The Breast Feeding Support Thread

How Strange · 11-01-2013 8:23am

Hopefully you'll be exclusively breastfeeding without all that expressing from now on. Formula isn't a magic solution but sadly it's a convenient one for healthcare professionals who know very little about breastfeeding.

I had a fast let down too and my son was constantly bobbing on and off, getting distressed and even projectile vomiting.

Laid back breastfeeding or feeding lying down is good for a fast let down as is hand expressing for a few seconds initially just until that initial surge of milk decreases. Then latch your baby on.

You could've also come through the 3 week growth spurt which would also account for your baby being distressed when feeding.

It shows that everything is as it should be if he's now gaining weight at 4 weeks. As I said some babies can take up to 3 weeks to regain birth weight so that without any new weight gain at all.

Good luck today with your LC. As wmpdd3 said, they're there for further phone calls etc after the initial visit so use it if needed. It's all part of the service you're paying for.

scrgirl · 12-01-2013 1:06pm

Well I had a fab visit from a lactation consultant and although there is no quick fix she suspects posterior tongue tie and advises we go to either of the docs that specialise in releasing posterior tt. There are two options a guy in clonmel who is more expensive and further away or a guy in maynooth. Just wondering if any of ye here have been to either? We will pay the extra and take the longer journey if its in our interest but obviously if the local guy is as good we would go there. Just looking for others experience particularly of Posterior tt.

How Strange · 12-01-2013 1:10pm

scrgirl that's fantastic! I just pm'd you.

ck83 · 12-01-2013 3:01pm

scrgirl wrote: »

Well I had a fab visit from a lactation consultant and although there is no quick fix she suspects posterior tongue tie and advises we go to either of the docs that specialise in releasing posterior tt. There are two options a guy in clonmel who is more expensive and further away or a guy in maynooth. Just wondering if any of ye here have been to either? We will pay the extra and take the longer journey if its in our interest but obviously if the local guy is as good we would go there. Just looking for others experience particularly of Posterior tt.

I've met the guy in clonmel. He's a lovely man, seems to have a huge interest in tongue tie (if I recall rightly, several of his own kids have it). He did it in seconds, no fuss or bother. TBH he spoke about how it was a very simple procedure, so I'd imagine that whichever of them you go to will do the same job- it was so quick that it couldn't be too difficult!

Emcm · 12-01-2013 4:18pm

Delighted all went well for you Scrgirl you must be so relieved.

Smilerterry · 12-01-2013 4:23pm

scrgirl wrote: »

Well I had a fab visit from a lactation consultant and although there is no quick fix she suspects posterior tongue tie and advises we go to either of the docs that specialise in releasing posterior tt. There are two options a guy in clonmel who is more expensive and further away or a guy in maynooth. Just wondering if any of ye here have been to either? We will pay the extra and take the longer journey if its in our interest but obviously if the local guy is as good we would go there. Just looking for others experience particularly of Posterior tt.

Have pm'd you some details - best of luck!

ariana` · 14-01-2013 1:06pm

Hi, my little man is 11 wks old and he's had a stuffy nose for 9 wks now. Its just dawned on me that maybe something in my diet could be causing this? Has anyone any experience of their diet effecting baby? I'm exclusively breastfeeding. We've been to the doctor so I'm not looking for medical advise per se, he has no other head cold symptoms anyhow, just a stuffy nose at times. Thanks.

0ctober · 17-01-2013 1:28am

Your diet can affect the flavour of your milk and certain foods may upset your baby but I haven't heard of it causing a stuffy nose (that said I'm no expert, maybe it can!) Given the time of year it is it might just be due to colds doing the rounds, or going to and from hot and cold environments like going outdoors and then back to a warm house, which can give babies the snuffles. As your baby is so young their immune system is still developing so that could be it too. If you are worried about it then maybe say it to your phn or gp. The poor little thing, I feel so sorry for them when they're blocked up, it's so hard for them to feed!

skit490 · 17-01-2013 2:37am

0ctober wrote: »

Your diet can affect the flavour of your milk and certain foods may upset your baby but I haven't heard of it causing a stuffy nose (that said I'm no expert, maybe it can!) Given the time of year it is it might just be due to colds doing the rounds, or going to and from hot and cold environments like going outdoors and then back to a warm house, which can give babies the snuffles. As your baby is so young their immune system is still developing so that could be it too. If you are worried about it then maybe say it to your phn or gp. The poor little thing, I feel so sorry for them when they're blocked up, it's so hard for them to feed!

