Need some advice & support!! New breastfeeding mother....

[Shanti]

Aww thanks lovely girls

I just fed DD 10mins on L side (as advised) and then fed her EBM of 90ml but she only took 60ml and went back to sleep!!! Soon I have to express again. This is all so very tiring.

Janie - yeah she said to get either Maxalon or the other one. I will keep in mind what you said! Thank you. She only wants me on it for a few days only... just til my milk supply is up again... so which one should I do? Its not long term.

Lenny - yeah it is a big shame I can't feed off R side at the moment, well i can but my nipple is so badly damaged and painful that we need to give it time to heal. Shame cos' that is the breast where DD seems to feed more effectively from!! and has more milk i think! LC is hoping I am back on the R side within only a few days. As soon as it heals.
Expressing from R side still and thats good as it doesnt hurt. (using Medela swing)

Ohhh i just wish DD had more energy to suck more effectively!!! She's so tired all the time.

[Janie]

Ren, I would still go for Motilium

[Jennifer13]

Ren, as Ava gets more milk from you she will grow stronger and suck more effectively. It sounds like your LC is the one to help you do this. You are doing really well to keep going, despite so many obstacles. Remember bfing is a long-term journey, so once you are past this you will reap the rewards.

hun, sometimes you must just wish that you could click your fingers and it would be easy. But I promise, at the other side you will be so proud of yourself for getting through so much to do the best by your DD.

[Janie]

Ren, I really know how tired you are, it's so exhausting. But truly, it will pass, and like Jennifer said, you will be so proud of yourself. You really can do this! Look how much you've invested already

Just make sure that you and Ava are the priority right now, nothing else matters. Make sure you rest AMAP in between all of the assorted feeding stuff, and make sure you eat! I know when you're on that seemingly never-ending cycle of BFing, comping, pumping that eating can come waaay down the list of priorities, but it is important. Have your DH make up some sandwiches to leave in the fridge, and when you have more than two seconds spare, grab one Even if you eat it while feeding or pumping. My DS has been covered in crumbs throughout his little life, and he seems to have survived hehe.

Also, I know how tempting it is to think "oh, I won't go to bed now, she's due at 11pm, I'll only get an hour or so in, so I'll wait until after that feed". But by the time you get through feeding, pumping etc it's getting to be way too late to be up! So go to bed early (if you're not already ).

Hang in there hun, I can promise you it will get better

[Georgi]

REN I just wanted to say that you are doing an AMAAAAAZZZING job. I would never have persisted if I had come across your hurdles. You are an inspiration to many. You are doing your absolute best, and you should be so very proud of that. All this hard work will pay off, and you will be so glad you persisted and no doubt will have a huge sense of achievement. Things can only get better. xxxxx

[DANNIIM]

Ren i would recommend the Motilium as well, if your tired now the Maxalon would just do your head in!

Your doing great

[Lenny]

My DS has been covered in crumbs throughout his little life, and he seems to have survived hehe.

I was just saying the other day that mashed potatoes was the first thing i dropped on DS. I remember it 'cos i felt so bad. He's had so much food dropped on him since then though - it became common place for him to need mummy's food washed off his head!
It truely is important for you to eat and drink.
Hope things start getting better every day that goes by. You'll reap the rewards of the hard work you have put in, and be so proud of what you are doing.
Take care

[Shanti]

Saw Paed yesterday - Ava has put on 100g in one day!!! that's from getting formula AND EBM feeds in between. I'm expressing every 3hrs (probably should do it more often too) and getting a good amount depending on how long i'm on it for.

GP saw me today and I got Maxalon. He did warn me I could feel tired but I don't mind, already am.... getting more sleep now as Ava is getting into more of a sleep routine (if you could call it that ) and sleeping more thru the day!! Gives me chance to sleep at least twice in the day if i want to. She's asleep now so I really should try to get some too.
Getting about 5hrs sleep a night so not too bad.....

GP also gave me script for cream for my nipples as per the LC's advice. It's an ear ointment called "Kenocomb Otic" but works wonders for damaged cracked nipples supposedly. So 3 times a day I have to put it on.
I'm looking forward to being able to exclusively breastfeed my DD again soon hopefully by the weekend if the nipple keeps healing well......
Now and then she feeds from L breast. I'm just scared after having all these bottles she will refuse the breast or something!!!! But i suppose it's not like she's going weeks without it.....

[onthefly]

Way to go!!!
Just wanted to add some more cheers for you - hope that nipple heals up soon. You CAN do this, don't worry about the bottles - she's still bfing as well.
go girl

[Shanti]

Thank you for the continous support in this thread.... it truly is so appreciated like you wouldn't believe.

