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

[Georgi]

Hey REN.. I just wanted to comment about what the LC said regarding it being in your head. I wonder if she means that you're not relaxed about the feed therefore Ava 'feels' you being uptight which in turn leads her to not being comfortable. I would have to say that I felt this happening with me & Byron alot. I was so nervous about feeding from the left that I was uptight & I believe he sensed that. It also happens if i'm feeling stressed for some reason & sit down to feed. He can sense it & doesn't feed well. Just a thought.

Also, maybe your flow is too fast now with the extra supply. Again Byron always got fussy if the flow was fast. Now that would be a nice thought wouldn't it.

It took me months & months to get the feeding right on the left side. Even now, I still get a sore nipple on that side. It does get better, I guess your nipple does step up to the plate. But it really can take some time. I don't think I will ever have the left side as good as the right. It's probably a combination of things. When one issue is right, the others come in to play IYKWIM.

Big hugs to you hun xx

[Shanti]

Georgi - thanks hun I definitely think you are right re: when you're stressed they know. Perhaps sometimes I still feel a bit of stress when it comes feeding time and may tense up without realising.... thing is though, the R side is the painful side and that is the side that i cringe on when she latches on (well used to its not so bad now) and the L side is the flat nipple but not painful so each side has it's own set of problems!! LOL
But finally after 6wks, i already feel it's getting easier and i now KNOW that I will be exclusively BF'ing very shortly.... no longer needing as many top ups the last 3 days.

Well, girls, I have some happy news. Since Friday afternoon I've been offering the breast at every feed first and each side 20mins only (any longer and she starts falling asleep and getting lazy) and then top her up with EBM if she needs it but since Friday she hasn't really needed many top ups!!! Occasionally but hardly as much anymore!!! I'm so happy about this. And I have enough EBM now (finally caught up with her) and no longer need to give formula. ALthough I won't rule out formula completely it does come in handy for top ups sometimes and I don't feel bad about giving it.... kinda she's getting best of both worlds
So this means two things, my milk supply is back! And Ava is feeding more effectively. And I'm offering her the breast more often.

Trish - thank you, I'm glad a Paed chiro helped you and the boys I hope it helps Ava if that's what she needs. Lying down sure has helped her to not fuss so much on the L side.

[Heaven]

Well done Ren!!!!!!!!!
So happy for you!!

[Janie]

WOOHOO Ren!!!!!!!! You sound fantastic today it's so good to hear! You've sure had a bumpy ride, but I'm so pleased you can see the light, and feel that you will be breastfeeding exclusively quite soon . I feel ridiculously proud of you, and all that you have accomplished. You have done, and are doing, such a wonderful thing for your little girl.

There may still be hiccups, but you know you can face them, and overcome them. And we will always be here to cheer you on So happy for you Ren

[Lenny]

I don't feel bad about giving it.... kinda she's getting best of both worlds

Never feel bad about giving her anything that works and that you need to do. You are already pareenting by heart and doing everything that is best for her.
Sounds like it's all going a lot better and soon you'll be looking back thinking, wow - I did all that!

[onthefly]

great work!

[MantaRay]

I'm so glad to hear how well things are going Ren. Great work hun.

[Jennifer13]

Good work, Ren. Looking forward to hearing more progress as you get along. The first six weeks is definitely the hardest with bfing hassles, so take heart!

[Shanti]

Ava was weighed yesterday by the MCHN at the clinic and she's put on 240g since Wednesday! She is now 4390g! I'm so happy about that!! Yay!!

She's sucking more effectively now and I'm still offering 20mins each side only and if she wants more I top her up with EBM but she doesn't usually want more.... she'll just feed 2hrs later.... does that seem good?? Also, this morning she only wanted 20mins on one side and seemed full! Even had a little vomit....so does that mean she's feeding faster now too??

She is sleeping well at night, her last feed usually is 10pm and then she sleeps until 3 or 4am.... we are happy about that and hope it stays that way for a little while at least.....

Now and then she is still getting top ups of formula but very rarely not as much as before mainly EBM or B/feeds.

My L nipple she still rejects in cradle position so i can't feed her when out and about on that side so just the R side but feeds well off both sides lying down.... must be the fast flow on the L side? It's the only thing I can think of..... I do have an abundance of milk I've noticed as when my boobs are full and she's about to feed, i only have to take my bra down and they are leaking all over the place and sometimes squirt milk!!!!!

Janie - you are right, I know I can get thru the hiccups and continue and I'm sure there will be plenty more... I still feel like I'm struggling still to BF her exclusively as we are still not yet there.... but we are getting there slowly and that's the best way isnt it...... "slow and steady wins the race" after all. This hasn't been easy (as you know all about!) yet I feel I appreciate it more than I would have if it had been easy for me if that makes sense??? I'm so very proud of myself for persisting. It's a good feeling. No, a GREAT feeling.

