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Breast or Bottle Feeding
Just curious who is Breast or Bottle Feeding? Through my entire Pregnancy I said I was going to bottle feed and than my husband really wanted me to breastfeed and at the last minute I changed my mind. So I breast fed for the first four days and than my nipples were so sore that I had to take a couple days off. So I've been supplementing bottles here and there. But when I breastfeed, I don't think he's getting enough milk. He will eat for 5 minutes, doze off, than wake up 10 minutes later and feed again. Yesterday he did this for almost 2 hours straight. Than I went to pump later that night and I had nothing. Is it possible that I'm not producing enough milk? Because whenever I give him a bottle, he sleeps for 3 hours. Also when I do pump, it takes me about 2 hours to get 3 ounces. That can't be normal! How would anyone ever keep up with their babys feedings?
Just curious what you ladies were doing and if you had any tips! I don't mind giving him bottles here and there but I really wanted most of his feedings to be breast milk.
Just curious what you ladies were doing and if you had any tips! I don't mind giving him bottles here and there but I really wanted most of his feedings to be breast milk.
What great advice... A happier mommy is a better mommy... There are babies out there that just won't nurse... That was my daughter... You gave him a ton of your milk so he has a great start to a healthy childhood. But what Stresshead said is true, you don't want to pump for more than 15 min.
My son is doing the same thing you mentioned too... He is eating about every hour and a half to two hours, then he fights sleep. Once he gets to sleep, he is down for 30-45 mins before he is waking up to eat again. I don't sleep during the day since I homeschool my other three kids so I know about being exhausted, but thankfully he sleeps good at night. He will go to sleep right after he eats at night.
They go through growth spurts and phases...
You are a wonderful mommy and you will know what your baby needs. It is instinctal. Keep doing what you feel is best for you and baby... Again a happy mommy is the best mommy!!
My son is doing the same thing you mentioned too... He is eating about every hour and a half to two hours, then he fights sleep. Once he gets to sleep, he is down for 30-45 mins before he is waking up to eat again. I don't sleep during the day since I homeschool my other three kids so I know about being exhausted, but thankfully he sleeps good at night. He will go to sleep right after he eats at night.
They go through growth spurts and phases...
You are a wonderful mommy and you will know what your baby needs. It is instinctal. Keep doing what you feel is best for you and baby... Again a happy mommy is the best mommy!!
Oh Gina :( I didn't realise you were having all this trouble. You should NEVER pump for more than 20 mins per boob!!!!! Before I roomed in with the boys I was doing 45 minutes a time with a double pumper (hospital grade) and a hands free bra. I did this every three hours.
THEN when I roomed in for the last three weeks before they came home I had access to lots of lactation consultants. It's all about supply and demand NOT how long you pump. If your milk supply is dwindling you pump every two hours just to get it going again but only need to do this for one day.
I had been pumping 1.5l a day and then when I finally got to feed my boys it was choking them it was coming out so fast so I had to not pump for three days and I was so sore but my milk supply went right down. Then I wasn't getting enough for both so I just pumped every two hours for a day and persevered for a few days at three hourly and it came back. This was only doing it for 15 mins too!!!!!
Breastfeeding should NEVER hurt either, it's all about latching on and if its hurting then they are not latching on properly. Mine were to tiny to latch on so I used nipple shields and they worked wonders. You obviously know that I stopped breast feeding at 12 weeks because I was bottle feeding them EBM because of the thickener I needed to add.
Pumping to feed is ust so time consuming and the quality of the milk produced is poor if you are tired and stressed and this also directly affects how much you get.
Just bottle feed him darling, you have done your best and it's not anyone's busniess but your own. I hate all these bloody breast feeding nazis that make everyone feel like **** if they can't do it. Obviously we know it's the best option but formula has come a long way and I asked every single kid I teach which ones were breast fed and which were formula fed and it was about half and half. The breast fed half had just as many issues as the formula kids!!!!
ENJOY YOUR BABY xxxx
THEN when I roomed in for the last three weeks before they came home I had access to lots of lactation consultants. It's all about supply and demand NOT how long you pump. If your milk supply is dwindling you pump every two hours just to get it going again but only need to do this for one day.
I had been pumping 1.5l a day and then when I finally got to feed my boys it was choking them it was coming out so fast so I had to not pump for three days and I was so sore but my milk supply went right down. Then I wasn't getting enough for both so I just pumped every two hours for a day and persevered for a few days at three hourly and it came back. This was only doing it for 15 mins too!!!!!
