The Breast Feeding Support Thread

How Strange

My daughter fed every 2-3 hours until 11 months when I eventually night weaned her. I was back working full time and I was beyond exhausted. I read Elizabeth Pantleys No Cry Sleep Solution and I found it brilliant. She's a parent of a few children, breastfed them al and wrote the book after one of her children was a terrible sleeper.

We still use the technique today as my daughter still wouldn't be the best at sleeping. Her method is very gentle and about reassuring the baby while training them to sleep better. You can continue breastfeeding using her method.
She's honest when she says you'll have to go through another 3-4 weeks of bad sleep before you get results as you have to do all the hard work but it works if you persevere.

fro9etb8j5qsl2

Did anyone else get their period back only for it to mysteriously disappear again while breastfeeding? My period came back when my baby was 8 weeks old. The next cycle came 6 weeks later and then I had 2 14 day cycles in a row. Nothing since then I'm still exclusively bfing so I'm wondering if my cycle is just crazy because of that but it has been 8 weeks now so I'm starting to freak out a bit. For the last 2 weeks I've had that achy feeling like it was going to start but it hasn't. I always had a 31 day like clockwork cycle before the kids.

Happydippy

Did anyone else know that it's World Breastfeeding Week this week? I just heard about it today. Didn't see any events advertised.

FurBabyMomma

Happydippy wrote: »

Did anyone else know that it's World Breastfeeding Week this week? I just heard about it today. Didn't see any events advertised.

Only heard about on a Fb group. Lovely photos of bf mammies being posted on there, but mainly not on people's timelines cos shure twould cause a right old scandal!

Fagashlil

Knew about it from the EBI page, there's a load of discussions etc on phone shows/FB pages, mainly ones being used to start a row, people trotting out the usual breastfeeders are making them feel guilty blah blah etc.

can we not just have one week where people actually commend and appreciate breastfeeders instead of it being used to fuel this breast-v-bottle debate that people insist on having

lazygal

It's depressing sometimes hearing the misinformed anecdotes passing as facts on programmes like Ireland am. I in no way consider myself a militant breastfeeder, more of an accidental one, but the some of the comments make me roll my eyes. Hard.

bobskii

I'm like you lazygal 'accidental breastfeeder'.bottle fed my first said is give breastfeeding a go this time . said I'd do it for 6 weeks then it got easier and here I am nearly 8 months In . I don't care who feeds their baby what and that while debate just get a on my nerves!

lazygal

I'm still feeding my nearly two year old, never thought I'd be doing that!

bobskii

fair play to ya I say!!

Happydippy

I'm bit of an accidental breastfeeder also. Wanted to try bf, but never thought I'd still be bf at 19 months. It just seems normal now.
I also hate all the mis information on many discussions in the media.

RentDayBlues

Just saw the article on the independent about TV3's midday programme and the live breastfeeding, some of the comments the woman received were horrendous, and as always it's from other women!

It's so sad that in Ireland if you choose to breastfeed you have to do it indoors to avoid upsetting other mothers who choose to bottle feed or men/old ladies who it inappropriate. Thankfully in the 3+ years I breastfed I only received 1 nasty comment

Dobbit

Anyone else breastfeeding after a c section? How long did it take for your milk to come in? People on other message boards seem to keep saying unhelpfully "you'll just know" which is pointless.. It's day 8 now and I'm engorged only for a few hours a day, mostly at night, my milk is whitish and i am leaking but only again at night for the most part. During the day my boobs feel very light in comparison, I try to hand express and little to nothing comes out but after a few hours sleep I've loads. My little one never seems to be sated. He will feed for a good 30-50 mins each side, often falling asleep at the breast and then screaming for more once he has been changed and winded.

I fed him exclusively on the breast in hospital for 48 hours but it just wasn't enough with the colostrum so we used tops up, continuing when we got home but once my milk changed I tried to cut them out (particularly since he seems to get hiccups with it). My worry is that I'm just still not enough for him yet and I'm losing my mind with him screaming and unable to settle until he finally just falls asleep on the breast.

