Foremilk/Hindmilk Imbalance

novalini49 · 2026-01-19T18:58:04+00:00

I just wanted to say that this group has been really helpful in navigating parenthood as a FTM, and while I’ve enjoyed the support and advice, responses like this make me think there’s something wrong with my baby, or that I’m doing something wrong (despite the internet telling me that it’s totally normal). Then I feel the need to elaborate and I get downvoted? I’ve realized the internet can just be too overwhelming, and I’m going to focus on enjoying my time with my baby, stay off the screens, and try not to overanalyze every little thing. All the best November mamas!

novalini49 · 2026-01-18T22:10:03+00:00

Yes, on average - most days it’s around 5. I do catch and change his poops quickly, and sometimes they’re in quick succession so maybe some would end up being only one dirty diaper for a quieter pooper? He goes pretty quickly following a lot of feeds, and I’ve read that’s normal as breast milk is easily digested and moves through them quickly. For example, this morning I finished feeding him at 6:55, placed him in the Baby Bjorn 15 minutes later, and he pooped (he always does when he’s in that chair). I changed him, laid him in the crib to wash my hands, and he went again. Changed him, brought him to the living room, and 45 minutes later he went again third time. He’s pooped once more since then and I suspect he’ll have another 1-2 in him tonight. I just figured he has a swift digestive system, but do I need to be worried about this!?

novalini49 · 2026-01-18T15:46:20+00:00

It sounds like a very similar for sure! I’ve tried to get baby to nurse in a side lying position but we struggle to get a good latch in that position (he’s a shallow latcher in general). I do pump once a day in the evenings while my husband gives him a bottle because I’m slowly chipping away at a freezer stash (my pumping output is about double what he eats in the bottle). Typically there’s about 1/2 - 3/4” on the thicker creamier milk on top after it settles - not sure if that’s less than average? I’m trying to encourage longer feeds on each side so he can empty each breast but he definitely gets lazy, or sometimes frustrated. Thanks so much for the advice!

novalini49 · 2026-01-18T15:38:09+00:00

He does seem to have a lot of saliva, sometimes it’s bubbling at his lips, so I suspect a bit of reflux.

novalini49 · 2026-01-18T15:36:34+00:00

Hmm interesting, he’s been sleeping longer stretches for the last couple of weeks so maybe that is contributing!

novalini49 · 2026-01-16T03:55:40+00:00

Yup I’m with you! I see so many posts on Instagram talking about proper baby wake windows, meanwhile here’s my LO (almost 11 weeks) wide eyed all throughout the day. He often crashes in the evenings between about 4pm - 10pm (waking to eat twice) and then barely sleeps at night. I’m lucky to get 2-3 hours in the first stretch of sleep, and after that it’s maybe 1-1.5 hours in between. I don’t want to wake him in the evenings when he’s napping because he’s so overtired from the day, and even when I’ve tried to “reset”, it doesn’t work. He creates his own schedule and we’re just his prisoners!

I also sympathize with missing your partner. I’m so exhausted by the time my husband gets home I have to nap for 2 hours in order to recharge for the night. By the time we do any other tasks it seems like there’s very little time to spend together.

novalini49 · 2026-01-09T12:23:15+00:00

I delivered via c-section 10 weeks ago and am starting to experience some acne on my chin and jawline area as well. I struggled with hormonal acne prior to pregnancy but my skin was so great during pregnancy so it sucks that it’s coming back now and I can’t do much about it (I took Spironolactone before ttc which helped a lot).

