Trouble with Breastfeeding - Pittsburgh, PA

Congratulations on such a little heffer! LOL And big kudos to you for nursing!!!!!! Keep it up!

I know it's hard right now. I think a lot of it is probably that he's hitting his 1st big growth spurt & his nursing constantly is nature's way of ensuring that you have more than enough milk to meet his needs. The worst of it should be over within a few days. (But keep in mind that they tend to hit them in 3's & 6's. So you'll have another spurt @ 6 wks, then 3 mos & 6 mos & you may have some smaller ones in between).

Do you have a baby sling? Those can be a real sanity saver, especially when you have older children. That way, you can nurse him, or even just hold him & meet his needs while tending to your older child.

At this age, I would HIGHLY suggest that you limit bottles if you even offer them. They CAN effect your supply & his latch (not always, but it's a possibility).

I also suggest attending some La Leche meetings. The support and info is 100% invaluable! It got me through SOOOO many hard times! I look forward to them every single month & my son will be 2 next week! I love going to them!

www.KellyMom.com also has some incredible info on it.

Hang in there & keep up the awesome work!!!!
A. Patterson
www.ThingaMaSling.com
877-SLING-99
THING-A-MA-SLING Custom-Created Baby Slings

2 moms found this helpful

K.,
I hear your dilemma but pumping is not going to make it any easier. As you get a little more comfortable you will be able to spend time with your daughter while nursing. This is a great time to read books with her. Also you can just sit on the floor with her playing while you have your pillows and whatever you need while nursing. You will even learn to walk around while nursing! (Try doing any of that with a pump!). I think also the nursing times will even out for you a little bit. He does not need to eat constantly (he may be tired as others have said). Try to get to the point where you are on a 3 hour routine with your son (eat, awake time, nap, do it over again). (You can work in a bottle at one feeding same time of day every day if you want). This is the basic advice of many baby books and it will make you feel more sane. If you want your son to have the benefits of nursing, hang it there! It will be SO much easier later if you don't give up now. You can do it mama!

1 mom found this helpful

This happened to me with my daughter. A lot of times, when I thought she was hungry, and therefore put her on the breast, I think she was actually tired. I bought a Moby Wrap (its a kind of sling) and tried to be really diligent in making sure she didn't stay awake more than two hours at a time. (Get the book Happy Baby. Healthly Sleep Habits. if you don't already have it.)

I was advised to start giving a bottle at 3 weeks by my lactation consultant. I never had a problem with her taking a bottle OR the breast. Pumping was so horrible to me... I got off to a bad start with a shield that was too small and hurt my nipple. Then it was three weeks of extreme pain. So, if you're not familiar with pumping, make sure you get some instruction there... it shouldn't hurt. (Duh, right, but how was I supposed to know?)

If you're supply is good, and you don't have too much discomfort, just throw in a bottle of formula when you can't hack it any more. This is what we did, at around 6pm, when I just couldn't stand another feeding. As another poster said, I could never get "ahead" of the baby with the pump. Your supply will adjust -- it won't dry up -- and your husband (or maybe daughter!) can help out and feel connected to the baby. Breast feeding purists will completely disagree with this idea... but it worked for me.

When I went back to work, I pumped enough for one bottle and she took one bottle of formula. On the weekends, I bf'd 100%. (Especially once she started eating solid food, since then it was less bf.) Using this method, I was able to 80% breast feed/20% bottle feed for one year. My daughter was 99th percentile height and weight from the day she was born, and remains tall and "sturdy." Still 99th percentile.

Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful

If you have pleanty of milk, I suggest you poll your friends and get a good electric pump. Occassionally, they loan them to you from the hospital. How often, depends on you, you know your milk supply. Do it as often as you need to to keep yourself comfortable.

