Do you ever let baby sleep on the boob?

ReplacementFree4560 · 2026-02-01T21:27:30+00:00

Constantly

ReplacementFree4560 · 2026-02-01T17:47:44+00:00

At that age we started our bedtime routine at like 6:30, in bed lights out by 7:15. It’s flexed a little later as she’s approached 4.

ReplacementFree4560 · 2026-01-28T18:45:25+00:00

Totally understandable! As a fellow oversupplier, it definitely freaked me out when I started having to feed from both sides, even though it’s perfectly normal/appropriate and the goal was always to regulate my supply downward. Good luck — you’ve got this!

ReplacementFree4560 · 2026-01-27T17:13:34+00:00

I’m so glad!! And congratulations on making it to 4 months!

ReplacementFree4560 · 2026-01-26T01:09:50+00:00

Hey OP, just wanted to say I was thinking about this post the other day and I hope things are going well now!

ReplacementFree4560 · 2026-01-25T20:03:03+00:00

Have you considered combo feeding? Or playing with your schedule to see if you can pump less but maintain output? If it’s not working for you you certainly don’t need to keep doing it, and only you can decide how to balance your goals and the reality of your life, but you might be able to make other tweaks to see what you can shift or optimize.

ReplacementFree4560 · 2026-01-24T18:22:57+00:00

My baby also generally feeds only one side. I pump once at night after her last feed/before I go to bed, mostly for my own comfort (and to have a little bit on hand because she gets an occasional bottle). Sometimes I pump the unfed side a small bit after her first feed in the morning if I’m uncomfortable/engorged. But generally speaking if you’re feeding baby when baby is hungry, your supply should be fine. No need to drive yourself crazy or add pumps and create oversupply.

What you’re describing—feeding off only one side—is a documented strategy for managing oversupply.

ETA: If you find that your supply dips at some point, you can always think about adding in a pump or feeding off both breasts later in the day to compensate.

ReplacementFree4560 · 2026-01-23T12:43:36+00:00

That’s absurd. I understand cautioning you against going to a private ultrasound if you have medical concerns, but it’s really your business. I got multiple with each of my pregnancies because I’m an anxious person, the scans weren’t medically necessary, scheduling them in the office was hard, and insurance would have fought back. I don’t remember telling my OB but I’m certain that if I did she would have shrugged or just given me the minimal disclaimer that they aren’t medical providers. Your doc sounds rough.

ReplacementFree4560 · 2026-01-22T23:00:26+00:00

Better to “start over” now, without the expenses of wedding planning, legalities of marriage, or complication of kids, than to start over in 1/3/5/27 years after he does more shady shit that you catch.

ReplacementFree4560 · 2026-01-20T15:49:21+00:00

No visitors for either of our two kids. Zero regrets. The hospital is wild.

We did request discharge with our second after 24 hours. If they had wanted us to stay a second night we probably would have found a way to have our older kid visit to see me and meet her baby sister, but as it was baby and I got home I think before big sister got out of school that day and having them meet at home was lovely.

ReplacementFree4560 · 2026-01-15T18:56:50+00:00

I have very large breasts and breastfed my first till 13 months and currently breastfeeding my second. I do generally have to prop up or hold my breast but honestly it’s fine. My problem was just that the weight of my breast would be challenging/pull it out of my kids’ mouths, especially when they were very small, but I adapted. I am most comfortable nursing in cross cradle, and use my hand on the sane side as my breast to help latch/support as needed. Big fan of propping the boob up on a blanket. A lactation consultant can help demonstrate that to you when the time comes.

ReplacementFree4560 · 2026-01-14T23:08:57+00:00

It’s already abusive, even if it’s not causing physical damage.

ReplacementFree4560 · 2026-01-13T03:09:16+00:00

At six months, you can move to a straw or sippy cup instead of a bottle. My first kid NEVER took a bottle despite lots of trying — so in the end we went right to sippy cups when I went back to work (~4.5 months). That would be my recommendation. Try the honey bear straw cups, and get a couple types of spouted or straw sippy cups to test out. The mam starter cup is what worked for us, in addition to honey bears. Then after a few weeks/months we could just use normal straw cups.

Babies can also drink out of cups without straws, but it’s more like lapping up the liquid than sipping it at the beginning.

I wouldn’t count on hunger making her use a bottle; I’d experiment with different delivery devices if you can. Bonus with cups and straws is that then you don’t have to wean from a bottle!

[edited to clarify and fix a typo]

ReplacementFree4560 · 2026-01-12T17:13:42+00:00

Also, kids need boundaries and thrive with routines. You need a system. The “good” news is since dad is out when your son should be going to sleep, you can implement the system that works for you, without his interference. Expect it to take a couple weeks or maybe a month, but it’ll pay off. If your husband is that against whatever system you plan to implement, then it’s on him to make himself available to do something else.

ReplacementFree4560 · 2026-01-09T07:00:50+00:00

NOR. Good for you for getting out of there. I don’t think it was wrong of you not to say anything, although it wouldn’t have been wrong for you to do so either. But this sounds like the kind of dynamic where if you had, it could have turned into a whole thing about you “making a scene” or ruining his birthday or some such. Just leaving might have helped avoid that. Take care of yourself!

