Breastfeeding Help and Support

[PrincessCrappy]

Do all mastitis cases need anitbiotics??

I got hit really hard yesterday with what I'm assuming is/was mastitis. The baby didn't nurse as much as he usually does the night before and I got pretty engorged. I tried pumping, but I think it was too late. I woke up yesterday with severe flu like symptoms: fever/chills/bodyaches/headache. I could barely get out of bed. My temperature peaked at 104.1. I nursed at least every 2 hours all day and night and pumped after every feeding. I used warm compresses before the feedings and cold compresses after. I started taking Tylenol but switched to Motrin. I feel so much better this morning, the fever and bodyaches are gone, I just have some major soreness in my breast. I'm just wondering if I beat it on my own or if I need anitbiotics just to be safe? Thanks for any advice.

[LeslieR]

PrincessCrappy, I would call your OB just to be safe. When I had it I read in one of my bf'ing books that you should call your dr if your fever is over 102*. My fever was 102.2 so I called the dr's office and the on call dr valled in a scrip for me. HTH!

[maggieb]

PrincessCrappy: My case of mastitis didn't need antibiotics. I did get a scrip from my ob, however, but didn't end up using it. Do see your dr, but if you're feeling better and better and your fever goes down, then more than likely you don't need an antibiotic. Hope it clears up soon. Rest!

[lady1297]

Sarah and any other second time mom's out theres:

I'm having serious anxiety attacks about tandem nursing. DS is 14 months old and we will be TTC shortly. I even thought I may be pregnant this month, but it is appearing as though that was a false alarm. So. What do you recommend as far as things to read about nursing while pregnant and then tandem nursing. DS is very in love with his nursings and I don't see him do anything but nurse once I'm pregnant. I don't want to wean him until he's either ready or at minimum 2, so we have quite a bit of time ahead of us. Hence the panic attacks. Any advice? TIA!

[philnikki]

I did a search for this on CC, so I apologize if I am bringing up something already discussed, but I started bf'ing my DD the first two weeks of her life. We had some trouble and I ultimately decided to FF. Now, I always wanted to supplement, and I was wondering how I might be able to start again?? I have tried to do searches on "relactation" and am not coming up with much. Did anyone else ever try this? Were you successful? What did you need to do? DD is now 9 weeks old, so its been about 2 mos since I last breastfed. TIA :D

[maggieb]

lady1297: I was very interested in tandem nursing when I got pg w/Marisa when Helena was 10 mos old. I read the book Adventures in Tandem Nursing and it provided a lot of great information. As much as I wanted to, my milk supply was gone by the time I was 3.5 mos pg and I ended up weaning Helena. She didn't mind too much at the time, but I did. By best advice to you now is to keep nursing DD often so that your supply is maintained. I was down to nursing H only 3-4 times during the day and I think that also contributed to my milk drying up. I certainly don't want to discourage you, but I can't imagine doing it now that Marisa is actually here and nurses about every 2 hours. Good luck!

[Sarah]

lady-we started TTC when my dd was older, she was a little over 2. i did want to wean her- I wasn't comfortable with tandeming, though I think it's awesome you want to. i lost most or all of my milk by 16 weeks pg, and my DD basically stopped nursing, and the lst feeding a day I cut out simply by saying no.

You should definitely check out adventures in tandem nursing- it's a great book. I think that losing your milk might be one of the gentler ways to wean. But if you want to continue nursing he may keep going, even without milk. I have a friend who's son is just a little older than yours, and her milk dried up when she was pg, but her son kept nursing until the baby came, and the milk came back.

philnikki- Yes! relactation, they say, takes as long as you haven't been nursing. so relactating would probably take about 2 months. I think you should give it a try. More later, crying baby. I'll post more tonight!

[LILRTL]

Question! (What's new, right? :rolleyes: ) Fenugreek. 610mg capsules. 3 pills, 3 times a day? The only reason I ask is because on the bottle, it says to take 1-2 pills daily. So the 9 pills/day seems rather excessive... ?

[Marisa]

Nikki -- you might find these pages helpful:

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/adopt/relactation-resources.html

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/adopt/index.html

It definitely can be done, but it may take a while, as Sarah said, for your supply to get strong again. As much as people caution you against "using baby as a pacifier", there'd be nothing wrong with seeing if she'll latch on for a little while here and there, along with pumping and using galactogogues. Make sure to take things one day at a time and give yourself credit along the way -- it may take a while and it may not be the easiest thing.


Lora -- Kellymom states that many women don't even see results with fewer than about 6 capsules (3500 mg per day). Her recommended dosage is for capsules that are 580-610 mg is:

* 2-4 capsules, 3 times per day
* 6-12 capsules (total) per day

The dosage on the bottle may not be taking into consideration the herb's use as a galactogogue... I've read that it can also be used as a digestive aid.

[LILRTL]

ty, ty :D

[cc8]

Nikki - there is info on relactation in the "What to Expect in the First Year" book. I know, not extremely helpful since it's a book (vs online). I'm sure more experienced moms can give you more info here tho. Good Luck!

[celina]

Still Frustrated

I am still not getting very far with the breastfeeding. I pumped earlier tonight when my breasts were full and got a whopping 2 ounces. I’m finding that DD is getting more and more formula everyday. We started at 3 ounces and are up to 9 ounces a day (in addition to breastfeeding).

I am taking the max amount of Fenugreek as well as Blessed Thistle. I am also drinking Mother’s Milk Tea. What else can I do?

I am finding I’m beating myself up about this more and more each day.

I know many of you are saying pumping isn’t a good way to measure how much milk DD is getting. Should I purchase a scale then?

I looked up my local LLL – they have a meeting the second Tuesday of the month. Would I benefit in going to the meeting?

I feel so frustrated and lost.

:(

[Allegra]

I know many of you are saying pumping isn’t a good way to measure how much milk DD is getting.

I'm no expert but pumping is DEFINATELY not indicative of how much the baby is getting. You nneed to do a weigh and feed for the closest idea. Your doctor's office should be able to do this or a lactation consultant should be able to bring a scale to your home. You weigh the baby who has not been fed in at least an hour or two, nurse, and then weigh him again.

Would I benefit in going to the meeting?


Yes yes yes! If you are committed to BF, then you'll get the support you need at a LLL meeting!

Allegra

[cynder]

Getting scale can be a little dangerous if are obessive (like me) but it might ease your mind which is such a blessing when trying to make BF work. I did though make regular ped's visits every 5 days for the first few weeks to monitor DS's wt gain. We wouldn't see the ped every time but a nurse would do a wt check to make sure that we were gaining at least an ounce a day. I also worked with a LC in the clinic to watch us BF and make sure things were right. I am a terrible pumper and the most I ever got was 8 oz and that was only around month 3/4.

I know this is hard but cutting out the supplements might help. I could never pull this off though I tried. I wish I tried harder. My dependency on supplements to correct for sleepiness and weight issues was the downfall of our BF relationship and I wish I could go back and change even though it worked for us at the time.

Yes, go to an LLL meeting. They can definetely help you and your frustration and give lots of support and advice.

[Dally]

Celina, I echo Allegra and Cynder. I supplemented in the beginning because DD was so small. But the more you supplement the less your body makes, so it's hard to stop. I eventually managed to reduce DD's supplementation till it was just a couple of ounces of formula a day, and then dropped it completely by the time she was 10 weeks old. One way I did this was to nurse round the clock. Since I never pumped enough (I didn't start pumping 2 ounces until DD was more than three months old, and even then I only got that much occasionally). Basically, that meant I couldn't leave DD or sleep in--only I could feed her. It was hard, but it worked.

As for pumping: it is absolutely not an indicator of how much the baby gets. I never pumped much when I was home with my baby. Sometimes just half an ounce. But my baby continued to gain well. I think the best ways to tell if your baby is getting enough are number of wet diapers and a weigh and feed with an LC.

I know it's difficult. Please don't feel too bad. It's obvious you are trying hard, and that means a lot. Good luck!

[dbers]

Question about thrush. It wasn't even in my mind, but one of my friends brought over her baby yesterday who has thrush, so I got to see what it looks like. Alexandra has a small white patch towards the back of her tongue.. it's hard to get a really good look at it since it's not towards the front. It looks not nearly as bad as my friend's baby's mouth - but I wonder if she could have a slight case? I feel okay - maybe my nipples have been hurting a bit more lately, but nothing major. Is it worth it to get her checked out, or can I let this go until I really think something is wrong?

ETA - Could this just be dried milk?

TIA!

[Mrs.Chappy]

celina..you can rent a scale..call medela and find out your closest medical supply rental place..we did that. It discouraged me further as DS was only getting 1-2 oz from me per feeding when he was three weeks old..he wasn/t gaining weight and we ultimately had to supplement...call your pediatrician and ask for weight checks if you are worried..i found myself becoming obsessed with the baby weigh scale..my mom thought i was nuts and i felt she discouraged BF-ing (she did not BF us). I support you and feel your worries..we had a difficult time from the beginning but you have to remember that every ounce of BM your baby gets counts. we are half FF and half BFing. good luck

[Koala_Gurl]

Celina - The only time I have been able to pump more than 2 oz, is the day I was away from DD, and had to...but even then, I only got about 10 oz for the day (and at 7 months, I know DD is getting more than that!) :) So, I would assume pumping isn't a very accurate indicator! :)

It is such a vicious cycle...supplementing, trying to up supply, etc. The more you supplement, the more your supply dwindles. Can you take a few days to just do nothing but watch TV (or whatever) and nurse?? Even if DD isn't actively drinking, even using you as a pacifier will help stimulate milk production.

What else can you do...are you eating oatmeal? Drinking lots of water??

[Marisa]

Diane -- is the patch still there an hour after she's nursed? If so then it's probably not milk....

If you're not showing any other signs, though, and that's the only symptom she has, you could try taking acidophilus (probiotics) a couple of times a day to pump up your body's supply of the good, yeast-fighting bacteria. It may be all you need. :)

[AndreaMMS]

Diane, Hmmm...I wonder whose baby you're talking about?;) Just to let you know, my pediatrician said that they wouldn't even have treated the Thrush unless it was other places in her mouth in addition to the tongue, so just keep an eye on Alex and if it doesn't spread I wouldn't worry.

Great seeing you yesterday!!!!!!

[dbers]

Marisa - Good idea! I'll try to pick some up today... Thanks for the advice! I'll also try to check her mouth an hour after eating..

Andrea - Hmmm.. maybe cutie baby Naomi? It was great seeing you too :) I was very proud of you for venturing out into Manhattan.

[Daniel's Kitty]

Thanks for the milk slushy idea! He has been chewing on a binky or finger, but his favorite comfort seems to be eating or at least sucking (go figure most babies strike, mine has decided to nurse all day). He is acting almost like he is in a growth spurt even though it isn't time for one.

