Breast feeding problems - I've been told Tiktok can help!

[redballoon3]

Has anyone got any suggestions? My daughter, who is two days old, doesn't seem to be hungry and falls asleep at the breast. I have managed to feed her a few times, but nowhere near enough and I'm concerned about her pending weigh-in with the midwife and what will happen if she's below her birth weight. I hope someone can help - as well as the infamous Tiktok, who I'm told is a miracle worker! Thanks in advance.

[vichill]

Same happened with me and dd. She seemed to recover from the birth and become ravenous on day 4.
Is the baby having wet nappies? Seem alert when awake?
Tiktok is awesome!

[RhinestoneCowgirl]

Congratulations on your baby

Is your DD having wet & dirty nappies, is she jaundiced at all (does she look yellow?)

It's quite normal for to lose a bit of weight, but they should then start regaining birth weight.

[tiktok]

Ha, I am here, but have never worked a miracle in my life :)

If you are in touch with the midwife, and of course you are at 2 days postnatal, then she is the best person to help.

Points to discuss if your baby is below birthweight (which she may well be until day 4 or 5 - it's normal):

• is this level below birthweight within normal limits?
  
  if not, can you help me hand express and enable me to position my baby so she feeds effectively and* help me ensure she feeds often enough
  
  
• what other signs can I look for to check how she is doing (nappies sholuld be wet, and on day three poo should be starting to change to greenish-brown-yellow)?
  
  
  
  Firstly, though, you need to find out if you have anything to be concerned about. Many babies are slow to get going at this stage.

[jessplussomeonenew]

We had this problem last week when our son was at a similar age - got into a bit of a cycle where he wasn't getting quite enough so he'd doze off because he was too exhausted to continue, thus not getting enough that feed either amd making him even tireder.

With lots of midwife advice we sorted it, mostly through trying to keep him awake during feeds (skin to skin, tickling toes/ears or blowing on face every time he seemed to be dozing off, winding or changing him before putting him back on). I also, with help from the midwives, hand expressed and cup fed to give him an easy to drink top up - perhaps your midwife would show you how to do this safely. Getting one good feed into him made the next one easier.

Hang on in there, it should get easier when your milk comes in!

[jessplussomeonenew]

We had this problem last week when our son was at a similar age - got into a bit of a cycle where he wasn't getting quite enough so he'd doze off because he was too exhausted to continue, thus not getting enough that feed either amd making him even tireder.

With lots of midwife advice we sorted it, mostly through trying to keep him awake during feeds (skin to skin, tickling toes/ears or blowing on face every time he seemed to be dozing off, winding or changing him before putting him back on). I also, with help from the midwives, hand expressed and cup fed to give him an easy to drink top up - perhaps your midwife would show you how to do this safely. Getting one good feed into him made the next one easier.

Hang on in there, it should get easier when your milk comes in!

[jessplussomeonenew]

We had this problem last week when our son was at a similar age - got into a bit of a cycle where he wasn't getting quite enough so he'd doze off because he was too exhausted to continue, thus not getting enough that feed either amd making him even tireder.

With lots of midwife advice we sorted it, mostly through trying to keep him awake during feeds (skin to skin, tickling toes/ears or blowing on face every time he seemed to be dozing off, winding or changing him before putting him back on). I also, with help from the midwives, hand expressed and cup fed to give him an easy to drink top up - perhaps your midwife would show you how to do this safely. Getting one good feed into him made the next one easier.

Hang on in there, it should get easier when your milk comes in!

[jessplussomeonenew]

Arrgh, sorry for multiple posting!

[fishfingerSarnies]

Don't worry it gets better, my dd barely fed I'd say untill about day 4. They are exhausted after the birth and it really takes a while for both of you to get the hang of the feeding.
I remember my little one crying and crying but as soon as I put her on the boob 2 sucks and asleep only to wake up ten mins later hungry again to repeat the whole cycle.
The first few days are such an unknown thing try not to worry, trying to express by hand is a great idea the bf lady gave me a little tiny syringe to suck the colostrum into which I then gave dd.

[fishfingerSarnies]

Also undressing babies legs I found helped keep her awake as she wasn't too cold.
Also keep the lights dim as in bright lights they close their eyes and fall asleep.
I'd totally forgotten the amount of time spent trying to keep them awake to feed. Totally normal don't worry.
Congratulations. X

[redballoon3]

Thanks everyone, really reassuring and genuinely useful advice. I've had two midwife visits since coming back home and they've both suggested different things - helpful ways of keeping the baby alert, different positions etc. My daughter is now, at last, showing an interest in being fed, but every feed is a struggle. She gets easily upset and frustrated, I'm really struggling to get her to latch on properly so my nipples are incredibly sore. One of the midwives commented on the clicking sound she makes when feeding being wrong, but didn't want to help fix the problem yet.

I will get there, I'm sure of it, but it's such an upsetting situation and I feel like I'm letting my daughter down! She is otherwise doing so brilliantly - really alert and fun, in very good health etc. We're going to our local breast feeding support group tomorrow, so I'm hoping that will help. I just wish I'd got my head around this a bit more before giving birth!

Thank you

[fishfingerSarnies]

Honestly brest feeding is really hard at the beginning, I spent weeks frustrated and feeling like a usless mother but once it clicks it is great it gets easier and is totally worth all the crap in the first weeks.
We had a lactation support woman come round one afternoon, it was bloody expensive (about £70) but honestly she was amazing sorted my dd latch right out. then she came round again and didn't charge us when I had a wobble the next day. Worth looking into if things get really bad.
The other thing to remember it's also not the end of the world if you decide bf is not for you.
Good luck. Xx

[MissRatty]

Is there a breastfeeding cafe near you? Ask your midwife, as I found these fantastic. It was a relaxed atmosphere, lots of other mums in the same boat, and lots of help and advice on getting the correct latch, tips on all sorts (for us it was expressing, latch, massaging the boobs and keeping the LO awake) maintaining the baby's interest and a nice cup of tea! X