Right, another meltdown.

[HopesDreams]

I'm tired of taking up the main forum/thread with my whining so can a few people that have been combi feeding private message me please? I'm at the end of my tether.

 

[Karate Kid]

Hugs hun what's going on? I will try to help as best I can. I am training as a BFing peer support worker so hopefully I can help.

 

[MrsT2011]

Your not moaning Hun - everyone is happy to help.

I combi fed until my supply was enough at six weeks. I started topping up after a breast milk feed with formula but managed to do it that I would get a breast milk feed then a formula feed until gradually cut down on formula and was all breast milk.

Not sure what help you need but a few things I learnt - try different bottles if one isn't suiting, B loved Avent and dr browns, hated Medela calma.
Nipple confusion is rare.
To up supply express after a feed - tricks your body into producing more milk.
Breast feeding didn't work well for us so I expressed and it took 6 weeks to get enough supply.
Lots of skin to skin.
And relax! Easier said than done, don't put too much pressure on yourself, enjoy breast feeding and top up with formula if needed.

Ask away - if I can help I will xxx

 

[HopesDreams]

I think I must be having a nervous breakdown today. I'm not happy with Oisín's breastfeeding. I'm distressed by it if I'm honest. They all tell me he's latching/feeding well but I don't feel like he is. At night he'll have a feed, get put into moses basket, my eyes will be closing & he'll be awake looking for more. I used to blame the Moses basket, have done since I brought him home. Today is probably blues day but it doesn't change the fact that I'm unhappy. I lost the plot this morning with tiredness, sore boobs etc. & started expressing. I got 2oz. I had always intended to express & get him used to a bottle because its just me so ideally I thought it only fair to Oisín that he could take a bottle too if I ever have to leave for work/funeral etc. I just didn't intend to do it so early. I had intended to freeze it on receiving some PF advice (which makes perfect sense!) but this evening he just wouldn't settle in Moses basket so I lost the plot (again), put 1/2 oz expressed breast milk in a bottle, warmed it slightly & gave it to him. He guzzled it, fell asleep in Moses basket & has contentedly stayed there since. I know it could be a mere coincidence but what if I'm starving my wee baby? The thought kills me. What if he's trying to feed so often because I'm not producing enough for him at each feed? He hasn't had a poop today. Has had wet nappies though. Will do a big burp (and/or fart) normally after a feed.
I let him sleep on me during the night (on the sofa) because I'm normally so exhausted & just want 5 minutes. All I've heard is "you're spoiling him", "he's controlling you already", "he'll never sleep in his Moses basket now" & "you'll be sorry, just let him cry". He's 4 days old. I'm trying my best!
I'm questioning everything I'm doing. I'm supposed to be happy & glowing & instead I'm riddled with doubt, worry & guilt.

 

[beckyboo1]

STOP panicking!!

Ignore them all that say you're spoiling him etc. he's 4 days old and all he wants is mummy

You won't be starving him he's still just getting your supply going. I know it's so hard in the early days, coupled with the tiredness, hormones raging and the enormity of what's happened (you've had a baby!!!)

Try your best to relax (I know, it's hard). Nap when you can, especially during the day (if you've got an OH around make sure he does everything for you)

Breast feeding is such a joyous thing once you both get the hang of it.... Just remember he's had 9 months inside you and only 4 days out!

We're all here for you and as bf mums we've all been there xxxxxx

 

[l_maclean]

Woah!!! Slow right down!!! You cannot in anyway spoil a 4 day old baby!!! Read about the 4th trimester if you want some reassurance on that. Also how on earth would a baby who has absolutely no knowledge of the world have the mental capacity to 'control'


It's perfectly normal for a baby on boob to want to feed a lot, and all though it feels like it not giving him enough, he's building up ur supply. Really try and steer clear of the top ups as it will make it difficult for ur body to know he needs extra.

It's also very normal for bf babies not to poop for up to a week. Bm is tailored so specifically for their needs that there isn't much waste.


Is there any bf groups near you that you could go to for some real life support. Xxx


On my iPhone - so cant see tickers

 

[MrsT2011]

Your doing amazing already and sounds like your milk is coming in.
You can't spoil a baby, I wouldn't worry about habits forming till 3-4 months then start thinking of a routine. Enjoy the cuddles, stick on a film with lots of drink and food near you and let him have a good feed.
Don't worry if you need to express or want to that's fine if it helps him settle for a bit and you get some rest.
Wet nappies are great - that means he's feeding well - listen for swallowing when he feeds, I think it goes suck, suck swallow.
Pooing is a new sensation for babies so you may see some straining but that's fine - B still does it and he's not constipated. Breast fed babies don't need to poo a lot as there's hardly any waste.
Your midwife should do a weigh in soon? Xxx

 

[mrswoody]

Slow down lovely!!
Bf is tough in the early stages as Lo will feed ALOT to increase your supply and to let your body know what it needs to produce for LO. You will literally feel like LO is glued to your nipple 24/7 but it does get easier and eventually you will reap the benefits there is nothing better than seeing LO thriving knowing you have done it

Try and get along to a bfing group if you can as you will get loads of support from them and meet other mums who might be experiencing similar things.

Relax and enjoy your newborn it's such a precious time for you both xx

 

[HopesDreams]

His wee jaw moves when he's feeding. It sounds like when we drink a few mouthfuls from a glass & pause to swallow it. I can't describe it. The "swallow" maybe comes after every 3-4 sucks.

