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EAT => Breast Feeding => Topic started by: Me.and.my.two.boys on October 02, 2012, 20:42:26 pm

Title: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Me.and.my.two.boys on October 02, 2012, 20:42:26 pm
DS2 was born yesterday at 7.18am. He was very sleepy yesterday and I was waking him to feed because he was so sleepy - he was latching on really well and seemed to be feeding well :)

This morning was the same but we were out this afternoon and since we got back about 5 hours ago he has been wanting to be on the breast constantly. He latches well on one side (left) and seems to suck enough but isnt happy when he comes off and still seems hungry :( On the right side im having some latch problems and im sore when feeding, I am trying anf he is seeming to suck enough but just isnt happy :(

either he falls asleep on the breast and when I move him, he cries or he takes himself off the breast but when I move him he cries. He seems to be opening his mouth, rooting around, sticking tongue out etc but I dont know what else to do??

Im open to feeding on demand but Im so worried about spending tonight with him attached to me and crying in between? HELP???
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Shiv52 on October 02, 2012, 20:45:43 pm
It is very early days hun.   Let him feed as much as you can as it will help your milk come in. 

Are you getting him latched on ok?  Nose to nipple? 

Have you any lansinoh cream?  Get that on those sore nipples quick as it should stop cracks.  Is the MW coming in the morning?  Get her to check his latch. 

But honestly this is so normal xxx
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Fiver on October 02, 2012, 20:48:17 pm
Congratulations again!  Totally agree with what Shiv said.  I always thought I was doing nose to nipple until my friend noticed DD needed to be further down so that she was getting a good big gape to get on.  If you've found a BF support group, you might want to pop along and have a chat with them too if the MW isn't so helpful.
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: *happy* on October 02, 2012, 20:50:13 pm
hey kelly....from what i remember, i think the first couple of days i was told to just be guided by LO....ie feed on demand....i think i was feeding every hour (soemtiems twice)for a few mins in those very early days....have you anyone IRL to help with the latching?i wish i had gotten someone sooner-by the time i realised i needed help i was v sore.it's worth having someone check it out.i "think" i was told to do every second side to establish supply but maybe someone else could confirm that....i remember someone saying re latch to try & make sure LO has those"donald duck" lips too, or "Pringle" lips, i think flanged is the correct term though!!!!hugs,,,these few days are tough going....xxx

posted at the same time as the others.....x
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: louis-mummy on October 02, 2012, 21:27:22 pm
Congratulations Kelly!!!!

Yep frequent feeding very normal this early on. Hope the latch problem is resolved.

I'm still not good with this advice myself but you really do need to put your feet up and do as little as possible except feed baby for a few days, at least. Enjoy
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Shiv52 on October 02, 2012, 21:28:42 pm
and do as little as possible except feed baby for a few days, at least. Enjoy
Absolutely xxx
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: ZacsMumme on October 02, 2012, 21:36:42 pm
Z was exactly like this...
He was very sleepy yesterday and I was waking him to feed because he was so sleepy - he was latching on really well and seemed to be feeding well
This morning was the same but we were out this afternoon and since we got back about 5 hours ago he has been wanting to be on the breast constantly. He latches well on one side (left) and seems to suck enough but isnt happy when he comes off and still seems hungry 
It is frustrating and tiring but if you have DH home just sit on that couch (or even better in bed) and go with it. As pp have said, get the latch checked, we had hideous latching issues early on, but at this stage it really was just Z doing his job to get my milk in etc.
If I remember rightly we had this during the next day, not night but if its night can you co-sleep? - Drink lots of water, eat healthy frequent snacks and hang in there :-*
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: EllenS on October 02, 2012, 21:38:43 pm
Yep, totally normal - day 1 they are sleepy, day 2 or so all they want to do is feed.  It will not always be like this. 

Definitely get latch checked.  Some discomfort/soreness is normal, but serious pain is a sign something is off kilter and can be corrected.

Have you learned different positions yet?  Side-lying nursing saved my life.
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Me.and.my.two.boys on October 02, 2012, 21:53:49 pm
I guess I'm worried he won't let me put him down between feeds at all? Also, should I be winding him after every feed?

I'm worried about my sanity lol! I took him of my breast and am not even getting 60 seconds peace in between! When I lay him down he just cries ???
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: EllenS on October 02, 2012, 22:03:55 pm
In these first few days "after every feed" can be kind of an abstract concept.  Getting the bubbles out regularly, or when you change breasts, is always helpful. 

Who do you have helping you?  They should be able to walk him about or rock him a bit so you can get some sleep.  He is acting totally normal for a newborn but it is OK for you to get a nap while Dad or Grandma or Best Friend holds him.  It is normal for newborns to not want to be put down, but someone else can give that contact, patting, etc. for a little while so you can rest.
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Erin M on October 03, 2012, 01:53:51 am
Will he go down in a swing/bouncer/car seat/anything other than your arms?  Totally normal to want to be held ALL the time at this age -- lean on whoever is around.
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: nona on October 03, 2012, 02:02:14 am
i know you are supposed to wait a bit with a  pacifier to establish supply but if you need to go to the bathroom or eat try a pacifier.  (my pedi  - who breastfee -  told me she had to give her baby one within the first week bc of this issue.)

congrats again!
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Me.and.my.two.boys on October 03, 2012, 03:13:12 am
Ok so the night has gone better than I expected. For the first few hours he wanted on the breast constantly but he has defo eased off a little and slept a little in between (next to me though because he woke when I put him in his basket) I've not had much sleep but I've got DP up now changing him and cuddling him while I go to toilet/have a drink/close my eyes.

My milk has started to come in now and breasts are feeling full. I will try and feed him now before I go to sleep and hopefully get a snooze before DS1 gets up for nursery (at least while he is out I can have another sleep)

Thanks ladies - I'd be panicking without your help x
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: ZacsMumme on October 03, 2012, 03:56:58 am
So glad your feeling better Hun. Not sure how many days you are now? But I hit baby blues hard when my milk came in so do let DP help out and expect to feel a bit teary. It's a rough transition but totally worth it :-* x
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Roseii on October 03, 2012, 07:02:10 am
Hugs sweetie please try not to worry too much, it's all perfectly normal for a newborn. Even after bf dd1 for a year I struggled with dd2, took me nearly a week to get her to latch on my left side (got v engorged and painful too) Enjoy snuggling and feeding xxxxxx
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Me.and.my.two.boys on October 03, 2012, 08:00:34 am
I love these snuggles - I guess I was scared I was setting myself up for disaster if I held him all day but I realise he is so tiny and of course he wants snuggled between feeds. :)

Milk is defo coming in but I'm not fully engorged yet - with ds1 I was so engorged I really struggled with latching because my nipples were practically flat- if that happens should I hand express a little first just to ease a little pressure? I'm not really sure?
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: becj86 on October 03, 2012, 09:21:00 am
with ds1 I was so engorged I really struggled with latching because my nipples were practically flat- if that happens should I hand express a little first just to ease a little pressure?
Yep :) Not too much though as that will stimulate more milk production... just enough to soften and allow LO to latch
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Aishi on October 03, 2012, 09:28:25 am
Hi Kelly

I don. Know much about breast feeding but I do remember reading that rubbing breast milk on sore nipples helps ease pain.

I missed ur news so just wanted to say congrats now. Enjoy every cuddle with ur precious little bundle- so happy for you! Xx
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Roseii on October 03, 2012, 11:43:17 am
I had the exact same thing-virtually impossible for baby to latch, and yes hand express a little bit, it's v tempting to keep going as it's a relief but don't as you'll confuse production. Hugs xxxx
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Shiv52 on October 03, 2012, 12:48:31 pm
IT does take a while to get comfy with it.  Take it an hour at a time and don't panic.  You're doing great x
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Me.and.my.two.boys on October 03, 2012, 12:50:32 pm
Thanks ladies. He hasn't fed much today. 7am and 11am so far, it's nearly 2pm so I'm assuming he will want to feed soon. Typical how he wants to have 4hours in between during the day but just wants his mummy all night :) lol

Steak dinner tonight (by order of the midwife) as my iron is so low. She thinks the hospital are going to phone me tomorrow to offer me a blood transfusion - that's a whole other thread though ::o

I'm still not fully engorged but defo much fuller and heavier than yesterday - I took my bra off to wash today and was like 'whoa they are heavy' !!
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: shivi on October 03, 2012, 13:52:24 pm
more congrats on here Kelly and hugs on the iron/blood issues xxx

another good tip I used in early days was warm compresses before a feed and cold after - helps the boobies settle down and produce just what you need. Everything is still hormonally driven right now - its up to little Corey to teach your body what he needs. For now, your body is in overdrive mode "just in case" you might have twins or triplets. So, yes, don't express too much, just enough to allow him to latch and take it from therre. I just LOVED the relief of the cool compresses after - I had these ones. They were a godsend!
http://www.boots.com/en/Oscar-dehn-Breast-Nurse-Two-Pack_703/

S x
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: EllenS on October 03, 2012, 18:33:57 pm
Amazing how much better they sleep with that milk in the tummy!  Didn't notice at first that this is #2 - can Daddy take Big Brother so you can get that precious sleep in the day?
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Me.and.my.two.boys on October 03, 2012, 19:37:20 pm
Ellen, DP has done that :) he actually got both boys downstairs at 7am this morn and let me sleep until 8.45am :) DS1 went to nursery at 9am-11.30am so we just relaxed then. Im actually feeling ok :)

Shivi I looked at them yesterday - I think Im going to get them tomorrow.

