I am praying the LC can work some magic today. There is milk in there she just won't suck to get it out, or she sucks for 2 seconds, gets :@ that it isn't flowing yet, and gets pissed. Then I have to calm her down, and then she's too sleepy to eat ::headdesk::
but she chugs down the formula supplement we feed her right after.
and pumping is only getting me about .5ml per boob at each feeding. I'm praying it will pick up.
Post by sewpinkgal on Jul 13, 2012 11:47:40 GMT -5
You having a good cry might actually help - at the very least it might break up some of the stress, you know? The shower was always my favorite place to break down.
I'm thinking good thoughts for you with the LC today. Also, the reason everyone likes to tell you that it's gets better (even though it's not terribly comforting in the moment) is because, it does get better.
She'll figure it out. Try to be kind to yourself though. BFing is tough stuff.
Post by karinothing on Jul 13, 2012 12:03:28 GMT -5
I am sorry you are struggling. Just keep plugging through. IMO it takes early babies a bit to get going. My friend had a baby born at 35 weeks too. She was experiencing the same issues. She just kept pumping and supplementing with formula and putting him to the breast as often as she could. After 5-6 weeks in, he was suddenly able to nurse, I think he just had to get big/old enough.
You (and she) will get there. Hang in there ::hugs::
Post by sewpinkgal on Jul 13, 2012 12:06:41 GMT -5
J went from 6lb5oz to 5lb10oz by day 4 so I totally get the weight loss concerns. Kari is right though - just keep at it. I'm sorry you're feeling so stressed.
I am just so worried she will lose more weight, she was 5lbs 4 oz yesterday, down from 5lbs 12 oz five days ago at birth.
Can you use an SNS w/formula. That way she will be at your breast and still be getting formula right away so she won't get sleepy.
I know it sounds like a lot of work, but I would just put her to the breast, top her off with a bottle, and pump over and over. That way you can make sure she is getting all the food she needs and you are stimulating your milk supply.
Post by Ashley&Scott on Jul 13, 2012 12:37:45 GMT -5
Oh pugz! I agree a good cry might make you feel better.
I know she's tiny, but it is normal for bf babies to lose some weight in the beginning. Try not to stress too much. I'm sure the LC will help you feel more at ease & will be able to give you some tips. (ask about compressions while bfing since G is frustrated)
When you're pumping try to relax as much as possible, that should help you milk let down. If you're in the room with G look at her. (If not look at pics or video.) Even her crying might help trigger a let down. Also do breast compressions while pumping. Make sure you don't have your pump on the highest setting, usually low/med is better for output.
How's her bilirubin?
You guys are doing great, keep you head up! Is DH still home with you?
Dh home for another week thank god. Billi level appears to have peaked. We are snuggling now, did skin to skin for 2 hrs this morning. Poor girl looks fake baked!
Post by nonsenseabound on Jul 13, 2012 13:06:42 GMT -5
Def try the SNS. It really helps.
I would encourage you to use warm compresses on your breasts prior to nursing. Also try drinking Gatorade and lots of water. Both helped me a lot. Make sure to keep taking your prenatal and eat lots of good foods. Whenever I ate three good meals, lots of snacks and lots of water, I would get more milk.
Your milk will probably come in with a vengeance in a day or two.
Jenny i tried pumping to get colostrum on day 1 but got nada so we started cup feeding. I bf each side 15 min, then we give 15-20 ccs via cup. Doc has said i can stop supplementing when my milk is in. I want to give it til monday to see if i get more milk since she is so fussy at the breast.
I am chugging water today and will ask dh to make sure i am eating. He just brought me snacks and i ferl so much better already. He is also bringing me all my pills and vitamins. I need to stay on top of my zoloft now more than ever and he is in charge of that
The LC in the hospital sucked. She dropped off a folder of info, said G's latch was good, and left. Folder didn't have time or place of bf group, my doc told me thurs and i had to call hospital for time. My nurses were great though with bf tips.
Her latch has declined, she will latch on then get fussy and scream. We did do formula before bf once last night to calm her down, but then she got sleepy. I can express some milk onto her mouth to get her interested but it is taking over 30 min to get her to latch and stay on.
Post by thatgirl2478 on Jul 13, 2012 13:32:29 GMT -5
Oh geeze - I'm so sorry you're having this much difficulty pugz. It's hard - especially the first couple weeks.
As others have said, stay hydrated, stay fed, rest, and TRY (I know it's hard) to relax while you're working on the breast feeding. I know - easier said than done - but babies can tell when you're stressed and they do react to it.
Look for a LLL in your 'hood. They are lifesavers!
If all else fails, remember that YOU are not a failure or a bad mom if you have to feed formula. I know it's easy to fall into that mode of thinking (I had to keep myself from going there). YOU are doing the best YOU can do for YOUR baby. Whatever decision YOU make is right for YOUR child (so long as you do feed the child of course ).
Post by vanillacourage on Jul 13, 2012 14:01:29 GMT -5
Now that I am done BFing (and wish I could have done more, for longer) I look back on those first weeks sort of ruefully. At the time I felt trapped on the couch, the kid nursed for a cumulative 7 hours per day, and it all felt very ridiculous and restricting. Looking back it was really not that long a time frame to be forced to do nothing but sit with DS. I know that's SO HARD to see when you're in the thick of it (and if you're having issues with latching and crying, it's not just peaceful snuggle sessions on the couch we're talking about). But it is a relatively short time frame, the LCs WILL be able to help you and your BFin relationship is sure to take off soon. You just have to get through the first tough couple weeks and in the grand scheme, it's so short. Again, I know it's so much easier said than done when I'm not right there in the weeds with you. Hang in there.
I am just so worried she will lose more weight, she was 5lbs 4 oz yesterday, down from 5lbs 12 oz five days ago at birth.
I had alot of trouble getting dd to gain at first as well. She was 5 lbs 15 ozs when she was born and dropped to 5 lbs 4 oz before she finally started gaining. I know how stressful it can be, but she'll turn around and start putting on the pounds.
She's now 10 lbs at 8 weeks. Hang in there, things will get better soon!
You're doing so good. It's normal to be unable to pump colostrum - it's so thick that it doesn't really pump very well. Just hang in there now and take good care of yourself. It will get better.
Calling a LLL leader can be a good way to just get a pep talk and have someone tell you you're doing the right things. They're very used to tears on the phone.
One old school idea to try to get baby interested- put a tiny bit of sugar water on one nipple to get her started. The nurse did it one time while we were in the hospital and that's all it took for baby to get into it.
Good luck. BF'ing is hard, hard work in the beginning.
LLL is my next resource to look into after I meet with this LC today. The appt is 90 minutes long which is about how long it takes to feed her now, so that's good
wow our consult was great. She helped us figure out better positioning for latching (I was doing the taco wrong, thanks to the unhelpful LC at my hospital). She gave me a hands free pumping bra so I can do compressions while I pump and some herbs to help stimulate supply. We will be spending the whole weekend trying to get it all down, in hopes she will gain weight by her appointment on Monday.
wow our consult was great. She helped us figure out better positioning for latching (I was doing the taco wrong, thanks to the unhelpful LC at my hospital). She gave me a hands free pumping bra so I can do compressions while I pump and some herbs to help stimulate supply. We will be spending the whole weekend trying to get it all down, in hopes she will gain weight by her appointment on Monday.
Yay! This is great. Don't feel bad, I did the breast taco wrong as well. I hope that things are smooth sailing from here on.