Breastfeeding

[Sonoran Silkies]

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I don't think that is accurate. I know that I had absolutely NO problems nursing my first child and HUGE difficulties with the 2nd. I remember being told by both La Leche League leaders and lactation consultants that it is different with every baby.

 

[Xtina]

It's just that you're both using anecdotal experience, which will always have a variety of results. I appreciate the advice that putting a baby down on the belly helps some, because it's already helped mine. I'm not letting him sleep that way all night, but it sure helps get the gas out. And while most mothers will just be better at nursing the second time like Rhoda said, some babies will just have a harder time the second time. Period. Nobody's wrong.

 

[Xtina]

Well, after going through a phase of super hungriness the past few weeks, yesterday and today my baby isn't really eating. He's sleeping like a champ: last night he actually slept for seven hours straight! At six weeks old! But these long sleeping stretches are really hurting my breasts. He obviously doesn't eat while he's sleeping, and when he woke up last night he only ate for four minutes, off one side, before falling asleep again. I usually try to wake him up to drink from the other side, but it never works. And now my breasts are so full! I don't really know what to do. He's still acting frustrated with eating but he won't eat when I offer it to him. Is this kind of thing normal? Do six week old babies sometimes just not seem very interested in eating? It's not that he doesn't eat, it's just that I'm producing way more milk right now than he wants.

 

[claud]

It could be that he's past his little growth spurt and now you are caught up with your production(go figure). You could pump the excess or just let your body readjust to his feeding schedule. I think our bodies adjust well to their feeding but just not in the most comfortable way - lol.

If your not totally opposed to a non-natural remedy, did you try Colace(Ducosate) for a stool softener for yourself? My doc recommended that after the delivery of my baby and for as long as I needed it. It worked wonders for me.

I used a pacifier with my son(he's now 3 yrs old) and it was really helpful. I know people worry about them not giving it up but my son gave it up on his own when he was 5 months old.

 

[Fraurloth]

If your baby starts to pull away at the breast, it probably means that there is something in your diet that's irrtating his stomach. If he's this fussy, gassy, etc. you should try to eliminate offending foods, usually dairy. It takes about two to three weeks to get dairy proteins out of your body. I recommend all dairy to go first to see what happens. Also, have you heard of gripe water? It's a mixture of ginger, and fennel. If your baby is just unbelievably fussy, vomiting, gassy, etc. make him a warm fennel tea, it'll clear right up. If you need some more help feel free to send me a message.
Just curious, did you receive any antibiotics before your birth?
I know this is a personal question and you don't have to answer, but is you baby getting vaccines on schedule or are you doing something else (delayed or not)?

By the way, ancedotal evidence is very good, mama knows best.

Kind regards,
Rachel

 

[Xtina]

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Yes, when I went to the obstetrician, he recommended that I get the Miralax that so many people mentioned. Things are slowly getting better on the constipation front!

 

[Xtina]

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Yes, I haven't gone that far yet, but I'm not opposed to it either. My mom and I were thinking of giving him some chamomile tea as well.

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Nope

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Yes, he's gotten his vaccinations, but he's only six weeks old so he hasn't had very many. I don't remember which ones they were.

 

[Fraurloth]

If he's still six weeks he's received Hepatitis shots and Vitamin K.
Chamomile is also good, it will also soothe his stomach, but my mother-in-law from Germany recommends Fennel and she is really right on target. It works great. You're on the right track, just start doing some research. Usually the problem is right under your nose.

Do try the elimination of offending foods and see if you get some improvement.
Feel free to message me any time and I'll help you with whatever I can.

 

[Xtina]

Thanks! He just ate successfully. Sometimes I think the more tired he is, the less likely he's going to eat successfully, so if he's acting frustrated, he might just be tired? I don't know, I'll need to do some more observing before I decide that's the problem. I also just contacted La Leche League and the woman I spoke to said it might be due to a slow let-down that he's screaming and acting frustrated at the breast.

 

[mrbstephens]

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I didn't read anyone's responses, but would like to give you my opinion which is based on my 6+ years of nursing experience. Plus I was involved with my local La Leche League group for many of those years. They helped me feel confident about the choices I have made concerning breastfeeding plus many other child raising issues. I highly recommend you locate a group near you and attend some of the meetings. It's also a great way to meet others mom's who will have babies the same age as yours.

Now base on what you've said about how your baby in nursing sound totally normal to me. First off....remember that all babies are different. Just like not one person is the same, the same goes of course with babies. They all have their own personalities, quirks, comforts etc. I want to commend you on your decision with sticking to breastfeeding exclusively. It is and has always been the first basic need and most nourishing, physically and mentally form of feeding.

Please don't worry about making enough milk. This is always a mother's worst fear. Take a step back and look at the basics. Is your baby making enough wet and poopy diapers? Is your baby gaining well? If your answer is yes to both of those questions then you're golden. Keep up the good work. If you feel you need to increase your milk supply remember. Feed on demand for as long as the baby wants. The more you breastfeed, the more milk you will produce. If you give the baby formula which is much harder to digest than breastmilk, your baby will be full for a longer period of time. This means you'll be breatfeeding less frequently and in turn will be producing less milk. This is a downward spiral.

I personally wouldn't put something synthetic in my babies' belly if I was paid or forced or threaten in any way. There has been more and more studies on the ingredients in baby formula that has been proven to be harmful. Why put your baby's health at risk? Studies have shown that babies who have exclusively breastfed are less likely to get sick, less ear infections, higher IQs and the newest says a baby girl who is breastfed will have lower risk of breast cancer. Yeah, now only is mama at lower risk for breast cancer due to breastfeeding, but baby too! And then of course, breastmilk is FREE!

Introducing cows milk, which is really intended for a baby cow, before the baby's first birthday does increase the risk of lactose intolerance. I DO NOT recommend you do this. Human milk for human babies.

I could go on forever. Please send me a PM if you have anymore questions or better yet, locate a La Leche League leader near you. They are also available for phone help. http://www.llli.org/
Good luck to you and you family!

-Rachel