I have managed a better position for feeding on the right breast - the rugby hold lol!! I am holding him across my body when feeding from the left and thats working well. At night I am side lying and that seems to be working too.

My breasts are gradually becoming bigger and harder. Im hoping I can still get DS2 latched on properly and things are ok :)
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: *happy* on October 03, 2012, 19:40:17 pm
hugs kelly....these few days are tough going but good on your DH for stepping up & giving you a little sleep!!!hugs to him too!!!those hot & cold compresses really helped me too (i used ones called Booby Tubes) hope ye have an ok night.xxx
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Fiver on October 03, 2012, 21:23:47 pm
Sounds like you're doing GREAT Kelly, well done!

With DD, I got told off so many times in the hospital for either co-sleeping with her lying next to me (latched on!) or having her (and me) sleep with her on my chest and me propped up a bit.  When I got home and told the community MW that that was how we'd been sleeping she was very affirming and said that was a great way to sleep as we'd both be more sensitive what the other was doing and was pretty safe (which surprised me, if I'm honest!)  I used to put myself under the duvet, her on top and then a blanket over the both of us with the edges tucked underneath me so she couldn't roll off.  When they're tiny sometimes self-preservation kicks in before independent sleep ;)
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Erin M on October 03, 2012, 22:33:39 pm
You do sound like you're doing great today Kelly!  Nice work!!
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Me.and.my.two.boys on October 04, 2012, 00:27:34 am
Sore is normal when your milk comes in and Your boobs are engorged and hard, right? I'm sore now, the first few sucks make me clench my teeth and then it eases off slightly but is still sore. I can't find a comfy position that doesn't hurt :(
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: ZacsMumme on October 04, 2012, 00:31:47 am
Sore is normal when your milk comes in and Your boobs are engorged and hard, right? I'm sore now, the first few sucks make me clench my teeth and then it eases off slightly but is still sore. I can't find a comfy position that doesn't hurt :(
For me yup...no one tells you that BfF is painful, well no one told me! Your nipples have to toughen up. I had a terrible torn nipple at one point so there is a point where a lot of pain is not right, but what you describe is normal I think. Hang in there Hun, after a week or two I think typically Bf shouldn't hurt anymore like that.
I was advised to make sure I kept my pain relief up, use Lansinoh and deep slow breaths through first mins of pain x
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Harrisons_mum on October 04, 2012, 08:39:50 am
My little guy did exactly the same.  Day 2 he nursed for 3 hrs straight.  I think he was hungry, but I only had colostrum.  My milk came in the next day so I think all that suckling helped to activate it.

Nature really is amazing... These little people know exactly what is needed. :)

Good luck and well done!
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Me.and.my.two.boys on October 04, 2012, 10:08:16 am
Phew - the milk has came with a vengance! ouch :(

I am going to get the compresses that shivi recommended and just feed as best I can.

The first few sucks are agony at the moment but I am getting through it ok and he seems to be taking a full feed every few hours rather than snacking constantly so I dont have to persevere with the pain constantly all day.
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: *happy* on October 04, 2012, 10:10:53 am
that sounds great kelly....good man corey!& well done you too hun.....it's not easy....big hugs.xxx
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: koe2moe on October 04, 2012, 11:06:09 am
Wnderful update, Kelly!!  Dnt forget to share photos :)
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: shivi on October 04, 2012, 11:19:01 am
great update Kelly,

As for pain - if its just hot, tight, tingly that's a sign of engorgement and the fact the milk has come in and you're naturally overproducing for now. Def do the cold compresses after (I used straight from the freezer). Hot before for now will allow you to make sure you don't get blocked and get that tiny bit of milk off so Corey can latch well.

In your position, if its very tight and painful, I would take nurofen as well. Its totally safe for bf babies and will reduce the swelling as a non steroidal anti inflammatory. I took it (and even stronger NSAI with Oscar due to issues with piles and major swelling in my nether regions) for at least the first 10 days xxx
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: koe2moe on October 04, 2012, 11:58:09 am
Saw the photos ;) :-*
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Erin M on October 04, 2012, 12:20:45 pm
Does the pain go away (mostly) once he's latched on and nursing? 

Well done!  :)
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Fiver on October 04, 2012, 15:29:36 pm
Where are you getting the pain, Kelly and what's it like?
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Me.and.my.two.boys on October 05, 2012, 19:16:15 pm
So with the left breast - the pain does ease when he is latched on properly and feeding. I can tell when he isn't latched well and I can take him off and try again! I'm struggling with the right breast - I can't seem to get him latched properly and it hurts every time :(

How many poo's are normal at this point? The meconium has gone and its a runnier yellowy colour. I'm assuming lots of poos are good :) I'm not so worried about how much he is getting now because he is having lots of heavy wet nappies too :)

He has pretty much nursed for the last 3 hours. I just don't know where he finds the space! Lol! I'm hoping he will fill up and sleep more tonight ;)
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: shivi on October 05, 2012, 19:33:19 pm
you could try a diff position on the right kelly - so if you're doing classic, try rugby hold etc.
yellow runny poos are fab - curry sauce spring to mind (TMI sorry)?

Day 4 is around the time when "transitional poos" should be the main -so somewhere btw meconium and curry sauce, but the closer to curry sauce the better :-)

sounds like he's doing fab - wet nappies and lots of poo means he's getting loads xxx
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Me.and.my.two.boys on October 05, 2012, 19:44:02 pm
Yeah lots of wet nappies and 3 poos today - defo curry sauce :)

I'm trying rugby and front holds, I'm not sure whether its sore because the nipple is already tender from previous feeds? I'm going to google some videos of breast feeding just to see.

Shivi - I have the compresses in the freezer as we speak :)

For latch - I have him close, facing my breast and when he opens his mouth wide I aim the nipple at the top of his mouth - does this sound right? I can't really explain properly.
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: shivi on October 05, 2012, 19:47:41 pm
For latch - I have him close, facing my breast and when he opens his mouth wide I aim the nipple at the top of his mouth - does this sound right? I can't really explain properly.
sounds perfect. Like you're aiming the nipple at his nose almost?

It could be previous damage for sure....

keep an eye and let us know..but for sure your milk supply is great and he is getting all he needs.

S x
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Erin M on October 05, 2012, 21:46:11 pm
I'm going to google some videos of breast feeding just to see.
Check out this link: Sore nipples - preventing them and treating them. -- the Jack Newman link (I think it's the first one on the page) is really, really good - there are some others on his page as well that are really useful. 

Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Me.and.my.two.boys on October 05, 2012, 21:50:34 pm
Tonight has been a nightmare! He has nursed nearly non stop for 5 hours. When he isn't on the breast he is fussy and crying and if I don't put him back on he starts screaming. He is barely sucking now and I am sure it's more of a comfort thing than a hunger thing? He has had quite a lot of milk because my breasts are much more comfortable now. DP is at work for a few hours - I am so close to phoning him and telling him up buy a dummy on his way home! I don't know what to do. I'm in bed now and tried to put ds2 down in his Moses basket and he is just screaming, I don't wanna wake ds1 up! I now have him on my breast and he is sucking gently and tickling with his tongue rather than feeding!
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: ZacsMumme on October 05, 2012, 23:05:44 pm
Hugs sweetheart....Have you tried rocking him or putting him in a swaddle while feeding to make him drowsy enough to get to seep and unlatch? IMO it won't hurt to get a dummy, even if you just have it in the house in case you need it KWIM?
How are your nipples honey?
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: becj86 on October 06, 2012, 00:21:48 am
I now have him on my breast and he is sucking gently and tickling with his tongue rather than feeding!
This is what I used the dummy for. The comfort sucking was just too much for me!

