The Breast Feeding Support Thread

Piper101

pinkheels88 wrote: »

Hey mommas,
I've just tried out a medela handpump for the first time. Baba has his 2 week GP check up tomorrow and I want to have a bottle of expressed milk on me in case he gets hungry while we're out (I'm too nervous about publicly bf yet...)
I only managed to express 1.5 oz. Does that seem like very little or am I deluded in thinking I would be capable of expressing a full bottle at this stage? I will refrigerate it until tomorrow. Also might be a stupid question but will I need to warm the bottle before I give it to him? :o
I think I'll invest in an electric pump soon if anyone has any recommendations?

I second the medela but the smaller cheaper electric pump has been fine for me although I don't leave her very often tbh, I use it maybe once a week if that.

I would stand the milk in a bowl of warm/hot water for a couple of minutes beforehand. Some babies apparently like it cold but mine def likes it warmer.

I don't think 1.5 ounces is too bad at this stage. I get a lot more when I express in the morning, maybe 4 or 5 ounces but only about 1.5 or 2 late in the evening. Best or luck with it. It's difficult starting off but by 8 weeks it's ten times handier than making up bottles

How Strange

Well we've been breastfeeding for 7 days, give or take a few hours, and it's been tough going. She can't/won't latch on properly so it's always toe curlingly sore at first.

I've been in touch with a lactation consultant via friends of breastfeeding (yay for them, what a fab organization!!) and she's been a great support but she's away for a few days so I'm winging it at the moment.

I've kind of made an amateur diagnoses of tongue tie as everything seems to point to that. It's a real pain that it's a long weekend because everyone is away so I have to continue as is until Tuesday.

So I'm sitting in bed with a bag of frozen peas on one boob and a baby asleep but sucking on the other.

You just forget how difficult the getting started phase can be.

This to shall pass!!!

dublinlady

How Strange wrote: »

Well we've been breastfeeding for 7 days, give or take a few hours, and it's been tough going. She can't/won't latch on properly so it's always toe curlingly sore at first.

I've been in touch with a lactation consultant via friends of breastfeeding (yay for them, what a fab organization!!) and she's been a great support but she's away for a few days so I'm winging it at the moment.

I've kind of made an amateur diagnoses of tongue tie as everything seems to point to that. It's a real pain that it's a long weekend because everyone is away so I have to continue as is until Tuesday.

So I'm sitting in bed with a bag of frozen peas on one boob and a baby asleep but sucking on the other.

You just forget how difficult the getting started phase can be.

This to shall pass!!!

Oh HS that sounds rough hope your ok over the weekend til you can get her checked fir tongue tue. Must be hard work when u have ur little fella there too. Well done - ur experienced enough to know it will pass and get easier - but now I'd say ur wrecked so try to mind yourself as best u can!

Nead21

Oh How Strange hope you're surviving. Fingers crossed you ll get good advice after weekend and things will improve. I also have a baby asleep on my boob all morning. Everytime i try to release myself he wakes up.

I have one sore boob. I cant see anything that could be causing the soreness but it hurts when he latches :-(

How Strange

Thanks Nead21. We're doing laid back breastfeeding now exclusively as it means she gets the deepest latch so it minimizes the nipple soreness. I had one very full sore breast but I did compressions at the sore points while she fed and I think it's cleared them.

The other positions were just too sore.

Have you considered tt? How old is he?

Those were the ongoing symptoms for me which should have resolved itself by now if everything was ok.

Look up telephone support on friends of breastfeeding and ring a few numbers in your area until you get someone available. They'll be best able to help you initially.

scrgirl

You poor thing, we were the same over Christmas couldn't get a lc till the new year 5 weeks old! I know that toe curling pain too well. Hope you get a referral ASAP to clonmel. Best trip we ever took. Heat compress helped relieve some of the pain.

How Strange

Our gp just diagnosed tongue tie and gave me a referral letter for Crumlin for tues. He said they'd snip it there so fingers crossed. I was anxious that he rouldnt think it was tt or serious tt but thankfully he agreed with me.

He also gave me a prescription for Dr Jack Newmans advanced nipple ointment which should help the poor nips heal while we're getting this resolved.

We're now back in bed feeding lying down as this is the only way I can feed her at the moment.

Incredibly she's put on weight since Friday.

Nead21

Thats good news HS :-)

Dont think its tt. He's 18 days old and it wasnt sore at all up until the last couple of days. We mostly do layed back bf at night but try some pressure when he's feeding now to see if it's a blockage.

All the best for tues...there ll be no stopping your little girl once it's sorted

How Strange

Nead21 keep tt in mind as sometimes it doesn't present itself immediately as a problem. My gp said we were coming to him very early with it at 7 days but that a mothers instinct about things not being right should always be listened to. Just another reason why I'm so glad we're with that practice.

