Went to the Dr. today

[nancy2394]

I have never heard of supplementing with evaporated milk. Breastfeeding is a huge commitment. You have to eat healthy and drink plenty of fluids to ensure you will produce the richest and healthiest breast milk possible. Sometimes even if you do everything right, some people's breastmilk doesn't have enough in it to enable the baby to get all the nutritional factors needed to grow and gain weight... but it's rare that a momma can't provide her baby with all the baby needs in the breast milk alone.


You have to do what you feel is best for Beverly. If you don't want to supplement then you shouldn't have to. If you want to.. then go ahead, it doesn't mean you're a failure. Most babies that establish themselves as a good breast baby don't end up with nipple confusion.. at least not that I've seen. I have, however, seen it occur in those babies that just sort of suck a few times and never really declare themselves as a consistent established breast baby and they are being introduced to a bottle.

Is your breast milk thin and real watery looking or is it thicker and very rich looking? Are you eating enough foods rich in good fats, calories and lots of nutrients? There are so many free support groups out there to help with breastfeeding. From the pics you've posted, she doesn't look like she's under weight, but I suppose it's hard to tell from a picture.

Whatever you decide, let it be your decision for what's best for the both of you. If you are unsure of the advice your docs are giving you with the method of feeding and weight gain... get that second opinion. And like I said, if you have to supplement or you want to supplement.. doesn't make you a failure in breastfeeding. Don't give up... as we say... breast is best!

 

[bubbatd]

Please don't take this wrong Breeze ...... but are you doing all the feedings , or let your Mom take over the late night feedings ???

 

[Saje]

All of my milk is thin and watery at first but that's just because it's the foremilk. The hind milk is the richer stuff which is why you need to finish on one breast first, then start the other. And when you are finished start with the breast you finished with last so she can get the hindmilk from that one. I really, really hope you are getting all the help you need with breastfeeding! It's such a great experience and I know you know how good it is for her I think I told you before but they discovered that it has stem cells in it which is really neat. I've been telling everyone! lol

 

[nancy2394]

All of my milk is thin and watery at first but that's just because it's the foremilk. The hind milk is the richer stuff which is why you need to finish on one breast first, then start the other. And when you are finished start with the breast you finished with last so she can get the hindmilk from that one. I really, really hope you are getting all the help you need with breastfeeding! It's such a great experience and I know you know how good it is for her I think I told you before but they discovered that it has stem cells in it which is really neat. I've been telling everyone! lol

You are right about the foremilk and the hind milk. I was just wondering if once she pumped it out and had it all in the bottle and the foremilk mixed with the hind milk looked rich or if it looked thin and watery. We've had some pediatricians recommend pumping a whole feeding out so they can see what the end result of the breastmilk is like. It was good advice for a few people that were having trouble with their child gaining weight because it ended up that in their particular situations they were not eating what they needed to eat and when they saw it, it made sense to them. We did have one girl who did everything right and her baby was failure to trive despite her nursing him very frequently. But she was the only one I had known of that had to switch to formula becuase her baby was very small for his age.

I'd like to read up on those stem cells found in the breast milk, that's very intersting. Maybe that's why they say "breast is best"

 

[Saje]

This is reminding me of when I was in the hospital. Every nurse had a different opinion on how to bf. One said I should strip her down to wake her up. Then she'd be cold and want to eat. Another said just grab your nipple and shove it in her mouth. Another said I should wake her and make her mad so she cried and then stick it in her mouth. It was MUCH better when I got to talk to two of the lactation consultants! Did you have one come out to your house and help you? That was the most helpful part for me. We were already getting it going but she showed me how to improve my positioning for a better latch and different positions. It's so helpful. I really hope you can find someone to help you out breeze

 

[Saje]

Ah, Nancy. That makes sense. I had a couple women tell me they couldn't breastfeed because the milk looked thin. But it always looks thin at first! lol

 

[showpug]

You are right about the foremilk and the hind milk. I was just wondering if once she pumped it out and had it all in the bottle and the foremilk mixed with the hind milk looked rich or if it looked thin and watery. We've had some pediatricians recommend pumping a whole feeding out so they can see what the end result of the breastmilk is like. It was good advice for a few people that were having trouble with their child gaining weight because it ended up that in their particular situations they were not eating what they needed to eat and when they saw it, it made sense to them. We did have one girl who did everything right and her baby was failure to trive despite her nursing him very frequently. But she was the only one I had known of that had to switch to formula becuase her baby was very small for his age.

