Whilst the first 6 weeks were fantastic they were incredibly difficult because of all the adjustments. The next 6 weeks were more fun, though still there was a lot of adjustments to be made!
We encountered quite a few issues in the 6-12 week time period which we slowly have overcome, some within that 6 week period and some since.
K's doctor advised us that K had Thrush, so we went away with the medicine for that and had to give it to her four times a day, which was an issue in itself as she has a tendency to spit out anything other than breastmilk! However, we saw my doctor and 4 different breastfeeding consultants at groups and they all disagreed that it was thrush! I had taken some tablets and used cream during the time I had been giving her meds in case it was but after getting other opinions I discontinued the treatment.
Then I was experiencing soreness which it seems is Raynaud's. Now that the weather has improved that has sorted (and there were more factors which were also contributing which I will get into later). I do wonder how I will be when I go to a colder climate!
K was spitting up more, was gassy, needed to be burped a lot and squirmed, she was also refusing to latch at times. Her doctor diagnosed Reflux and she was given medicine which we used for a few days but had a feeling that it was something else.
Next up was the injections which left K feeling under the weather and along came colic. Crying periods from 3pm-7.30pm every evening and nothing would console her other than being held either up on the shoulder or laid across the arm on her stomach. Poor little K.
She also didnt eat as much during the time where it was thought she had Reflux or in the couple of days after the injections so along came blocked ducts for me and engorgement. As such we called in a breastfeeding consultant.
For anyone in the San Diego area having any issues with breastfeeding I would recommend Sarah http://www.sweetlifelactation.com/, she comes to your home and assesses positions, and all other aspects of the breastfeeding experience and provides solutions.
It was Sarah who diagnosed the tongue tie that K had, prior to that no one else had noticed it or even thought it could be what was causing some issues.
The problems I was having were:
Persistent very sore or damaged/blistered nipples – however
it’s important to note that there may be no nipple pain/trauma
Compressed nipples (change in shape) and/or blanching after
feeding
Excessive sucking need – baby want’s to feed or suck very
frequently/constantly.
Baby only swallows infrequently or swallows well for initial “milk
ejection” (letdown), but then swallows become less frequent/sporadic
Cannot maintain a seal at the breast/bottle, often has gaps at
corners of mouth which milk may spill out from.
Mammoth feeds at the breast – or falls asleep quickly and then wakes
hungry as soon as removed from the breast
Very frequent feeds
Fussing at the breast shortly into a feed or takes very short, fast
feeds, baby may pull away from the breast and cry – bobbing on and off in
distress.
Parents may comment they can hear air being gulped, milk hitting the
tummy, or baby is a very “noisy feeder” with loud swallow sounds.
Mastitis/blocked ducts
Gagging
Reflux (click here to read “The
cause of your baby’s colic, reflux & wind“)
Frequent hiccoughs
Colic
Windy/squirmy and unsettled when sleeping.
Excessive flatulence
Green stools
Sucking blister on upper lip
Latch trouble or slipping down the nipple when feeding ie as though
struggling to remain attached at times- resulting in “nipple hanging”
Clicking sound when feeding. May pop on and off.
Unorganised suck/swallow pattern – may result in
coughing/spluttering/gagging and give an appearance of oversupply.
Bottlefeeding mums may note this happens even with the slowest flow teat
Weak suck/poor sucking reflex
Oral aversion/ increased sensitivity – frequently refuses breast and/or
bottles and/or spoons. May gag frequently
Noisy breathing/snoring sounds when sleeping
Opens mouth to attach but doesn’t, shakes head or bobs on and off before
becoming frustrated
Small mouth gape
Unable to protrude tongue (some with tongue tie can)
Excessive drooling/bubbles at the mouth
Displays stressed body language when feeding – hands up near face, fingers
splayed.
All of these things were related to the tongue tie but we hadnt put it all together until K was diagnosed as having a tongue tie, after all we had no idea as nothing had been mentioned by other consultants or doctors who had seen her at the hospital or her own doctor.
