The Breast Feeding Support Thread

monflat · 15-11-2014 9:08pm

Marz66 wrote: »

Has anyone gone through a green nappy phase and returned back to normal poos?

My LC has advised it could be just a phase and to leave it for 2-3 weeks. My lo has medium/dark green poos not lime green which I understand is more worrying.

I've read about over supply and block feeding etc but I've only seen it as advice given and haven't seen anyone say they've resolved the issue themselves.

Im happy to wait and see for a few weeks but curious if anyone else has resolved green poos and how?

Ah yes I've had experiences of a few days with green poos then back to the lovely golden colour.

Going through a phase at the moment of green ones.
It's nothe something I've ever worried about thou.
I'm feeding my third baby now.

I've been having salads each day for past week I've put it down to that

Marz66 · 15-11-2014 11:16pm

monflat wrote: »

Ah yes I've had experiences of a few days with green poos then back to the lovely golden colour.

Going through a phase at the moment of green ones.
It's nothe something I've ever worried about thou.
I'm feeding my third baby now.

I've been having salads each day for past week I've put it down to that

Thanks monflat. I've been eating lots if broccoli and on iron supplements too so that could be part of it.

Claire de Lune · 16-11-2014 3:17pm

Hi there, I am hoping to get a bit of advice!

My breast fed baby is 7.5 months and never slept through the night. Since he was 3 months he only woke up once a night for a 10 min feed, which was easy and totally manageable (ie mummy not sleep deprived!)

But for the past month he started waking up 2-3 times a night and only the boob can settle him :-( We tried to settle him without the boob but he just screams and screams and I usually give in :-(

I am wondering is he actually hungry or is it a case that he wakes up and doesn't know how to fall back asleep without the comfort of the breast?

He's a super happy baby, very active, eats breakfast, lunch, mid afternoon snack, dinner at 6 pm and bottle of formula before bed at 7.30-8pm. Several breastfeeds during the day.

If he's hungry during the night I am happy to soldier through and feed him, but if he's waking up as a habit and wants boob for comfort, I'd rather not feed this habit! How can I know?

He sucks his thumb, so he has that comfort anytime he wants :-) He's not cold or warm or in pain at all at night.

Thanks for your help!

kandr10 · 16-11-2014 6:11pm

Claire de Lune wrote: »

Hi there, I am hoping to get a bit of advice!

My breast fed baby is 7.5 months and never slept through the night. Since he was 3 months he only woke up once a night for a 10 min feed, which was easy and totally manageable (ie mummy not sleep deprived!)

But for the past month he started waking up 2-3 times a night and only the boob can settle him :-( We tried to settle him without the boob but he just screams and screams and I usually give in :-(

I am wondering is he actually hungry or is it a case that he wakes up and doesn't know how to fall back asleep without the comfort of the breast?

He's a super happy baby, very active, eats breakfast, lunch, mid afternoon snack, dinner at 6 pm and bottle of formula before bed at 7.30-8pm. Several breastfeeds during the day.

If he's hungry during the night I am happy to soldier through and feed him, but if he's waking up as a habit and wants boob for comfort, I'd rather not feed this habit! How can I know?

He sucks his thumb, so he has that comfort anytime he wants :-) He's not cold or warm or in pain at all at night.

Thanks for your help!

Hi
Is it possible he could eat more during the day? Maybe another snack or bigger meals? Maybe more solids than milk might help?. I don't think he could be hungry at night for the breastfeeds but more food might be settling. Could he be teething either?

Claire de Lune · 16-11-2014 6:38pm

That's why I am confused, he eats very well during the day, my portions are generous and thick, he also gets yoghurt or fruit puree if I see that he is still hungry after lunch or dinner. I forgot to mention that he gets a dream feed at 11pm. He can't be hungry 3 hours later! He's definitely not in pain, we've ruled that out.

Aaaah, I think we are going to have to break this habit... Dreading it! Anyone has any experience of stopping boob at night if not necessary?

My first son was breastfed for 6 months, he was waking 4-6 times a night for a feed all for those 6 months and it broke me. I stopped breasfeeding then due to pure exhaustion... I really want to avoid this this time around!

