Breastfeeding questions - HELP | ExpatWoman.com
 

Breastfeeding questions - HELP

2782
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 05 December 2011 - 19:16
it would be worth replacing the membrane ([url=http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.getprice.com.au/images/uploadimg/1047/_1_MLA-06-valve-membrane__32070_zoom.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.getprice.com.au/Medela-Valve-and-Membrane-Gpnc_223--56473843.htm&usg=__xKQTF0Pb1eLyi8VQpqVv91CJnWU=&h=255&w=255&sz=19&hl=en&start=5&zoom=1&tbnid=cof2V8h-1xGavM:&tbnh=111&tbnw=111&ei=8d7cTsveMcnZrQf3x8z7Cg&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dmedela%2Bvalve%2B%2526%2Bwhite%2Bmembrane.%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Dactive%26client%3Dsafari%26sa%3DN%26rls%3Den%26sout%3D1%26tbm%3Disch&um=1&itbs=1'>this[/url'> is what the medela one looks like) You might get better suction and they are pretty cheap. Pumping hourly over a weekend might boost your supply as will any extra breastfeeds you can squeeze in. No idea on reddish veins, maybe from all the pumping?
1861
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 05 December 2011 - 15:45
OMG, lady! I'm just going to take a little moment to lift my jaw off the desk and salute you, because feeding 2 little humans for 10 months is more than huge, it's just simply amazing... you've gone longer (to date - not saying you're done yet!) than an awful lot of singleton mums. Anyhow, I found that when my supply dropped with DD, when she was around 11.5 months, I couldn't recover it. She was in the process of self-weaning, so the rules of supply and demand just did what they needed to do. However, when my son went on nursing strike at 7 months old, I was able to retrieve it by spending a day putting him to the breast every hour and even if he just nuzzled, it was still sending the cues. As for the pump, check all the parts for cracks and the seals for signs of wear - my pump cracked along the seam of the clear bit and was a bit less efficient after that (not that I was really using it much). Never forget that a pump is less efficient than your baby, so if your supply is decreasing or your breasts are just becoming a bit more efficient, then you'll notice the difference more when you pump. If your DD is drinking from your breast, you should see her jaw working as she gulps the milk down. If she's just faffing, all the action will be at the front of her mouth and you might notice the tip of her tongue twitching - if she's latched on, there wouldn't be any tongue movement to speak of. If the reddish veins are new, I would get them checked, just in case.
82
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 December 2011 - 14:24
Firstly, a huge well done to you for breastfeeding your twins for 10 months!!! This is such a huge achievement - and you have gone back to work. I only managed 7 months with my twins! You have done and are doing such a wonderful job. 1. I would have thought your supply has not gone for good but the best way to get it back is to put your DDs to the breast as often as possible to reestablish supply. But I think you are unable to do this. If you are sticking to a pumping schedule and feeling relaxed about it, I think that is the best you can do. 2. I suppose if you feel let down and your breasts feel emptied then that might be the best way to determine if the pump is not working. 3. Again, do you feel the let down when DD feeds? Do your breasts feel empty after she has fed? Does she seem happy and full? 4. I don't think there is anything to worry about with reddish veins. I think if there is some pain or discomfort then that would be a better indication. If worried, always go see a Dr. I think you are doing a wonderful job and now you have gone back to work I would think it is extremely hard pumping and feeding twins. Do not feel depressed - you have done a fantastic job!!!! You should feel very very proud of yourself!
26
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 04 December 2011 - 21:24
So my twin DDs are almost 10 months and till Oct I was able to feed them properly and also pump for an extra feed while I was at work. But since Oct my supply has decreased so much that I can only pump a few drops now. DD1 still wants me to feed her but DD2 has given up and won't even try. She throws a tantrum if I try. I have tried the fenugreek capsules but they are not working. The supply is the same. I can only express once at work due to schedule issues but I try to do it 3 times when I come home and once before leaving. Is it too little? I am getting very depressed as I wanted to feed the girls till at least a year. Here are my questions: 1. Is the supply gone for good? Should I give it up as a list cause? 2. How do you know if something is wrong with your pump? 3. I tried watching for signs but can't tell if DD is sucking or suckling? 4. I seem to have reddish veins on my breasts. Is that normal or should I get it checked. I don't have a regular OBGYN as I delivered in Alwasl.
 
 

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