I'd like to read up on those stem cells found in the breast milk, that's very intersting. Maybe that's why they say "breast is best"

It's also important to note that with pumping, not all women can get an effective let down reflex to take place with the pump. Without the proper let down, you won't get the hind milk in what you pumped out, so it's not always accurate compared to what the baby would actually pull from your breast while nursing.

I also think it's vital to feed a newborn multiple times through the night, even if they are sleeping. Many babies will latch on while sleeping and those feedings are important for weight gain and milk production.

 

[nancy2394]

This is reminding me of when I was in the hospital. Every nurse had a different opinion on how to bf. One said I should strip her down to wake her up. Then she'd be cold and want to eat. Another said just grab your nipple and shove it in her mouth. Another said I should wake her and make her mad so she cried and then stick it in her mouth. It was MUCH better when I got to talk to two of the lactation consultants! Did you have one come out to your house and help you? That was the most helpful part for me. We were already getting it going but she showed me how to improve my positioning for a better latch and different positions. It's so helpful. I really hope you can find someone to help you out breeze

I think all hospitals have this problem of people telling patients different things... lord knows we have the same problem. Then the patients don't know who to listen to. I usually tell them to go with what feels best for them.

Personally... I just can't understand how getting them mad makes them want to breast feed..lol. I usually tell them to watch the baby for signs that they are ready to nurse. They will often start rooting and smacking their lips. They will start sticking their tongues out like they are looking for something. They get more active. Those are all signs that your baby is ready to eat.

The only reason we tell them to strip the babies down is because skin to skin keeps the baby warmer than just having the baby unwrapped and laying over mom's hospital gown trying to breastfeed as they turn into a popsicle. I do sometimes wash their face down with a cool cloth to help wake them up if they're real sleepy and it's been longer than 4 hours since they ate last. Or I'll change their diaper and then talk to them to entice them to wake up and latch on. But I never get them all ticked off to where they're screaming and crying because then they're arching their back and pulling away from the breast...lol.

There are so many ways to teach breastfeeding and it's hard to know what to take to the bank for sure... that is why I really think that each person is individual. What works well for one baby might not work as well for the next.

 

[nancy2394]

It's also important to note that with pumping, not all women can get an effective let down reflex to take place with the pump. Without the proper let down, you won't get the hind milk in what you pumped out, so it's not always accurate compared to what the baby would actually pull from your breast while nursing.

I also think it's vital to feed a newborn multiple times through the night, even if they are sleeping. Many babies will latch on while sleeping and those feedings are important for weight gain and milk production.

Yeah, if they have a crappy pump it's hard to get the let down. We have those super powered ones that suck your nipple half way down the chamber...lol. We have so many mom's that don't want to put the baby to the breast that they just want to pump. I try and explain to them the pump won't empty the breasts nearly as good as the baby can and that they will only be able to pump for a certain time frame before the supply and demand thing gets all messed up and their production lessens because they aren't effectively getting out as much as the baby can.

And one of our biggest challenges is that people think the baby's eyes need to be open in order to feed. I can't tell you how many times I've heard "she's asleep, I can't get her to eat" Whether they're bottle feeding or breast feeding... I show them they can still eat and they always look so amazed that they do. I just tell them it's an instinct for them to suck and they can do it awake or asleep....lol

 

[showpug]

Yeah, if they have a crappy pump it's hard to get the let down. We have those super powered ones that suck your nipple half way down the chamber...lol. We have so many mom's that don't want to put the baby to the breast that they just want to pump. I try and explain to them the pump won't empty the breasts nearly as good as the baby can and that they will only be able to pump for a certain time frame before the supply and demand thing gets all messed up and their production lessens because they aren't effectively getting out as much as the baby can.

And one of our biggest challenges is that people think the baby's eyes need to be open in order to feed. I can't tell you how many times I've heard "she's asleep, I can't get her to eat" Whether they're bottle feeding or breast feeding... I show them they can still eat and they always look so amazed that they do. I just tell them it's an instinct for them to suck and they can do it awake or asleep....lol

LOL! I had a TON of breastfeeding issues for about 3 weeks after my daughter was born. We had to take a hospital rental pump home with us and you are right about the suction. I won't go into detail, but let's just say DON'T let your husband work the controls when it's hooked to you:yikes:

 

[nancy2394]

LOL! I had a TON of breastfeeding issues for about 3 weeks after my daughter was born. We had to take a hospital rental pump home with us and you are right about the suction. I won't go into detail, but let's just say DON'T let your husband work the controls when it's hooked to you:yikes:

I would almost be willing to bet that those industrial hospital pumps would suck a whole feeding out...lol. I remember one lady had turned it on the max setting even though I had instructed her how to use it and told her to start off at the mid range and she could increase it as tolerated. I just happened to walk in to check on her and saw her nipple almost to the end of the chamber :yikes: It looked like a sausage link sucked down there like it was..lol. She didn't have enough sense to break the seal or to turn the pump off.. I went over and popped my finger under her breast and broke the seal for her. It was so funny, but I managed to contain my laughter and gave her some moral suport since she was utterly embarrassed that a breast pump got the best of her.

