Get The Bump digital magazine >

tools: My Baby Calendar | Baby Namer | Gender Chart | How Big is Baby?

community

all boards


birth clubs


nest boards


my blog

my photos

my boards


200+ Easy Weeknight Meals!

Green living: Eco-friendly tips & tricks!

< Previous topic | Next topic >

All Boards > Preemies

Sort:
12-20-2012 at 10:12 AM
EAMommy
Not Ranked
Joined on 05-18-2012
1,546 Posts
29,179 Points
EAMommy is not online. Last active: 06-08-2013, 2:37 PMBronze

Need some encouragement (re: breastfeeding)

LO was born 7 weeks early and I've been exclusively pumping since his birth. We have attempted breastfeeding 1-2 times a day several days a week, but it's more for getting to know each other than it is for actually eating...

I'm trying to make the switch to breastfeeding. I'm tired of pumping and I want to feed my baby! My supply is great, he's good at latching with the nipple shield and has a strong suck when we do the bait and switch (put the bottle in and then switch to the breast once he has a rhythmic suck going)...And the LC told me that our anatomy (my nipples/his mouth) are perfect for bfing...

I know it's going to be a slow transition but I need some encouragement. How long did it take you to make the transition? What worked for you? 

Finally pregnant through the miracle of embryo adoption after 3 1/2 years TTC. One angel in heaven: 2/23/2010. Adopted 6 embryos in September 2011. FET with 2 perfect embryos on 4/26/2012. Beta #1 (12dp5dt): 315 Beta #2 (14dp5dt): 714 Beta #3 (16dp5dt): 1909 U/S 5w4d: One perfect little bean. Ecstatic to be pregnant; but sad that one of our embies joined his/her sibling in heaven. U/S 6w5d: HR was 123 bpm; absolutely perfect!  
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-20-2012 at 11:06 AM
gwapes
Not Ranked
Joined on 08-10-2012
207 Posts
2,145 Points
gwapes is online. Last active: 06-17-2013, 11:38 PMNewbie
EAMommy:

LO was born 7 weeks early and I've been exclusively pumping since his birth. We have attempted breastfeeding 1-2 times a day several days a week, but it's more for getting to know each other than it is for actually eating...

I'm trying to make the switch to breastfeeding. I'm tired of pumping and I want to feed my baby! My supply is great, he's good at latching with the nipple shield and has a strong suck when we do the bait and switch (put the bottle in and then switch to the breast once he has a rhythmic suck going)...And the LC told me that our anatomy (my nipples/his mouth) are perfect for bfing...

I know it's going to be a slow transition but I need some encouragement. How long did it take you to make the transition? What worked for you? 

I don't have any advice for you but I am in pretty much the same boat sans all the latching you have. :)

Just wanted to say good luck transitioning, it is def hard. And pumping sucks :P 

Lilypie Premature Baby tickers 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-20-2012 at 11:46 AM
missgoosey...
Not Ranked
Joined on 07-15-2012
132 Posts
1,747 Points
missgooseyface is not online. Last active: 04-16-2013, 1:12 PMNewbie
The best advice would be to NOT GIVE UP!!  We still nurse with a nipple shield and it sucks...I am also still pumping after every other feeding (but that is only so I can build stock for the freezer because I travel a lot for work and to allow DH to feed in the middle of the night).  The LC told me to start nursing with the shield and then remove it as soon as I feel my letdown then relatch baby without the shield.  That has been working a little and LO is getting the hang of it without the shield slowly.  She latches but then realizes the shield is gone and unlatches.  Sometimes I get frustrated and see her getting frustrated also so I just put the shield back on.  The shield isn't my favorite thing, but to me, it is better than not breastfeeding at all.  Just stick with it...they tell me the baby will catch on, I'm sure your's will too :)
Lilypie Premature Baby tickers  
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-20-2012 at 12:35 PM
meganole25
Not Ranked
Joined on 12-12-2007
Jacksonville, FL
4,891 Posts
46,872 Points
meganole25 is not online. Last active: 06-17-2013, 9:39 PMSilver

I agree with PP - DON'T GIVE UP!

I had a very similar situation as you - pumping got exhausting, I was over it.  DS is 20 weeks now and he's EBF with a bottle here in there if I go out. I've pumped maybe 5 times since October.