Stuffy little noses do seem terrible. My girl quite congested with it. Hoping karvol will start helping. Aspirator is useless, n really upsets her.have nasosal drops but think might try a spray. Gently rubbing her nose while feeding her seems to comfort her.

0ctober · 17-01-2013 11:22am

I've found the calpol nasal spray good, it just seems to loosen everything up and a while later she will have a sneeze and streams of snots come out!

ck83 · 17-01-2013 1:01pm

I have a friend who perpetually had a runny nose when we were younger, and realised when we finished school that dairy doesn't agree with her. Since she cut it out, no runny nose... I've heard of this with a few other ppl too- maybe you could try a week with no dairy (I don't think I would be capable of this myself) and see does it make a difference?

ariana` · 17-01-2013 9:38pm

ck83 wrote: »

I have a friend who perpetually had a runny nose when we were younger, and realised when we finished school that dairy doesn't agree with her. Since she cut it out, no runny nose... I've heard of this with a few other ppl too- maybe you could try a week with no dairy (I don't think I would be capable of this myself) and see does it make a difference?

That's interesting about dairy, think I'll struggle but might try. We are out n about quite a bit as i've a toddler as well so i have to get out or we'd all crack up so that probably isn't helping his stuffy nose.

skit490 · 18-01-2013 12:59am

ariana` wrote: »

That's interesting about dairy, think I'll struggle but might try. We are out n about quite a bit as i've a toddler as well so i have to get out or we'd all crack up so that probably isn't helping his stuffy nose.

I could eleminate the dairy except for it in my tea, couldn't go a week without tea! Haha. My little girl not feeding great but still dirty nappies etc.so hopefully she'll get rid of it soon. Wondering if its humidity in air at night as def worse in d eve's.

ariana` · 19-01-2013 11:37pm

skit490 wrote: »

I could eleminate the dairy except for it in my tea, couldn't go a week without tea! Haha. My little girl not feeding great but still dirty nappies etc.so hopefully she'll get rid of it soon. Wondering if its humidity in air at night as def worse in d eve's.

Same here, he seems fine during the day but in bed at night he's totally bocked, maybe its from lying for long period of time?

0ctober · 23-01-2013 12:46am

Just a question for the long term breastfeeders here- any of you had any issues with your partner putting pressure on you to finish up feeding? My daughter is nearly 5 and a half months now and I'm still breastfeeding her but my partner keeps dropping hints about me stopping. She has never taken to the bottle and takes formula in a cup for 2 of her feeds when I'm not around during the day and I feed her in the morning and evening. Now he wants to start replacing the evening feeds with a cup. To be honest I have no intention of stopping any time soon! She needs to be nursed to sleep which I think is what is bothering him the most as we can't leave her overnight or have a night out as she wouldn't settle with a cup at night. I would also worry she's not taking enough as she can be hit and miss with the cup and never takes more than 3oz at a feed. She's having a rough time with her teeth at the mo so the last thing I would want to do is take the boob away from her. Sorry I just need a rant! Anyone else had this problem?

cyning · 23-01-2013 1:17am

0ctober I get that sometimes too, but in my case it was/is because I'm being quite affected by the tiredness and pre existing health issues. Also because the pregnancy was so stressful! Since we started solids he's seen that I won't be as tied as the first 5 months: we even managed a night away before Xmas where she had formula and took it no bother for my mum! Although I'm currently only seeing how I go until end of next week and if I haven't improved I am giving up but she will be 7 months almost by that stage.

Maybe if you explained the feeds will decrease, and it does in a sense get easier? Ye will be able to get away for a night (if you want), or even if its an option organise a babysitter for a few hours just to give ye some alone couple time? I think that's what my hubbie wanted.