Breastfeeding should NEVER hurt either, it's all about latching on and if its hurting then they are not latching on properly. Mine were to tiny to latch on so I used nipple shields and they worked wonders. You obviously know that I stopped breast feeding at 12 weeks because I was bottle feeding them EBM because of the thickener I needed to add.
Pumping to feed is ust so time consuming and the quality of the milk produced is poor if you are tired and stressed and this also directly affects how much you get.
Just bottle feed him darling, you have done your best and it's not anyone's busniess but your own. I hate all these bloody breast feeding nazis that make everyone feel like **** if they can't do it. Obviously we know it's the best option but formula has come a long way and I asked every single kid I teach which ones were breast fed and which were formula fed and it was about half and half. The breast fed half had just as many issues as the formula kids!!!!
ENJOY YOUR BABY xxxx
Hun,
you've already given your boy a good start with your breastfeeding and he got the colostrum which is the important part. It's ok to use formula! After all, you've got to sleep and it is whatever work for you both. Even partial breastfeeding better than none and if you end up completely on formula that's ok. I have a great book called "pediatrician in my pocket" (from my sister) and it says ok, breastfeeding is 100%, but formula is like 99% which is pretty darn close.
You do what works for you!
Things will get better with baby sleeping. it's tough when they're so young. It will get better! I am so tired I could fall down and sleep for a month, but then baby needs another feed! Oh, and my **** still feel like they're falling off, AND I feel like a cow! :)
The joys of motherhood! But it IS worth it every time I look at my lifechanging child!
Take care.
S
you've already given your boy a good start with your breastfeeding and he got the colostrum which is the important part. It's ok to use formula! After all, you've got to sleep and it is whatever work for you both. Even partial breastfeeding better than none and if you end up completely on formula that's ok. I have a great book called "pediatrician in my pocket" (from my sister) and it says ok, breastfeeding is 100%, but formula is like 99% which is pretty darn close.
You do what works for you!
Things will get better with baby sleeping. it's tough when they're so young. It will get better! I am so tired I could fall down and sleep for a month, but then baby needs another feed! Oh, and my **** still feel like they're falling off, AND I feel like a cow! :)
The joys of motherhood! But it IS worth it every time I look at my lifechanging child!
Take care.
S
Well thats just it. When I breastfeed him, its not every 2-3 hours, HA no way would I ever get 4 either! When I do breastfeed him he will feed for 5-10 minutes than either fall asleep and wake up every 20 minutes and do the same thing. He'll do this for hours. Or he will drink for 10 minutes and than get completely frustrated and not want it anymore. Now I don't know if its because he's not getting enough milk or because its too much work for him and now that hes been introduced to formula he knows its easier to get milk that way. But breastfeeding just does not work for us. It either ends up taking hours (and this way neither of us get any sleep) or he gets so upset and frustrated...and that just doesn't work either. I am available to nurse, it just doesn't work.
I'm aware that the more I bottle feed, the less milk I will produce but I had no choice. He'd be starving and wasn't getting any breastmilk from me...so I had to give him a bottle, the poor thing would starve! So I realize my milk supply is low because of putting him on the bottle but thats just what worked for us. I try and pump whenever I can..the first 2 sessions I get plenty..after that I have to fight to get a full bottles worth. But I am at least giving him as much breastmilk as I can and thats all I can really do. I really wanted to breastfeed him for a while but it just doesn't work for us.
As of right now, he is feeding every 2 to 2 in a half hours...and he drinks anywhere from 2 to 3 ounces each feeding. As it is I feel like I can't keep up. As soon as he stops feeding, I get a burp...than he wakes up for a good half hour. Than he gets a lil cranky cuz he's so tired and it takes me another 20 minutes to get him to sleep. By the time this is all done, he sleeps for 45 minutes and than he's ready to eat again. He just started this a couple days ago and its been rough! Mommy hasn't been getting that much sleep and I dont think he is either! At night, he's better...he usually goes right to sleep after eating but during the day that is his schedule and its exhausting. So during those 45 minutes of him sleeping...I try and pump instead of taking a nap. So its like never ending..can't catch up! Could you imagine if I was breastfeeding? He would constantly be on my breast and neither of us would sleep. So it's been tough, I am just trying to give him as much breastmilk as I possibly can but I feel like I have no time. I just hope his schedule changes and he starts sleeping a bit longer!
I'm aware that the more I bottle feed, the less milk I will produce but I had no choice. He'd be starving and wasn't getting any breastmilk from me...so I had to give him a bottle, the poor thing would starve! So I realize my milk supply is low because of putting him on the bottle but thats just what worked for us. I try and pump whenever I can..the first 2 sessions I get plenty..after that I have to fight to get a full bottles worth. But I am at least giving him as much breastmilk as I can and thats all I can really do. I really wanted to breastfeed him for a while but it just doesn't work for us.
