Quick question..

[Deise]

At least once a day, Keira feeds on both (quite voluminous) breasts for a total of an hour. And then she's still hungry within the hour and I have to make her a bottle to "top her off".

Why is that? Is it possible that she empties both breasts and Im just not making enough milk? I listen to her swallowing and it seems like you can only hear it for about the first 10-15 minutes on each boob..

 

[Margerle]

It's because you are topping her off...

You've told your body that's what it needs to make for her (because you'll give her a bit in an hour).

Try not topping her off, since you're so close to being almost all BF anyway, it'll only take a day or so for your milk to regulate and make exactly enough.

She's also coming out of a growth spurt so her feeding should slow down a bit

 

[Deise]

Ok Marg, let me ask you this while "I have you on the line"

Whats the take on breastfeeding and caffeine? I googled and the Pediatric Association says that its safe. Lil Miss Thing is "unexplainably" fussy and Im backtracking it to a few hours after I have a cup of strong, Irish tea. Could she be sensitive to caffeine? If so, why all of the sudden, as I drank tea and Red Bull pretty consistently during pregnancy..

 

[Karilynn76]

I know how you feel! My 6 week old is always eating and eating, and I did worry that I was not making enough milk, but the nurse said not to worry about it. Honestly I have laid down with her for 2-3 hours just bfing and she just keeps going. Sometimes I think she may just be sucking. If you don't top her off with formula, it will help your milk come in faster, because the more she is sucking, the more milk comes in, and as your body gets a feel for how much milk she is bringing in each day, your breasts will become fuller faster. And when your breasts feel empty, your baby is still getting milk because milk is being produced as your baby sucks. Also make sure you are drinking lots of fluids!! Hope this helps!

 

[Deise]

PS...

You totally "own" the breastfeeding forum, Marg!

 

[Margerle]

I've heard it was ok. Remember tastes of foods and beverages we eat pass into the milk we make too. Strong foods may give our milk an 'off' taste that baby doesn't like.

Same with using soaps and perfumes on our bodies when we shower. You want to always try to avoid anything but mild soap (if absolutely needed) on and around your breasts (especially the nipple) The soap and perfume can remain on the skin a bit and give them a bad taste too. I just try to use plain ole water on the 'girls'. Old breastmilk can be stinky and sticky, but still good for the skin, so I really don't need soap.

My guess is that she hasn't developed a taste for strong Irish tea yet

 

[Lucy]

Hi there

Another reason for your little one taking a full "top up bottle" is because formula will flow through that bottle teat at a speedy pace and take little effort from her to fill her belly. Breastfeeding does not work in the same way that bottlefeeding does. Breastfeeding provides a lot of comfort and reassurance that newborns thrive on in the early weeks. Your baby can barely see and sounds are really scary to them at the moment, she loves suckling from you as it is the closest thing she has to the safe womb environment she enjoyed for her first 9 (or more) months.

The early weeks are really hard but soon your supple and baby will settle down and she wont be feeding as often.

I find the www.kellymom.com site really useful

 

[Ragirl]

Marg pretty much said it all (as always) I agree- she is the site the expert!!! Just wanted to post for support. Don't be surprised if for the first few weeks you do find yourself feeding her constantly- she's just trying to get that supply up and ready for the next growth spurt.

 

[Ratty]

Not all bottles are easier than the breast! I got the small nipples for my bottles and my LO takes longer to drink and has to work harder when drinking from the bottle than he does the breast. The nipples were recommended to me as they are very similar to a breast and don't cause as much confusion when switching between the two.

I've struggled this last week with my milk supply because I did too much exercise and housework. I was at the clinic this morning and have been put on some natural tonic which I have to mix with a litre of apply or grape juice and a litre of water and drink that EVERY day. Will let you guys know how it goes.

I've also topped my LO up on a few occasions. He won't continue sucking if he is not getting anything so is not stimulating the breasts to say he wants more. I'm now using my pump at the same time even though its not extracting anything as it at least stimulates the breast.