**PLS HELP- ESP PPL LIKE MARGELE**BF Update

[Samantha675]

Oh hun, it is deflating, not just mentally, haha. I remember nights when Bren would start nursing at 6 pm and go for hours. I would switch him from side to side, back and forth and he would happily suck and suck. I don't even know if he was getting anything after a while. When I attended a La Leche meeting, the women there said they rememebered those days and assured me it would get easier at 6 weeks. Well, I just kept at it, and for me it didn't get easier at 6 weeks, but it did get easier. I do remember thinking I wouldn't make it, wanting to give up, but I didn't and I am glad I didn't. I do promise there is a light at the end of the tunnel, you can't see it, but all of a sudden you will notice that you are not constantly nursing. Hang in there love, you are doing a wonderful thing your baby!!

 

[Margerle]

my LO is 5 weeks & 4 days old...
I know what ur saying & i have been letting her feed pretty much when she wants for as long as she wants but when she still isnt satisfied after an hour & half of sucking its so deflating!!

Did u both experience this too?? if i know its only for a few more weeks i can keep at it but right now i cant see light at the end of the tunnel...

Sweetie, you're almost there!

Between 6 and 8 weeks, things gets loads better!

(It may take just a bit longer because you're feeding formula, and you're just now getting the latch right, but you are definately almost there!)

Not one woman I know has an "easy" time breastfeeding. It is painful sometimes, it's mentally draining sometimes, there's obviously still a lot of people opposed to breastfeeding which makes it easier to give up. The healthcare industry is often biased toward formula because it's "easier" on and on and on.

You are doing a great thing for your baby. You wouldn't have held on this long if you didn't know it. It's one of the toughest things you'll probably do, but IT WILL GET BETTER. And at almost 6 weeks old, you're almost there.

She's got one more growth spurt to hit now and that will be a bit rough for you, but hang in there if you can.

I want to encourage you as much as I can, and I know most of the other women here do too. It sounds to me like you've got everything you need - just stay in touch with the women you met friday and let them help you. Don't be afraid to contact them again and again if needed.

And don't EVER think that it's supposed to be all easy. I just noticed yesterday I'm getting a little blister on my right nipple. But LO started sleeping 5 and 6 hours at a time at night .

Again, hang in there - call your lactation consultants and let us know how it goes. We're here with you!

 

[Samantha675]

And don't EVER think that it's supposed to be all easy. I just noticed yesterday I'm getting a little blister on my right nipple. But LO started sleeping 5 and 6 hours at a time at night .

this is true, I have developed a crack on my left nipple for the first time. ouch!

And paint me way jealous Marg, Bren is not sleeping well at all right now.

I also wanted to add, that your baby's tummy is still tiny, she is on a liquid diet and breastmilk digests quickly, so keep that in mind.

 

[ryder]

I dont find the healthcare industry biased at all... I find it full of very well educated people who have full knowledge of the person as a whole. And for some people, BF'ing is mentally unrealistic for them, or physically not possible. Also different women have to deal with different life situations. Thats just the way it is...

I have never heard of any OBGYN's or specialists telling a patient that they should be formula feeding instead of breastfeeding unless there is a good reason for it...

Here anyways. Dont know about the rest of the world.

I find the complete opposit actually, I think people put way too much pressure on women to breastfeed. And then they feel like they are doing something wrong when they fail at it...

 

[Holldoll]

It is VERY hard for the first 6-8 weeks. I was one of the lucky few that have never had any nipple tenderness, or sores, or cracks or bleeding, BUT Isabella still eats about every 2 hours during the day and at night she was going 5-6 and has now started sleeping until 3:30 and then up every hour after that (I think she's hitting her 3 month growth spurt now). It was mentally exhausting for me for the first 2 months. It's SO worth it though. Plus, her poops are such a nicer smell to yucky formula (that's my big motivation against formula. )

 

[Christine33]

ryder, i totally agree with you. i find the healthcare industry totally breastfeeding obsessed. i was made to feel REALLY bad when i couldn't latch my baby on and made to feel even worse when i decided just to express and top up with formula cos i wanted help from my husband and family so i could catch a bit of sleep. i have met other formula/expressing mums who have been made to feel the same by midwifes, health visitors etc.

each mum has to consider what is right for them and take the whole family into consideration.

Christine
X

 

[Margerle]

I dont find the healthcare industry biased at all... I find it full of very well educated people who have full knowledge of the person as a whole. And for some people, BF'ing is mentally unrealistic for them, or physically not possible. Also different women have to deal with different life situations. Thats just the way it is...

I have never heard of any OBGYN's or specialists telling a patient that they should be formula feeding instead of breastfeeding unless there is a good reason for it...

Here anyways. Dont know about the rest of the world.

I find the complete opposit actually, I think people put way too much pressure on women to breastfeed. And then they feel like they are doing something wrong when they fail at it...

Thanks for your words of encouragement ryder. That's exactly what breastfeeders need to hear in the wee hours of the morning. Of all the ladies here I've never once heard a woman say she 'wished' she had formula fed vs. breastfed. But I HAVE heard loads say they wished they had stuck with breastfeeding.

I'm not slamming formula in anyway by remaining supportive for new breastfeeding mamas - which is often jsut what they need! I certainly don't join the formula fed threads and put my two cents in about breastfeeding. I stick to breastfeeding threads and stay positive for these women.

