Nursing Question - Milton,PA

Hi A.,

I too wonder if you have thrush. My kids never showed signs in their mouths when I had it, but my symptom was painful letdown. I had it both times after having a c-section, I am guessing due to the antibiotics they give you during the procedure. I noticed you had a c-section and so it is possible you have thrush. I didn't find out the first time until my daughter was 4 months old, as I just didn't know what thrush felt like. As for being tired, I would say can you space the feedings out a bit more? Going 3 to 4 hours betwen feedings instead of 2 to 3 hours? And maybe seeing if you can get your baby to feed longer each time? If she eats more at each feeding, she may be able to go longer between feedings and thus cut down on the number of feedings, and the thus the number of times you get so wiped out. I do remember being very tired for the first few months both times, and as they ate more solids and didn't nurse as much it got so much better. I would think once you start solids in a few months it should help as well. Good Luck, you are doing great!!

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Hi A.~

I breastfed my son for 7 months, at which point I went back to work full time, and my milk supply diminished to the point that I had to stop. But throughout the entire 7 months, I experienced powerful letdown. It wasn't painful, but I would squirt my poor little guy in the face all the time, while he was trying to latch on... luckily for both of us, he must have had a pretty voracious appetite and good swallowing reflex, because only occasionally, did he choke because of the amount of milk that would come out initially, and the power with which it came out! I would soak nursing pads all the time... It was rare for me to remove a completely dry nursing pad. I couldn't go without them, and that lasted for the entire time I nursed. I'm sorry I don't have any advice to offer regarging the nursing fatigue. I experienced that to a degree, but since my son was my first (and only at this point), I could take a cat nap if he fell asleep, and that was my way of dealing with the extreme sleep deprivation and fatigue I was dealing with at the time. But that doesn't help you, having two other little ones to care for...

Best of luck to you... hopefully someone here will have some suggestions for you that will work!

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Hi A.,

Contact your local La Leche League Consultant at

www.llli.org

Hope this helps. D.

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I would also contact a Lactation Consulatant or LLL leader. What about pumping in between or trying to feed a little more often? There is also somewhat of a mental component to let down. Maybe try watching TV or being distracted (not that a mother of 3 isn't pretty distracted) would help with the let down.

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Are you sure you don't have thrush? Sometimes this can be very painful, almost like glass or needles in your breasts. I would stay away from sugar and drink lots of water. Check your dd's tongue to see if she has a thick white carpet growing there and wipe it off and use vinegar after nursing to clean your breasts. Contact your local LLL for more help and info

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Hello,

I am not an expert, but I do suggest you join your local La Leche League. The vast resource is reason enough. I normally had a painful let down when I was brewing a clogged duct/early mastitus. But I am not sure that's what you're dealing with since it's both sides. My Sister-in-law leaked that uncontrollably for 6 months with her 3rd but have had 5 and I never had it last more than a month. You might want to ask your ob/gyn also. I suggest LLL first and foremost. Good luck and get a friend to help watch the older 2 so you can rest!!!

Yep, bfing was differnt for both babies. Sounds a lot like my first experience. I would wake up like someone dumped a bucket of water on me & I was BFing him throughout the night too. Went on for about 2/2.5 mos. then bc of surgery I had to stop at 3 mos. and you know how Murphy's law works......yeah, it finally let up my last few weeks of BFing.

My advise is hang in there & Do whatever it is that you gotta do.

Yes, the pressure in the breast as the let-down came wasn't exactly fun, and yes, there were plenty of times in between feedings that it happened, but I just used it as an opportunity to pump if my little one wasn't hungry or was sleeping, or if they were awake I'd just feed them. There was no set schedule, I gave them what they needed on demand, taking my cues from them, instead of forcing them into a schedule that suited me and my convenience (and could therefore be totally wrong for them).
Every pregnancy, baby, and nursing period is different - don't ever forget that.
Good news is that it will adjust as they develop and their needs adjust.
Being tired is also normal, as much of your nutrients and fluids are being used to synthesize milk for the baby, so don't sweat it.
And watching a 3-year-old and nearly-2-year-old shouldn't be so bad with a baby, as I'm sure you've begun to teach them responsibility and the that every action has its consequences, good or bad. I would especially think so on the part of the 3-year-old, since by now they are walking and talking and can at the very least understand simple directives and that other people have feelings too. You're not a slave, and they're not the pampered pets of the priesthood, they can only run you ragged if you let them.

Hi A.,
I had the same immediate thought as Joanna. Pain during letdown was my major symptom of thrush. My baby never showed any symptoms, so it took me a while to figure it out.

I'm not sure how to help with the fatigue. With Papa out of town for another few weeks, it must be hard to get a real break to sleep - it's not surprising that you are exhausted! Do you have family around who might take your older kids for a day or two so you can truly sleep when the baby sleeps, whether it's day or night?

both my bf experiences were very different. I didn't have pain either time, so I can't speak to that. I do have lots of leaking now. My son is 6 months old now & the leaking is less than before, so hopefully yours will get better too. I was exhausted with my first one. I used to fall asleep during/after every feeding. This time my energy level is much better. I believe it is b/c I exercised as soon as I got home. (I too had csections). By exercise I mean walking. I started slowly, just a few minutes at a time. I really think it helped. While you are building up your strength I have a few tips. I suffered SEVERE exhaustion during my second pregnancy. For 3 months I spent my days laying on the living room floor, I barely had the strength to make meals. What I did (b/c I had a 1 year old at home) was completely baby proof the living room & gated it off. I filled it with toys & books. I would nap on the couch or floor while my son played. To keep your baby safe I would keep a packnplay in the room. The baby can then be out of reach of your toddlers & you can nap.
If you continue to be exhausted you may want to see your doctor, it may be a hormonal issue. You may need meds to fix it.
Good luck & if you have to stop bf just be proud you made it this far.