Need tips for bf newborn please.

[BoysBoysBoysAndMe]

I bf ds1 but have forgotten most of what happened.

Ds3 is 3.5 days old. Took to bf really well.
Milk has come in.
Baby feeding hourly! But only for about ten mins, then just comfort suckling it looks like to me.
Any tips to encourage feeding? Offer both noobs each time? Any info at all please..........

[amazingmumof6]

Congratulations and well done!

I'd keep to one boob at a time for now, he's practically stimulating each breast every 2 hours! And what a great job, both of you!

I preferred Tracy Hoggs advice on most things, very level headed and sensible, so try and get hold of her book "The Babywhisperer"

[IceNoSlice]

I love my bf pillow (think it is called a widgey pillow) and I feed in a straight backed chair (as I am doing now!) It saves your back and leaves you hands free.

[amazingmumof6]

And I say this to every new parent - get them checked for tongue-tie.

I had terrible trouble with 3 of ours, but worst with DS3 as I never even heard about tongue-tie until I discovered it when he was 8 months old!

Should there be prolonged problems with bf, but you've tried everything and there is no improvement go back to suspecting tounge-tie!

hopefully no probs at all for you n your lovely baby!

[BoysBoysBoysAndMe]

Ooh good ones so far.

Any tips for latching?

[shandybass]

Well done and congrats. Check and re-check your babies latch and positioning I would at this stage to get the most efficient feeding. Try and look at pictures or YouTube videos etc which help and ask your mw to watch. Your both learning at this point. Things will even out I'm sure but for now try and rest and do nothing but feed and concentrate on your baby. Hopefully you have support to do this. Being in bed and having lots of skin contact with your baby helps too.
Keep up the good work and enjoy your lovely newborn baby.

[amazingmumof6]

also to encourage feeding:

• skin-to-skin contact
  
  

• baby's latched on properly, you might have to re-position from time to time
  

• if they are starting to doze off they might be too warm, don't be afraid to let them be a bit cooler for feeding, it keeps them alert!
  

• wrap him up warm when finished/asleep - swaddling is great, stops their limbs flailing, which would wake them up
  

• I know some people still suggest this,but tickling feet is not always such a good idea, it might make him jumpy and distracts from feeding!
  

• drink water while bf
  

• change nappy (and your pad) before start of feed

[amazingmumof6]

"change nappy" -not so much to encourage feeding, more just practical!

[shandybass]

The best thing my mw told me at this stage was to hold my baby across by the opposite arm to the one I want to feed supporting the head at the base of the head by a V in your hand. This encourages the baby's head to tilt back and the mouth to open wide. You then bring the baby to your breast lower lip touching first on the bottom of your areole and nose level with your nipple. This should give the right position with a bottom lip curling out on your breast and a big mouthful of boob to stimulate milk. It should not hurt once they get going. A little pain for the first few ducks may occur when your milk is let down.
Hope this helps. Good luck.

[shandybass]

Sorry sucks not 'ducks'!

[amazingmumof6]

latching on -
yes google,

sorry, I don't remember the correct steps anymore, my 7 months old just grabs boob and shoves it in her mouth...no help needed!

I do remember that there should be a little gap between nose and boob, that the mouth should be wide open,

• you need to listen to the little gulping noises, that means they are actually feeding, not dummying!
  

• as they gulp (suck&swallow) you should see the "temple" moving, jaw working hard

[amazingmumof6]

shandybass yes yes that's it,
I knew there were key words like tilt and nose level and curling...well phrased!

[liveinazoo]

between 3 and 7 days a lot babies have a growth spurt and feed very often for milk stimulation
repeats at 6weeks and 4months

you are doing a great job!hang in there

[Spiritedwolf]

I usually find our latch improves by moving baby a little in the direction of its feet, suddenly get a nice angle on head (tilted back to drink, like if we were drinking from a 2lr bottle)

The 2ltr bottle pose is also a good analogy for where my one likes to put his hands, so if your baby is getting them in the way, and fights if you try to get them totally away from the breast, have someone (I'm presuming your hands are busy holding the baby and maybe shaping your breast) gently hold his hands either side of it (like he's holding a big bottle, or giving your breast a hug).

I also (still) find cross cradle hold best for positioning, but rugby hold and biological nurturing positions can also be useful.

Congrats, enjoy your new baby xx

[Victoria2002]

"Breast compression" (films on youtube) turns lazy/comfort sucking into feeding.