well here other than my little man getting very easily distracted and finishing before he's had enough. If I can get him to focus, he'll take a really good full feed but sometimes he just has a snack feed and I know from the feel and also the quick time (less than a minute at times) that he's only had a snack. Other than the sit in a quiet room etc, does anyone have any suggestions for how to combat this? BFing a baby is difficult when my toddler is around as my baby thinks she is so much more exciting than milk :)

Hot1 I had a couple of months of issues when DD1 was that age. You can try a slightly diff position (a challenge!), I also used pawpaw to help it heal, both with limited success. In the end, time and advanced wound healing bandaids did the trick.

Starangelk - we have that same issue too sometimes, although Mr P tends to try and put Miss P on when she is upset, or pull her off if he wants it. No real suggestions sorry hun, maybe give X something special to do while you're feeding??

Well, Miss P has been feeding really well for the last 18weeks, and have still managed to feed Mr P occasionally - he essentially self weaned at the start of Feb, but got sick and has gone back to one feed a day

DD1 turned 3 over the weekend so we are now over 3yrs of breastfeeding with 2months being tandemly!

Woohoo Jellyfish!! That's a fantastic effort.

My woohoo for the day is that I managed to get DD1's old nanny back starting next week. She'll be coming in with me to the city one day a week during school time to take DD2 while I work and bring her back so that I can bf her when she needs it. Big weight off my mind, because apart from sorting out the logistics, I really needed someone I can trust since bub is still so little. It'll make bfing easier for the next few months too, until she's old enough to spend the time at home with me leaving some ebm.

My letdown is much more intense this time around and DD2 gets frustrated if it's not instant, really fussing around until I feel it happen and then it's all she can do to keep swallowing fast enough. Lazy baby! ;) Blocked ducts are still happening from time to time (another reason I didn't want to have to deal with expressing for a while), but so far only turned into fever, etc once. Fx it doesn't happen again.

Can I ask forum breastfeeders about dreamfeeding? I can't seem to do it - if she is asleep there is no way she's sucking on a nipple as she won't even open her mouth a tiny bit, even if I tease her lips with milk on the end of my nipple. I want to dreamfeed to try and keep her night routine somewhat consistent. Eg usually I give her first 'night' feed around 6.30 or 7pm even if it's just a top up after her bath and massage. Usually she's awake but today she fell asleep straight after her bath and massage and wouldn't take the extra boob- she last fed at 5pm. I know it sounds selfish but I don't want her waking earlier than usual for the rest of the night as this possibly means she will wake up to start the day at 4 in the morning or something like that. She's only 5 weeks but fell into an approximate night routine fairly quickly which is a godsend for me as the day is another story- catnaps and cluster feeding and unsettled behaviour most of the day so I cherish our calm nights.

Ladylove, some kids just don't do it. There's no way to force feed :)
The truth is they change rapidly and constantly at this age, so there's often little point in trying to enforce a routine or anything. If it works, it works, if it doesn't, you try something else, you know? It sounds like you're doing pretty well, in any event!
The cluster feeding may well be part of the reason she sleeps so well at night :) Do you have a sling or wrap to carry her? That often helps with the cat napping. Most babies like to snuggle up with mum and will sleep better that way. And it can certainly help when they're unsettled.

Hi Ladylove, I can't really help with dream feeding as it isn't something I've ever done. At five weeks she will change what she does from day to day and a routine is probably not yet achievable. How is breastfeeding going otherwise? How are you feeling about it all?

My DD2 is 10 weeks old now and to get as much sleep as possible when she wakes during the night/early morning I bring her into bed with us to feed. We then cosleep for the remainder of the night, I know I feed her again, but I'm not waking fully. I feel much more rested this time around. I don't know whether something like that might work for you, or how much support you get during the day.

If you can get the support and rest you need then you'll be more flexible and able to go with the flow as your baby's needs change.

Thanks girls. Breastfeeding is going great- as you know I had the initial latch etc issues and last week I gave the offending breast a rest for three days- Honor has been latching properly for a while now but that nipple was taking a while to heal and feel 100% comfortable as it was still in 'action' thus felt sensitive especially of Honor fussed at the breast with wind or was unsettled prior to feeding. I expressed off that side at feed times for the three days and I'm do glad I did as I now feel comfortable on both sides at every feed :) (she only feeds from one side per feed though so they take turns anyway).

Re night feeds I guess I'm paranoid I've had it too good with her night routine and scared it will go pear shaped. She usually feeds at 6-7 as I said, then sleeps through to between 12:30 and 2am then again until 5-6:30am then she is fully alert and ready to start the day. She is the most active and alert early in the morning.

