Breastfeeding questions

So I am curious what type of chair you ladies sit in while you nurse? I am currently sitting in a recliner rocker but I think it may be making latching on a bit harder. I can't sit upright in the chair so it causes me to lean back further. Is there a chance that sitting in a different type of chair that it will help?

Also, when my breasts are full are there some tricks to helping Jake latch on since I am so full. I have tried expressing some of the milk but its still really hard for Jake to latch on. Once he does latch on it goes well.

Will I get use to my breasts filling up?

wow, what an experience....When Jake first latches on it hurts so bad...I see why so many people give up so quickly.

I just hunch for a while untill I know he is on good then slide my arm underneath his head and lie him across my belly so I can lay down with alot of pillows behind my back.
As for latching on I found that pinching your nipple flat and kind of sticking it in his mouth then sliding your finger out helps a little bit...thats one of those things you have to keep trying at untill you find the rite thing.
The huge boobies are very uncomfortable at first but give or take a few days or maybe weeks your body will start to regulat the milk it produces and your breasts wont be so freakishly huge. Mine are just now starting to regulate.
The sore nipples can be very discouraging but you can use nipple cream...but only apply it when they are sore or cracked..doing it all the time can actually make it worse.
You can also only put him on the breast that isnt as sore and supliment with some formula untill your nipple or nipples get better...just make sure you still feed him every day on your breast at least once so you can keep your milk.
Breast feeding can be hard but in the end you know what is best for your baby and thats all that you can do. No matter what baby gets fed!!!
HTH

I really wanted to answer your questions last night.. but didnt have a free hand.. i want to repsond now but again.. breastfeeding. Feel free to call me today we can talk more... 978-249-6839. I am going grocery shopping and bj's after we drop Logan off at school.. ill be home after noon, est. I was hoping to help you with your questions.

April

thank u for the tips pony

i understand april about the typing i am not on the board as much these days i will try calling u this afternoon


dee

I have found that sitting upright on the couch is most comfortable. I put one pillow behind my back to keep my back straight, one pillow against my right hip and one pillow against my left hip, one pillow on my lap, and then the bobby nursing pillow on top. All of the pillows keep your back straight, your arms supported and the bobby pillow at the right height. I think that when I start to get better at latching and nursing all of the setup won't be necessary, but for a FTM I have found all of the pillows make me more comfortable and confident. If you need to express milk (which I have to do after every time Celia nurses because we are supplementing her with a syringe feeder), just move the lap pillows out of the way and hook up to the pump before or after you nurse.

About the breasts filling up. My midwife taught me a technique called breast compression. Once you get the baby latched on the right way, squeeze your breast with your hand at the noon and six position. Then squeeze you breast with your hand at the 3 and 9 position. When your baby starts to swallow, release your grip and repeat. You basically help squeeze some of the milk into the baby's mouth. It has made a huge difference in comfort for me and lets the baby eat a little more quickly to release some of the pressure.

Keep us posted with how you are doing and stick with it. I have to keep reminding myself that the pain is in the best interest of the baby. Only one of many life-long sacrifices we've signed up for

I have a lot of different positions that I have been trying... I find that laying down on my side and having her face me on her side is my favorite. That way we are both comfortable and aren't straining. Plus it's relaxing for mom also, so she can get some rest.

I also have a question, though... In the beginning, when my milk was first coming in and my breasts were very painfully engorged... & then after a while I could actually feel the difference afterwards when she would empty my breasts... but now i don't feel that fullness as much anymore (the engorgement), they just feel empty all the time. I know it might seem silly, but I feel like my milk has dissappeared.. and I am afraid Naminai isn't getting enough milk... which probably isn't the case. But is this normal?

She still has plenty of wet and poopy diapers, so I know I am just being paranoid. It's just that my breasts feel extremely different now!