I breastfed in front of other mothers at a mothers group yesterday..... it felt really good to be there with the others breastfeeding my baby!

[Jas]

Yay Renstar!!! You are doing so well and I'm sure you will be glad once your reach the goal of exclusive breastfeeding! This is a great thread to have for new mums and pregnant mums to read also! You're awesome

[Janie]

Ren, your post brought a big smile to my face Such fantastic news! As for her current pattern, I would say that not only is it good, it's GREAT! You guys are really getting things together. Sounds like your supply is rocking now! I would guess that shortly you'll be able to top her up at the breast, if indeed she wants it at all.

I totally get what you mean about appreciating it more than if things had been easy. It's a great feeling when you can feed out and about, isn't it?! The lying down thing is hard.........it's great when you're home, but you don't want to feel restricted when going out. Can you talk to your LC about that? Did she have any ideas? Have you been to the paed. osteo (or whatever it was you were going to) yet? You mind find that that sorts things out a bit.

I'm really, really happy to hear how well things are going for you You should be proud of yourself, you're a star!!!!

[Jennifer13]

Well done Ren!!

Have you tried lying back yourself as you offer her the L bb (that is, in a recliner or something similar)? It can help to slow the flow down.

[Mellz]

Ren you are doing so well!!! Ava is putting on weight nicely isn't she!! I'm so glad things are getting better every day and so proud of you for all you have accomplished. You are right.. these struggles only make us appreciate what we achieve and overcome more than ever.
You are inspirational babe!! Can't wait to see you and Ava tomorrow and have a big cuddle!!
Mel x

[Megan]

Yay Renstar!!! You are doing so well and I'm sure you will be glad once your reach the goal of exclusive breastfeeding! This is a great thread to have for new mums and pregnant mums to read also! You're awesome

I agree. I have been reading this thread with interest, trying to be prepared as possible for out impending arrival.
It just shows how persistence can pay off. You have done a fantastic job Ren. Thank you for sharing all your ups and downs along the way. I know it will certainly help me to be able to read through this thread with all the great advice and experiences in here.

[Nadine216]

Congratulations Ren!!! You are doing such a great job, I am soooooooo jealous

I'm happy that most of the start-up troubles are behind you and Ava. WELL DONE!!!

[Shanti]

Morning girls. Feeling a bit upset right now!! My Grandma sent me an email and this was the start of it.....

"How is Ava going? How much weight did she put on this week? She looked so boney (sp?) while at the party a fortnight ago and obviously needs the supplement."


How friggen damn rude is that email??? I'm so hurt that my Grandma has written that to me... with all the problems with feeding we've overcome and I've finally felt proud of myself and someone makes a comment like that to me saying she is too skinny etc? How rude!! My daughter is happy and smiling, putting on weight (240g in just 6 days recently!) and is a small lean girl thats just her build.... she's not a chubby baby and never was from the word go. She's just petite.
So basically my Grandma has implied that my milk isnt "good enough"..... Its not like i'm starving my child!!!! I've worked so hard to feed her these past few weeks.

I wish people would keep their "negative" comments to themselves. I won't even reply to her. Stupid old bat!!!! I've got a few things I could say to her myself but I won't,...

[kelebek]

ah hun I hate how the older generation think they know it all and feel it is thier place to comment on these sorts of things. I agree if she wasn't going to be supportive she shouldn't have said anything at all.
Concentrate on the good things, she did put on 240 g in 6 days which is a massive HUGE weight gain well done. Looking at your photo, not sure when it was taken but I can see beautiful chubby cheeks and she doesn't look boney at all.
You have come so far and things will continue to get better, you will still have trying periods but you have built up so much strength during this period.
You will find as she gets older she will get use to your supply, I know my DS use to 'choke' a little at first but it settled within a few months. The 2 hr feeds is fairly normal, she may not feed that often everyday but there will be days when she does.

You are such an inspiration, thankyou for continuing to share your journey with us.

[Janie]

Ren, I totally understand how upsetting that is for you. I think Ava looks fabulous! My DS was really skinny at her age, he had no fat on him. Your little girl looks fine, and is clearly putting on more than enough weight . You know, I would guess that your grandma didn't mean to be rude or hurt you, it's probably her strange way of showing that she cares, and is interested in Ava. My Grandma would probably say it in the same way! Just move right along hun, and pretend she never said it to you. You KNOW that all is going well now, you don't need to fret over stuff like this