Breastfeeding - fine during the day, nightmare at night, help!

[Idontneedrescuing]

11 day old baby DS is managing to feed really well during the day after a tricky start (jaundice, dehydration and mild tongue tie) but it all falls apart at night. He gets frantic on the breast immediately, latching on and off and grabbing with hands / putting them in the way.

My nipples are cracked and still sore from the first week and nighttime issues mean they’re not healing and I’m in a lot of pain where he latches on and off. I’ve tried offering the breast sooner but it doesn’t make a difference, between about 11 and 6 we just can’t do it.

Any advice welcome please! Am at my wits end. Last night DH got up with him at 5 and gave him some expressed milk via syringe which gave me some time so we’re going to have this as back up but would love to fix it.

Thanks!

[SnuggyBuggy]

What positions do you use. I used to find my flow was a lot faster at night and had to feed leaning back.

[villainousbroodmare]

That sounds like a tricky combination of cluster feeding (inevitable and necessary, but will pass) with tiredness. I found an immediate improvement when I started to focus more on subtle sleep cues through the day. Look for these from 30 min awake time. A baby of that age should rarely if ever be awake for over an hour and whatever it takes to get him to sleep, do it. Better day naps = easier nights.

[Idontneedrescuing]

Sitting in cradle or lying down - he’s quite fussy and didn’t take to rugby ball or cross cradle! Will try leaning back, thanks

[userabcname]

Ah yes - newborns are so adamant that their hands are somehow integral to the breastfeeding process when all they do really is get in the way!! I found a good swaddle helped to keep DS's hands at bay along with a firm rugby hold. Plenty of regular winding too as the fussing often makes them take in lots of wind. You are in the middle of what I found the toughest time but after 3-4 weeks they get a bit better with the cluster feeding.

[SnuggyBuggy]

I remember googling baby handcuffs at this point

[Erio]

It could be overtiredness. It's your worst enemy. Babies often get over tired but don't realise it, get very confused and seek comfort on the breast thinking they want a feed when they don't. If your baby isn't actually taking a feed, try resettling- swaddle, rocking, sssshhh ing - whatever you do. If not settling, try feed again in half an hour.