I needed the break for my poor sore nipples and DS needed to suck. The LC actually suggested when DS was 3 days old :P
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Erin M on October 06, 2012, 01:51:46 am
IMO it won't hurt to get a dummy,

Mine too.  I've read that if you're using it when he's trying to comfort suck instead (which is exactly like what that sounds like!) that you should be ok.  ((hugs))
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: shivi on October 06, 2012, 05:32:42 am
both mine had dummies at 2 days old....
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: *happy* on October 06, 2012, 07:30:12 am
me too...it was an absolute lifesaver(& nipplesaver)...i just followed tracy's suggestions so that it didn't become too much of a prop.DD was such a sucky baby...she was sucking her fingers within hours of being born (however she managed to find them!) & stil does...hugs hun...xxx
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Me.and.my.two.boys on October 06, 2012, 07:56:45 am
So I got DP to buy dummies last night on his way home. I haven't managed to swaddle Corey because he was always wanting to suck his fingers but I swaddled him and gave him his dummy and off he went to sleep no problem :)

The following 2 feeds he hasn't needed the dummy but its nice to know its there if I need it. I got scred feeding him after giving him the dummy incase it affected the way he fed but it was fine :)

Thanks ladies, he already seems more settled.
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: *happy* on October 06, 2012, 08:42:18 am
aw that's great kelly.....hugs to ye all.xxx
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: louis-mummy on October 06, 2012, 17:22:16 pm
Glad things are going well  :)

We started with a Dummy at less than 1 week and had no problems, can't imagine surviving without it!
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: ZacsMumme on October 06, 2012, 17:58:08 pm
Great things are better :-*
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Erin M on October 06, 2012, 19:06:46 pm
Woohoo!  :)
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Fiver on October 06, 2012, 19:18:23 pm
Hooray! :)
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Me.and.my.two.boys on October 06, 2012, 22:31:18 pm
Nipples are a little tender today but my breasts have gone down a little, not so engorged which is great. He seems to go through phases of feeding every 2-3 hours for about 30mins to sometimes feeding for over an hour - I always wonder whether he is getting any milk after the first 30mins but he still sucks and never cries (which I assume he would do if he wasn't getting any)

He fed tonight and even slept long enough for me to enjoy a cuppa and some chocolate while watching X factor :)
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: ZacsMumme on October 07, 2012, 00:52:39 am
:) :) glad you had time for choccie...hang in there with the Bf It does get easier x
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Me.and.my.two.boys on October 07, 2012, 03:28:52 am
Phew - it's 4.30am here and we have been up since 1.45am feeding. He is one hungry boy tonight - it's nights like these I wish DP could help. I'm so jealous of him snoring away beside me!
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: *happy* on October 07, 2012, 07:04:11 am
i think any BFing mommy has thought that more than once!!!i used to "force" DH to take her the second i finished feeding to burp & resettle etc....sometimes it was only a matter of minutes,but those extra few minutes of sleep are so precious!xxx
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: eva026 on October 07, 2012, 10:46:26 am
i used to "force" DH to take her the second i finished feeding to burp & resettle etc....sometimes it was only a matter of minutes,but those extra few minutes of sleep are so precious!xxx

I did that too!! And as soon as we introduced the DF I pumped at 9.30pm, was in bed by 10pm and DH did the DF so I got a bit more sleep.
Re the dummy, DD was given one without consulting me by the midwife the day she was born while I was out of things after a CC. Luckily it never interfered with BFing and I think I would have been lost without it because for the first 2 months our feeds lasted 1.5-2h every time and the only way I could get her to sleep 1h on her own was the dummy! She did do 5h stretches at night pretty quick though so that saved my boobs a bit:)
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Erin M on October 08, 2012, 03:13:35 am
i think any BFing mommy has thought that more than once!!!
Goodness, I think I thought it hundreds of times.

Glad the boobs are feeling a bit better today.  :)
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Me.and.my.two.boys on October 09, 2012, 22:03:03 pm
I don't know what to do? I have barely any milk. All day my boobs have felt softer and he just isn't happy and settled after a feed. He has been nursing on and off for the last few hours and now we've come to bed he's acting like he's starving ???

I have him nursing now but I'm not sure how much there is? I suppose ill find out when I try and settle him! Not really sure what to do?
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: ZacsMumme on October 09, 2012, 22:49:37 pm
Early GS? I think the first happens between 1-3 weeks? :-*
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: becj86 on October 09, 2012, 23:53:44 pm
GS was my first thought too.

Keep in mind that breasts are milk makers, not milk storage, so they will keep making milk for him. Sometimes it doesn't feel like its happening fast enough for LO, but there is milk there and milk being made. xx
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Erin M on October 10, 2012, 01:56:39 am
2-3 weeks is generally the first, but they really can happen any time.  Keep an eye on the output and don't fret about how your boobs feel.  Once the initial crazy engorged feeling goes down, it's normal for them to not feel rock hard, especially if he's feeding frequently.
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Me.and.my.two.boys on October 10, 2012, 09:10:48 am
Still had poos and plenty if wet nappies so I suppose he is getting enough. I guess after the crazy engorged feeling, softer boobs feel empty! He is feeding frequently so that will prob contribute to it.

Last night went well, he fed at 11.30, 2.45, 4.30, 6 and again at 8 this morning. Each time he went straight back in his basket and fell asleep straight away :) I am struggling to believe it will happen like that again though! Lol!
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: *happy* on October 10, 2012, 10:34:24 am
LOL!i was the same!DD got into that type of routine v quickly & i was always afraid i should be feeding her more!!! enjoy it!!!hoping he keeps it up!xxx
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Erin M on October 10, 2012, 17:32:45 pm
You sounds like you're doing great!  :)
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Fiver on October 10, 2012, 20:18:53 pm
You're doing fab, Kelly.  If you've got any concerns about milk transfer, please get in touch with a local BF support group, whether that's NCT, ABM or LLL and get someone to have a look for you.  There are some helpline numbers here too "In real life" help, Useful websites, helplines

Does sound like a GS, though - think there's meant to be one around 10 days, so you're right on track :)
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Me.and.my.two.boys on October 11, 2012, 08:15:34 am
Oh man these nights are getting hard! I'm tired! I'm grumpy at night because I'm tired :(

Last night I had a hungry boy, he just didn't seem to want to settle after feeds - I ended up with him next to me between 2-6.30 because he just wanted fed a lot! He is feeding now and hopefully he will be a little more settled today.

I'm not engorged anymore- is it still normal for the first few sucks to be sore? I still have to clench my teeth then it gets better, weird!
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Erin M on October 11, 2012, 12:41:00 pm
That did happen with me, sore for these first few sucks and then fine.  Are you getting good burps in after those nfs?  Sometimes that up and down unsettledness is just discomfort.  I found that both dd2 and ds settled much better after nfs if I spent longer burping.  I would also spend some time rocking them, rubbing their backs, etc just to make sure they were nice and settled before I put them back down.
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Fiver on October 11, 2012, 15:12:50 pm
It might be worth your while getting along to a group and having a BFC or even a BF peer supporter have a little look and make sure you're getting him latched on well.  I was too afraid to go along to a group with DS, but with hindsight realise it would've been a good idea with our issues and I probably would've made some new friends too.  One of my BFFs was the BFC at the group I went to with DD and I had immediate (or more or less so) access to her around the clock, which is probably the only way we kept going (aside from sheer bloody mindedness) with DD and her TT.

All that to say that IRL help is invaluable as they can often see something that we can't online or that you might think isn't anything and so aren't describing, but they would spot :-*
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: ZacsMumme on October 12, 2012, 04:41:38 am
Hugs honey, we has unsettled feeding and general fussiness 9pm-2 am ATM so I feel your pain! It's such early days though and Things do settle down. Typically I think the pain starts to fade after 2 weeks feeding unless you have issues - I had pain for 6 weeks with Z but I had a torn nipple :(

Do you have a supportive MW that is coming over to check your latch and his feeding?  A support group is as great idea too as pp have mentioned. Xx
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Me.and.my.two.boys on October 12, 2012, 07:36:58 am
My local support group is every second Wednesday - ill need to find out whether its on next week. I would defo like some advice.

I'm struggling at night, he will fall asleep on me and stay asleep if I don't move him but if I move him to his Moses basket he is unsettled. Erin I will try and make sure he is properly winded, I'm so tired I've been falling asleep while feeding him too!

Latch wasn't good during the night on one side - it's feeling a lot better this morning though :)

Poor DP is feeling left out, when ds2 is awake he wants to be on me! It's tough for me but also for him! :(
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: *happy* on October 12, 2012, 08:28:50 am
aw hugs kelly...it's hard on the fellas alright (but still an awful lot harder on us i reckon!!!!)...could you get him to resettle him once you've finished feeding?might make him feel more involved & giv ehim a chance for some snuggles?xxx
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Me.and.my.two.boys on October 12, 2012, 08:38:38 am
Yeah, I have been doing that but ds2 still roots around looking for my boob even when he has just fed! Honestly - I don't know where he fits all the milk!

Ds1 is at school and ds2 is asleep in his carseat from the school run and I am just sitting down. I soooo need to Hoover but I can't bring myself to it. I'm just gonna sit here on my bum ;)
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: *happy* on October 12, 2012, 10:42:41 am
don't you dare hoover!!!!i mean it!!!!i'm on my way to do it for you!!!!honest!!!!.xxx

ps my nephew was the same-fed & fed & fed!that's boys for you!!!
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: shivi on October 12, 2012, 11:29:33 am
huge hugs Kelly xxx
Have you had a weight check? If you are in for one soon and if you get the latch seen and its fine, I would say (shock horror - will never pass my exams this way) you might even consider a dummy? We intro'd very early with both. O had a weight check at 6 days old and was WAY over his birthweight, like 400g or so but was constantly rooting - I'd pass him to DH in the night and he'd latch on his arm/shoulder....the dummy really helped after feeds....but again, I wouldn't intro before a weight check and a latch check iykwim?

Emma had a dummy leaving the hospital at 48hrs old ;-) Latch had been checked - weight was not even stable (not that it should be at 2 days old) but I felt confident having a baby scales and a lot more knowledge myself at this stage that I could give my boobies a rest already.....

