Breastfeeding a refluxer

[Anonymous]

Yes, it’s me again.

Here are the issues I’m trying to work out…

~The biggest issue right now is the fact that she’s nursing so much that I’m having a hard time getting a back stock of milk for storage. After she feeds she screams so much, I can’t set her down to pump. If I do get a chance to pump, she’s hungry right after and I end up having to bottle feed her. How can I get enough pumped to go back to work?

Most times, she’s nursed so long I have nothing left to pump. She’ll go on and off for hours at a time. Without her taking a pacifier, she will only be calm at the breast. Otherwise, she’s screaming.

So, I’m trying the babywearing thing. Still getting used to it. Not really freeing me up enough yet. Maybe soon.

How does anyone go anywhere longer than a couple hours without the baby??? Do you take a pump with you at all times? or does this get easier as time goes on.

[Anonymous]

i used to carry a breast pump in my purse wrapped in a cloth diaper. this was about 20 years ago when i was nursing and working full-time.

[Anonymous]

I took the pump with me every time I left the house. I felt so tied to that thing, but it was all worth it.

Sorry, I don’t have much advice about the pumping and storing. Sounds like she is eating as much as you are producing. My supply was always very high in the wee hrs of the morning. That was when I could pump the most and still have enough to nurse an hour later.

[Anonymous]

I take my pump with me too, if I’m going for very long. I use an electric pump from WIC, so I just bring an ac/dc convertor so I can pump in the car. Of course, Bryce can’t nurse, so everything he eats is what I’ve pumped. It’s kind of a pain sometimes, but worth it.

A lactation consultant once told me that if you pump between 4:00 – 6:00 am, you will start producing more milk. I’m not sure of the reasoning. It might be worth a try though, if you aren’t already. Also, drink TONS of water. Drink more than you think is enough. It really makes a difference. Make sure you’re eating enough too.

[Anonymous]

YES. That’s exactly what I did. I pumped every morning around 4 am. I would have lots of milk. Then I’d pump again at 6, and lots more milk. (I wasn’t nursing, just pumping). There’s something about tapping into that early morning supply that really helps increase your overall supply.

Also, I forgot to mention this in my last post, but Medela makes a hands free bra that you can wear which holds the pump shields over your breasts so your hands can be free while pumping. Maybe that would work for you. I didn’t have one but saw it in their catalog and at their website.

ndrose2006-9-26 15:48:12

[hellbennt]

also, is it a ‘good’ pump? the 2 ‘major’ brands that I happen to know of (I researched a bit over on thebabywearer) are the Ameda Pump in Style & the Medela- I had the Medela (had to return it back to my cousin after Jonah, bcse she had another baby) & now I bought an Ameda…they both seem to work great…

[Anonymous]

4 and 6 huh? That is usually my asleep time-which I don’t get much of. I’ll try it. And I’m doing the fenugreek/blessed thistle. Should kick in soon if it’s going to.

Oh, that’s what that bra does. good to know.

I’m renting a medela hospital pump right now. Good there. and just ordered a Medela In Style Advanced for work etc. It’s good to tote with me places.

Great advice girls! More advice is welcome I really need it.

[hellbennt]

now that you belong to TBW, there are tons who’ll answer you there, too

[Anonymous]

I used the “hands free bra” thing and it was WONDERFUL! Best money I spent! Sarah had latch on issues so I pumped 99% of her milk. The bra made it easier to do other things (play with her, read a book, talk on the phone, play Tetris , whatever!) I was able to pump for 3 months before I had to slowly stop b/c I was returning to work. You do get used to it, and yes, carrying a pump around with you everywhere will just become second nature. Good luck and don’t give up!

Amy

[Anonymous]

Gosh… a bit too late for me, but I wish that I’d known about that bra back when I had a sreaching baby and was trying to pump at the same time! That’s great- I always wondered why they never had it. And regarding the pump- I also rented a hospital one and then moved on to the medela pump in style (the older version of what you bought, I believe) and I LOVED it!!! I would never use any other kind it worked so well (but that’s just my opinion). My sister gave me an avent little portable one, but it wasn’t nearly as effective for me. I also liked the discreetness of the bag it comes in- great for taking with you. Of course nursing moms know what you’re toting around, but I never felt like anyone else was any the wiser. Hope it gets easier for you soon. I found that I knew that the herbs were working when the smell was coming out of my pores… and boy did they work!!

[Anonymous]

Well, we took Lucy to the doc this morning. She kept saying, “Just because Henry did that doesn’t mean Lucy will” to everything I said.

After being adamant about it, we did leave with a script. She suggested waiting to give it and didn’t want to write it at all.

She had an explination for all my concerns and said Lucy is gaining weight well. And she is, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t have reflux. ARG!

Of course, Lucy was all quiet and content in the docs office. Little faker! So, that made the doc even more aprihensive.

I understood everything she said. Don’t know if I agree with it all.

Should I wait to give the med? I’m leaning toward just sticking it out for a few weeks. I just hate to see her in pain when she is.

[hellbennt]

see if the med helps- if it does then use it…

[Anonymous]

Well, I put a call into the doc today. We took the perscription to the pharmacy to have it filled.

I don’t think I conveyed to the doc Lucy’s eating schedule well enough. I did tell her that Lucy feeds 14 times a day, but I failed to mention that it’s in cluster feeds. So she’ll eat 5 times in 5 hours. Sometimes she needs fed 1/2 hour after she just ate. It’s just too much eating for a 5 wk old. So, last night, she went into her feeding frenzy and ended up projectile vomiting.

One thing I can’t handle is projectile vomiting. Give me the nastiest dieaper in 10 states, but not the vomit. I don’t know why. So, there I was crying like Lucille Ball at 1am with a screaming infant. All I wanted to do is go to sleep. And poor Lucy. It took quite a while for her to calm down after that. What an ordeal for her.

So, I wonder if it’s just gas making her uncomfortable like the doc says or is this reflux? I know, I must be nuts… after this whole ordeal I’m still wondering. And yes, I think I am nuts!!!

You know, it’s the doc that makes me question it. Does she really need to be on the meds? I’ve had two docs tell me that babies don’t eat to soothe reflux. Instead they associate pain with eating and don’t eat as much therefore not gaining weight. So according to that, Lucy isn’t eating this much to soothe pain, but because she’s hungry? Her little stomach can’t be that big. When she screams, she does need to let out gas, either by mouth or the other way. but why would she eat that much if it’s just gas???

So, what remedies are great for gas?

[hellbennt]

mylanta

perhaps gaviscon

after all that do you swaddle her?

what I do after a freak out is:

make it dark (I keep a small light on to see a bit)

change the diaper (I have my diaper song: https://www.infantreflux.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2196&a mp;PN=1&TPN=2)

change clothes into pajamas

swaddle tightly

[Anonymous]

Amy,

I felt like I was nuts, too. Even with my second refluxer. I should have figured it out early on with him but I didn’t because I kept second guessing myself and the doc kept saying “he’s gaining, so he’s fine”. I’d say just go with your intuition. If you think she’s comfort feeding and in pain, try the meds. If she gets better, you were right and if not, you can stop the meds and no harm done.

I don’t agree that babies don’t eat to soothe pain. Some do. Some don’t. They’re all different and you are the best judge because you are her mommy and you are with her 24/7.

And, I like Laura’s routine. I always did that, too. In fact I always fed/nursed in the semi dark (just a night light) at night, kept the room quiet, and swaddled after changing. I think it helped them to settle more quikly after a feeding or “reflux episode.”

Good luck. Let us know what you decide and how she’s doing.

[Author]

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