Thanks!

emer_b · 23-11-2014 12:00am

just a quick question about dirty nappies! I have a 12week old little girl, exclusively breastfed. Started out with the normal 4-8 dirty nappies a day and gradually reduced the frequency to every second day. But over the past 4 weeks she's only been going every 3 to 4 days (went to 6 days once). Now I know this is not unusual for breastfed babies but she's really gassy between poos and the gas is so smelly. She passes a lot of wind and even the tiniest amount really stinks. When she does poo it smells really strong too and has a weird smell which I can't even describe.
She doesn't seem bothered by this at all, she's thriving, great form, gaining weight. But this has been niggling at me, she shouldn't be so smelly. I bf my first and couldn't even tell when she had a dirty nappy as there was no smell.
Anyone else experience this with their baby?

kandr10 · 23-11-2014 12:58am

emer_b wrote: »

just a quick question about dirty nappies! I have a 12week old little girl, exclusively breastfed. Started out with the normal 4-8 dirty nappies a day and gradually reduced the frequency to every second day. But over the past 4 weeks she's only been going every 3 to 4 days (went to 6 days once). Now I know this is not unusual for breastfed babies but she's really gassy between poos and the gas is so smelly. She passes a lot of wind and even the tiniest amount really stinks. When she does poo it smells really strong too and has a weird smell which I can't even describe.
She doesn't seem bothered by this at all, she's thriving, great form, gaining weight. But this has been niggling at me, she shouldn't be so smelly. I bf my first and couldn't even tell when she had a dirty nappy as there was no smell.
Anyone else experience this with their baby?

Not the smelly nappy as such - like you I wouldn't have known if it was dirty without opening it when it unleashed an overwhelming sour smell! However my girl was gassy as you like in between dirty nappies (every 8-10 days!). Smelly loud builder farts! I'm sure as you say if the babas not uncomfortable it's grand

livinsane · 24-11-2014 11:24am

My 13 month is going through a really clingy stage for the last month or so. He is feeding really often during the day. It seems to be just for comfort as he eats and drinks plenty. I am going with the flow but please tell me it goes hand in hand with the clingy stage and he will ease off again!

cyning · 24-11-2014 2:58pm

Sooo... Thrush. S has it in her mouth, unsurprising really she's on iv antibiotics for a throat and ear infection and another thing for mouth ulcers. They've given her drops to use, and I got daktarin too: should I do anything else? My nipples feel itchy but I reckon that's because I know she has thrush!!

cyning · 24-11-2014 3:02pm

Oh and livinsane that definitely eases off.., I used get out of the house to help!

bovril · 24-11-2014 7:20pm

Just a quick note to say hello. I've read this thread in full over the past few months and the info is invaluable. My daughter was born 11 days ago so we're on day 11 of our bf journey. We made it through the growth spurt at 10 with just me being exhausted. Baby is feeding well and was discharged above her birth weight (I was in longer for a c section and then kept even longer for other medical reasons).

I'm sure I will be on here asking advice before too long and hopefully over time I can answer some questions too.

B

cyning · 24-11-2014 7:40pm

Congrats bovril

growth spurts are tough going!

livinsane · 24-11-2014 9:18pm

You'll be an expert before long! I used to read through this thread when I was pregnant too. Its great because you get to see peoples' journeys in almost real time and it gives you a sense of the realities of breastfeeding. I'll never forget the sense of achievement when I posted here for the first time!

Jerrica · 24-11-2014 9:18pm

Congrats bovril, if she's above her birth weight already that's a wonderful start! My little girl (17 weeks now) was able to put on heaps of weight too and it's one less thing to worry about. Well done for getting through those first few tough days

Fagashlil · 25-11-2014 12:46pm

My little man is now 5 weeks, we've been having a seriously tough time feeding. Was in hospital 4 nights as had a c-section and he wasn't latching on the left side at all, finally on day 4 and that's no a midwife who refused to give up, he latched on, and was happily feeding from both sides. Then his 3 week growth spurt he suddenly refuses the left again, was at quitting point at this stage, but rang the local health center and turns out they have a lactation consultant who works alongside the PHN, so have been seeing her too and he's feeding off the left again, though not if he's starving as he gets too frustrated as the left is flatter than the right.

Only problem is he brings up after nearly every feed, have to give him gaviscon daily, so am frustrated as to if he's actually getting enough food. No one tells you it's going to be this hard.

livinsane · 25-11-2014 2:30pm

Hey, congrats on your new baby. A lot of babies have a preference for one side. My son went through a long phase of almost totally rejecting the right side. Your breasts will regulate their own supply so you'll find the right will produce more than the left in time. I almost always use the left during the day but use the right more at night.

To encourage him to use both sides maybe let him feed enough off the right to take the edge of the hunger and then swap him over.

The football hold is a good way to fool him into thinking he is feeding off the other side.

