Our meeting with the lactation consultant went really well. She seems to think that my supply has gone down some because I am not pumping as much and because of Knox’s nursing style. Read: Knox’s latching on and sleeping style. She says he is what they call a “gourmet” nurser- he takes his time, enjoying everything, looking around, sleeping and takes forever (at least an hour) to nurse. Basically, he’s a lazy eater. Since I had such an abundance of milk in hospital, my body got the message when milk was left over in my boobs that it was making too much, so it cut back. Luckily, based on her weight calculations and measurements, I am making just enough for Knox’s needs right now. (Though, I have to say, I really miss my huge boobs! They were hot, even though they leaked every time I bent over.)
She weighed him, I fed him on the right side, she weighed him again. He gained less than an ounce. He then ate on the left side and she weighed him again. Much better on his ‘favorite” side. He got about 2 and a half ounces total, which is what he needs. She suggested that I feed Knox every two hours during the day, three at night, and pump after each feeding until empty. I need to pump at least 4-5 times a day, according to her, just after feedings. Not much pumping required at the moment, I only get about an ounce after feeding him. She said we just want to make sure to protect my milk supply now, in these early days, so it doesn’t continue to wane while we’re getting Knox to feed better and more effectively. We have to do a LOT of stimulating him while he’s eating by rubbing his head vigorously, ticking his feet, moving his arms, etc. Trevor’s new job in life is Baby Head Rubber.
Also, his new “fun” latch (aka the nipple ripper) was a concern for me. My nipples are RAW, red and so painful. She said they’ll toughen up soon, in the mean time, I am must making sure he gets on there well and re-adjusting if he slips at all. She gave me some nipple cooling gel pads that stick to your boobs and are lovely. I’m also using Lanisoh, which may be slightly helpful. I am just glad that she seems to think everything will regulate and be okay because breast feeding is so incredibly important to me. I want to do what’s best for him, no matter how bad it hurts my nipples!
The medicine is okay to use, according to her, but I don’t like that I found it should only be used by infants over one month of age. I think I”ll wait on taking it, as everything down south seems to be calming down. Oddly, it started to improve after I stopped taking Vicodin and switched to a Tylenol (as needed), sitz bath and Tucks pads regimen. Sweet relief.
Thank you guys for all the good advice!!! I really appreciate it!
And here is your daily Knox fix. His first tummy time experience. Not successful.
Trevor couldn’t stand it and rescued him within five minutes.
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
You can be proud of yourself. Breastfeeding is tough. Your body will figure out how much to make based on what the baby is taking. My daughter was a "lazy eater" too. We had to undress her halfway through feedings and that usually wasn't enough. She was content just to sit there with my boob in her mouth for hours! lol
Don't worry about how important it is to you, just know that if you want it, it will happen. Women who go into it believing it will be so tough it may never happen, usually aren't successful at it or they complain a lot while doing it and after. Nursing is so natural, think of what women did before pumping and before formula. Somehow it all worked out.
I am glad everything is going well with breastfeeding. I felt just the same as you about it. It is important to do what you feel is best for your child and I think you'll be able to do that. In hindsight I wish I would have contacted a LC too. Because although it went smoothly for me in the beginning, it went downhill when I went back to work. So keep in touch with that LC to make sure you're on top of things.
Also, a bit of unsolicited advice about tummy time…when Sawyer was that young, we put him on the boppy for tummy time and it helped him enjoy it more since it propped him up a little bit to start. This in turn encouraged him to hold his own head up. It worked for us and it may work for Knox.
It looks like you guys were born to be parents!
Oh girl, I feel your pain. My nipples bled so much that the milk I pumped was hot pink. Then I got thrush and it lasted for over a month. I almost gave up. I thought the pain would never end!!
Now, my baby is 4 months old and breastfeeding is my favorite, most wonderful time with him. Hang in there, it'll be worth it. It DOES get better.
Aww, I'm sorry that your boobies have gone down! But, at least they're still working!
Can't wait to come visit – hopefully we'll stop coughing and sneezing very soon. I can't take the waiting any longer!!!!!
Love you!