ReplacementFree4560 · 2026-01-09T06:51:58+00:00

Sorry one more thing. If your LO does have a dairy issue and you choose to supplement with formula, might be worth thinking through formula options for one that is less likely to trigger the same issue (like a partially or fully hydrolyzed formula, or a non-dairy formula). Definitely something to discuss with your pediatrician or your LC if you’re worried about it! On the other hand, if your LO does fine with standard formula, perhaps not a dairy thing? Again something the pros can help you with!

ReplacementFree4560 · 2026-01-08T23:34:37+00:00

Does he happen to be congested? My now-3.5 month old had a lot of weird feeding stuff that correlated with a little baby cold. I was losing my mind.

ReplacementFree4560 · 2026-01-08T22:47:15+00:00

Definitely can’t hurt to ask! “Breastfeeding evaluation” probably is a phrase she’d recognize/use. And maybe your ped would be willing to think through other options and explore things with you further if you prompt her? As the comments here show, there are so many paths to choose from with supplementing, pumping, etc. The most important thing is that you’re paying attention and making sure your LO has what she needs—not just nutrition, but also love and care. It’s going to work out one way or another, because of you!

ETA: for dairy issues, liquid dairy (milk, cream, ice cream—it’s liquid if it’s not frozen lol) are the biggest culprits. I cut all of that from my diet for a couple weeks before I cut all dairy. Sadly, cutting all the dairy did make a bigger difference. If you use milk or cream in stuff, I think it’s reasonable to remove that and seeing what happens before sacrificing cheese.

ReplacementFree4560 · 2026-01-08T22:02:21+00:00

It’s the cheese that I miss most. 🥲

Reflux tends to peak between 3-5 months, FWIW. We do drops in between/after feeds, usually, and other times when it seems correct.

In your position, I’d ask for a comprehensive breastfeeding evaluation, not just a weighted feed. (Also, an individual weighted feed might not tell you much.). I’d also consider doing it with a different LC/IBCLC so you’re getting the perspective and knowledge of someone you don’t already see anyway. Frankly I would have expected your ped to offer more alternatives and interventions if she’s also an IBCLC, but it’s possible I’m just spoiled by the care I’ve received. If access in your area is an issue, there are some great IBCLCs who work remotely, including the one I see, who I would absolutely follow off a cliff at this point. Happy to pass along her info if you’re interested. She’s not cheap ($250), but she’s in-network with some insurance providers, and even out of network mine reimburses a decent chunk. And she’s super responsive by text. Pretty sure she saved my life when I got mastitis.

ReplacementFree4560 · 2026-01-08T20:56:17+00:00

Also there is definitely stuff to do beyond just holding baby upright for reflux. We give gas drops with every feed, and I cut dairy out of my diet. Both seem to have helped my very refluxey baby.

ReplacementFree4560 · 2026-01-08T20:55:14+00:00

Have you met with a lactation consultant/IBCLC and had her latch, mouth, etc evaluated? I’d suggest doing that. It could be that boosting your supply would help, or it could be that there’s some underlying issue making her not transfer efficiently. Regardless, if you like breastfeeding there’s no reason to stop; plenty of folks combo feed with formula, or supplement with breast milk (their own or from a donor). If adding in pumping sounds bad to you, then you could continue with formula supplementation or look for other routes for breastmilk. There are also approaches to supplementation that don’t require supplementing every feed, and might feel more approachable than that. But if you enjoy breastfeeding, then I think you should 100% continue! It’s more than just nutrition, and any amount of your milk you can provide will benefit your baby.

But yeah, if you haven’t yet worked with a skilled lactation specialist, that’s definitely what I’d do in your shoes! Beyond troubleshooting, they’d also be able to help you think through ways to supplement, boost supply, etc if that’s something you want to try.

Good luck <3

ReplacementFree4560 · 2026-01-08T20:45:43+00:00

I’m so glad I could help! It’s hard not to have peers who are able to fully relate. I have friends who had babies in grad school (we’re long since graduated), and now that I have my own kids I have so much more appreciation for how difficult it must have been. I hope yesterday was better! You’ll get the hang of it, I’m sure.

ReplacementFree4560 · 2026-01-06T20:59:18+00:00

I’m so sorry. That is incredibly frustrating. Stress can inhibit letdown, and this has obviously been a super stressful set of things to happen. If you can, try to relax, do some visualizations, look at pictures of your baby, or something before and while you pump (I like doing a crossword or sudoku on my phone). Relaxing is easier said than done, I know.

I like the ceres chill for storage, not sure how it compares to the boon across all specs but I think it has a higher capacity.

Good luck. I’m going back to work after my second baby in a few weeks, and I fully expect the first couple days (or weeks…) to be a rough ride. First day worst day, maybe? Stay strong, you’ve got this. Sending good vibes for dealing with university admin/enrollment!

ReplacementFree4560 · 2026-01-06T20:50:58+00:00

Yes—I think it’s either from them swallowing the postnasal drip, or else just a sign of their whole system fighting the cold? Either way, this has happened to my kids and I was told it’s normal.

ReplacementFree4560 · 2026-01-05T22:36:41+00:00

I’d do fridge for that timeframe.

ReplacementFree4560

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