Breastfeeding Support Thread

[Tina & Gabs]

Jadie; I am glad Oliver is doing well with his solids.

You may as well use your booby if he takes to that better; as you say you need to pick him up anyway.

Dream feeding doesn't seem to work for Gabriella; I tried it twice and she still woke up a few hours later like she would have if I hadn't dream fed her.

Night Night all

 

[skatty]

Hi All, hope you ahve had great weekends

Tina I'm glad you found the Oprah thing useful, I have too!

Jadie Oliver is doing so well with his solids! It must be great to see him enjoying new foods.

Well I have to confess girls I almost thought I should give up the breastfeeding With the thrush and the mastitis and then leorah having such painful wind I was wondering if I was doing the right thing. I did lots of research on the net as I am convinced she is sensitive to something I'm eating and have started and elimination diet for breastfeeders. I have been on it 2 days and I have already seen an improvement!!!! Even her rash and dry skin patches seem better. A lot of babies are sensitive to dairy proteins apparantly and this is different to lactose intolerance. Also a lot of mums give up breastfeeding because they think their milk is making their LO's uncomfortable and they are then worst on formula.

I'm sticking with it, I think Leorah would be upset if she suddenly had to have bottles only. I am basically living on rice and turkey but after a short while i can start introducing some foods that are least allergenic but no dairy, soy or wheat I told my DH if I have to live like this for the next 4 months then I want to be taken to a restaurant of my choosing as soon as she is weaned I had at least better lose some weight! I have to say the small improvement I have already seen makes it so worth it, I just want my baby happy

I do have a question Jadie or someone! Because of the mastitis I was told to feed from my right boob and express from it a lot and now I think my left one is underproducing. There is definitely milk there but because leorah is used to a big gushing let down she gets really frustrated. How would I even them up again? Thanks in advance

 

[Tina & Gabs]

Hi everyone

Hope you are all doing well.

Skatty; I am so sorry you are having a hard time hun. Well done on perservering with the BF though. The diet sounds tough but it's great that you are seeing results already with Leorah.

Gabriella is doing well and she only woke for one feed last night; which was fantastic; I am hoping it's a turning point and not just a one off!!
All of a sudden she just seems to be so content and I see a routine appearing. She naps 2 or 3 times in the day. twice in the morning for half an hour to an hour and once in the afternoon for 2 to 3 hours. She is just so much more happy in herself.

I haven't had any more of the shooting pains in my breast; which is fantastic.

Hugs to you all

 

[skatty]

Tina that's fantastic! Gabriella seems really content! I hope Leorah follows her lead but I keep trying to remember to give her a little bit more time as she was 3 weeks early ( and she was no way near ready for coming out by then! My bump hadn't even begun to drop!). Its great that she naps now, I am still having problems with the napping but think I have found out why. I was trying to put her down at the first yawn and she really wasn't ready, I now wait until she starts to moan and then she looks really grateful when I put her in her snowsuit in the pram! The only problem is she doesn't sleep for long

Saying that she is turning into an angel It must be because of the diet but she hardly has any painful wind already, her rash has almost gone and her dry patches are much better

Two nights ago she was really ratty and I decided to put her in her fluffy swaddle bag she had from when she was born. Once we put her in her own bed she went to a traditional gro bag. Well as soon as we put it on she calmed down and fell asleep in my DH's arms at 6pm in the evening!!! We thought it must be a fluke but the same happened last night! She doesn't go down for the whole evening but she is settled, not moaning and crying and naps on and off until about 9.30/10ish which seems her natural bedtime. I don't know what it is because we don't swaddle her but she must associate it as a comfort thing, its like we have a new baby in the evening

I have also started to put more routine in our day. I now wake leorah up at 7.50am and get her dressed and washed and feed her at 8am. I am then feeding her every 3 hours unless she is hungry before and every 2 hours in the afternoon/evening. I am hoping this will steady her night feedings and there will be a pattern because as of yet there is no pattern. My DH always does the late night feed and then I feed her anywhere from 2.30 to 5.30. If she wakes at 2.30 she will wake around 5.30 anyway. She often is very awake after this feed and then gets sleepy and goes back to sleep so I am hoping giving her a regular waking up routine may sort this!!

I am on my own with her tonight so I am going to bed v.early and bringing her in with me and when she wakes for her late night feed I will take her to her own room and feed her from the bottle like DH does, I hope it runs smoothly

 

[Jadie]

Hello girls... OLiver slept untill 6 50 this morning. and he is still in bed now. When he woke it was painfull to feed him. When I investigated I have a spot near my nipple. Any one know what a block duct looks like? And how to treat it? It looks more like just a spot in a senitive area! I squeezed (TMI) and puss came out?

Well done with the diet change skatty. I would have never thought of that. Slowly you will know what food you can eat!

Oliver does not have a routine, at the minute he is napping at lunch time so he is not getting his dinner untill 2.00, and again near tea time. But I dont mind as long as he still is eating!

 

[Nicky_Jones]

That is worrying about the puss. When I had mastitis I was told to look out for puss coming out and go back to the doctor if it did. Do you have any red patches on your breast?

