Newborn breastfeeding help...

[Whatsername17]

My baby was born yesterday. She has fed pretty much constantly for the last 24 hours. I know she needs to do this to stimulate my supply. The midwives have checked her latch and say it's perfect. My nipples are getting very sorry which I know is normal for the first couple of days. I just haven't had any sleep for almost 2 days. She seems quite windy too and is pooping out meconium like a play doh fun factory. Everything she falls asleep feeding, I wait for her to release my nipple and transfer her to her sleepyhead and she then wakes up and wants to relatch. Is this normal? Any tips or should I just power through?

[outputgap]

Sad to say this is super normal, but sounds like you are doing a brilliant job. Well done.

Have you got some lansinoh cream? It's really good for the soreness.

When your milk comes in it will feel different and you should, with a bit of luck, get some sleep.

[Macauley]

My baby is doing exactly the same thing tonight. I'm thinking it's a growth spurt.

[venys]

Hi.there. Firstly congratulations on your new little bundle :) What you are describing is perfectly normal and you need to.just power through until about the night after you.milk.comes in - usuallly day 4 or 5. It's tough as I know you.are exhausted but the phone and Netflix are your friend. Get other people to bring you meals and loads of water. If you need a shower get someone to hold baby. If you are.still.unsure ring La Leche League for advice. But you are doing all the right things.

[Loraline]

Just got to power through for now. Make sure your partner and you take turns holding your dd so you can both grab snippets of sleep. Or try lying the baby down beside you in bed and see if you can rest that way. And yes to lashings of Lansinoh.

[Smitff]

Congrats!

go with it until your milk comes in. Then, aim to feed, burp, swaddle and put down. If baby keeps falling asleep on the boob, try tickling her feet or under her chin to keep her awake. I've been known to strip mine down to nappy to stop them getting too snug. Each feeding session can take 45mins or so. Sleep for an hour and the whole rigmarole starts again.

Doesn't last long though. Soon enough she'll be awake too long!!

[Phoenix15]

Thirding the lansinoh! Amazing stuff. I would recommend, if you feel comfortable and are able, to feed lying on your side on your bed, then you can at least doze off! I always figured safe cosleeping is better than falling asleep on the sofa or something. Congrats on your little one, it gets better soon I promise!

[Whatsername17]

Thank you so much. If it's normal then I can handle it and will keep going. Come on milk supply!

[GreenGoblin0]

you can do it! this phase never lasts forever

[Whatsername17]

Boobs are going hard and lumpy so I'm hoping my milk is coming in. I had lactation failure with my first dd so this is all new to me. I'm quite determine to give this all I've got. I've just had a three hour sleep after feeding and then dh taking her and I feel much better. Thank you so much for the supportive comments

[GreenGoblin0]

yay for 3 hours sleep! hard lumpy boobs sounds like a good sign just keep with the feeding on demand as the best way to get rid of the lumps is for baby to feed. I was awake all night on day 2 in hospital constantly feeding baby who refused to sleep anywhere other than on me and was desparate for DP to get to hospital so he could hold her while I got a bit of rest. just keep doing what you are doing.

[teaandbiscuitsforme]

Keep going OP!

When your milk comes in, maybe try feeding lying down so you can get some rest. Also means you don't wake her trying to move her!

[Whatsername17]

Thank you. After how wrong it went last time I'm really anxious but we've just had a greeny poo which I think is the transition poo and it was lovely and runny so I'm feeling like these are all good signs that I'm doing things right. Tonight I'm going to try having the sleepyhead in bed with me in the hope that we can cosleep safely. I have to cosleep at times with my other dd as she struggled in the early days. Dh always hated it but he is being more open minded this time and I think the sleepyhead makes him feel more secure as there is no way she can be rolled on.

[Whatsername17]

Had not have^

[Spud90]

You sound like you're doing fab :) I remember those early days, it doesn't last long! Although it feels like forever at the time I coslept from day one but I couldn't nurse on my side until much later when his latch improved. Just do whatever you can to survive

[ODog]

My DS was exactly the same. She's doing all the right things. Google fourth trimester. This is so so so normal just weirdly never spoken about ante natally. It's exhausting. Co sleeping and side feeding/snoozing saved me.

[ElleDubloo]

Congratulations and don't worry! Things are tough in the first few weeks, and that's normal. Try feeding while lying down in bed. I used to regularly feed to sleep (i.e. both baby and me will fall asleep breastfeeding) because I was so exhausted.

[user1485372536]

Congratulations, just power through. It will get easier. Feed lying down if you can, eat and drink plenty and plenty of rest whenever you can, get everyone else to do the running around for you!

[Whatsername17]

Thank you all for your help. I'm currently enjoying my very first day of pain-free feeds. The night before last she fed for 8 hours straight, then went two hours between feeds before going every two hours and then feeding for 4 hours straight. I thought I was going to lose it, but we got through it and we are back to going 2-3 hours again and my milk supply is plentiful. I can feel it working. Thank you do much. Im over the first hurdle.