Need some advice

Oreobaby · #1 June 14th, 2010, 12:38 PM

Hey...I need some advice from BF and Pumping moms. the health nurse came by today. I haven't been able to breast feed yet...because of the surgery, and the tough time I had in recovery, I really wasn't even awake all day at all until yesterday. So my milk is no where near to coming in. We had to give her formula at the NICU because of my lack of milk, and her blood sugars being low. I have been pumping, and have been getting about 20 ml each time (total for both breasts) but can feel the milk coming in, and the public health nurse said that it will probably be in very soon.

When she was here she also mentioned that she seems slightly "tongue tied" and so in order to breast feed totally properly, she may need a small surgery to cut the Frenulum. Now, my question is, if it just effects being able to breast feed, then I will just pump exclusively...my sil did it, I can do it...she has been through so much so far, I don't want to put her through more.

Reading more it could effect her speech as well...any advice? anyone been through this?

KCMomma · #2 June 14th, 2010, 12:50 PM

Marci, I'm so sorry you had such a rough go. Unfortunately, I don't have any experience with the tongue tied portion, but I EP from about 2 months to 5 months. We had no problems at all. The only problem I could foresee is getting your milk supply established first then switch to EP. IDK...I'm so sorry you are having such a rough time. I know BF is a pain, but keep at it you will not regret it I promise. BUT if you do chose formula, rest assured that that is perfectly fine and your baby will be just as happy and healthy. It's so tough, I know!

MommaLee · #3 June 14th, 2010, 02:27 PM

Hugs! I think I would only choose the surgery if it is an extreme case (and look more into it once she is older). Normally, I would've said "do it" but my perspective has changed since having a little one. I've been pumping up until today and I was not getting much....roughly an ounce per session.

You can always mix the formula and bm...some is better than none. I agree that formula is perfectly fine...Julie has been supplementing and she has gained a pound in one week (we went to the doc today cause I freaked out over a reflux episode this morning cause I didn't realize that is what it was).

You'll do what is best for your situation.

mlyster · #4 June 14th, 2010, 02:57 PM

I have no personal experience but I can tell you that a friend of mine had a "slightly" tongue tied baby and has no real issue getting him latched to BF. She did have to find the right position to get it to work the best but once they both figured it out they have been BFing fine for about a month now. She was told that unless it was a major tongue tie it would not affect him as he gets older.

Glad you and Ray are home safe and sound!

~April04~ · #5 June 14th, 2010, 04:42 PM

I have no experience w. a tongue tie personally but know people who have - it's a very simple procedure - they do it right in the office - I would get it done if I couldn't find a position to work.

kellymom.com :: Links: Breastfeeding a baby with tongue-tie

Elijah'sMommy · #6 June 15th, 2010, 03:29 AM

Hi Marci. Congrats on your baby girl! I'm sorry it has been a rough start to bfing. My experience with tongue tie and the frenulum (I'm a speech pathologist) is that unless it is an extremely short frenulum, surgery shouldn't be needed at this time. I would suggest continuing to try to bf in order get your milk supply established. Also, discuss the frenulum with the pedi, and if needed, a pediatric ENT. I have made the recommendation for this surgery only for severely unintelligible children who cannot produce sounds and have poor oral motor skills because of the short frenulum. My experience with these kids (preschoolers), is that although the surgery is very quick, it does hurt for a few days, making eating uncomfortable.

downunderchick · #7 June 15th, 2010, 05:42 AM

Hey Marci

havent had time to read the responses properly so sorry if I repeat anything.

First I would get a diagnosis to find out if she is toungue tied rather than just a maybe.

If she is, its def possible to breastfeed, it just may take some working out with latch etc.

If you do decide to EP be aware that a pump isnt an indictaion on your supply and some people who have a great supply, cant pump as much as they produce if that makes sense. and I agree with a PP who said if you are going to pump, work on getting your supply up first.

