breastfeeding trouble

Hey! Great thread about breastfeeding above and awesome tips, but just wanted some more advice...

I'm worried that on one side I don't seem to have much milk - even in hosp with the help of a midwife we could only express a tiny amount of colostrum at the start compared to the other side and I also had trouble getting Lily to latch at the start and had to use a nipple shield for a few days once we got home.

Now when I express (to give DH a chance to feed Lily and give me and my nipples a break!) I can get only 20-40mls off my problem side but twice as much on my other side at a time. I'm using a Avent manual pump, would an electric one be better?

And how much is normal to express? I was reading about a lady who could express 800ml at a time! I can get no where near that!

I would think that 800 ml is extra ordinary (was that the awesome story in treasures?)

The thing with expressing is what you are able to express is NO INDICATION of what baby is actually getting per feed. Your body makes most of the milk baby needs when he or she is feeding. The more you do it, the more you will get, it is just that pumps don't have the same way of "magicing" that milk out like baby does.

Try to express off when you are extra full, like after the first moring feed, then after every feed, the amount you get will gradually build up, but there will be more there after baby has had a longer sleep.

I feed my daughter off one side only and have done for ages, and it is quite normal and do able. Your baby will seem to prefer one side, so always try to offer the other side first to stimulate supply to that side.

Nipple sheilds are fantastic.

For bottle EBM use a very slow flow teat to mimic your flow from your breast so baby dosen't get "lazy" when feeding form you, or see if you can get a Chu Chu teat form plunket or chemist, as babys have to work these teats inthe same way that they have to work at the breast.

I expressed and bottle fed my son for a very long time and do run a support group for feeding, so feel free to pm me any questions, I tend to stay out of the BF threads as they can get a bit heated! Will check back in here on you later.

All the best and remember you are doing a fantastic job. It takes baby about 6 weeks to "learn" how to feed well and leave you less wounded.
XX

fattarts, I just wanted to say what great advice you have offered here! If only I knew you were a wealth of info regarding b/f about a year ago

I did manage to b/f for 7 months in the end, but those first 2-3 months were a real struggle.

Sorry for thread jacking

I agree with Peachy, you rock

I'm so immensely proud that lil miss will be 4 mths in couple of weeks and is still 100% exclusively breastfed, I never managed that with any of the others

*slap* I promise to stay on topic from now on!

DJ wrote: . haha just deleted the rest of my comment in case I was getting to heated and pro-bf!

I did that too

Sorry, now as you were poster #1!

Funny you should say that - Jackson is almost 6 weeks old and after all the recent troubles I have had I was starting to feel really sad that I might have to go to expressing or even formula.

However, getting a Lactation Consultant in today was really, really helpful and has given me confidence that I can go on, and enthusiasm in actually tackling the issues.

Fattarts.... if you ever see me posting stuff about my breastfeeding issues PLEASE feel free to give me your 2 cents worth. I honestly value every single idea people have and have tried several things that people have suggested. I am desperate to be successful at this BF bizzo.

Now... back to the topic at hand!!
Emma, from what I have heard, having one side produce more is really common. My left definately lags so I generally offer that breast to Jackson first, and also do some extra pumping on that side. I have noticed a definate improvement. Obviously I am no expert, but iIf Lily gets agitated on your "less" side - then just keep with the expressing.

I have an Avent electric pump and find it really good to use, but I don't necessarily think you need one unless you need to express frequently. Having said that, if the thought doesn't make you squeamish, you can get them second hand on TradeMe for pretty cheap.

It sounds like its quite normal to have problems around 4 - 6 weeks. I remember going to bed one night thinking that was it and i was going out for formula the next day. I didn't though and am very glad for it - works for me but not for everyone!
Anyway.... sorry Emma! Congrats on the arrival of Lily too, beautiful name, hehe
I have a 'bung' boob which doesnt seem to produce as much milk as the other. I try and express off that one first just to get production up and have become more vigilant at having Lily feed off it too. I went through a stage where I only fed her off the easier breast and I'm picking that didnt help very much! Th eonly time I can express more than 125ml in one sitting (from both) is first thing in the morning, 800ml would be great!!!! But not sure I could stand the pain of having breasts that full - ouch!!

Emma, I was so proud one day when I got 85mls (off both sides) and then the thing fell off the table and about 30mls split. I was so not impressed.

Ruby isnt really in to talking the bottle so I just express about 40-50mls and that tops her up quite well if she will take it all. It stops coming out after a few minutes.

Also I have one bung side and she can only do it with the rugby hold. She just cant latch on the other way. Only thing is i cant hold her without pillows so cant really use that side when we are out.

Not sure that really answered anything you were asking about!

I expressed for the first 2 1/2 weeks of Charli-Roses life and still have to do a bit now.

I get about 40/50mls if I do 20mins after a feed, but when I was expressing each feed it was good if I got to 80mls. Im lucky if I get 20mls out of one particular side though! My right side, which Ive heard is the one babies tend to like less anyway (cuz the left breast is by your heart). Not that it matters but hey theres a bit of useless info for ya!!!

Anyway back to topic: Dont worry about not expressing much from that one side. As I said, I only get 20mls in 20mins expressing off the right side, but I know that Charli gets milk out from it. If Lily is happy on that breast and you can hear or see her swallowing, then shes getting the milk out!

Keep making sure you alternate which breast you start the feed with- that will help the supply on the 'bung breast'.

Man jealous of the lady who could get 800mls out! Charli would love it!

Hey Sheza, as long as you are adament to try everything before another cs you should be able to I was. Sure it was forceps but still did the job, was home within 24 hrs, was feeding within 20mins of birth. Have had the usual problems but we are still going strong on the BF and sure there is still some pain but nothing I can't handle. So good luck.