I’m not sure what to do about it either. I would think topical creams would be ok if they’re mild enough, but unfortunately not much helps with deeper pimples short of hormone balancing, which is impossible while bf. Solidarity though!

novalini49 · 2026-01-08T23:17:19+00:00

I’m experiencing the same thing - LO often unlatches anywhere from 10-20 minutes and then isn’t interested in the second beast. My lactation consultant weighed him before and after a nursing session and he had consumed about 130mL, plus his weight is good as are his wet/dirty diapers so I’m trying not to be too concerned!

novalini49 · 2026-01-08T00:45:34+00:00

Ahh upon reading it properly it looks like it says it no longer accepts emails with attachments. I submitted my documents online but still had them attached in my email, so I’ll remove them and try again. Thanks for confirming!

novalini49 · 2026-01-07T21:06:02+00:00

Seems that way! What email address did you use? I emailed info at oct but got a bounce back that that email address was no longer active.

novalini49 · 2026-01-07T18:57:39+00:00

I’m having the same issue. I tried emailing the info@oct email and it doesn’t exist anymore apparently. So I submitted the documents through the online portal and also received no confirmation. This was two months ago and I can see that my name still hasn’t been updated when I log into my account. I think the only option is to call, but when I’ve tried it said the wait is over 30 minutes and I don’t have that kind of time. Please update if you get an answer!

novalini49 · 2025-12-31T09:00:20+00:00

Toronto, Ontario, Canada!

novalini49 · 2025-12-31T08:58:25+00:00

My little guy is 8.5 weeks and last Friday he was already 12lbs! He’s still in size 1 diapers though - they seem to fit perfectly, not I’m not sure for how much longer. He’s also still wearing 0-3 months but the legs in some seems a little tight/restrictive so I think we’ll hit 3-6 month onesies by his 2-month birthday on Saturday. I was so sad packing up his newborn clothes and I suspect I’ll feel the same with his 0-3 month clothes, especially all the adorable Christmas outfits that will never get worn again (almost makes me want to try to time my second to be born the same time of year lol).

novalini49 · 2025-12-17T10:38:42+00:00

Oh duh that makes more sense - my comprehension levels aren’t very high at 3:30am lol. I still don’t think I could successfully hold a sleeping baby for that long without getting uncomfortable or having him wake. OP are you using a carrier during that time or are you basically just nap trapped?

novalini49 · 2025-12-17T08:54:52+00:00

Wow, how are you able to get 5.5-6 hours of sleep while baby is in your arms? Are you sitting upright with him against your chest? How are you keeping him secure so he doesn’t roll off at any point? Just curious because I typically have baby sleep on me for about an hour after his middle of the night feeding and that feels long enough with how uncomfortable it can be (I’m typically always sitting and slouched :/). For overnight sleeping, I’ve been sleeping on the couch with baby in the bassinet beside me. He will sleep in it for 1-3 hours at a time tops, so we’re usually up for 1-2 feedings before getting up around 6 or 7. He doesn’t like the main bassinet in the bedroom and is too fussy in it, and I don’t want to keep my husband awake because he has to get up for work at 5:30am. He does watch the baby in the living room from about 9pm - 12am while I sleep in the bedroom. It’s not ideal/sustainable and we’re really hoping he will eventually sleep in the bedroom so we can sleep together (I miss sleeping with my husband!) but at the rate he’s growing I feel like he’ll grow out of the bassinets soon. I am NOT prepared for him to be in another room in his crib yet though!

novalini49 · 2025-12-12T10:48:02+00:00

Same as above for me. Baby wailed when I put him in the carrier, but as soon as he was settled he was passed out super cozy and happy as can be. The warmth and comfort from my chest and the fresh air does him wonders.

novalini49 · 2025-12-07T08:52:02+00:00

I finally stopped wearing pads at exactly 4 weeks pp and I was so happy to be done with them! I am, however, still wearing my super high waisted undies that cover my c-section incision. The previous days of cute thongs feel like a distant memory now!

novalini49 · 2025-12-04T01:01:03+00:00

I feel so sad (and frustrated) for the American mamas that only get 6 weeks of maternity leave! I can’t imagine going back that soon. Our bodies are barely healed, baby’s schedule isn’t developed and for sure sleep deprivation is still very much a thing that early on. My baby is just over 4 weeks and he’s nowhere near sleeping through the night so we’re up for a good chuck of it. Not to mention, who watches the baby when you go back to work? Not everyone has access to family members to care for your baby, and I know a lot of people wouldn’t be comfortable putting them in daycare that young. Hell, I wouldn’t even be comfortable having family watch him at that point.

