Breastfeeding question?

[prickleyfairy]

Hi,

I'm new to the mummies section....and was after some advice. I'm still breastfeeding, although i nearly gave up last week as i had such sore nipples, but this week they seem heaps better so i'm going to stick with it.

Just wondering when i feed should i be feeding from just one breast untill it's emptied, and then swap to the other if she is still hungry, or is it best to swap between the two, also my little one always falls asleep while feeding, so she's not taking proper long feeds....any advice on keeping her awake??

Thanx Amy xx

 

[Em78]

alex was always sleepy during feeding when he was wee. we used to undress him bit by bit, change his nappy, blow on him - everything! the only thing that really worked was a wet flannel on his legs!

dont worry too much though. i was paranoid that he wasnt getting enough but as long as they are gaining weight ok etc then they are getting what they need.

as for boobs, i was advised to drain one before starting on the other ( so that he would get both the fore milk and the more filling aft milk) but to always try to give both during a feed (fat chance in the first few weeks - he was never awake long enough to even drain one!)so i just used to always try feed from alternative boobs on each feed to avoid any mastitis or anything. after about 3/4 weeks he was doing much better and feeding for longer so i could give him both.

well done at staying with the feeding and hope all is well with your lo.


xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

[emilia]

Hi Prickleyfairy...

I know exactly what you mean about sore nipples... are you applying something for healing? Sounds odd, but a good thing to do, is just to expose your nipples to fresh air as often as possible (to your DHs' delight )

With regards to how long you feed before giving other boobie, I would say anything between 20-30 minutes per boob. That way baby will get hind milk too which is full of fat and goodness. All babies differ and I've read of some babies feeding for 10 minutes and others for an hour. Go with your instinct, but I would think that 20 mins per boobie should be ample.

A lot of babies fall asleep whilst feeding - it's often caused by a little bit of trapped wind. Lift baby slowly back to a sitting position and try and ease the wind out. Often after a wee burp, baby is happy to carry on feeding again.
You can also try and stroke the side of her jaw (just below the ear) to help her along with the sucking.

Well done for sticking it out dispite the soreness. I used Avent nipple shields and found them great.

Good luck - you're doing a great job!!!

Emilia xx

 

[Rosieroo]

Firstly congrats and hugs for making it through the sore nipple stage - that was definately the worst for me!

I used to offer an alternate breast each feed, but then it went wrong when I was told to give formula top ups which I did for a couple nights and only an ounce or 2, suddenly I just couldn't keep up with her and had to offer both breasts every feed. Moral of the story? I wont ever ever do what the HV tells me with regards to bf again! (later found out that it wasn't actually a HV but a nursery nurse!! ).

Ella used to feed for up to an hour so I'd give her one breast, then the other about 30 mins later. Personally I wouldn't swap over too quickly as bub might only get the foremilk and not the nice rich hindmilk so will feed more often. If your baby is satisfied after one boob then great

If you find that you're leaking loads of milk out of the breast that you're not feeding off of then I highly recommend nipple cups for catching all that milk. I used to get up to 2oz at a time

So how are you finding it apart from the sore nipples?

As for the falling asleep, I used to find if I lifted Ella to sitting position for winding she'd wake a little if she wanted more boob

 

[Lucy]

Hi PF

Congratulations on the birth of your wee daughter.

I found Lasinoh cream healed my sore nipples brilliantly, it's really quite expensive at 9.95 a tube but I've been using the other half of my tube that I had left to remove those bugs on the front of my car ! You don't have to remove it before a feed either so just lather it on and before you know it they'll be healed a treat.

Olivia used to fall asleep during feeds as well, I tried everything from winding, changing nappy, wet cotton wool on face, stroking her hand, lifting her arm, ticking her jaw etc but I just couldn't wake her enough for more than one more mouthful! She soon started becoming more awake though and then would take a better feed and go longer inbetween feeds.

Regarding time on each breast, I used to give her 30 mins on one side then offered her the other side, as she got older this has reduced to 10 mins each side (sometimes it's just 5 mins!)

As long as she's giving lots of wet nappies and some dirty ones and putting on weight then she's getting ample milk.

Lucy

 

[Urchin]

Everyone else has answered your questions but I just wanted to say


for sticking with it!

 

[prickleyfairy]

Hi,

Thank you for all the replies....a great help! Sitting her up to a winding postion seems to be helping in keeping her awake!

Nipples seem to be nearly better, so i'm finding the feeding more enjoyable.....hopefully be able to stick with it for as long as some of you have!

Thanx again

Amy xx

 

[Rosieroo]

That's really great, I am so pleased for you

Only issues that might arise now are the growth spurts, but if you're having any troubles then definately post as I got some really good support here. If it wasn't for the help that I got from the forum then I would've been in real trouble!

 

[Lindsay]

My midwife told me to blow gently on his face and/or tickle his feet during the feed if he starts to fall asleep - it works for me!! I also bring him off and wind him which also wakes him up he is then ready to go back on again!!

Xxx

 

[lauramumof2]

I found Lasinoh cream healed my sore nipples brilliantly, it's really quite expensive at 9.95 a tube
Lucy

I might be wrong but i think you might be able to get that on prescription now.

 

[Lucy]

I might be wrong but i think you might be able to get that on prescription now.

Yeah I think you can aswell, although apparently in my area they wont prescribe it but only give you wee sample sachets because of budgets!

Lucy

 

[*saulino*]

Hi

Great job on continuing breastfeeding , hope it work sout fo ryou
Katrina

 

[Eveadel]

How you getting on with the breastfeeding now Amy?