S x
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Me.and.my.two.boys on October 12, 2012, 19:28:19 pm
Shivi - I actually bought dummies last week when I realised he was using me for comfort and not actually feeding but he hated them and kept spitting them out! I think the teat was too small so I have bought some more tonight with a different shape teat and he seemed to like it and managed to suck it better earlier but now he has decided to keep spitting it out!

Does this sound normal? Im not so sure how often is too often - bf at 6pm-6.30pm and seemed content after, when he started fussing i gave him his dummy. By 7.15pm he wouldnt take the dummy and was rooting around for more milk so I bf him again between 7.30-8pm and now its 8.30pm and he is unsettled again and rooting around! man - its really hard not even having enough time in between feeds to eat dinner or shower!!
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Fiver on October 12, 2012, 19:31:57 pm
Sounds like he's doing some pretty effective work of cluster feeding there (totally normal).
Although it might be worth pondering whether some of it might be wind.  Both mine rooted when they were windy.

Did you get anywhere with that BF support group?
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Me.and.my.two.boys on October 12, 2012, 20:06:02 pm
There are bf support groups mon-fri all within driving distance so I am going to try and find one when ds1 is at nursery.

I have been getting quite good burps up but will keep trying - i have actually given him the dummy and he seems happier, I havent fed him yet. his hands keep knocking the dummy out and i have to keep putting it back in but he hates being swaddled :( thats a whole other post though!
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: shivi on October 12, 2012, 20:43:31 pm
I used to pop a drop of gripewater on the dummy to get them interested in it, also "maybe" helped with the wind....

With the swaddle - yes, mine seemed to "hate" it too - but once in and nice and tight it did the job and calmed them down.

And yes, evenings are the most common time for them to want to feed literally ALL.THE.TIME....so so normal but so hard.

And weight? Can you get it checked soon? do you have a drop in clinic with a baby scales?

S x
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Erin M on October 13, 2012, 00:28:36 am
evenings are the most common time for them to want to feed literally ALL.THE.TIME....so so normal but so hard.
That was definitely dd1 and ds.  Constant.  I used to latch them on at dinner time as I knew it was the only way I was getting a decent chance to eat. 
You really sounds like you're doing SO great!  :) 
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: ZacsMumme on October 13, 2012, 00:52:48 am
I used to pop a drop of gripewater on the dummy to get them interested in it, also "maybe" helped with the wind....
I swear by this too - worked a treat with Zac! ;)
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Me.and.my.two.boys on October 13, 2012, 07:38:22 am
I will try the gripe water :) thanks

You ladies amaze me, I think your keeping me going :)

So I did something I wasn't supposed to last night, I expressed some milk and DP fed it to ds2 at his late feed. I went to bed and got 4 hours unbroken sleep and it really helped me through the night. I have a medela bottle and teat which is meant to mimic a nipple and there is no flow unless baby sucks. I don't know why I am trying to justify it to myself because I had the best night so far - I felt fine each time ds2 woke up for a feed and I even managed to settle him in his basket each time - no sleeping on me :)

I've just fed ds2 and DP has taken him a walk so I'm still in bed (ds1 is at his dads) with a cup of tea ;D bliss!

Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: *happy* on October 13, 2012, 07:44:19 am
I don't know why I am trying to justify it to myself
you do NOT have to justify this kelly.there is no right or wrong way here...just what ever way gets you through the day (& night!!!)i'm so glad you are getting some rest.enjoy it while you can!!!xxx
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Me.and.my.two.boys on October 13, 2012, 07:52:56 am
Yip, I LOVE feeding DS2 and I am so determined to make it work but I suppose the odd bottle to keep me sane wont harm things. I am not planning to make it a regular occurrance but if I'm having a tough time, I think that's better than me wanting to give up.
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: becj86 on October 13, 2012, 08:18:03 am
DS was fed bottles of EBM for every feed for days at a time early on and his latch is fine and he's still BFing at nearly 18 months. I would not have been able to continue with two ripped nipples without hand expressing and bottle feeding that EBM for a week while I healed and we'd not have got through my oversupply issues without it either. If a bottlefeed of EBM here and there is going to get you just enough rest to be able to continue, then that's what you should do :-*
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Me.and.my.two.boys on October 13, 2012, 10:35:26 am
Thanks bec :) I feel so much better today - actually well rested :)

Shivi - I forgot to say they have weighed him, he lost 110g but is putting it back on fast. He isn't ever going more than 3 hours for a feed so she said no worries :)
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Erin M on October 13, 2012, 12:10:21 pm
Sweetie, the odd bottle isn't going to hurt -- it sounds like it was very beneficial for you.  Sleep is important!
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: shivi on October 13, 2012, 16:44:58 pm
I did DF EBM in a bottle with Oscar from around day 10 or so, every single night till we stopped DFing at 10ish months.
Once weight gain is on the up, you can comfortably express and then get thro the early hours of the night comfortably and latch is good, I seriously don't see why not!

With Emma, it was complicated...but we also tried and then gave up around the 6 week mark. But still, I went to bed at 8pm, DH brought her to me for breastfed DF and then did nappy and resettle himself....those hours really do make a difference xxx
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: eva026 on October 13, 2012, 17:39:44 pm
DH has been doing the DF since day 5 so I pump at 9.30pm and am in bed by 10pm. In the early days that gave me a stretch from 10pm-2.30am, which was a godsend.
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Fiver on October 13, 2012, 19:29:19 pm
My friend who was a super-pumper always used to express for the BT feed so her DH could give the children a bottle and she had a little break (with the older ones when they were bigger).  She's a BFC, so obviously didn't see any issues with it.  As long as you're pumping in place of the feed, sleep away :-*
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Me.and.my.two.boys on October 15, 2012, 11:38:57 am
is it normal for one breast to make more milk than the other?? My right breast seems to be full all the time, I fed DS2 at 9am from that breast, he is stirring from his sleep now and I am planning on feeding him from the other side but the right side seems fuller!! Weird ???

I have a few other issues but will be back, C is stirring and will be starving, he never goes this long between feeds.
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: eva026 on October 15, 2012, 11:58:56 am
is it normal for one breast to make more milk than the other??

Yup:) My right always has much more than my left.
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Me.and.my.two.boys on October 15, 2012, 12:35:38 pm
I fed from left and he came off himself but after I winded him he still seemed hungry so I have fed from right side as well but hasn't emptied it - my question is - next feed, should I feed from right side? It will be more full by then? Or should I go back to left side? I just don't want to feed too much from one side??
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: barbaraz78 on October 15, 2012, 13:01:51 pm
Quote from: kellyt87 on Today at 12:38:57

    is it normal for one breast to make more milk than the other??


Yup:) My right always has much more than my left.

Hi Kelly, just to say that for me it was the same. My right breast was much more full than the left one and always was during all the bf. I usually fed by both breasts, because one was always not enough (so I finished one breast and I always offered the second one and DS usually took some), so the left one was constantly stimulated anyway. However, in the early days, when I realized that the left side did not produce milk as well as the right one, I always started from it for 2-3 days, just to increase stimulation. I don't know if it made difference...
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Erin M on October 15, 2012, 18:17:12 pm
Yes, start from the right.  Totally normal for one to produce more.  Lots of times LOs will have a preference for whatever reason too.
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Fiver on October 15, 2012, 18:19:35 pm
I'd question whether he's maybe having some difficulty 'emptying' the right breast if you're constantly feeling engorged (or 'full')  Engorgement is the body's way of telling you that LO needs feeding and if one breast is always feeling like that, it may be that he's not getting such a good latch on that breast to get out the milk that is there.  Does that make sense?

That said, it can be totally normal for one breast to be preferred and even to produce more milk.

Is the right breast hot to the touch as well or are there any red patches?
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: barbaraz78 on October 15, 2012, 19:16:34 pm
In my case I think that it was because my supply was quicker on the right side, so lo preferred it and stimulated it more. If I pumped I could see that the right breast had more "pores" (is it the right word? ::) ) than the left one.
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: shivi on October 15, 2012, 19:37:54 pm
I had the opposite - left was much better. Later found out why in an U/S exam of breasts due to lumps. I have very twisted milk ducts on the right so the flow wasnt half as good (and also less of them). Emma wasn't patient enough unless drowsy in the end (from 3 mths on) to be tricked into eating from the right.

O was much better and didn't really complain about the difference till well past 1yr.
Both fed only from left over last 2-3 mths of feeding them....Emma fed from right first at first morning feed (as I would come to her rather than her wake as running out door to work, DF and also if I'd catch her at the end of her nap). Otherwise she'd refuse...I'd trick her etc with trad hold on left, getting right going by hand expressing and then quickly chatting and transferring to football hold right side etc etc...sometimes it'd work, others not and with age, less and less.

That said, I always had more issues on the right - pain, blocked ducts etc etc though not as big or engorged. So keep an eye alright for redness, tenderness in any areas etc etc and keep the hot before, cold after packs going if you feel anything is amiss and ibuprofen if you have any pain/tenderness as it reduces the swelling if there is any there to allow the flow to improve....