I dont have a sling... We have a baby bjorne which we bought for hubby to wear out but at home for me it's a bit annoying as I have to set it up and strap it in place etc just to hang out the washing or something.

Interestingly I discovered at my local parent group that I'm the only one fully breastfeeding. I'm surprised- most are BF with formula comp feeding and half of those are on motillium for low milk supply. It makes me paranoid little Honor is restless as she is hungry and that I need to comp feed but deep down I feel she is fine and just a very alert and expressive / vocal little one. She is five weeks tomorrow and has been smiling for a week already!

Breastfeeding in our society is often a confidence trick, ladylove. There are so many stories of mothers who have 'failed' and so many who are more comfortable with bottle feeding, where we can see exactly how much our babies are having. It's no wonder we worry...
Fussing, cluster feeding, waking to feed, frequent feeding - these are all quite normal things (we often label them as 'bad' in our culture, but they are actually biologically normal). The best indicators of how much your baby is getting are nappies, overall appearance/demeanor, weight gains, growth, development, etc.
It sounds like you know she's doing just fine. :) If you're concerned you can always give the ABA helpline a call for reassurance too - 1800-686-2-68

Check out the baby wearning forum for advice, if you want. A good sling/carrier is invaluable for mothers, I reckon. :)

Thanks MadB! Again! I love BB!

I needn't have worried- last night she woke around 11pm then fell back into her usual routine, waking at 2 then 6.30. She slept a lot more than usual yesterday actually. Maybe she's growing or developing?

Most probably - MonkeyBoy will have a few days where he feeds constantly, then will have a day or so of sleeping a lot during a growth spurt. Which isn't surprising really, DD is 10 and I can tell she's about to hit a growth spurt because she'll suddenly start eating anything not nailed down and sleeping in/going to bed early - followed by needing new clothes. Again.

And it's definitely a confidence game - I'm also one of the few in my mothers group still exclusively breastfeeding and the others ask sometimes how I know he's getting enough. I answer with I can tell by how many nappies he's wetting and that my biceps are getting a good workout lifting him.

Lol. Good answer CK.
It's a real shame that so many parents really doubt themselves to this extent - and I understand it, because that's me too. Not just with the feeding, but so often turning to experts and books and methods to parent. It isn't easy to just switch off our modern brains and get in touch with our instincts - it's a learned thing, or maybe an unlearned thing ;) - but it can be done with care and support.
The best way- i reckon - is to look to your baby, build your relationship and bond and learn to listen - to them and your own instincts - as you go.

Yes and also mine tends to be content after a feed- not always IMMEDIATELY after as she gets a bit of wind and sometimes reflux but soon after. I also feel like I would know if she wasn't getting enough? Like she'd be crying more or not as alert etc? I just feel she's doing well. She is a fast feeder but pulls away contentedly and/or falls asleep at the breast and it always feels lots softer then which I think is also a sign she's pretty much drained the breast?

Sounds like she's doing great, Ladylove.

DD2 just got weighed recently and I have a monster girl on my hands, 100th percentile - 7kg at 2months - all from my milk. It is weird for me because DD1 was/is a tiny thing (she is 12kg at 3, was always between the 5th and 10th percentile). Just goes to show how much is genetics rather than milk, you know? Some people are meant to be small, some are big! They were both demand fed, I have the same diet... DD1 fed 1-2hrly till 18months and only slept through at 2yr9months whereas DD2 already has a 5-6hr stretch overnight so they clearly just have very different metabolisms and body types. Both absolutely adorable of course :)

You're right there Jellyfish. DD was a petite little thing and only went into size 0 at around 9 months, DS is 90th percentile at 4 months and already in size 0 clothes. Same me, same milk...

That's fantastic Jellyfish!

DD1 has always been light, just like me. DD2 is going to be much bigger than her sister, despite them starting off around the same weight. She'd jumped to 50th percentile by two months whereas DD1's weight will never get near that. DD2 is longer too and has chubby thigh rolls!

Went to my post natal exercise class today and it's quite sad how few are bfing their babies less than six months. I think there are three out of eight exclusively bfing and one mixed feeding. I also noticed the exclusive bfers aren't introducing solids as early, although one tried with her ff four mth old and after she threw everything up for half the night is now holding off until six mths.

Made it to a year!!! :leap:

Couldn't have done it without your support and answers to my dumb questions - so a huge thank you to everyone :hug:

Xxxx

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Made it to a year!!! :leap:

Couldn't have done it without your support and answers to my dumb questions - so a huge thank you to everyone :hug:

Xxxx

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CONGRATULATIONS!!! I've already said it (a couple of times), but I am just so darn proud of you! To keep giving breastfeeding a go after unsuccessful attempts in the past takes a lot of guts! I know you struggled (mainly mentally) a bit - but look at you now! Breastfeeding a toddler! Well done Mel! :leap:.

