Questions for April on Breastfeeding:)

Kinda Random Question...

So about the whole giving baby water thing. I have heard such mixed reviews on this...both times we have taken Olivia to the ER they said NO WATER until 14 Months old, it stripes their sodium...but most resources online say its okay after 6 months...I haven't ask her Pediatrician yet, I guess I should do that, but I wanted to see what you ladies had heard...

I have a question.... Why do you need to give water? Im just curious because they either are nursing or drinking formula which would keep them hydrated. I was always told no water because they can get water toxicemia or something. Maybe it depends on the doctor. I was also told no juice till 2yrs old because of the extra calories. They should only get the calories from either b/m or formula. I guess this would a pediatrician question. I wonder if their opinions differ. I'll have to ask mine at our next apt.

As for blood sugar... I actually attended a birth 7 mths ago. The baby boy had low blood sugar levels of 31. Thats really low. And the nurse asked mom to try to nurse right away. In the end that ended up being enough.

I am sorry I haven't been on in over 2 weeks so this may have been asked... when do you start taking the fenugreek or mothers milk tea??? I have heard all sorts of things so I figured I would ask the PRO!!! So April, please help!

dominicsmomma~ Thank goodness your back! We have been looking for you. Hope all is well.

after getting out of the shower today, my right boob started leaking like crazy!! Is that normal???

Rachel - Yes, my OB actually told me the hot water from the shower will cause that

April - I didn't start giving Olivia any water until she was a year old because I had always heard the same thing, the little porker was drinking a ton of milk and didn't need all the calories, so they said outside of meals (where she always had milk) we could give her water. Our Ped recommended that since Olivia was over 50% for weight we could move her to 2% Milk, apparently a lot of new studies show that if the baby is at a healthy weight 2% is better for them. Olivia has never had juice, and I don't plan to give her juice until she absolutely HAS to have it (like when she knows what is going on and can demand it), she only drinks milk and water.

I think you can start taking them anytime after the baby is born. I would say its different for everyone. I probably wont start until a few weeks after. I have a high testrone level which effects my milk supply. So it really helps me keep it going. I also try to get on a pumping schedule to keep my supply up.

Rachel.. Its normal to leak out of one breast or both, especially during a feeding. Because your milk has let down. Sometimes you might feel a tingling rush coming from the top of your breast going downward. Its a very weird feeling. But not everyone feels it. you might look at the clock and thing.. Gee she hasnt eaten a while.. well that thought will bring on a let down effect and you will surely leak. Your brain controls all that.. thats why its really important to breast feed relaxed in a quiet room. Dont forget to drink a full glass of water each time you nurse. Hows it going with nursing?

Leigh.. Its funny you say that about the milk.. I tried to put Grayson down to 1% last month and WIC had a fit. They want him on whole till he turns 2. I was like gee.. he only has 2 more months.. is it going to matter? Oh well... i dont care either way cause he is on the smaller side like his daddy. Olivia is a porker.. so i can see why you moved her down. hehe I think water at a year old is fine too. Its a great time to introduce the sippy cup.

It's still going!! My nipples are still sore, but the scabs are healing, and I think I've got plenty of milk now. I still won't try to pump for a while, though... I need to not be so sore. But my breasts definitely aren't as engorged as they were two days ago. She's eating really well; pooping and peeing like a champ!! Which is good, because she's got a mild case of Jaundice... so hopefully it'll get rid of it faster. We've been going to get bloodwork for the past three days now... just to make sure the jaundice is going away, which it looks like it is. But one final test today to make sure!

Im glad the jaundice is going away and breastfeeding is going so well! You go mom!!! She will be gaining weight like a champ! My Shaiman had jaundice really bad but they never did blood work. (secretly i was glad) The more she poops the better she will be. Stick her in a window.. she will make a cute center peice!

KUP