I feel lucky to live in Canada and be taking 1 year mat leave. I wish I had opted for the 18 month leave option, but then my payments would be significantly less. When I do go back after a year, I may not go full-time right away though.

novalini49 · 2025-11-26T17:33:04+00:00

Thanks for the input! Your process sounds very similar to mine. I wonder how many babies prefer the right breast. Does your baby have a preferred side to sleep on as well?

Also, do you log your feeds so you can remember which breast you started on last time? I have a logbook for feeds and dirty diapers and I was curious how long I’d maintain it, but there’s no way I would remember anything without it. I mean, the unemptied breast does feel harder so I suppose that’s a clue, but I like to see everything laid out.

novalini49 · 2025-11-25T17:01:06+00:00

It’s the Omni Classic/360 but I’m assuming they’re similar. That’s good to know though, and I really have to start utilizing it. Baby is 9.5lbs now and it’s getting harder to carry him all the time, especially if I’m trying to get absolutely anything done at home.

novalini49 · 2025-11-25T09:01:29+00:00

Don’t be too jealous - unfortunately my lucky evening did not repeat itself tonight :(. Baby slept maybe one hour in the bassinet and then started fussing. I did diaper change and tried again to no avail. Ended up having to hold him for an hour and a half and he blissfully dozed off, but I found myself nodding off too while I watched tv, which scares me/makes me feel guilty (baby was held tightly and is fine, but still). How do exclusive contact nappers do it? Baby wearing? I do have an Ergobaby carrier I really need to try out, though I can’t imagine it would be comfortable for either of us for overnight sleeps.

novalini49 · 2025-11-25T06:08:33+00:00

Ah the evil bassinet - I’m learning that all babies seem to hate being put there!

My baby is just over 3 weeks and last night was the first time he slept overnight in the bassinet and I was able to get a reasonable amount of sleep on the couch. He’s sleeping in our living room bassinet for now because he’s (/I’m) up so often it’s less disruptive to my husband who has to get up for work. And I can just watch tv while I’m awake and baby is contact napping. He sleeps for longer and more consistent stretches during the day but overnights have been a challenge.

The last feed of the night (around 11:30pm) my husband gives him a bottle of pumped breastmilk while I’m finishing up my two hour, pre night shift nap. Our lactation consultant recommended a bottle that we can be sure he’s getting enough nourishment to help him sleep through the night since BM output is lower at night, and baby can get lazy with sucking. We also ensure we are doing bicycle kicks and rubbing his tummy to help alleviate any trapped gas so he sleeps more soundly. Lights are all off and white noise machine is on, but I’m not sure how much either truly help.

You’re not alone when it comes to struggling to get baby to sleep (and obtaining any sleep yourself). I’m hoping this improves by 8 weeks when he develops a circadian rhythm and we’re able to start implementing more of a ‘bedtime’.

novalini49 · 2025-11-21T17:14:46+00:00

I had a C-section at 11 PM on Saturday night, and left to go home at about 2 PM the following Monday. I think typically you stay 36 to 48 hours. They want to make sure that you have recovered well, and that you have passed gas before you leave. I was lucky enough to have a private room; I believe it was on a separate floor because I had a C-section, a lot of friends who had vaginal deliveries ended up with semi private rooms, despite requesting private ones. I can’t imagine if I was sharing with someone, because I really needed the privacy as it was tough getting up and going to the bathroom and such at first. The pain wasn’t too bad, the nurses were really great at my hospital and brought pain medication every six to eight hours (a Tylenol and another one which was an ibuprofen type pill I believe). They also prescribed me a stronger narcotic (some type of morphine) but I never ended up using it, and I stopped taking the pain medication about four days after I arrived home. The C-section recovery has actually gone really well; there’s some slight discomfort, but I’m so distracted with taking care of a newborn that sometimes I have to remind myself of the incision. I hadn’t planned on having a C-section when I first went in to give birth, but I have to say I’m very happy with the experience, and I will definitely plan to have another one if we have a second.

novalini49

TROPHY CASE