Length of Feedings...

It sounds like your baby is not getting enough milk. I am a lactation consultant in private practice in seattle. long term use of nipple shields can lead to a decrease in supply. there are lots of things you can do. get some help to get off the nipple shield so she can be more effective at transferring milk. you can also work on your supply in various ways, the first thought I have is pumping for 5-10 min. after each feed--making your body think you have triplets to feed. please call a lactation consultant and get help for this so you can feed your baby your wonderful milk as long as you'd like!

R. Beebe, IBCLC

My son was the same way, I didn't have the nipple problem, but had 12 bouts of mastidis (sp?) during the 10 months I breastfed. Here's what I think, I think your daughter is probably going through a growth spurt and is needing more food. In my experience babies typically eat a ton, and don't sleep well, and then the next few weeks or days, they will not be interested in eating and will sleep a ton...they're busy growing. A few days of feedings lasting 40 minutes sounds about right for 8 weeks old. As she gets older, she will become more proficient at getting the food she needs in a smaller window. The screaming at night is tough, but if you just fed her for 40 minutes, she's clean and warm...let her cry. She's ok mama.
Take care;
E.

Just give her the time she needs... Lots of babies take a long time to nurse. Tips for sore nipples: soothies (from Walmart etc.) and Nipple Cream by Motherlove (health food stores). Some people use Lansinoh for sore nipples, but I found it didn't help with the pain. The Nipple Cream helps with pain and is all natural so you don't have to wash it off before feedings.

Well this may not be the case but her latch could be off or not on as good as she could be. Which would make the feedings really long and your nipples sore.
My recent daughter was like that she would eat every 2 hours for an hour. and my nipples hurt I would almost cry, and being my 4th child I really thought I was a pro at nursing LOL.
I tried the nipple shield and it was not working for us.
I've been to 4 different Lactation consultants and each said my daughter was stubborn and wanted it her way not the right way. Though they got her to latch on well I could not get her to do it at home and so I've been pumping. She is 10 wks now.
I'm not trying to tell you that this is your case, I'm just giving you another thing to think about.
Also my 3rd child he was an all the time nurser, and after 2 mos it got much better.
Each baby is so different, that it always makes it a new challenge to figure them out. Good luck and many blessings
L.

Why are you using a nipple shield? They cut down the milk available to the baby by about 40-60%! let your baby nurse naturally, it won't hurt your nipples like the shield. The nipple shield makes it VERY hard for the baby to draw the hind milk, which is what has all the fat and protein, which is what really fills the baby up. The foremilk is mostly water.If you don't stop using the shield soon, it will be too late to teach your baby to nurse without the shield. Without the shield, feedings will be much more productive. Good Luck!

I have a 2 1/2 year old who I nursed for 17 months. When he was tiny like your daughter, he nursed about 20-25 min on each side. I think it really depends on the child how long they need to nurse. You might check with a lactation specialist (they should have one at your pediatrician or the hospital) to see if they think your daughter is properly latched on. I never used a nipple shield, so I'm not sure if that can be causing it...a lactation specialist may be able to help with ideas to not need it anymore (not sure on this). I would also try to eat more substancial meals. I know it's hard to when you are busy, and lots of water and juice is a very good thing! That will keep your milk supply up. Perhaps there are somethings that you can grab while on the go to snack on during the day...baggie of carrots, package of peanut butter crackers, apple or banana...healthy snacks that don't really require prep time..that you can just grab whenever you need them. I know when your kids are tiny that it seems as though you are ALWAYS nursing them and you just don't have the time to cook meals for yourself or anyone else. Perhaps eating some of those snacks will make your milk supply more hearty and filling for her. When my son was about your daughters age, i asked my ex-mother in law if I would ever feel rested again, because I felt as though I had been awake for 8 weeks with no sleep...I don't know if I started getting more rest or if i just got used to it. The long feedings won't last forever. Good luck to you.

It looks like you have gotten a lot of really good information, and I would also say to contact a lactation consultant, and try the mylacon drops. And remember, feeding times will eventually get better. My daughter is 10 months old, and nurses 3 times a day for about 30 minutes, a little longer at bed time, and sleeps thru the night. All kids are different, so I hope your little one gets it down soon!!!

You might also see your doctor. My daugher was doing great and then when she was about 3 months old, I started getting nipple pain, and it turns out I had mastitis. I had to take antibiotics to clear up the infection, and I used a charcoal poultice for the pain. You can get Activated Charcoal powder from any health food store. It is a powder, and you mix it with water to make a paste. You then put it between paper towels, and put it on your breast. I would put plastic wrap over it and then put my bra on to hold it in place. If I was able to sit still for a while, I would use a heating pad over that, but it works well even without the heat. It was very soothing, but a little messy. I never used any nipple creams, so I can't reccomend one, but I did try to wet my nipples with breast milk when they were sore.