When DS left the NICU we were doing every other feeding at breast.  Over the next month and a half we transitioned from that to full breast, switching a bottle for boob every week or so.

As for the nipple shield, after much work we were able to ditch that right around his EDD. One day it just finally clicked.

You can do it. It's so worth it. Don't give up! 
Love 09.23.00 | Marriage 07.19.08
Baby Carriage | Cooper Thomas | 08.02.12 at 31w2d | 3lb 9oz
My BFP Chart | My Blog

Follow Me on Pinterest Instagram


   
Lilypie Premature Baby tickers 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-20-2012 at 4:27 PM
EAMommy
Not Ranked
Joined on 05-18-2012
1,546 Posts
29,179 Points
EAMommy is not online. Last active: 06-08-2013, 2:37 PMBronze

Thank you for the encouragement. I think it's just a hormonal day overall!

I won't give up but sometimes it seems like it won't happen and I'll be pumping forever. We had a great BF session at noon today. He fed for 20 minutes but then we supplemented with the bottle (per our LC) and he took it all. I was only expecting him to take about half... Also, I pumped and got about 3/4 of what I usually get... That makes me wonder how much he's getting when bfing...  Going to try again at 6 and see what happens...

Finally pregnant through the miracle of embryo adoption after 3 1/2 years TTC. One angel in heaven: 2/23/2010. Adopted 6 embryos in September 2011. FET with 2 perfect embryos on 4/26/2012. Beta #1 (12dp5dt): 315 Beta #2 (14dp5dt): 714 Beta #3 (16dp5dt): 1909 U/S 5w4d: One perfect little bean. Ecstatic to be pregnant; but sad that one of our embies joined his/her sibling in heaven. U/S 6w5d: HR was 123 bpm; absolutely perfect!  
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-20-2012 at 8:39 PM
ericalee27
Not Ranked
Joined on 12-12-2004
Durham, NC
1,574 Posts
23,778 Points
ericalee27 is not online. Last active: 06-17-2013, 8:04 PMBronze

Yes, don't give up!  DS1 and I struggled at the breast for awhile.  My LC kept telling me, "Just keep trying.  Once he gets closer to his actual due date, it will get easier, it will click."  And it totally did.  And we successfully BF through 14 months.

Best of luck to you!
Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker Image and video hosting by TinyPic Image and video hosting by TinyPic
Cole Henry.......................................Quinn  
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-21-2012 at 3:36 PM
CurlingRoc...
Not Ranked
Joined on 10-12-2009
6,774 Posts
57,484 Points
CurlingRocks is not online. Last active: 06-17-2013, 7:27 PMGold

Hang in there, Mama! 

DS didn't successfully BF without intervention for 3.5 months.  I was at the end of my rope so many times, and kept coming here for encouragement.  For us it was a matter of offering 1-2 times per day every day until he figured it out on his own.  He kept pulling the shield off, and I kept trying to get him to latch without it.  It was a long-haul, but we made it to BFing.  I wound up continuing to pump because I went back to work shortly after he got the hang of it, and it just kind of made sense.  I was able to donate some of my freezer stash, which made me feel better about everything that had happened.

I've also read stories on here about women who've done sort of BF boot camps with their preemies, offering the breast at every feeding until baby got it.  That is NMS, but it worked for them.  The important thing is to do what you need to do to take care of both yourself and your LO.  GL!

Preemie Resources: http://preemiemomblog.blogspot.com/ Lilypie Angel and Memorial tickers Lilypie Premature Baby tickers Lilypie Maternity tickers 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-21-2012 at 6:57 PM
hooverj3
Not Ranked
Joined on 12-06-2011
96 Posts
1,811 Points
hooverj3 is not online. Last active: 05-16-2013, 8:54 PMNewbie
I'm having a hard time with this too! I feel like I am pumping every minute and wish she was better at the breast (she latches good, takes a few good sucks and then stops, and usually falls asleep). And then we will give her a bottle and she will drink it down with no problem.  I worry too about how much she actually gets from my breast. This whole experience has been so rough and I have wanted to give up several times because it feels like I am doing double the work! I don't have good advice for you but just wanted to show you support! Hopefully it will click for us!! 
Married my best friend September 4, 2011 Lilypie Premature Baby tickers 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-21-2012 at 10:59 PM
sucrets4
Not Ranked
Joined on 09-11-2008
NE Ohio, NY native
4,229 Posts
19,227 Points
sucrets4 is not online. Last active: 06-17-2013, 10:51 PMSilver

Yup, don't give up!  I know pumping sucks, but stick with what you're doing.  DD didn't really get it until closer to her EDD and you're not there yet, so be patient!