If you can feed while lying down, this is also a good way to use both sides if you are able to feed from the top breast, meaning he will be lying in the direction he prefers but is getting the other side. BTW I found this almost impossible in the early weeks but it got easier as baby got bigger and stronger and now it's probably the position I use the most.

I have no experience of galviscon but bringing up milk after every feed was normal for us in the beginning. I think he was overfilling himself and then some had to come back up. Once your baby is gaining weight, it shouldn't be a problem. Its totally normal.

kknitter · 27-11-2014 4:18am

Hi all,

I stopped breastfeeding on Saturday I.e. My last feed was on Saturday. It's Thursday morning now and breasts are still soar n lumpy. They do ache but not unbearable pain. Wondering how many days approx it takes for breasts to feel normal. Will the milk automatically dry up or I did something wrong? I had gradually decreased feeds and was one or two feeds in a day,
I have no idea what to expect now, I hope I didn't miss anything. I thought it would be fine in few days but I guess it takes longer for soarness to go? And milk to dry up? Am looking for experiences and hope this is normal I.e, soar breasts for few days

Regards

bovril · 01-12-2014 11:52am

Hi,

In the last few days my 3 weeks old won't open her mouth wide enough to get a good latch. She makes little sucking attempts. I've tried rubbing her lower lip but she doesn't leave me much of a window. I need more hands. Does anyone know how to encourage a wide mouth for latching?

Marz66 · 01-12-2014 5:19pm

bovril wrote: »

Hi,

In the last few days my 3 weeks old won't open her mouth wide enough to get a good latch. She makes little sucking attempts. I've tried rubbing her lower lip but she doesn't leave me much of a window. I need more hands. Does anyone know how to encourage a wide mouth for latching?

My 10 weeker is doing the same. Dr Jack Newman has some advice on this page but it's easier said than done
http://www.bhttp://www.breastfeedinginc.ca/content.php?pagename=doc-WLreastfeedinginc.ca/content.php?pagename=doc-WL

I find changing the position helps especially the football hold. Also holding up baby's head while you are latching them on first. If boob is fuller/harder I also find it easier.

monflat · 01-12-2014 7:07pm

cyning wrote: »

Sooo... Thrush. S has it in her mouth, unsurprising really she's on iv antibiotics for a throat and ear infection and another thing for mouth ulcers. They've given her drops to use, and I got daktarin too: should I do anything else? My nipples feel itchy but I reckon that's because I know she has thrush!!

If you look at kellymom there is various treatment advice for thrush.
And you have escaped?
That's great because if you had it it's terrible terrible painful.

I suppose watch out when you use a towel to dry yourself after a shower put it in wash to prevent spread.

Change breast pads regular too.

Cut down on sugary foods which help the thrush to thrive.

cyning · 01-12-2014 11:12pm

I've started having pain feeding today but nipples look normal. She used me as a teething ring last week and I couldn't even stop the feeds because I had just for her off iv fluids. She still has it but is only off the antibiotics 48 hours. Starting her on a probiotic tomorrow because she is still sick too.

Boob rocks with sick babies though

monflat · 01-12-2014 11:21pm

Your nipples will look normal however they may look a bit shiny like a shiny film over them but the pain is like a thousand needles jabbed into the centre of your nipples. Shooting right back into the breast. And you may have pain after feeding for an hour afterwards.

Once my lad got the drops. The relief was immediate.

ThatsMyWall · 02-12-2014 4:27pm

Hi all, I think my 9 week old might be teething, seems early but he his drooling excessively and has been very fussy while feeding over the last few days.
Is there any other reason he might be this way? He latches on and then pulls off crying, like he wants to feed but its hurts....

monflat · 02-12-2014 4:42pm

Possibly could be alright
My boy went through a real fussy clingy stage at 9 \10. Weeks.
A few other posters on here have made similar observations!

My lad needed to be held for like 5 hrs each night.
Then he improved.
It was about 4-5 days after his injections

ThatsMyWall · 02-12-2014 4:45pm

Well he just got his shots today so hopefully he doesn't get worse! It's just frustrating trying to feed him sometimes.

cyning · 02-12-2014 8:18pm

Was at docs today he doesn't think thrush, but that I'm in pain from her biting me and her teeth rubbing my nipple while feeding... Which I know she shouldn't be doing but I couldn't stop her feeding last week. He suggested using shields but don't know if I like that idea. All I know is my nipples are in agony

and because she's still sick I don't exactly want to stop feeding her everytime she bites. Also suggested jack new mans apno but it's really expensive

Sligo1 · 02-12-2014 8:29pm

cyning wrote: »

Was at docs today he doesn't think thrush, but that I'm in pain from her biting me and her teeth rubbing my nipple while feeding... Which I know she shouldn't be doing but I couldn't stop her feeding last week. He suggested using shields but don't know if I like that idea. All I know is my nipples are in agony and because she's still sick I don't exactly want to stop feeding her everytime she bites. Also suggested jack new mans apno but it's really expensive

Lansinoh any good cyning?

cyning · 02-12-2014 10:57pm

Ya I'm using that at the moment: it's just awful. The pain is just so so bad. Hopefully it will improve by tomorrow.

