Breastfeeding

[Deanner03]

Quote:
It took me a long time to get used to my breast pump. WHen I did, it was my savior. Also, make sure you have the right sized (WHAT ARE THOSE THINGS CALLED???) ends (I know there's a word for them). I have larger breasts/nipples, and the standard size were leaving skin from my nipples on the side of the thingy (seriously, I know there's a word). I bought larger ones (Target has the next size up usually), and it was miraculous. WHen I went back to work when dd was 8 weeks old, I had 264 oz of frozen breastmilk in the freezer.

Sorry about my ridiculousness in this post. I hope you know what I'm talking about LOL.

 

[Xtina]

Breast shields!

 

[Deanner03]

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DING DING DING DING!!!! I just COULDN'T come up with it LOL!!!!

Thanks!

Keep trying with the pump. I would feed (in the morning when we had less fussiness), then pump an hour or so after. You don't get much at first, but every little bit adds up!

 

[saddina]

http://www.baileymed.com/cgi-bin/store/cart/List.cgi?F=s&ID=000004

I used this line. You can pump 1 handed, in my case i'd pump left handed and 10-key right handed. the cheap drugstore pumps just can't extract properly.

 

[ruby]

My story is a lot like the other post. I breastfed both of my girls for two years. As everyone knows when they get older, it's more of a comfort than anything. It will cure constipation tho, my kids nursed until they grabbed the food off my plate and they quit on their own. They ate soft foods when they were ready. Rice, mashed potatoes, etc... Never ate cereal or baby food, and never any formula. Never took a pacifier, even though they thought it was a interesting toy! People food with breast milk will nourish your child. Every kid is different, as is mom we are individuals. Trust your gut and dump the broccoli, also chocolate. Before you know it he will be running you crazy with something else. Breastfeeding should be fun and relaxing. It was for me. So, put your feet up and enjoy a kid who can't out run you yet!
I was a midwife helper for 15 years, until my hands failed me. I helped a few women enjoy breastfeeding, but was never too proud to call my lactation lady!
ruby

 

[FrenchHen]

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I called them my speaker horns....

Keep at the pump. It does take a knack, but it's awesome. Our first lac nurse was wonderful, the second was less helpful than nothing.

I'm glad you seem to be easing into things.

 

[Mattemma]

The suckling for hours may just be a comfort thing. As long as the weight is coming on and dehydration is not noticed you should be fine. The more you bf the more milk your body will produce. The only concern I can think of is taking in foods/herbs that lessen your milk supply.Look for a list to make sure you are not taking in those items.

I had 2 9+ pound babies at home,and I can say without a doubt that breastfeeding was harder than birthing. Latch issues with me that led to toe curling pain for a month.I got through it though and bfed both my kids for many years. The health benefits can not beat it. Enjoy your little one!

 

[rhoda_bruce]

This might or might not be relative. And I can't officially suggest you not following the rules of baby care as it now stands, but my children range in age from young adult to toddler, so the first 2 slept on their tummies as infants and were very good babies. Then I had my 'on purpose' baby and almost the time I had her I was told to put her to sleep on her back. I am a nurse but haven't worked in pediatriacs very many times, so I had not heard about the Australian study linking SIDS to sleeping front down. Well I followed the instructions and had my first baby with colic. It was horrible. I didn't realize it was a positional thing for a while. She did well on her side. Then when she was 4 years old I began working for a pediatrician and we once discussed the large amount of moms coming in with colic complaints and told her that my first 2 babies were angels and the 3rd was holy terror and she said that the amount of babies dying of SIDS have decreased since the Australian study, but the colic has dramatically increased. Boys are the ones most affected by SIDS, but I can't even give you a name of a single child that I ever knew who was affected.....I know it happens.
In any event, I have since then had 2 other babies and I do not put them sleeping on their backs. They lay down like an old fashion baby and pass gas very well. I eat whatever foods I want from the day I have them and even if they get gas, they don't suffer from it and they just pass it. I love my breast pump. I became a donor of milk after my 4th child, because I was running out of freezer space and had milk just begging to come out. I would keep the pump set by night, because after sleeping I would have a large amount of milk accumulated that would be uncomfortable for me, so I would pump out for my own comfort, which was usually enough for my baby's breakfast and an extra feeding for the freezer....Sometimes I would pump out 2 feedings and still feel like I had something and just breastfeed the baby. Then I felt almost normal. Doing that, of course meant I was creating a larger demand. I also liked to clean myself out before bed, so I could get in all kinds of weird sleeping positions I may haved missed out on while pregnant. That was when I would be more likely to drink a half glass of wine. I would pump out and give my baby super, which was a large feeding with a few teaspoons of rice cereal....if the baby was over a month ( I once did it at 2 weeks ).
I did not always do breast feeding with 100% success. I find that breastfeeding requires a certain amount of hardheadedness. My family breastfeeds; period. It is almost like they consider a woman that chooses to use formula as less than a breastfeeding mother. It is in me to do this whenever nature calls me to motherhood. I have the advantage of having been breastfeed, as my mother and grandmother, etc. I have absolutely no female contact to tell me the benefits of bottle feeding.
You seem like you are on the right path, but I am concerned about the amount of milk you expressed. It probably was lack of relaxation with the pump or feeling uptight about leaving the baby with someone else for a time. I would suggest you increase your liquid intake, imagine the happiest thoughts you possibly can conjure up in your mind and go on the pump at least twice a day for 20 minutes. Don't allow evil, negative thoughts to enter your mind. Even if you don't get much out at first, believe that the next time will be more and more, etc. If you get ahead on some frozen milk, you will have more and more confidence in yourself and your ability to provide all your babies needs. Best of luck.

 

[Robin'sBrood]

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I'm confused... did you mean to say the first 2 slept on their tummies?

 

[rhoda_bruce]

Yes, I did. I have 3 girls in my house making noise. Sorry. I had kids in the 80s, 90s, and 00s. They were doing things different in the beggining.
I edited my correction. Thanks.