Friday, 09 November 2012
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I Feel Like MOO!!
So I have been breastfeeding for just under 2 weeks. Baby seems to have picked up his appetite. Either that or I am recognizing his signs of hunger better. During the day it seems that he wants to eat every hour. My primary job in life right now is to lactate and change diapers. And lactate and diaper change I do. The nipple soreness is going down day by day. It hurts most when my boobs are full when baby latches on. But as the day goes on and my boobs are less full, it doesn't hurt so much when he latches on. And it doesn't hurt as he is eating. There is the 3 seconds of "Holy crap I WANNA THROW THE BABY OFF MY BOOB!" Then it is like "Oh, I guess I'm breastfeeding." I think that as time continues on, I may do some pumping to feed him. But I think it is best to wait a few more weeks first just so baby doesn't get the dreaded nipple confusion that I have heard so much about. Actually I don't know too much on that subject. But it does seem like a lot of trouble. Baby seems to like to eat a lot. Sometimes I wonder if he stays on boob longer than he needs, because he tends to fall asleep near the end of the feeding. And he only wakes up if I start to move my boob out his mouth. Then he wants to suck more for about a minute. Then he falls asleep again. I wonder if he is sucking simply because he likes to be close to me. I don't mind so much as long as he doesn't make himself sick by eating too much. I wonder if that is possible.
The annoying thing is though, that I can't seem to breastfeed and do anything else at the same time. It takes a lot to hold baby up at boob. And if I move sometimes it pulls uncomfortably. I get impatient. And I would watch something on the computer, except that when I am sitting back, everything on the screen is too small for me to see it. So browsing the internet or watching something while breastfeeding is still a dream.
Any helpful words of advice or encouragement for our new Mama?
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About the Author
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- From: HazelBug1@xanga
- Name: HazelBug1
- About Me: Right now, I am a young woman who is about to have her first child. This is a blog about my thoughts and struggles related mostly to pregnancy. Though my blog may change a bit when little one is here.
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Comments (6)
It does get better! I promise! I'm at 14 months and still going strong with my daughter. If he's sleeping more than eating, try changing his diaper, undressing him, or tickling his feet. He's working on building your supply up, so let him nurse nurse nurse. All day, if need be.
Have you considered using a sling, or a wrap? Those are AMAZING for those early weeks. I was able to get a lot done once I invested in a wrap. I'm really pressed for time right now, or else I'd write a little more. Feel free to send me a message if you'd like!
Slings or wraps - if you can finagle them right, they should allow you mobility while breastfeeding.
Babies comfort nurse. They don't get much, if any, milk out of it; they don't use quite the same sucking motion. Like how some babies use a pacifier, same idea. Arguably, pacifiers were a replacement for comfort nursing.
You're both still BF newbies!
Don't let yourself get full, you can nurse before he asks so you don't get full.
Babies do naturally fall asleep while nursing because it is so comforting. If he's not getting overfull, don't worry :)
Slings are also great for nursing, esp. a Moby style wrap. You can easily make your own too. However, I really recommend at this stage, to just sit with a book and enjoy the downtime. In a few weeks, your hormones will change even more, and the exhaustion will set in and you'll be thankful for those moments you are forced to sit down :)
I loved the "My Brest Friend" pillow because it secures around the waist (so you can actually stand up). You can also use Ctrl and the + key (on the number pad) at the same time to enlarge the screen on the computer, or can you move it closer? Sometimes I forget that I can move the monitor closer LOL.
Every hour is not unheard of in the first two weeks. You can do the tips to encourage him to stay awake, and once the real nursing has stopped, on both sides, then you can remove him if you dont' want him to sleep there. Do you switch sides based on a time frame, or just stay on one side for the whole feed? I dont' recommend the timing idea, but after awhile you'll notice that there is a time range he likes. Once he seems done on one side, encourage him to nurse just a bit more (the hindmilk can be a bit harder to nurse so some babes drift off to sleep). Then switch sides and the foremilk will probably wake him up and he'll either eat to finish filling up, or refuse.
But seriously, enjoy this time right now. It's really a great time. And learn to nurse laying down, it's the biggest thing I regret with my first two!
Thank you for the keyboard shortcut!!! I can see the screen better now!!!!!!!
[I think it is best to wait a few more weeks first just so baby doesn't get the dreaded nipple confusion that I have heard so much about.]
I'm a grown man and I still get the dreaded nipple confusion....
@McScarry@xanga - Lol! This was the funniest reply I've read all day!