My options seem to be:
1. I'm not enough for him, use tops ups until it comes in properly even though it gives hiccups and even though I still don't understand what proper milk supply is.
2. This is day 8, and this is generally normal, he will settle into a routine eventually, put up with it for now.
3. Hire a lactation consultant for help

Marz66

Hire a lactation consultant! You will be fine once you do, loads of us needed extra support in the early days and are flying it now!

Dobbit

I just don't know if it's necessary, I don't understand what's 'normal' vs what isn't. Is it normal for some newborns to eat constantly? Is it normal to only be engorged some of the time? Is it normal for the breast to be the only thing that can settle them in the early days?

I could hire one and then she could tell me "yeah this is all fine", then it's a waste of money. Hiring a consultant would only be my last ditch effort.

Blingy

Dobbit wrote: »

I just don't know if it's necessary, I don't understand what's 'normal' vs what isn't. Is it normal for some newborns to eat constantly? Is it normal to only be engorged some of the time? Is it normal for the breast to be the only thing that can settle them in the early days?

I could hire one and then she could tell me "yeah this is all fine", then it's a waste of money. Hiring a consultant would only be my last ditch effort.

You can contact a breast feeding counsellor from cuidiu or la leche league. There is no charge and they will be able to help you. There are also Facebook pages that are full of very helpful people that would only love to help you. My little one fed all the time. For hours at the start and never seemed full. It is normal for newborns to want to feed feed feed it establishes your supply. The way to know baby is getting enough is through the wet and dirty nappies. Another good site is kellymum. I would recommend if weight gain and nappies are ok not to supplement with formula. You really need to establish supply in the early days. You are doing a great job. Keep doing lots of skin to skin too.

Blingy

Facebook : extended breastfeeding In ireland
It's a closed group so you need to ask to join but I find it good.

http://www.cuidiu-ict.ie/supports_breastfeeding_counsellors
You can contact any of them if there isn't answer try the next one on the list. All volunteers ready to help.

https://www.lalecheleagueireland.com/groups/

I know how hard it is in the early days I'm nearly at ten weeks now and it does get easier!! Best of luck.

Marz66

Dobbit wrote: »

I just don't know if it's necessary, I don't understand what's 'normal' vs what isn't. Is it normal for some newborns to eat constantly? Is it normal to only be engorged some of the time? Is it normal for the breast to be the only thing that can settle them in the early days?

I could hire one and then she could tell me "yeah this is all fine", then it's a waste of money. Hiring a consultant would only be my last ditch effort.

Yes to those 3 questions!!!

Re not sure if you have enough milk, Blingy is right about checking this via number of wet and dirty nappies and by amount of weight gain.

But if you're still unsure I would go with lactation consultant. They could look at the latch and tell if baby is removing milk well. For peace of mind. In case say for example baby's latch was wrong and wasn't getting a lot of milk because of it.

spottybananas

I had a section with my 4 month old. Lots of babies feed constantly when so young, my friends 7 week old spent all day yesterday feeding. The more he suckles the more milk you will produce for him. I felt engorged once at 5 days old, then never again really and I rarely leak, only if I miss a feed. You are providing enough for him, hand expressing doesn't give a good indication of what the baby is getting out with his great latch vs your hand with no latch.

Definitely go on that fb page it's brilliant, call a local cuidiu person, set up camp on the couch with tv and food and water and just feed and enjoy the newborn cuddles

Oh and breast milk changes depending on the weather so it's more watery in warm weather to keep baby hydrated. Foremilk is watery to quench thirst normally, with thicker hind milk to fill baby.

spottybananas

And top ups will mess with your supply, I would avoid that if possible. Who said colostrum wasn't enough in hospital, what were they basing it on?

bobskii

definitely go on the fb page there's a mine of Information on it.