S x
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Me.and.my.two.boys on October 16, 2012, 10:37:41 am
Oh I was doing so well - yesterday and today have been tough. DS2 seems to be great during the day but night time is a struggle :(

My nipples are tender and sore - latch is ok I think, its just sore for the first few sucks and then settles. DS2 has some problems though and I dont know what, when feeding he is squirming around and pulling down my nipple which means I am re-latching him loads during a feed and he is getting frustrated. He is tensing up and pulling him knees up - all of which arent helping the feeding situation but I know this is a wind problem, I just dont know whats wrong or how to fix it, I have posted on the colic, reflux board though.

Shivi, I havent used the compresses in a while - I have got them out and Im going to use them next feed. I am also going to take some neurofen (i havent needed any painkillers for a week now) because I know they will help .

I dont have any redness and my breasts are quite hot to touch but Im not sure if thats relevant??

Right breast today doesnt feel fuller like it did yesterday, both seem quite empty to be honest :( what if there isnt enough milk?

I also wanted to ask, how long should you feed on one side before moving to the next? Sometimes DS2 will feed from one and then fall asleep but he will wake when I move him and want more, should I continue on the same side or move to the other? Usually he has fed quite a lot from the first (but I hand expressed and there was still milk coming out).

I feel clueless today :'(
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: *happy* on October 16, 2012, 10:40:38 am
just a really quick post...i could be wrong, but my pharmacist told me not to take neurofen while nursing.....xxx
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: shivi on October 16, 2012, 11:44:55 am
nurofen - no prob when nursing.....believe me!!! will post a link but for sure, for sure its ok. Not while pg but yes while nursing xxx

try the compresses.....will be back later xxx
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: shivi on October 16, 2012, 11:46:31 am
http://www.health.qld.gov.au/ph/documents/childhealth/28106.pdf
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Me.and.my.two.boys on October 16, 2012, 11:47:15 am
They told me at the hospital to take it along with paracetamol - they said it was fine when bf

Used the compress and I think it did help :)
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: weaver on October 16, 2012, 14:10:29 pm
Kelly, very late congratulations to you and welcome to baba. 

Right breast today doesnt feel fuller like it did yesterday, both seem quite empty to be honest :( what if there isnt enough milk?

Don't worry about there not being enough milk - it's in there all right, just let baby work on getting it out.  The fact that your breasts aren't feeling so full today probably means that he's doing very well at getting to it.  Well done baba!
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Fiver on October 16, 2012, 15:38:41 pm
*hugs* Certainly get any thoughts of not having milk right out of your head.  That way leads a slippery path.  I'm not sure of the statistics, but only a tiny % of women can't produce enough milk for their babies.  I think I may have said before that the 'full' feeling tends to be engorgement, which means LO needs feeding rather than it indicating an amount of milk that is present.  As I understand it, engorgement is caused by excess water in the breast tissue rather than an accumulation of milk.  Sometimes it helps to think of the breast less as a glass that gets full and is then emptied as it's being drunk and more as a tap, that there's always milk there to come out, but just needs to be turned off and on :-*

Do you think trying to feed him in a different position might help the wind and/or slipping?  Did you get along to the BF support group yet?  They might be able to see something we can't which is causing him to slide off.

If your breasts are just feeling warm generally then you're probably ok.  If it's more specific heat in a particular area, you might want to keep an eye on that.  As Shiv and others have said, ibuprofen is fine whilst BF (happy, it sounds like your pharmacist may need to brush up on their BF drug safety ;) ) if you need it.

As for when to switch breast - if he's fallen asleep on one I might offer that again and see how he gets on.  If he seems frustrated or disinterested I might offer the other and see what happens.

You're doing great :-*
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: shivi on October 16, 2012, 18:29:50 pm
the 'full' feeling tends to be engorgement, which means LO needs feeding rather than it indicating an amount of milk that is present.  As I understand it, engorgement is caused by excess water in the breast tissue rather than an accumulation of milk.

absolutely xxx

Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Erin M on October 17, 2012, 01:43:01 am
There's a growth spurt right at that 2-3 week mark too -- if it hasn't hit you yet, this is probably it. 
You are doing fabulously well.  :) 
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: *happy* on October 17, 2012, 19:32:24 pm
You are doing fabulously well.

^^^^this hun....it's not easy but you're doing great.xxx
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Me.and.my.two.boys on October 19, 2012, 08:34:40 am
Im thinking C is right in the midst of 2 week GS - he is feeding every 2.5 hours!! Feeding is actually going well the last few days but its the settling in between that I am struggling with. He has wind issues, Im not sure what yet but I am working on that.

A few questions - I want to pump so DP can do one feed at night but Im not sure when to? If I feed from one side at a feed should I just pump from the other side? which side would I feed from next feed?

Also, is there anything I can be taking? I am looking into a probiotic but does anyone take any other supplements?

Im not having any caffeine or alcohol but is there anything else I should be avoiding?

Thanks ladies :-*
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: becj86 on October 19, 2012, 09:52:34 am
I want to pump so DP can do one feed at night but Im not sure when to? If I feed from one side at a feed should I just pump from the other side? which side would I feed from next feed?
Pumping between the two feeds first up in the morning is usually when you'll get the best yield, or during your first feed since you are one-side feeding and the easiest way to get a letdown while pumping is to have LO sucking on the other boob ;)  I'd then feed off the side you pumped from for the next feed.
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Me.and.my.two.boys on October 19, 2012, 10:48:44 am
during your first feed since you are one-side feeding and the easiest way to get a letdown while pumping is to have LO sucking on the other boob
I will try this :)
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Erin M on October 19, 2012, 12:19:10 pm
I took calcium while bfing but I don't think it's necessary (though I have read it can help your supply when AF returns if that's a problem).  As for foods to avoid, as long as he seems ok with things, I wouldn't worry.  I ate whatever with all of mine and they were fine. 
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Fiver on October 19, 2012, 19:20:52 pm
As long as you're not going mad, caffeine should be ok, by the way.  I think some say it actually helps milk production, but I could be remembering wrong :)
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: ZacsMumme on October 19, 2012, 23:57:02 pm
I never cut caffeine out (prob should) but YK, I need to not go mad. ;)
If your doing a bottle you an give C probiotics, you need to get the ones for infants. That said, I would just take them yourself (adult ones) this early on, and he will get them through your milk.

Are you trying aching to help with wind if you many get it up? I've just had to go get gripe water. (Woodwards here) and use it when desperate! (Typically when we get those awful hiccups that hurt)

Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Erin M on October 20, 2012, 00:56:09 am
I never cut out caffeine with any of mine either, just didn't go drinking tons of it.  In one of my breastfeeding books, it said something like "Mothers who drink 6-8 cups of coffee a day may find their infants are nervous and jittery" -- which always made me laugh b/c I think that much coffee would have that affect on anyone
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: shivi on October 20, 2012, 08:12:00 am
I actually STARTED drinking coffee  for the first time in my life as a BF mammy!
As for probiotics - don't think they're even necessary for EBF babies - they only have the good bacteria in their gut, none of the bad at all....
Good for you though so take them for yourself but I don't think they pass thro milk anyway....

I've had 1-3 cups of coffee a day since O was 2 wks old, all thro bf days. Switched to 1 cup caff and two decaf while pg 2nd time.

Alcohol - hmm, well that's a touchy one. I would never have bf for as long as I did without the odd glass of wine.

S x
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: barbaraz78 on October 20, 2012, 09:46:54 am
Alcohol - hmm, well that's a touchy one. I would never have bf for as long as I did without the odd glass of wine.

Here guidelines say that you can drink a moderate amount of alcohol, i.e. one glass of wine or one 330 mL bottle of beer, both during pregnancy and BF. I know that in many other countries the guidelines are different, but I don't think moderate amounts have great impact, because they arrive to the baby very diluted.
I think that the same is with caffeine.

I used to drink sometime a glass of wine while bf, and I had coffee in the morning.
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: eva026 on October 20, 2012, 12:21:34 pm
"Mothers who drink 6-8 cups of coffee a day may find their infants are nervous and jittery"

LOL!!!

Drank 1-2 cups of coffee here all through my pregnancy and BFing now too.
I even go out and have an occasional beer with friends then BF at our NF at 4-5am. I read that as long as you don't 'feel' the alch, you should be fine. So just don't get tipsy:)
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: shivi on October 20, 2012, 14:35:07 pm
One doc recommended to me, if you're safe to drive, you're safe to bf xxx
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Me.and.my.two.boys on October 20, 2012, 17:10:22 pm
That's a good point Shivi :) I might have one small glass tonight - would be my first since January!

