Early bf tips please!

[flisstebbs]

My baby is 4 days old today. She's taken amazingly well to the boob, but it's difficult to get her to settle off it. Even after an hour plus! I'm pretty sure she's getting loads each time too. She eventually falls asleep and drops off the boob, but if I try to put her down into cot she cries, and even if I try to let her sleep on me in a sling she starts tetching pulling at my top and munching her hands.
Any tips or advice?
I'm aware my expectations might be the problem here!!

 

[Pregnot]

4 days is still very early days and its fab she's taken to boobs so well!

I wouldn't imagine she's getting loads because at this stage she will be sucking to establish your milk supply so it will feel like she's taking a lot and sucking forever! But it's only to get it milk going you'll find over the coming weeks she will settle down until growth spurts where shel probs suck more again to increase your supply

The only advice I've got in these early days is that day 4 for me was the worst my nipples were sore as baby was sucking on the hour every hour he'd get sleepy on the boob and same as you if I put him down he would cry to be picked up And bk on boob
Just go with it, if baby wants boob give baby boob if your getting the feeding cues from her even if she had done literally 2 mins prior then put her back on she's learning how to get her milk and although its hard work its 100% worth it
You cannot over feed a breast fed baby if she doesn't want it she won't take it and if in the early weeks she only sleeps when u have fed or she falls asleep after. Feed on your boob then fine

Just if she's nodding off when feeding try stroking her cheek, her feet or back of her neck it usually wakes them abit reminds her what she was doing

There are times youl want to give up or think forumla might be easier because they sleep longer etc etc but honestly from the first time I got m lo weighed and saw him gaining I've never looked back

He was 7lb2 born now 8 weeks old is 11lb 14 all my milk

 

[umbongo]

They seem like they feed constantly in the beginning but just go with it. Get snacks and drinks and the remote and nest up on the sofa. Well done xxxx

 

[flisstebbs]

All great advice, thanks.. Def not going to formula, the pain barrier was waiting for milk to come through yesterday morning, tuesday was not a happy day as she was hungry and I was very sore. Soreness seems better now there is milk coming, maybe she's doing less frustrated pulling.

 

[madmillie92]

My ds still does this at 4weeks, I swear he's on a permanant growth spurt! I put up with it all day (am lucky if I get an hour without feeding) then give him a big expressed bottle before bed and if he roots around pop a dummy in and he gives me a good 3 hour sleep! It will all be worth it when they weigh her, it makes you so proud! X

 

[LD1978]

Your doing fab hun! I'm still plodding on but nipples are killing already. Still done the odd formula top off where she had such a bad start so hope that doesn't hurt things. Weigh in for us tom eek!!

I'm defo interested in any other first time tips though x

 

[umbongo]

My nipples stopped hurting but it took 10 weeks. I'd say the first 6-8 weeks are hardest. Nipple Shields can be good if your nipples get bad. We used them as Hannah had a tongue tie. After we got it snipped we weaned off them again.
And make sure they latch well, if you allow a lazy latch it can wreck your nipple for ages. Yowch! X

 

[Tigger87]

I can only echo what everyone else said - it's manic in the first few weeks (especially days) for the amount they want to feed. I always hand baby to OH to burp as he doesn't smell my milk and want more then, so that could be worth a try.

Just forget housework, forget cooking, get yourself and baby washed and dressed (not even essential) and consider that a good day! Remember the lansinoh after every feed, carry it round like you would your phone! Try and make sure you have a drink handy at all times, and some snacks

And remember your doing an amazing job xx

 

[flisstebbs]

Had a pretty bad night, j on boob from 11pm to 4am, wouldn't settle, then woke at 6 again. I left her with dh at 7 as I'm convinced she couldn't have been hungry! Urg, now got to be presentable for hospital appt... they want to check her jaundice levels, bless her, she is a bit glow in the dark !!

 

[umbongo]

Hannah had jaundice, try and sit near a window when you feed in the day as sunlight helps xx

 

[flisstebbs]

Had her in nappy only last few days feeding loads sat by the window. Seems to be working as the melliw yellow look is receding
Nighttimes are hard work though, we've had 1hr sleep so far...

 

[SpinSugar]

Hi fliss. Sounds like you are doing so well! The first few weeks are so tough

My tip would be get some breast shells. I have the avent ones. They let the air get to your nipples so they heal quickly. A great buy and I wish I had them earlier on! Xx

 

[babyem]

Try lansinoh before a feed, safe to have on while baby is bf and helps wonders with sore nips xx

 

[Gemsy]

Lanisoh is my tip, and also, buy 'what to expect when you are breastfeeding' by Kate Byam. Fantastic book, and it is very helpful with establishing routine, which lots of people don't think you can have with breastfeeding, but you can!

 

[Pregnot]

Lansinoh= life saver! If your still getting pain after that it might be worth checking her latch maybe go breastfeeding group as it does hurt early days but should defo get easier

 

[flisstebbs]

Mw recommended lansinoh, omg its amazing. Nips are doing ok now, its the routine thing thats more of a problem. Didn't get J back to sleep until 6am, giving me exactly 1.5hrs sleep last night. Just caught up a bit with her having a nice morning sleep for a few hours so feel a bit better. Tried so hard yesterday afternoon to wake her up and feed her every 2hours to try and avoid the nighttime wakefulness, but it seems from 12 until 6 all she wants is boob. Should I just forget it, try to sleep in the day and feed her at night?
Thanks Gemsy, I'll look on kindle for that book

 

[LD1978]

My nips are killing!! 1.5 hours - ouch! I'm finding I can't sleep in the day at the moment due to visitors so nights are a killer. Managing a couple of hours here and there. Have held off people coming for a while so trying to do it in dribs and drabs. Hubby is one of 5 so has a lot of siblings!!

I find Emily goes about there hours but some feeds she is never satisfies and goes on boob but then won't drink. She gets quite distressed and hate seeing her like it hence the formula top ups. I have a breast feeding lady out tues so hope that helps.

Sounds like your doing fab with j xx

 

[flisstebbs]

We had my BIL staying last night with his family. Dh had to stay in with us, and one night has broken him!!! He'll be back in the spare room tonight I think..
I'm sure you're doing great too Laura, hows the section recovery?
Try and push through the nipple sensitivity, mine has gone off really quick now

 

[LD1978]

Ha ha hubby is the same. We don't have a spare room anymore but I'm leaving him to sleep and he seems to manage to sleep through or just slightly wakes and nods off again. These men eh ha ha!!

Recovery isn't too bad to be honest but frustration not being able to do much. I feel bad for hubby doing all the running around!!

God I hope it goes!! Last night was worse as she kept going to the boob but not feeding properly x

 

[Gemsy]

I think you have to persevere with the routine, and trying to encourage evening cluster feeding too - they are not born knowing the difference between night and day, so we have to help them find out. Sounds like your LO is cluster feeding 6 hours too late Fliss! So if you can gradually shift it, it will get better