kandr10

I wouldn't worry about thinking a lactation consultant would be a waste of time. If you're not comfortable it's good to get the help as early as possible. I didn't get one myself and regretted it and any friends I know who got one all said they wished they'd done it sooner. Whether you pay for it or not, it's invaluable having someone sit beside you, look at your baby and circumstances and tell you what's working and what's not. If they do end up telling you you're doing grand then it's a massive pat on the back! Good luck and congrats 😀

Happydippy

Sounds like you're milk is in. breasts will usually only feel very engorged when there's a longer gap between feeds. Milk is produced on supply and demand basis. The more your baby feeds at breast the more your supply will match his needs. Top ups might interfer with this. Keep an eye on number of wet and dirty nappies and weight gain. Its normal for newborns to feed very frequently, day and night!

As other posters have said, contact lc if you're still worried. Try to find some bfing mums in your area. Breastfeeding support groups are fantastic for advice.
Lie down with baby and feed, relax and enjoy the cuddles. Your doing great.

John Mason

Everything you have written sounds perfectly normal.

My monster was cluster feeding for 4-5 hours straight at one stage. Got myself some water, snacks and a box set and settled down on the sofa.

You need to think of your boobs as a flowing river and not a well that can dry up. even after he "drains" your boobs there will still be milk for him.

I think all first time mums go through this, the best thing I found was getting to a bf group, I went to a PHN run one which I found brilliant and now 15 month down the line, I know if I have any queries, I can just drop in.

Also you get to speak to other mums who are going or have been through the exact same thing.

If you think a LC will make you feel more confident go for it. Even if she says all is good, it will not be a waste of money. Peace of mind is priceless.

Keep going momma, you are doing brilliant.

tinkerbell

Dobbit wrote: »

I just don't know if it's necessary, I don't understand what's 'normal' vs what isn't. Is it normal for some newborns to eat constantly? Is it normal to only be engorged some of the time? Is it normal for the breast to be the only thing that can settle them in the early days?

I could hire one and then she could tell me "yeah this is all fine", then it's a waste of money. Hiring a consultant would only be my last ditch effort.

Getting a lactation consultant to visit you and your baby should honestly be your first port of call, not a last ditch effort as it is sooo important to get the right help early on, not later. An LC is an expert in the field and if you want to make sure you're getting off on the right foot, you need professional help. It's money well spent that you can claim back on health insurance and via your Med1, and you'll earn the balance back from not spending money on formula.

Newborns feed all the time. Do not listen to anybody who tells you to "feed baby 15 mins on each side". They are full of crap and do not know what they are talking about. Allow your baby to feed on one side first, then once they stop themselves (which in the early days could be after 40-50 mins), offer the other side. They might do another long session from that breast or may not. If it was a short session, then start the next feed on that side. Get yourself the Baby Feed app by Fehners, it's so handy for tracking feeds.

Offer a feed at least every 2.5-3 hours and that means from the start of one feed to the start of the next, eg if a feed happens to be at 10am but takes 90 mins, next feed is at the latest 1pm (even though baby only finished the feed at 11.30am). But in the early days the baby will want to feed every 2 hours or every hour or just non stop ALL THE TIME Just keep offering the boob. Yes, babies only will settle at the boob - it is their place of comfort, and feels secure for them. You're engorged as there's been too big a gap between feeds. You just need to go with the flow and feed on demand - that's how breastfeeding works. The baby will ramp up your supply appropriate to his or her needs.

You're doing something lovely for your baby - it gets easier but the first 6 weeks are the hardest. Please get an LC to see you, their help is invaluable.

Don't stick to a schedule for feeds - that baby can only have feeds at X time with Y hours between (I said 2.5 - 3 hours above as that is the absolute max time going between feeds) but in reality it works out as baby unsettled, wants boob, feeds for a bit, nappy change, wants boob, feed for a bit, might get sleepy, sleep on the boob, nappy change, more boob, etc etc etc.

Oh and buy some sports bottles of water - trying to feed a newborn and unscrew a cap off a water bottle was impossible for me so I got a sports bottle of water and that made life so much easier.

