Breastfeeding

[Xtina]

Quote:
What foods in my diet might increase his gassiness? Yesterday I had my first latte since having a baby, and I worried that maybe that was why he couldn't sleep last night. Also, sorry for the TMI, but I've had a bad problem with constipation since he was born so I've been really upping my fiber intake. It's all been lentils, brown rice, cheerios, flax seeds, apples, romaine lettuce, carrots, and spinach.

 

[Southernbelle]

This surprises people: baby formula IS cows milk! It's just broken down in an easier-to-digest form with vitamins and other stuff added to it, then dehydrated. It's safer than cows milk for babies because it's made for them, but I didn't want to give it to my kids either. I breastfed until they could take food from the table - no jars of baby food here.

Lactose intolerance doesn't come from never drinking cow's milk. When we're young we're born with the enzyme to digest milk and as we age we naturally lose that enzyme because nature didn't design adult mammels to drink milk. That's why almost all children can tolerate milk but most adults have some degree of lactose intolerance. Everyone loses the enzyme at different ages. I learned this in my Animal Science classes in college.

I breastfed all my kids and I used to work for a lactation consultant. 4 lbs weight gain in a month is just WOW! Your milk must be pure cream! It is normal for her to nurse around the clock during a growth spurt, but it's also possible that she's using you for a pacifier and you'll have to decide if you want to give her a pacifier to satisfy some of her non-nutritive sucking needs. What I was reading in your original post is you're thinking about other things to feed her because she's driving you crazy nursing so much, did I get that right?

 

[gaeamama]

Quote:
What foods in my diet might increase his gassiness? Yesterday I had my first latte since having a baby, and I worried that maybe that was why he couldn't sleep last night. Also, sorry for the TMI, but I've had a bad problem with constipation since he was born so I've been really upping my fiber intake. It's all been lentils, brown rice, cheerios, flax seeds, apples, romaine lettuce, carrots, and spinach.

Sorry I don't know all too much about what food would be contributing, sometimes it's trial and error. Broccoli, beans, the usual culprits, even coffee and excess dairy on your part can make sometimes make them gassy. I had lots of problems with my second child, and had to restrict all dairy, nuts, fish, soy, and some other things from my diet while nursing her. But she got better and we made it. Wasn't 'til she was 6 months old that she finally became a happy baby. Not until she was 1yr. did I definitely know she had issues with dairy, when I introduced it to her.. she would literally throw up the minute she had any.

The latte *could* have contributed, I believe the caffeine does get to the breastmilk, but only one shouldn't make a big difference I'd think... unless you haven't had any since he was born, then he might be reacting to that. And again, it could just be "one of those things" that you won't really know what's causing it. Hopefully he'll sleep better for you tonight.

I think the average times for growth spurts are at 1 month, 4 months, 6 months and at about 1yr.

 

[wildorchid053]

breast feed mine 2 yrs each.. the extra sucking he is doing is making you produce more milk for next time he feeds.. if you find you are getting sore try giving him something to suck on.. pacifier .. mine would never take them but you can try.. they also suck for tension relief and comfort.. i wouldn't worry about suplementing his diet just yet..

 

[Engteacher]

What she said!

I breastfed both of my children, and my daughter did exactly what you describe your baby doing. Just hang in there. What will happen is that baby gets hungrier and it takes a day or two for mom's milk production to sync up with baby's demands. And yes, my baby was MAD! Bawling MAD! My husband was ready to take her to the ER because he thought she was in pain. I thought she was having a temper tantrum. It was a MISERABLE night, but it all turned out fine by the next day.

Hang in there and get some rest. You sound like you've had a rough day or two. Breastfeeding is a wonderful gift to your child. Not everyone is in a position to do it. I'm so glad you can!

 

[Xtina]

Quote:
It's not so much that he's driving me crazy, I'm totally willing to deal with a little breast irritation to make him healthy and strong. I just was worried about how irritable he seemed despite having the boob available to him and how much trouble he had sleeping. And it's good to know that his weight gain seems good! I'm glad to hear that from someone with lactation consultant experience.

 

[saddina]

Make certain you are getting enough water in your diet, get a 64oz pitcher, fill it with water, and drink it daily. It was much easier to nurse on days where I had the water we needed. Gassy foods can include dark green veggies (broccoli, kale, etc), beans, strong flavored foods can flavor breastmilk (curry).

 

[rhoda_bruce]

I nursed my 5 kids and tried to keep at it for at least a year each. One got inturrupted due to a new pregnancy and one got me for 16 months. I vote for a pacifier. But one thing I have to confess is that I always jumped the gun on rice cereal. It seemed to help them get through the night better......stayed with them longer. I am aware that the official age for cereal is 4 months, but I never regreted it. In fact I knew very few women that did wait 4 months. Its not like they got it for every feeding. I just gave them a few spoons for supper and then maybe lunch and then just breast milk otherwise.
I once worked for a pediatrician and she didn't worry about the 4 month mark so much.
I had my first baby when I was 22 and my last when I was 41.......so far anyway. I agree with you. I woudn't use formulas. But I did need my sleep too. I am not an absolute angel when I am deprived of sleep, so I tried real early on to figure ways to make my babies sleep the night through.
Now you did have a stressor. And you believe it could have affected your babies additude. Could it have upset you as well? That is a biggie, as I already know you are aware. You might be on your first baby, but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that you have studied the pros and cons. You have to relax. You have to find a happy place in your mind where everything is perfect. Accidents happen. You had one and you can't change it and guess what.....its probably not going to be the last time; just be careful.
I know someone mentioned non-alcoholic beer, but I have heard several people say that an occasional glass of wine won't hurt the baby and will help the mom to relax and help a let-down occur. I have tried it when I had a fussy baby.......Mom is relaxed. Baby is asleep. The world is a better place. I didn't do this everynight.
I would get a good relationship with a breastfeeding consultant rather than ask an MD. They seem to have more answers.

 

[FrenchHen]

A good lactation nurse is GOLD. Your county health department might offer that service for free (ours had a grant and we got a home visit for free).
I nursed both my kids. Do you have access to a pump? I froze milk to get us through those growth spurts and just pumped extra when I used frozen milk to make sure production matched demand.

 

[Xtina]

Quote:
It absolutely upset me, much more than it upset the baby - who was scared for 15 seconds and then dropped off to sleep. I'm over it and I realize how lucky I was and that I'm not a horrible person for having tripped. But it sure did upset me.

FrenchHen, I do have a breast pump. I've used it once so far, and didn't get very much milk out of the effort. I had to go to a company dinner with my new employer so I pumped and let my mom watch him. She said he drank in two sips all the milk I was able to pump out in about 15 to 20 minutes. I have to keep at it, but I'm spending the time when he's asleep working. There are so many things I need to do...pumping breastmilk is just one of many things that aren't getting done right now!

I haven't had much luck with lactation consultants in the last month. I've spoken to several, but none have really been helpful. Although your suggestion reminds me that a friend gave me her mother's contact information. Her mother is an international public health expert who worked as a midwife for decades. I should email her!