2 questions - Should I wake her up & lazy nursing

MamaMartie wrote: Hi Everyone

Its been kind of quiet here. Not that I've been getting online consistantly, but I alway check ehre first. Any way I have 2 questions:

Hannah is 2 and 1/2 months old and the last couple weeks I've been waking her up for a 4:30ish feeding b/c my breasts really hurt and need to be emptied. She usually goes at least 7 hours before that feeding and then another 4 before the next, then every 3 hours during the day. I am starting to think I should let her sleep, but how to I get past the pain of overfullness until my breasts adjust to skipping that feeding? I can't pump, b/c every time I do my nipples hurt really badly for 3 days. Any suggestions? I really could use a full nights sleep, but at the same time I really don't mind getting up to feed her b/c it only takes about 1/2 and hour and it is such a peaceful time of night.

And my second question is about her being a lazy nurser (I don't know what else to call it). Sometimes she feeds really well on one side and then on the second she nurses a little, plays a little (latching on and off while smiling at me). Does that mean she is most likely full from the first side? Do you think I should get her a nursing necklace to play with so she eats more?

Well, Hannah is waking up so I have to run. Thanks for any suggestions you can give me!

supermom replied: Hey MamaMartie:
Sounds like things are going great on the BF front - that's wonderful!

Well, as far as getting past skipping that feeding, is there a way you could do a little hand expression just to relieve the overfullness. If you pump too much anyways, that's not going to help regulate things anyways, because you want to not stimulate too much, and maybe hand expression is the answer? She is probably ready to give up that feeding, although it sounds like she might eat pretty well when you wake her up for it.

As far as being a lazy nurser, I don't know about using the nursing necklace, never tried one, but from what I've read they are more to keep "curious" babes occupied while nursing??? More than likely she's full from just eating on one side, and that is possible. I wouldn't recommend switching sides sooner, because if you do, she won't be as likely to get the fatty rich hind milk, but you might just want to alternate starting sides.

HTH and keep up the good feeding!!

MommyToAshley replied: Hi MamaMartie!

Sounds like the BF is going better, and you have a good sleeper even at 2-1/2 months! So, that's great!

If you want to give up that feeding, I would recommend doing what Supermom said and express it by hand a little until you feel comfortable. Also, you could try wearing a good supportive bra, that will help too. Your body should regulate fairly quickly.

As far as switching sides, it sounds to me like she is getting full, especially if you are going that long between feedings and feeling uncomfortable from too much milk. Ashley only nurses on one side at each feeding as well and she is 10 months old!

MomToMany replied: Hi, MamaMartie!

I'm SO glad Bfing is going SO well for you! I agree with the others; maybe hand express a little to relieve the fullness, or, this might sound strange, put cabbage leaves in your bra. Scroll down this link, and it will tell you why.

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/engorgement.html

Here's a link that deals with engorgement. Kelly's site is AWESOME for information; brose around on there for more.

MY Hannah only nurses one side per feeding, and she's done that since she was born, AND she's still doing it now at almost 15 months.

Good luck, and hope it works out for you!

jem0622 replied: I would just let the little one sleep through the night. That is so awesome! You are so lucky!

I wouldn't do cabbage leaves b/c you still need your supply during the day. In a few days you will feel better. If you have a manual pump then do a few pumps do relieve yourself of the engorgement, but your supply will most definitely balance out in a few days.

Gabe doesn't always eat as much in AM b/c I am so full. I just pump the rest.

HUGS!
Julie

amynicole21 replied:

What kind of pump are you using? You may need to adjust the suction if there is an option for that. Also, you can get different sized "horns" for most pumps to accomodate you.

MamaMartie replied: Thanks for all the great advice (as usual) ladies. I hadn't thought about trying to hand pump. That just might work. She went 8 hours this morning and I wasn't in terrible pain, so I guess it is getting better. I am back to leaking again, but I'll take leaking over engorgement pain any day.

I have an advent iris pump, but like I said my nipples hurt so bad for a few days after that it makes pumping not worth it for me. Since I don't work outside the home, I didn't see the point in buying an electric pump. Occationally my mil or dh will give Hannah some water in a bottle, but that is it. Although I have a wedding to go to in Oct., and I'll need to pump before that b/c I can't bring Hannah.

Thank you again for all the good advice!
Hugs,

supermom replied: Just from past experience, the manual pumps are terrible.....I could never use one, had the same problem you had, I always hurt so bad after trying to use one, and never got much milk.

I splurged this time and got an electric pump (don't remember the brand, haven't got it out again for this one) - but it was SO MUCH better than the manual one - I didn't hurt, it was so much easier to get milk (even if I only got a few oz at a time). It wasn't the most expensive, but it wasn't the cheapest one either, only one side at a time, it was about $55 or $65.

If you think you are going to be getting one any way, I would go ahead and start looking around and see what you can get for reasonable price, and see if pumping that way works any better if the hand expression doesn't work for you.

HTH - and three cheers for you for your BF!!

jcc64 replied: have to disagree with you ladies about the Advent Isis pump. For monthes, I've been using the Medela Pump in Style, and it's very comfortable and efficient, but extremely cumbersome. When I went on my 1st post- Corey business trip, I bought an Isis b/c I just didnt want to lug the PIS through the airport and also wasn't always going to have the ability to plug in. Well, I'm an Isis convert now. I get more milk with the Isis, in less time, and I can do it most anywhere, unlike the PIS. I find it just as comfortable as the PIS as well. Not sure why you're having such discomfort. Are you using the soft siicone thingy inside the horn when you pump? Maybe try posting on the working and pumping bd over at Parent's Place?
Good luck and happy pumping!

kit_kats_mom replied: FYI, I had much less pain if I took the silicone insert out of the horn and pumped that way. That silicone thing caused me much pain. Lol

MommyToAshley replied: I have the Isis pump as well, and I like it. I was a little sore when I first started pumping, but then I started pumping first thing in the morning and the soreness went away. Not sure if it was just a coincindence or not.

I would try without the insert as some suggested and see if that helps.

MamaMartie replied: I do use the silicone insert, and maybe that is what makes it hurt so darn much. I don't know. If I knew that we'd have another baby I'd probably splurge on an electric pump. Everyone I know raves about the iris, but I really don't like it. It is easy to use, but OUCH! Maybe I am just extra sensitive though.

Thanks again for all the advice!