I haven't pumped today as I was in a rush this morn to go and collect ds1. I've been quite sore feeding today, ds2 is very windy and squirms at the breast while feeding so he is sliding down my nipple a lot and I'm having to re-latch him :( also, when he is latching on he is moving his head about a lot and getting annoyed and then 'grabbing' my nipple and then I have to re-latch him again!
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: ZacsMumme on October 20, 2012, 18:04:09 pm
My MW also said a glass of G&T or wine is fine, a small amount is filtered through the milk anyway especially if you feed just before drinking it to minimise any going to baby :-*
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: becj86 on October 20, 2012, 20:25:31 pm
I've been quite sore feeding today, ds2 is very windy and squirms at the breast while feeding so he is sliding down my nipple a lot and I'm having to re-latch him  also, when he is latching on he is moving his head about a lot and getting annoyed and then 'grabbing' my nipple and then I have to re-latch him again!
Hugs. This sounds a lot like what DS was doing. Have you tried baby-led attachment? I haven't found a great link that I like enough to post but if you google it, you'll get a general idea. It really helped us - I didn't find it til DS was about 6 weeks old though.
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: ZacsMumme on October 21, 2012, 01:36:30 am
I just googled (nosy) this is what Z and T did straight after they were born. I didn't even realise it had a name.
Kelly, is there a position that he doesn't do this on? I found cradle position the worst for slipping etc. does lyng down make it easier? Or foot all hold? (Lots of pillows though!) x
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: amayzie on October 21, 2012, 01:54:06 am
One doc recommended to me, if you're safe to drive, you're safe to bf xxx

this is my approach... I also heard that drinking WHILE feeding the baby is the best as it's longest till the next feed ;D Probably doesn't look the best though!! (I don't think that i actually did that myself... not that i'm judging others- go right ahead!)
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: ZacsMumme on October 21, 2012, 01:55:39 am
Lol Katy, I was going to post that but then thought maybe I shouldn't. This is why I heart u :-*
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: becj86 on October 21, 2012, 02:10:40 am
I also heard that drinking WHILE feeding the baby is the best as it's longest till the next feed  Probably doesn't look the best though!!
All true ;) Would look a little wrong to be BFing and drinking a wine at the same time though :P
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Erin M on October 21, 2012, 03:10:41 am
Probably doesn't look the best though!! (I don't think that i actually did that myself... not that i'm judging others- go right ahead!)
LOL, is it really that bad because I KNOW I've done that.  :)

Kelly, if you skipped pumping, it could have been that your let down was especially strong at the next feed because of engorgement.  When you pump regularly, your body produces for that time, just like it would for a regular "feed" and reacts accordingly when you skip it. 
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Me.and.my.two.boys on October 21, 2012, 19:50:29 pm
Weird day today!! Ds2 was feeding well until lunch time, he would not latch on, I spent 20 mins (in a cafe) trying to get him latched etc. eventually I have him to DP because we were both getting frustrated and ds2 was sick, it must have been the last feed (3hours previous) because it was all lumpy and some of it was yellow ??? I fed him again about an hour later and he fed fine.

I haven't been pumping every day and when I have been pumping, I haven't been doing it at the same time every day. I think I will choose one feed to pump at and stick to that. I know morning is the best but it won't work for me with school run etc.

I'm feeling less sore today when he latches and starts sucking :)

Also, how would I know if I have an over active let down? I'm not sure how I would know?
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Fiver on October 21, 2012, 19:55:41 pm
This article is great with lots of symptoms and ways of alleviating a forceful letdown - http://kellymom.com/bf/got-milk/supply-worries/fast-letdown/
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: ZacsMumme on October 21, 2012, 19:57:32 pm
Hun how frequently are you feeding C? I'm only asking because Z was really tough to know when he was hungry, and refluxing/wind made it harder to tell too. I think I overfed him and it made things worse KWIM?

I copied this from LLL as it explains it well
When a mother has an overactive let-down, milk is ejected forcefully from the breast and in great quantity. If this happens early in the feeding, baby may swallow air and consume too much foremilk in proportion to hindmilk. When baby fills up on the watery foremilk, he may get a stomachache from the combination of filling the tummy too fast, swallowing air to keep up with the let-down and the laxative effect of a large quantity of lactose (milk sugar). Some babies are so upset by the forceful spray of milk that they refuse the breast and go on a nursing strike.
Quote http://www.lalecheleague.org/llleaderweb/lv/lvsepoct95p71.html
There's some tips for managing it here too. Kellymum has lots of info too.

Forceful Let-Down Problems

I can tell as when the LD comes if I take T off the milk squirts everywhere forcefully ::)

Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: ZacsMumme on October 21, 2012, 19:57:48 pm
Posted with Amanda ;)
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: shivi on October 21, 2012, 20:47:35 pm
this is my approach... I also heard that drinking WHILE feeding the baby is the best as it's longest till the next feed  Probably doesn't look the best though!! (I don't think that i actually did that myself... not that i'm judging others- go right ahead!)
I was known to do this - even have a piccie from my birthday party with a glass (tiny) of bubbly in my hand with Emma latched on! Woops!
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Me.and.my.two.boys on October 22, 2012, 09:27:21 am
I was known to do this - even have a piccie from my birthday party with a glass (tiny) of bubbly in my hand with Emma latched on! Woops!
LOL :) Thats a funny photo to show her when she grows up ;)

I had my first glass of wine last night. It was quite low alcohol content and was sparkling wine so I had it in a small champagne glass so I barely had any but it felt so nice. I fed DS2 at 8pm and DP fed him at 1am with a bottle of bm (i pumped at this time and dumped the milk just incase there was still alcohol in it) so I didnt actually feed DS2 until 5.30am :)

When I feed DS2, I can hear him gulping the milk and swallowing hard. This always happens near the start of the feed so I think I do have OAL. Should I try and take him off at this point and express some out until it calms down?

Amanda, that link was great :) Thanks. DS2 does seem to clamp down to slow the flow and that seems to contribute to my sore nipples.

I feel engorged today, its so strange, some days I feel empty and other days I feel full. I do think I need to get into a routine with pumping so Im pumping at the same time every day and my body knows iykwim?
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: becj86 on October 22, 2012, 09:59:55 am
When I feed DS2, I can hear him gulping the milk and swallowing hard. This always happens near the start of the feed so I think I do have OAL. Should I try and take him off at this point and express some out until it calms down?
This is where lying back really helped us. If he's still doing it while you're lying back, then yes, I'd say best to catch the worst of the letdown in a towel (or bottle ;) ) and then latch him back on :)

I got engorged after a GS - never noticed til after it had been though... so it could just be that you've been through the 3week growth spurt.
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: shivi on October 22, 2012, 11:22:06 am
sounds like oal for sure. Oscar coped, Emma didn't at all. I would allow letdown off into a muslin and then get on with it. As for the wine, old don't worry. Baby would get 3%-5% of all you've taken in if U were to feed when alcohol amount was at highest. Really is TRUE that best time to feed is while drinking or just after xxx
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Fiver on October 22, 2012, 13:23:32 pm
Did you ever get along to that BF support group, Kelly?

And yes, does sound like it could an OAL.  DS used to clamp down a lot on me, but DD not so much so.  That said, clamping and gulping can also be indicators for a tongue tie, as they find it hard to cope with the flow as the tongue won't move properly :-\
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: shivi on October 22, 2012, 18:42:27 pm
clamping and gulping can also be indicators for a tongue tie, as they find it hard to cope with the flow as the tongue won't move properly
I wonder how much of the being unable to cope in Emma's case was just this... but then again, I had definite OAL and it was slightly worse with her than with O I believe. Leaked a lot longer while at work etc etc as well.

S x
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Fiver on October 22, 2012, 18:51:35 pm
I leaked for AGES, but fairly sure I didn't have an OAL.  Amazing how different we all are :)
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Me.and.my.two.boys on October 22, 2012, 20:56:53 pm
DS1 had tongue tie so when I got DS2 checked I made sure they checked and they said he didn't have it. Feeding has been a bit better today, he seems to squirm less during feeds but has been so sick :( I'm thinking reflux and I'm taking him to the doctors tomorrow so ill see. Lying back when feeding seems to help with the OAL :)
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Me.and.my.two.boys on October 24, 2012, 14:04:12 pm
Oh god - I feel like my nipple has been ripped off and sewn back on :'(

My left side is agony! Ill be back after I've finished feeding him - please help!
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: louis-mummy on October 24, 2012, 17:04:20 pm
Kelly - you could try starting him off on the non-painful right side and switcg him over after a few mins when he's likely to be calmer and not so hungry?

I also have OAL and doing some block feeding
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Erin M on October 24, 2012, 17:15:50 pm
What does it look like?  Cracks/bleeding/misshapen?
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Me.and.my.two.boys on October 24, 2012, 19:13:53 pm
What does it look like?  Cracks/bleeding/misshapen?
Misshapen yes, not bleeding but very pink. When DS2 sucked, I had pain in my nipple and also pain in my breast on one side!

Fed from less-sore side and pumped from sore side at 6.30. Will try him on the sore side next feed. I have had a cold compress on it and lanolin on the nipple. Ive also taken some paracetamol and Im going to take some ibuprofen to help.

I cant pinpoint the exact problem or why I am so sore but I know it mainly happened during the night, all last nights feeds were so sore but I was so tired I just didnt know what to do!

Today DS2 has been diagnosed with reflux so I know that has something to do with the wriggling/squirming on the breast and I have tried different positions but all seem sore ???
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: becj86 on October 24, 2012, 19:47:53 pm
Kelly, if you feel ripping, please express (and don't keep pumping if that feels like its ripping too (it shouldn't) - just hand express if you can, works well if you can get the practise in). I have had a piece of nipple rip off, it was long, about 1.5cm and about 2-3mm wide and the way the tissue grows, it rips all the way around :( It hurts and can take ages to heal.

