Help with breastfeeding problems

[Chris2597]

My dd age 26 just had a baby a week ago and is breastfeeding. The baby was two weeks early and developed jaundice in the hospital. The nurses encouraged the breastfeeding but also said she needed some supplementation to push fluids to help the jaundice.....They are home now and doing fine.
DD milk supply is up but the baby never seems satisfied and wants to nurse constantly....She is getting worn out....
It has been 15 years since I nursed my youngest and I didnt have these problems...
Any advise would be greatly appreciated.
By the way.....the baby is perfect and of course the most beautiful baby I have ever seen....

 

[onecoolmama]

I cant help you. But you might want to post this question on the family board.

 

[Cebhfhionn]

My son is almost 9 so its been a while. However, I did supplement in the beginning a little just to get him through. I also pumped and froze my milk for him so he had that from a bottle as well.

 

[tinaluis]

Tell her to continue trying -- eventually production will catch up with demand. Seriously, it's about a 2 day lag between increased demand and increased production. I know it can be exhausting but it is so worth it. Congratulations on the new addition to your family!

 

[TinkBoo&ElliesMum]

We had the same thing going on a few weeks ago! Amelie is still slightly jaundiced but the ped isn't worried.

Wanting to nurse constantly is normal, it's going to help clear up the jaundice! It could be that the baby is going through a growth spurt and needs to increase the supply. We have times where Amelie is eating every 45 minutes!

I personally would tell the nurse to shove it about the supplimentation, but I'm very pro-breastfeeding (I had to switch to formula with Belle because of problems, but DS nursed for more than a year) Breastfed babies tend to clear the jaundice slower than formula fed babies, adding formula to the mix will help clear it quicker but at the same time it can cause problems with breastfeeding. Amelie is a month old and still a little yellow, but they did blood tests and didn't find a reason. If your DD had pitocin or other meds during the labor and birth it could prolong the jaundice as well from what our home health nurse told us (I had lots of meds!)

Good luck to your DD!

 

[Annette_VA]

Is baby actually eating when nursing or just sucking? Can she hear baby swallowing? If not, baby is probably just comfort nursing & not actually eating.

What other things has she tried doing as comfort methods? Rocking, wearing in a sling, etc.

Has she tried a pacifier?

 

[Toby'sFriend]

It isn't uncommon for a newborn to want to eat every 2 hours and then take 20 to 30 minutes per feeding --- which yes is pretty constant.

Does the hospital have a Lactation Consultant? They can usually give some help in getting the baby to stretch out at least one or two feedings a day.

After about 3 weeks or so, I always pumped a couple of ounces after each feeding and then put it in the Fridge and DH would give at least one bottle at night to give my chest a rest. Many people don't recommend pumping right at first though because the milk supply is still be established and she could become engorged -- which is quite painful. Many Mom's also don't believe in any artificial nipples.

 

[RIDISNEYLOVERS]

First off - congratulations to you on being a new Grand Parent!!

This is going to be hard for me to say (because I hated to listen to the advise myself, but I did and I am glad I did) but tell her to nurse around the clock - you do not want to supplement with formula because the baby will get used to that and will always want more.

They need to get into a rhythm / schedule together. Since this baby is brand new I would just keep continuing with what she is doing. Maybe pump after the baby has nursed to increase her milk supply some more. It will be VERY EXHAUSTING in the beginning but oh so worth it in the long run.

Please wish her the best!!

Lisa

 

[ckmommy]

I am not sure if I can help or not, but here it goes. I just had a baby also (Cian is 20 days old today). He had a bit of Jaundice when we were sent home. My Pedi said that I was fine to continue only breast feeding and the jaundice would work itself out. He told me breast fed baby's typically will remain yellow longer than fomula fed baby's. Cian is still a little yellow, but getting better each day. I had asked my Pedi about supplimenting and he discouraged it due to getting my milk supply up. As for the nursing all of the time, I do not know what she should do. My 2nd baby was an awful baby and was never content. We ended up finding out he had reflux when he was 9 months old. He had not just been a really bad baby, but instead had a tummy ache for the first 9 mos. of his life. Good luck to your daughter! And Congratulations to you both!!

 

[Jenn Lynn]

I agree with the above posters. BF on demand will increase the milk supply which is really what she wants if the baby is hungry a lot. The baby sounds normal to me and your DD is doing a great job.

Also encourage her to sleep when the baby does so she can stay some what rested.

 

[mommytotwo]

I would have her use a breastpump to get as much milk as she can get and have her baby use a bottle to drink it. That way, she will be able to relax and give the baby her milk, but at the same time, she won't always be hurting with the baby sucking onto her. She may also want to take warm/hot showers as it will help increase the milk flow.

 

[auntpolly]

Originally posted by TinkBoo&ElliesMum


I personally would tell the nurse to shove it about the supplimentation, but I'm very pro-breastfeeding

LOL you sound like me 20 years ago! Sometimes it seemed like the whole world was trying to give DD a bottle of formula (mostly the in-laws) and I'm pretty sure I'm pretty sure I told 1 or 2 people to shove it!!!

