Breastfeeding troubles...

[Em91]

Hi ladies, Olivia is only 5 days old and I'm already struggling with bf'ing!
I knew it would be difficult but I think id tried not to think about it!

When midwife came on Sunday she had lost very close to 10% of her birth weight, since she was only 6lb 2oz midwife said this was a worry so I should feed her every 2hrs even if she wasn't interested.

She is feeding almost constantly at night, its 5am and I've put her down once for 20 mins since midnight, could it mean she's not getting enough milk? During the day I'm having to put her to the breast every 2hours because she just isn't interested. Backwards?! lol

I just can't help worrying that she's not getting enough, not even sure my milk has come in yet.. People keep saying about how it'll feel & ive had none of that, surely by day 5 it should have come in?

Sorry for asking so many questions, I so want to keep going with it but with the c section scar causing problems I'm in so much agony & the random hormonal tears I feel like a lunatic!

OH doesn't help, he just keeps saying well maybe it'd be better to just switch to formula! :-/

Completely Off topic but not worth a whole new thread we haven't had a dirty nappy since Saturday night, just wet ones is that normal?


Using tapatalk so excuse the typos!

 

[Mrs. KM]

No dirty nappies is normal for a bf baby As long as you are having lots of wet nappies without the orange uric acid crystals, she should be ok.

You are doing great! Is she sleeping a lot during the day? It could be that she has her days and nigths mixed up and that is why she is more interested in eating at night. Is she staying awake to feed, or falling asleep as soon as you latch her? As for the milk coming in, I never ever felt engorged, never leaked and didn't "know" when it came in like everyone claimed. If you squeeze some out and it is white, it has come in. Just keep feeding on demand, and you will have enough for your lo. Cluster feeding is normal especially around day 5. However, if she keeps falling asleep on the breast and doesn't start gaining weight, you may need to top up. If you can, get a really good pump and pump between her feeds and top up with that if you get anything (getting nothing doesn't mean you have supply issues). If you have to top up with formula, try to give enough just to get her some energy to stay awake to bf. Good luck! Xx

 

[Rowesb]

My DH's method of trying to take the pressure of me was by suggesting formula. Have you a breastfeeding cafe nearby? (I think I should put the question into my signiture ) if you are concerned about your milk supply then constantly feeding is about the best thing to get it coming, 5 days is still really early, it does take a bit of time to get the hang of it. Is LO latching fine?

Unfortunately milk production is better at night, more of the right hormones are produced to get a better supply, so she is doing the right thing and this is why dads have paternity leave

 

[Mrs N]

Newborns feed all the time!!! You have to relax and go with it if you want to continue bfing!! Try not to worry about the weight loss it is very common for them to loose at the start but then once they establish the flow etc they pick it up!! Try to get some sleep every time she sleeps, everyone told me this and I didnt listen and i wish I had coz it relaxes you and prepares you for a sleepless night!! It does get easier tho but if you decide you want to ff then there is no shame in that either you have to decide whats best for you and your lovely little buba!!
xxxx

 

[Mrsstuart01]

At the start when my lo wanted to feed all the time (especially when my milk came in) I had him in bed with me and he fed whenever he wanted to lying down- this may help with the pain on your scar too- just relegate oh to sleep elsewhere and keep duvet well away xx

 

[beckyboo1]

Just keep going and ignore your oh!!

Babies don't know the difference between day and night hence feeding when you don't want them to!

If today is only day 5 I wouldn't panic. If she keeps falling asleep during the day try waking her by rubbing/tickling her feet or gently rub circles round the top of her head- this should help to wake her.

If your oh has two weeks off to help you make sure you make use of him

Use the time whether it be on the sofa or in bed to just have lots of skin to skin with her which should also encourage your milk to come in. Ignore everything else on the house and let oh look after you

Also make sure you drink plenty of fluids- at least 2 litres a day. I still make up A 2 litre bottle of water with cordial and keep it in the fridge. Also make sure you drink thru the night when you feeding- I used to get through at least a litre every night

Hope some of this helps you. Keep asking questions if you need more help/reassurance xxx

 

[ISH]

This happened to me too, I was having a world of trouble to start with, got very panicky when baby lost weight, but kept going and baby got obese in no time at all.

I suppose they have to learn how it works too. As the girls said, try to keep her awake, lots of skin to skin, and make sure you are well fed and hydrated yourself. It's very easy to forget about yourself in those first days.

Big hugs and don't lose hope, you are doing very well. Those first days are the very worst, it will get better in no time

 

[Em91]

Thank you so much for your replies ladies, just reading them has made me realize I'm not alone. Will deffo give all your ideas a try.
Feeling much better after the midwife coming, Olivia has gained a llittle bit of the weight she lost back and is now 5lb 11oz. So I must be doing something right..They said to go back to feeding on demand. The midwife was shocked that I was breastfeeding she said 'what formulas she on' without even asking if I was breastfeeding! When I said I was she was like Oh wow well done I hardly see any younger mums bfing! Just because I'm 20 why wouldn't I want the best start for my daughter. Honestly.

unfortunately my c section scar is infected so got to go to the drs later.

Using tapatalk so excuse the typos!

 

[Rowesb]

Well done you x

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Mrs. KM]

That's great news that she is gaining! Good job I hope your c section scar heals quickly xx

 

[mum2b410]

Just wanted to say well done hunny! Great that u have stuck with it and her weight is picking up! It really does get easier after first few weeks and lying down to feed at night made a world of difference to me! Everyone on here is v supportive so keep asking questions when ur stuck, before long u will b the expert and helping the nxt new mummy

 

[beckyboo1]

See- just have faith in you and your body. Us ladies have been doing this malarkey for years and years!!

Glad you feel happier and she's gained weight xx

 

[Nurse 26]

well done, your doing great, its hard work at the start but it gets MUCH easier. x

 

[x_larlybelle_x]

Watch for her suck to swallow ratio. It should be every or every other suck that she swallows (if u look just by the bottom of her ear lobe for a few mins u will be able to tell what is a suck ( it's shallow) & what is a swallow (it's deeper)). Henry's ratio was 5/6:1 which meant I wasn't producing enough milk so I'm now taking domperidone tablets to increase my milk supply (and they're working!) x


Tapatalking so can't see tickers

 

[Mrs Wibbily]

I think you're doing fantastically. I found feeding my DS such hard work and I would cry for hours, my nipples were sore and bleeding. In the end though I would do it all again (due to start doing it again in about 10 weeks). To me it's the lovliest thing you can do with your baby. Please understand I don't want to offend or upset any ladies who couldn't or didn't breastfeed, totally my own opinion.
Mummies who breastfeed just have to understand that for the first few weeks, that's all you are; a feeding machine and if you want to do it successfully and exclusively you have to give yourself to it without interruption. it's such a small amount of time that they are little for and this is the best thing you can do for them in their journey into the big scary world. Dedication's what ya need. xx

Well done again Hun. xxx

 

[Lolly85x]

Your defo not the only one!!! This is a great thread, has answered so many of my questions too!!!
My LO is only 4days and just constant feeding. Can't even lye him down or he wakes up for a feed, yet he falls sleep on the boob... I panicked for a day. But I had a think about things and just going to take one day at a time... Cause the 4 days iv had him none have been the same xxx