He breastfeeds!
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Category: Have A Baby?
Forum Name: First baby? Second or more?
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Topic: He breastfeeds!
Posted By: mamanee
Subject: He breastfeeds!
Date Posted: 14 December 2009 at 7:18pm
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Now I need a crash course in breastfeeding!
I never ever imagined that things would be so different this time around. I had incredibly huge struggles trying to breastfeed Sam, flat nipples, he wouldn't/couldn't/never latched, he was hungry all the time, I have over-sensitive nipples and I just plain didn't enjoy it.. So in preparation, I bought bottles and formula thinking things would deteriorate fast again. But, Jamie latches! He latched straight away and every time it's the same, he latches quickly, doesn't fuss much and I have put him on the breast every feed since birth. I do have a few quick questions though as the advice is all so confusing and conflicting. Does he need both sides? How do I know he has had enough? At the moment I give him one side for about 20 minutes, then it starts to get really sore and he only really sucks every 5-10 seconds and then it's sort of half-pie sucking at that stage. Then it's change, and offer the other side, or sometimes not at all if he is zonked out. He is feeding 2-4 hourly during the day and night and mostly sleeps 2-3 hours between feeds, with a few periods of wake times each day, and then once during the day and once during the night he will sleep for four hours. I know this could all turn to crap and he is only very little, but I am so over the moon that I can do it this time, as I thought it was my issues alone and my anatomy that meant I couldn't last time. (helps having a saint for a partner this time rather than the devil incarnate). Also, does engorgement settle down after a while? I seem to be rock hard and really achy and full after a few hours which is all part and parcel I guess and I can express a bit off to relieve it, but I am kinda hoping I don't feel like this for the next 6-12 months all going well? |
Replies:
Posted By: HippyMama
Date Posted: 14 December 2009 at 7:28pm
Congrats Renee - what a great start you have had and what a clever wee man he is too 
It is amazing how different it can be, and often is, the second time around. It has been exactly the same for us - with my older girl it was all over by 6 weeks. This time around it has been completely fuss free 
As for your questions... He may not 'need' both sides, but if DD2 was still awake enough to take the second side I would always offered it for around the first six weeks or so until my supply was well established. At the moment she takes one side when she wakes, and the other when she goes down for a sleep. If we are out though she seems to need to take both sides so we just go with it. It also sounds to me like you are already sussing out when he has had enough, and it is generally true that they do get more efficient at it the older they get - even if she takes two sides we are generally done and dusted in less than 20 mins. When you get to that 'half pie' sucking stage you could just unlatch him, either just slide your nipple back out or break the seal at the corner of his mouth with your finger then slide out. It's amazing how much of a difference a little support in the right place can make, this was half the battle for me last time too. And yes, engorgement will definitely settle after a while. I personally had oversupply issues for a little while even after things had settled around the six week mark, and would always wake up sodden for about the first 12 weeks or so. It is only recently that I have been able to stop using breastpads. If you get to that really full and achy point you could always try expressing off a little either by hand or with a pump, and it shouldn't diminish your supply - you could get freezer bags too if you were wanting to build up a stash of expressed milk. Big pammy-esque boobies can be SUPER uncomfy so I definitely sympathise with you there. And last but not least - well done !! You *can* do it and you *are* doing it. I found it useful sometimes to divide my week into twelve hour blocks and just focus on getting through each individual night / day at a time. ------------- Mama to two earth walkers & two angels. Remember, you are not managing an inconvenience; You are raising a human being. ~ Kittie Franz Next Slingbabies! Meet - Friday 4th May !! |
Posted By: Mum2ET
Date Posted: 14 December 2009 at 7:42pm
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Hippymama pretty much covered it all. But congrat's it sounds like you are doing great and are definitely on the right track ------------- Mum to Ella (5) and Tom (2) |
Posted By: EmDee
Date Posted: 14 December 2009 at 7:46pm
I don't have anything else to add, but well done to you and Jamie, sounds like you are both doing really well!  ------------- DS 8 DD 6 DS 4 DD 2 |
Posted By: palomino
Date Posted: 14 December 2009 at 8:02pm
| Yay congrats on the sucsessful feeding! |
Posted By: weegee
Date Posted: 14 December 2009 at 8:11pm
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Yip I just wanted to add a YAY to that, and also to say, there's no such thing as feeding him too much, so don't be afraid to feed him whenever he seems to want it
ETA - and CONGRATULATIONS! ------------- 
Mum to JJ, 4 July 2008 & Addie, 28 July 2010 |
Posted By: peanut butter
Date Posted: 14 December 2009 at 8:20pm
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YAY for you!!! Thats great news. I agree with the others, feed him as much as he wants. you cant overfeed a baby.
