Breastfeeding General Chatter #3

[Astrolady]

Hello all!

This thread has been created as a general chatter thread for those who are breastfeeding their babies. It's designed for those who want to support each other in their breastfeeding journey, however long that may be. So let's start a cheersquad for all those who would like to support one another, for as long as they decide to breastfeed.

To view the previous thread, please click HERE

Some other useful breastfeeding websites include:

Australian Breastfeeding Association
KellyMom (USA)
Australian Lactation Consultants Association
Register of IBCLC's (International Board Certified Lactation Consultants)

[Mishca]

HI girls,

How you all doing? Its 5am and I cant sleep now! tried to give my gorgeous one a feed at 1am so she could sleep through til 7am but the poor chicken was still hungry at 4.30am so here I am shes sleeping now in the cot which is great, she had another restless arvo..I think its my breasts. They are so tender and cracking now both of them. I have got Lansinoh cream and am using that, do you girls now how long it takes to work? Still hurts everytime she feeds. The back of the packet says put on twice a day but can you put it on after every feed?

Linda - hope your little one has settled for you.

Jennifer - thanks so much for everything you have been wonderful...how was Lucy yesterday?

Bel
xxx

[Trish]

Belle, I'm not sure about after every feed but I'm sure you could use it abit more often then twice a day. Have you tried rubbing some EBM into your nipples after a feed and letting them air dry. Might mean walking around with your bb's hanging out for a while but it feels so much better.

Sorry to tell you that it will probably take you a few weeks for your nipples and bb's to settle down. The images on the comercials of it all being beautiful and painfree in those first few weeks is a crock!!! It may look beautiful but that's about it You have to remember that you have never had someone sucking on your bb's for so damn long or frequent either.

Good to hear that Julia is sleeping for you now and hopefully you are catching up on some too.

Take care Belinda, it will get better :hugs:

[Jennifer13]

Hi gals

Belle - I never read the tube when I used it so I can guarantee I was using it more than twice a day!! You poor chook, ouchie at the cracked nipples. I tried using a bit of EBM on them after a feed too but that didn't seem to work as well for me (the colostrum worked, not the milk). I think my problem was drying them out at all, given my skin type. I hope you get some relief soon. Thanks for asking, Lucy had a great day yesterday. She's now taking rice cereal, EBM and a bit of banana mixed in like a pro. I might even try some pear in it instead of banana in a day or two and see what she thinks. We sit down to have morning or afternoon tea together, so special!

[deancey]

Bel when I had cracked and bleeding nipples in the early days i used the lasino after every feed and left me boobs out for a bit after each feed. It took a good fortnight for mine to heal up I think. It is painful when they are cracked but it will get better. Good on you for sticking with it though, many give up at the 1st sign of pain

Well Jordan is getting more and more disinterested in his feeds. I swear he would only be on for 15 mins max total. Sometimes I have to fight him to latch on. He is only on 2 feeds a day, morning and night. I think the end of my BF days are drawing near as I think he might be weening himself.

[Mishca]

Afternoon girls!

Thank god for the lactaction consultant I saw today, she was wonderful, expensive granted but I can claim back on my private health and tax return. It was so helpful to find out why Julia is so unsettled - Im not feeding her enough and also not attaching her properly hence the sorest nipples now I must remember the right way to attach her and all will be ok. Shes just had 2 major feeds. 40mins on one breast 30mins on the other, then 3 1/2 hours sleep then the feed just then 35mins on one breast, and 40mins on the other... so now DH is kindly settling her for a nap.. she must be knackered now..and ouchie the boobies hurt. The poor chicken has mastitis as I havent been feeding her enough, apparently my hormones are changing must be the adrenalin slowing down the consultant says. And she looked at her gunky eye and said to put breast milk on it..the GP called me and said that I should put ointment on it but the consultant said breast milk will be better if that doesnt work go back to the GP...its getting better anways nearly so will use breastmilk to cure it..

Tracey - how ru? good to see you I think I know you from WC Thank god for Lansinoh its doing great, I think I will try it every 2nd feed and see how I go..Jordan is growing up so fast! I want to stick to breastfeeding I think its very important. I will only resort to bottle if all else fails and I have given it a real fair go.