Dobbit

spottybananas wrote: »

And top ups will mess with your supply, I would avoid that if possible. Who said colostrum wasn't enough in hospital, what were they basing it on?

I made that decision myself, well aware of the consequences and I'm perfectly happy I made the right decision for us both at that time. While I would have preferred to stay exclusive, it just wasn't working out. Not that I need to provide excuses.

Dobbit

"tinkerbell wrote:

Please get an LC to see you, their help is invaluable .

Thanks for your opinion but I would rather not at the moment. It's not that I feel I need specific help, he feeds just fine, this is more about setting expectations for me about what the first few weeks are actually like. If I know that this is normal I can relax and battle through the chaos.

From all your kind replies it seems as though it is and I feel much better for knowing that I'm not epically failing here. I am going to a la leche meeting today just to get a bit more perspective and then if I feel in say a week an LC will be a good idea, then I will get one.

Thanks all for your support, I'll get there.

spottybananas

Dobbit wrote: »

I made that decision myself, well aware of the consequences and I'm perfectly happy I made the right decision for us both at that time. While I would have preferred to stay exclusive, it just wasn't working out. Not that I need to provide excuses.

I didn't ask you for "excuses". That's fine if you made the decision yourself, it's just an all too common problem that hospital staff basically force women to give their bf babies formula top ups when they're not needed and ruin bf before it's even really started, I thought it sounded like "they" had told you to do it.

Hope it all works out.

Dobbit

Well I went to la leche and it was so helpful. The more people talked the more I realised we are doing just fine. Feel so much better now. Also going to give the group in holles street a try next week. Thanks again ladies for all your comments.

Blingy

Dobbit wrote: »

Well I went to la leche and it was so helpful. The more people talked the more I realised we are doing just fine. Feel so much better now. Also going to give the group in holles street a try next week. Thanks again ladies for all your comments.

That's great to hear Dobbit. Sometimes it's just reassurance we need, to tell us that what we're going through is 'normal'.

Cunning Stunt

Just wanted to update you that I asked at my latest midwife consultation about lactation consultants / breastfeeding support groups and it's not something she has ever heard of? In Denmark it's the norm to breastfeed (bottle feeding would be in the minority) so perhaps they don't see a need for it??
She did say that the midwives and nurses would be on hand during my few days in the hospital, to help with the breastfeeding - but I didn't find them great last time. Let's hope it just 'works' for me this time!!

Marz66

Cunning Stunt wrote: »

Just wanted to update you that I asked at my latest midwife consultation about lactation consultants / breastfeeding support groups and it's not something she has ever heard of? In Denmark it's the norm to breastfeed (bottle feeding would be in the minority) so perhaps they don't see a need for it??
She did say that the midwives and nurses would be on hand during my few days in the hospital, to help with the breastfeeding - but I didn't find them great last time. Let's hope it just 'works' for me this time!!

Try googling La Leche League Denmark. They're a global organisation so maybe they're there. If not, you could still ring them for advice - now for preparation and when babs is here anytime you have a question!

Nead21

Oh god I think I've got mastitis. Really sore swollen boob with a lump and feeling sore all over and shivering. I'm applying heat to the affect boob at the minute. Really hate going to the doctor but I've heard it needs an antibiotic. Is this correct?

Baby has just finished feeding from that side now. Doesn't feel full but do I need to pump as well?

cyning

Definitely doc for mastitis and feed feed feed from the affected side: best thing for it. Hope you feel better soon x if you feel boob is empty no need to pump

Boardusername

Nead21 wrote: »

Oh god I think I've got mastitis. Really sore swollen boob with a lump and feeling sore all over and shivering. I'm applying heat to the affect boob at the minute. Really hate going to the doctor but I've heard it needs an antibiotic. Is this correct?

Baby has just finished feeding from that side now. Doesn't feel full but do I need to pump as well?