As of right now, he is feeding every 2 to 2 in a half hours...and he drinks anywhere from 2 to 3 ounces each feeding. As it is I feel like I can't keep up. As soon as he stops feeding, I get a burp...than he wakes up for a good half hour. Than he gets a lil cranky cuz he's so tired and it takes me another 20 minutes to get him to sleep. By the time this is all done, he sleeps for 45 minutes and than he's ready to eat again. He just started this a couple days ago and its been rough! Mommy hasn't been getting that much sleep and I dont think he is either! At night, he's better...he usually goes right to sleep after eating but during the day that is his schedule and its exhausting. So during those 45 minutes of him sleeping...I try and pump instead of taking a nap. So its like never ending..can't catch up! Could you imagine if I was breastfeeding? He would constantly be on my breast and neither of us would sleep. So it's been tough, I am just trying to give him as much breastmilk as I possibly can but I feel like I have no time. I just hope his schedule changes and he starts sleeping a bit longer!
I agree... we can only do what we know is best for our own babies. I really feel like giving up bf'ing for the simple fact that I'm already worn out from taking care of my toddler. I guess I keep doing it b/c I think if I can just get through one more month I'll feel better about her getting the extra immune boosters from my milk. Although, at the end of the day, I feel good just knowing that I've made it four weeks! LOL
I have begun to mix 2/3 breast milk to 1/3 formula to help me at night. I think it helps her sleep a little longer (with the exception of a possible growth spurt that I think she is going through right now). Bottles are so convenient at night when you're so exhausted you could sleep standing up!
I have begun to mix 2/3 breast milk to 1/3 formula to help me at night. I think it helps her sleep a little longer (with the exception of a possible growth spurt that I think she is going through right now). Bottles are so convenient at night when you're so exhausted you could sleep standing up!
Gina:
It is very frustrating and you have been givengreat advice so far. You have to remember one thig. You can not comapre how much formula he eats to how much breastmilk he will eat. It is like comparing apples to oranges. If you want to breastfeed you have to be prepared to feed him every 2-3 hrs from the time you start feeding him and every 4hrs at night. It is a huge commitment but a great one. Babies who are breastfed do not consume as much as formula babies and they don't need as much. EVery breastfed mother has the worry of not producing enough, however as soon as you introduce the bottle and suppliment with formula you are hurting yor milk supply. Your body is trying to figure out how much milk your babay needs, so for the first 4 weeks or so you need to breastfed exclusively. If you miss a nursing session and feed him abottle, your body says "oh I don't need to make that much milk". Also, you can't compare the amount you get in a pumping session with the amount he will get in a nursing session. Babies are much better at getting the milk than any pump out there. The ony way to tell if they are getting enough milk is by whether they are gaining weight or not. Some moms can't handlethis and need to know how much their babies r drinking so bottles work better for them. Also if you are not available to nurse every 2-3 hours then it might not be the best choice for you...
Don't stress over it girl. You are doing wonderful if you are pumping and giving him some breast milk. There are alot of mothers not willing to even pump. You are most likely not going to be able to breastfed exclusively at this point though as he knows the bottle is much easier for him. This happened with my first daughter. I got sick after delivery and they had to suppliment her in the nursery since I couldn't fed her. After she got that bottle she did not want to work for the breast. My son and I had a little struggle this time as well, but we fought through it and are exclusively breastfeeding now. He eats every 2-3 hours and sometimes more often. Sometimes he eats for 10-15min on each side, sometimes 30. Sometimes he olnyeats on one side. But when he is satisfied I stop. I do not make him eat more than he wants. If he falls asleep I change his diaper, take his clothes off so he feels the cool air, and turn on the lights which helps him wake up. Then we nurse some more if he is interested. He is getting fat and growing so I know he is getting enough. I was nursing him on a schedule at first as I had to wake him, but now he is waking himself when its time to eat.
Keep doing what your doing and what works best for you and baby... No one can tell another mother what is best cause it has to be best for you and baby and only you know what that will be...