Are you prepared to express and bottle feed EBM? It may give you nipples enough of a break if you do that when you can. Logistically, I don't know how, I used to feed DS and pump while he was in his bouncer after a feed - I'd sing to him and he'd be pretty happy but not sure what options you have for hands-free and boobs-available with C being so unsettled with the reflux. Just reading again that its mostly the night feeds - is he going further apart at night? Could be extra milk flow as you're resting (if you are).

Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Me.and.my.two.boys on October 24, 2012, 20:06:58 pm
Yeah, he is going a little longer between last feed at about 8 or 9 and the first NW. The rest are 3 hours apart. I expressed after our last feed but only got 1oz, can't seem to get enough in one pump for a whole feed. I'm feeding just now from the sorer breast and the start of the feed was sore, I had to clench my teeth but its eased. It's down the outside of my actual breast that hurts ???

I hope he sleeps well tonight, don't know how I can cope with sore boobs and no sleep :(
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Erin M on October 24, 2012, 20:44:46 pm
Have you got lumps where it hurts?  Red streaks?  Try warm compressed where it hurts.  If it got worse in the night I'm betting that it had to do with him not latching as well at night (which always happened to me, you don't want to turn on the lights, etc to see a good latch -- I used to latch by the light of my phone to make sure it was right).  Pink nipples aren't great, but are better than bleeding in my experience.  (((hugs)))) for the reflux.  :(
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Me.and.my.two.boys on October 24, 2012, 20:48:46 pm
Erin I did think it might be a problem with latch during the night. I'm going to have to make sure he is latched well during the night so I don't have the same problem tomorrow. DP is keeping him downstairs in his basket until his next feed, DP says he won't even mind if he doesn't wake until 2am, he will keep him down there to let me get some sleep.

Hopefully tonight's a little better - I have lanolin on and maybe with a good sleep I will feel better :) thanks ladies
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Erin M on October 24, 2012, 20:58:41 pm
Hooray for DP!  :)
Hope you get some sleep!
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Fiver on October 24, 2012, 21:04:46 pm
Kelly, please get along to that IRL support group.  With the reflux and the pain, I'd be beginning to wonder about something like a posterior tongue tie that won't necessarily be obvious to spot, but would be causing a number of the issues you're describing.  If not that, then they will be able to see and assess what's going on by seeing you do a feed than we can through the medium of text.

Big hugs, sweetie, you're doing great, but sometimes we just need that extra pair of eyes which, in generations past, would've come from family :-*
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Me.and.my.two.boys on October 25, 2012, 11:17:50 am
Yeah Amanda, I went last week - my local one is on every fortnight so back next wed. It was more like some mums playing with their babies and a health visitor if you have any problems. I will see my own health visitor before then so will ask her to watch me feed him etc. she was here yesterday and watched him feed and he was an angel and latched on perfectly - no squirming/wriggling!
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: shivi on October 25, 2012, 12:04:07 pm
Huge hugs Kelly. If some feeds R fine and painfree i would be thinking that c has a shallow latch sometimes and sometimes not iykwim? Shallow latch is most typically a baby's way of dealing with oal. It could also be posterior tt but then every feed would be affected to some extent.

Will  be back l8r but pls do hot b4 and cold after...hope its going better xxx
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Fiver on October 25, 2012, 18:36:28 pm
^^What Shiv said.  It might not help the OAL, but breast shells might help to give some air to your damaged nipple without clothes rubbing on it
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Me.and.my.two.boys on October 25, 2012, 19:51:26 pm
Thanks ladies - the shallow latch sounds exactly like what's happening. I will see how tonight goes. Ice defo been in less pain today than yesterday :)
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: becj86 on October 25, 2012, 21:02:47 pm
We had the shallow latch here - the reclined feeding helped a lot but TBH, as he grew and I could do block feeding, that's what really made the difference because my oversupply was making the OAL more difficult to cope with.
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Erin M on October 26, 2012, 00:19:56 am
Yay for less pain!!  And, honestly, for us it was just that when I latched him on at night I wasn't being as careful about it and with him falling asleep and me falling asleep we ended up with a shallow latch and the resulting pain.  :) 
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Me.and.my.two.boys on October 26, 2012, 06:34:58 am
Erin - I remember before you asked about red streaks. My sore side is really tender to touch (fed from it a few hours ago) and has like a red streak (looks like a vein) on it where it's most tender!! The nipples are still a bit sore but ok. Only one side is tender to touch between feeds - is there something wrong?
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: shivi on October 26, 2012, 06:56:06 am
Kelly you need to do ibuprofen max dose every 8 hrs for the next 48 I'd say, warm compress before and cool after feeding. If you can try and massage the sorest area while feeding Corey that should help as well. If after 24 hrs you feel worse - flu feelings, temperature when your nurofen is due to be taken, all over aches and pains, then you need to see a doctor....

I "got away with" home remedies for mild breast infections or blocked ducts with Emma - around 8 times in total. With Oscar I only had it the once and let it go far enough to need abx and bedrest....but you CAN get rid of a blocked duct (sounds like what you have) with local heat treatment before (to open the ducts), massaging during feeding (and changing position to have Corey drain that area better) and cold treatment after to stop the duct reblocking....

Here's a bbc article on it:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/physical_health/conditions/mastitis1.shtml
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: ZacsMumme on October 26, 2012, 07:17:15 am
Hugs, when I first had mastitis I found getting in a warm shower and massaging the breast downwards to express a little eased the pain and pressure as well, especially when your full and if C doesn't empty the breast. As shivi says ibuprofen and Panadol too, and hopefully you can get it cleared out without antibiotics :-*
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Erin M on October 26, 2012, 13:27:34 pm
Yes, what Shivi said.  The heat and massage will usually open up the blocked duct.
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Me.and.my.two.boys on October 26, 2012, 17:20:49 pm
Ok so I have been doing the compresses and ibuprofen. I 'think' it feels a little better!

I've found that if I feed from my right side first (the good side) and then move him to the left, he latches better and doesn't wriggle down my nipple so much. I have been trying to massage it when he's feeding but it's kind of awkward as its sore underneath my nipple and he's blocking me getting to it to properly massage it.

I'm so stressed today which won't help either - DP is at work until 3am so I've had both boys all day myself, I'm dreading DS1 bedtime tonight!!

He seems to be feeding more often today - I don't know whether its because of the reflux and because he's being sick, he's hungrier quicker or because of my milk? Up until yesterday I felt full every feed but now my boobs feel much softer and he is needing to feed from both sides!
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Erin M on October 26, 2012, 17:43:33 pm
Could be another growth spurt, they happen so often in the early days.  Glad you're not so sore today.  :)
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Fiver on October 26, 2012, 18:42:55 pm
I'd say GS too.  You feeling more soft just means you're not leaving it so long that your body is desperate for you to feed, which is actually a good thing :)

Hope the red patch clears up soon, but like the others have said, keep an eye on it and if you get any fever, get yourself to the Dr ASAP :-*
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: shivi on October 26, 2012, 20:09:56 pm
To get to massage that area you could try lying corey on your bed on his back and literally sit on top of him, with gravity also helping as you feed and massage at same time. Damned blocked ducts nearly did my head in with emma
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Me.and.my.two.boys on November 06, 2012, 16:00:59 pm
I don't know if I should have started another thread or not, the title would have been the same! C has gone from feeding from one side roughly every 3 hours to both sides every 2 hours or less! He was 5w yesterday, I'm not sure if its a GS or not? Because he has been feeding both sides every time, when it comes to him wanting to feed again he isn't happy he has to work so hard to get milk and is fussing a lot! I even resorted to giving him a bottle of formula (which he finished) and that makes me sad that he wasn't satisfied with me :(

Nights are tough this last week too - he will feed around 7 or 8 and then sleep until 12 or 1 and then sleep until around 3 or 4 but after that feed he won't settle well and wants fed every hour nearly! I am getting hardly any sleep and I'm stressed and grumpy :(
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: ZacsMumme on November 06, 2012, 17:54:01 pm
Is he on meds yet Hun, I've been thinking of you :-*
Do you think he is comfort feeding? Both my boys did/do this :-\
'Could' be a GS too ... How's everything else though? I he sleeping on? - pain at all. X
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Me.and.my.two.boys on November 06, 2012, 18:03:14 pm
no meds, the gaviscon seems to be helping a lot, still some refluxy days but much better than he was :) naps have been tough but i think its because im inconsistent - some days were out and he is in his carseat and other days he is at home and naps in his seat. I gave up settling him in his moses basket upstairs during the day because i coudnt be away from ds1 for all that time. he is usually held/rocked to sleep and then we put him down. he sleeps in his moses basket at night and will do one 5hr stretch between about 8pm and 1am and then he is usually up every 2 hours!

amazingly he had a 2.5hr nap today and woke up hungry (4.5hr since last feed) - im feeding him now (both sides) and i am hoping he will settle long enough in his chair for me to put ds1 to bed (dp working lates all week).