Jennifer - Hi Mate, as you can see above I have been busy today with the Lactation consultant and creating Julia's website!!! I must put it as my homepage on BB!!! How is Lucy today? is she doing well? Ohh I must say tried the front cradle feed wont work for me at the moment as my belly is in the way, will have to wait to lose a little more of my belly before trying again.. but all is good.

Trish - great to see you!! been ages since we all met up at Castle Hill, how you doing? I agree what a crock re those commercials! LOL.

Time for me to snooze on the sofa now...

Take care girls, thanks for all your support. Your wonderful

Bel
xxx

[Fi]

My daughter got a gunky eye at about 6w I think - I think it was from their tear ducts opening or starting to work. I dunno. Anyway it was the weekend, so Shane took her to the drs on the run, and they gave ointment. It worked really quickly, but then my GP a couple of weeks later said we should have just used breastmilk as they dont recommend the oitment for little bubbas.
My GP is fairly conservative about pregnancy and babies though. Breastmilk is great for sticky eyes!
Great that the LC went well today. Attachemnt is so important, and it only needs to be a little off to cuase some serious damage! At least you have caught it early, and hopefully a bit of air time will do wonders

[Mishca]

Fi,

Thanks so much for your post re the gunky eyes, thats great news, I would much rather use natural remedy on her eyes for sure. Im so grateful for the LC, has made all the difference.. even this morning at 4.30am after her feed she went for 1hr instead of like 30mins for 2 sides which is great as our little chicken needs to put on weight as she was below 10% of her birthweight when she left the hospital last week.

Hows your pregnancy going? whats your due date?

Bel
xxx

[Fi]

Just under 3 months to go, but it feels like less sometimes. This has all gone so quickly this time!
The constant distraction of a buxy toddler helps

Most babies drop a little when they leave hossy, so dont worry too much about that. I'm sure Julia will catch up really quickly. How great that feeding is already a little easier! Its so worth perservering. I have travelled a little bit with a baby now, and the convenience of breastfeeding made it so easy

[Jennifer13]

Hi gals

Bel - I had a look at Julia's website, love the piccies! I am so glad you saw the LC, I hope it makes all the difference. If Julia is eating that much now I'm sure it won't be long until she regains all the weight. And they don't take that long forever, so don't think you'll be a permanent milk bar! You've seen Lucy, five mins and she's done now. I have to admit that I kind of miss our midnight feed when it was just her and I and I got to have some quiet time with her. Although the sleeping means it's a very fleeting feeling!

for you with the sore nipples, it must be hell... I hope Lansinoh works for you. Even though I didn't get cracked nipples (just a bit of a graze) I know it was a godsend for us for the first couple of weeks.

Fi - I hear you on the convenience. I was at the park with my Mothers' Group yesterday and half a dozen babies started crying at once to be fed. The couple of us still bf just whipped up our tops and had silence in seconds, the others are fiddling around with bottles, waiting for it to cool down, etc, etc. By the time they were starting we'd already finished and had happy babies playing on the ground again! I know a Mum who took her bub on an international flight and was stressed for weeks beforehand as to how she'd manage and how many bottles she'd have to take, what if she was delayed, that kind of thing.

Hi to everyone else, must get some housework done while Lucy is still napping.

[Astrid]

2nd the convenience factor. In the early days I had to express and use formula top ups (2 weeks old till Maggie was just under 8 weeks). It was a total PITA every time I went out. I had to think how long I was out for, how many feeds would she need (do I take EBM or formula), would I be able to warm the bottle etc. It wasn't until we went on a 4 hour drive when Maggie was 12 weeks that I really appreciated breastfeeding for the convenience and that all the hassle, stress, tears and carpal tunnel to get her breastfeeding again was worth it (apart from all the other known benefits). Oh and handling the bottles was a pain, nothing worse than after the 3am feed realising that I had no bottles and having to wash and sterilise before I could go to sleep.