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My son was 10 lb 7 oz and had to be in the special care nursery for 10 days before he came home so we never really got to do breastfeeding for real so I pumped milk for 5 months for him. I'm not sure I would exclusively pump that long again but I'm glad I did it for him because I wanted him to have the breastmilk also. I pumped every 4 hrs for as long as I was pumping to keep up my supply. However, my supply became so large that I had to toss out a kitchen trash can full of frozen bags because I couldn't use it fast enough. Start with every 4 hrs and see how much you get with each pumping. As he starts eating from the bottle more you will see how much you need and can adjust accordingly (pump more or less frequently or more or less time each session). You always want to have a little extra but don't go nuts like I did :) Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful

The lactation consultants had told me that it is best not to pump as a primary source of feeding until the 6 week mark. I started at 4 weeks though because like yourself, I just couldn't take being attached ALL the time. I pumped every 2-3 hours for the first 3-4 months and then slowed down to 3 to 4 times per day. My daughter is 10 mos now and I am still pumping 3 to 4 times per day.

Good Luck!

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Hi K.,

Contact your local La Leche League consultant at

www.llli.org

Good luck. D.

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Congrats on your new big baby! My biggest was 9-10 & 22", and I pushed him out, lol.

I have never breastfed, and tried to pump after my triplets but was too exhausted to go on after a day. From what I understand, you'll want to pump every 3 hours to keep your supply going. With such a large baby, he may need a lot. My larger baby was drinking a full 8oz every 3 hours (when I could fend him off that long) with cereal and baby food as well! He just could not be satisfied and he grew so fast. If you cannot pump enough to meet his demand then just mix it with formula. I found from many triplet moms that the Walmart brand formula is less expensive (half the price) and a very good quality. But try WIC if you qualify. Do call your doctor and lactose consultant for more advice for you son's particular needs, as each baby is different. Good luck!

K. B
mom to 5 including triplets

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HarrisburgPAChat
chat and events within 2 hour radius

1 mom found this helpful

I nursed my first and am pumping for my second (he was in the NICU and never has BF correctly). Pumping takes much longer than nursing. When you pump you also have to clean bottles and pump pieces and then give the baby the bottle. You also get less when you pump than the baby gets when he nurses -- so that means you have to pump even more! If you can, try to stick with the nursing for a few more weeks -- by then the baby will have better head control and you will be able to nurse the baby while he is in a sling, while you are walking around, etc.... it will get easier!!!!!! good luck!

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This is really common with babies who are learning to nurse. Two thoughts came to mind that might help. One - try to figure out if your baby is nursing because he's hungry, or if he's using you as a pacifier (it sounds to me like you are his pacifier). If he just nursed and fell asleep 10 minutes ago and starts fussing, I'd try a pacifier for a few minutes before going back to nursing. I know the experts will say "nurse on demand and no pacifiers" - but I found that it's hard to tell when a newborn is really hungry, and not just looking for comfort. Starting early on (earlier than you are now), I started gradually increasing the time between feedings by 10 minutes or so, using a pacifier. For example, if he wants to feed after 10 minutes, I'd make him wait another 10. Then, once he was going 20 minutes between feedings pretty easily, I'd bump it to 30 minutes, until it was a minimum of 2 hours between feedings. It really didn't take too long to get to that point. Then, when he did feed, he nursed for longer because he was actually hungry. Second thought - can you spend time with your daughter while you are nursing? Read a story, sing songs, things like that?

I know I didn't answer your original question - but I think it would be hard to pump this early in the game, while your supply is still being established.

Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful

one of the things that I have done was pump for a few mintes before i fed my daughter in the night or i would pump on one side while she nursed on the other. i hope that this helps

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I agree with Donna, contact the La Leche League. They are the proven experts.

(There also is the Nursing Mother's Assn, and private lactation consultants.)

I had a lot of nursing issues (not the same as yours) with my 2nd (also a big boy, although not as big as yours!), and I had a 3 yr old as well at the time, so I understand what you're saying. I was very stressed with the nursing situation, the problems I was having, and that didn't help. I hired a lactation consultant, who was worth every penny, and we worked through it together. After 9 weeks of issues and stress and stress and stress, finally things started working right for me, but those 9 weeks felt like 9 years.

(My son and I had a wonderful nursing relationship after that, for almost 2 years. I had planned to wean him on his 2nd birthday, but 2 weeks earlier, he weaned himself.)

As for your daughter, I also felt awful about having to spend so much time with my son. I included her as much as possible. I bought the Pump In Style before my son was born (I had planned to return to work when he was 6 months old...but I didn't)...and I also used a rented one at one point, rented from my lactation consultant...and it was my 3-yr-old's job to turn the pump on and off. She loved it.