Supply Prop your arm with pillows or a nursing support and play online while your baby nurses! :) This has been my sanity saver since Ben is an eating machine. Nursing laying down is another great way to get nursing time in (and mommy naps).

[mcl]

what nursing breast pads have you guys been using? my nipples are so sensitive and sore and they're always erect that even air stings them. i'd been applying lansinoh and it helps calm them down. i've used the target brand disposable breast pads and today i bought the lansinoh ultra soft breast pads but they're still uncomfortable. i keep hearing about lily padz and i'm wondering if that would help me. where can i get it because bru doesn't seem to carry it. i would appreciate any help!

[ellybelle]

Thanks Marisa. I really was annoyed by the whole "pro-breastfeeding" hypocrisy at our hospital, but it was hard to say no to the bottle of formula when I thought my DDs health was at stake.

I really feel for all of you who are dealing with the supplementing/pumping/bfing cycle, btw. I would strongly encourage doing some "nurse-ins" and ditching the supplementing before your kid is past 6 weeks. But if you can't, it doesn't mean that bfing is going to fail. I supplemented w. DD, and she's still happily nursing today, at almost 2 years old!:D

[shellbell516]

mcl - I started out using the Gerber pads, but they're rather papery feeling and I would still leak with them. I've switched to the Johnson and Johnson ones. They are more cottony and absorb really well. I haven't had any leaks with them. I think they must have something absorbant in them like diapers do. I haven't tried the lily pads.

[shellbell516]

Lactationconnection.com (http://www.lactationconnection.com/SearchResult.aspx?CategoryID=11) has LilyPadz for $19.99

[Tenny]

I really was annoyed by the whole "pro-breastfeeding" hypocrisy at our hospital

I saw this and just had to comment. I'm still upset how the LC treated us at our "pro-breastfeeding" hospital. She almost demanded that we give DS formula and said and I quote "She has been doing this for 23 years and we need to listen to her." Thank goodness DH stepped in and refused the bottle or who knows how our BFing relationship would had worked out! I'm proud to say that no thanks to her I am still BFing 6 months later and my DS haven't had a drop of formula! I'm so sad to hear that other people had the same experience!!

[hiphopgirl]

Question about growth spurts: Does anyone know how long the growth spurt phase is supposed to last (at any one time I mean)? DS has gone back to waking up in the middle of the night for food and at day care they say he is not lasting 3 hours between bottles anymore. I think he's going through a growth spurt, but I don't recall this happening for so long with his last growth spurt. I thought it was only a couple of days, but this has been lasting more than a week.

Related Question: Should I be giving him more food at day care? Right now I send him with three 5 oz bottles, and he takes it all. I only pump about 15-16 oz a day so I am just sending him to day care with the previous days supply. Should I be dipping into the freezer stash? If so, for how long? I have quite a bit built up in the freezer, but I worry that I'm going to eventually run out if I have to keep it up for any length of time. How much food does a 3-4 month old eat at sitting? How much throughout the day? Is there a basic calculation that gives me a rough idea of how much he should be eating? I think I've seen them around here or in other threads, but I can't remember. I think it's based on weight, but I don't know how much he weighs.

I really don't want to start supplementing at this point, and I don't think I have to. I just want to know how much to feed my kid. Is it totally lame that I don't know this already?

[kindermom]

The first night after our DD was born, we had her sleep in the nursery. Our hospital, after I specifically told them I was breastfeeding and that they needed to wake me for her feedings, failed to do so. On top of that, they gave her a pacifier after being told no pacifiers! I was more than a little angry with them. Needless to say, the next night she slept with us and no more pacifiers were given to her.

[cc8]

DD is a horrible time dealing with gas. In fact, I realized this week that gas is the cause of her frequent wakings at night. She is BFed and FFed (both).

Is there an "official" list of foods that I should AVOID, that are known to cause gas in BFed infants?

Thanks a bunch!

[mollyeilis]

The first night after our DD was born, we had her sleep in the nursery. Our hospital, after I specifically told them I was breastfeeding and that they needed to wake me for her feedings, failed to do so. On top of that, they gave her a pacifier after being told no pacifiers! I was more than a little angry with them. Needless to say, the next night she slept with us and no more pacifiers were given to her.

My stepmom is a NICU nurse but she will fill in anywhere she's needed. Even though she had a natural birth with her three children and breastfed each of them until they were *at least* 2, ever since she became a nurse she is just SO disrespectful of new parents.

And the pacifier/formula thing is no different. She and her fellow nurses (NICU and L&D etc) will absolutely give a pacifier and/or formula, *no matter what* the parents have told them or given them in writing. "What are we supposed to do, just let the baby scream and cry, when we know that a pacifier will keep baby quiet?" Soooo disrespectful. And this is a pretty liberal hospital in an extremely liberal area...and of course this is a woman who KNOWS what breastfeeding is all about! :mad:

breastpads...I started with Johnson and Johnson, and they routinely stuck to my already in-pain (6 months of yeast, ugh) nipples. I switched over to Avent disposable breastpads, and loved loved loved them. :)

[magdesilver]

Hi ladies, haven't been here in a while but am having some issues so I'm hoping you can give me some insight!
DD just turned 6 months and is EBF...never had a bottle, I don't pump (well, I've pumped once and never gave it to her). She hasn't started solids yet, I'm planning to start cereal any day now (just haven't gotten around to it yet).
Anyhow, DD had her 6 month appt. this week and she has only gained 14 oz. in 8 weeks.... I'm freaking out! The dr. didn't seem concerned with the drop in percentile, but I'm very very worried. What can I do? I am going to make it a point to offer BFing as often as possible, and let her feed for as long as she wants (although I am thinking she will never pop off but whatever I have to do I will do!). Should I take fenugreek or drink the tea? I feel like I need to up my supply as high as I can. I never feel engorged anymore, or leak, but I thought that was just because we were in sync, it's been that way for a long time now. To top it off I have a milk blister on my right nip and it is killing me, it is so painful to nurse on that side. I'm putting hot compresses on it and neosporin (the blister is open now), but it still hurts to nurse.
Please, any tips you can give me to up my supply and get her to take as much as possible would be greatly appreciated! She's a happy baby, is meeting milestones (sitting great, babbling, etc.) and is growing, but very slowly-hence the drop. height and head seem alright, it's just weight that had a big drop.
She was 13 lb. 15 oz. and 26" at this last appt. I am so worried that when I go back at 9 months she'll be below the charts.....:(

Also, I tried pumping today so that when I do start cereal I can mix it with that but I only got 1 oz. and it took a while. I really loathe pumping, and with my plan to majorly step-up nursing attempts I don't even know when I will fit it in. Can I mix the cereal with formula for just those feedings? I figure that would be better than water, just for the number of calories, you know?

Help!

[Koala_Gurl]

magdesilver I was in the same boat as you (or pretty similar), but DD was originally 95% for weight, and was down to 60% at her 6 month WBV. My DD was already crawling and is pretty much non-stop action (be it crawling, standing, whatever...she just doesn't sit still), so the ped pretty much chalked her drop in weight on the fact that she is just more active. I think in general BF babies start to lose weight around 6 - 12 months (just what I have read, I am no expert!) ;)

That said, I don't pump much either...by now, our bodies are so well adjusted to our babies' needs. It will probably take a few days to up the supply to start pumping. I acutally started just expressing a bit of milk into the cereal bowl (was much easier than getting out the pump for such a little bit of milk.)

If your ped. wasn't too concerned, I wouldn't be either. Perhaps just increase feedings a bit if you are really worried & reevaluate at the 9 month WBV.

[Daniel's Kitty]

Pads I use a layer of hemp brreast pads for absorbancy ands then a layer of cotton ones with a moisture resistant backing to protect my shirt. I really should use two hemp and the cotton, but then I would run out to soon. I couldn't find any disposable ones that I liked since I go through them too fast and they make me sore.

Pacifier/ formula The hospital I was at had me use a finger as a pacifier. He got a drop of formula when one of the nurses put it on my nipple to entice him to nurse since he hadn't really figured out sucking.

cc8 It may be formula that is causing the gas, or the switching back and forth. You just have to experiment with foods to see if it is somthing you are eating although it may be the formula type (I figure it can be easier to try this than eliminating foods from your diet)

[Marisa]

mag -- dropping in weight percentiles *shouldn't* be the only cause for concern, as long as she is, as you say, otherwise healthy and meeting milestones. Did her height increase a lot since the last visit? How does she look compared to the CDC/WHO 's breastfed baby charts:

http://www.kellymom.com/babyconcerns/growth/growthcharts.html

You can certainly add formula to her cereal, that's a fine idea, but since she's over 6 mos, why not try a whole food that's mild and loaded with good fats -- avocado? (It's still one of my son's favorites! :)) Just mash it up and mix a tablespoon with enough milk to make it soupy.

[magdesilver]

Thanks, guys. Marisa, she did get longer, but not *that* much longer, she was down in height too but is at the 50th right now so I'm not concerned (I'm a shortie and her dad is slightly taller than average). I guess I am just surprised at how little weight she's gained because she still nurses A LOT- I'd say at least 6-8 times per day, sometimes more, and she does not even come close to sleeping through the night. I have been feeding her on only one side per feeding but I think I am going to start offering the other side too to encourage her to take more and boost my supply a little. And I will pick up some avocado this week to try, although I do want to do some cereal for the iron. However I do not want to pump-it is very stressful and I'd like to focus more on my supply and her eating right now.

[BeachBum]

Is it important to avoid highy allergenic foods in your diet while BF? I heard that I should be avoiding peanuts, honey, etc. Is this true?

[dbers]

Allergies - I'm going to chime in here because this is my family's area of expertise ;) We have peanut allergies on both sides of the family - nephews are both severely allergic, and I was allergic (or intolerant - they didn't really know about the difference back then) to soy, wheat, dairy, and gluten. FYI - I grew out of all of this. I avoided peanuts/nuts in the third trimester, and I will continue to do so while BFing. I don't know so much about honey - interested if anyone else does. I'm also off of dairy/soy now because my DD was showing some digestive distress, but who knows if it's helped or if she's just getting older.

If you have no family history of allergies (or athsma - I believe there is some connection) then it's less important IMO.

A great website to check out info about food allergies is: http://www.foodallergy.org/

[HGMorgann]

Honey is fine for you. Its not allergenic to babies in the allergy sort of way - its the bacteria that could cause botulism in their immature digestive systems. But you eating it is fine.

[ladybug0525]

I have just skimmed 15 pages and can not find the answer to my questions, I apologize for asking again I tried to not post the same question. I know I have read it before when I didn't need it!

I am at 5.5 months exclusively BF my son. I just got AF last week and like everyone says my milk supply did dip. I went out and bought some Fenugreek and was curious about the dosage? Thanks in advance! Hopefully I will see some results.