YoungMomToBe1991 wrote:
I also have a question, though... In the beginning, when my milk was first coming in and my breasts were very painfully engorged... & then after a while I could actually feel the difference afterwards when she would empty my breasts... but now i don't feel that fullness as much anymore (the engorgement), they just feel empty all the time. I know it might seem silly, but I feel like my milk has dissappeared.. and I am afraid Naminai isn't getting enough milk... which probably isn't the case. But is this normal?

She still has plenty of wet and poopy diapers, so I know I am just being paranoid. It's just that my breasts feel extremely different now!

Mine did the same thing but I bet if you squeeze youll get milk out...they get so huge because your body makes to much milk at first then it evens out to what your baby needs. It make feel like you have nothing but as long as she is still going poty and seems satisfied after feeding you have nothing to worry about

Rachel.. Key thing is to watch for diapers. If she is making plenty of wet and poopy diapers in a day.. no need to worry. Im sure she has an apt coming up soon any how so you can confirm it with a weight check. IM sure she is getitng enough. Your milk just wont disappear in a week like that without a reason unless you are supplimenting. If you continue to nurse, drink plenty of water, eat at least 1600 calories a day, your milk supply should be fine. You will hear her gulp in the beginning, thats your milk coming down, let her finish the entire breast before you take her off. She will tell you when she is done. You want her to get the hind milk which equally mixes with the first milk she drank when she started that nurse. Doctors used to say nurse 10 min on each side... but the baby wasnt getting the right amount of mix of milk that way. If she doesnt nurse on the other side, its okay, she will most likely take it later as a snack, or you can pump it out. Im sure your doing great! Sounds like you have your positions down... Your milk is just adjusting to her needs.

Dee.. Or anyone else.. please feel free to call me anytime.

Well that's good to know!!

I also have another concern... how much is a baby supposed to spit up??? She hardly spit up in the beginning.. but for the past few days it's been consistent. Especially after feedings. It just looks like the milk she just drank, and sometimes it's chunky and smells like actual puke. Should I be concerned?? She doesn't seem sick or in pain or anything.

The spit up might be from over flow. She could be eating too much at one time. Sequoia is doing the same thing. Its okay that its chunky. She (they) could also have a little acid reflux. If she doesnt seem bothered by it no worries..but if she starts throwing her head back and screaming that could mean its time to go see the ped. Our ped gives prevecid to help with that. It really works well. Just keep an eye on it for now.

sorry april its been crazy and i havent had a chance to give you a call. notice the typing....lol no punctuation etc...i am holding jake typing one handed. it takes jake several minutes to latch on. i am trying to figure out if its because i am too full or if because his belly hurts. once or twice i could hear his stomach making noise. what a learning experience this has been and continues to be. i am still trying to figure out his different cries and what they mean. he falls asleep so quickly when i am feeding him and so i think he is done but then realize a few minutes later that i have to put him back to my breast to eat more. its hard trying to keep him awake. oh my goodness the initial latch on hurts so bad.....


dee

Jake is a week old... give him a few more days to get the knack of it. But you need to give him a little training. Play with his mouth, rub your finger around his lips, rub his cheek, then rub his gums, your making his rooting reflex react. Then with your finger under your nipple, place your nipple in his OPEN mouth. Use your finger to touch his tongue and start the sucking motion. Pull your finger out. Dont let him latch on until he opens his mouth. Never let him slurp your nipple in like soup. That will cause sorenes on you. Its not too soon to dissaplin him. If he opens up, he can eat, you will guide him and support him, but he needs to get it right. If the two of you learn that now.. it will carry on in his childhood. Please call me if you need to. I want this to work for you and Jake.

thanks for the info i will try using my finger. i didnt know about that trick. once he has latched on it doesnt hurt so i hope the finger trick will help with the initial pain. i will let you know how it goes.


dee

I didn't have the baby yet but I really want to breastfeed. I tried with my son but it was the weirdest thing my milk never came in. I saw lactaion specialists, doctors. No explanation. I never felt a let down and my boobs were never ever sore or full. My mom is a L and D nurse and was confused about it too. So I'm trying to look for tips ahead of time.

Thanks Kellie