Sorry I know I sound like some tt fanatic at the moment!! I wouldn't wish it on anyone so fingers crossed he doesn't have it.

liliq

How Strange wrote: »

Nead21 keep tt in mind as sometimes it doesn't present itself immediately as a problem. My gp said we were coming to him very early with it at 7 days but that a mothers instinct about things not being right should always be listened to. Just another reason why I'm so glad we're with that practice.

Sorry I know I sound like some tt fanatic at the moment!! I wouldn't wish it on anyone so fingers crossed he doesn't have it.

Oh no sorry to hear you're in pain do you have any multi mam compresses? They kept me going until we got the tt released.
Your gp sounds great on the plus side
I have heard of some ents in crumlin not acknowledging tt, hopefully they're not the one you've been referred to.

How Strange

I just spoke to a phn friend who's very dubious that Crumlin will snip it. They always refer mums to Tipperary. Tbh we're going to go to the baby clinic in the coombe, as arranged with the midwife on Saturday, and if we've no luck there we'll go to Tipperary.

I think I'd go crazy if I queued in Crumlin to then have it dismissed as nothing. I've read a lot about tt on other parenting forums and I've never once seen Crumlin mentioned as an option even with a referral.

How Strange

I'm impressed that they snipped yours in hospital. Was that in the Coombe?

scrgirl

Wow brilliant GP, where is he in Dublin? I never heard they did it in Crumlin, I believe an old doc n the Coombe used to do it but she has retired. Dr O Rourke in Maynooth has stopped doing it just this week due to insurance. They were the only options i got, Maynooth or Clonmel, went to Both but only Dr Roache did it, as O'Rourke not specialist in posterior TT.
This group on facebook a great resource https://www.facebook.com/groups/breastfeedingwithtonguetie/?fref=ts

How Strange

He's in Parkwest. A husband and wife run the clinic and they really are fantastic.

lynski

HS, there is a consultant in the Coombe who does it, afaik up to 4/5 as my neighbour's child was diagnosed last year and referred for an op - did'n't get it in the end as the consultant said it did not need it.
I'll ask her tomorrow who it was.
If it is any consolation my son has a very shallow latch, since birth, laid back is the only way we have ever fed comfortably, it is bad sometimes and easier others, but we are into month 27 now and still nursing away and he is a strapping boy.

liliq

Clonmel was my only option when I got R's released. I'd have no hesitation is recommending Dr. Roche there, he's excellent.
The waiting list is shorter now for clonmel I think, which is great.
There's a dentist in Cork now who has started releasing tt with laser.

How Strange

Oh sorry liliq, I misread your post. lynski fair play to you for sticking with it. Honestly if our breastfeeding experience was limited to laid back feeding only I'm not sure I could stick with it. It's a great feeding position for at home but not very practical for out and about.

dublinlady

Anyone here know anything about pump expressing to induce labour? I've read it's very successful. I'm 4 days overdue so not at risk of preterm etc. ip from what I understand my body will keep making colostrum for up to 3 days after be birth regardless of what I remove now. The body knows its still pregnant so does not bring in the milk supply too early and just keeps making colostrum. I'm actually thinking I'd freeze anything I get which can be added to expressed bottles down the rd or given to the baby when home from hosp. Just want to make sure I'm right before I try. Not sure how often to do it either. It's all based on the fact that it would produce oxytocin which would stimulate labour.

How Strange

DL honestly I'd be reluctant to start pumping for colostrum. You could hand express a little or just do some nipple tweaking which will also stimulate oxytocin.

As far as I know, your milk could be delayed by a couple of days with c section but you'll have the colostrum until it comes in.

liliq

dublinlady wrote: »

Anyone here know anything about pump expressing to induce labour? I've read it's very successful. I'm 4 days overdue so not at risk of preterm etc. ip from what I understand my body will keep making colostrum for up to 3 days after be birth regardless of what I remove now. The body knows its still pregnant so does not bring in the milk supply too early and just keeps making colostrum. I'm actually thinking I'd freeze anything I get which can be added to expressed bottles down the rd or given to the baby when home from hosp. Just want to make sure I'm right before I try. Not sure how often to do it either. It's all based on the fact that it would produce oxytocin which would stimulate labour.

As far as I know it's more that nipple stimulation can induce labour, rather than actually pumping. (just realised that pretty much what How Strange said!)
You're right about your body continuing to produce colostrum, your milk supply is only stimulated once your placenta leaves your body.