Its def worth giving BF a good go as it will be so much easier in the long run. although yes it is hard work, dont be put off!

amazing_love · #8 June 15th, 2010, 09:05 AM

Camden also has that problem with his tongue. It was difficult to get him to latch at first but now he has no problems BF so don't believe people when they say you won't be able to just because of that! We have an appt with a specialist and we're going to get their opinion on whether to cut it or not but we probably will do it. Reason being that Jimmy has the same problem. They didn't cut it when he was a baby and he has always wished that they would've done it. He had a lot of speech problems and got frustrated not being able to stick his tongue out like everyone else could. This is of course just one experience but i'm just letting you know the reason we will probably cut Camdens. It is actually a very simple procedure when done at a young age. They told us the recovery is much easier than a circumcision. I would get an expert opinion and then do whatever you feel is right for you guys

ca_dawson · #9 June 15th, 2010, 10:15 AM

I dont have any experience with the tongue tied thing but I can tell you it took a while for my supply to get established. Babies don't need that much milk their first week. Here's a good guide on how much expressed BM babies need:

kellymom.com :: How much expressed milk will my baby need?

In the beginning when I was trying to build up my supply I would pump after feeding her. Of course I wasn't getting much, but it helped build up my supply. Building up a supply was a pain, and pumping is a pain, but its all worth it in the end. If that's what you really want to do, just stick with it, even if its tough and frustrating. Best of luck to you! I hope you get to feeling better soon!

~* Liss *~ · #10 June 15th, 2010, 10:24 AM

I'm sorry you are having a rough go, Marci!

I wish I had some advice to offer! Just wanna give you

MommaLee · #11 June 15th, 2010, 10:47 AM

I just read in our DDC that Jasmine (enchantingdragon) had a tongue tie and they got it fixed. Just wanted to make that comment cause she might be a good person to ask.

Here is the thread: http://www.justmommies.com/forums/f1...te-drakey.html

Soape · #12 June 15th, 2010, 03:13 PM

I'm not sure about the tongue-tied part but I do know that we have had many babies in the NICU do great with feedings even though they were tongue tied. I do have to say that 20 ml is good for how many days post op and not having had your milk come in all the way,. I'm hoping that it works out soon!!!

karenwalter · #13 June 15th, 2010, 05:57 PM

Just keep pumping and feeding! It's the only way to really build up your supply. Do you guys have LC's in Canada? I went to one after Connor was born and she helped alot with latching and positioning etc. If you can see an LC I would really recommend it.

However it ends up just know you tried your best and you are not a failure if you have to use formula.

Gray_baby · #14 June 15th, 2010, 07:41 PM

First I just wanted to say don't freak out if you can't feel your milk come in! I didn't recognize my letdown feeling until my DD was over a month old, now I know when it's happening but for the longest time I was clueless.

My DD is also slightly tongue tied and has no problem BFing. Her biggest issue was being a sleepy baby those first few weeks after my c-section. Once I started waking her regularly to eat she gained weight like a champ.

Good luck!

Etph007 · #15 June 16th, 2010, 06:01 AM

Hey Marci! I'm sorry you're having some difficulties but try not to stress out. As an almost 8 month EP'er, I would advise against it. It CAN be done but it is very difficult to maintain your supply. I would EP as a last resort and try as much as possible to BF if you can. I think my biggest regret is not working harder at getting Kylar back to the breast after being hospitalized and tube/bottle fed. I wish you the BEST of luck! If you do decide to EP, I am always here if you need to chat or need advice

MarinaAndCharlie'sMommy · #16 June 16th, 2010, 07:47 AM

So sorry you are having a rough time. I really don't have anything to add but wanted to give some

Oreobaby · #17 June 16th, 2010, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MommaLee

I just read in our DDC that Jasmine (enchantingdragon) had a tongue tie and they got it fixed. Just wanted to make that comment cause she might be a good person to ask.

Here is the thread: http://www.justmommies.com/forums/f1...te-drakey.html

Thanks Lee Ann, I sent her a message...BTW...did you ever get your parcel?