Hi,
Try to get to doctor ASAP. It is important to get it on the early stage. Apply heat , massage breast from base towards nipple and feed/pump after.
I sent you some useful info about mastitis by PM.
Good luck.Hope you feel better soon.

tinkerbell

Yes see a doc and you need to just take to the bed with your baby and feed, feed, feed. Baby is best for helping clear it up. You need to rest too so stay in bed as much as possible.

nettie1

Reflux/over feeding??
Hi ladies, I'm all confused and could do with a bit if advice/reassurance. My 4 week old was diagnosed with reflux last week and put on Zantac. I was told that I was very lucky to have a gp so on the ball as it often goes undiagnosed. She did well for a couple of days and then went back to her former glory - puking, not sleeping, crying. So I rang the doctor and am being sent to a paediatric clinic today. My concern is that it may not be reflux but over supply. I'd hate to go down the medical route and ply my daughter with drugs if I don't need to. I've been reading others' experiences and they seem a lot more severe than mine, although there were days where I got no sleep and I've a constant pain in my jaw from grinding my teeth in my sleep over the stress of it so maybe it is that bad. When she gets 5 quiet minutes I wonder am I exaggerating the problem.
A lady from La Leche League told me it could well be over supply. I never even heard of that til this week. What a dose. I thought once mammy could provide milk and baby could receive milk it should be plain sailing. Now I'm told that breast feeding, which I was delighted to be able to do, could be the very thing making my baby miserable!! I'm a first time mum and I find it very disheartening. I feed on demand. Baby usually feeds really quickly, usually only on one side, which helps. Her weight gain is average but she has dirty and wet nappies constantly. She dirties her nappy while we're changing her or within a few minutes of changing her. Is that normal? The nappy is a mustardy colour. She's had nappy rash for weeks. We've tried Vaseline, sudocrem, bepanthen and caldesene, pampers sensitive wipes, water wipes and cotton wool with water, to no avail. It's very red and raw.
My husband hates to see us both struggling and wonders if we should resort to bottles. I'd be disappointed but I have to ask myself who am I breastfeeding for and what's best for baby. Spending the first 3/4 months crying cannot be best surely. But maybe it really is reflux! Oh my head! Any advice/ comments please?

Blingy

Nettie1 I wanted to reply after reading your post however I don't really have that much advice. Sounds like you are going through a really tough time. Have you considered if your baby is intolerant to something ....the nappy rash that won't go, especially with such a young baby, would lead me to thinking that. My SIL's baby has silent reflux and she went off dairy thinking mAybe he is lactose intolerant however the doc said if he was intolerant to something it would show on his body and mostly in the form of a nappy rash that won't go.
I hope you get some answers and good luck!!

mirrorwall14

Nettie I didn't breastfeed but do have a silent reflux baby. It took a while for us to get dosages right and I know from other mums that's pretty common. There's a Facebook group for surviving reflux Ireland and you'd likely find someone there breastfeeding who may be able to advise

Nead21

So went to doctor yesterday and definitely have mastitis. Started an antibiotic and my mam has taken my toddler so I can rest. Im already starting to feel a bit better. Taking this as my body telling me I can't do everything right now and I need to slow down.

Thanks for advice and information

Nead21

Netting there are other mums on here that I'm sure have dealt with oversupply. I think that it's the fast let down that can cause problems. Maybe try hand expressing into a muslin cloth before you feed that way the baby won't get the full force of the let down.

Regarding the reflux. If the baby does have it then bottles aren't going to cure it. I agree with what was said about the nappy rash. Could be a sign of an intolerance. Try switching to soya milk for a while and cut out cheese. To help with the rash try weleda nappy cream. You get it in the chemist and I always find it the best.

I completely understand you're frustration. It's very hard to deal with a screaming unhappy baby. My own 6 week old finds it hard to get wind up and I feel like he's been crying nonstop. It's very upsetting.

Another poster recommended www.kellymom. com and it has good information which might help. Oh and dirtying the nappy straight after a change is completely normal. Happens all the time here :-)

Marz66

Dont have time to reply fully but theres a BF solution for every BF problem. Would you contact a lactation consultant for help?