I haven't been in here for ages, thought i should pop in & say Hi :)

DD3 is doing really well, we have made it to 6 months, We hit a rough patch back in Dec when i was admitted to hospital for 10 days & my supplied drop down to almost nothing.
The hospital was great the let her stay with me & they got a LC from Maternity to come visit, they even lent me a breast pump so i could pump & not have to give her formula.
Once my illness when into remission my supply picked back up & things have been going great again :)

JF wow she is doing great.
Congrats MNB on making it a year :D

Congrats Nerd!

That's so great Cheshire! Glad you're doing well again

CONGRATS Mrs Nerd Burger! You should be so incredibly proud, what an inspiration you are :)

Congrats on getting through it all Cheshire! Glad things have picked up for you after all of that xo

I did a breastfeeding demo at an ABA breastfeeding class on the weekend. Kinda ironic as the majority of my feeds are done so that noone sees any breast. there were 3 demo mums and it was nice chatting with the soon to be parent couples.

i have been feeling quite amateurish with DS, he is just such a different baby to DD. He still 'squeaks' when he feeds, but positioning is reducing the amount of squeaks. Still dealing with reflux, so feeding is not very comforting to him. After the chucking etc after a feed, he will generally settle with being wrapped and rocked for a little while. DD was much more of a feed to sleeper (and still is).

DS was born big, but i think he is going to be a slow grower like DD. His weight has gone from 98th percentile to just above the 50th. all the chucking is probably not helping weight gains.

Just found this thread - love it! How awesome is breastfeeding. DD's another big 'un. Can't imagine introducing solids yet - she's nearly 4 months. Not until much MUCH closer to 6. Why would I want a rod for my back when her food's prepared without effort, heated to the perfect temperature, requires no thinking about and is infinitely portable. I love my little girl! She's never so much as had a bottle of EBM, although sometimes that would be nice, lol.

Hotl - Honor sometimes squeaks on me too. I actually think her suction slips sometimes while feeding. She does it more on my right side which is the troublesome side to feed on as the nipple gets a bit sore sometimes. I am not sure how to stop that loss of suction, or slipping or whatever it is though.

I have a random question - do many people feel their let down? I do not ever feel mine. The only clue it happens is that my opposite nipple starts dripping like a tap but this happens almost as soon as baby starts sucking and surely let down would not occur so quickly?

So it's just after 4am here and DD is still asleep! I last fed her just before 7pm. Is this normal? She is 6 weeks on Wednesday.

My DD used to sleep long stetches like that when she was around that age. I thought 'Yay, I've got a good sleeper!' Haha - now that didn't last!
Some babies start sleeping through at a really young age, some do when they're little and stop, some never sleep that long a stretch... All perfectly normal.
I'm sure your DD will have (and probably has had by now) a big big feed when she wakes :).

Ladylove, I feel my let down this time, but don't remember it with DD. I have heard that it can get more intense with subsequent babies. it can happen pretty quickly cos your breasts are already starting to get ready when you hear baby cry or when you start to get in position.

Nice work on the sleep, how did your breasts feel going that long wthout a feed? Hope you got a good sleep too. DS had one 6 hour stint so far, and i was pretty stoked with that! I don't think DD slept that long til she was way over a year old.

Congrats MNB!! Yay for your bbs! Lol

Cheshire, I'm glad you had such good support while you were sick.

Hot1, well done for demoing! I think we'd be very bad demoees because I pay no attention any more to attachment. DD2 has gotten so big and capable she does it all herself.

Ladylove - I felt let down with DD1 but not much. This time around it's intense! It seems to take just a little longer and DD2 starts to get impatient and then whoosh! Out it comes. This time I stopped leaking much faster too. It's incredible that our bbs change (internally) from one baby to the next.

It is incredible. I am constantly amazed at how the female body is like a Transformer - in pregnancy and birth everything moves and changes to create and nourish another human being. I sometimes feel like a whole different person to who I was before - emotionally of course but also physically my body is now different and doing different things...

Anyhoo, I ended up getting Honor up at about 4:45 and she actually fed in her sleep! A first for us. But she did not have much at all so it was not really a full feed. I put her back to bed and she woke up naturally around 5:30 anyway. She has been having long stretches of night sleep since about two week anyway so I am very lucky - she seems to have worked out night and day really early as during the day she does not like sleeping in the cot but at night she does. During the day she wakes up alert a few minutes after a feed and at night she stays asleep after a feed. During the day she feed every 2-3 hours and at night it is more like 4-6 hours except last night which was almost 10 hours!!!

