re: Breastfeeding tips! & Top 10 BF problems solved!

Quoting M&F VBAC Graduate:" well he averages like 20 minnutes on each side! today we had a light green then a yellow stool but i ... [snip!] ... was dark green but not runny. he is jaundice so I am not sure if that has anything to do with it.. Am I doing something wrong/"

he may not be actively nursing for that whole time, if he is just suckling he might be getting a bit more foremilk. Listen/watch for gulping, if he's not swallowing you can try compressions to get more of a flow for him to drink. He's little though so it will get easier.
eta: and no don't worry you aren't doing anything wrong! Poop colour is a minor concern if baby is getting enough wet diapers and gaining weight well. These are just things you learn as you go!

Quoting Mommy☠Kate:" I wouldn't give him the milk with the blood in it, not sure how long it would be good for you know? ... [snip!] ... You will make more milk if you pump, especially if you pump after LO eats. Are you engorged is that why you are pumping? "

thank you. i threw out the pumped milk with blood but ive been continuing to latch him on that side. he seems to be latching fine, i thought. it doesnt hurt like it used to. it was bleeding from the nipple where it was already cracked.

Quoting *Audree*:" thank you. i threw out the pumped milk with blood but ive been continuing to latch him on that side. ... [snip!] ... to be latching fine, i thought. it doesnt hurt like it used to. it was bleeding from the nipple where it was already cracked. "

you shouldn't get cracked nipples if the latch is good. But the latch could now be correct and maybe this was an old injury? If so you could put some lanolin nipple cream on them until they fully heal.

<blockquote><b>Quoting Mommy☠Kate:</b>" you shouldn't get cracked nipples if the latch is good. But the latch could now be correct and maybe ... [snip!] ... now be correct and maybe this was an old injury? If so you could put some lanolin nipple cream on them until they fully heal. "</blockquote>


It was from the first day in the hospital. Much better latching now!

Quoting Mommy☠Kate:" Foremilk is usually from the get go to a few minutes after the letdown. The letdown is usually all foremilk. "

So if he nurses for 20 minutes he's getting a good amount of the hindmilk?

"excess lipase makes the milk smell/taste like vomit. It's like stomach acid smell because the lipase is basically digesting the milk."

Is this true?

<blockquote><b>Quoting Mommy☠Kate:</b>" he may not be actively nursing for that whole time, if he is just suckling he might be getting a bit ... [snip!] ... is a minor concern if baby is getting enough wet diapers and gaining weight well. These are just things you learn as you go!"</blockquote>

Thank you so much! The other problem is that he has lost 6 Ozs since we left the hospital and his doctor said we might need to start supplementing if he doesn't start gaining weight, and I'm not doing that since it messed up my supply with my 2nd child

Quoting Lady Anon:" "excess lipase makes the milk smell/taste like vomit. It's like stomach acid smell because the lipase is basically digesting the milk." Is this true?"

true, this is why some babies won't take stored/frozen breast milk. Its smells like baby vomit (sour milk).

Quoting Love Wedge +2:" So if he nurses for 20 minutes he's getting a good amount of the hindmilk?"

he should be if he's actively nursing and not just soothing himself.

Quoting M&F VBAC Graduate:" <blockquote><b>Quoting Mommy☠Kate:</b>" he may not be actively nursing for that ... [snip!] ... start supplementing if he doesn't start gaining weight, and I'm not doing that since it messed up my supply with my 2nd child"

all BF babies will lose a good amount of weight while waiting for moms milk to arrive and 6 oz isn't too bad at all! My ds lost 4oz but my milk was in the day after he was born. He was back up to his birth weight in a few days. You should only supplement if there is cause for concern, like jaundice. My dd had it and we had to use a syringe with bm while she was sleeping because she would just not wake up to eat and was getting yellow in colour. Only lasted a few days though.

I have one breast that seems to do way better at nursing/pumping than the other. My left breast produces way more milk, and my daughter latches way easier to it than my right one.
I try to pump it for longer, and I try to get her to eat off the right side more, but you can tell its smaller. My titties are uneven!
Is this normal? and how do I fix it?

Also, my daughter doesn't seem to get all the milk out when she nurses. So I don't know if she's getting of the hind milk with all the fatty stuff in it. But she falls asleep and won't eat any more.... I feel like I'm totally terrible at this whole thing.

<blockquote><b>Quoting *Audree*:</b>" question for you ladies. DS is 4 days old. he nurses really well, but i started pumping today for a few ... [snip!] ... more blood? BFing is completely new to me and i want to make it work this time, so sorry if this seems like a stupid question."</blockquote>




It is fine to nurse from that side   sometimes blood does come from insife the breast, as the milk ducts stretch, that is fine to nurse through also.

Quoting Mandi Spells:" I have one breast that seems to do way better at nursing/pumping than the other. My left breast produces ... [snip!] ... the fatty stuff in it. But she falls asleep and won't eat any more.... I feel like I'm totally terrible at this whole thing. "

my boobs are uneven too, one has always been smaller. My right has a more forceful letdown and I think because of caffeine deposits my left flows differently and not all the ducts work. Not really anything I can do but I still offer both throughout the day.
After she falls asleep you can keep her on the breast and compress it and try to get her to drink for a little while longer while she sleeps. But as she gets older and stays awake longer, get stronger and more alert you won't have to worry about it. If shes gaining weight well its not a concern.

Quoting Mandi Spells:" I have one breast that seems to do way better at nursing/pumping than the other. My left breast produces ... [snip!] ... the fatty stuff in it. But she falls asleep and won't eat any more.... I feel like I'm totally terrible at this whole thing. "

Mine is the same way, nothing you can do about that, I also try to offer the right more but it still doesn't help out!

Quoting Mommy☠Kate:" all BF babies will lose a good amount of weight while waiting for moms milk to arrive and 6 oz isn't ... [snip!] ... she was sleeping because she would just not wake up to eat and was getting yellow in colour. Only lasted a few days though."

oh ok! My son is jaundiced, but he wakes up every 2-3 hours so there is no concern there. I guess just wait and see what happens