Fwiw, DD started rejecting bottles around 2-3m actual and nursed until well after she turned 2.   
BFP(1) DD1 born 4.17.10 @ 33w5d due to pPROM
BFP(4) DD2 born 2.14.13 @ 35w5d due to pPROM


Lilypie Third Birthday tickersLilypie Premature Baby tickers 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-22-2012 at 1:56 PM
EAMommy
Not Ranked
Joined on 05-18-2012
1,546 Posts
29,179 Points
EAMommy is not online. Last active: 06-08-2013, 2:37 PMBronze

hooverj3:
I'm having a hard time with this too! I feel like I am pumping every minute and wish she was better at the breast (she latches good, takes a few good sucks and then stops, and usually falls asleep). And then we will give her a bottle and she will drink it down with no problem.  I worry too about how much she actually gets from my breast. This whole experience has been so rough and I have wanted to give up several times because it feels like I am doing double the work! I don't have good advice for you but just wanted to show you support! Hopefully it will click for us!! 

Thank you for chiming in... Sorry you're in the same place, but it's helpful to know someone else who'd in the trenches with me. I agree with everything you said, but especially the bolded parts. Thank GOD my husband is off until the new year so he's been able to help with the night feedings but it is still so hard. Praying it clicks soon for both of our LOs and we can say bye to the pump!

Finally pregnant through the miracle of embryo adoption after 3 1/2 years TTC. One angel in heaven: 2/23/2010. Adopted 6 embryos in September 2011. FET with 2 perfect embryos on 4/26/2012. Beta #1 (12dp5dt): 315 Beta #2 (14dp5dt): 714 Beta #3 (16dp5dt): 1909 U/S 5w4d: One perfect little bean. Ecstatic to be pregnant; but sad that one of our embies joined his/her sibling in heaven. U/S 6w5d: HR was 123 bpm; absolutely perfect!  
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-23-2012 at 8:43 PM
Shauna07
Not Ranked
Joined on 04-24-2005
Brookline, MA
378 Posts
1,537 Points
Shauna07 is not online. Last active: 02-28-2013, 10:07 PMNewbie
I'm in the same situation too, and I promised myself I will try for one more month.  DD is 8 weeks now (today was her due date!) born at 31 weeks.  She has a shallow latch and she even tugs at my nipple.  She also falls asleep a lot when I offer the boob -- or she gets really mad.  I feel she's really confused, and I'm hoping (like the other mommies posted) one day it will just "click". I've even purchased two of the Medela Calma nipples to help promote the right suction/flow when my DD takes the bottles.  I SO want to breastfeed her...ugh.  My hands are super dry from washing all of the pump parts and bottles they are literally bleeding.  Just know other mommies are going through the same thing -- don't quit yet.  I have a feeling both of our babies will get it soon :)
Lilypie Premature Baby tickers 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
Hot Topics

New dad or dad-to-be? Chat with other dads here!
Visit the Dads & Dads-to-be board

Need baby shower inspiration? Get ideas here!
Visit the Baby Showers board

Chat with other crafty moms here!
Visit the Crafty Moms board

search boards

choose another board

most active posters
sunlavende...
1,381 posts
BPaws
967 posts
linzeek44
441 posts
sheacox
222 posts
FFwifey
175 posts
tinamorgan
117 posts
*Mrs*Rohrb...
103 posts
sarisosrWe...
56 posts
Love4Labs3...
47 posts
AquaAlizar...
42 posts

connect with these online bumpies
jenniferinsandiego mnbv9502!
Stephanie185 kellzir
adrianedier gardengirl3
Sharkababy Brenns2711
overture Heidi2004
McJen715 alilir23
countryblondiee Mayan2011
JenandGary MissRdotS
nycmelody kmw33
Saltylove Lennongirl
bluereynolds katiechanning
NikkiA921 lizziebooper
fairfaxfive petdocd
erinms Nita2603
QueSyrah aloyas
From The Nest Boards:
"What's on your pre-baby bucket list?"
sessionswedding on BNOTB

"Hello baby ... Goodbye marriage?"
maganh91 on Trouble in Paradise