Ladylove, my DS slept through from 6 weeks to 3 1/2 months then brought back a 4am feed (there is a major growth spurt there) until 6 months. So she may sleep through, or it might be a one off. Don't worry about it, if she's feeding that often during the day, she's getting her food in! If you're uncomfortable, express the milk to get it off. As you said, our bodies are transformers, your boobs will adapt to her feeding timetable :)

Re letdown, I can't think that it's changed much for me from DS to DD. I feel it and it's pretty soon after starting feeding. My Mum never felt one - didn't know what I was talking about. In my friends, it ranges from non-existent, to funny tingly through to excruciating. I think it's all really varied.

I don't remember feeling let down at all with DD1 but I can definitely tell with DD2... it is almost painful. Things are going well for us, DD1 doesn't look any closer to weaning, I think she would feed more often than DD2 does if I didn't set the 2 feeds a day limit. DD2 seems to go about 3hrs during the day (don't really keep track) and usually has a 6hr stretch overnight, after my experience with DD1, I couldn't be happier haha.

My let down is a bit like a burning ache in my boobs - it's not really any different to what I remember from DD though. Mind you, with the long gap some things have felt like the first time again. I didn't have as many problems with engorgement this time, and have settled quite quickly. MonkeyBoy is still feeding 2-3 times overnight, he had been having long stretches where he cut down to once a night maybe twice but it's back up at 2-4 at the moment. Darn growth spurts!

I am loving being able to settle him really easily by just offering a feed - poor boy got woken up last night by cats fighting through his bedroom window right next to his cot because my stupid neighbour won't keep his pesky darn cat inside at night.... :wall:

Hi girls

This is my first BF journey and so far have been really enjoying it. I know I am lucky to so far not have had any issues and little man has been growing so well. He was 3.35kg and 52cm born 5.1kg and 59cm at 6 weeks and 5.8kg and 61.5cm at 8 weeks! Not sure now but I'm sure he is still growing like a weed!

He is having his night feed at 6pm bed by 7pm and then wakes around 2-3am for a feed and then sleeps till 630-7am so I am so pleased with how he is going.

I am expressing once a day after our morning feed and eventually he will be BF and EBM feed when I return to work in June. I am hoping to atleast make it to 12 months doing this so I'm hoping I can persist when I do return to work.

I'm so glad I found this chat as I'm sure thought out our breastfeeding journey all you ladies experiences will come in handy with advice!

My DS is 6 months and still feeding once or twice overnight as well. I just think he's a hungry little man because at first I put it down to a growth spurt but the feeds continued so I'll just call it "growth" :D

Since yesterday though he's been doing the strangest thing...........slurping at the boob. His attachment has always been great and this certainly doesn't hurt. It just sounds awful!

Am I the only person who really can't be bothered with discreet feeding? I hear it so often 'oh as long as it is done discretely' and I just really don't get it. The baby is feeding, what does it matter how much skin you see around their head... I mean really? I honestly got so sick of trying to cater my wardrobe to feed with DD1 that I just don't anymore. I wear whatever I want and just pull it right on down to chuck bub on, I just don't get the discreet thing at all... seems like such an unneccesary fuss, trying to co-ordinate around all that fabric haha.

Any other lazy public feeders? I am openly admitting, I am rarely discreet and if I am, it is purely coincidental as my only priority is feeding my little miss.

Yes, me :rofl:

I normally just wear a t-shirt and pull it up to feed, I have a couple of bf-ing tops but not many, and a few dresses that I can just push the cup aside and feed. Had to laugh while I was pregnant, a friend of mine was pregnant at the same time and wanted to buy one of those covers, she's now using it and gets more looks while feeding than I do with my boob out. Or maybe I do get them and just don't notice because I don't really give a rat's?

Mind you, come winter I might layer so I've got a singlet under the t-shirt, but that's more so my belly doesn't get cold!

I'm not a discreet feeder at all! I yank my boob out of top and poke it in child's direction. I usually feed sitting down, but have been known to continue shopping clutching a feeding baby to breast (or child, I fed dd browsing ikea when she was almost two).

Don't get discreet feeding versus non discreet. All that's on show is child's head.

In my case I need the whole bb completely free because I'm so prone to blocked ducts. I'm not risking mastitis because someone I don't know might object to my perfectly presentable bb! The only exception is when I'm bfing her in the ring sling, then it's completely covered.

I have no idea why it's necessary to be discreet while bfing, but not when you go down to the beach. And have you seen what teenagers are wearing?? And as for music videos...