The other thing is a lot of people think you stop at 6 months its just the "done" thing: it took my oh awhile to get his head around people bfeeding for longer than 6 months!

emer_b · 23-01-2013 1:24am

0ctober wrote: »

Just a question for the long term breastfeeders here- any of you had any issues with your partner putting pressure on you to finish up feeding? My daughter is nearly 5 and a half months now and I'm still breastfeeding her but my partner keeps dropping hints about me stopping. She has never taken to the bottle and takes formula in a cup for 2 of her feeds when I'm not around during the day and I feed her in the morning and evening. Now he wants to start replacing the evening feeds with a cup. To be honest I have no intention of stopping any time soon! She needs to be nursed to sleep which I think is what is bothering him the most as we can't leave her overnight or have a night out as she wouldn't settle with a cup at night. I would also worry she's not taking enough as she can be hit and miss with the cup and never takes more than 3oz at a feed. She's having a rough time with her teeth at the mo so the last thing I would want to do is take the boob away from her. Sorry I just need a rant! Anyone else had this problem?

Hi October, I'm not getting this reaction from my partner but I do from my family and friends. I said I would aim for 6 months, I have 4 months done and the longer I'm doing it the less I want to give it up (the night feeds anyway).

It feels like some of my family are doing a countdown for me and can't wait for the baby to be on the bottle all the time. I know some of it is good intentions to let me go out for a night (which I can do anyway if I express) but I think they just want me back on the booze really...I must be so boring without it!

I feel there's a small element of unease with breastfeeding also as I am one of very few in my family and social circle to BF. Most of them would be much more comfortable with bottles.

I can understand your partners eagerness to get a bit of freedom back for you both as a couple but a few extra weeks/ months of bfeeding is a small sacrifice really when you look at the big picture of what you're doing for your baby.

liliq · 23-01-2013 2:56am

0ctober, I didn't have pressure from my partner but there were a few stages where he thought we were meant to be finishing up.
He tried getting R to sleep a night or two himself, and suddenly wasn't so quick to suggest weaning.
I sometimes am baffled by people stopping Breastfeeding at 6 months- I understand some really want to stop then and of course that's fine, but 6 months, I find, it when it is just getting really easy! Like, after a few weeks you're a pro at it, but after 6 months it's literally second nature.
So much of it is down to what is socially normal instead of what is actually normal...

Maybe ask your partner are there any serious worries he has a out continuing? Myself and my husband wouldn't be big on going out, but our sin being breastfed doesn't hinder us at all when we want to head out. All the offers of babysitters suddenly disappearing is a bigger problem

Neyite · 23-01-2013 11:23am

October, I'm sorry to hear you are being pressured. Maybe its all the advertising that leads people to think that breast is only for 6 months and after that they should be getting follow-on milk?

My little guy is 8 months and I'm still feeding. My partner hasn't mentioned me stopping, leaving it entirely up to me. But I've just discovered I'm expecting again (just 5 weeks along tho) but I hope to continue up to when I've to go back to work, he will be 11 months then and hopefully I can express for a month at least then he can take some cows milk.

I give him formula for his nighttime bottle, and add it to his porridge/ rice, but I'd prefer not to give him formula for all his milk intake.

A question for the experienced ones: I'm due in September, and really don't want to tandem feed both (eldest will be 16 months at baby's birth) I think that weaning him off the breast suddenly when a new baby arrives might be too much of an upheaval, even if it is only a feed morning and evening at that stage, so should I wean him off the boob a few months beforehand?

implausible · 23-01-2013 12:49pm

Neyite wrote: »

A question for the experienced ones: I'm due in September, and really don't want to tandem feed both (eldest will be 16 months at baby's birth) I think that weaning him off the breast suddenly when a new baby arrives might be too much of an upheaval, even if it is only a feed morning and evening at that stage, so should I wean him off the boob a few months beforehand?

It'd probably be an idea. You wouldn't know, he might wean himself! I've also heard that the taste of your milk changes when pregnant and this can put babs off, but someone who's actually fed while pregnant would be more informed.

As well as that, at 16 months, he'll probably be more interested in feeding himself from a sippy cup.

0ctober · 23-01-2013 3:47pm

Thanks everyone, I'll talk to him about it again. He was supportive initially but I think he just has a bit of a grudge against the fact that I chose to breastfeed since our daughter wouldn't take a bottle and that created a lot of stress. Like someone else suggested, a night or two of him trying to settle her without magic boob might change his mind! Thanks again, I'm feeling a bit better about it now, he just really irritated me with it yesterday.

