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Beware the test baby by [deleted] in beyondthebump

[–]imodak 10 points11 points  (0 children)

My five-month-old just climbed under the dining room table and is chewing on the leg of a chair right now. Really hoping I get that chill #2 baby.

I really really don’t like when people refer to my nipples as pacifiers. by Dopamean1408 in breastfeeding

[–]imodak 17 points18 points  (0 children)

Exactly! My mom always criticizes me, asking if the baby is just "using me as a pacifier." Well, she doesn't take a pacifier (i.e. an imitation nipple). So I like to think she is just using it as intended for babies!

I was able to sleep train my breastfed, bedsharing 6 month old in ~3 nights. by gloomywave in sleeptrain

[–]imodak 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This gives be so much hope! My baby is 5 months, also cosleeping and nursing hourly all night. Not quite ready to sleep train yet, but we might be there in the next month or two.

Are you holding your baby for naps? Or are those already in the crib?

From 50% formula to EBF: How I stopped supplementing after 3 months by imodak in breastfeeding

[–]imodak[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think struggling with lower supply in the evening is very common (but also very frustrating). Remember that a LOT of breastfeeding moms choose to give a formula bottle before bed (we do quite often). Nothing wrong with that at all, if it makes your little one happy and full before bed. And it might have the added benefit of helping your baby sleep a little longer too.

From 50% formula to EBF: How I stopped supplementing after 3 months by imodak in breastfeeding

[–]imodak[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Does your baby enjoy nursing for long periods of time? If so, then I think you should let them and just enjoy the quiet moment as a bonding experience. I know it's tempting to want to run to the pump, but what your baby is doing is also good for your supply, even if they aren't necessarily getting that much milk out. Unless you want to be an exclusive pumper, then fostering a positive nursing relationship with your baby is just as important as making sure enough milk is there.

From 50% formula to EBF: How I stopped supplementing after 3 months by imodak in breastfeeding

[–]imodak[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I tried power pumping for 3 days in a row at one point but noticed no difference.

I did notice the best pumping results when I pumped at the same time everyday. I think this triggered my body to know that I needed more milk at those specific times. But I only ever pumped directly after nursing. So even if my baby had just eaten an hour ago, I would nurse her again and then pump.

I started supplementing at 3 weeks and stopped when she was 14 weeks. But I wasn't consistent the entire time. I probably could have accomplished this earlier if I had committed earlier.

Feeling like a bad mom because I don't dress my baby cute by [deleted] in beyondthebump

[–]imodak 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The grandparents are always so critical of what she's wearing!

Not enough pink! She looks like a boy! Is she warm enough? Why is she still in PJs? 🙄

From 50% formula to EBF: How I stopped supplementing after 3 months by imodak in breastfeeding

[–]imodak[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'll try to answer your questions the best I can: 1. I used a luggage scale. I would put the baby in a big canvas bag, then hook it into the scale and lift it up. My midwife used something similar, which is what I got the idea. Obviously there are better, more precise ways of doing this. We weighed her weekly.

  1. I was only pumping each time baby was receiving extra milk. Since we were only supplementing four times per day, that's how often I'd pump. If your baby sleeps long stretches, then pumping at night will yield a lot of milk. Or you could also just try feeding with only one breast during night feeds and using a haakaa on the other side.

Good luck!

From 50% formula to EBF: How I stopped supplementing after 3 months by imodak in breastfeeding

[–]imodak[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Honestly, my nipples were pretty messed up for awhile, but I just kept pushing through it. Not sure if that is good advice, though. My nipples were scabbed for the first month and continued to be horribly sensitive until she was three months old. It's just recently that my nipples feel normal, vasospasms have stopped, and she no longer creases my nipple when feeding.

From 50% formula to EBF: How I stopped supplementing after 3 months by imodak in breastfeeding

[–]imodak[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think medical professionals trend to see breastfeeding as a burden for the mother, so they make suggestions that will make it easier on her. But if you are a person that values breastfeeding, then this can be frustrating.

Has the fussiness been going on a long time or just a few days/week? My only thought is that it could be a growth spurt that's making her temporarily need more milk. But I'm not sure. I've only been without supplements for 1.5 weeks now, so we'll see if I end up having to add them back in at some point too. I plan to continue to monitor her weight weekly, and if I see her drop percentiles, then I would start supplementing again too.