It is very frustrating and you have been givengreat advice so far. You have to remember one thig. You can not comapre how much formula he eats to how much breastmilk he will eat. It is like comparing apples to oranges. If you want to breastfeed you have to be prepared to feed him every 2-3 hrs from the time you start feeding him and every 4hrs at night. It is a huge commitment but a great one. Babies who are breastfed do not consume as much as formula babies and they don't need as much. EVery breastfed mother has the worry of not producing enough, however as soon as you introduce the bottle and suppliment with formula you are hurting yor milk supply. Your body is trying to figure out how much milk your babay needs, so for the first 4 weeks or so you need to breastfed exclusively. If you miss a nursing session and feed him abottle, your body says "oh I don't need to make that much milk". Also, you can't compare the amount you get in a pumping session with the amount he will get in a nursing session. Babies are much better at getting the milk than any pump out there. The ony way to tell if they are getting enough milk is by whether they are gaining weight or not. Some moms can't handlethis and need to know how much their babies r drinking so bottles work better for them. Also if you are not available to nurse every 2-3 hours then it might not be the best choice for you...
Don't stress over it girl. You are doing wonderful if you are pumping and giving him some breast milk. There are alot of mothers not willing to even pump. You are most likely not going to be able to breastfed exclusively at this point though as he knows the bottle is much easier for him. This happened with my first daughter. I got sick after delivery and they had to suppliment her in the nursery since I couldn't fed her. After she got that bottle she did not want to work for the breast. My son and I had a little struggle this time as well, but we fought through it and are exclusively breastfeeding now. He eats every 2-3 hours and sometimes more often. Sometimes he eats for 10-15min on each side, sometimes 30. Sometimes he olnyeats on one side. But when he is satisfied I stop. I do not make him eat more than he wants. If he falls asleep I change his diaper, take his clothes off so he feels the cool air, and turn on the lights which helps him wake up. Then we nurse some more if he is interested. He is getting fat and growing so I know he is getting enough. I was nursing him on a schedule at first as I had to wake him, but now he is waking himself when its time to eat.
Keep doing what your doing and what works best for you and baby... No one can tell another mother what is best cause it has to be best for you and baby and only you know what that will be...
They get frustrated becuase it is much quicker for them to bottlefeed than to breastfeed.
You may also find that you can express milk manually more quickly and effectively than with a pump (I pump till I can pump nothing else), then if I try manually there is still milk.
I make my baby drink breast directly at night. Yes she sukcs more, but I do it on my side and I drift off to sleep quickly.
I am now breast feeding and pumping and manually expressing. I do the manual expressing everytime I go to the toilet. Is getting easier and I can get 1 -2 oz this way.
Have refused to give my baby formula becuase it willd ecrease milk supply. My girl now wants 4 - 5 oz per feed and I have to top her up with expressed milk after all the day time breast feeds.
My schedule is get up in the morning and breast feed her one side and pump the other. Then finish pumping the side she sucked. Then I go to work. At work I manually express as often as I can. Takese practice, but I'm improving and find it easier in some ways than the pump.
Then I go home at lunch time and breast feed her and then pump as much as I can as well.
Back to work. (baby get's express milk while I'm at work). Back to manual expressing.... even a little is better than none. Home in the evening, breast feedign and manual epxressing.
Evening I make her suck only, even if she gets grumpy...... not quick enough! Just have to persist.....
Hope this helps. Really is a lot of work.
Do try manual expressing (you can find instructions on line)....
S
You may also find that you can express milk manually more quickly and effectively than with a pump (I pump till I can pump nothing else), then if I try manually there is still milk.
I make my baby drink breast directly at night. Yes she sukcs more, but I do it on my side and I drift off to sleep quickly.
I am now breast feeding and pumping and manually expressing. I do the manual expressing everytime I go to the toilet. Is getting easier and I can get 1 -2 oz this way.
Have refused to give my baby formula becuase it willd ecrease milk supply. My girl now wants 4 - 5 oz per feed and I have to top her up with expressed milk after all the day time breast feeds.
My schedule is get up in the morning and breast feed her one side and pump the other. Then finish pumping the side she sucked. Then I go to work. At work I manually express as often as I can. Takese practice, but I'm improving and find it easier in some ways than the pump.
Then I go home at lunch time and breast feed her and then pump as much as I can as well.
Back to work. (baby get's express milk while I'm at work). Back to manual expressing.... even a little is better than none. Home in the evening, breast feedign and manual epxressing.
Evening I make her suck only, even if she gets grumpy...... not quick enough! Just have to persist.....
Hope this helps. Really is a lot of work.
Do try manual expressing (you can find instructions on line)....
S
The only problem is, I can't breastfeed anymore. We figured all along that he wasn't getting enough when breastfeeding and now I know for sure he's not. Tonight I pumped about 2 ounces and it took me over an hour. I knew he was going to want more but my breasts wouldn't pump anymore! But than I would squeeze my nipples and it would come out. So instead of giving him formula I decided to breastfeed him until he was full which I figured wouldn't take long cuz usually he takes between 2-3 ounces each feeding. So I put him on my breast and he sucked for about 2 minutes and immediately got frustrated and started crying. But he kept looking for the nipple like he was still hungry but every time I would put him on my breast he wouldn't take it or he would suck for a minute and than scream. So I think he knows he's not getting enough milk and that frustrates him. And that must be it because I hardly get anything when I do pump. It upsets me and him so I've decided not to put him on my breast anymore but I still will pump.