DH makes me lunch every morning and leaves it in the fridge... usually salad and meat. I actually ate lunch on time today.... at 1pm!!! YAY.... And yes, drinking more water too!! Every time I express, I make sure I drink a cup of water at least!

[Jas]

I haven't read this entire thread but just wanted to say you are doing sooooooooooo great!!! I had supply issues and top ups etc were needed and you are doing what I now wish I had done and will do this time if needed!!! Good job keep going it will be worth it!!

[Nadine216]

OMG hun .. I had no idea you were struggeling this much. It's hard being a first time mommy and when your precious little cub is crying the whole time, it's even harder. And then your nipples are sore and your tired .. it gets darn near impossible BUT you are doing a good job, babe, a really good job. Hats off to you that you are pushing through and bfing ... it took me 4 days of bloody nipples before I gave up
Has anyone mentioned nipple shields?? I did not read the whole thread. Could help that nipple heal while she still sucks, although, if she is already a "lazy" sucker ... it might not work. They have to work twice as hard to suck off the shield than off the breast.
Goodluck to you and DH ... take one day at a time

[Janie]

Hey Ren, you're doing fabulously! I've still been following, just less time to write words......but I am so proud of how well you are doing! You really are going to get there. It will be hard still, there's a way to go, but I hope you can now see the light. Make sure you keep in regular contact with your LC, and call her if you're ever feeling desperate or unsure. And don't forget the ABA helpline and forums if you ever can't contact her immediately. I know it's easier with someone who knows your history, but the ABA is great for support.

I'm not sure about nipple shields......you'd need to speak to someone in the know. I would have thought they wouldn't be a good idea with your supply dramas, but then I haven't seen your nipples If you think you might need them I would definitely make sure you check with your LC first.

I'm saying it again.....hang in there!!!!

[Shanti]

Thanks Nadine sorry I haven't written back to you on FB! I've been so busy.

I'm not allowed to use nipple shields as advised by my LC. She says they aren't good for my milk supply. Also DD is a lazy sucker so that wouldn't help either. I did use them when I left hossy for 2 days as the midwives all said to buy them!! But since, I haven't.

Thanks Janie & Jas
Janie - you are so supportive its so great!!

Anyone got any ideas on how to increase my milk supply further? I'm on Maxalon, pumping every 3-4hrs, it's not realistic to pump more often than that as between feeds and settling I just don't have the time and I need rest too. I'm seeing Acupuncturist today so she may be able to help with milk production too!
What's this Fenugreek people use? Where do i get it and how do you take it and should I take it with Maxalon?

LC is visiting me tomorrow and hoping to get me back onto both nipples again. R nipple is healing well but still cracked a bit.

[Lenny]

Sweetie, i think you are already doing more than enough to increase your milk supply already. Don't overload yourself with too much to do/take etc. Tomorrow, when the LC comes and you are back to using both sides (the power of +ve thinking) then nature will take over and your supply will increase.
You know you are a success already. Try to look at all this as a huge acheivement already, even if it isn't quite what your ideal situation was meant to be. You could have given up so many times and you haven't. You have kept striving for your goal. No matter what happens - you're already a super mum.

[Nadine216]

I agree with Lenny ... you're doing enough. I know this is going to sound utterly impossible, but you HAVE TO TRY AND RELAX!!! Your milk production will increase if you stop worrying and fretting (as if I don't know what you are going through) If you eat right, drink water and rest, your body will take care of making enough milk, ok? Are you still taking your preggie vites?? That could help with the vitamins you need and are not getting from eating like any new mother eats.

About the pumping ... the girl in hospital told me to pump every two hours, but it was easier for me, because my bubba were in hospital, so I think you are doing great by pumping every 3-4 hours. What you can do is while you are breasfeeding Ava, you could pump the boob she has finished with, just to get some extra stimulation, but honestly ... I really think you are doing enough already. And quite frankly, pumping while breastfeeding is a mission of titanic proportions!!!

And don't worry about replying on FB ... I KNOW you don't have time

[Toomanytoomany]

Ren, Fenugreek is great for increasing your supply. You can take the capsules or the tea - the tea is pretty disgusting so I recommend the capsules. Don't go by the dosage on the jar - take three capsules three times a day or more, until your sweat begins to smell like maple syrup. It was fantastic for me when I was struggling with supply issues with dd4. It can make you gassy.

[ezymay]

Hello Ren,
I just want to let you know I think you are doing a great job persisting through all these dramas! You are def encouraging others to keep going. I wish I had tried harder, next time I will. I seem to have had some similar problems as you in the early days and I kept trying to pump and feed but ended up exclusively pumping (still going at 6 months) I did call an LC but she was busy at the time and didn't call back so it put me off. It sounds like you really have a FANTASTIC one! Hang on to her.
You are doing such a great job for your little Ava. Well Done!!!