A short term solution for oversupply is to hand express some milk (into cloth or sink) before you feed baby. Look up foremilk hindmilk imbalance to explain why the hand expressing might work. Too much foremilk can lead to baby taking in loads of liquid and some puking. And it can cause nappy rash. Sometimes it can be happen if the latch is not 100% right. Your supply might settle after the 6 week mark though.


I had oversupply and got through it with help of a LC. I'll reply again later if I can.


You're doing great.

dekey

I had oversupply too and fast let down and know how you're feeling. I would look at my baby struggling and think how I was causing this and that breastfeeding was supposed to be the best for her but it was causing her all this pain. She was taking in so much air when feeding that it was causing trapped wind, her poor little belly was hard as a rock and she would scream when laid flat. When I looked for advice I was told that she wouldn't take in air if her latch was good but I knew that wasn't it, I couldn't get gaviscon into her, she'd just spit it out. What I found to work was trying to keep her as upright as possible when feeding, hand expressing a bit before feeding to avoid the rush of let down, really good winding after a feed and laying her on her side with a rolled up cellular blanket at her back to prevent her rolling onto her back and sticking an Argos catalogue under the legs of the cot at one end to raise the head so she wasn't entirely flat. I know it doesn't help you now, but it really does get better week by week as they get bigger and better able to handle their suck and swallow. Mind yourself, oversupply will make you more prone to mastitis and blocked ducts.

fro9etb8j5qsl2

Nettie I was having similar problems to you when my little girl was a newborn, my gp advised me to try cutting out dairy and it has worked wonders. All of her constant spewing and gassiness disappeared.

nettie1

Thanks for all the support and advice. It's great, just what I needed. We'll try out yer suggestions. The doc was more concerned about her nappy rash than her reflux! She's to be kept nappy free for 30 mins 4 times per day. Do any of ye have any suggestions how to do this without destroying myself or the furniture. It's all fine until she needs to be fed or winded, and when she poops and wees in the middle of it I definitely think I'm short a few limbs, three or four more needed for sure!!

Nead21

Maybe pop her on a couple of towels for a bit after changing her nappy? Definitely try the weleda cream though. It worked wonders for my son when he had a few really nasty nappy rashes when he was teething.

Marz66

Back again. Would you ask a LC to check the latch to make sure it is as good as possible? If you don't want to do that, the leader at a LLL or Cuidiu meeting might evaluate feeding for you to see if they have any suggestions.

Could be latch problem, tongue tie, over active let down.

Hand expressing the first bit of milk worked for me until baby's latch improved enough to reduce the over supply.

And also breast compressions help to make sure baby empties the boob which means they get the fat needed to digest the lactose in the fore milk and prevents discomfort. Google jack newman breast compressions for how to do them.

Marz66

For nappy rash, I was lucky that Caldescene powder worked for me.

Lots of towels maybe if going nappy free? They can always be washed!!!

LegacyUser

I've been using metanium for nappy rash, it's brilliant, it's only available in the UK, but if you're in doubling I can give you some? Have boxes of it.

We'd a terrible time with reflux. Gaviscon was useless and trying to get 15ml into an already full baby was a nightmare. We used gripe water at the worst weeks and it made a difference. Switching to bottles will probably just make it worse, as more air is sucked in, and formula is so much harder to digest. It doesn't last forever, C grew out of it by 14 weeks.

Cunning Stunt

HI all

what do you do at night between feeds, to stop yourself leaking and to stay comfortable? Do you wear a bra/breast pads and if so, what's the best type of bra to use - a good big sports bra that doesn't have any lace/wires etc. or a typical nursing bra? Or do some of you just sleep topless (is that possible?)

I remember from my previous attempts at breastfeeding that I never really found a good solution and was a bit uncomfortable. Am just trying to prepare as best as I can this time, to try to make breastfeeding a success.

Thanks

Nead21

I wear a sleep bra which is really soft and doesn't feel like you're wearing a bra. I think I got them in mamas and papas.