Sligo1 · 02-12-2014 11:01pm

cyning wrote: »

Ya I'm using that at the moment: it's just awful. The pain is just so so bad. Hopefully it will improve by tomorrow.

You poor thing. Take some nurofen and get in a nice warm bath with no soap and try and relax. Hope your feeling a bit better tomorrow. Perhaps a nice cool compress may sooth it. X

galah · 02-12-2014 11:18pm

Try the shields to give your nipples some time to heal. Inused them for akmost 18 weeks on our first and didnt have any issues with them, without them i would not have been able to breastfeed as the pain from bein cracked etc was so bad!

Still breastfeeding here at almost 11 months, but need to start thinking about stopping soon, going away in january for a week without baby. Not looking forward to it, really, as it's still the easiest way to get babba off to sleep

cyning · 02-12-2014 11:38pm

I'm more worried about her refusing boob if I try to use the shields! She's a pernickety one my little miss

ah tomorrow will be better I hope!

Marz66 · 03-12-2014 5:18pm

Marz66 wrote: »

My 10 weeker is doing the same. Dr Jack Newman has some advice on this page but it's easier said than done
http://www.bhttp://www.breastfeedinginc.ca/content.php?pagename=doc-WLreastfeedinginc.ca/content.php?pagename=doc-WL

I find changing the position helps especially the football hold. Also holding up baby's head while you are latching them on first. If boob is fuller/harder I also find it easier.

How are you getting on bovril? I was at a parent baby group today where there was a lactation consultant. She just recommended taking baby off and on again if latch had disimproved. Maybe as your lo is only 3 weeks a lactation consultant could help you?

bovril · 03-12-2014 6:20pm

Marz66 wrote: »

How are you getting on bovril? I was at a parent baby group today where there was a lactation consultant. She just recommended taking baby off and on again if latch had disimproved. Maybe as your lo is only 3 weeks a lactation consultant could help you?

I have been trying to make sure the latch is good and taking the baby off if it's painful. The trouble is getting her to open wide in the first place. There is sometimes only a couple of opportunities and I miss them as her hands are in the way etc. Going to try make it to a local bf group tomorrow where there should be lactation consultant so I can get more tips.

Marz66 · 03-12-2014 10:11pm

That's good bovril. I've been there with the mouth not open wide enough, can be frustrating.

Sligo1 · 03-12-2014 10:16pm

cyning wrote: »

Ya I'm using that at the moment: it's just awful. The pain is just so so bad. Hopefully it will improve by tomorrow.

How you feeling today cyning?

cyning · 03-12-2014 10:55pm

Sligo1 wrote: »

How you feeling today cyning?

Not so great: my areola on the left is cut from teeth, and every feed is frigging torturous. If she would take a bottle I'd wean her this very second (and regret it next week I'm sure!). My nipples look pretty normal bar one or two cuts, but the pain is unbelievable. I've being limiting feeds which she's cranky from too, but I can't cope with her being latched on if not feeding.

And just in case I'm panicking any new mammies or mammies to be I'm so sorry: this isn't normal it's because she had mouth ulcers and thrush and was sick.

Sligo1 · 03-12-2014 11:08pm

cyning wrote: »

Not so great: my areola on the left is cut from teeth, and every feed is frigging torturous. If she would take a bottle I'd wean her this very second (and regret it next week I'm sure!). My nipples look pretty normal bar one or two cuts, but the pain is unbelievable. I've being limiting feeds which she's cranky from too, but I can't cope with her being latched on if not feeding.

And just in case I'm panicking any new mammies or mammies to be I'm so sorry: this isn't normal it's because she had mouth ulcers and thrush and was sick.