I definitely understand what you're saying about the more I breastfeed and pump the more milk thats produced. My lactation specialist said the same thing...so I am trying to pump whenever I can but its tough and frustrating when I don't get anything. And to pump in the middle of the night would be insane because he wakes up every 2 hours as it is and it takes me over an hour to get 3 ounces usually. So I would literally be getting no sleep so I know I can't do that. But I do try and pump as much as I can throughout the day...so I'm just hoping I can keep up with it for a while because I know how beneficial it is!
I definitely understand what you're saying about the more I breastfeed and pump the more milk thats produced. My lactation specialist said the same thing...so I am trying to pump whenever I can but its tough and frustrating when I don't get anything. And to pump in the middle of the night would be insane because he wakes up every 2 hours as it is and it takes me over an hour to get 3 ounces usually. So I would literally be getting no sleep so I know I can't do that. But I do try and pump as much as I can throughout the day...so I'm just hoping I can keep up with it for a while because I know how beneficial it is!
The only thing about NOT pumping consistently (such as during the night) is that this will make your milk supply dwindle. Especially if you aren't bf'ing during the night either.
When I give bottles during the night, I still try to pump at least once (even just 3 minutes on each boob makes a difference). Or I bf at least once or twice and use only one bottle. It kinda bites, but I know it will keep my supply up b/c our bodies are only going to produce the amount of milk that our babies are regularly drinking...which should gradually increase. Not pumping or bf'ing consistently will only let us produce what our babies are eating right now, instead of letting our bodies send signals to increase the amount as they grow and start consuming MORE. Does that make sense?
I'm trying to hang in there for at least another month, but honestly, bf'ing is REALLY hard to do while taking care of a toddler, too. It's hard to find the time...especially to pump.
Oh well, good luck to us all! Goodness knows we need it... :-)
When I give bottles during the night, I still try to pump at least once (even just 3 minutes on each boob makes a difference). Or I bf at least once or twice and use only one bottle. It kinda bites, but I know it will keep my supply up b/c our bodies are only going to produce the amount of milk that our babies are regularly drinking...which should gradually increase. Not pumping or bf'ing consistently will only let us produce what our babies are eating right now, instead of letting our bodies send signals to increase the amount as they grow and start consuming MORE. Does that make sense?
I'm trying to hang in there for at least another month, but honestly, bf'ing is REALLY hard to do while taking care of a toddler, too. It's hard to find the time...especially to pump.
Oh well, good luck to us all! Goodness knows we need it... :-)
I also do not pump at night......I find it hard enough to stay awake to feed her let alone pump.....lol....I sometimes find myself fighting to stay awake...and if I was going to pump...I think it would be even harder! Sarah gets formula all through the night and then I pump when I am up for the day....I only pump 3 times a day I think.....in the am...afternoon and before bed..Atleast its something that she is getting from me and that makes me feel a little better than her not getting it at all! I wish that she didnt lose the concept of breast feeding all together, because I really wanted to do that for her....but she gets so mad that she cant get it and screams bloody murder as if I was hruting her while she tries...poor thing!
Ahh you can say that again! Frustrating!!
Caiden gets more formula too...because we discovered for sure that when I breastfeed he is NOT getting enough. I breastfed him for almost an hour using both breasts and he was starving afterwards! It was late in the afternoon and I just think I don't have enough milk. So I'm just pumping first thing in the morning...I get about a bottle in a half and than basically swap every other feeding. So I'll pump for one bottle, than the next he'll get formula, than the next pump...so this way he's getting both. It's been working out so far...but at night he gets all formula, I don't have the energy to pump at 3 am in the morning and I don't produce enough milk to pump and store it. But its been working out good like this for the last 2 days so I'm going to try and keep up with this, even though it feels like I'm pumping ALL the time! Hopefully more milk will come in and it will get easier. At least he's getting some breast milk!
Caiden gets more formula too...because we discovered for sure that when I breastfeed he is NOT getting enough. I breastfed him for almost an hour using both breasts and he was starving afterwards! It was late in the afternoon and I just think I don't have enough milk. So I'm just pumping first thing in the morning...I get about a bottle in a half and than basically swap every other feeding. So I'll pump for one bottle, than the next he'll get formula, than the next pump...so this way he's getting both. It's been working out so far...but at night he gets all formula, I don't have the energy to pump at 3 am in the morning and I don't produce enough milk to pump and store it. But its been working out good like this for the last 2 days so I'm going to try and keep up with this, even though it feels like I'm pumping ALL the time! Hopefully more milk will come in and it will get easier. At least he's getting some breast milk!
