Larsen Poultry Ranch - homesteading journey

[Thefarmofdreams]

I have been setting my alarm to pump every 3 hours or so because the little stinker won't latch properly. So not much sleep happening.

This evening MIL came over so I took a nap since I had pumped extra I wasn't needed to feed. My brother and his fiance, plus my dad also visited. I overslept that alarm by an hour and a half.

I'm so glad you're getting sleep when you can! Sleeping is more important than the visit (they mainly wanna see the babe anyways!) so use those opportunities.

Re: poor latch... have you seen an IBCLC? Has he been checked for tongue and lip tie? Do you know to offer the nipple to his nose, so he has to reach WAY up, thus opening his mouth and getting a better latch? (I went through difficulties with my youngest & latching. I feel your pain. If you need resources or anything... lmk!)

 

[Larsen Poultry Ranch]

I'm so glad you're getting sleep when you can! Sleeping is more important than the visit (they mainly wanna see the babe anyways!) so use those opportunities.

Re: poor latch... have you seen an IBCLC? Has he been checked for tongue and lip tie? Do you know to offer the nipple to his nose, so he has to reach WAY up, thus opening his mouth and getting a better latch? (I went through difficulties with my youngest & latching. I feel your pain. If you need resources or anything... lmk!)

He did have a slight tongue tie, but towards the back of the tongue. He was able to reach his lips with his tongue so it wasn't too bad. Since he was having latch issues I had them cut it with hopes he'd latch better, and he can move his tongue more now. He still won't latch without a nipple shield.

The issue to me looks like he's not opening wide enough, so doesn't get enough breast in his mouth to create suction. Without suction, the breast loses shape and then he gets angry there's no food. He does decently with the shield as it holds the breast in the right shape.

 

[Thefarmofdreams]

Did they give you follow up exercises for the tie? They're supposed to have you do various things to make sure it doesn't heal back into a tie. Have you tried different positions? Laid back is a good one for promoting a better latch. You can also express by hand to get him started so he doesn't have to wait for letdown. (Tell me to stop if I'm too much. One of my close friends is an ibclc. And my 2 yo has such poor oral function from birth that he couldn't figure out a bottle, latched like garbage and now has a speech and feeding therapist bc he doesn't talk or eat. I have more breastfeeding knowledge than is good for me )

I'm glad you've found some options that help your little! I know you'll find a rhythm that works for you 2.

 

[Larsen Poultry Ranch]

Did they give you follow up exercises for the tie? They're supposed to have you do various things to make sure it doesn't heal back into a tie. Have you tried different positions? Laid back is a good one for promoting a better latch. You can also express by hand to get him started so he doesn't have to wait for letdown. (Tell me to stop if I'm too much. One of my close friends is an ibclc. And my 2 yo has such poor oral function from birth that he couldn't figure out a bottle, latched like garbage and now has a speech and feeding therapist bc he doesn't talk or eat. I have more breastfeeding knowledge than is good for me )

I'm glad you've found some options that help your little! I know you'll find a rhythm that works for you 2.

The Dr said to stick my finger in his mouth and gently wiggle from one side to the other under the tongue. This is a lot more difficult than it sounds as usually he goes into piranha mode when I stick my finger in and he starts chomping/sucking on the finger.

He seems to do better trying to breastfeed after I pump for a few minutes, then stick him on with the nipple shield. Each time I try without the shield he doesn't stay attached and spits out the breast.

 

[Thefarmofdreams]

The post-tie exercises are definitely not simple, lol. Babies!

Sounds like you're finding a rhythm that works! He'll get there. Definitely try different positions and keep working at it. You got this!

 

[Baymule]

Sometimes we need help and it's not barnyard animals......
This is a wonderful community.

 

[Larsen Poultry Ranch]

Everyone keeps telling me that the next one will arrive faster. The Dr joked that hubby needs to learn how to deliver babies. If we get the goats and sheep on the property that should help us practice, right?

Little one is still a bit yellow but we had a nice 10 minute or so walk in the sunshine this afternoon. Hopefully he will look less yellow tomorrow.

 

[Baymule]

There is nothing more special than the time you spend with your baby. They grow so fast, each stage of growth and development is even more wonderful than the last. One day they are all grown up, out on their own and you wonder how did THAT happen.

 

[Margali]

Yay, for baby!

All 3 of my kids were toungue tied. The post-tie exercise are hard to do but important. Our doctor also had us sweep finger up underside of tongue to encourage frenulum stretch.

If baby is still have issues latching consider another consult. My youngest had lip, tongue, and cheek ties. The lip tie kept him from flaring his upper lip up and back to make proper suction. The cheek tie restricted mouth opening.

 

[Larsen Poultry Ranch]

Munchkin still a little yellow, but cloudy and sprinkled a bit this morning so I'm not sure if we are going to have sunshine to set him in. We'll see. At Dr appointment now.

Tile guy is at the house and working on installing the tile for the fireplace, it's going to be awesome. He was impressed with my drawing, said not everyone thinks about all the things that are needed and picks out all the pieces before the job starts.