[happy1nuv]

i take 3 tablets twice a day (fenugreek). i have the 610mg stuff i believe. it seems to work ...

although ... i've been taking fenugeek for the past week in anticipation of going back to work tomorow ... im a lil stressed about it...altho i easily pumped 3 6 oz bottles by adding 1 or 2 pumping sessions a day when i thought nic wouldnt miss it. yesterday, the feed after i pumped, nic ate fine for the first 5 min, the just kinda whined w/ the boob in his mouth for the next 15 min so im thinking i pumped too close to his feeding... i didn't pump this morning - our times were just off and i didnt get the chance -- he did it again for his lunch feeding ... after going 3 1/2 hours w/o, so i know my 2 1/2-3 hr boy was hungry.

could stress be affecting my supply? or, could nuring be uncomfortable for him if he's teething (ped said his gums were swollen so he was definitely tething, altho its been a week and no teeth have popped thru yet.. any ideas???

[wendstress]

I think stress is definitely a biggie when pumping..... I remember a week that for whatever reason I was concerned about my supply. The more concerned I got, the less I'd get. I can normally do 5-7 oz at a time; that week I got 3-4 oz at a time, and it took a lot of work. I finally relaxed, and easily got back to my 5+ oz sessions....

[Dreshny]

So I found out this morning I have to leave DS on Thurs. to shoot a commercial (go figure--I hardly ever got acting work before the baby.) I'm feeling sick over leaving DS, who has only once taken 2 oz of EBM from DH, but that's another story...

If I can't get someone to bring DS to me to nurse, should I invest in a manual pump? I can normally just hand-express milk no problem (got 6 oz yesterday!), but I'm wondering if the pump is faster?

And does anyone know how many 4 oz bottles I should leave for DS? I don't know how long I'll be gone, but I'm supposed to block out all day. :(

[catmom]

I am afraid my supply might be tanking again... what does this sound like to you all? Lately, my DD (7.5 months) is ravenous all the time, but isn't terribly interested in nursing. She is chowing down on her solids (she gets 2 meals a day, each of which is about 3 tbsps of food), and her supplemental bottles keep getting bigger. She was taking about 10-12 oz a day, and the last 2 days have been 18-20 oz! She nurses well in the middle of the night and first thing in the morning, but apart from that her nursings are very short, and if I try to encourage her to take an extra nursing, she'll only nurse for a minute or two. She's gotten much more active lately, as she's sitting independently now and we spend a couple of hours a day sitting on the floor playing, so I think part of it is that she is burning a lot of extra calories. Did this sort of thing happen to anyone else at this age? I guess I just am hoping someone will tell me it's normal for babies to need more calories at this age, and that it's typical for them to get these calories through extra solids and such. It makes me so sad to think I might be losing what's left of my milk :(.

[NYN]

does anyone know of a site that has a handout for babysitters on how to handle EBM? i'm leaving dd on saturday night and wanted to leave instructions for my mom on how to handle fresh milk and frozen milk but i don't know that i'm even too positive about how to do it. i wanted to make sure she knows how many hours it can be out and all that so that as little of it is wasted as possible.

[Klo.]

Teba -
Kellymom.com to the rescue! If you haven't already bookmark this website. I heart it!! ;)
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/milkstorage.html

That page not only has a couple helpful articles but you can print off that little chart and hang it on your fridge.
I hope your Sat. night outing is for fun!

[NYN]

thanks lois! we have a wedding on saturday - not looking forward to leaving DD (though we did a practice run for the RD last saturday and it wasn't as bad as i thought it would be). thanks again.

eta: i have another question i can't seem to find the answer to on kellymom. if i froze two bags of EBM, each containing 2oz, can i thaw them boht and mix the milk into one bottle? (assuming the milk was pumped on two different days).

[HollyMN]

Two questions, one for me and one for my friend.

First me. I went back to work last Friday, and my ds doesn't take a bottle, not hardly any. He will be 3 months on Saturday. After a rough start to BFing, he is doing very well, went from 50% to 90% in weight at 2 months.

We have been offering him different bottles since he was 4 weeks. He has taken an ounce or so from all of them, but he doesn't like it and there is much fussing.

Before I went back to work, he would BF seven times a day. When we'd try a bottle, we'd try it at his 9 AM feeding.

Now I'm back to work, and my DH is at home with him, today was day 4. I've adjusted my schedule so that I feed him before I leave/at home for lunch/in the evenings. I feed him at home for 6 of his 7 feedings. At 9 AM, DH feeds him 0.5-2 oz. He no longer screams like he's getting his shots when he gets a bottle in his mouth, but he doesn't drink hardly at all. I pump 5 oz at this time. I also pump 3 oz in the afternoons, but DH has been lucky so far in that he's taken 3 hour naps and haven't had to deal with the bottle in the afternoon, because I come home when he wakes up. (He wasn't this consistent with naps when I was on leave).

Now that I type this all out, maybe we don't have a problem. I hope we don't, but it seems strange that he can sleep through the night, and I can work full time and he can be exclusively BF and only take 0.5 oz from a bottle and get enough food in him. I just pump and put the EBM in the freezer at this point since I know he won't want it.

Should we be having him weighed? I trusted he was gaining weight when we fed on demand...

Now for my friend's question. Since I had a baby 3 months ago, I have two friends who have October babies that are asking me questions since I was just there. But I'm not an expert.

Here's my friend:

Hi Holly,

It's been a while since I could email you, but I have been enjoying reading your emails. I so envy you and Caleb being that he is much older now and have a predictable schedule. [her dd] pulled a strange feeding pattern yesterday and last night leaving us lost about how to breastfeed her. First she fed for at least 30 min on one side (well, the only side she will take), passed out for 10 mins, and then started rooting for more. I didn't have any more to give her, and she won't take the abundant left side, which I am still pumping at every feeding to keep up the supply IN CASE she ever changes her mind. [Her DH] had to fingerfeed her for the next hour before she will fall asleep. Then at a later feeding, she drank only 10 min from my right side, and then proceeded to sleep for 4 hours. All this makes me wonder if I'm making enough milk on one side to feed her, and if I need to pump to stimulate more production. Sometimes I wish my doctorate was on BFing.

This whole "waking up the baby" thing rubs [her DH] the wrong way. I, on the other hand, being the owner of engorgement, don't mind waking her up to feed. At nights she sometimes sleep for 4.5 hrs without waking up to feed on her own. Only due to my continued protest will [her DH] relent and agree to wake her up for feeding. I don't think she is getting the 8-12 feedings per day, but she is definitely making enough wet/poopy diapers per day. The Lac nurse at peds wants us to come back in on Friday to have another weigh-in just to make sure that she has regained her birthweight. She probably has.

How do they get the baby to eat from the other side?

[moderngal]

if i froze two bags of EBM, each containing 2oz, can i thaw them boht and mix the milk into one bottle? (assuming the milk was pumped on two different days).
I have done this and my son doesn't have horns (yet). ;) I really can't think of a reason why it would be bad.

Holly~ I think that as long as DS is wetting enough diapers and having bowel movements, etc he's ok. I'm no expert though. I know when I started back to work, it took a good 2 weeks before DS got into a more predictable eating pattern.

[Abby'sMom]

Because I know we'll be busy tomorrow with DD's birthday, I just have to brag now a few hours early (hope no one minds)... WE MADE IT TO ONE YEAR BF'ING! We almost quit at the very beginning, had awful struggles with latching, then DD went on a strike, and then another strike, and my milk supply ebbed but never really flowed, then I had problems pumping, then DD would only take EBM... and on and on... but we finally got it, and I've met my goal. :)

It's possible, ladies!!

Thanks to Marisa, Sarah, etc. for answering my questions way back when over on the 'other' board. This is a great resource.

[Kiley]

Congrat's, Abby'smom! I hope to be where you are in 9.5 months!

[Natrat80]

HollyMN
#1 I'd give it a few more days and see if he starts taking more. I don't have any experience with this but just wanted you to get some response!! I think that the change from you being home all the time/BFing to having to take a bottle takes time. As long as DS has enough wet/poopy diapers and seems to be thriving I wouldn't worry unless the problem persists for 2 weeks.
#2 How old is your friend's baby? My DD refused my right side for about 4 or 5 horribly painful days! Has she taken her DD to the doctor? Could be an ear infection. When it happened to us I talked to 2 LCs and got these suggestions:
-offer the side she is refusing first, if she won't take it then offer other side and pump
-try different positions, I tried the craziest position and it worked. Laying down was always better than sitting up and to get her to take my right side instead of laying with my head facing her head I laid with my head to her tummy and her head to my tummy....does that make any sense? So she was laying on her right side facing me and I was laying on my right side facing her with my feet at the top of the bed and her feet at the bottom of the bed.
-pump and save the milk, but don't offer a bottle---if she's really hungry she'll eat
-if the side she is refusing is really engorged maybe the baby is having trouble latching on....could your friend pump a bit on the engorged side and then offer the breast?

Hope something works!!:)

Abby'smomWay to go!:D

[Marisa]

Yay Abby'sMom!!! :) -- congrats on beating the odds!! :)

Holly -- it sounds like you have a strong supply, and it's entirely possible that he does get all he needs from those 6 sessions per day. Good for him, figuring out a system that lets him get all his calories during the day and lets you all sleep a little longer at night! :)

You can get his weight checked if you like, but it honestly sounds like it 'ain't broke'. :)

Be prepared that his schedule may shift soon, though. Most babies have a big growth spurt at 3 months, so he may actually be conserving energy for that right now... and may want to eat more/more frequently sometime in the next week or so.

Your friend can try to encourage baby to eat on the other side by shifting positions (try football hold, or cross-cradle, whatever she's not doing now :)), pumping a little and then offering that side after she's pumped (if she's very full the baby may not want a gush of milk). The baby may benefit from seeing a chiropractor that is skilled in dealing with infants, if she is uncomfortable feeding from one side it may help to be adjusted since she may be in pain (imagine the extreme physical stress her body was just under a couple of weeks ago, and you can see how a vertebrae or two might be just a smidge out of whack. :))

It is absolutely 100% possible for her to be getting enough from just one side, though. I read a great article in Mothering a few months back about a mom who'd lost a breast in an accident and went on to breastfeed twins with the remaining breast. Amazing stuff. Anyway, it's not the most convenient, but she doesn't need to worry that baby is getting enough.

[NYN]

thanks moderngal!
How do they get the baby to eat from the other side?
my dd wouldn't take my right breast at first and we had to use a nipple shield. is your friend's baby not taking her breast b/c of an oversupply issue? i had that w/ my left breast and i had to pump a little before feeding dd. i also had to use cabbage leaves on that breast. it was so much milk that i was starting to look lopsided. honestly, even after all that i still have way more milk in there than in the other one but dd always preffered it so i'm not sure if that is going to be of any help.

abby's mom: congrats! :)

[LILRTL]

x-posted from my August mom's group:

I just have to pat myself on the back...