I also had her read with me and, while we are not a big tv family, I would have her watch a show occasionally while I pumped, with all of us in the room. Sometimes we put on a CD and sang. I also had a sitter/mother's helper come from time to time to do other things with my older child, like play in the snow, so she would not feel like she always was inside with the baby and me, while I pumped or nursed.... (He was a winter baby.)

It all will work out, I'm sure. It just may take a little time and investment to get there.

Good luck!

Good luck with this.

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could he be cluster feeding? If so hopefully it will be done soon. Have you tried undressing him while feeding him to keeo him awake while nursing. Try rubbing his feet, hands, back while he feeds to keep him up. When my son cluster fed to get the supply up, he nursed every hour for a week and a half it was horrible but he needed it. Your child may just need a lot of milk due to his size. hang in there. If you live near glenside, you should go to the breastfeeding resource center. They are very supportive and can help you get through this difficult time.

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Pump every two hours. Meanwhile, just take it day by day. Make sure you stimulate your baby while feeding. Rub his feet, blow on his forehead, take his clothes off so he will stay awake.

I, too, had some difficulties breastfeeding. Don't feel bad. I know exactly how you feel.

Good luck.

1 mom found this helpful

Unfortunatly this is normal for this age. 3-5 weeks is when most babies go thru a growth spurt. It will get better if you can hang in there.

If you pump and give him a bottle you should pump every 2-3 hrs. Right now your supply is still getting established, so you may get varying amounts, but normal pumping output is anywhere from .5 - 2oz. Right now, he will likely only drink about 2oz in a shot, but breastfed babies never need more then 1-1.5oz per hour. Check out kellymom.com for alot of great info on breastfeeding.

I would reccomend finding a bottle with a wide nipple to avoid nipple preference. Babys-R-Us has one that is specifically for breastfeeding babies. It is called the Breastflow Bottle. He will have to compress, and suck at the same time. Just like he does when nursing. I personally use Playtex Drop-Ins, and have not had any problems.

Another thing you can try is a wrap or sling. You can nurse whle having both hands free. You will be able to spend time with your daughter while carrying your son. I've heard the Moby wrap is great. I have a sling that I use when my son is overly clingy.

Also, do everything you can to keep him awake when he is nursing. When he starts to fall asleep, unlatch him, and burp him. Then relatch and continue. Undress him to his diaper if you need to. 15-20 min nursing sessions every 1.5-2hrs are average at this age, but every baby is different.

Most of all, hang in there. It does get better, and remember you are giving your son the best start you can.

-N.

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Hi K.!! I found that the best time to pump milk is in the morning. You are usually very full from the night. Usually after your little one is done feeding in the morning, is the best time to pump the extra milk.

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Congratulations on your new big guy!! Wow, big baby! I pumped with my oldest b/c she never seemed to get the hang of breastfeeding. I was able to do it 3 times a day, once in the morning, once mid day, and once before bed. I got all I needed and it was fine. I have to say I did get tired of it and only did it for 8 months, but she got the breast milk, which is what I really wanted. Make sure you spend the money on a GOOD pump. It is worth it. Good luck to you!!

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My little guy was huge too, I had this same problem, and only lasted 3 months breastfeeding because of it. The constant nursing passe,d but I was too busy with my older one to continue...
Basically, if he's 3 weeks, I would pump every two hours and feed him from the bottle. If you can somehow get a few extra bottles stashed in the fridge, all the better to just grab one without pumping sometimes. You can always nurse too in addition to the pumping, alternate, etc, but if you do less than every 2-3 hours with the pump or nursing at this point, your milk will not be enough for him. Good work, hang in there, it will get better!

With my newest (2 weeks old), I'm doing pumped bottles most of the day, and nursing her at night when she wakes. But she hasn't been so difficult as a petite little lady...good luck!