 

[Nicnax]

As everyone else has already said, as long as baby is having wet/ dirty nappies, you are doing just fine. There is no rhyme or reason to feeding/ sleeping patterns in those first few weeks, so there is no need to worry about 'spoiling' your baby. And given what you have both gone through, in labour, I think plenty of cuddles are deserved! I am big on routine, but quickly realised that no one, baby, you or dad, has a clue what to do to begin with, so you may as well go with the flow, and learn together.

I expressed from about 3 weeks in order to allow hubby to give a feed per - great to give my nips a rest, and great for his bonding with her.

By the way, I am 9 weeks on exclusively breastfeeding, with a girly plotting above th 75th centile, and I panic at least once a week that I am not producing enough milk. I have resigned myself to a world of worry now I am a mummy.

 

[Nicnax]

His wee jaw moves when he's feeding. It sounds like when we drink a few mouthfuls from a glass & pause to swallow it. I can't describe it. The "swallow" maybe comes after every 3-4 sucks.

That sounds perfect. He's obviously a quick learner.

 

[Karate Kid]

The ladies are bang on hun, LO will feed regularly to build your supply. He could also be battling with colic, tummy ache, or a bit of reflux so the constant desire to suckle could be comfort. At this tiny age I would cuddle away. DH and I spent the first few weeks with C sleeping on us as that's the only way he would settle. I don't think you can spoil a baby.

I would steer clear of formula top ups at this stage as it can affect your supply.

Often day three/ four are the toughest and our hormones go a bit crazy due to our milk coming in. I was inconsolable- I have a detailed account of it written down!!

Are there any BFing support groups in your area? They are a great place to go to talk things through and I wouldn't be BFing still at 7.5 months if it wasn't for mine xx

 

[HopesDreams]

& if he's sleeping loads do I wake him for a feed or let him sleep & he'll take on the milk he needs afterwards? He hasn't fed today as much/often as he fed yesterday.

 

[Nicnax]

Let hims sleep- he will wake when he's hungry. Babies are like us- they may feed more one day than the next. And that probably means your milk has come in, so he doesn't need to feed quite so often.

You're doing really well- breastfeeding is really tough. There were countless times over the Forst few weeks, that I thought about giving up. But it does settle down, I promise. You'll never stop worrying, but you will begin to feel more confident in yourself and your body. Remember, you were designed to do this. Trust your body- you will be fine, I promise.

Keep going, it does get easier.

 

[HopesDreams]

Thanks girls. I knew I'd most likely have an episode about something once he was here but I never thought breastfeeding would be the undoing of me.

 

[Nicnax]

I hear you- I am a pretty unemotional person, but there were countless times in those first few weeks, when'I actually sat there splashing tears onto Molly as I fed her! Half of it is hormones, and half of it is sheer exhaustion. But nothing beats the smug feeling when you see their weight going up, and knowing you are 100 per cent responsible.

 

[Nicnax]

Honestly, I am not an emotional person, but there were countless times in those first few weeks, when I sat there splashing tears onto Molly as I fed her! Half of it is hormones, half of it is sheer exhaustion. But nothing beats that smug feeling, as you see their weight creep up, knowing that you alone are making that happen. Our . Bodies are amazing.

 

[Elfs Mummy]

Your milk has onlynjust come in he's going to be on and of constantly as e builds a sply remember his tummy is sooo tiny tha he actually can't take much so it will be little and often. Dow if he doesnt poi everyday he won't as he's bf aslong as yes having wet nappies that's fine. You're donning fantastic each da will start getting easier x

 

[nicky1987]

For the first week of breastfeeding I cried I every feed! My nipples were so sore, it was so draining and I felt like I just couldn't do it! I cried that much on one feed that daddy went to the kitchen and sterilised all the bottles and made a bottle of formula up - needless to say seeing that bottle of formula spurred me on to keep going! I still find it difficult, my nipples do still hurt but I've done 3 weeks and have only given her one bottle of expressed Milk!

Keep going with it - I'm just taking it a week at a time. I feed her every two to three hours during the day and every 4 over night. Yes I will wake her to feed her as my midwife told us not to let her go longer than those times. She's gaining weight perfectly aswell.

It's hard I know but you will get into some sort of routine with it! X

 

[HopesDreams]

For the first week of breastfeeding I cried I every feed! My nipples were so sore, it was so draining and I felt like I just couldn't do it! I cried that much on one feed that daddy went to the kitchen and sterilised all the bottles and made a bottle of formula up - needless to say seeing that bottle of formula spurred me on to keep going! I still find it difficult, my nipples do still hurt but I've done 3 weeks and have only given her one bottle of expressed Milk!

Keep going with it - I'm just taking it a week at a time. I feed her every two to three hours during the day and every 4 over night. Yes I will wake her to feed her as my midwife told us not to let her go longer than those times. She's gaining weight perfectly aswell.

It's hard I know but you will get into some sort of routine with it! X

It sounds horrible to say but I'm so glad you're experiencing similar nicky. It's so sore! The MW has checked them & said "they're just a wee bit tender". It feels like pins & needles, like O is going to chomp them off. I literally have to brace myself before I put him on which I think adds to me not enjoying the experience & wanting to grab a bottle of formula. I can't imagine being able to continue if they got cracked etc.