Yes, she is getting more formula than breast milk....but atleast I am giving her what I can! it is frustrating..i couldnt agree more! Hopefully it gets easier!! Good luck!
This was a no thinker for me since I breastfed all my children...NO BOTTLES OR PACIFIERS!! That's just one less stress for me to worry about. I introduce a sippy cup about 5-6 months (for juice or water only) that way when they're ready to be weaned, Ihave that sippy cup ready. I breastfed my son for 9 months until he has corrective surgery on his penis and I breastfed the twins until they were 21 months. Ihad to wean them because I got preggo for Myra...so just think, I JUST got over breastfeeding 8 months ago! LOL
It does hurt for a couple weeks, but its so worth it for me. I'd rather go through some pain for a wonderful that I do for my children.
It does hurt for a couple weeks, but its so worth it for me. I'd rather go through some pain for a wonderful that I do for my children.
It is lazy white boy syndrom...seriously!! That is what my lactation expert said....that the laziest eaters are little white boys!! My son falls asleep as well, pretty much as soon as he latches on....I have to stimulate him by either rubbing his feet, or moving his chin and squeezing milk into his mouth at the same time....you have to hold him in the cross cradle hold....with the opposite arm holding him and his neck, and the arm on the same side cupping the nipple pushing on his chin to stimulate and using the other finger to force milk in....this usually gets at least 30 mons of feeding time out of him, then he is content for 2 1/2-3 hours!!
See, I'm not giving up on breastfeeding...I want him to drink breastmilk over a bottle but the problem is when I do breastfeed him...I don't know how much he's getting. And most of the time he will drink for 5-10 minutes and than fall asleep. I try everything to wake him up and it doesn't work. And if he does wake up he doesn't want anymore milk. So 5-10 minutes of feeding...than he wakes up 20 minutes later and does 5 more minutes. One day I did this for 2 straight hours, feeding him every 20 minutes because he was only feeding for 5 minutes and I just can't do that all day, it's exhausting!
So I try pumping and first pump in the morning I got about 4 ounces in an hour and than he will eat that right away. Than I go to pump a couple hours later and I barely get an ounce and I pumped for an hour! It really upsets me because I want him to get as much breastmilk as possible but I feel like I am not producing enough milk for him, like I can't keep up. So I will give him a bottle which satisfies him completely and he sleeps for 3 hours or more when on a bottle and only 2 to 2 in a half when on breastmilk. So I think I am just frustrated and upset because if I put him on the breast he doesn't get enough and isn't satisfied and than he gets frustrated and upset. And than if I try and pump it takes me forever to get any milk and than I can't keep up with his feedings every 3 hours. So I feel like he is drinking more formula than breastmilk and I dont know why but it upsets me. I am definitely not giving up...I am just looking for answers or moms going through something similar. I know it will get easier over time but its so darn frustrating right now.
Lance-you said you can't keep up with your babys feeding..are you giving her formula often?
So I try pumping and first pump in the morning I got about 4 ounces in an hour and than he will eat that right away. Than I go to pump a couple hours later and I barely get an ounce and I pumped for an hour! It really upsets me because I want him to get as much breastmilk as possible but I feel like I am not producing enough milk for him, like I can't keep up. So I will give him a bottle which satisfies him completely and he sleeps for 3 hours or more when on a bottle and only 2 to 2 in a half when on breastmilk. So I think I am just frustrated and upset because if I put him on the breast he doesn't get enough and isn't satisfied and than he gets frustrated and upset. And than if I try and pump it takes me forever to get any milk and than I can't keep up with his feedings every 3 hours. So I feel like he is drinking more formula than breastmilk and I dont know why but it upsets me. I am definitely not giving up...I am just looking for answers or moms going through something similar. I know it will get easier over time but its so darn frustrating right now.
Lance-you said you can't keep up with your babys feeding..are you giving her formula often?
I put Annabelle on the boob right after she was born, and she latched right on and sucked away....but due to complications she was in the nursery for much of the next few days, and they gave her a pacifier in there, and after that nursing was harder and harder. I'm the one that mentioned the evil boob thing....Heather is right, I began starting her each time on the evil side, and not switching her until she had drained it pretty well. She screamed and screamed for the first few times, especially during her night feedings....I cried right along with her, and was strongly tempted to give up, or to at least supplement with formula.
