3 day old baby, hope to EBF. Any advice/tips?

[Sparrowlegs248]

My baby boy was born friday lunchtime by CS and started feeding within the hour. He is doing really well and contines to feed brilliantly. My milk came in today.

He is a big boy, 9lb 1, and ive been told he will want to feed a lot as a result. I'm pleased that he is doing so well and would love for it to continue.

Is there anything i need to do or need to know? Any tips for success? I am a first time mum. Thanks.

[callamia]

Congratulations! Just feed whenever he wants. The best piece if advice I was given was to offer a feed whenever they wake up, for newborns - that's often. Get plenty of rest, a lot of water and a lot of food, and settle down. Don't worry about cluster feeding and growth spurts - it's all normal, and it will pass. Ask questions if you're not sure, go to a breastfeeding cafe a chat (and cake) - they're not only for people having problems.

It gets easier quite quickly - by eighth weeks you'll be a complete pro (as will your son). The early days are hard and tiring, so be kind to yourself.

[LikeSilver]

Congratulations!

My tip would be to put a box of stuff together next to you on the sofa - a large sports bottle (you need to keep hydrated), something with oats to nibble on, the TV remote, magazines, Lansinoh, breast pads - plonk yourself down on the sofa and feed feed feed First few weeks/months seems almost constant and can be tough but it does get easier! Best of luck.

[MoominaMama]

I had a big boy too and found that he fed little and often (day and night) until he started having some solid food. Not sure if that was anything to do with his size or just the fact that some babies like little and often!

Tips:

You will face many different challenges - ask for help asap if you need it and you will get through it.

If you ever get a red sore patch on your boobs take it seriously straight away and take action to avoid Mastitus (I had this 5 times). Kellymom has an excellent bit of advice about how to treat plugged ducts which can lead to mastitus if not dealt with quickly.

Be confident in your choice to breastfeed and ignore those who feel it is their place to comment on it negatively.

When you feel like you are feeding your baby for the thousandth time that day and feel 'touched out' take confort in the fact that these days dont last forever but that is what your baby needs now.

Enjoy it. Especially the 'milk drunk' gorgeous faces after a feed and he lovely sleepy feeling it gives you!

[Pidgy]

Top thing I was told is that you cannot feed too much. Don't worry if it's every 2 hours or 1 hour or even less. Ignore 'helpful' comments about feeding 'again' or 'it was 4 hours between feeds in my day' etc. etc.

Put lansinoh on after every feed.

Congrats too OP.

[Pidgy]

Awww, miss that milk drunk look moomina. And it really does go quickly.

[Emmie10]

My daughter was just under 8 lbs and fed a lot. My son was over 10lbs and fed 3 hourly from day 3. Just because your baby is large doesn't necessarily mean he will feed a lot. I would recommend seeking out local bf groups so that you have support if needed and make some other bf mums to socialise with. That way you'll get used to feeding in public and won't feel like the only one!

[Dollyemi]

You can't over feed a bf baby, I was only told this with my 2nd, would have been good to know with my first.
Lansinoh nipple cream is a god send. as are the lansinoh breast pads.
Congratulations on your new bundle of loveliness!

[Sparrowlegs248]

Thanks everyone. I will join a group but live rurally so can't attend til i can drive again.

I will carry on as we are, seems to be working. And if you have any tips for sleep i'll take them! (doesn't want to go in Moses basket, i'm terrified of having him.in bed with us, likes to sleep on his side or facedown on my chest!)

[ecosln]

Hold and cuddle, feed your baby as much as you can... Ignore comments otherwise... Enjoy if he only sleeps on you ... He is so tiny and new why wouldn't he want to do that. Forget your past life when you could answer the door make dinner... Enjoy the newborn cuddles and look after yourself don't put pressure on having to get out/ dressed etc. Take it one hour at a time

Good luck and congratulations

[3boys3dogshelp]

Feed whenever your baby wants it and make sure you eat and drink loads to make up for it.
Make sure you let your dh help with all the bits he can do to help (so that he can bond too and also so that your ds doesn't become 'your job' just because you're feeding).

[Sparrowlegs248]

Thank you. I thought i would struggle to let stuff go - housework etc but no, i am loving lounging about with my boob out and a baby asleep on me. :-) :-) :-)

DH is being great, he's been at work and i was worried about him bonding and missing out, and he wasn't too confident with baby but after a couple of nights where DH has snuggled with him.bed while i wash etc they have really made friends. :-)

[callamia]

This is brilliant to hear, well done all of you!

[Tonicandgin]

Lovely news you sound like you're doing amazingly.

[Sparrowlegs248]

Wow so yesterday was one of those 'barely managed to get dressed' days. Baby fed almost constantly from when we got up to about 2 pm! DH snuggled with him about 8am and i got up and did half the washing up. The rest of it stayed until MIL arrived! He had a break then and i managed to wash my hair etc. Hungry boy! Today has been less demanding. :-)

[Dollyemi]

Great news, see, you've managed a week now already! (grin)

[Dollyemi]

Oops!