Nightfeeds Chat Thread

[Clairexx]

The cluster feeding on an evening that is absolutely constant with like 2min gaps between feeds comes and goes but even when hes not doing this he feeds loads on an evening and always has. Same on a morning, he pretty much feeds every hour which makes doing anything, baby groups etc really miserable because he's never happy to just lie and kick around, he's either feeding, dozing before his next feed or screaming for a feed!

Hi beesmall, my little man was like this too! It's torture isn't it! I found that upping the protein in my diet helped make my milk more rich and therefore kept him a bit fuller for longer. Are you eating well? It's hard up have time I know, but eating lots of eggs, beans, cheese and nuts could make a difference? Xxx

 

[Clairexx]

First feed at 2am.. I normally would just try settling with dummy before 3, but his eyes were totally wide open and he was thrashing about like a maniac so I caved! Xxx

 

[umbongo]

I'm craving a lot of meat which I'm sure is milk connected!

Hannah is killing me tonight, won't settle in basket amd just wants feeding. Been cluster feeding since 7pm ish. Zzzzzzzz

 

[flisstebbs]

Yippee got through til now for next feed!

I'm having some serious chocolate cravings umbongo. Is the craving thing about what your body is putting into the milk? Mines still really sweet...

 

[BeeSmall]

Thanks Claire, hadnt even considered that. Will give it a go x

 

[Dotty_woman]

No specific cravings here but I am feeling hungry for anything really most of the time.My OH is going back to work on Tuesday and I'm really going to miss him. I'll look into going to some groups providing they're in walking distance until I'm ok to drive. xxx

 

[MrsE]

Chicken is a really good one too. You have to eat really well when breastfeeding.

Up again but woke to the sounds of him being sick and (I think, everything happened quickly) choking on it. We couldn't get anymore sick out so I'm feeding him to calm him down. Argh don't think I'll be sleeping again tonight out of fear

 

[Dotty_woman]

hope your LO is ok now. I had just about got my lo off to sleep after a nappy change and a bit more of a feed and now she's just decided to fill her nappy. Cheers for that bubs!! xxx

 

[umbongo]

Oh mrsE that is scary! Glad it's ok. The choking sound is horrendous.

I think the body always tells you what it needs if you're in tune with it. Sounds very hippy i know. You use an extra 500 cals bf so it's important to eat well. I make sure I have really good meals and first few weeks ate chocolate biscuits for night feeds. You need the sugar to stay awake!

I couldn't get to any bf groups until I drove as walking far was out the question so don't push it.

Xx

 

[Tigger87]

Going against the grain here, but whilst you SHOULD eat well when bf, baby is still gonna be ok. Your diet isn't supposed to affect your milk at all, look at the women in 3rd world countries that are starving and still producing milk. Apparently your body will do as it did it pregnancy - baby gets all the nutrients first, you 2nd!!

And dotty woman - that's jakes trick. I put him down 45 mins ago and then he pooped, then fed for an AGE!!!

 

[LD1978]

Hey ladies think I may need to join you

Feeling a bit of a mess at the moment as no idea what I'm doing with breastfeeding and Emily seems to only settle if on me. She's just had a feed and led her sleeping but I know the moment I put her down she will scream in hunger.

She did this earlier and am expressed bottle calmed her and she slept so wondering if she needed the extra?

Will be nice to share the experience as I know lots of you been through this.

 

[Pippacarney]

Had a great night here 8-6, but now lo doesn't want to feed she just wants to chatter at me! It's so cute but I want her to have her milk always worry when she won't feed well after a long stretch! xxx

 

[umbongo]

Tigger I do agree, baby will always be fine but you'll end up feeling like crap. If you were really under eating it may lead to osteoporosis and liver problems as body uses reserves of minerals and fats to make milk.
Interestingly babies born in famine are preconditioned to store fat more when they feed as they are malnourished in the womb. Very clever xx

 

[flisstebbs]

Hey ladies think I may need to join you

Feeling a bit of a mess at the moment as no idea what I'm doing with breastfeeding and Emily seems to only settle if on me. She's just had a feed and led her sleeping but I know the moment I put her down she will scream in hunger.

She did this earlier and am expressed bottle calmed her and she slept so wondering if she needed the extra?

Will be nice to share the experience as I know lots of you been through this.

Hey Laura, this was us yesterday morning...
Last night was amazing, only 2 feeds at 1.30 then 4. She was on the boob for over an hr each time though.
I was reading this book yesterday that just said they are too little to be put down rather than still hungry...
If you have a sling try keeping E really close to you today? Give me a ring if you need me!

 

[LD1978]

Thanks Fliss. We caved and gave the formula so snatched a couple of hours. Not sure if I am making things worse by giving it as means she doesn't need to work for it.

What book is that? I've a feeling I need to invest in something too as feel clueless ha ha!!

That's fab on your feeds! Are you doing all breast or any top ups? Xx

 

[flisstebbs]

I think the most pragmatic thing is to give formula if you've tried and she's not settling with boob. I've done my first 36hrs without any top ups and her weight has gone up by 30g since Saturday

I'm reading la leche based book on kindle. Some of it is a bit ott but there is some good stuff. I'm just keeping j close now and she is happier and feeding better now I'm not trying to put her down. Moby sling is brilliant for this. X

 

[Dotty_woman]

Hey Laura,
Sorry to hear you're in a dilemma but only you know how you feel. How often is your lo breastfeeding and for how long? Not out to judge just wondering in comparison to what we've been doing since we upped our feeding. The midwife suggested I look at an app called iBaby which we have been to monitor feeds and I found that really helpful as I know have a log of when I fed and for how long. I now seem to be getting an average of 10-12 feeds a day with
an average feed time of about 12 minutes. Since we've gone to 2-3 hourly feeding Violet has really started to put the weight back on she lost in the first few days. Once she started putting the weight back on, I've chilled out a lot and it seems as though she has too. I've been exclusively breastfeeding so haven't expressed anything yet. I was advised to wait a couple of weeks before introducing a bottle. I've got one of those Medala bottles that is supposed to mimic the same movements as breastfeeding as it was recommended by one of the midwives that visited. I'll be giving it a try this week, just so someone else can have a go now and again. Try not to lose heart. I'd definitely have a chat with your midwife and explain what happening for you at the moment. She may be able to make some helpful suggestions. I wish you all the best. It's hard work this, isn't it! xxx

 

[LD1978]

Hey dotty,

Feeds vary from a couple of mins then she nods off to ten min ones and then monster 30 min ones. I've tried to write it down but keep forgetting so have just downloaded that app.

I think my mistake could be the bottles and formula but the hospital told me to do that due to her lack of feeding. I'm just worried she's getting all sleepy again and will be on the downward slope

I guess I need to go back to trying to wake her for 3 hour feeds. Am going to try and lay off the bottles and top ups unless absolutely necessary.

I've got a breastfeeding lady out tom who the hospital booked and had a chat with someone today so will just keep persevering. Your right it is hard as I just want to be sure she's getting enough milk xxx

 

[umbongo]

She will almost definitely be getting enough. Try and persevere if you can as introducing formula will affect your supply. Is there a breastfeeding group you can go to they're a great support. Or your local la leche league or nct will have free support and advice. Just keep offering the boob, you're doing great. It's really really hard at the beginning xxxx

 

[LD1978]

We've just had a big old feed, timed 20 mins but shes back on

I did call a group today from my leaflet but it's appt for all postnatal and is full. I have someone out tom though.

Is it ok to just feed off one boob today as my left nipple is so cracked and sore!!! I could express from it or have a nipple shield but the lady today said don't use it as they won't get as much milk xx