I hope you find what you are looking for, and koodos to you for breast feeding. It is alot of work, but well worth it!!

Also, don't feel guilty about letting your husband give her the occasional bottle at night. You need some sleep too!!

Wow, I have two boys, 5 years and 8 months, and neither have ever done more than a 30 minute feeding each time they eat. I know breast milk digests very quickly and try to keep in mind she is only 8 weeks old, that's not that old really. I've had sore nipples with both. With my first son the doctor told me to put petroleum on my nipples and said not to worry about the baby eating it because it was fine and my son didn't mind it at all. The second time around I wasn't comfortable doing that and decided I'd use coconut oil as it's great for us and it can't hurt the baby. The pain did not instantly go away though and I've just learned that it takes a day or so (at least for me) for things to subside. I've never used a nipple shield so I can't offer anything in regards to that. Have you tried taking it off a few times to see if things get better for you?

I would suggest picking up a book called The Happiest Baby on the Block by Harvey Karp. It's short and easy to read for a tired parent and a lot of the information makes sense. I think it might explain to you why your little one is doing what she's doing, it's a simple survival mechanism really.

You have to eat throughout the day. I just wouldn't consider eating an option if you're breastfeeding. Your body is getting depleted of what it needs in order to give it to your little one and that only makes things harder on you both now and in the long run.

My 8 month old eats in about 15, maybe 20 minutes max, on both breasts and he's eating anywhere from every 2-4 hours on average right now. Even at night.

This website might help you: http://www.kellymom.com/index.html

Good Luck!
T.

M. two things, she might just find seccurity in suching so I would give her a binky after she is done eatting to help, my son did the same thing he would suck and suck, wonce we gave him the binky and got him used to it, he would eat and then we would give him the binky and he would go to sleep until he lost the binky. Anyways another thing that I used was Lanolin cream between feedings this helps to really moisterize your nipples so they don't get sore and crack, this is non-toxic. Good Luck and happy nursing. Does she seams gassy after feedings this might also make her fussy, if so try gas drops!!

I don't really think she's hungry at night. she's probably just doing it to get held or get attention. It's hard when they're that age they always wanna fall asleep in your arms or in bed with you. Does she sleep in the same room with you? sometimes putting them in separate rooms and letting them cry to sleep will stop them from waking up at night, but then again she's still really young. She'll probably just grow out of it in a few months. Hang in there.

My aunt told me that eating soup while you're pregnant makes you produce more milk. I don't know if it's true or not. I never had a problem with my milk supply.

First of all are you using Lanoin cream? It always helped my sore nipples. I didn't use a nipple shield. (I am not even sure I know what it is.) So I can't say that is your problem. My second was different about feeding and wasn't a good sleeper. A friend of mine gave me a book called "The Happiest Baby On The Block" It helped alot! The man who wrote the book is a Ped. and suggested that swaddling a baby will help them sleep longer thus more time in between feedings. It was a life saver. Kodi slept for three hours the first time I swaddled her and then through the night that very night. If you aren't comfortable with using a blanket there are swaddlers you can get in the baby section of most stores. They stay nice a snug all night and even have slots of the car seat, swing or bouncy seat. You really should eat more. I drink breakfast shakes in the morning. Then throw a soup on the go (from Campbells) in the microwave and a half sandwhich for lunch. I know two are busier than one, but both things take only minutes and then that way you could get more fuel for you body to make milk. Your body works hard to feed that baby, you have to give it the fuel to do so. You burn more cals. now than you did when you were pregnant. Try to eat more. Hope this helps.

R. N.
mother of two girls
Willow 3 yrs
Kodi 6 months

Hello,
I can definitely sypathize with long feedings. My daughter always nursed for at least 40 min. every 3 hours for like the first year of her life. But she could totally go for at least 5 hours at night before she had to nurse again. She would nurse for about an hour and if we were both still awake I would put her back in bed. I'm not an expert, just a mom, but it's entirely possible that your daughter is just wanting either the comfort of eating or the comfort of being held and that's why she wakes up. My daughter developed some bad habits of waking up every 3 hours at night and a nurse suggested just letting her cry it out. It would take a while at first but every night it would get shorter and shorter until she was sleeping through. She would cry for a long time and it was torture for me but I knew nothing was wrong with her and she was trying to manipulate me. I know it sounds cruel but it teaches them a very valuable lesson of self soothing. They know you love them you show them that all day long and at night to. Letting them cry is reportedly the best thing as long as they aren't hurting or anything. It worked for us, but there might be something that will work better for you guys. I hope it all works out, God Bless.
A.

