Ah Ren, it's great to hear things are getting better every day. As for weight - just as long as the overall picture is good then that's the main thing.
DS fussed on one side for ages (months!) - and everyone in the chatter thread seemed to have the same problem at one time or another. Keep trying, hopefully one day she'll take both sides equally.
Keep up the great work and the amazing attitude!
I second trying in the football hold for the side she doesn't like. I would 'trick' DD by doing this and then switching to the cradle hold once she thought she'd had enough. Since she persisted a bit more in the football hold and let down had happened she was often happier to stay on the slower side.
Have you considered taking her to a paed chiro? She may not like turning her head that way or staying in that position for a reason.
Jennifer - that's a good suggestion.... a lady from the ABA morning tea I went to last week also mentioned seeing a Paed Chiro as they are great for correcting things that could have been 'changed' during the birth process as it's quite traumatic on their little bodies (not to mention ours!!!!).... I do have a number she gave me here. Perhaps it wouldn't hurt to make a phone call..... at least then we've ruled that out.
Will talk to DH tonight about it.
As for football hold, how do i get her into that position? Can you explain it to me or is it a bit too hard to explain on here? I haven't tried that position, only once in hospital but I can't remember how to manouvre her into that position. Scared of damaging my nipples again too as they just healed!!
Tuck the baby under your arm as though she were a 'football' - head/neck on your hand, body over your arm and legs around your waist. Bring her mouth towards your nipple and attach her the same way as you have been shown by the LC. She should still be cuddled against you, just with her legs in the other direction.
Ren, you're doing so well!!
I'm having problems on the left side too, don't know what the problem is with that side!! But she musn't attach properly b/c it hurts and it doesn't hurt on the other side and the left is cracked
I saw an LC today who showed me how to do the football hold and it seemed to work a lot better and didn't hurt (as much). I was scared of trying it at home first too bc I thought I'd just hurt my nipple more in a different place or something but it turned out to be really simple, just hold her under ur arm and do exactly the same thing you normally would, dig her chin in and then just put her on iykwim. Hope it works for you too!!
Firstly there probably nothing wrong with her physically as to why she doesn't like the left side as much- you can usually tell if there is an issue, for example she would not be able to turn her head to one side, or might be developing a flat spot on one side of the head. So don't worry about it too much - ask your MHCN if she can detect any reason to refer you to a paediatric physio consult or chiro before you book in, because if she can you will be able to use the public system which is free, and if she doesn't see a need then there wouldn't be anything wrong.
Secondly, your LC is right in saying the flat nipple shouldn't bother her - I have fairly flattish nipples and baby can attach as they suck it back in their throats whether flat or pointy, but she might simply prefer your other nipple as is easier and she's used to it - babies are creatures of habit like the rest of us.
Thirdly, I don't know if it would be a good idea to just express off the left one instead of feeding because wouldn't offering her a top up if she's being fussy on that side maybe reinforce the aversion and then stop her being as hungry, so then no motivation to be interested in the left boob? (Could be totally wrong, just typing as I think, check with your LC or someone more experienced of course)
Lastly, you have done such a fantastic job thus far, I'm sure you'll be back to solely breastfeeding soon. My DD's left side aversion dulled down a lot after a week or two and now even though she still prefers the right, she will feed off the left too beautifully now, and I'm sure it will be the same for you, she's just got to get used to it. I also find if Elly starts to pull off and whinge and fuss a bit, (which she does most feeds as I don't have much milk but need to encourage her to keep sucking) I get up with her and walk her around while breastfeeding and keeps her interested enough to keep sucking without complaining (though my arm's feel like lead from holding her up). So I don't know if you could try that, (think of it as Bicep Curls )
Ok! I fed more often today and offered the L and R sides 20mins each side per feed. For two feeds today, she had 20mins each side and then didn't ask for any top up!! So that means she got enough!! omg i can't believe it.... either that, or she's too tired to bother asking for more I definitely have the milk supply back (thanks to Maxalon/Motillium, Fenugreek, Activite drink & expressing constantly....)..... and lying down seems to work best at the moment so we are going to do every feed at home lying down... i get more of a rest and therefore am more relaxed and less tense and therefore DD is more relaxed I think too and even though she still pulls on and off at times on L side she is better at it lying down than cradle position.
I might try walking her around in cradle position tonight see if that helps. I don't mind doing that and LC showed me how couple of wks ago.
Pain is about a 3 out of 10 when she attaches R side but then it goes away so maybe that side just needs more time to toughen up.... the cracks are definitely still healing.
My LC is great... i believe her and trust her so maybe my L nipple is all in my head LOL and in Ava's head
I've started freezing my EBM too.... and already have 400ml frozen in the fridge.... expressed heaps early this morning.
I gave less formula feeds today
Janie - you are so inspirational and it's people like you that keep me going THANK YOU.....I know I can do this I just have to keep believing it.....for if i was to give up, i think i would regret it. It would sadden me. Means so much to me, I love BF'ing and giving my DD my own milk. Nothing beats it.
Heaven & Oscar - thanks girls you are so supportive. Sara, I'll PM you. Sorry to hear you still having troubles too.
Ren - thanks hun, i've booked her in for next Friday to see a Paed chiro it may help or may not be the problem but worth a go.
I'm just going to focus on day by day and not worry about what i'll be doing in a week or two week's time or a month's time..... it's too much to deal with.
Ren - that's great! oh the ups and downs and not yet 6 weeks!!! Taking it one day at a time (hell, one feed at a time) is the best way to go. You WILL get there, like Janie said.
Heaven, I don't know if you've tried this but I had a similar problem with my R side - 'perfect' technique according to 3 LCs but it still hurt like you-know-what - and ended up using a nipple shield for about 7 weeks (a loooong time I know). It came good once he got bigger. Still don't really know what the problem was - but the important point is that it did get better and we're still bfing.
Wow, you are doing SO fanatastically Ren! You should feel so proud of yourself for perservering the way you have been .
That's great you have booked her into the paediatric chiro, I really hope they are able to help you. I had miraculous results with both my boys after taking them and lots of my friends have too.
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I haven't tried that position, only once in hospital but I can't remember how to manouvre her into that position. Scared of damaging my nipples again too as they just healed!!
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THANK YOU.....I know I can do this I just have to keep believing it.....for if i was to give up, i think i would regret it. It would sadden me. Means so much to me, I love BF'ing and giving my DD my own milk. Nothing beats it.
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