Not sure if anyone else remembers, but it was Zack's 3-week growth spurt that pushed me to supplement. I thought I was dying. (We all know I wasn't.) As of today, Zack is 13 weeks old. As of yesterday, he is SOLELY BFed!!! :D At 6 weeks, I was only nursing him twice a day. That's it. Thanks to the support of CC, and my hubby, I was able to build my supply back up and we are no longer supplementing. So a BIG HUGE THANK YOU to all of you!!!!! :D :D This is one proud momma here!!! :D

[Cosmogirl]

Hi ladies!
I do have a question.
DS is exclusively BF. We had a rough start, but since a while, thing were really smooth and pleasnt. He has started this new trend of snacking only instead of taking a good meal. He wakes up, eat whatever is necessary, then starts unlatching form the breast every 2 seconds, and then going back and on and on ntil I get tired (and sore) then I stop, we do something else, and he ends up crying (and I don,t have a cryier baby). I put him back to the breast, and he eats a bit more, and then start this routing of unlatching and stuff. What is changing? What can I do to make sure he eats properly, and most of all to stop him from unlatching like that. It is getting painful on my nipples!
TIA! I'm not liking this new way to do things with him

Abby'smom and Lora COngrats to both of you!!!:D

[Marisa]

Lora -- Congrats!! :) That's great to hear!! :)

Val -- has he gone through a growth spurt recently? Sometime around 3 mos they have their growth spurt, and then many babies don't need to eat as much or as often as they previously did...

Also, sometimes babies will do that latching/unlatching thing when they're looking for a second let-down. If he hasn't done his growth spurt yet, he may be just trying to stimulate your supply to get a little more from you.

Joey just face-planted into the wall so I'd better go...

[Cosmogirl]

Marisa Hope Joey is ok!!!
I think he did had his growth spurt maybe a week or so ago. I wouldn,t be worried if the thing was just that he eats less, but the thing is that he eats, plays for about 30-45 minutes, and then he is hungry again! (he fusses, and suck my shoulder, and stops fussing when he is on the breast again. He takes a good amount, let's say a whole side, and the he is done, he starts the unlatching again.)
Maybe it wasn't a growth sprut and he is entering one now. I do have to admit that yesterday he was hungry all day, (slept only 1 hour at the time) and woke up starving last night (now normally goes through the night) at 4. He had eaten a lot before going to bed, 4 oz of supplement, and both sides after the bath, this in 2 hours at the top.
How does the latching/unlatching helps to increase production??? I would be worried that I don,t have enough milk supplies, but he is only snacking, and never ending both side at one time, so I guess he has plenty...
COuld he be doing that just because he has other thing to see and do??? Like being more interested in his surrounding instead of eating?

[NYN]

cosmo, my dd was doing this last week and a day or two later she got a bad case of the sniffles + stinky poop and a little red on her bum. doc said it was a sign of teething and she was drooling a lot (though i feel like a 3-month-old shouldn't be teething yet, but i'm not a doctor). whatever it was, she was back to her normal self w/in a few days. it was like she wanted something in her mouth, just not my bb. hopefully your DS will be back to normal in a few days.

(p.s. our kids share a b-day!)

[LeslieR]

COuld he be doing that just because he has other thing to see and do??? Like being more interested in his surrounding instead of eating?


Val, Luke has started this in the past week or so. He'll start to eat, pop off, look around, hum, latch on again, pop off, look around, etc. He doesn't do it at every feeding, but probably once a day. It's very annoying, but I'm pretty sure it's just because he's bigger now and noticing his surroundings more. I've thought about taking him into another room to nurse, but honestly, I don't think it will make much difference because everything seems to be interesting to him now. I figure if he's really hungry he'll stop farting around and eat.;)

[SiValleySteph]

Just a question for those with older kids...

My kiddo (13mo) has started nursing for a long period of time in the middle of the night, like 30 minutes or more. It's driving me nuts! He was never more than a 5-10, 15 minute max nurser. When he seems like he's not sucking much, I de-latch him and he screams bloody murder!!! Last night he threw a fit becuase I tried to stop nursing him (it was 3AM, BTW).

Can someone tell me that they went through this and it will pass? ;)

I'm pretty sure that his eye teeth are on the verge of cutting through, so I'm thinking that has something to do with it.

[Kanga]

Just stopping in for a few questions. My baby is 9 days old and I think she may have thrush. Also my right bb is extremely sore, not my nip, but one spot on my actual breast-so bad that just touching it hurts. The left one is completely fine. I can't get a good look right now as she is sleeping, but I remember seeing this yesterday. I didn't know what thrush was until browsing around today on the net so I didn't think much of it. Do I call her ped, or my ob, or both? I noticed the white patch right after her feeding, so it could just be leftover milk. Maybe it's a plugged duct? It's red around the area that it hurts.

I have been pumping for most of her feedings (she has a high palate, and I have flat nipples, so it made bfing very difficult-esp w/out a nipple shield) but can barely keep up any more. She eats 4 ounces every 3-4 hours, and sometimes 4 1/2 - 5. Does this sound like a lot? I haven't had her weighed since we left the hospital so I don't really have much to go off of. What can I do to increase my milk supply. I've been eating oatmeal, but am getting a little tired of it. I've heard people talk about fenugreek and mother's milk tea. What is fenugreek and where do I get it-I assume it's an herb that come in capsule form, right? And where do I get mother's milk tea?

TIA

-Liz

[Cosmogirl]

Liz I would vote for plugged duct. With thrust, the nip is painful, and you have razor sharp pain in the breast. But no lump.
And after a feeding, it could only be milk. So check before she eats the next time.
Good luck!
Newyork Novia Thanks for your reply. He is drooling an aweful lot these days, and tries to put EVERYTHING in his mouth all the time. Hand, towel, stuffed animals, name it, it wants to chew it all. No runny nose or red spot on his butt, but I'll check it out. I sure hope it will be back to normal soon. So hard with kids, when you think you have them figured out, it changes...:rolleyes:

Leslie I'm sure there is a bit of that. William is doing it EVERY TIME! I feel like since he is snacking, he isn't able to tkae a good meal and do soemthing else you know. He snack before going to bed, so when he wakes up instead of eating well and pass onto something else, he isn't that hungry, and snacks again...
Wherever I am, he has something more interesting to do! I don't mind him looking everywhere and all, but I don't like that I have to nurse him bit by bit because it throws his whole " schedule" off. I don't know what he wants anymore.

[LeslieR]

Liz, do you feel like you are coming down with the flu? Do you have a fever? Is the red spot hot? If so, that would be mastitis. When I had thrush, I had shooting pains in my nipple. I'll bet the white spot was probably just leftover milk. I don't know anything about plugged milk ducts, so I can't give you any advice on that. But, I had mastitis first and then thrush so I know lots about both.:rolleyes:

[Marisa]

Liz -- if the white patch is still there an hour or so after her feeding, then it could be thrush. If it's right after a feeding it could be milk.

4-5 oz. does sound like quite a lot for a 9 day old! She should still actually be getting 8-12 feedings per day at this point, so smaller bottles, more frequently, would be better. Her stomach is only the size of her fist! Take that into consideration as you're making up her bottle.

She probably still wants to suck after she's eaten. Be sure to give her the slowest flow nipple, stop frequently to burp -- really drag it out so that she'll start to realize when she's getting full. Otherwise, a bottle will make it way too easy for her to gulp all that milk down, and it's almost a waste -- she can't handle it all. If she hasn't been spitting some up yet, I imagine she will start soon as she starts waking up a bit more.

Can I ask why you've given up on the nipple shield? I actually used one with my son for about 6-8 weeks due to flat nipples/bad latch. The shield helped to correct my nipples so that by the time I was done using it, they were more normal shaped.

Of course, the palate problem is a tricky one. There's another mama on here whose daughter had palate problems and she wound up pumping almost exclusively as well for a year (I think). It's a challenge, I give you guys props for making it work. :)

Oh -- fenugreek. You can find it at drugstores, some supermarkets, I think they may have it at Target (you can call ahead to the drugstore dept)... You take 2-3 capsules, three times a day.

[LexyLou]

Hi ladies,

I'm back and I REALLY need help. DD is a mess. She will not sleep at all during the day and I don't mean she can't self soothe. I will rock her for 4 hours and she will fall asleep for 5-10 minutes tops and then wake up screaming, farting, and pooping.

I really think the issue might be my flow. I'm still drowing her. My let down is so fast and powerful and I have so much fore milk. I try to pump a little before each feed (BTW, I use a little hand pump to do this and when I pump for 1-2 minutes I get 1-2 ounces from one side). But she's still drowning and gulping and choking. When I pull her off I spray 6+ inches for over a minutes. She's screaming because she wants to eat and I'm spraying into her burp cloth.

I want to try pumping and giving it to her in a bottle but because she refuses to sleep at all during the day...she has now even rejected the sling and only likes the Bjorn and only if she's in a good enough mood...I have no time to prepare a bottle then pump then clean everything. I don't know what to do.

Do you think my flow is causing the gas? I have totally limited my foods. The only thing I was eating that I stopped was some chocolate but it wasn't even that much. I do eat some veggies but asparagus and spinach, etc..not brocolli or cauliflower. What should I do? She's miserable and I'm exhausted.

[jeggink]

SiValleySteph Sorry, can't help yah, DS never did that.

Lexylou This problem is close to my heart as I had the same problem. I also just about drowned my DS and I now know that all the gas issues we had were from my oversupply. What I would say is pump one side down till it's soft and passed the letdown, ie just dribbles out instead of shooting out. Let her take the BB then. Then feed her on the same side maybe 1-2 times after that. At that point turn to the other BB for 2-3 feedings. You may have to pump to get passed that letdown initially to help. You may get engorged and have to pump a little in between to keep comfortable and not get any issues. After 2-3 days your supply should go down a bit and regulate better. You will always have an over active let down but she should be able to handle it better once she gets older. Not sure if that helps or not.

Chad and Liz I had that happen 2 months ago and could never feel the actual lump, but it was a plugged duct. Massage it, even in the shower, use heating pads or a hot washcloth. Also make sure your DD nurses often even if painful! It took me 2 days to get rid of it.

[LexyLou]

Thanks Judi...unfortunately I already do that. I usually nurse from the same side for at least 2-3 feedings...gah. I know breast milk is best but I drives me crazy to know I'm causing her this pain. Wouldn't formula be better?

[jeggink]

LexyLou If you allow yourself to have the letdown first until it's mostly over, do you have enough milk to satisfy your DD? It may be that you just need to do this every time.

[LexyLou]

I don't think I do...then again she could just be getting frustrasted because it's so slow.