Oral Slang

Has anyone had a lip tie revision done? My little one has a big gap between her 2 front teeth and a thick lip tie. I got a referral to Tallaght Hospital a few months back but the ENT there said that dentists don't think it should be snipped anymore as it may cause a problem with the integrity of the teeth. Her latch can be so painful at times (I've been feeding her almost 19 months now, so you'd think I'd be used to it) - 16 teeth and counting.

scrgirl

As far as I know the only person doing it is Dr Shane Curtin in Cork, he does laser lip and tongue tie, there is a brilliant group on Facebook that has lots of mothers and experts on both lip and tt. I got lots of help there when we had tt. Think my LO has lip tie too, just noticing it now as he begins to teeth.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/breastfeedingwithtonguetie/

liliq

Pretty much exactly what scgirl says Shane Curtain started up a couple of weeks ago in Cork. As far as I know he only lasers up until 11/12 months though.
My son has a lip tie too, and it causes is problems on and off. If he was youngerid consider getting it lasered. I think it's already contributing to him having a bad tooth

Oral Slang

yeah, not much I can do about the lip tie now, I asked if she'd need braces or anything when she's older & the consultant said quite possibly.

Just want to be aware of where to go, if my next ends up with the same issue. Definitely think the lip tie contributes to a sore latch.

scrgirl

Oral Slang wrote: »

yeah, not much I can do about the lip tie now, I asked if she'd need braces or anything when she's older & the consultant said quite possibly.

Just want to be aware of where to go, if my next ends up with the same issue. Definitely think the lip tie contributes to a sore latch.

Did your latch always pain? I had awful pain when LO was tongue tied but none since revision UNTILL this week, he is 5 mths now and latch gone to pot. I wonder is it lip tie related?

Oral Slang

scrgirl wrote: »

Did your latch always pain? I had awful pain when LO was tongue tied but none since revision UNTILL this week, he is 5 mths now and latch gone to pot. I wonder is it lip tie related?

Not constantly, but yes it's hit & miss as to whether it'll hurt or not, need to keep readjusting her, even at almost 19 months. Used to it now, but for my next one, I'll be checking lip & tongue tie out straight away.

How Strange

I just thought if post an update on our breastfeeding. Well, what a difference a week can make. We had a very tough long weekend. In fact Monday will always be referred to meltdown Monday. Things were just rock bottom. I got mastitis, my daughter was screaming but rejecting the breast. My toddler was having mega tantrums and I just cried and cried.

I spoke to a breastfeeding support person via friends of breastfeeding and with her incredible generosity of time she calmed me down enough to face another night of feeding. I went back to the coombe on Tuesday and was prescribed antibiotics for the mastitis and I met the lactation consultant and she gave me some really good advice about positioning and latching.

I'd also suspected tongue tie but I got a professional diagnosis which was that she has a very very mild tie which shouldn't require sniping as she has good tongue mobility so as long as we're careful with the latch and positioning it should be ok.

My little girl is quite lazy when it comes to latching so I have to be very firm with her. Since Tuesday things have been going really well. She's obviously feeding much better as she has the drunken milk face after feeding now and she falls onto my shoulder totally conked out.

I'd just say to any mum struggling with the early days of breastfeeding to reach out and ask for help. Friends of Breastfeeding have contact info for lots of LC's and support people so pick up the phone and speak to someone. Sometimes even a brief telephone conversation is enough to boost your confidence and keep you going. I know on Monday my confidence was gone and I was seriously considering jacking it in. I'm so so glad I didn't.

Sorry for the long post :P

Nead21

Thanks for the update HS it's great to hear honest stories of how it's going. After a miserable week i dont feel so alone.

My little man is going through a growth spurt for about a week. My happy little baby has turned into a boob demon! He has been feeding nonstop and if hes awake and not on the boob hes screaming. My husband went back to work for 3days this week and i was so close on so many occasions to ringing him and asking him to come home cause i felt like i was loosing my mind. Tears tears and more tears.

Was with the phn on tues and she said i was doing great with the bf cause baby is thriving. I think she was worried about me as i probably looked like i was about to burst into tears and hassled overall.

I really want to continue bf but am getting comments about maybe switching to formula to make things easier. Tbh i dont see how making up and lugging around bottles is any easier??

I did buy a pump today so hopefully will be able to express some milk for husband to feed him the odd bottle.

Sorry the long post. Its just been a terrible week and i feel so guilty for not loving it all the time if that makes any sense? I also caved today and gave him a soother as i (and my poor nipples) couldnt take the constant comfort sucking. (I also found this upsetting like i had somehow failed).

...god i sound like a basket case!

How Strange

Ah Nead21 you have to come on here more and vent. A problem shared and all that. I'm def going to start pumping after the 3 wk growth spurt so we have some on standby. The growth spurts are so tough and I'm already psychologically steeling myself for them.

You're doing an absolutely fantastic job and every day you stick with it, especially when it's been a tough one, is another massive achievement for you. I promise you that it gets so easy in the coming weeks, especially after 6 weeks, that you'll be so delighted you persevered.

Nead21

Thank you :-) If i can just get through this i will be stocking up for the next growth spurt!! I miss my little baba who used to fall off the boob with a big milky contented look and go asleep. I feel like he ll never do that again, he never seems satisfied.

Giving up doesnt seem like an option. I felt so proud feeding my baby and especially seeing him gain weight and grow in length with the nutrients im providing. Its the best feeling :-)