But we perservered, and now at a week and half, she is a breastfeeding pro. I have found that if I hold the evil boob a certain way, it seems easier for her to latch on properly...also, the nurses at the hospital showed me how to put sugar water on the evil nipple, as well as a few drops of formula; I think that really helped at first, before my milk came in.
The nurses at the hospital were HUGELY helpful....but I felt a little upset at how strongly they emphasized the importance of breastfeeding every 2 to 3 hours. Annabelle never wanted to eat that often; she ate every 4 or 5 hours, and was very clear about when she was ready. Otherwise, it just turned into a big screaming fit, whenever I tried to force her to eat when she wasn't hungry. Their little tummies are so tiny, they don't need much in the beginning; nobody used to use formula years and years ago, and I'm pretty sure that millions of babies didn't starve to death just from being stubborn about breastfeeding in the very beginning.
Oh, and my nipples are adapting well...it was horribly painful at first (my mother told me to use the same breathing techniques as for labor!) but now it barely hurts at all. It's such a sweet time for us, I really love it!!
If anyone out there feels discouraged about breastfeeding, I would strongly encourage you to keep trying, it is definitely worth perservering through those first struggles!
But we perservered, and now at a week and half, she is a breastfeeding pro. I have found that if I hold the evil boob a certain way, it seems easier for her to latch on properly...also, the nurses at the hospital showed me how to put sugar water on the evil nipple, as well as a few drops of formula; I think that really helped at first, before my milk came in.
The nurses at the hospital were HUGELY helpful....but I felt a little upset at how strongly they emphasized the importance of breastfeeding every 2 to 3 hours. Annabelle never wanted to eat that often; she ate every 4 or 5 hours, and was very clear about when she was ready. Otherwise, it just turned into a big screaming fit, whenever I tried to force her to eat when she wasn't hungry. Their little tummies are so tiny, they don't need much in the beginning; nobody used to use formula years and years ago, and I'm pretty sure that millions of babies didn't starve to death just from being stubborn about breastfeeding in the very beginning.
Oh, and my nipples are adapting well...it was horribly painful at first (my mother told me to use the same breathing techniques as for labor!) but now it barely hurts at all. It's such a sweet time for us, I really love it!!
If anyone out there feels discouraged about breastfeeding, I would strongly encourage you to keep trying, it is definitely worth perservering through those first struggles!
Gina, I get about 4-5 ounces in like 10 minutes or so.....thats how long it takes to pump..but thats the first intiial pumping when I get up...throughout the day..i probably pump a couple times and only get about 3 in those pumping times..My body is definetely not keeping up with Sarah's eating needs!
i did not even try having him go right to the breast. i just went straight to pumping. i get about an ounce every 4 hours right now but i should be pumping more.
try having the baby right near you when you pump because it stimulates your milk production.
my doctor also told me to mix the breast milk and form. so if your baby is eating 3 ounce bottles, make 2 ounce of formula and top it off with the ounce of breast milk you got.
try having the baby right near you when you pump because it stimulates your milk production.
my doctor also told me to mix the breast milk and form. so if your baby is eating 3 ounce bottles, make 2 ounce of formula and top it off with the ounce of breast milk you got.
Hi there ladies...I too am breastfeeding..in the hospital he latched on 15 minutes after he was born and ate every 2 hours after that, we were doing great!! About 3 days into it...my nipples cracked , it hurt to have him feed...but I just grinned and beared it...when he was feeding on one, I would extract a little milk, rub it on my nipple, and let it air dry...and then when I wasn't feeding i would use the lanolin lotion...at day 5-6 my milk came in, and he learned (and I did too) how to latch better...now it is going great....he eats about every 21/2 -3 hours, and at night about every 4 hours....I did pump once because when my milk came in i was so engorged and produced about 6 oz!! I have not been to a 2 week well baby yet...but I can tell he gained weight, because he already grew out of the "coming home" outfit....
You just got to stick with it, there will be pain and diffuculty, but in the long run soo worth it. Your body knows how much to provide....like my lactation expert said....for the first few weeks you have to have that baby attached to your breast all the time, it is the only way to establish a good ssupply...feed every 2 hours at first for about 30 minutes!!!
You just got to stick with it, there will be pain and diffuculty, but in the long run soo worth it. Your body knows how much to provide....like my lactation expert said....for the first few weeks you have to have that baby attached to your breast all the time, it is the only way to establish a good ssupply...feed every 2 hours at first for about 30 minutes!!!
im brestfeeding right now lol i love it! the 1st week it realy hurt and i had craked and bleeding nipples but i fed through it and its fine now, lilly feeds between 10-30 mins the more they suck the more milk you will make!
at birth lilly was 7.3pounds she went down to 6.13pounds 4days later then 8days after that she was 7.9pounds so its working, and its a g8 way to bond, it will hurt at 1st but you got to feed through it.
at birth lilly was 7.3pounds she went down to 6.13pounds 4days later then 8days after that she was 7.9pounds so its working, and its a g8 way to bond, it will hurt at 1st but you got to feed through it.