With his sucking, just remember that they go furiously until they get a let down, then they suck quite regularly while they get the foremilk and then they slow it down and it might be suck.......suck.......suck......swallow...pause....suck....pause...swallow...etc as it takes more effort and I think they get a bit sleepy when getting hind milk. I tended to let them go at it until the fell off. One thing my MW showed me to tell if they had finished or were still going is the "feeding arm". When you have him latched on and you think he has finished and dozed off, lift up the arm thats on top...if its all floppy, he's finished. If there is some resistance, he's still going. Also if he falls asleep too early, tickle his cheek by his chin and it will start him up again..or blow on his cheek. Hope I got that right 
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Posted By: HippyMama
Date Posted: 14 December 2009 at 8:37pm
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Yup nzpiper - I use those tricks too if I feel the need, cheek / chin tickle, blowing on her face / ear (gently) or tickling her feet a little if I have access to them. ------------- Mama to two earth walkers & two angels. Remember, you are not managing an inconvenience; You are raising a human being. ~ Kittie Franz Next Slingbabies! Meet - Friday 4th May !! |
Posted By: Troods
Date Posted: 14 December 2009 at 9:12pm
That's awesome - well done 
Re: offering other side and if he's getting enough? - what you're already doing sounds about right, he'll take the other side if he wants it, if not then let him go off to sleep as he's probably had his fill and quite happy. You'll know he's getting enough by the number of wet nappies he has - a breastfed baby should have at least 7-8 really wet nappies a day. Re: engorgement - like someone else already said it does settle down - usually around the 6-8 week mark. Some things that help are expressing a little off, or try a warm flannel, or I liked jumping under a warm shower for a few minutes and just let the water run over them and they'd leak just enough to take the pressure off. ------------- 
 Missed MC July 2011
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Posted By: weegee
Date Posted: 14 December 2009 at 10:10pm
I just wanted to come back and say you might find the http://www.youtube.com/breastfeedingnz - Breastfeeding NZ channel on YouTube helpful, they have the new DVD up on there chapter by chapter  -------------
Mum to JJ, 4 July 2008 & Addie, 28 July 2010 |
Posted By: fattartsrock
Date Posted: 14 December 2009 at 10:19pm
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Well done!!!!!!!!!!!
Helpful hint #245793... Don't feed to the clock (as in 3 hourly or 4 hourly) feed him when he wants it! Saves for fuss and bother later on! Well done you!!!! Oh and be aware, they go through growth spurts roughly every 2 weeks till 12 weeks or so and will want to feed ALL the time, don't panic, you haven't run out of milk - this is how he builds up your supply, by feeding lots. Only lasts a few days then bobs your uncle. Annnnd its really really normal for them to want to feed almost hour and halfly from late afternoon till round 8 pm, (cluster feeding) breast milk digest differently to forumula so empties out of tummies quicker. This is also babies way of filling up on the good rich hind milk to stretch out his "night sleep" a tiny bit. Make the most of offres of meals, crock pots and DP to sort tea out for you guys and make sure Sam has some special toys for when mummy is feeding at this time in case he gets scratchy. Annnd try not to let him have a bottle till around 6 weeks, even expressed milk, try to wait till BF is established well. It can muck up not only your supply, but his suck and latch in the early days.
Good luck and well done!!!! LEGEND! ------------- The Honest Un PC Parent of 2, usually stuck in the naughty corner! :P |
Posted By: HippyMama
Date Posted: 14 December 2009 at 10:31pm
Sorry to threadjack... but would you believe I read this as "boobs your uncle" the first time... ?  ------------- Mama to two earth walkers & two angels. Remember, you are not managing an inconvenience; You are raising a human being. ~ Kittie Franz Next Slingbabies! Meet - Friday 4th May !! |
fattartsrock wrote:Posted By: Mama2two
Date Posted: 14 December 2009 at 11:05pm
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Woohoo Renee, I am so pleased for you
HippyMama and Annie definitley covered it all, but I just wanted to say that I am still waking some mornings engorged and just pump off enough so that the nipple area is soft enough for Anthony to get a good latch. And the sore nipples do pass - but man it can hurt can't it Talk about making your toes curl
I love the bit nzpiper said about the arm being floppy. I will try that in future. My little man tends to feed with his arm hanging over the boob - I think he is scared someone will take it away if he doesn't Its really cute though ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Mamma2N
Date Posted: 15 December 2009 at 12:47am
Congratulations Renee! Yay for you!! And welcome to wee Jamie!
I personally agree with this - it was the BEST piece of advice that was given to me (by my Mamma, bless her cottons socks!) Makes things sooooo much easier. And I also find it works in your favour (as in, if I wanted to zip outa the house say an hour after she has feed, I would just offer her a top-up and she's be a happy camper for our outing, instead of stressing about sticking to a feeding routine). Good luck, You're doing a fab job!
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Posted By: SMoody
Date Posted: 15 December 2009 at 9:40am
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Once again big congrats on the birth of your son Renee.
