PLEASE HELP! Preperation for Breastfeeding (long sorry)

[Rachel89]

Hi ladies


I still regret that breastfeeding didn't happen with DS1. We are planning on TTC in a year, and where I live (an island in the Caribbean) there are NO lactation consultants.

I have had a breast reduction almost 5 years ago, which is why the medical staff discouraged me from breastfeeding and they also said that my baby would starve and will have to be hospitalized, they told me all of this after having given birth, and emotional and hormonal me went with it. I did try to latch him on, but he didn't want to latch, and when I tried again he had nipple confusion and would scream like crazy non stop.

-I have flat nipples, they can be perky, but not for long. I noticed after rubbing my nipples (tmi sorry) and trying to put it in his mouth they would turn flat again.

-I want to do EVERYTHING possible to make this work


-I started pumping only two weeks after giving birth and would get 20 ml's, but baby never latched, and didn't have the time to pump more due to baby taking 2.5-3 hours to feed.

-My doctor performed a superior pedicle and 210 grams were removed on one side and 310 grams on the other, so about a pound in total.


List of things so far:


-Medela Swing (Pump in style)
-Breast shields different sizes (I have to import everything)
-Storage bags
-Freezer
-Different bottles just in case (MAM, NUK..any other best for breastfeeding?)
-Lact-Aid (just in case I have low supply)
-Fenugreek
-Domperidom
-Beer/Yeast?
-Flaxseed oil
-try to relax (stress bad for milk production?)


Any other tips? I do wonder what the cut point is for failure to thrive and low weight gain, which I have read can be normal. My son has a severe lip tie and a tongue tie, and no ENT will cut them since they are behind here.

 

[IrelandsOwn]

It sounds like you're well prepared, go you! Its a shame you won't have the support of a lactation consultant but there are some really helpful online resources, as well as this board. Check out kellymom.com. Its amazing! And be sure to join the associated FB group

 

[Rachel89]

Thank you so much hun!

I really want to know some basic things, I hope you ladies can help me.


Wat is the difference between low weight gain and failure to thrive?
How did you learn the holds. (Craddle etc) did you prqctice on a doll first during pregnancy? What are the best holds for fussy eaters, or babies who have difficulties with latch?

How do you know you don't have enough milk?
Is it okay to start with domperidom/fenugreek right away?
Any other tip for boosting milk supply?

 

[readytotry]

I'm not sure about the normal weight loss/failure-to-thrive stuff, but I do have experience of tongue tie.

I did have my lo's tt cut but so late that it didn't make a big difference. She could latch but it was painful. Eventually her mouth grew so it was less of a problem. The tricky bit was getting her to open her mouth wide enough. The trick is to not "put the nipple" in the babies mouth but to bring the baby to the nipple. Some good places to look online for videos on positioning are: la leche league website and NCT website.
I did attend a bfing class antenatally where we practiced with dolls but it wasn't particularly helpful.

 

[CandyDay]

fenugreek works best with blessed thistle.

Fenugreek and blessed thistle seem to work better if you take both, not just one or the other.
• Fenugreek and blessed thistle work quickly. If they do work, you will usually notice a difference within 12- 24 hours of starting taking them. If not, they probably won’t work.
• Fenugreek is often sold as a combination with thyme. Do not buy this combination, but try to get the capsules with fenugreek alone.
https://www.breastfeedinginc.ca/content.php?pagename=doc-HRMS