 

[Squishy22]

I have only read the first few pages.

I really wouldn't be too concerned at her weight loss at all. All babies lose their birth weight. It is VERY common. Madison wasn't back up to her birth weight until after 2 weeks. Now she is 3 months old and 18 pounds.

I was told by the pediatrician that breast milk babies gain weight better than formula babies and thats why Maddie is so chunky. Usually formula fed babies are skinnier. I was quite surprised when I heard that, because formula looks so much thicker than breast milk.

Many times people would comment how thin and weak looking my breast milk looks, but the stuff is potent. Trust me. Madison wouldn't be such a pork chop is it wasn't. Its almost as thin as water, but quite fattening.

I wouldn't give in just yet. Give her a few weeks and I am sure she will be up in weight. Just remember that the more you give formula, the more your supply goes down (if you don't pump). At first it takes a few weeks for your milk to REALLY start flowing, but you'll get there!

 

[nancy2394]

I have only read the first few pages.

I really wouldn't be too concerned at her weight loss at all. All babies lose their birth weight. It is VERY common. Madison wasn't back up to her birth weight until after 2 weeks. Now she is 3 months old and 18 pounds.

I was told by the pediatrician that breast milk babies gain weight better than formula babies and thats why Maddie is so chunky. Usually formula fed babies are skinnier. I was quite surprised when I heard that, because formula looks so much thicker than breast milk.

Many times people would comment how thin and weak looking my breast milk looks, but the stuff is potent. Trust me. Madison wouldn't be such a pork chop is it wasn't. Its almost as thin as water, but quite fattening.

I wouldn't give in just yet. Give her a few weeks and I am sure she will be up in weight. Just remember that the more you give formula, the more your supply goes down (if you don't pump). At first it takes a few weeks for your milk to REALLY start flowing, but you'll get there!

She's such a cute little pork chop reggin

 

[Squishy22]

She's such a cute little pork chop reggin

Lol. I was actually worried about her being over weight because she is just so fat, but the pediatrician told me that her weight is perfect for a BF baby. I was VERY relieved. I worried about it for quite some time. Her nick name is little miss piggy, haha.

Another tip for Breeze... when I first started breast feeding Madison I would have to wake her up from her naps because she would sleep so much through out the day. I would wake her up every 2 hours during the day and night to feed. Some babies just sleep too much without feeding. Maybe that will help!

 

[Romy]

Are you on WIC? If you are low income then you should/could be. They actually have lactation consultants who you can talk to for free, and free hospital grade pumps you can borrow. When I first started with Aurelia it felt like horrible torture, and so ended up pumping the first 6 weeks and going through 5 consultants.

We had to supplement Aurelia because I got mastitis two times on the same side, and it did some tissue damage that affected my ability to produce, and the other side just couldn't pick up the slack (she is a huge baby and a huge eater).

Anyway, if you are wanting to supplement organic, what we found is that the Safeway brand organic formula smells the least like goldfish food, and she seems to like the taste of that best. It is also usually on sale for about $20 for a 25 oz can. She is still mostly BF, but gets some formula and solids now.

Good luck with your baby, I know you'll make the right decision for her. You're an awesome mother.

 

[sparks19]

LOL Nancy... I remember that pump. they gave me that when Hannah was in the NICU so that I could still pump for her. She wasn't really a big eater in the first place so it was really touch and go on whether she would be able to come home... an 8 lb baby and she would hardly take 40 cc per feeding. I had to have her consistently eating 40 cc minimum before they would let her leave even if she was done her course of antibiotics. The lac consultant came in to help and said that her latch was good she just didn't want to eat very much... even now at 5 months old I JUST got her up to 6 oz per feeding and that is every 3 1/2-4 hours.

So I used that pump A LOT because she just wouldn't eat enough to keep my production up so I always tried to pump after i fed her to get the rest out. I felt like a cow being milked lol. That thing is hilarious. But I tell ya... what an awkward sight to behold when you are alone and trying to turn on the machine and hook up two pumps at once with only two hands lol. But that thing was great.