A bunch of questions re: breast feeding

[Barb Glare]

YoU are doing such a great job. You and your baby seem to be following a pretty normal true Tory for a prem baby. I feel today's weigh in will reveal he has gained weght and you can stop the top ups . After 20 mins at the breast they have pretty much all the milk they are going to get, and will want the other. It's better for babies to have more, shorter feeds than fewer long feeds. In regards to cleaning pumps and bottles, no need to sterilize just rinse, hot soapy wash, rinse and you are done

[onthefly]

Congratulations Buliej!
It sounds like you're doing a fabulous job feeding your baby, well done. It doesn't sound to me like you really need to be expressing now either.

[buliej]

Thanks everyone - this is the first chance I've had to log on.

The LC (lactation consultant) was great - she spent 3 hours with us - watched a full feed and then "taught". She suggested a weaning schedule (very brief) for getting off the bottle as she agreed with all of you that it wasn't really necessary. And it worked - no more bottle top up.

I'm also happy to report that not only has DS gained weight (the MCHN is thrilled with his weight gain and his color - the jaundice is gone) but he is also a much stronger sucker - it's like he turned a corner just after the LC visit.

Now I'm expressing to relieve my breasts once a day for 10 minutes each side because despite his feeds, they can remain full and hurt.

I do have to get on to the gear for freezing milk as I'm dumping old milk down the sink every day...it's just hard to get on top of things with a newborn who showed up so early that I hadn't even finished work!

[tellytubby]

buliej thats fabulous news that everything is going so well
Yes, dumping bmilk down the sink would be pretty hard to watch. You can buy disposable pouches from the chemist, I always used them and found them really good.
Hope your boobies settle down soon, nothing worse!
xox

[HotI]

Now I'm expressing to relieve my breasts once a day for 10 minutes each side because despite his feeds, they can remain full and hurt.

Every time you express, you tell your breasts that they need to make that milk. If you need to express, don't time it and don't 'empty' the breast, just take enough so you are comfortable. They will settle down eventually but by expressing you don't let them regulate to what bub actually needs.

Great work on the weight gain and your LC appointment!