On 27th March (just over a week after her injections K was taken to the children's hospital and had her tongue tie clipped, it took seconds and she was only grouchy for that one day. Since then almost all of these things have disappeared. Yes I occasionally get the sore nipples but then that is on days when she cluster feeds and she still spits up a bit but it is not excessive. The colic remained til about week 12 but she has been fine since!
We had some other issues too to resolve. Bath woes and carseat hatred. Almost everytime we went in the car she would scream and whenever she was taken out of the bath and was being dried she would scream. I managed to resolve both of these but not in the first 12 weeks.
Whilst there were issues in those 6 weeks K was much more interactive. I was getting lots of smiles, she was starting to babble, was more interactive at play and much more interesting too! We entered her into the Starbaby competition, although she didnt get through to the second round we still think she is the best baby of the bunch!
During the 6-12 week period we got out and about a lot more to see other mums and babies, we went on walks in Mission Bay, Mission beach and had lots of walks on our own. I managed to establish a good routine with K during the day and she was sleeping much better during the night. That has regressed now... but that is for another entry.
Despite the issues I loved the 6-12 week period much more than the birth to 6 weeks because she was more interactive. Thought the past 6 weeks have been even more fun (but more on that in another entry!).
We encountered quite a few issues in the 6-12 week time period which we slowly have overcome, some within that 6 week period and some since.
K's doctor advised us that K had Thrush, so we went away with the medicine for that and had to give it to her four times a day, which was an issue in itself as she has a tendency to spit out anything other than breastmilk! However, we saw my doctor and 4 different breastfeeding consultants at groups and they all disagreed that it was thrush! I had taken some tablets and used cream during the time I had been giving her meds in case it was but after getting other opinions I discontinued the treatment.
Then I was experiencing soreness which it seems is Raynaud's. Now that the weather has improved that has sorted (and there were more factors which were also contributing which I will get into later). I do wonder how I will be when I go to a colder climate!
K was spitting up more, was gassy, needed to be burped a lot and squirmed, she was also refusing to latch at times. Her doctor diagnosed Reflux and she was given medicine which we used for a few days but had a feeling that it was something else.
Next up was the injections which left K feeling under the weather and along came colic. Crying periods from 3pm-7.30pm every evening and nothing would console her other than being held either up on the shoulder or laid across the arm on her stomach. Poor little K.
She also didnt eat as much during the time where it was thought she had Reflux or in the couple of days after the injections so along came blocked ducts for me and engorgement. As such we called in a breastfeeding consultant.
For anyone in the San Diego area having any issues with breastfeeding I would recommend Sarah http://www.sweetlifelactation.com/, she comes to your home and assesses positions, and all other aspects of the breastfeeding experience and provides solutions.
It was Sarah who diagnosed the tongue tie that K had, prior to that no one else had noticed it or even thought it could be what was causing some issues.
The problems I was having were:
All of these things were related to the tongue tie but we hadnt put it all together until K was diagnosed as having a tongue tie, after all we had no idea as nothing had been mentioned by other consultants or doctors who had seen her at the hospital or her own doctor.
On 27th March (just over a week after her injections K was taken to the children's hospital and had her tongue tie clipped, it took seconds and she was only grouchy for that one day. Since then almost all of these things have disappeared. Yes I occasionally get the sore nipples but then that is on days when she cluster feeds and she still spits up a bit but it is not excessive. The colic remained til about week 12 but she has been fine since!
We had some other issues too to resolve. Bath woes and carseat hatred. Almost everytime we went in the car she would scream and whenever she was taken out of the bath and was being dried she would scream. I managed to resolve both of these but not in the first 12 weeks.
Whilst there were issues in those 6 weeks K was much more interactive. I was getting lots of smiles, she was starting to babble, was more interactive at play and much more interesting too! We entered her into the Starbaby competition, although she didnt get through to the second round we still think she is the best baby of the bunch!
During the 6-12 week period we got out and about a lot more to see other mums and babies, we went on walks in Mission Bay, Mission beach and had lots of walks on our own. I managed to establish a good routine with K during the day and she was sleeping much better during the night. That has regressed now... but that is for another entry.
Despite the issues I loved the 6-12 week period much more than the birth to 6 weeks because she was more interactive. Thought the past 6 weeks have been even more fun (but more on that in another entry!).
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