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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Original poster

OK, so "Breasts are never empty"...

26 replies

SoupDragon · 20/05/2006 21:46

... but I assume they are "never empty" in the same way that a jug being filled by a dripping tap whilst you drink the water with a straw is never empty rather than the way a tap is never empty?

OP posts:
beansprout · 20/05/2006 21:48

I think that too. Diminishing returns and all that.

hunkermonkee · 20/05/2006 21:50

I've started a thread on which Tiktok can explain that one too, SD Grin All the empty/full/hind/foremilk queries in one place, has long been my dream Grin

I ought to get out more, right?!

hunkermonkee · 20/05/2006 21:50

(If Tiktok doesn't mind, that is)

expatinscotland · 20/05/2006 21:51

got i never thought about it. i just thought, 'well, the baby will know when it's had enough.'

Original poster
SoupDragon · 20/05/2006 21:52

I'm right though aren't I? They're never truly empty but they're as good as whlst they produce more milk.

OP posts:
beartime · 20/05/2006 22:17

I think they must get to almost empty tho' cos I remember evenings when ds would suck for a few minutes and then come off and cry till I put him on the other side, suck for another few minutes then come off and cry and back to the other etc. I'm convinced its cos they didn't have much milk in them so he 'emptied' one and then went to the other one, by which time the first had a few more oz in etc.

hunkermonkee · 20/05/2006 22:20

That's cluster feeding, Beartime - your DS was establishing your supply.

harmonicacarrier · 20/05/2006 22:22

OK so answer this one:
is it true that you are advised not to wear underwired bras because of the risk of pressue if yu lift the cup up so if you don't do that it's OK??
please tell me this is true

beartime · 20/05/2006 22:23

But he did it for days and seemed so unhappy!

hunkermonkee · 20/05/2006 22:23

In awe of any woman who can lift the wire over her nork - dping that with mine would result in a Rather Unfortunate Incident, I'm afraid.

hunkermonkee · 20/05/2006 22:27

Ah, yes, you're also forgetting the one thing you Must Remember about babies. They're funny buggers.

Seriously, he was establishing your supply. I remember MSNing VVVQV some evenings when DS2 was tiny and having to break off every half hour to feed for half an hour. Tedious, she must've found it Grin

UniSarah · 20/05/2006 22:29

Underwired bras are more likey to put pressure on a small area of the breast constantly and so increase the risk of a blocked duct ( IIRC)

NotQuiteCockney · 20/05/2006 22:30

SD, they are sometimes emptier and sometimes fuller. But the fat sticks to the sides of the reservoirs, so when they're emptier, they're putting out quite high fat milk ... it all works out.

NotQuiteCockney · 20/05/2006 22:31

Oh, and one of the issues with underwires while bf is that underwires should be well-fitted, but if your norks are going up and down over the course of the day, it's hard to have a bra fit properly ...

beartime · 21/05/2006 08:54

yeah - just don't get it fitted in the evening or you'll regret it in the morning - like my bridesmaid dress which had to be taken out for that very reason! Grin

Enid · 21/05/2006 09:17

if I sit on my batty at lunchtime and eat a big plate of food, drink a big glass of water and rest for half an hour I have tons of milk in th eevening

if I race around and dont eat properly = crappy supply in the evening

VeniVidiVickiQV · 21/05/2006 09:28

Oh yes, very tedious Hunker Wink

Babies are just sooooooooooo inconsiderate Grin

CMac · 21/05/2006 09:49

Harmonicacarrier - I've just been fitted for an underwired feeding bra - a German company apparantly and fully tested etc. No idea what the difference is but it's a proper feeding bra with pull down cups and i got it from a really good specialist bra shop so am confident it's fine to use and OMG it's SOOOO comfortable compared with the horrible thing i've been wearing all pregnancy and the nursing bras I had last time round!

PinkTulips · 21/05/2006 10:03

CMac where did you get it? 2+ years of peregnancy, bf-ing then pregnancy again and i'm having serious withdrawal symptoms for my underwire, that bra sounds fab

tiktok · 21/05/2006 10:34

Babies do sometimes cry on one breast and then settle happily on the other breast, and while they are not totally emptyig breast one, they are ready for the more abundant flow of the second breast.

harmonicacarrier · 21/05/2006 11:27

yes where did you get it pppppplease Grin

CMac · 21/05/2006 17:49

i got mine from a small independent shop in Stirling (Scotland) so might not be too handy! It's from a company called Anita Maternity. i had a look at their website to see if they listed stockists but could only find German ones. I did find it on a couple of websites though - see \link{http://www.figleaves.com/uk/nsf/qwiser.asp?brand=338&src=GOUK01APs004\figleaves}

Hope the link worked - it's the one on the right on the top row.

PinkTulips · 21/05/2006 18:05

sob, i want one Sad, will have to start moaning at dp now to convince him i should spend that much on a bra if i want to have it by the time baby comes.

CMac · 21/05/2006 18:16

I know what you mean - especially as it'll only be worn for a year or so max, but last time I bought one for about £15 that was so uncomfy I had to buy another (again about £15) which also ended up being really uncomfy (both bought in a flap with newborn screaming in pram!) so this time I was determined to get fitted properly and peacefully before the event so hopefully it will be worth it!

PinkTulips · 21/05/2006 20:22

sounds just like me, underestimated the need for one pre-birth and made a made dash to mothercare a week after dd was born, had to guess the size too, not a wise move!