Im worried im running out of milk because he is feeding so often? can this happen?
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Erin M on November 06, 2012, 18:07:08 pm
Im worried im running out of milk because he is feeding so often? can this happen?
No, you pretty much continually make milk.  The human body is pretty amazing.

It really sounds like pretty classic growth spurt behavior to me.  What I found with all of mine is that there are the "textbook" growth spurts -- but that there are a whole bunch of other ones.  Our LOs don't necessarily grow when the books say they're supposed to, but when their bodies decide to.  If it settles down shortly, I'd call it a growth spurt, otherwise we can start thinking about other causes.  Also, don't worry too much about the naps -- it's harder to do EASY when it's not your first, but you just make it fit however it falls and it does work out eventually.  :)
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: anna* on November 06, 2012, 18:16:31 pm
Im worried im running out of milk because he is feeding so often? can this happen?

No. He can drink you dry for sure but you will make more. This is where loads of mums start supplementing, and then supplementing more until they wind up switching to bottle feeding. If it IS a growth spurt, the only thing to do is feed and feed. Yes you will be constsantly feeding, yes your baby might be hungry straight after a feed (not 'satisfied') but that's how your body gets the message MAKE MORE MILK and how your supply increases. It's a rough few days but it's normal, and you come out the other side of it with more milk and (hopefully) a more contented baby.

Hang in there.
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Me.and.my.two.boys on November 06, 2012, 18:27:43 pm
Thanks Anna :) Poor wee man seems hungry all the time but Im ok with feeding him loads, as long as I know its a growth spurt and it will pass :)

I do feel like a milk machine though - like this is all im good for just now! lol!
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: eva026 on November 06, 2012, 19:31:52 pm
I do feel like a milk machine though - like this is all im good for just now! lol!

Lol, sounds like our GSs. I'd plant my bum of the sofa one morning and get up 3 days later when the GS finished.
I think our longest feeding session lasted for 3h!
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Fiver on November 06, 2012, 20:27:12 pm
Everyone else has said it so much better than me ;)

These babies are very clever and know just how to give your body the signal that it needs to produce more milk.  That could also explain the apparent need to BF more from 1am (prolactin, the milk producing hormone, is at its peak between 12am and 6am, apparently).  How they know they need to feed more then to get more milk I will never know, but they do seem to know it!

I know it's not very BW, but for self-preservation with our second we did a lot of co-sleeping in the earlier days, so I would get her into bed with me lying down and she would just latch on and feed.  The sucking was great for milk supply (although I still always had my concerns on that!) and we all got a lot more sleep than we would've done if we'd had to be getting up and down all night.  I always made sure to start her off for the night in her cot so we were setting up good foundations, but sometime you just have to do what you have to do to get through.  I'm sure it'll all come good :-*
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Me.and.my.two.boys on November 09, 2012, 15:21:08 pm
Ladies - is it possible for one breast to make more milk than the other? C favours my right breast and it seems to be making more milk. I have been alternating sides but when I put him on the left breast, he gets annoyed, pulls off, shakes his head and then cries etc and if I move him over to the other side he latches on and feeds fine ???

My left side feels emptier and Im worried it will slowly stop making milk if it isnt getting stimulated as much as the other side.

I fed from right at 11am and pumped from the left (only got 1/2 oz) and then at 2pm I thought I would try and feed from the right again and see if there was enough milk for a feed and then I could pump from the left again but C seemed upset after about 10 minutes and I moved him to the left, he fed for a while and then seemed upset again! I was so confused so moved him back to the right, he must have got a little more because he finished and is happy. I tried expressing both sides and I only got a few drops.

Is it possible to feed from one side and pump from the other? The only reason I want to pump so much is because C is on infant gaviscon and I was giving it to him mixed with cooled boiled water but he is going off it and Im struggling to get him to take it so would like to be able to mix it with a little bm and give it to him that way! It would also be nice to have some milk so dp could feed C once in a while!

I finished feeding/pumping about 3pm and Im pretty sure C will be wanting fed again at 5pm - Im worried I will still be empty and he will be fussing and upset :( Were not going to be at home (we will be out taking L to his dads) and Im worried I will have a hungry baby and I wont know what to do ???
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Erin M on November 09, 2012, 17:53:49 pm
It is normal and I know we have at least one mom on here who only fed from one side...can't remember who though.
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Fiver on November 09, 2012, 18:17:07 pm
Do you think he could be uncomfortable in any way when feeding from the left?

My memory is appalling, so I can't remember what your labour/delivery was like.  Did you have any interventions or was it all fairly straight forward?  I only ask because sometimes if there's been any forceps or ventouse, LO can end up with some residual damage from that which can then end up making them feel uncomfortable which sometimes manifests as a breast preference.
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: eva026 on November 09, 2012, 18:21:00 pm
I have the same. In fact I can only get DD to take my right side if she's just coming out of a nap or at night, so if I don't catch her at the right moment during the day I sometimes end up only feeding from the right side once and pumping it twice.
Boobs still the same size though, when it started I was worried I'd have to stuff my bra on the right to not look lopsided:))
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: anna* on November 09, 2012, 18:59:44 pm
Can you express from the 'non-favoured' boob until you get a let down so he doesn't have to work so hard? And breast compressions to keep the milk flowing? I know you CAN feed successfully from just one boob, but probably best not to until you've tried absolutely everything to get him to take both - even if just for the sake of post-BF symmetry, kwim?
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: becj86 on November 09, 2012, 21:15:56 pm
Has he always favoured that breast, Kelly? DS favoured each of my breasts at different times - one has one large hole and the other has several smaller ones - he liked the one with one large hole when my OS was under control and preferred the one with several smaller holes when my OS was crazy, usually just after growth spurts.

I know someone who has fed just off one side bc LO refused the other side completely.
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Me.and.my.two.boys on November 10, 2012, 10:09:49 am
Bec, it hasn't always been this one. During the night he actually fed from each side fine, no pulling off or shaking his head - I think it's because he was managing to get milk more effectively because the breast was fuller (because it had been a good few hours since he fed last)

I'm scared to pump - I really want to so that I have some milk to mix his Gaviscon with but I'm worried that if I pump, I won't have produced enough milk by his next feed. It would be ok if I could guarantee 3 hours between feeds but sometimes it's as soon as 2 hours!
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: becj86 on November 10, 2012, 10:29:11 am
How are you going with pumping while feeding?

Have you done breast compressions? That can help when milk flow slows down and bub gets impatient.
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Me.and.my.two.boys on November 10, 2012, 12:00:04 pm
I stopped pumping when feeding because he started feeding more often an u felt like I needed to leave that second side for his next feed!

I feel kinda out my depth - like I don't have a clue what I'm doing! :(

I fed him at 9.45am and he was so sick after that I had to feed him again at 11.30 when I was taking him up for his nap. He didn't take too much though which is good because I felt empty after feeding him only 1.5hrs before!

Pah - today is not going well!
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Fiver on November 10, 2012, 16:21:11 pm
Kelly, I'm sure I've said it before, but feeling 'full' (or engorged, to give it its proper name) is an indication (in the early days) that you've not fed for a while.  It's not an indicator of how much milk is there or that you're producing a lot/enough.  Once the way your body produces milk changes, it is unlikely that you will feel engorged and if you believe now that that's how you feel to have enough milk to feed, you're likely to get yourself into a panic when that feeling stops happening.

Certainly before around 12 weeks, the best way to build supply is to feed often.  For the first couple of days you probably will wonder if you're producing enough milk, but you ARE.  The more you feed, the more milk you will have, ultimately.

Big hugs.  BF is such a psychological thing.  You almost have to continually tell yourself (and believe it) that your body knows what it's doing and can and will sustain and satisfy your baby.  You're doing great. :-*
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: *happy* on November 10, 2012, 20:02:42 pm
just wanted to drop off soem hugs kelly...my internet has been giving some serious grief lately so i'm trying to catch up on thigns now....
the early days are the hardest with the BFing hun, i really do believe that. like amanda saya, you're doing great!each day at a time....hugs.xxx
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: eva026 on November 10, 2012, 20:35:19 pm
Hang in there Kelly, it's hard and it sucks but you have to keep telling yourself you can do it. The ladies here really know what they are talking about and they got me through so many BF crises, so when they say you should keep calm because even if you don't feel full there is still milk being produced they are right for sure.

Re pumping, if you chose a time you pump every day, eg after the morning feed when you have the most milk, your body will adjust and quickly start producing more milk at that time. You can just pump a tiny bit a first and freeze it if you are worried LO will go hungry at his next feed, and slowly increase the amount every few days so your body has time to catch up with production.
Title: Re: constant feeding? Please help??
Post by: Erin M on November 11, 2012, 04:49:03 am
Re pumping, if you chose a time you pump every day, eg after the morning feed when you have the most milk, your body will adjust and quickly start producing more milk at that time. You can just pump a tiny bit a first and freeze it if you are worried LO will go hungry at his next feed, and slowly increase the amount every few days so your body has time to catch up with production.
So true!

You really are doing fabulously well Kelly.  :)