Layla will be a week old tomorrow and I have been persisting with the breast feeding but i'm now really concerned she's not getting enough. She's just about doing one poo a day (sometimes not even). Has very few wet nappies and is either really tired or crying and fussing after feeds like she's not satisfied. I have been feeding on demand but some sessions can go on and on for two hours and she's still not satisfied and I'm exhausted by the end. I'm just so worried it's not enough and I don't know what to do?
Really worried she's not getting enough? HELP! *UPDATE*
- Thread starter KJL
- Start date
Hey KJL,
First of all - don't panic. Only doing one poo every so often (can be days and days) is TOTALLY normal for an exclusively breastfed babies - this is definitely NOT an indication that she isn't getting enough. I think that this is because there is so much good stuff in breast milk, that there just isn't a lot of waste.
Cluster feeding and pretty much feeding constantly for hours and hours and hours is also completly normal - this is her trying to build up your supply. Please, please persevere as it sounds like you really want to breastfeed - you are doing fantastically and everything sounds like its going brilliantly. Just bed in with lots of drinks and snacks and tv on the sofa/in bed for a few days and just concentrate on feeding - forget visitors, housework etc. Do you have anyone at home to help you make meals and look after you and the house?
Please don't worry if she looses weight in the first couple of weeks too, again this is totally NORMAL - she should regain her birth weight by days 10-14 (but again this varies).
She is getting enough, I promise.
Good luck petal - stick at it, you're doing an amazing job.
Valentine Xxx
First of all - don't panic. Only doing one poo every so often (can be days and days) is TOTALLY normal for an exclusively breastfed babies - this is definitely NOT an indication that she isn't getting enough. I think that this is because there is so much good stuff in breast milk, that there just isn't a lot of waste.
Cluster feeding and pretty much feeding constantly for hours and hours and hours is also completly normal - this is her trying to build up your supply. Please, please persevere as it sounds like you really want to breastfeed - you are doing fantastically and everything sounds like its going brilliantly. Just bed in with lots of drinks and snacks and tv on the sofa/in bed for a few days and just concentrate on feeding - forget visitors, housework etc. Do you have anyone at home to help you make meals and look after you and the house?
Please don't worry if she looses weight in the first couple of weeks too, again this is totally NORMAL - she should regain her birth weight by days 10-14 (but again this varies).
She is getting enough, I promise.
Good luck petal - stick at it, you're doing an amazing job.
Valentine Xxx
I agree with valentine, my son's could go up to 10 day's without a poo. I breastfed exclusively the first 6 months and wat you describe is not an indication that you don't have enough milk, she prolly has a growth spurt.
Stick at it and good luck! you're going great!
Stick at it and good luck! you're going great!
definatly agree with the ladies..stick with it the 1st 2 weeks are very very demanding on mummys.. she is still learing herself.. and your milk has only just come in..ask for help if you need it.. and if you really want to keep breastfeeding stick with it coz you will find it will get easier..
my only advise would be to ring your midwife and say look im really struggling with feeding.. shes on me all the time can you come and weigh her and see if shes gaining weight and is getting enough
my only advise would be to ring your midwife and say look im really struggling with feeding.. shes on me all the time can you come and weigh her and see if shes gaining weight and is getting enough
Thank you all for you support and advice, it's certainly reassuring knowing that things are going as they should. All the literature you read says that baby should be pooing x amount of times, weeing x amount of times and it makes you paranoid! I will stop reading the breastfeeding literature! My community MW is coming tomorrow to weigh Layla so I'll have a chat with her then. I woke up this morning leaking a little from my boobs, it's not tonnes but it seems to starting to flow. I think I will book an appointment with the breast feeding councillor just to check sprog is latching on ok etc. I will do this 
Josephine_Beth
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Hey, how's it going?
Babies can go a few days without pooing (just don't want to be the one who changes the nappy when they do poop lol), it's normal, don't worry, you're doing a great job.
It's very demanding but if it's getting on top of you, stress wise, why not try expressing, that way, other people can help you and you get a break. breast feeding is a lot of energy for the mum and baby.
If you are worried, speak to your HV for advice, we've all been there hun xx
Babies can go a few days without pooing (just don't want to be the one who changes the nappy when they do poop lol), it's normal, don't worry, you're doing a great job.
It's very demanding but if it's getting on top of you, stress wise, why not try expressing, that way, other people can help you and you get a break. breast feeding is a lot of energy for the mum and baby.
If you are worried, speak to your HV for advice, we've all been there hun xx
I still can't seem to express though so i'm starting to doubt how good my machine is 