 

[Jadie]

Hiya, I have no red patches any where. Oliver not fed from tthat side again so dont know how painful it is but it hurts too touch it. (kind of ichy)

jade

 

[skatty]

I had the same Jadie but I wasn't sure if the white spot was milk, it turned out to be thrush. My nipples would sometimes be sore and sometimes itchy. I am not sur if I amy still have it in my right breast still. You should go to the doc.

 

[Jadie]

ITs not so bad now will keep a eye on it, I see it plenty times during the day!

 

[ClaireSarah]

Help! I need you booby feeding experts!

I've been feeding Aidan myself since birth with the odd bottle here and there, however i stupidly became complacent about using the lanolin and have developed extremely painful split nipples. They are both split and hurt so much more than the first few weeks of feeding! It's the areola that is split and looks white inside the crack, i have been slathering on the lanolin and have been bottle feeding the last few times to try to rest my boobies but the pain is very intense. I'm just wondering whether it would be best for me and Aidan if i switched to bottles completely. He does seem more satisfied when he has taken a formula feed. I am a little sad about losing the closeness and the engorgement that i might suffer, but the thought of the pain is not good.

Anyone offer any advice? You guys have always been great for me in the past, thanks in advance.

Claire xx

 

[skatty]

Hi Claire, poor you that sounds so painful

Sorry I am not one of the experts but I just wanted to say i know how you feel (in a way) , I got thrush and then mastitis and was tempted to give up but that was because of the pain, I'm so glad I didn't now.

They do sound really extreme though, perhaps you should go to the doc you don't want to get an infection. I'm sure Jadie or someone can give you some more specific advice

 

[ClaireSarah]

Thanks Skatty! I have been looking at the symptoms of thrush and it does look like that is what i have. I'm going to call my HV tomorrow and see what she suggests.

 

[xSuzx]

Hi claire

I think that if you really feel like you need to stop then do so. BUT if you really want to carry on then I would perserver.

I'd try and get to your GP if you can (Female drs tend to be more helpful with this sort of thing) and get your breast checked out, also have you tried nipple sheilds these allow you to still breastfeed but protect you breasts from further damage.

I think you are have done very well to carry on this far with how uncomfortably painful they must be.

big hugs
xSuzx

 

[Daggers]

Evening ladies! Looks like it's been fairly quite on this tread recently I guess it must be a sign that all is going well on the BFing front! Unfortunately I've been feeling a bit low recently as I haven't been able to express much recently - was stuggling to get 3-4oz in one sitting, and today I only managed to get 1oz in a sitting!!!! On top of that Otis has lost weight as well (from 11lbs 9.5 to 11bls 7!). Started to think that my milk is starting to dry up! Up after doing some research on the net I'm feeling more positve, as I am aware that when Otis is BFing milk does dribble out of his mouth and he doesn't seem to struggle to get milk and he certainly hasn't been unhappy recently - actually he's started babbling like a nutter as well as rolling onto his side!!!
The following link has given me hope, http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/pump ... rease.html
Just wondered if anyone else has gone through this and has any further advice to give - so much for mrs moo, those days are definately over and done with.

 

[skatty]

Hi Daggers good to see you back

I am also having a few problems! I still have enough milk but Leorah has started getting really lazy and as soon as the flow slows down she starts getting angry She is only happy when its pouring out and she's choking!! I have to put her on the other side and pump the fatty milk out but this is so inconvenient, I also think my supply is settling down a bit as she is sleeping well through the night and feeds less in the day, I am so worried that she wont feed because my flow wont be so fast.

I think if you are feeling stressed or down it is really hard to express, I find I can't pump too much when I'm in a bad mood! Have your periods returned as this can effect supply too. Here is a link to the La leche forums, they have loads of advice. I'm sure your not drying up!! I bet Otis puts his weight back on, he may be using extra energy growing

http://forums.llli.org/index.php

try and pop on more, we've missed you! Leorah sends Otis a dribbley kiss

 

[Daggers]

Hey Skatty good to be back on, sometimes when I have a mo I do rumage round on the form but it can get fairly quite in these bits. Milk flow seems to have come back, decided that instead of expressing in one long session I'm now going bto do two shorter ones in the evening as this is when I feed the least, expressing 1oz from each boob on each sitting so that by the end of the evening I should have 4oz, which is what Otis drinks from his bottle every evening before bed. I've been meaning to PM you to say that I like your piccie of Leorah, she looks so cute and bigger! Seems like things are settling a bit more on your end, in terms of her bowle movement and the colic?
I was a bit stressed about what seemed like lack of milk on my behalf but thankfully sometimes the internet can be reassuring and also I've been trying to take in more fluids which definately seems to help - mi thinks.
Also I've ordered a sling now as I can latch Oats onto the boob as well while he lies in it - it's also less hassle getting him in and out of it -
http://boohoobaby.co.uk/prod_show.asp?id=49
Can't wait for it to arrive, hopefully I'll get it by Wednesday.
I'm sure when I go to get Oats weighed on Thursday he would have put on some decent weight - I hope! Personally I think his weight loss could be a combo of the use of different scales and the fact that he has be more active. I was gonna put up a post a couple of weeks ago to say that Otis was now sleeping through the night but unfortunately he only did this for about 4 or 5 days and then started waking up again any where around 1- 3am . Last night he actually woke up at around 01:30 and then again around 03:30 and finially around 05:15 when I decided to just put him in our bed. I really hope he doesn't go back to wake up this often!
So you ready for crimbo? We're just about, still need to do the big shop but other wise think everything is just about covered, where is your family arriving?
Big hugs to both you and Leorah for the Oats man and me

