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Post by piratecat on Jul 1, 2017 13:10:06 GMT
rosesquared I'm sorry that you're struggling. It's been a huge struggle for me as well - mostly supply issue but made worse by the fact that J is still not that great at latching causing me a lot of pain still. We've been supplementing since day 3 but I really thought we'd be weaned off formula by now and it is discouraging. I am starting to see progress with my supply and J has been taking less from the bottle or refusing it altogether so I'm hanging in there. What are you doing to increase your supply? My pediatrician talks to me about breastfeeding but mostly defers to the LC. Supplementing with formula doesn't mean that you're giving up on making breastfeeding work. If low supply is the issue, having a baby that's not hungry and fussing all the time will make you feel so much better and allow you to keep working on increasing your supply in the meantime in a better state of mind. And come and vent any time you need to!
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Post by lildiamondeyes on Jul 1, 2017 13:10:09 GMT
rosesquared Brewers yeast in oatmeal with nuts is my go to for breakfast and snacks. And of course drinking a shit ton of water. That's so funny that you said that cause I was debating adding some brewers yeast to my oatmeal but I'd never heard of anyone doing it. How much do you add?? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 tablespoon, or 2 if you can stand the taste. |
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Post by rosesquared on Jul 1, 2017 14:17:10 GMT
piratecat things I'm doing: eating oatmeal and lactation cookies, taking fenugreek pills, and pumping after most feeds for 15-20 minutes. My pediatrician didn't like part of the LC's recommendation because she had me waking K at night every 3 hours to feed and pump and my pedi said that K actually really needs sleep at night cause that's when her growth hormones are high so she said let her sleep one long (up to 5 hour) stretch then the rest can be 4 hours but that 3 hour stretches at night is not good at 4 weeks old. Also she said I'd be killing myself pumping 8 times a day (after every feeding every 3 hours) and that 4 times a day should be sufficient to boost my supply. I'm doing a bit of a hybrid and pumping if I'm home but if I'm not then I don't. Also if K fed for a long time and I'm worried pumping will mean I'm totally empty when she wants to eat again then I am skipping pumping but that part is hard to guess. One part I'm concerned about is supply is supposed to be set by 4 weeks. Is it still possible to boost after that?! How are you seeing progress? I'm not sure how I'll know if my supply is getting better. That's where the concern about reflux comes in cause when she's fussy at my boob it's hard to know the problem. 🙁 Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Post by cubbiebear325 on Jul 1, 2017 15:20:49 GMT
rosesquared is she having enough wet diapers? Gaining weight? If so then supply is fine. Dd2 gets fussy at my breast at times, more so certain times of day. Have you looked at kellymom? It's a great resource and talks about how fussing at the breast is normal. Babies also all have a degree of reflux due to immature GI system and sphincters. It only needs treated if it meets certain criteria, like no weight gain. I remember thinking the exact things you are with my dd1. I know its hard as a parent, but particularly as a ftm, and you second guess everything and think everything is wrong. I still do it. It sounds like you are doing what you can and doing a great job. Try not to stress as that can affect your supply and your dd can sense it as well. Hugs, you are doing a great job!
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Post by cubbiebear325 on Jul 1, 2017 15:21:23 GMT
And supply isn't fully set until 3 mos =)
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Post by rosesquared on Jul 1, 2017 15:24:25 GMT
cubbiebear325 yeah she has plenty of diapers and is gaining weight (though her gain may have slowed). Thanks though!! I definitely need to stress less!!!🙁 Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Post by rosesquared on Jul 1, 2017 15:24:52 GMT
And supply isn't fully set until 3 mos =) Ohhhh really?!?! That takes a huge weight off!!!! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
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river
Silver Poster
Posts: 140 
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Post by river on Jul 1, 2017 15:33:27 GMT
sleepymonkey That's what Amazon is for... order that shit!!  . I think half my baby stuff is purchased online because dnw unneeded trips out for random purchases I left a cold Gatorade for my mailman today as a small thank you for all of the Amazon boxes he's delivered in the last eight weeks. |
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Post by cubbiebear325 on Jul 1, 2017 15:45:02 GMT
And supply isn't fully set until 3 mos =) Ohhhh really?!?! That takes a huge weight off!!!! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Yes! And even then it's never fully "established." Growth spurts are nature's way of increasing supply to meet baby's needs as she grows. Supply and demand =) |
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Post by lildiamondeyes on Jul 1, 2017 15:48:47 GMT
rosesquared someone once told me that your breasts aren't a warehouse for milk but a factory when it comes to supply. You make milk as needed and are always able to make milk.
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Post by piratecat on Jul 1, 2017 16:24:37 GMT
rosesquared it sounds like you are really doing everything you can. My LC started me on a 3 hour schedule as well but only pumping during the day, for my own sanity, so I really admire your commitment. My pediatrician did say that I could let him sleep longer stretches at night but 4 hours is the longest he'll go. I've stopped setting my alarm and just feed him when he wakes up hungry on his own. The AAP handout did say that healthy, full term babies don't need to be woken up to feed. Are they worried about her weight gain at all? I can tell he's getting more at the breast because he takes less from the bottle than he used to. Have you done a weighted feed with your LC or at the support group? Those are really helpful in tracking how much they are actually transferring. I missed the last couple of meetings so I'm anxious to see what kind of progress we are making. I think you are doing an amazing job. I know that it is frustrating hearing different things from different people but I think you've got to trust your instincts and do what you think works for you and your baby.
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Post by piratecat on Jul 1, 2017 16:33:17 GMT
rosesquared also I have found after the first couple of weeks that sticking to the 3 hour schedule was hard. I think with growth spurts and whatnot J would often get hungry more frequently and I really had to feed him when he was hungry rather than going by the clock and he would be frantic at the breast from being too hungry. Could that be what's going on with your LO or are you feeding more on demand?
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Post by lastkiss on Jul 1, 2017 18:09:29 GMT
rosesquared first off Big hugs! I'm sorry it's so hard. I struggled with breastfeeding ds1 because of not being able to tell how much he was eating. I also gave him a bottle of formula at 3 weeks and sporadically afterwards and we were able to breastfeed till 6 months. I quit because I went back to work and pumping was just a pain. If she's gaining weight and having wet diapers try not to worry about reflux or lack of supply because she's getting what she needs. I'm EPing for the twins so I am able to tell when my supply dips. Two of the biggest things that cause a dip for me are stress/lack of sleep and lack of water intake. So make sure you're drinking lots of water. I agree with your pedi about night feeds. If she's gaining, it's probably better for your supply to let her sleep so you can get more yourself. I find when we're up with the boys more throughout the night, my morning pump session produces less than usual.
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Post by lupincat on Jul 1, 2017 18:49:02 GMT
rosesquared Hugs! BFing is so hard despite being "natural". I find myself having a love/hate relationship with it. Have you posted to the breastfeeding board over on the other site? Even if you just read others posts, I find it so helpful and reassuring! AFM I'm trapped under a sleeping baby while DS1 and H play downstairs. I can't believe DS1 is going to be two on Tuesday! We put together this cool saucer swing set thing today as his gift and he loves it!
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Post by lupincat on Jul 1, 2017 18:56:52 GMT
Also my sister got a kitten today and she's soooo cuuuuute!
And to keep with all the HP themed pets we have, she named her Rowena. Because we're dorks.
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. I think half my baby stuff is purchased online because dnw unneeded trips out for random purchases 