 

[MosMom]

Is she nursing long enough for the baby to get hindmilk? I would recommend that she goes to a Le Leche League meeting and let them know what is going on. If she feels comfortable they can help her to make sure her latch is correct and the baby is getting hindmilk. LLL meetings made such a big difference in my success with nursing.

 

[TexasErin]

I nursed my two children until they both were a year old. I would also advise against supplementing. I agree it could either be a growth spurt or comfort nursing. Plus when they are so small, their tummies are so little and have to be filled often. As long as the baby is gaining weight like they should be according to doctor, I wouldn't worry too much about if they are getting enough nourishment (I know easier said than done). Good luck. It is hard at first, but so worth it (and easier than sterilyzing (sp?)bottles).

 

[auntpolly]

For the OP - tell your daughter that this too will pass! Like others have said, it's common with the jaundice and won't last forever.

 

[eeyore45]

I cant stress enough to get support - hospitals these days do have lactation consultants, for me LaLeche league was a wonderful support group - knowing I wasnt alone, and encouraging me, answering my questions, always... and with the best interest of my baby in mind!

My first born was 10 1/2 # and was jaundiced, I had a very understanding pediatrician who believed in 100% breastfeeding as well as some time in the sun!! (and filtered sun - ie in front of a window!)

My last born also had a touch of jaundice, I was amazed at the difference a 10 years made - there was much more pro breastfeeding in my area 10 years before!! So once again I went to LaLeche league, and again, altho I was an older mom, not as much into radical (OK maybe that was my opinion) I still felt confident in getting what I needed out of thier support - again, support is so key!

dont feel guilty, every child is different, feel confident!!

 

[welovedisneyx4]

I'm sorry, but I have to disagree w/ most others about supplimenting. Both of my kids were born weighing over 10 lbs., wanted to nurse all the time and I just didn't have to milk for it. I nursed as much as I could and gave them formula when I knew they weren't getting anything from me. We never had any trouble w/ switching from nipple to bottle and back again. I know the benefits of breast feeding and wanted to provide that, but I, myself could not handle the 24/7 breastfeeding. You have to take care of yourself also. I even started DD on cereal in her formula when she was 1 1/2 weeks old. It was wonderful-- I actually got more than 20 mins of sleep at a time. W/ her being large, she wanted to eat constantly and she wasn't getting enough from me and I was starting to be affected by lack of sleep.
I went to drs. and consultants and had support, but this just worked out best for me.

Tell your daughter not to feel bad if she wants or has to suppliment, there is nothing wrong w/ that. She has to take care of herself as well as the baby!

Good luck!!! It will certainly get better.

 

[GEM]

Nursing pretty much 24/7 is TOTALLY normal for a baby that age, and while tiring, it doesn't last forever. I agree with most about supplementing. It's best to avoid that if you can because it is a really slippery slope and it can cause supply problems. Very few women who exclusively breastfeed actually have too low of a supply. It does happen, but not as often as most people think. My little guy is now 15 months old and he still nurses a lot. If she's trying to get more sleep at night, I highly reccomend taking the baby to bed with her or getting a co-sleeper or something so she's not up and down all night. Paul did (and still does) nurse a lot at night, but not having to get out of bed made it much more bearable. Also, get a sling for during the day. It just makes life SO much easier. Good luck! She's doing a great thing for her baby. You should be proud.


P.S. My little guy was a preemie. He weighed 3lb and 14oz when he came home after his 83 day NICU stay. At first he would have nursing sessions that lasted about 45 minutes each every other hour or so! It was exhausting, but definately worth it in the long run. Tell her to hang in there!

 

[TinkBoo&ElliesMum]

Originally posted by auntpolly
LOL you sound like me 20 years ago! Sometimes it seemed like the whole world was trying to give DD a bottle of formula (mostly the in-laws) and I'm pretty sure I'm pretty sure I told 1 or 2 people to shove it!!!

I come from a long line of breastfeeders, they trained me early on! The only reason my mom weaned me at 2 was because she was going in for chemo.

DH was formula fed and kept telling me with Belle it wasn't that big of a deal having to put her on formula - a year later he was so tired of bottles! Now he's fully on the breastfeeding bandwagon and hasn't even mentioned a bottle of breastmilk for her and we don't discuss formula anymore. Of course once his parents come to visit that may change, who knows. Lord knows you can only bond with a baby by feeding them

Ok, done hijacking the thread now, sorry!

 

[nkjzmom]

First of all congratulations!!!!

I have nursed all of my little munchkins....at times it felt so natural and easy...at other times it felt like all I did was nurse them ALL day/night long. Just remind your daughter to rest as much as she can, and nurse as often as she can/as the baby wants to. This will help with milk production and the soreness will go away more quickly.

As far as supplimentation for jaundice, my ped gave me little syringes with a hooked end. I would nurse Samantha, then immediately give her another oz or 2 of either breastmilk or formula in the syringe. No nipple confusion and the jaundice cleared up within a few days.

Let me also add: have your daughter drink lots of fluids and make sure she is getting enough calories in each day. This too shall pass!!