Hi M.,
I know it's so hard!! She is probably just having a growth spirt, maybe? I also wonder if maybe the swaddling is making her uncomfortable? My first loved to be swaddled and my second hated it, he would just scream.

I do not think there is any shame in using a nipple sheild. I had to use one on one side for Tristan cause he just couldn't get a hold of it.

Are you having good let downs?? Experimented with different positions? I saw a lactation consultant for a while with my first son. It helped tremendously. Your pediatrician should be of some help too.

Hi M., Your qeustion caught my attention. I'm 25, I've got two kids, ages 2 and 4 (almost), I breastfed both of them. I never used a nipple shield. I really think that you need to trash it. You are not giving your nipples time to adjust to the suckling. A babies saliva is a natural healer. I think that your nipples will continue to be sore, all that they are experiencing is suction, and it must be rough. It will be hard too, once your nipples are introduced to her salvia, they may dry out a little and crack and be sore, but, thats all part of breastfeeding. After a week or two things should get back to normal. Try excreting a little milk after feeding to rub on and around your areola, to help with the dryness. Also, regarding the length of feedings, every baby is different. My daughter would want to be on the boob constanly, but, she wouldnt feed the entire time, she just wanted to feel comforted, that could be with your baby as well, not, that she is still hungry, she just wants to be near you and when you breastfeed, that is how they feel closest to you. Also, my son always wanted feed, or atleast that is what I thought. He would feed forever, and when I took him off he would scream, after many questions to family and friends and trial and error, I concluded that he would get stomach aches and/or gas becasue he would be feeding to much. and when a baby has a tummy ache, they think they want to eat more which just makes it worse for them. Try giving Mylacon drops to her once to see if that eases her screams, or maybe she just wants to be close to you. If that's that case, give her a binky, swadle and hold her close to your bosom like you would if you were feeding. Most babies do feed for long periods. This is just my experience, she could be wanting to be near you, or she could be eating too much and getting belly aches. I know it's hard to take care of yourself with a new baby and also you have a 1 year old, you must have your hands full. If your not eating, rest assured your baby is still getting what she needs from you, your body will take from you to supply her, but, that leaves you malnutritioned and tired. Try to find time for an orange, a glass of milk, toast, something to put in your stomach whenever you get a chance. I hope some of this will help you. Good Luck!

Hi M.,

I would really recommend contacting a lactation consultant to help with your nipple pain. Breastfeeding should never hurt your nipples, so there is probably something going on, such as a poor latch. Most hospitals have lactation consultants available to meet with you. Often times the hospital you delivered at (if you delivered in a hospital) will offer lactation services free for the first six months or so. You could also call the Nursing Mother's Counsel, which has free breastfeeding peer counselors to offer phone support and suggestions. Their phone number is ###-###-#### in Oregon or ###-###-#### in Washington. They also have a website, www.nursingmotherscounsel.org.

Whoever you talk to should help you solve your nipple pain, and will be able to give you great advice about the length of time Makenzie is nursing. It's great that you are so committed to breastfeeding your daughter, her and you will both benefit from it so much!

Regards,
A.

Hi M.!
Well I have had 3 children and all were different...I didnt get the breast feeding down pat untill i had my son...who is my last
I would check your breast and see if you have thrush...or infection...also the think onitment they have for breast works really well...just a light coat...Also pumping might help as well...or something that you ate my be upsetting her stomach. At two months you could introduce a rice ceral...i know its frustrating but just try to relax....and start snacking instead of eating meals....it will help you

Oh...I feel for you!!! I was right where you are not long ago!!

I hear about so many babies that feed 10-15 minutes on each side and are done. Neither of my kids were this way. It took/takes about an hour to nurse and then they only seem to go a short time before they need to eat again. I would have trouble building up enough milk at night to keep the kids asleep for long so we would often have to suppliment with a bottle at night.

I am very pro-breastfeeding and have talked to many lactation consultants (one of which is my Aunt and has seen for herself what I go through to nurse) and I guewss it is just the way it is for me.

I get frustrated because I feel like I am nursing all the time but at least with my second baby (7 months old now) I knew what to expect and just went with it.

My reccomendations:
-Check with a lactation consultant (the hospital you delivered at should have them available to you free)
-Be willing to give a supplimental bottle at night (sometimes I can pump in the morning when I have lots of milk and give him that milk at night)
- Relax. It is SO FRUSTRATING now but it really only lasts a short time. By 3 months my son was going much longer between feedings and by 5 months I felt great.

Good Luck!!