And Neyite- big congrats!

pushkii · 23-01-2013 10:21pm

October you feed your baby for as long as you want sure doesn't the WHO. And HSE. Recommend breastfeeding for two yrs and beyond . As long as you are still feeding her she gets all the good stuff from you and the longer ye continue the better the health benefits for you and baby.

liliq · 24-01-2013 3:47am

Neyite wrote: »

A question for the experienced ones: I'm due in September, and really don't want to tandem feed both (eldest will be 16 months at baby's birth) I think that weaning him off the breast suddenly when a new baby arrives might be too much of an upheaval, even if it is only a feed morning and evening at that stage, so should I wean him off the boob a few months beforehand?

Congrats!!!
Like implausible says, he could self wean before then. I think the younger they are, the less likely.
I think its David Coleman that suggests not having any big changes within the 3 months before or after a new arrival, so you could aim to have your little man weaned by 12/13 months. He could easily self wean by then though as he'll be that bit older.
Good luck

IvyTheTerrible · 24-01-2013 9:53am

Congrats Neyite!

I'm afraid the biting is getting ridiculous now.

I try to read the signs to get him off the breast before he bites, but now he bites in the middle of a feed! And then I get so tense that the rest of the feed is extremely uncomfortable. I think I might have to pump and feed him from a bottle because I'm dreading the 2 feeds a day now!

mary1978 · 26-01-2013 12:03am

Neyite wrote: »

My little guy is 8 months and I'm still feeding. My partner hasn't mentioned me stopping, leaving it entirely up to me. But I've just discovered I'm expecting again (just 5 weeks along tho) but I hope to continue up to when I've to go back to work, he will be 11 months then and hopefully I can express for a month at least then he can take some cows milk.

Congratulations Neyite. Such wonderful news.
Can I ask you when did your AF return? I have a 6.5 month old and am breastfeeding him (along with some solids now). Really keen to have another baby soon but no sign of my period returning yet...

Neyite · 26-01-2013 1:12am

mary1978 wrote: »

Congratulations Neyite. Such wonderful news.
Can I ask you when did your AF return? I have a 6.5 month old and am breastfeeding him (along with some solids now). Really keen to have another baby soon but no sign of my period returning yet...

I just checked my calendar as I thought I had them logged, but I cant find them now. I think they returned in October, baby would be 6 months then. I think I was on my 3rd cycle when I got pregnant this time. This time they were about 5 days longer than my previous ones so I assumed that things were not quite back to normal and would take another few months to settle down.

I did notice though that symptoms were stronger in the last 2 cycles than in my ones pre-pregnancy - for example ovulation pain, CM consistency, PMS signs like breast tenderness and mood changes all seemed stronger than before.

My baby has a massive appetite for solids, so I have given him as much as he eats basically. He breastfeeds much less, there is still usually a night feed (just the quickest way to settle him back asleep) but its short, a comfort feed really. The 7.30 feed is the biggie, then he gets short feeds at 11am, one around 3pm, and he gets his formula bottle going to bed at 7.30. (200ml) While I feed on demand and offer him whenever I think he might be hungry or thirsty, thats the average pattern.

His solids are at 8am (fruit and porridge) 1pm (mashed potato and veg) and 5pm (fruit and rice) He gets water in a Sippy at meal times, but is still learning so just takes little sips for now.

Between the milk and solid feeds above, I usually offer a small snack - a handful of grated cheese, a baby yoghurt, or marmite on toast.

I suppose when its all written down, I have a good window now of almost 12 hrs there where I'm not breastfeeding him so that's probably why my periods came back. I think he definitely took less milk when he started solids and now his portions are big. He would have the equivalent of 10 ice cubes size of mash & veg for lunch, and his breakfast and tea cereals with fruit are similar sized. He cries if I ration him

lounakin · 27-01-2013 1:09am

Oh Neyite! Congratulations! ... and HOW are you ready for another... they are so much work! ha ha!

liliq · 27-01-2013 1:29am

mary1978 wrote: »

Congratulations Neyite. Such wonderful news.
Can I ask you when did your AF return? I have a 6.5 month old and am breastfeeding him (along with some solids now). Really keen to have another baby soon but no sign of my period returning yet...

I've heard that 14 months is the average time for periods to return... The "normal" range is anything from 4 months (maybe even a bit earlier) to 2 years I think.

kitten_k · 28-01-2013 6:01pm

Very good

littlemissfixit · 29-01-2013 10:07pm

liliq wrote: »

I've heard that 14 months is the average time for periods to return... The "normal" range is anything from 4 months (maybe even a bit earlier) to 2 years I think.

Mine only returned when I stopped Breastfeeding, but did straight away then.

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