Help and advice needed

[OMGbabyno3]

Hi,

My LO is 8 days old and I'm having trouble satisfying her at night.

When in hospital (I had a sec so 2 nights), the second night I topped her up with formula and have done this most nights. But, I always try to feed her first as I'd prefer to only BF. She doesn't seem satisfied, will stop and fall asleep then the minute she's down she wants more.

How can I make sure I produce enough? Should I express during day when she doesn't feed as much so I have it for her in the evening?

Any advice is welcome

 

[Maud]

It is frustrating but quite usual for babies to fall asleep while feeding. Do you try waking her up? Stroking her face, pressing her palm, pumping her arm, squeezing her ear lobe and tickling when she slows down might help start her sucking again. Changing her nappy after one breast should wake her up enough to take a proper feed on the other.

If you want to breastfeed then your best bet is to stop giving formula. Every feed she has of formula is a feed she isn't prompting your body to produce. It's a very clever supply and demand system but it relies on you trusting your baby to take what she needs. The early weeks of breastfeeding are intense, but it's so worth it if you can get through them.

 

[cam]

I think the best way is to stop the formula if you can and just let lo feed as often as they like. In the first few weeks its normal for them to be feeding alot and also just wanting the comfort but its all to build your supply upto what they need. It is exhausting at first but it gets better after that first weeks x

 

[OMGbabyno3]

Thank you.

A fee mins after writing my post I decided to stop formula. I've got to give it a proper go as really want to exclusively BF. It's funny that the hospital advised me to top up as they are super pro-BF here.

Shortly after posting, she fed for about an hour, which is unheard of. I changed and stripped her down half way through which helped, it's just at night that it's harder. I'm so tired!

Thanks again xx

 

[Baker_Baby]

It's so hardto begin with but keep going through the tough first few weeks and you'll start to love it I promise! Good luck x

 

[OMGbabyno3]

Well, I wasn't loving it last night...we were up all night with her feeding/comforting. It better have helped my supply! Lol

Should I express do you think so I have it as back up?

x

 

[tiggy85]

Awww it usually takes the boobs about 2 days to respond to the increase feeding by making more milk do you should notice a difference soon. Expressing after feeds can be an effective way of increasing supply although hard work to find the time and you may not get much in the way of milk. I would keep going with just trying to get her to feed more at each feed, lots of tickling Her back and neck to keep her suckling, mid feed napoy change and keeping them cool. You can also massage the boob towards the end of the feed to stimulate more milk to flow into her mouth (kind of massive towards the nipple).

I'm sure it'll get easier soon. Let us know how you get on. Xxxx

 

[MrsS143]

Have you considered sleeping with baby in bed beside you and you sleep while she eats?

 

[Rose83]

I would agree with stopping formula but I see you've already decided to do that. The problem with doctors/hospitals/health visitors that I have found is that although pro breast feeding they seem to have been trained to also reassure you not to put too much pressure on yourself and therefore tend to suggest these 'easy out' options for you to stop and it's only the most determined of us that stick with exclusive breast feeding. When my little girl was born she was 8lbs 8 and despite constant feeding for 4 days (and I mean she was latched on almost continuely) my milk supply hadn't come in properly and on day 4 she was down to 7lbs 9 which was considered a massive weight loss. The midwife that was visiting kept hinting that if I didn't produce the goods soon they would be insisting on formula despite their knowledge that doing so wouldnt stimulate my body to produce what it needed to. I stuck with it and tried using a pump to stimulate more and eventually my milk came in. By day 12 she was back up to her birth weight and has now put on almost 4lbs in 10 weeks so is a very healthy weight. If you've read any of my other posts you will see that due to thrush I have had to go over to exclusive express breast feeding which is really hard work. Again doctors have said things like 'you've done well to get this far, the first 6 weeks are the most important and you could give up now if you want' which I don't think is helpful to anyone who is less than determined! My mum said she read in the paper that only 17% of babies in the UK are breast fed now, if that's true I think it's shocking x

 

[MrsTS]

Hi,

I agree with what's been said before. I was in exactly the same boat as you 3 months ago. Mine would always fall asleep and then want to feed again straight away! Sounds like you've got it nailed though with stripping her down and changing her between feeds. Mine has reflux so that wasn't an option (unless I wanted the milk straight back up again!!) I used to blow on her face and tickle her neck which worked.

Just wanted to add that I have a really hungry wee girl. I am back at work but feed her once, maybe twice in the mlrnig before I go (she sleeps through now) and again when I get in and all night. At work I pump milk. I find she cluster feeds from when I get in, every hour/45mins. My body has got really good at making sure my breasts are full at this time, but I still give her a bottle of expressed milk around 7 before her bath. Then I bf her as she goes to sleep. That's another option for you in place of the formula you were giving her. I got my wee one into the habit of cluster feeding and she's slept through from about 7 weeks. Plus she doesn't fall asleep as much with the bottle.

Sounds like you're doing a great job though, hope it keeps going well

 

[mrswoody]

Just to echo what everyone else has said really. Drop the forum (which you have) and feed her when she wants it. In the early days/weeks baby will feed a lot at night to build up your supply so just give her it when she wants it.
I found at around 6-8 weeks with both my girls that feeding got easier.
BFing is tough work but so rewarding when you see baby grow.xx

 

[OMGbabyno3]

Thanks girls.

Things have been going sooo much better!

I did actually have her in bed with me the last 2 nights, as opposed to in the co sleeping crib. I remembered this is what I did with DD1 and she just helped herself to booby. Good night sleep for us!

Milk seems to be plenty now and have bought fenugreek too although not started.

Still thinking of breast pump...think I may give it a go. Any tips for good ones?

Thanks for your help girls xxx

 

[MrsTS]

The pump is an issue for me right now-I use the avent natural one and always thought it's been really good. Bought the tommee tippee one in the sale and it is APPALLING. Honestly -I get about an oz from it, it seems a really poor design. Can get up to 8 oz from the avent one!

Sorry to hijack this post but if anyone knows a knack with the tt one please let me know!?

Now I strongly suggest the avent one