Breastfeeding Support Thread

[Urchin]

Great news beanie

I think being ill has affected my supply, I've been drinking loads as my throt has been so sore, and have still been offering boob at least 4-5 times in the day (and Brody has about 5 mins each time) but today there really seems to be very little milk there.

I can never seem to tell which boob to use for the next feed now either, it used to be one was definitley bigger than the other but now they both seem empty

 

[beanie]

The antibiotics may have affected your supply, rest loads if you can, and keep offering Brody the boob as much as you can and i8t'll quickly build back up

 

[Rosieroo]

I can normally get 7oz out when I express last thing at night, but tonight I've only got 4. That means I need to get at least 6oz off in the morning for Ella's last feed which is normally 11-12oz of expressed milk. Last night when we were away I fed her to sleep, but she didn't go down til 10.15pm, then was up at 1.15am, 2.00am, 4am and 6.20am. She was in my bed with me from 2.00am but it didn't help settle her. I'm wondering if it's because of my AF that my supply has dropped a bit. I suppose I didn't drink as much as normal either

I'm shattered zzzzzzzzzz

 

[lauramumof2]

In hindsight, do you think there is anything that can be done before birth to help with breastfeed i.e nipple creams etc?

 

[beanie]

not really. I would say the best thing you can do is to find a good support network, i.e. are there any breastfeeding support groups in your area, what support telephone lines are there etc. Get a good nipple cream such as lasinoh but there is no benefit from applying it before hand.and get a good nursing bra.

 

[lauramumof2]

lasinoh but there is no benefit from applying it before hand.and get a good nursing bra.

I had wondered about that, I wil have it well in stock for after this time then and Ive had my nursing bras from the last time. They are highly unattractive but nobody sees them apart from oh and he knows its better not to comment

 

[Juzza]

I just wanted to say well done for starting this thread - i wish i'd come back to the forum much sooner especially after having a nightmare with bf Jacob.

You've given me the encouragement to give it a go next time!

Juz xxx

 

[Jadie]

whens the best time to express. i have noticed when i have been expressing i cant make enough milk for olivers next feed. he starts crying and fussing. so i am guessing there is no milk for him. i expess from one boob and feed him from the other.

jadie

 

[Lucy]

Hi Jadie

When I used to express I always found first thing in the morning was best, like you are doing I fed Olivia from one side and expressed from the other. If she wanted more after her feed I would then put her on the boob I'd just expressed from and she still seemed to get some milk.

HTH

Lucy

 

[Rosieroo]

Breastfeeding reduces pain in infants - interesting article:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/5190306.stm

Another article, but not so good
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/a ... ge_id=1774 (I've added my readers comment )

And another:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/a ... ge_id=1774 I definately agree that more support is needed!

 

[Rosieroo]

Don't know if anyone can help, think Beanie you might be able to?

When I went docs today I said that I want to continue feeding Ella through my pg until she's at least a year. He said it was unlikely I would make it til then

Any tipson proving him wrong? I really don't want to have to give up til I can put her straight onto cows milk

 

[beanie]

tandem feeding is possible HOWEVER your milk supply may slow right down in the second trimester. Also the flavour will change early on in the pregnancy and again towards the end as your body is getting colostrum ready for the new baby and Ella may decide herself that she does not want to feed. However not all babies do stop, Ella may well be happy to nurse all the way through. There isn't really anything I can suggest .

The only advice I can give you is to keep offering Ella the breast, make sure you are eating well as you have two to feed and rest when you can. I really hope all goes well for you, but remember if Ella does decide to wean it will be her decision and you should not feel like you have given up. You have done so well hun, not many people carry on bfing til 6 or more months so don't feel bad.

 

[Rosieroo]

Thanks Beanie

I just feel sad as I don't want to give up yet! It took so long for things to go right, that didn't happen til past 4 months. She's really good at feeding now, teeth and all. It's our cuddle time when she feeds, when she has ebm at night she wont take it in our arms and only wants it if she's flat on her back, can't imagine doing bottles of formula like that all day

She's 7 months old today, which is longer than I ever thought I'd be able to breastfeed for, but now I am here it doesn't seem that long iykwim?

 

[Lucy]

Hi Kina

What I don't get is how do your boobs know when to give colostrum out for the newborn and give milk for the current baby? I don't understand how it works!

Lucy

 

[Rosieroo]

Your boobs stop producing milk and just produce colostrum near the end of the 3rd tri I believe...

 

[xSuzx]

Hi all

Sorry Kina I don't have any advice on how to help anymore then what beanie has said, but I know my ex's mum breastfed him all the way through and after her pregnancy with his younger sister.

I was wondering what breastpump you guys used with my first 2 I used an Avent pump and got on really well with it but chose to use a tommee tippee this time (As there was less parts) put finding it a hastle as I seem to beable to hand express quicker and because the funnel is so short my nipple reaches the end and can become sore after about 5mins use.

anyway wondered what you guys would recommend, I don't really fancy a electric one and don't mind what bottles it uses as she's fed the expressed milk with a breastbottle, so I'll only use the bottles compatible with the pump for storage.

xSuzx

 

[Rosieroo]

No advice really Suz as I used an electric pump - the mini medula

Think there are some manual pump users on here though Am sure they'll be along soon!

Hope everything is going well for you all

 

[beanie]

hi Suz. i have the avent manuel pump for work and really like it. i use the medula electric one at home. how are you and Lily? x

 

[xSuzx]

Hi kina & beanie

Everything seems to be going well, lily latches on well and is very content with her feeds, she feeds about every 2 1/2 hours in the day then has her last feed at about 8pm then sleeps till about 5am so I think shes doing really well, the only problem I seem to have is that I seem to be producing to MUCH milk! I know alot of people wouldn't see that as a problem but it leaves me feeling very full and get several let downs inbetween feeds, also quite forcefull let downs so can be abit painful and some times make lily pull off (which isn't ver ycomfortable either lol).
But other then that we're fine she now weighs 9lb2oz / 4.1kg she was weighed 3 weeks ago (8lb7oz/ 3.8kg) I think thats ok weight gain do you?

 

[lauramumof2]

thats really impressive xsuzx. Well done.