Oh for god's sake...if it is not one thing, then it is another!!!

Bit of a rant coming up.......

Thursday night I decided that I would express off the left boob to give the nipple a rest and try to heal if it is indeed a crack. So I expressed all yesterday no problem. But this morning, my boob - underneath - was soooooooooo sore, I was worried that I might be getting mastitis. I couldn't lift my left arm up or hold Pup on my left side because of the pain in my boob. I thought that perhaps I wasn't able to effectively drain the ducts properly when using the pump (although I get on average about 100 - 110ml in about 10 minutes). So I had to bite the bullet (well....my tongue...from pain!) at the 11am feed and put the boy on the sore boob/nipple to see if he could drain it better. Which he did and whilst it is still sore, it feels so much better. I think I can get 2 x expresses out of one boob before I have to feed off it. Doesn't bode well for long term expressing if need be 8-[ .

So I expressed at 7am off that sore side and then had to feed at 11am off the same side, so my right boob is needing a feed!!! I hope he's hungry!!

AND my nipple is STILL sore. I've got an appointment to see the m/w tomorrow morning to have another lactation consult and a feed with her watching. Fingers crossed .

Megan, I am not having any trouble with amount of milk...in fact, I think that the milk almost drowns the lad. Makes for a stop/start feed at the begining which come to think of it, may be contributing to sore nipple..... :-k

Brooke, I am also finding that I am smothering the boy in kisses ALL THE TIME. Amazing feeling this motherhood thing!

Kate, we just spoke about reflux at our mum's group yesterday (came up as part of unsettled babies). Our MCHN said that if bub is refluxy, put a pillow under the mattress at one end or a brick under one end of the cot to raise it up slightly and have the baby's head positioned on the high end. This will help with sleep. But she spoke about feeding and didn't say not to offer the boob the second time - say after burping or changing a nappy. In fact, she mentioned that if the baby is hungry, feed him off the ONE side until he/she is full and dopey and then put them down BEFORE they fall asleep at the boob (if possible). Obviously, if bub is taking up to 30 minutes to drain one side, then you will be offering it a couple of times because you will be burping or changing a nappy in there somewhere. Also, she mentioned that when changing their nappy, don't lift their little legs up int he air because you cause the stomach contents to run back down the oesophagus. To change them, you need to roll the onto and off the nappy.

Quite possibly you are doing this, but thought I would pass on what I heard yesterday.

Shannon, thanks for filling me in on Jess. It must have been quite a shock for you after birth if you were not prepared for all those major complications. Very good to hear that she is on the up and up though!!

Hi to everyone else - sorry I don't do personals for everyone (some of you girls put me to shame!), but I just can't remember everything.

Hayseed