Breastfeeding... 3 weeks in...

[Samantha55]

Hi ladies, my little man is now 3 weeks and 3 days old and being ebf... Never thought I would even breast feed let alone feeling so passionate about it now that I am! It was hard to start with and my nipples got so sore but I definitely feel it is getting easier. H is slowly putting on weight (not as much as MW would like) but I know he is heading in the right direction steadily and all babies are different after all and grow at different rates. He seems content so I'm not worried. He isn't pooing very often though (2x a week) so MW worried he isn't getting enough milk... Has any one else had a newborn bf and only poo that often? I always thought that was normal for a bf baby?

I have no pain during feeds but I am still getting pain for about 10 seconds while my baby latches on... Is this normal? Everything I've read says bf shouldn't hurt at all but I am fairly certain he latches well and MW has said before he had a good latch so am confused about that initial pain and why I still get it ?

Any advice ladies?

Thanks xx

 

[Tigger87]

We're 9 weeks in and I still get pain on latch. I read something every now and again that totally rubbishes the "bf shouldn't hurt" line - we're all different.

 

[MrsHop]

I've read it's normal for breastfed babies to poo less often than FF because breast milk is tailor made for the baby therefore there should be hardly any waste.

Have you looked for a support group near you? I've been a part of one since about 20 weeks pregnant and I've learned so much

 

[Gemsy]

I think it is your let down that can hurt - I get an initial pain, but I get it in both boobs, as they both seem to let down when Freddie latches on! Don't know if it is normal, but its always happened for me! I get it when I express too, so it doesn't seem to be latch related.

 

[Becky1]

Bf can hurt when they latch on - always made my toes curl! Stopped after about 6 weeks I think.

Re weight gain, we never had issues, lo was 10lb so I never had to worry lol.

We used to have several poos a day tho at 3 weeks. What consistency are they? Is lo feeding long enough to be getting the hind milk?

x

 

[Samantha55]

Thanks for your replied ladies. I definitely think he latches correctly and it is just a brief toe curling pain that goes so hopefully is just my let down and it will slowly ease off as we get more experienced with bf.

Baby's poos are the right soft yellowy seedy consistency when he does go. The MW thinks his lack of poos is a sign he isn't getting enough milk but neither the doctor or health visitor were concerned so am getting mixed messages.. Initially I was told to top him up with formula which I was reluctant to do so have been topping up with the evening feed with expressed milk but often I can only manage to get about 2oz off first thing.... Have now been put on some tablets to boost my milk supply so will see if that helps. I feel confident H does get a good feed with hind milk too as each feed is a good hour long on average and I always offer both breasts.

Evenings are the trouble as H is really fussy and just on and off breast most of the eve so that makes me worry he isn't getting enough but then during the night/ most of day he will settle between feeds...

It is tough but I am so determined to carry on bf but do worry about him getting enough milk . Will keep watching the weight gain (not yet back to birth weight, 3 oz to go). Hoping to manage that this week!

 

[Becky1]

You're doing the right thing not topping up with formula but be careful topping up with breast milk too. Our boobies respond to how much baby feeds and produce more milk accordingly. If he's not feeding from you the boobies won't know he's hungry (hope that makes sense).

Have you tried fenugreek capsules? They should boost supply as well as the others you're on.

Sounds like you're doing ok - keep going xx

 

[Samantha55]

Thanks yes going to get some Fenugreek at weekend. I always offer breasts first and then only top up with expressed milk and then formula if he still seems hungry. Health visitor been today and he has stayed same weight since Monday... It's so disheartening when I feel like I'm constantly feeding him but he is only slowly putting on weight

Health visitor said I'm doing the right things so keep going and as he seems content and alert and otherwise healthy she wasn't too worried yet but obviously wants him putting on more weight. Got to keep topping up when he seems fussy after a feed (which only seems to be in late afternoon/night).

Heyho... We will get there x

 

[Tigger87]

From what a girl in my breastfeeding group said, she wasn't make enough milk because she was topping up with formula. She dropped the formula, had a really hellish 3 days or so whilst her supply caught up, and hasn't looked back xx

 

[Samantha55]

I've only topped up with 1-2oz on about 7/8 occasions since he was born (4 weeks on sat) so don't think that's interfering. Not sure if tablets working but he has had a good day today and good last few nights with little fuss in between feeds!!! Fx

 

[l_maclean]

Your MW is absolutely wrong!!!! She needs re training!!

It's not unusual for BF babies to go up to a week or more without pooing. Like someone said above, breast milk is so specifically tailored to their needs that there is very little waste.

If he's gaining weight and has plenty of wet nappies he's doing fine!

 

[umbongo]

As has been said it's all about the wet nappies. If he's alert and having wet nappies all should be well. Just keep going. And oats help milk production. I worried about my milk at times but is always there and seems to be fine. Just keep at it, it gets easier xx

 

[SeonaidMac]

Serena sometimes goes 3 or 4 days without doing a poo.... but when she does... OMG poomageddon lol... it's honestly nothing to worry about and if your MW said there is shoot her xx

 

[Samantha55]

Lol poomaggeadon!!! Have the same thing it takes several days for him to go but when he does it is an explosion!

MW coming again on Sunday to weigh so I'm really hoping for good weight gain but he hadn't put any on between Mon and the HV weigh in Thurs....

Will try oats to see if that helps boost supply too.... Just so worried I'm not producing enough for him.

Have had a long day of feeding almost every hr too... when does the constant feeding stop? My little boy is 4 weeks tomorrow and really hope we get to birth weight this weekend weigh in. Trying to stay positive and not like a failure, just want my little boy to thrive on my milk

Thanks for support girls x