Yeah, i have allergies, all my sisters' kids have allergies and so I reckon my baby has a good chance of having them too. So this is why I'm doing my best to breast feed (oh and it is a lot cheaper than buying formula)....
But even though they say breast is best bottle runs a very close second, so do whatever suits. :)
Hope your girl isn't going to have allergies.
S
But even though they say breast is best bottle runs a very close second, so do whatever suits. :)
Hope your girl isn't going to have allergies.
S
Hi Gina ,
I had the same problem my nipples were soo sore and they were bleeding yet the doctor said i can still breast feed! that was strange ,,,there's this ointment that really helped a lot..my nipples healed quickly and we started over ,,everything is great now ..i want to tell you that it also takes time to produce more milk ,the more the baby ***** the more milk you will produce ...i also give him the bottle sometimes and thats due to my schedule cause i go to college ,,,dont worry everything takes time ...but beastfeeding creates a great bond between you and the baby and it's very critical for his immunity..
I had the same problem my nipples were soo sore and they were bleeding yet the doctor said i can still breast feed! that was strange ,,,there's this ointment that really helped a lot..my nipples healed quickly and we started over ,,everything is great now ..i want to tell you that it also takes time to produce more milk ,the more the baby ***** the more milk you will produce ...i also give him the bottle sometimes and thats due to my schedule cause i go to college ,,,dont worry everything takes time ...but beastfeeding creates a great bond between you and the baby and it's very critical for his immunity..
I nursed both my boys until 14months. I never used formula with either one of them It was easy for me i produced lots of milk, and they got the hang of it pretty quickly. This time i dont see how am gonna have the time to nurse. So i have been reasearching diffrent formula's I am kind of nervous, since both my kids have allergies even thought thely were breastfeed. I worry that if i dont nurse this baby she is gonna gave more allergeis than her brothers. Well see how things happen when she is born.
Hi,
the pain of breast feeding get less. But the first 2 weeks are hell. If you persist it gets better. I am now 3 weeks and while it's not yet comfortable it's much better.
If you can just let him breastfeed. It is harder work to breast feed, so he may get less at a timeand eat more frequently, at first. Also he may get tiredd... so tickle his feet to wake him up. Breast feeding is a workout for him (and that's also a good thing). Plus he's comfortable against your warm chest. :)
Don't worry how much he gets and you can't compare what you can pump and what he can get. he is more efficient at getting the milk out than you are at pumping. He will get what he needs if you exclusvely breast feed him on demand.
The more you supplement the less milk you'd have... so do try not to supplement too much (maybe not more than 1 feed a day), if you want to continue breastfeeding.
I am now pumping and breastfeeding. I have to be out at work. Today I manually expressed into a bottle. Going home for lunch in a few mins and to feed my girl.
There's also lots of advice on the breastfeeding forum, which I found really helpful.
Just make whatever decision is right for you. As long as baby got the colostrum at the beginning that is critical. Breastfeeding, if you decide to persist, will get easier. But bottlefeeding is a good alternative, if you end up not breastfeeding.
S
the pain of breast feeding get less. But the first 2 weeks are hell. If you persist it gets better. I am now 3 weeks and while it's not yet comfortable it's much better.
If you can just let him breastfeed. It is harder work to breast feed, so he may get less at a timeand eat more frequently, at first. Also he may get tiredd... so tickle his feet to wake him up. Breast feeding is a workout for him (and that's also a good thing). Plus he's comfortable against your warm chest. :)
Don't worry how much he gets and you can't compare what you can pump and what he can get. he is more efficient at getting the milk out than you are at pumping. He will get what he needs if you exclusvely breast feed him on demand.
The more you supplement the less milk you'd have... so do try not to supplement too much (maybe not more than 1 feed a day), if you want to continue breastfeeding.
I am now pumping and breastfeeding. I have to be out at work. Today I manually expressed into a bottle. Going home for lunch in a few mins and to feed my girl.
There's also lots of advice on the breastfeeding forum, which I found really helpful.
Just make whatever decision is right for you. As long as baby got the colostrum at the beginning that is critical. Breastfeeding, if you decide to persist, will get easier. But bottlefeeding is a good alternative, if you end up not breastfeeding.
S
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