An update and a few questions for the BFing moms...

Matthew is home with us, and has been for a few days now. He is an amazing baby, so good and even tempered, he only cries when he is hungry.

With the help of the L&D nurses at the hospital I was able to stay at the hospital for three days after they started his feeds so I could nurse him round the clock and because of that we have managed to avoid all bottles and formula! He nurses like a champ, has never once spit up and is the least fussy baby I have ever met! I have been really blessed.

So a few questions for the nursing moms -

1 - Did you give your baby a pacifier? Did they do well with going from that to the breast? I have only given Matthew one for short periods of time (when I change his diaper at 5 in the morning so he won't cry and wake up the big kids), he has a very strong suck and I know there are times he wants to suck and not eat, but I have avoided the paci because I was't really sure if it was ok.

2 - So all the books say that baby should nurse 8 to 12 times a day, this little guy will empy one boob and then take a 30 min nap and then take the other one, does that count as two feeds or just one? (I know, it's silly, but when the ped asked how many times a day he eats I didn't know what to say LOL) 

3 - I have a super, overactive let down and the minute I hear him cry I am soaking wet LOL I mean though my bra, though my shirt and running down my stomach, which can be tough when I am in public. I have tried breast pads, but they seem to slip all over the place and are never in the right place at the right time :) Does this get better as we get better at nursing or am I doomed to have to carry extra clothes for the next two years? 

no advice but wanted to say how happy I am that he is home and doing well!!!

Thanks! It is SO good to have him home! And I see CONGRATS are in order for you! I know you are probably excited and nervous all at the same time, sending lots of positive thoughts and prayers your way for a happy and perfect 9 months!

Thanks :) I am so excited and trying not to be nervous but it does take over at times! I am trying to be calm!

1. I think the pacifier is up to you and him. My oldest got confused with it, my middle child was fine using it and nursing and my youngest wouldn't take one.

2. I am not sure, I would just tell you ped what he does. nap then eats more. Then just feed him when he is hungry and try not to worry about it.

3. some bras have little pockets you can slip the pad into. I am not sure that it will get better. It might as he starts to grow and eat more.  Good Luck. I didn't have the issue unless I was gone to long. Maybe some one else will have better suggestions.

Ohhh I just found some bra's with pockets online, looks like they might do the trick for me! Thanks so much for the suggestion!

For question 3...I was the same way. I bought super maxi pads cut them in half and stuck them in my bra. I would soak through. I used those at home cuz you can see the shape of the pads...but it worked!
 

HA HA, my husband walked into the bathroom as I was cutting the pads in half and asked me what the hell I was doing, when I told him he just rolled his eyes and walked away! LOL So far so good! I even stuck them to the inside of my PJ top this morning and woke up WITHOUT milk rolling down my stomach, now if I could just figure out how to make it work for outside the house! LOL

hahaha!!! I know that it is weird but it sooooooooooo works well at night. I would get some of the other nursing pads the ladies suggested for times you are out of the house!  You sound sooooo much like me with nursing. I swear I could of fed a small country. My let downs never stopped though, I could hear a baby and BAM let down. But it does make nursing easier :)

Jackie

Lansinoh breast pads have sticky tape on the back.

have you tried stopping the feed and switching sides?

how long does he nurse before he falls asleep?  if he nurses for 20 minutes, falls a sleep and then nurses for another 20 or more I'd call it two feeds myself.

I gave mine pacifiers AT the hospital. no nipple confusion (I don't believe in it anyway)