Oreobaby · #18 June 16th, 2010, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Etph007

Hey Marci! I'm sorry you're having some difficulties but try not to stress out. As an almost 8 month EP'er, I would advise against it. It CAN be done but it is very difficult to maintain your supply. I would EP as a last resort and try as much as possible to BF if you can. I think my biggest regret is not working harder at getting Kylar back to the breast after being hospitalized and tube/bottle fed. I wish you the BEST of luck! If you do decide to EP, I am always here if you need to chat or need advice

Erin, thanks so much...my SIL was also a straight EP'er, and she has said how difficult it was, I am continuing to try to take her to the breast, but as most people have said...she gets frustrated because it doesn't come out as fast as the bottle.

But after my surgery, and her being in the NICU, and me being very sick up until Sunday, there was so much that was stacked against me, and because her blood sugars were low, they had to supplement. I am continuing now, and try to pump every two hours. I am going to talk to my dr. on Friday about ways to increase my supply. The public health nurse showed me how to massage my breasts to encourage better let down. My left breast has better than my right, however, my right also has a slightly flat nipple. Pumping has been helping with that as well. I have days of extreme frustration, and even had tears today as I slowly saw my dream of being able to breast feed slip away from me. But got some encouragement from the public health nurse, and will be continuing. I am going to ask my dr. about a lactaion consultant as well.

Etph007 · #19 June 18th, 2010, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oreobaby

Erin, thanks so much...my SIL was also a straight EP'er, and she has said how difficult it was, I am continuing to try to take her to the breast, but as most people have said...she gets frustrated because it doesn't come out as fast as the bottle.

But after my surgery, and her being in the NICU, and me being very sick up until Sunday, there was so much that was stacked against me, and because her blood sugars were low, they had to supplement. I am continuing now, and try to pump every two hours. I am going to talk to my dr. on Friday about ways to increase my supply. The public health nurse showed me how to massage my breasts to encourage better let down. My left breast has better than my right, however, my right also has a slightly flat nipple. Pumping has been helping with that as well. I have days of extreme frustration, and even had tears today as I slowly saw my dream of being able to breast feed slip away from me. But got some encouragement from the public health nurse, and will be continuing. I am going to ask my dr. about a lactaion consultant as well.

This is EXACTLY (almost) what happened to us. He was in the special care nursery for 10 days, I was very sick with high blood pressure, plus the c/s. So, we got off on the wrong foot and the odds were against us. It is hard to rebound. Some kids go fine back and forth between the bottle and breast and others just have a hard time. Just do the best you can and know that either way, little Rayanne is going to be perfect. I didn't mean to discourage you from EPing. I understand. For me, it was my way of making up for the fact that we couldn't BF. I just wanted to let you know that it would be a struggle and a sacrifice- but it CAN be done! I am still pumping and have been for almost 8 months. I don't have a wonderful supply but half breastmilk is better than no breastmilk. I am always here for tips or advice if you want.

For supply issues you can try Mother's Milk Tea, Fenugreek, oatmeal or oatmeal cookies and drinking water. I saw some results but eventually stopped because it was never much but some people swear by those remedies. Hang in there! You're going to be justttt fine!

Cheryl_W · #20 June 21st, 2010, 04:08 PM

Hi Marci! I don't have much to say but I thought I'd stop in and give you

The very fact that you're here asking advice on what you can do to make your little girl big and strong is just a testament to what a good momma you are!

For the one nipple, I have heard of some people using nipple shields - they have a sticky-outie part for the actual nipple that, IDK, I guess it keeps your bra from pushing the nipple flat? Anyway it might be worth a shot, I've obviously never used them but have heard of others using them with success

And for supply, some people might get really mad at me for saying this but if you feel comfortable, you might want to try a beer. Not just a regular old Molson or something, a dark beer. Something in it (I can't remember what) can actually really help increase your supply. The alcohol isn't much of an issue, doctors & pediatricians say to use 1 drink/hr as a guideline when BFing - wait one hour for every drink you have. So having a dark lager 2 hours before a scheduled feeding should be just fine, and it might help.

Good luck sweetie, and Rayanna is just beautiful!