[jeggink]

It can sometimes be like that, they are so used to getting it fast that they want it right away, but not so much. I think you will probably have to find that point in your let down where it's best to BF her. It may take some trial and error. I can say about 3 months things did get a bit better, so I hope they do with you as well. As for formula, I would think that it could mess with their tummys as well. DS only started getting some formula when he was 10.5 months and then just a little while I weaned from pumping during the day.

ETA - 6 weeks of age is supposed to be the fussiest period for a baby so maybe that is the problem as well.

[Marisa]

Wouldn't formula be better?

How? Formula is all cow's milk or soy proteins, both of which can cause serious stomach problems in a newborn's unformed gut. You might go from normal newborn fussiness (which is what your story sounds like) to constipated, screaming baby (or diarrhea, even worse :().

I can't help but think that the pumping is keeping your supply stronger than it should be. You may have to do as Judi suggests -- pump a little on the one side before you offer it to her, but then let her nurse only from that side no matter how much milk you think you have. You do always have milk -- even as she nurses you're making more, so you're never empty. It may be a difficult afternoon, but you really don't ever "run out of milk" -- better that she gets a slower flow of the fattier milk for a day, and you get a chance to even out a little more.

[NYN]

i wouldn't do this w/out talking to an LC first but when i was having major oversupply issues my LC had me wear cabbage leaves for 20 minutes/day and drinking sage tea (2 cups the first day, 1 cup after that). about three days later i noticed a huge difference. the reason why i say not to do it w/out talking to an LC is b/c you don't want to dry up completely. you have to be really careful.

[cc8]

Lex, this may be a very "controversial" suggestion and sorry if this is redundant (I didn't read thu everyone's responses), but what about pumping into bottles and then feeding your DD using a super slow flow nipple/bottle?

[Marisa]

You know, I had an oversupply at first, and I did something similar to what Teba suggests with the cabbage leaves. Under the supervision of my own personal LC (aka my mom ;)) I wore them once on a Saturday, once on a Sunday, for 20 minutes... and that was enough to soften the engorgement and get him to latch on MUCH better.

[Amie]

Hey Ladies,
I just wanted to thank you for your responses about my BM questions!!! You guys are really helpful. I'm sure I'll be back once DS is born. :)

[Kanga]

Can I ask why you've given up on the nipple shield? I actually used one with my son for about 6-8 weeks due to flat nipples/bad latch. The shield helped to correct my nipples so that by the time I was done using it, they were more normal shaped.


The lc I talked to made it sound like they were a bad thing to use constantly, and that it could damage my milk supply (due to a slower flow)

Also for her bottles, I have the Avent newborn starter kit, so the nipples are size 1. Is there one with a slower flow, because sometimes it does seem to be flowing to fast for her (she has milk dripping down her chin sometimes)

[Marisa]

Liz, many LC's are now changing their minds about nipple shields in the case of real obstacles like yours (ours? :)) -- the earlier version of the shield was made of a much thicker silicone (maybe even rubber like a nipple?) and did interfere more with supply. My own mom was very hesitant to give me one, but I eventually went for a second opinion and the IBCLC I saw was very pro-shield. In the sense that, they should be used to help with a specific problem, and discontinued when the problem has been resolved to a satisfactory point, of course.

At 9 days I don't think you're in danger of becoming 'too' dependent on the shield yet. As I said before, I used it for about 6 weeks before I began 'weaning' him off, and that was the right amount of time for my nipples to take on the correct shape.

I don't want you to have to rely solely on the advice of an internet stranger, here, though :D.... so if you want to try to get a second opinion that'd be a-OK with me. :)

I think that size 1 is the smallest nipple, I didn't use Avents when Joey was that small... Can you use a different nipple in those bottles? I found the Nuks were the slowest and easiest for him to take when he was small. You might also try keeping her more upright, just a bit, so that the bottle is also a little more upright and maybe won't flow as fast?

[Dally]

I'm very sick this week (temp of 102; ear infection), and it's wreaking havoc on my supply. I'm hardly pumping anything. DD seems to be doing OK when she's nursing, but it's hard to tell because lately she nurse every 1-2 hours in the evening/night :eek:. Also, I'm on antibiotics. My question is, will my supply, which has never been abundant, recover from this? I'm so scared that between this illness and work (where my pumping is insufficient) I'm going to end up drying up. :(

[moderngal]

DS is 5.5 months. He has now taken to biting me- although he doesn't have teeth yet. He seems to think it's a game, too- he makes funny sounds and faces as he does it. How can I get him to stop hurting me- I don't think he's old enough to understand "no" really.

[lady1297]

SiVallySteph-we have this happen when Edward cuts a tooth. I hope that helps! I hate those long night feedings...

[HGMorgann]

Moderngal - we are recovering from the biting stage. I am happy to report, she has only bit me once in the last week or so. I tried to stop reacting loudly because she would laugh and think it was funny and bite again(sometimes I yelped in pain though) Whenever she bites, I would flinch, so that would delatch her. And I hope this doesnt sound bad because it really is done gently - but I would kinda take her little cheeks - and make a fish face...and have her look me in the eye....and say "Do not bite mommy" in a normal but firm voice. It worked well for us, and has caused no tears on both of our parts.

[NYN]

moderngal, you can push his head in towards you (gently). DD will sometimes do this to me if she is bored and i am careless w/ her latch, her gums are hurting, etc. i push her head towards my breast and it causes her to open her mouth wider and she gets back to business. in my LLL meeting they told me to stop the nursing session and say something like "oh, you don't want to do the nursies anymore?" in a very calm voice. supposedly she will get the message this way but i haven't felt the need to do this yet -- saving it for when she has teeth.

[happy1nuv]

ok... for those that have taken fenugreek...

I needed to pump a bunch because we were leaving ds to go to a weddding... 3 tablets, 2ce a day did wonders for my supply - no problem pumping plus feeding full time. I got a great freezer stash out of the leftovers...

Now I'm back at work, and taking 3 tablets, 2ce a day and BARELY getting 10-12 oz out of 2 pumping sessions, which REPLACE feeding sessions... he eats AT LEAST what I pump per day at daycare.

I know stress plays a factor, and I'm trying to lessen it, but I can't help feeling stressed about leaving my high needs, wants to be held constantly baby in a daycare situation, where they don't have the time to hold him or baby him as much as I do... Do you think there is any benefit to me upping my fenugreek intake to 3 tablets, 3 times a day???

And... we start solids in a few weeks (Thanksgiving). Will that impact how much milk he'll take? Do you wean from a feeding when you start, or just sneak the solids in because he's growing bigger, so he needs more calories, but instead of getting those additional calories from milk, thats where the solids come in????

tia
:)

[Marisa]

happy -- I'd go to three times a day if I were you. According to kellymom, a lot of women don't see noticeable results until they really max out the dosage.

If you're starting solids at 6 mo then they're *not* going to replace a milk meal, not until he gets closer to a year. At 6 mo solids are still for practice only, trying new tastes and textures. They should be small meals to start (1 tblsp) and offered after baby has had enough milk first.

The early solids (cereal, banana, etc) don't have the right balance of fats and protein, that's something that's so important to their developing brains, and it's only going to be found in BM or formula.

[Surftraitor]

Is it safe to eat sushi while BFing? DH and I went out for sushi last night and it just occurred to me that it could be a problem (since you shouldn't eat it while PG).

[Marisa]

Is it safe to eat sushi while BFing? DH and I went out for sushi last night and it just occurred to me that it could be a problem (since you shouldn't eat it while PG).


Geez, I hope so!! :D

Nah, as long as it's prepared safely enough for you to eat, it shouldn't be a problem. Even though your baby is still getting all his nutrition from you, it's now 'packaged' differently, kwim? :)

[Allegra]

Well - it had to happen someday. I may be booked for a wedding in Puerto Vallarta in a couple of weeks (I know I know, last minute bride). I will be gone for four days starting Friday at 6 AM returning Monday at 11:30 PM. I can start pumping now to make sure there is plenty of milk on hand but I'm a little concerned about the whole thing (okay A LOT concerned). Marisol does not take a bottle well and I guess I'm just worried that she'll wean herself with my being gone so long. :( She'll have her nanny and her daddy taking care of her and she'll be home in her own place and space. I'll have to take my "pumper" along with me and I'm just planning to pump and dump cause I can't imagine trying to schlep all that milk back with me.

sigh.

I guess I'm just hoping someone will tell me good stories about being gone so long and not totally trashing an pretty good BF relationship.

Allegra

[mollyeilis]

Allegra, I didn't know you had a baby. OK I don't think I've ever posted to you anywhere, but I've seen you around. :)

Anyway, what about taking the nanny and baby with you? Might be more spendy, decreasing any profit, but it might be a lot of fun and solve the concerns of accidental weaning?

Heck, I'd go to PV as your nanny. :D Of course I'd have my 17 month old with me...:rolleyes:


*******
This has little to do with breastfeeding, though many strangers/relatives think it does.

As of today, Eamon got his SIXTEENTH tooth! He's 17 months old and has all the cuspids and everything. Now it'll just be the way for the second molars (hoping they stay away for like a year LOL).

Except for the chomping just before a tooth comes through, in response to which I have a VERY fast index finger, it's never really made any difference in nursing at all! I think two times he's been too distressed and too hungry at the same time, so I've used the frozen milk at those times. A frozen bag of milk to gnaw on will rival just about any official cold teether any day!

He only started eating solids after 11 months, and even now he rarely actually *replaces* a milk meal with solids. The more he eats of solids the more milk he drinks. :D So even now he nurses sort of a like a newborn, and the teeth have never really changed anything. :)

Anyway, bragging on my ahead-of-the-curve teeth-getting thing, and letting anyone who is scared of teeth know that it can be done! :D

[Allegra]

Anyway, what about taking the nanny and baby with you? Might be more spendy, decreasing any profit, but it might be a lot of fun and solve the concerns of accidental weaning?


Well I would except I "just" did that with my trip to Spain for a wedding and I'm all out of miles. I just cannot swing the travel costs for the nanny for this trip. :( Plus my husband mentioned smoehting about the baby going to Mexico over his dead body without him (and he can't go) Sigh.

and YAY on the teethies for Eamon!

Allegra

[duke's flygirl]

Although DD's birthday was yesterday, our BF relationship didn't start until 15 hours agter she was born due to her being in the NICU for observations. We have now been BFing for ONE YEAR! I can't believe it! There were times in the beginning when I didn't think we would make it to 6 weeks let alone one year! Now I'd like to continue until she self weans!

Thank you to all the ladies who have given me so much support over the last year! It wa a HUGE help! THANKS again!

Joelle

[LILRTL]

Congrats to all the 1-year-BFers meeting their goal! That is such an inspiration for those towards the beginning! :D

[lady1297]

YEAH!! 1 YEAR!!! Good job momma!!!