 

[skatty]

Hi and thanks, yes Leorah is getting bigger, she's nearly 11lbs now!!

I also express 4oz for the evening bottle, I sometimes do it all in the morning but usually throughout the day after feeds because otherwise I find its all foremilk and a bit watery. I meant to mention that I always make loads of milk if I drink a lot and eat oats for breakfast!

Leorah is loads better because I went on an elimination diet and found out she is milk and soy protein intolerant. I'm happy I found out but angry that I wasn't told that her fissures could be caused by this! Its like i have a new baby, she naps in the day, sleeps well at night and is so smiley her cheeks must hurt!! I can hardly eat anything now but its worth it to see her chubby little cheeks!

That sling looks good, I have a freedom pouch sling but its too big even on the tigtest fit and she ends up hanging around my crotch area Its great for Martin though. I also have a bjorn but she gets frustrated looking in but I don't think she's quite strong enough to face out yet.

Has Otis still got loads of lovely dark hair? Leorah has some thin patches on the sides now!

Maybe Otis is going through a growth spurt and that's why he woke so much last night. Do you cluster feed? Leorah naturally cluster feeds in the evening which is probably why she wont go to bed before 11pm! She still wskes me up in the night though because she moves around her cot and ends up with her face in the railings at least once a night! She is such a fidget, my doc was shocked the other day because she put her on her tummy and she was pulling herself up the bench commando style! She said I will be on my feet a lot when she gets to move around properly and I thought I was tired now

I am lucky because my Mum is doing all the cooking at Xmas. They arrive on Friday and are smuggling turkey over somehow The Danes eat duck and pork at Xmas so she's doing a traditional english Xmas dinner. Are you having guests? Is your Mum visiting? I have great respect for you if you are doing the cooking.

I have to go Leorah has woken up. Have a great crimbo if you are not on before

 

[Tina & Gabs]

Hi Everyone

Hi Dagger; it's nice to see you back. Sorry you have had a hard time hun but I am glad things are better now. That sling looks great.

I'm also having problems expressing as well; I find it hard to get past 2 and ahalf oz now and it is do frustrating. I absolutely hate expressing; so I don't think that helps.
I hope Otis has put on a bit when you get him weighed. Let us know how he gets on.

Skatty Leorah sounds like such a character; I love the photo of her; she is gorgeous.
Gabriella has bald patches on the sides of her head now; where she sleeps with her head on the side; she has a cute little mohican going on
She is also babbling loads and smiling; it's so lovely. I think this is a great age; as they are doing so much more but not yet running around everywhere.

Gabriella weighed 11lb 1oz when she got weighed last week.
Leorah is doing great.

Hope you all have a lovely Christmas

 

[Daggers]

Nice Skatty - having Leorah hanging around your croutch! . Yes I did read that you were doing this diet, it's great that you've been able to identify what's been upsetting Leorah and eliminating it from your diet - it must also be helping in weight loss as well, I still can't keep away from the chocolates and knows this is not the time of year to start going on a diet ! On the excerise front nothing is happening there either, even though I hoping to get Otis on some swimming lessons starting in January I should get it confirmed this week - it may motivate me to try lose some weight before trying to 'squeeze' back into my swimsuit!
Yes my mom will be here from Christams and two other good friends but my OH will be doing the cooking - he always does , I may do the desserts (back to the chocolate addiction!!!!!). My sister and her little boy are coming on the 22nd for the night (as she lives in Dubia she hasn't meet Otis as yet), then my mom arrives on the 23rd and our best mate on the 24th! So looks like we're gonna have a full house.
Yes Otis has also been getting some what folically challenge around the side of his head - keeps rubbing it, silly sausage!!!
Tina, isn't it just great now that there starting to babble, Otis can make such a rackett! So far expressing in two goes (9:30pm and 11:30ish pm) seems to be working. However can't wait to get Otis weighed, will definately let you know how he gets on!
I'm sure we'll catch up before crimbo - unless you all are busy doing the christmas things like shopping (fortunatley I finished my shopping today!).
Oops sound like little man might be up... it's sooo early for him... catch you later ladies

 

[skatty]

This is just a quickie before o go to mother group! i didn't realise you were in London Tina. How about Me, you and Dags meeting up sometime next year (and anyone else that wants to!). We could do it when its warmer and maybe have a picnic in a park or something easy like that!!!

Anyway must run I'll catch up properly later