On the verge of giving up..

[pinkandsparklytoo]

DS is 4 days old and so far exclusively breastfed. Everything seemed to be going well in the hospital, lots of feeds and 6 dirty nappies in the first day or so. Since coming home these have slowed and he has not had one for other 24 hours. I've also only had to change his nappy 3 times in the past day, more out of habit than anything else. The last one had orange urine in it. The midwife weighed him yesterday and he had lost 10.5% of his birth weight. He slept for 6 hours straight this morning and has been feeding since he woke up. He used to be happy to be put down after a feed and now there is no chance. He gets hysterical at the breast and won't suck even with the nipple in his mouth. It seems like he is getting nothing.

[NotQuiteCockney]

That sounds a bit worrisome.

When you say he won't suck, what does he do at the breast? Does it hurt when he feeds?

No poo, and orange urine, both are not ideal.

Refusing to be put down isn't unusual at this age.

What do you want to do?

[carriedaway]

Congratulations on your new arrival! Please don't give up yet. You have done so well getting going and 4 days you are probably completely shattered which makes everything feel so much harder. Contact your local sure start centre this morning and ask for the breastfeeding support person to come and help you check positioning etc. I found ours wonderful, not pushy but with just the right approach. Good luck!

[whereisthewitch]

Is your community midwife not still visiting daily? You need to tell her or ring the delivery suite at the hospital. ...He sounds dehydrated.
has he been checked for tongue tie?

[spottydolphin]

Has your milk come in yet? How often does he feed?

[TheFutureSupremeRulersMum]

Try to wake him up for feeds at least every 3 hours. We had to do this with my DD when she was born as she was very sleepy and the best way we found was to strip her off so she got a little cold then she would wake up and we could have a nice skin to skin feed.

[NickyEds]

You need to get in touch with your mw today. The orange nappy could be urates which, whilst nothing to be alarmed about, are a sign that your baby isn't getting enough milk. That along with the lack of wet and dirty nappies are something you need to get checked out. DS had the same and we had to do 2 hourly feeds- waking him if necessary. Also get your baby checked for tongue tie.

[ZenNudist]

Milk doesn't come in until day 3 or so - it's v early days. Keep posting and seek real life support. If the nappy is actually orange you need to mention it to HCP but don't get too worried. There's always problems and worries at first.

Babies learn to breast feed by breast feeding. Nobody seems to have a easy start but it gets so much better.

Lying in bed this morning bf-ing my 3mo I realised how easy it is now and how glad I am I kept going. I had a horrid start with every problem going. It got worse then it got better. Just keep going and you'll get there.

[pinkandsparklytoo]

I really want to be successful at breastfeeding. I tried with both of my previous babies and it didn't work then. It started off much better this time so I thought I had cracked it.
When he first latches on it hurts but settles down. He doesn't do deep sucks. I thought the milk had started changing but its never felt full. He feeds all the time but I don't think he is doing it properly. The community midwife is coming to weigh him again tomorrow.
He slept for 6 hours last night probably through exhaustion. I've rung the sure start centre and am just waiting to hear back

[TheFutureSupremeRulersMum]

Don't let him sleep for 6 hours. Please wake him for feeding if necessary. This will also help bring your milk in.

[Quodlibet]

Do you have a list of milk spots or specialist BF midwives near you? Sounds like you need a specialist to observe a feed and make sure milk is being transferred properly. It is hard to learn to BF - don't assume you should just be able to to do naturally. Get some specialist help.

[Superworm]

Please call the midwives and get advice, don't wait until tomorrow.

[pinkandsparklytoo]

Thank you. I rang the delivery suite rather than go to A and E and they said it sounds like everything is fine and not to worry about the orange in the nappy and lack of dirty nappy. He has had a feed and been asleep since 11ish. I'm just paranoid he isn't getting enough, does anyone know how much a breastfed baby of his age should sleep? Now the milk has changed should they feel different? I thought there would be leaking but there hasn't been any.

[NotQuiteCockney]

Please wake him up every couple of hours. The lack of dirty and wet nappies isn't cause for panic, but it is cause for concern.

Has anyone observed a feed, or talked to you about how to tell if the latch is ok? (shape of the nipple at the end of the feed?)

[Superworm]

That's good you've got some advice.

Sleep varies in newborns but with breastfeeding it's important, especially in the early weeks, to feed frequently. Long gaps between feeds can impact on supply.

Offer the breast at very little squeak while you get things going. Offer both breasts each feed - doesn't matter if he doesn't take it but offering is important.

The aim is to stimulate the breasts as much as possible to produce milk. 8-12 feeds (offering both breasts) is the aim in a day.

[PurplePidjin]

Day 4 is generally the day your milk changes from colostrum to actual milk, sending your hormones loopy (just to warn you!)

If you are at all worried, get real life help as soon as possible. I've copied the ones with phone numbers from the NHS website, but there are more links etc on the page www.nhs.uk/Conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/pages/breastfeeding-help-support.aspx#close

If you have any questions or concerns about breastfeeding, you can call the National Breastfeeding Helpline, which is run by the Association of Breastfeeding Mothers and The Breastfeeding Network.
Helpline: 0300 100 0212

Association of Breastfeeding Mothers is a charity run by mothers for mothers, giving friendly support and supplying accurate information to all women wanting to breastfeed.
Helpline number: 08444 122 949 (also supports the National Breastfeeding Helpline)

Breastfeeding Network provides breastfeeding support and information for mothers and those involved in their care.
Helpline number: 0300 100 0210 (also supports the National Breastfeeding Helpline)

The NCT is a leading charity for parents, supporting people through pregnancy, birth and early parenthood. Helpline: 0300 330 0771

[carriedaway]

How are things today OP? Better, I hope.