[lil_nance]

Can anyone recommend something other than Lanisoh for a sore nipple? I think DS changed his sucking pattern slightly. Can't seem to get him to change back (teething?). I have a small scab type sore at the tip of one nipple. It softens up when he nurses or I pump then dries out and hardens between nursings. It's a bit sore and sensative. Any ideas on how to get it to go away completely?

[duke's flygirl]

lil nance: Did you try just rubbing some BM onto it after you finish nursing or pumping and letting it air dry? That is all I used after the first couple of days with DD.

I hope that helps and that it goes away quickly!

Thanks lady1297 and LILRTL! I can't believe it has been a year already!

[Kanga]

Just wanted to say thanks for all the help. I think it must have been a plugged milk duct because today it's 95% better.

[LexyLou]

OK, new question. I'm sorry ladies. I'm just on the verge of tears every day. It's so hard having a colicky baby. She seriously cries from 7 am until she passes out around 9 pm.

Is it possible now that even though my let down is really forcefull that my supply is decreasing or too low? I still spray her and choke her in the beginning but it seems like she's not getting enough on one side anymore. She seems to finish, pulls off and gets drowsy but 30 minutes later she's screaming to eat again. I try to give her a paci to see if she just wants to suck but she sucks it like crazy and it's obvious she's trying to get some milk out and she gets frustrated and spits it out. So I give her the breast again and sometimes even offer the other side and it seems like it's not enough.

Tonight I did this every 30-45 minutes for 2 hours and finally I had my husband defrost 2 ounces of EBM and she took 1 1/2 ounces and seemed satisfied and stopped rooting.

What's going on? Could I not be supplying enough? It seems impossible since I have such an active let down.

[moderngal]

congrats to all those making it a year!! :)

thanks for the biting advice- it seems to be helping. :)

one of my friends is pregnant- her baby shower is in a little over a month. I was planning on getting her some BF essentials... so far I have Lansinoh cream, Soothies, and some freezer bags for her pump. Any other ideas?

[Marisa]

Alexis -- maybe gearing up for her 6-week growth spurt? A lot of babies will turn a corner after the 6w one... I hope you find this to be the case for you.

Dr. Sears has a "Fussy Baby" book -- I know you don't have time to read right now :) -- but there are some highlights on his website:
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/5/T051200.asp


moderngal -- I just gave a "BFing Basket" at a baby shower today! :) I included Lansinoh cream, a box of Lansinoh disposable pads as well as a package of the cotton washable ones, a giant water bottle, burp cloths, and a copy of "So That's What They're For". You might also make her a little card with phone numbers for the LC and LLL (or with spaces for her to fill in if you don't know this info). Something she can leave by the phone.

[mollyeilis]

Alexis, I always found that the suck suck suck, root root root, suck suck suck thing, especially combined with many many milk-meals in a day were both a way to stimulate more letdowns (the suck suck, let go, suck suck, let go thing) AND gearing up for a growth spurt (eating often). IMO and IME, the best thing to do is just let her do her thing. She knows FAR more about what she's doing than any adult does, babies are so so so smart, and IMO and IME, letting our heads interfere has the potential to mess things up. :rolleyes: :o


Marisa, I thought you just wrote that you got such a basket today, and was about to look like this :D , and then I re-read and realized you *gave* it. Oh well! :)

[Marisa]

Oy, Molly! Bite your tongue! :D

Besides, I have enough Lansinoh and disposable breast pads already, to last me through the next TWO kids (whenever they come along!) ;)

[Mickey&B]

I'm just on the verge of tears every day. It's so hard having a colicky baby. She seriously cries from 7 am until she passes out around 9 pm.


Alexis Boy have I been there! It does sound like your little one is getting ready for a growth spurt I can only echo what the other ladies have already said but I wanted to tell you to hang in there I promise it gets better, and it's okay to cry I did just about everyday for the first 6 to eight weeks it was so hard to hear him cry all day :( but like I said it does get better!!!

[newyorkgirl]

Nancy, did you get a chance to try the OTC version of Dr. Jack Newman's APNO? If not, I recommend it. It's the only thing I use now, since I know I'm prone to thrush. It's 2 parts Lotrimin, 2 parts Polysporin, 1 part hydrocortisone cream. (I just get 1 oz tubes of the first two and a 0.5 oz tube of the third and mix it all up.)

[BeachBum]

one of my friends is pregnant- her baby shower is in a little over a month. I was planning on getting her some BF essentials... so far I have Lansinoh cream, Soothies, and some freezer bags for her pump. Any other ideas?


How about a big cup with a lid and a straw? Depending on how much you want to spend some nursing PJs or a nursing tank might also be nice. I also like the idea about the books. If you know she will be pumping too how about a few of those "steam" sterilizer bags?

[LeslieR]

one of my friends is pregnant- her baby shower is in a little over a month. I was planning on getting her some BF essentials... so far I have Lansinoh cream, Soothies, and some freezer bags for her pump. Any other ideas?


What about a Boppy? If you do go this route, get her a Boppy Luxe-much better than the regular Boppy, IMO.

[moderngal]

I know this has been covered before, but what cold products are safe for BF'ing? Is Theraflu ok? Are all Tylenol products ok? I saw a new Tylenol thing for sore throats that looks promising...

What about a Boppy? If you do go this route, get her a Boppy Luxe-much better than the regular Boppy, IMO.
Great idea!! I think I'll get the one on her registry and an extra slipcover or 2. :)

[Marisa]

All Tylenol products should be ok, just check the active ingredients. Kellymom has a great chart (cough remedies are right near the beginning):

http://www.kellymom.com/health/meds/cold-remedy.html

Looks like Tylenol Cough has Dextromethorphan, which is an L1 (Safest).

The Nighttime one, however, also has Doxylamine, an antihistamine, which is listed as an L4 - possibly hazardous. This is likely because of the effect antihistamines can have on the milk supply. Any antihistamine should be taken sparingly, only when absolutely necessary.


I *heart* the Medela steam sterilizer bags -- much quicker than running the dishwasher!! Hey, I also 'know someone' who makes Boppy covers, but can't have them on her website anymore because Boppy threatened to sue her (true!). PM me if you want the info. ;)

[LexyLou]

I also 'know someone' who makes Boppy covers, but can't have them on her website anymore because Boppy threatened to sue her (true!). PM me if you want the info.

OMG, shut up! I can't believe they did that. LAME.

I too love the Medela microwave bags...just make sure you wash the bottles well before you put them in there. I found out the hard way it doesn't really clean well just sterilizes. :D

Mickey-Thank you for your support. I logically know it will get better but MAN it feels like it will never end. She hit 3 weeks and since then it's been getting worse and worse. I'm just counting down to 12 weeks. I can't wait until I can "enjoy" my baby instead of just try to calm her.

I feel like my breasts aren't as full and I've been having to feed from both sides lately. Dh has been giving her a bottle of EBM and she sucks it down after getting frustrated on me.

I just started working out again and I go pretty intense...you don't think that could be affecting my supply, do you?

[domesticdreamer]

**Paging Mollyeilis**

Hi! While skimming this thread I read somewhere that you had yeast nipples for 6 months:eek: ?!?!?! Just two weeks ago my LC pinpointed the severe slash and burn feeling I was having in my nipples 24/7 was indeed yeast and told me to rub Lamisil AT on them a few times a day and give Max antibiotic drops on his tongue 4 x's a day. I really hope that I don't have to endure this for 6 months also!!! Although it's better (meaning it still burns slightly after nursing, but not all day and night like before).
Do you mind sharing how you treated yours and any helpful tips that my LC may have omitted?

TYIA!!
Jen

[moderngal]

Marisa~ I was thinking about your covers. I will PM you. :) Can you do purple butterflies?

Can you use the microwave steam bags with an Ameda pump?

[maggieb]

Marisa had her 4 mos appt on Friday and she's slipped in percentiles. At two months she was at the 60th (12lbs 2 oz) and now she's at the 40th (14lbs 2 oz). Thankfully, her ped didn't even mention the word supplement. She said that she won't be too concerned unless her weight drops again at her 6 mos appt. Milk supply is not a problem, getting Marisa to nurse longer and more often is part of the problem and the fact that she spits up alot. Any suggestions to help get a little more fat on her? Or should I keep doing what we're doing and not worry?

Oh, and she typically sleeps from about 7PM-4AM without waking to nurse. DH and I figure that if she were hungry she would wake to nurse. She nurses every 1.5-2.5 hrs during the day for about 7-8 minutes. She nurses once at night and it ususally lasts longer, maybe 10-15 minutes.

[Cr8nme]

Jen~ Just wanted to let you know that my doctor prescribed NYSTATIN for my yeast (Noelle didn't have it) and I feel a ton better no more burning or anything! I must also say that I remember reading tha you had to wirp it off before feeding...with the NYSTATIN I don't wipe it off.

Hope this helps!

[northern]

wondering if anyone had a bit of advice for me... have been reading along and it had been quite helpful! my baby is 6 weeks old-- she has always preferred my left side... better letdown and nipple shape i think. well now it is to the point that i feel that my right side is hardly producing anything because she doesn't like it. i can get her to stay on and suck at least, but she just hangs out and hardly swallows. as a result the left side now overproduces and it's like a fire hose once she latches on- major gulping the whole time and then lots of burps!

how can i boost supply on the "bad" side? i'd like to be a little less lopsided- and besides, if i have 2 of them, i think she should use them both!!
thanks...

[domesticdreamer]

northern- My DS would not feed on my right side for two weeks (just couldn't latch, get comfy, etc) I just nursed more often and pump the right side everytime so that they would both empty and I wasn't lopsided or losing supply in the right breast. As he got bigger and stronger, he was successful on the right side too and it just all evened out! Hope that helps!

michelle- I do have the NYSTATIN, but have only been putting it in baby's mouth- I didn't realize I could use it on myself. I just told hubby what you said and he goes, yeah you could do that but the antibiotic cream is cheaper:rolleyes: GRRR..... it's been just a pain in the arse to wipe it off before every nursing and to realize I could have had an easier way to treat it!!!! But now I know.....thanks to you:D .

[Cr8nme]

Jen~ LOL my DH would say something like that too! Glad I could help!

[mollyeilis]

**Paging Mollyeilis**

Hi! While skimming this thread I read somewhere that you had yeast nipples for 6 months:eek: ?!?!?! Just two weeks ago my LC pinpointed the severe slash and burn feeling I was having in my nipples 24/7 was indeed yeast and told me to rub Lamisil AT on them a few times a day and give Max antibiotic drops on his tongue 4 x's a day. I really hope that I don't have to endure this for 6 months also!!! Although it's better (meaning it still burns slightly after nursing, but not all day and night like before).
Do you mind sharing how you treated yours and any helpful tips that my LC may have omitted?

TYIA!!
Jen

First, WHY are they having you give Max antibiotic drops? Antibiotics help to *cause* yeast, they don't help to stop it.