Just a footnote, I just read some of these other ones-supplementing with formula will cause your supply to decrease, because you are not pumping or nursing as much. that's another reason I didnt' last with my son longer than 3 months-I was giving him some formula because he was so hungry, and soon, my milk gave out even though I tried to pump and nurse. Also, pumping for me is quicker than nursing. I can fill 8 ounces with the double pump in less time than it takes to feed from just one side. Whenever we have to leave or visitors are coming, I pump real quick so I'm not stranded nursing on the go or in front of guests. It pays to have a really good pump-my husband splurged and got me a $300 Medela one, and I don't know if I could have nursed my first for 11 1/2 months without it-actually, I know I couldn't have, and it's saving me with this baby too, I plan to go longer than I did with my son.

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You don't have to pump. (I say this b/c I tried to pump and hated it. If you like pumping, then go for it. I'm not judging.) My mom had a similar problem with my brother. She would breastfeed him until he seemed done. Then she would offer him a bottle of formula. Sometimes he would eat a whole bottle. Sometimes nothing. Anyway, if you can get him to eat some formula it will give you longer breaks between breastfeeding. And you can feel like a human again.
With my first son he ate (breastfeeding) about every 2 hours 24 hours a day for the first 3 months. Then I started him on solids (he refused bottles when I tried). I was exhausted and sometimes at my wits end. But I made it through. Some things that helped...I (and my husband) constantly reminded me that it would not go on forever. At night I started brining my son into bed with us & feeding him in bed. It allowed me to get some sleep. It wasn't deep sleep, but it was better than nothing. I learned how to do just about everything while I was feeding. I could walk, eat, etc. There are things you can do with your daughter while feeding. If you both sit on the couch you can read to her. If you sit at a table you can watch her color, play with puzzles, play dough, etc. If b/c of his weight you need help supporting his weight there are all sorts of things out there. I recommend the moby wrap b/c of its versatility.
Good luck.

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There area couple different issues going on, that are all mixed together.
1. Babies go through growth spurts where they will want to nurse all the time... almost never stopping. Then within a week or so, they'll slow back down. It comes and goes throughout their first year.
2. Pumping while you're at home nursing is very difficult - because it is very difficult to get ahead... and then finding time to pump - rather than just nurse is nearly impossible. You'll find it is just easier to nurse... pumping can take longer and is more effort with bottles/storage/etc.
(By the way - I'm a huge advocate for pumping so I'm not saying don't try - but pumping when you're away from home is much easier then pumping while you're sitting right there with baby anyways.)
3. Once you give your son a bottle more than a couple times - he will learn to prefer it... especially if you start so early. Drinking from a bottle is FAR less work than nursing, so if you give him too many bottles he will "forget" or just start to refuse to nurse, causing your troubles to grow... then you'll be forced to pump wether or not you want to.
4. While he is nursing you need to try and keep him awake until he finishes at least 1 breast... tickle his toes, or under his chin... keep him awake. He needs to learn to nurse and then sleep... At 3 weeks old - you are still training him - he needs him to learn the right way.
5. It is very important to be with your 3 year old - so I am glad that you're considering that with everything else. But you also need to keep in mind that the baby has only been around for 3 weeks... it might seem like an eternity to you - but step back and realize that 3 weeks is a very short period of time. You need to spend another 3 weeks dedicated to baby before he will really perfect the nursing. I'm not saying ignore your 3 year old, but he does need to be patient, and you need to make your short moments with 3 year old count. Go out and do something alone for an hour (park, parade, etc.) He doesn't need a whole day...

Good luck - the best website for breastfeeding help is www.kellymom.com

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Eating for 6 minutes will cause a fore/hindmilk imbalance. You need to wake him up if he falls asleep after that short of a time. Stroke under his chin and he'll start to wake up and nurse again, otherwise strip him down and mess with him until he really wakes up and nurses longer.

I have 2 daughters and have breastfed non-stop for 4 years (nursed through pregnancy and did a year of tandem nursing). My youngest was 9 lbs 13 oz at birth and nursed no differently than my 7 lbs 15 oz older daughter. I hate when people say they couldn't keep up because of their baby's size, that doesn't have anything to do with it, you have a lot of growth spurts and cluster feeding in the first 6 weeks, those can really throw you off. You think that you're not doing a good job and really your baby is just trying to up your supply.

You're also not neglecting your daughter. When you're nursing invite her to come and snuggle with you on the couch. It can be special "family time" (minus Daddy if he's not home) for the three of you. You can also have her bring you books to read while he nurses.