[Mishca]

Hi girls,

Jennifer thanks so much for the subscription to ABA its such a wonderful gift, I got the info in the mail today and its great

Also we had our first Early Childhood visit to the midwife at our local community centre today. It was great, got into a mothers group in the area and the best news is Julia has put on weight thank god the feeding is working!!!, only 130grams but still great! thank god, hopefully by next week she will reach her birth weight which is normal to reach 2 weeks after birth she said. We went food shopping after that so now im absolulately knackered and my scar is hurting like anything. Had so much wheeling her in her new pram I just did the rollover feed from 11.30pm to 12.30pm and now she went straight to sleep isnt that wonderful, fingers crossed she can sleep until 5am...or so..as she was up most the afternoon she must be tired. Ps. Nipples still very sore, hope the Lansinoh works over night again!

Question for you girls, when you feed in public, what position do you feed? At the moment im feeding in the twin position as my belly is still there.. waiting for it to go down to be comfortable before feeding in front..

Bel
xxx

[Jennifer13]

Bel, I feed Lucy in the normal front position and the football hold as well on the LHS when we're out, same as at home. Although at her age I don't get any dignity 'cause she stops constantly to look around and chat! Hope your nipples are feeling better this morning! Glad you liked the gift, I have read and re-read their book and I think it's great.

[deancey]

Bel Good on you for working it all out and yeah on the weight gain. I feed Jordan the normal way i guess. he lies across ways... if that makes sense. I have never tried any other ways.
I think I have seen you on WC and maternal?

Well Jordan and I had a great day we went swimming in the morning and then out for lunch. He is now in bed which is nice. Hopefully till about 4.30ish.

To add to the pro's of BF, its something only the mum can do and its a special moment to share with bubs. It also is full of the good stuff and it helps mum loose the jelly belly. WOHHOO for that.

[nickel]

Hi All!
I've just started coming back to BB after my baby's birth - she's now 13 weeks! LOL!
Anyway, definitely want support to BF and to support other to do this too!

So just wanted to say hello and join in!
I am absolutely loving BF this time round (second baby) but it has been easy since the first feed, she was just one of those babies that was good at it which was great as our first feed was at 5 days old.
I want to feed until she's about a year old I think, and am sure I will need support to do that.
At the moment any inconveniences of BF (leaky boobs, thinking about what to wear for public feeds, expressing at work, me having to do every feed) are outweighed by the enjoyment I get from BF, and believe me - after last time I NEVER thought I'd say that!

[Jennifer13]

Congratulations Nickel, both on the birth of your baby girl and your decision to bf!

How old is your other child? LOL at the leaky bbs, etc, but that goes away soon enough! How do you manage expressing at work? That's something I would see as a bit of a challenge, finding a place that's hygenic enough, then storing, etc, etc).

I'm sure you'll find plenty of support from the lovely ladies here! Have you checked out the ABA also? They have a great local support system in most areas.

[Mishca]

Hi girls

How are you all? gotta love breastfeeding I have no lost 10kgs since giving birth to Julia and I keep going down! this is great since I need to lose at least 20kgs or more to get to 70kgs.

Can I ask is the tingly sore feeling in the breasts let down? My boobs leaked the other night for the first time when she slept for 6 hours instead of 4hrs. And all day yesterday she wanted 3 hourly feeds 20mins each breast instead of every 4 hours 30mins each breast, does this mean shes getting more efficient? I hope my little bubba is getting good feeds, look forward to hearing your thoughts!

Trish - would love to catchup with you and Jennifer again would be excellent. Will let you know as soon as I can drive again when I have recovered from my c/s. Hopefully in 2 weeks time!

Jennifer - hows things? hope you are having a good weekend, thanks for your call mate.

Hello to everyone hope you are all doing well.

Bel
xxx

[Jennifer13]

Hiya Belle - sounds like you and Julia are definitely into a rhythm now. Six hours - woohoo! You've got a very good baby there!! I still get the tingly feeling every time in my right bb when I feed (the let-down), but it isn't sore. I feel it less in my lhs. How's your recovery going?

Mushy food is going really well with Lucy now and it hasn't seemed to affect how much she's bf at this stage. I'm still only offering one meal a day, but thinking of going up to two next week. She is managing it a lot less liquidy now and I cooked up some pumpkin last night to try this week. Also got less of a runny dirty nappy this morning so it must going through!