I endured the yeast for 6 months because I refused to even GO to a medical type person, let alone take something they would give me. I had never had a yeast infection of any kind, so felt uncomfortable getting something off the shelf, and of course that wouldn't have taken care of my nipples (and armpits, ugh, talk about PAIN) anyway.

I used Gentian Violet on my nipples four days, applying once a day, and that got rid of the yeasty diaper rash for my son. He never did have the white patches in his mouth.

But I just could NOT seem to get anything alternative going for myself. I tried to use Gentian Violet on my bits and pieces and my underarms, but could barely reach "down there". My armpits, my poor armpits...the GV wore off my nipples by day's end because the area was being used, but my armpits just stayed and stayed purple, and then I had to be a bridesmaid at 9 weeks postpartum, in a strapless dress, and so I had to scrub the GV off. With rubbing alcohol. :eek: It got the GV off, but made the yeast SO much worse.

I tried to take Grapefruit Seed Extract to take care of the systemic yeast, but just as it started working, I got the craving for a grapefruit, ate it, and the citrus overload nearly killed my son's bottom. So I stopped taking the GSE. I could never figure out a vinegar/water solution dilute enough that it didn't sting...

Basically, I just waited it out. And when he turned 6 months, it disappeared.

I said if I had it to do over again I wouldn't wait. But here I am, it's reappeared, and I'm refusing to go see someone again. I just don't trust anyone. But this time I'm using Gentian Violet on myself, and as of Monday I'll use it on my nipples again because I'm having that searing pain from nipple to shoulder blade again, and DS's bum is bright red. I'm waiting because it is going to turn him purple, and hubby has Tues through Thurs off, so DS won't have to go anywhere if I need to do errands. :cool:

I found the GV at a "compounding pharmacy", which is a pharmacy that makes things from "scratch", rather than just emptying pills from one big bottle to a small bottle. This bottle was $4; before my hubby went on the search and found it further away for about $2. It's this non-medical but not-really-natural stuff that's really effective against yeast. If you use it. :rolleyes:


Lansinoh (or any lanolin) is going to keep the yeast in, and keep it nice and warm, so do NOT coat your nipples with that post-nursing. Some would say not to use it at all. BUT I found that smearing some lanolin on DS's lips just as he was homing in on my nipples helped GREATLY. It allowed him to just slide right on, and made that white-knuckle latch-on just a bit better. And then by the end of the milky meal, the lanolin was gone so no warm breeding ground was left on my nipples. :)

Keep the area dry; allow the breastmilk to dry there. Wash your bras with vinegar in the water.

[mollyeilis]

For anyone with a baby that's showing such a side preference, I strongly suggest taking baby to a chiropractor! Gentle, of course. :D

That sort of preference for one side can show that they have had some stress in their little necks (birth, no matter how it happens, can be quite traumatic on little spines), and can cause discomfort or outright pain for them. Getting their spines checked out NOW can save a lot of problems later! And can get them to turn their heads in both directions and be happy.

The other thing to look into is CranioSacral Therapy. You'll usually find Licensed Massage Therapists/Practitioners and chiropractors doing CST. It's really really cool work. EXTREMELY gentle, and EXTREMELY wonderful. Even though I myself am a chiropractor (non-practicing), the first bodywork my son had was CST from a massage therapist. Although he was a pretty good nurser from the beginning, I saw positive changes in his latch IMMEDIATELY.

I also saw changes in his head shape and he got longer, as his spine unfurled. All newborns do that, but this was within the hour of his session. AMAZING stuff. :D

So...chiropractic and/or CST are highly highly highly recommend (for all babies) especially if they are already showing you that something MIGHT be wrong in choosing a side preference so early!

[mollyeilis]

Marisa had her 4 mos appt on Friday and she's slipped in percentiles. At two months she was at the 60th (12lbs 2 oz) and now she's at the 40th (14lbs 2 oz). Thankfully, her ped didn't even mention the word supplement. She said that she won't be too concerned unless her weight drops again at her 6 mos appt. Milk supply is not a problem, getting Marisa to nurse longer and more often is part of the problem and the fact that she spits up alot. Any suggestions to help get a little more fat on her? Or should I keep doing what we're doing and not worry?

Is she growing in length?

Is she growing in head circumference?

Is she growing in terms of milestones and moving more?

Those are all part and parcel of GROWTH, which is what those charts show, and we're all being bamboozled by weight-conscious people!

That's my little rant. :)


Have you tried just feeding her from one side for several milky meals (I can't use the word "feeding", I just can't LOL)? Doing that can increase the hindmilk, the fattier stuff, that she gets, which can plump her up if that's what you decide should be done.

Do you co-sleep? Is she in the room with you, even if not in the bed? If not, bring her in. She might be waking but you don't know it. If she's in the room but not in the bed, bring her into the bed. She might very well notice the milky smell coming from you and root around for you, even in her sleep. That gets more milk into her. If you decide that's what you want to do.


Just re-read...want to "correct" something. You wrote "her weight drops again at her 6 mos appt."

Her weight is NOT dropping. Her weight is INCREASING. Don't let that sneaky-snake way of talking get into your subconscious!

She has gained 2 pounds in 2 months (were the appointments exactly 2 months apart? I know one of our appointments was late and the next one early, so there was no where NEAR 2 months between!). Assuming they were exactly 2 months apart.

1 pounds in 1 month. A quarter pound each week, assuming 4 week months. WOW. That's pretty good, isn't it? :) 4 ounces every week? I dunno, isn't that a good thing?

Also, did you check your ped's charting skills? One month our ND managed to put his height on a completely wrong line, making it LOOK like he'd gained mass height. That was great and all, but would have made him actually SHRINK at the next appointment. My ND made a copy of the chart she uses so I plot the info along with her, and I caught that at home. Before we even started our next appointment, I showed it to her, made her correct it, and only then did we start measuring and chatting and all that's involved in ND visits. :)

Oh, I went to one of the CDC charts online and checked, and it looks like he got them on the right percentile lines, but still...

4 ounces a week...nice. :)

[maggieb]

Thanks, Molly! You are right, she is gaining weight. I need to think about this differently. Yes, she gained in length, head circumference and she is moving, meeting milestones, etc. She is a happy baby, coos, rolls over, is batting at objects and is has such a sweet demeanor.

I already feed her on one side only per meal. I let her nurse as long as she wants and then offer her the other side, but she rarely takes it.

I'm not opposed to co-sleeping, but I don't want to mess with the great sleep that we're getting from her now at night. DD#1 was a terrible sleeper and still is and I am so grateful that Marisa is sleeping well in her crib already.

Her 2 mos appt and her 4 mos appt were almost exactly 2 mos apart...just 4 days early.

Have you read or heard anything about chiropractor visits helping to relieve reflux? I have been considering taking her for a while now, but haven't actually followed through.

Thanks for the support and encouragement. I truly appreciate it!:D

[1_mommy]

i think i need some support. ds is 3 weeks old and is alot fussier than my dd was. but i think i can chalk it up to him having his first ear infection at only 3 weeks :( the last few days he just wants to nurse non.stop! my boobies are killing me. i don't have a pump yet, so that wont help me any.
he has also been gassy and i have been giving him mylicon (sp) drops to try and help. well yesterday and today have been horrible, crying all the time, i can't really sooth him. he has been eating so much, i don't feel i have any milk left to give him.
oops gotta go, hes screaming again.

[mollyeilis]

You're welcome!

Chiropractic can help anything in the body that is controlled by the nervous system...let ya think about that for a second...so yes I'm sure it could help reflux. :)

If one of her little bitty vertebrae is slightly out of alignment, it could be causing a bitty disturbance in her nervous system, which can impact the whole body. So getting that taken care of this early will not only help whatever it's impacting, but also keep it from getting to be a bigger disturbance as she gets older!


I think about the length thing because my guy was 21/22 inches when he arrived. Relative to how long he was, his 7 lbs 12 oz looked puny! Although he added weight well, he added height even faster. As he's dropped lower and lower in percentiles in weight, his height has continued to rise...if I were just looking at weight I'd freak out, but his height bolstered my confidence. Plus, the boy was pulling himself to stand even before he was rolling over. :cool: And he's been walking since...oh forever, it seems. So he's really shown me that calories are used by babies for other things than just chunking themselves up. :D

[mollyeilis]

i think i need some support. ds is 3 weeks old and is alot fussier than my dd was. but i think i can chalk it up to him having his first ear infection at only 3 weeks :( the last few days he just wants to nurse non.stop! my boobies are killing me. i don't have a pump yet, so that wont help me any.
he has also been gassy and i have been giving him mylicon (sp) drops to try and help. well yesterday and today have been horrible, crying all the time, i can't really sooth him. he has been eating so much, i don't feel i have any milk left to give him.
oops gotta go, hes screaming again.

Hugs! At 3 weeks all my guy did was eat, too. :D Isn't there a growth spurt right around then? Nurse nurse nurse, that's all he'll do, then suddenly you'll have TONS of milk, he'll chow, then go down for a nap and wake up bigger. :)

What sort of pain are you having in your breasts?

Have you seen www.kellymom.com ? It's a really great website with ALL sorts of wonderful breastfeeding information and it has a very good Search function.

[newyorkgirl]

**Paging Mollyeilis**

Hi! While skimming this thread I read somewhere that you had yeast nipples for 6 months:eek: ?!?!?! Just two weeks ago my LC pinpointed the severe slash and burn feeling I was having in my nipples 24/7 was indeed yeast and told me to rub Lamisil AT on them a few times a day and give Max antibiotic drops on his tongue 4 x's a day. I really hope that I don't have to endure this for 6 months also!!! Although it's better (meaning it still burns slightly after nursing, but not all day and night like before).
Do you mind sharing how you treated yours and any helpful tips that my LC may have omitted?

TYIA!!
Jen

domesticdreamerI know you were seeking Molly's advice, but I thought I might offer my experience too. DS and I have been trying to get rid of thrush for about two months. We didn't even have it that bad - DS only had a small patch on his tongue, and I experienced just the shooting pains and milk blisters. It was just very persistent and very resistive to treatment. After three trips to the LC (first time - Lotrimin, second time - gentian violet, third time - more of the same), she finally told me I probably needed to seek medical help, and I went to my OB, who prescribed Diflucan. I started the Diflucan, along with taking probiotics (aka acidophilus tablets) and using grapefruit seed extract. Within a couple weeks, the yeast was gone, but DS's thrush came back, and in about a week or so, he'd given it back to me, so now we are on a second course of Diflucan, and the ped has prescribed Nystatin for DS. We are also still using the GSE and just increased the concentration a little bit.

I think Molly took the GSE supplements, but I used an actual extract, diluted in distilled water, and swabbed DS's mouth before nursing and my nips after nursing. Then, I used something called all-purpose nipple ointment on my nips. You can find explanations for using GSE here (http://www.drjaygordon.com/bf/thrush.htm) and for APNO here (http://www.kellymom.com/newman/03b-treatments_sore_nipples_breasts.html#apno). I also used the GSE in the laundry.