For me I dont watch the clock to see when "I" think he needs to feed. He will soon let you know that he is hungry. Only rule I had is that until about 3 to 5 weeks I wouldnt let my kids go over 5 hours without a feed. Not that they actually ever did. During summer months you will find they might sometimes only sip sip here and there due to the weather being so hot and feed in between that. That is due to your milk having 2 parts. Foremilk that is very watery and quenches their thirst. Second is the hind milk that is a lot thicker and have all the fat so it will sustain them for longer. I found I only feed on one side at a time. In the beginning with McKayla I did feed both sides. About 20 minutes each side until my breasts got used to the sensations. Reason for me only feeding one side is to make sure they actually get hindmilk in. BTW you will see that if they have enough wet nappies then they are happy. Dont go so much about poos as it can even sometimes be normal to have 21 days between poos for a fully breastfed baby. For relief when you find yourself engorged.... I know everyone say to express a bit off but that stimulates your breasts more so it turns into a vicious cycle. For me the best thing is to go climb into a nice warm shower and just let them leak. Other thing is in those first few days when you breastfeed on the one breast have a towel underneath the other one and undo that side of the bra too and let it just leak. So therefore you are not stimulating them to make more milk and you will get relief. Lasinoh was my absolute best friend in those first few days. Just put a bit on after each feed and it is safe for baby to suck on as well. Or if you dont have any discomfort just use a bit of the breastmilk and rub that onto your nipple afterwards (this time I didnt even bother with lasinoh.) And you are doing an absolute fantastic job. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: tiptoes
Date Posted: 15 December 2009 at 10:51am
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I do a similar thing to you Renee. I feed on one side for 15-20 mins and if he slows down in that time I rub his head or palm or arm or cheek and he starts up again. If he doesn't I take it he's finished. I then change him in between and then offer the other side. Usually the other side is a much shorter feed, so I start on that side the next time - if I can remember what he's up to.
I think from what I've read/been told it seems it's better to offer the one side till he's done so he gets the hind milk rather than switch at 10 mins or something like that, and then offer the other side in case he's still thirsty and to stop sore boobs. Hopefully the engorgement doesn't last much longer for you, I think mine was a few days? Though I still get achy when it's nearly time for another feed, but I was guessing that was normal? Yay, for breastfeeding working!! ------------- http://alterna-tickers.com">  
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Posted By: yermasyada
Date Posted: 15 December 2009 at 8:59pm
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Weegee Thank you so much for that link!
Congrats Renee
Milliemoo |
Posted By: MatthewsMummy
Date Posted: 16 December 2009 at 1:41am
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A friend just sent me a link to this post, and I registered for the forum just so I could reply
CONGRATULATIONS! I wasn't able to breastfeed my little boy for very similar reasons - inverted/flat nipples, two weeks of trying and only got him to latch twice even with lactation consultant help - broke my heart to admit defeat, but I live in hope that I may have more luck breastfeeding next time around. And you've done it! As someone who really does know how much that must mean - well done. I did read somewhere the other day that it can be easier to breastfeed a second baby even if you didn't succesfully feed the first, because the breasts stretch so much from the first pregnancy/milk coming in (don't we know it) that the breast tissue is much softer second time around, and its easier for babies to latch. Not sure if thats true but every little snippet like that gives me hope
Best of luck - so excited for you and little Jamie that its working out xx |
Posted By: mamanee
Date Posted: 29 December 2009 at 12:51pm
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Thank you everyone for your replies! Lots of great advice to go over and think about. We are still going!
Over Christmas I had such bad nipple pain that I expressed for a day and let my nipples have a rest and even offered him formula at one point because I seemed to be empty. Well he hated it, took 10mls, threw it up and went to sleep! So after giving them a break, they feel much better and I've only breastfed him since then with relatively no pain. In the last few days I seem to have developed a really fast let down so have been trying different positions and techniques so that he is able to adjust to it without choking and gagging. I am loving it though! We are both learning and creating this amazing bond! |
Posted By: EmDee
Date Posted: 29 December 2009 at 12:55pm
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Awesome work Renee! ------------- DS 8 DD 6 DS 4 DD 2 |
Posted By: myonlineself
Date Posted: 30 December 2009 at 6:12pm
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that is great Renee that you were able to bf this time around, especially when you assumed you wouldn't
I have a question - I developed a nasty crack on one nipple, and both are REALLY sore on latch (the one with the crack hurts all the way through - although its bearable). Bubs is 2 weeks old - just wondering how long I might expect it to be until I can feed with no pain? ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: LouD
Date Posted: 01 January 2010 at 9:27pm
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MOS - I highly recommend getting a medela breast sheild. My friend gave me hers when mine was cracked and i havent used it much but man did it make a difference when i was in excruciating pain. Gives your nipples a chance to heal faster. normally only used them one or two feeds, worst case i used the sheild for a whole day and since then ive been fine.
Renee - your doing an awesome job!!! This is number 3 BF baby for me and im still learning as i go along |
Posted By: _Deb_
Date Posted: 02 January 2010 at 3:11pm
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That's awesome Renee. Well done. It's such a nice bonding time with baby. ------------- 
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