You poor thing Hun. Could you get a prescription for some difene or ponstan from your GP?

cyning · 03-12-2014 11:15pm

Ya I'm going to go back tomorrow or I'll crack up I genuinely can't cope with the pain of it, and I can't just stop feeding her. It's just one thing after another with her really

Sligo1 · 03-12-2014 11:45pm

cyning wrote: »

Ya I'm going to go back tomorrow or I'll crack up I genuinely can't cope with the pain of it, and I can't just stop feeding her. It's just one thing after another with her really

Ask gp for ponstan Hun. It's very good. Provided you have no medical history that would be contraindicated. Mind yourself.

tinkerbell · 04-12-2014 12:12am

cyning wrote: »

Was at docs today he doesn't think thrush, but that I'm in pain from her biting me and her teeth rubbing my nipple while feeding... Which I know she shouldn't be doing but I couldn't stop her feeding last week. He suggested using shields but don't know if I like that idea. All I know is my nipples are in agony and because she's still sick I don't exactly want to stop feeding her everytime she bites. Also suggested jack new mans apno but it's really expensive

Cyning, do you think it could be the vasospasm back again since thrush was ruled out? Does applying dry heat help this time? Can you speak to a LC?

cyning · 04-12-2014 2:03am

No this is a much more intense screaming pain: going to sound mental but I forgot a out the vasospasm! It seems like a lifetime ago: nipple looks normal. I don't know if it's still not thrush: I know it doesn't look it externally, but considering I have broken skin I don't know that it can't entirely be ruled out? I'm maxed out on neurofen and Panadol so going to have to do something about it.

Sligo1 · 04-12-2014 9:19am

cyning wrote: »

No this is a much more intense screaming pain: going to sound mental but I forgot a out the vasospasm! It seems like a lifetime ago: nipple looks normal. I don't know if it's still not thrush: I know it doesn't look it externally, but considering I have broken skin I don't know that it can't entirely be ruled out? I'm maxed out on neurofen and Panadol so going to have to do something about it.

You wouldn't have gotten mastitis/infection cyning would you? Temp ok and everything? Hope u get on ok at the gp today. X

cyning · 04-12-2014 1:08pm

Couldn't get an appt so will be tomorrow: first time ever I haven't been able to get a same day appt. went to chemist and got fucidin and alternating that with daktarin. No temp but I'm sick anyway with a throat and cough viral thingy so that's probably not helpinh

madeinamerica · 04-12-2014 2:19pm

You poor thing, you are having an awful time of it.

tinkerbell · 04-12-2014 9:15pm

cyning wrote: »

No this is a much more intense screaming pain: going to sound mental but I forgot a out the vasospasm! It seems like a lifetime ago: nipple looks normal. I don't know if it's still not thrush: I know it doesn't look it externally, but considering I have broken skin I don't know that it can't entirely be ruled out? I'm maxed out on neurofen and Panadol so going to have to do something about it.

Try the dry heat compress anyway, just in case it helps. I'm not sure if there are different levels of vasospasm severeness so it could be that again, or mastitis - mastitis is possible if there's broken skin.

Hope you feel better soon

Julo12 · 05-12-2014 7:30am

Does anyone feed lying down and if so what age were your babas when you started?
Up since 2.30 with my 4 week old and I'm going to lose the plot if I don't get a decent sleep soon... Can hear the toddler starting to stir now too. I could cry from tiredness and frustration ðŸ˜

cyning · 05-12-2014 8:44am

Julo12 wrote: »

Does anyone feed lying down and if so what age were your babas when you started?
Up since 2.30 with my 4 week old and I'm going to lose the plot if I don't get a decent sleep soon... Can hear the toddler starting to stir now too. I could cry from tiredness and frustration ðŸ˜

Literally from the night they were born... So work away,.. I actually always found it easiest to feed that way

Sligo1 · 05-12-2014 9:12am

Ditto. From when they were born. I brought LO into the bed with me on night 2 in the hospital and we feed and slept all night.... And all day....

Jerrica · 05-12-2014 10:30am

It was a few weeks before I was able to get used to both myself and the baby's positioning to do lying down feeding, but it's how I feed her all night, every night now!

Julo12 · 05-12-2014 10:35am

And did you have to wind them after? I'm a bit clueless as to how to feed lying down. I've been looking it up and tried briefly at 5.30am but we couldn't get it to work.
Mostly our problem is baby feeds a decent amount, falls asleep, I try to wind her, sometimes we get a burp sometimes not but she seems fast asleep so I put her back in the crib. Then anything between 1 minute and half an hr later I have to get her up again. Then once she eventually gets a burp up she often gets hiccups and so wants to feed again to get rid of them... And then it's repeat for anything up to 3 hrs - 4.5 last night which was a new low!

The Breast Feeding Support Thread

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