You say some women can't- ok fine - I think in general most women aren't given good information, NOR are they given good support. Breastfeeding takes both.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/...care-The-disturbing-diary-modern-midwife.html

...Breastfeeding support is given a fairly low priority - there just isn't the time. It's all I can do to keep up with answering the buzzers...

 

[marley2580]

It goes the other way as well. I continually felt undermined about my breastfeeding by my health visitor, to the point where I don't see her any more. Luckily I had family and friends who were very supportive. I've found that the medical establishment is very supportive of breastfeeding UNTIL the baby doesn't react the way their books or charts say that they should, suddenly they start talking about supplimenting and 'not knowing how much baby is getting'.

I certainly don't join the formula fed threads and put my two cents in about breastfeeding. I stick to breastfeeding threads and stay positive for these women.

I think this is a really good point. People are posting looking for support, and that's what we're giving.

Well done for sticking at it Angelica, it can be really hard but it's so rewarding. Do you think your LO is still hungry after a feed or is she just wanting to suck? I ask because Kaya was a nightmare with wanting to suck all the time. I knew she wasn't hungry because she had plenty of wet and dirty nappies but it led to me having really sore nipples and an over supply, but it did settle down.

 

[Carolyn]

my lo is acting just the same as yours angelica...have you got support at home...when i'm finding it tough all i get is 'you don't have to stick at it, you can always formula feed.' not as supportive as they mean it to be!!

stick at it mate! you've done the best part of the 8 week struggle, only a bit longer and you'l see a difference (so they keep tellin us!!) keep your chin up an buy some trasy mags to digest whilst lo is munching...

 

[Angelica]

Hi ladies!

Thank u so much for all the supportive words & information
I am still really struggling & having to turn to formula either as a top up or a full feed.

I dont mind sitting there for hours while she feeds if at the end of it she had a break for even half hour or looked content.
But she ends up looking all frustrated & starving!!

Also my friend said i should be able to feel the milk being sucked out but i dont- is this a bad sign??

I find that after she has been sucking for a while, my breast & her mouth becomes sticky- is this the hindmilk? If so what does this indicate?

I didnt BF her the afternoon as she was really irritable so gave her a formula feed.
I tried expressing around 6pm & got 1oz from both sides!!!!!!! How terrible is this??

 

[Angelica]

PS- Carolyn I am getting the same support as u pretty much where everyone is telling me not to stress & formula feed if I am finding it really hard!

to be honest, i think this week will be the deciding week for me.. I dont like seeing LO unhappy & frustrated all the time & I am also beginning to feel crap about myself.

How about u? whats ur plan?
and how do u get anything else done during the day??

 

[Margerle]

Hi ladies!

Thank u so much for all the supportive words & information
I am still really struggling & having to turn to formula either as a top up or a full feed.

I dont mind sitting there for hours while she feeds if at the end of it she had a break for even half hour or looked content.
But she ends up looking all frustrated & starving!!

Also my friend said i should be able to feel the milk being sucked out but i dont- is this a bad sign??

Not sure what she's referring to. I don't feel the milk being sucked out... I only felt the bit of pressure and pinch from the latch.

I find that after she has been sucking for a while, my breast & her mouth becomes sticky- is this the hindmilk? If so what does this indicate?

Sounds pretty normal. Breastmilk has a lot of stickiness to it. In fact, sometimes I'll unlatch LO wipe us all off and relatch her because things get messy and she has a hard time maintaining a good latch.

I didnt BF her the afternoon as she was really irritable so gave her a formula feed.
I tried expressing around 6pm & got 1oz from both sides!!!!!!! How terrible is this??

Angelica - you're a great mama. None of this is terrible! You're doing the very best you can.

 

[Margerle]

PS- Carolyn I am getting the same support as u pretty much where everyone is telling me not to stress & formula feed if I am finding it really hard!

to be honest, i think this week will be the deciding week for me.. I dont like seeing LO unhappy & frustrated all the time & I am also beginning to feel crap about myself.

How about u? whats ur plan?
and how do u get anything else done during the day??

You're a great mom Angelica no matter what.

 

[Samantha675]

I don't feel the milk either.

When I started pumping, I didn't get that much out either. Now that I have a good supply I can get 4 oz out of my left side. It just takes time.

 

[Angelica]

so if i keep at it & get her on the breast as much as poss & then top her up with formula if i have to will this still help increase the milk supply??

i have noticed that when she is crying now after/in between feeds she makes a cute licking movement (the "lapping it up" phrase that the mw used when i went in)
does this mean that her latch is getting better?

 

[Margerle]

so if i keep at it & get her on the breast as much as poss & then top her up with formula if i have to will this still help increase the milk supply??

Yes

i have noticed that when she is crying now after/in between feeds she makes a cute licking movement (the "lapping it up" phrase that the mw used when i went in)
does this mean that her latch is getting better?

That sounds like it is !

 

[Angelica]

thanks margele u are fab!
did i read correctly on another thread tha u are already bak in full time work?

also how long did u go thru this?(the constant feeding dilemma)

 

[Holldoll]

I don't feel the milk coming out at all.

Lots of hugs to you! Hang in there, it does get better!!!

 

[Angelica]

the milk is there- i only have to squuze gently for it to come out yet lo is sucking & getting frustrated & pushing herself off & crying!!!

i dont know how much longer i can do this

 

[Holldoll]

I you sure she's hungry? Bella will do that after she's eaten and she wants to just suck. She gets frustrated because the milk is coming out. I usually pull her off and just burp her and she grabs her hands and sucks on them happily.