Bad Boob Could Have Been Worse

[walkitout]

R. tells me a coworker related a story of such a bad boob as a result of a restless kid that unlatched and relatched constantly that the nipple cracked, bled, scabbed. Kid sucked the scabs off to get at the milk. Excruciating, needless to say. R., compassionate, thoughtful man that he is, refrained from asking the questions that might have elicited what she did and did not try to determine the cause of the restlessness. It is far too late now, and would be cruel.

Comments

Restlessness had two or more components

[walkitout]

I've taken to calling him Mr Wriggley when he does it, so I pay attention, but don't get too emotionally wrapped up in it. Since he's bigger, the Boppy doesn't work. I had been using a regular pillow, but even that is no longer working. He really wants to have his legs and hips lower than his torso, probably so the milk rolls downhill better. So positioning him differently makes a difference.

He needs to be burped during some feedings, even while on one breast. He'll try to work the burbles through on his own, wriggling to expedite things. Take him off, turn him upright, lean him forward, he belches and back to business.

If the wriggling starts after nursing for a few minutes, it's worth it to give him a chance on the potty. If he pees (and he often, but not always will), he'll usually settle in after that much more quietly. If he does not, and he's willing to sit on the potty for a while, he may (but only very occasionally, like once a week or so) actually poop, which tends to settle him down a lot.

He's not a high needs baby. He's just quite insistent about expressing his needs, and when I don't listen, my nipples pay.

Thanks for all the good advice, however. I'll look into those disks. I think I'm also going bra shopping on Friday so I have a better fitting bra for martial arts with a bit more support.