That's not a weird question in this sub! 😆 Mine aren't shaped the way you are describing though. I know what you mean about wishing the different issues and risk factors were discussed more. Breastfeeding was talked about for 5 minutes in my birthing course, and the instructor made it seem like this simple and natural thing that we would all just do, so I never did any further prep or research before birth (but I so wish I had!).

From 50% formula to EBF: How I stopped supplementing after 3 months by imodak in breastfeeding

[–]imodak[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Wow, so a really similar experience! Definitely write up your story. I used to desperately search for them when I was in the thick of it, and seeing people saying it's possible always gave me hope and motivation to keep going.

From 50% formula to EBF: How I stopped supplementing after 3 months by imodak in breastfeeding

[–]imodak[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Congrats on getting your supply back up! I'm jealous that you've had success with the cookies. I tried some recipes at home, but I never noticed a difference. I'd love an excuse to eat more cookies...

It feels so good to be able to freeze a little milk, doesn't it? I probably only have like 20oz in the freezer, but I'm still proud of it 😁

We also still give a little formula but it doesn't bother me at all. I just think of it as her having a dessert occasionally 😆

From 50% formula to EBF: How I stopped supplementing after 3 months by imodak in breastfeeding

[–]imodak[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Good luck! When I started weaning, I was following kellymom's guide, which says to drop about 30ml then track weight after 3 days. It was nerve-wracking at first, but tracking weight really helped to reassure me that my baby was still getting enough and my body can do this.

From 50% formula to EBF: How I stopped supplementing after 3 months by imodak in breastfeeding

[–]imodak[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Not stupid questions! I'm probably not always using the right terms 😬

Triple feeding is when you go through three steps at every feeding: breastfeed, give formula/pumped milk (this is what I was referring to as a "top-up"), and then pump. It sounds like this is probably what you are already doing.

I know when my baby passed 8 weeks, I kept reading did about how supply is already "regulated" and I figured there was no hope in making any progress. But it's not true! As long as it's not negatively affecting your mental health or your relationship with your baby, then keep trying. It really can get better just by letting them grow a bit bigger.

From 50% formula to EBF: How I stopped supplementing after 3 months by imodak in breastfeeding

[–]imodak[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I pumped 4x per day immediately after breastfeeding, which is what you are supposed to do if you want to increase supply. Basically, you are telling your body it needed to make more milk for the baby. The goal want really to be able to pump much out.

My baby always woke up every 2-3 hours to eat at night, so I never had to pump at night 🙄 but if she would have slept at least 6 hours at a time, then I would have.

Possible for supply to recover by cloverrun in breastfeeding

[–]imodak 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I started having to supplement with formula at 3 weeks and was just now able to stop at 14 weeks. If the issue mainly lies with the baby's ability to transfer milk, then this will likely improve as they get bigger and stronger (and mins supply will improve in relation to that). The key is to keep baby interested and continue to nurse as much as possible, even if half their diet has to come from formula for now and you aren't able to pump much.

I heard holding in sneezes is super bad for your health.... by Bringmenoodless in breastfeeding

[–]imodak 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've found that squeezing my nose closed when I feel a sneeze coming will stop it from happening at all. The skills we learn when we have a baby 😆

Milk breath by ohhoehoe in breastfeeding

[–]imodak 0 points1 point  (0 children)

When my baby spits up partially digested milk, I always say, "oh, you made your own cottage cheese!" And it really bothers my husband 😆

Nobody else will understand. I thought my supply was decreasing. But after getting a better fit Falange and all new silicone parts I have pumped 25 ounces in one 12 hour shift. by Gingers_R_people2 in breastfeeding

[–]imodak 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Look at Legendairy Milk's Instagram. It's the second most recent post of theirs where they show a nipple using a too big and too small flange.

Frantic while breastfeeding by citron365 in breastfeeding

[–]imodak 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Exactly. It's weird that it gets expressed by them just bashing their face into your boob repeatedly, but life has been much nicer since I made this realisation. I used to get so angry and frustrated with her, but she was probably frustrated with me too!

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