[mollyeilis]

Newyorkgirl, I took a GSE extract in glycerin. I only took it internally. If you ever tasted yours, you might not have wanted to swab your babe's mouth with it! DISGUSTING! I have a yuck-face for a half hour after drinking it. Bleah! And of course you can't put it in something with sugar, because you're trying to fight something that feeds on sugar...:cool:


****1_mommy****

I thought of something else.

..."having his first ear infection at only 3 weeks "...that really makes me think... 1. I'm hoping they didn't put him on antibiotics, because the new research shows they really aren't supposed to do that at first. 2. vertebral subluxations (the thing chiropractic takes care of) can manifest themselves in what SEEMS TO BE ear pain. you get ear-pulling, redness, and so on...but it's not an ear infection, it's an upper cervical vertebra slightly out of alignment.

So I'd also suggest what I was mentioning to others, to take him to a gentle chiro who loves taking care of babies. It could change everything.

(again, I don't practice chiro anymore, and no, I get no kickbacks LOL. I just really really love and believe in chiropractic!)

[wendstress]

wondering if anyone had a bit of advice for me... have been reading along and it had been quite helpful! my baby is 6 weeks old-- she has always preferred my left side... better letdown and nipple shape i think. well now it is to the point that i feel that my right side is hardly producing anything because she doesn't like it. i can get her to stay on and suck at least, but she just hangs out and hardly swallows. as a result the left side now overproduces and it's like a fire hose once she latches on- major gulping the whole time and then lots of burps!

how can i boost supply on the "bad" side? i'd like to be a little less lopsided- and besides, if i have 2 of them, i think she should use them both!!
thanks...

Northern - I have the same thing. Right-side usually will produce 2 ounces for every 3 on the left side.... Doesn't let down as fast, either.
DS prefers lefty. However, I've found that I can get him to take the right side very easily when he's sleepy. I'm assuming you're still getting up at night...try giving him the less used side more at night? For me, it keeps the milk flowing. Also, always offer the less-used side first...(unless she's really crabby)....and finish up with the fast side.

[dbers]

blood in diaper - So I've been off dairy and soy for a good month now - DD has seemed to feel better - she used to scream and cry before every BM. I noticed for the last couple of days she's been back to her old screaming self now and then - and just now I noticed tiny bright red specks of blood in her diaper :( My neice had this too - so I know quite a bit about the possibilities...but it's sad becaues I know that I've already cut out two of the most common allergens. My immediate plan is to call the pediatrician tomorrow - and cut out 1. Viactin (that I've been taking as a calcium supplement because it does have nonfat milk in it - though I thought not enough to make a difference) and 2. non-dairy creamer for my coffee - which has casein (the milk protein). Anyone have any other thoughts on this?

[Dreshny]

dbers: For a couple of weeks, my DS had (green) poopy diapers full of specks/streaks of bright red blood. To say the least, it was a little alarming. But I was told by three doctors that bright red is not usually a problem because it signifies external bleeding (ie, a tear in the rectum or anus--caused by forceful pooping.) Much more worrisome is black blood, which can signify intestinal bleeding (caused by an allergy, etc.)

[dbers]

Roseanne - Thanks for the info! I hope you are right. In my sister's DD's case it was determined that she had procto-colitis (which is sort of an allergy - but more of an irritation caused by milk in her case) - and she had the same red specks of blood so I'm obviously very aware of that possibility.. but I have also read it can be from a tear in the anus. Did Asher have it again after those couple of weeks?

I guess if she didn't also seem to be more unhappy I would be a bit less concerned.

[lil_nance]

Dreshny Did you ever figure out what caused the green poop? Did it just resolve itself? Connor's been having this issue for 2wks. Also his poop has been VERY liquidy. Still normal amount and he's eating fine, no temp, etc. I talked to the ped last week and they weren't worried but I'd still like to know what's going on. They said it could possibly be viral or a side effect of teething?

[Dreshny]

Nancy: He had the green poop for a grand total of about 6 weeks, and then it mysteriously went away without my having to change my diet at all, though at that point, I was seriously considering it. I don't know what caused it, but my dad, who's a doctor, said the green color is from bile, and it was probably a sign of Asher's digestive system changing and maturing. This weekend he had it again in a couple of diapers, but for those 6 weeks it was literally every single poop (and he had like 8 a day, sorry if TMI :))

Diane: We put some Burt's Bees diaper rash cream on his anus, and it cleared up pretty quickly and has not come back. I really hope it's not something more serious in your case.

[snowzilla]

Hmmm, all of this poop talk is making me wonder - Avery poops about every second or third day. Bless the little bean, she likes to save them up and then blow them out - it is usually a three or four diaper job. I finally got wise and now I grab a roll of paper towels, and just grab a handful and put them under her, and keep switching them for clean ones. :rolleyes:

But what I'm wondering is - her poops are very runny - completely liquid-y (hence why I've resorted to paper towels instead of wasting diapers). I have been assuming all along that the runniness is attributed to a combination of her being exclusively breastfed and saving it up for two days at a time. But now I'm second guessing myself. Is the consistency something to be concerned about? Should it be slightly more mustardy/seedy/thicker?

Good grief - that's the most poo talk I've ever engaged in, and on the internet to boot! DH and I laugh now when one of us comes home and the other one announces, "She pooped!" like it's the biggest news of the day. :p

[mollyeilis]

Hi Snowzilla! I know this, I know this!

OK so I don't KNOW...but Eamon's poops were just like that for ages. And it seemed normal to me! It was only a few months ago that they switched to a thicker consistency, and then about 1.5 months ago they went all solid on him. :o

So the liquid stuff, as far as I'm concerned, that's normal for exclusively breastfed (and beyond, if E is an example) babes. :)


Aw, every few days...how lucky...:rolleyes:

[domesticdreamer]

told me to rub Lamisil AT on them a few times a day and give Max antibiotic drops on his tongue 4 x's a day

oops. Should proof my posts more closely....what I meant to type was ANTI-FUNGAL cream not antibiotic:o . Oy...sleep deprivation not only twists my tongue at times, but apparently my typing fingers too. Sorry for any confusion.

Molly , Michelleand newyorkgirl. Thank you all for your advice and tips on various methods to clear up my yeast issue. I tried the wiping the pure lanolin on Max's lips right before nursing tonight- what a difference! My toes didn't curl up once!
I also wiped my nipples w/ vinegar when we were through. I will also start laundering my bras and undies with vinegar. Thankfully Max does not have diaper rash at all, so the thrush/yeast is just a small patch of white on his tongue. I will continue to give him the Nystatin and treat myself with the Lamisil and Nystatin also.
I live in an extremely isolated and small rural area, so I'll have to look into how to get gentian violet. I'll search the net. I'll also tuck the Diflucan info. away in case the initial treatments aren't working.
Basically thank you all for 1) touching bases with others who have had this b/c I had never even heard of this before and 2) giving me all the great info. to try out here.
Hopefully it clears up soon so DS and I can FULLY enjoy the BF experience.

[chloechloe]

I am getting a cold, sore throat and sinus problems. My dd is 13 months old and still nurses a lot. What can I safely take? I have been making my own *cold drink* lemon, honey, butter and hot water. She seems to know I am not up to par, because she has been so good today, occupying herself. What a sweetie.:D She dancing to the country singer on The View right now. I was I could keep these moments forever! (Except the part that I feel yicky:) )
Thanks so much for your advice!

[1_mommy]

thank you mollyeilis for the web site, i looked it over last night and i am chalking it up to his growth spurt. thats gotta be what was wrong with him. my nipples were what was sore, just from the constant sucking all day long.


after a horrible, horrible day with kai yesterday where he nursed from 11am-10pm, seriously every 1/2 hr if not non stop all day! i am chalking it up to his growth spurt, because he slept from 10-2 and in his bassinet! this kid was knocked out! then he was up at 2am, 4am, 6am, and 8am. finally, a pattern instead of in our bed all night snacking away. it was so nice to have my bed to myself!

[Marisa]

snow -- Joey's poops were never more than liquid until he started having more regular solids meals -- toward the end of the first year, or after his first birthday. If he really went for 5-6 days, it'd be more like a hummus-y texture (ew, sorry) but not really solid.

chloe -- here's a good list from Kellymom:

http://www.kellymom.com/health/meds/cold-remedy.html

Tylenol and Sudafed products are generally safe, but look at the active ingredients. Antihistamines and pseudoephedrine can be less safe. You should find any meds on that list though, so you can judge for yourself. (With an older baby, the chance of something like sedation or hyperactivity is somewhat less, b/c she's bigger, but there's also the chance of your milk supply dipping with too much of a decongestant.)

[dbers]

I was thinking about starting a new thread for moms who are breastfeeding/formula feeding babies with food allergies/sensitivities. It seems like a constant puzzle of eliminating foods, finding the right formula, etc...that might warrant its own thread! What do you ladies think?

[magdesilver]

dbers, that might be a good idea. I have been dairy-free for 5 months now. I tried adding some dairy in about 2 weeks ago (with no real system, just started eating some here and there) and DD wasn't quite ready yet so I have backed off again. Next month I'm going to try adding some in again, but be more organized about it (meaning just add in 1 thing at a time, instead of eating a few bites of ice cream here, some cheese there, some chocolate, etc.).

[dbers]

Alrighty! I will start a new thread - I'll come back and post a link when it's ready...

[Cr8nme]

my baby who isexclusively breastfed didn't poop at all yesterday...is this okay?? Usually she poops after every feeding. She is 9 weeks old

[LILRTL]

I can answer one! WOOHOO! :D

CR8NME - DS has started pooping every 3-4 days or so (he is 13+ weeks). When I spoke to his ped, I was told that being exclusively BFed, he could go up to a week without pooping. Totally fine! :)

[dbers]

The thread for food allergies is ready! This is my first time creating a new group thread like this - so please feel free to make suggestions.

Babies with Food Allergies/Sensitivities (http://www.constantchatter.com/showthread.php?t=10196)

[wendstress]

my baby who isexclusively breastfed didn't poop at all yesterday...is this okay?? Usually she poops after every feeding. She is 9 weeks old

As I remember, it was about the 6-7 week time frame when James went from pooping 6+ times a day, down to about 1/day. It happened quite quickly! I'm sure she is fine...does she seem unusually cranky?

[newyorkgirl]

cr8nme - it is most likely fine. Just be sure that when she does, you have either paper towels or diapers ready. When DS goes more than a day without pooping, it's explosive and massive when he finally does. ;)

[lil_nance]

Thank you all for your poop stories. I am now convinced that Connor's green liquid goo is within what is normal. I'll double check when we see the ped next week but in the meantime I won't worry.

[Adam's Pi]

Does anyone have any info on VI