Fussing and Tugging

[snowchickie79]

Kmn - No i haven't changed soaps or anything. Not that I can think of anyway. I have noticed that Chloe's wee is smellier than it has been to the point I thought she has done #2 a couple of times and gone to change her and found just wet nappy. Could that be indicating something??

I tried to give her a BF around lunch as we were out and she was fussing and would only feed for 5 minutes or so each side. I came home, put the shields on and away she went.

If my nipples taste different to her then I'm not sure what could be causing it. Only difference this last week has been I'm taking aktavite but otherwise no changes. I'm also taking motilium but I've been taking that on/off since around week 2.

[MumInTheVines]

Hi snowchickie,

Just wanted to say a huge well done to you on persevering when it seemed in the early parts of your post you were really considering giving it all up. Breastfeeding is often very difficult to establish in those early days, your hormones are all over the place and you're both brand new to this thing! It's hard to know how much they are getting? are you producing enough? These things you can only answer in time when your confidence grows, which will happen as your bub grows and before you know it 6 months will have passed and you are a pro!

Just wanted to add ... did you know that expressing is not an accurate measure of how much milk you can produce? Your bub is WAY more efficient at extracting milk from your breast. The pump really is no indication. I can only express 10mls, but have managed to breastfeed my DD for almost 15 months.

It definately sounds as though your DD has nipple confusion. She is confused between the bottle and the nipple and is obviously preferring the bottle as she can extract the milk easier from that. Well done for using shields. We used these in the early days as well and gradually she will let you take them away, one feed at a time. So don't be afraid of using them, but still try and give her a couple of feeds without them so your supply isn't affected.

Brewers yeast is also very good for your supply and can be baked into yummy cookies that you can snack on through the day. Do a google search for the recipe if you are interested!

I hope things continue to improve for you. Remember that there are ABA councellors available 24/7 if you ever need help or someone to talk to.

[Marlene]

I have noticed that Chloe's wee is smellier than it has been to the point I thought she has done #2 a couple of times and gone to change her and found just wet nappy. Could that be indicating something??

I would be getting your DD checked for a Urinary Tract Infection, just to be on the safe side. We had the same smelly wee situation (I also thought he had done poos) with our DS when he was only 10 weeks old, I got fobbed off by 3 doctors when I asked about it being a UTI, they said he was too young to get one, especially as he was a boy. It ended up that he did have a UTI. I'm not saying that your DD has one, but, I would definently get smelly wee checked out and do not let the doctors fob you off, demand a urine test.
I don't know if this would have any relation to your breast/bottle problem, but the hospital (where he eventually ended up) was asking me if he was fussy or not eating.

ETA: I didn't mean to panic you about this, but, it is such an easy/painless test to do you might as well get her checked out just to be safe. She probably is too young to get a UTI, but it's always good to be sure, as there are always exceptions. (like my DS)

[snowchickie79]

So this morning we have our weight check and Chloe has gained 200g in 1 week so the clinic nurse was very happy and impressed with the effort. I can wait 2 weeks now till my next weight check and I have an appointment with my LC this coming Friday so see how things go.

Hi snowchickie,

Just wanted to say a huge well done to you on persevering when it seemed in the early parts of your post you were really considering giving it all up. Breastfeeding is often very difficult to establish in those early days, your hormones are all over the place and you're both brand new to this thing! It's hard to know how much they are getting? are you producing enough? These things you can only answer in time when your confidence grows, which will happen as your bub grows and before you know it 6 months will have passed and you are a pro!

Just wanted to add ... did you know that expressing is not an accurate measure of how much milk you can produce? Your bub is WAY more efficient at extracting milk from your breast. The pump really is no indication. I can only express 10mls, but have managed to breastfeed my DD for almost 15 months.

It definately sounds as though your DD has nipple confusion. She is confused between the bottle and the nipple and is obviously preferring the bottle as she can extract the milk easier from that. Well done for using shields. We used these in the early days as well and gradually she will let you take them away, one feed at a time. So don't be afraid of using them, but still try and give her a couple of feeds without them so your supply isn't affected.

Brewers yeast is also very good for your supply and can be baked into yummy cookies that you can snack on through the day. Do a google search for the recipe if you are interested!

I hope things continue to improve for you. Remember that there are ABA councellors available 24/7 if you ever need help or someone to talk to.

MumInTheVines - Thanks for the encouragement and tips. I have spoken with an ABA councellor and they said that until I can sort out the attachment issue then not much can assist. She provided some ideas but hadn't heard of a baby wanting the shields over nipple before, hence why I called my LC from the hospital I gave birth at. I was aware about the whole EBM not equalling what Chloe can extract but always good to hear it again to increase confidence. I know I have milk but just a baby who couldn't be bothered getting it out. I admit my tolerance in low at the moment as the fussing is driving me nuts. Her 4am feed she isnt having any shields and isn't fussing for it so I've left that feed alone.

I would be getting your DD checked for a Urinary Tract Infection, just to be on the safe side. We had the same smelly wee situation (I also thought he had done poos) with our DS when he was only 10 weeks old, I got fobbed off by 3 doctors when I asked about it being a UTI, they said he was too young to get one, especially as he was a boy. It ended up that he did have a UTI. I'm not saying that your DD has one, but, I would definently get smelly wee checked out and do not let the doctors fob you off, demand a urine test.
I don't know if this would have any relation to your breast/bottle problem, but the hospital (where he eventually ended up) was asking me if he was fussy or not eating.

ETA: I didn't mean to panic you about this, but, it is such an easy/painless test to do you might as well get her checked out just to be safe. She probably is too young to get a UTI, but it's always good to be sure, as there are always exceptions. (like my DS)

Marlene - I did mention it to the clinic nurse today and she said it could be something I'm eating passing through to Chloe and affecting the smell. Wasn't too concerned and said to keep an eye on it. If it continues then I'll go and see my GP.