How do i no my baby is getting milk from me?

[lollyheart]

Ive had trouble from the start trying to feed my ds2 we had to go in the scbu for a week due to poor feeding and dehydration sp?
He would not latch on at birth so was cup fed with ebm for 48 hours he did mamage to latch on a couple of time whilst on the pn ward so they sent us home but was sent to scbu the next day as he didnt feed at all.
He was also cup fed in there for a day or so untill he woke up abit as he was very sleepy.
The bf women managed to get him to latch with a breast sheild and i am still using it i cant get him to latch with out it.
At the moment he has a 30min feed from and a 2oz top up with ebm in a bottle.

When he is on me he falls asleep and does not suck all of the time im worried he cant get anything and is just using me as a dummy when he drinks from a bottle he gulps it down.

I really dont want to fail bf again i gave up with my other 2 dc after about a week. i would be gratefull for any advice.
i have loads of milk im just worried he get get it from me iyswim?

[tiktok]

lolly, this is a good question. Sometimes, babies can look as if they are feeding ie transferring milk, but they are only hanging out on the breast and not doing much at all. You need to see someone who knows what to look for - who knows that a baby on the breast may not actually be doing enough to get milk and to stimulate the supply. This is quite a skill - an experienced breastfeeding counsellor should have it, and be able to show you how the baby looks when he is actually sucking productively.

Shields have their uses, but they also have their drawbacks.

Can you get some expert, person-to-person help where you are?

[ourdoula]

To make sure they stayed awake, I had to strip my babies off sometimes and tickle their feet this sometimes works to keep them awake. If he falls asleep and comes off wake him and then get him to latch properly again. Also look out to see how many dirty and wet nappies he has in 24 hours. this should be about 6 wet nappies in 24 hours and at least one bowel movement, although you havent said how old he is. Is his fontanelle in the top of his head flat or sunken, if it is sunken then he is dehydrated but if flat hes fine. Get in touch with a lactation consultant from the hospital or through NCT or La Leche League. They are experts and their info and support can be invaluable.
Good Luck, youre doing great

[lollyheart]

Im finding it all really stressfull i really want to bf without the top ups and for him to latch without the sheild im starting to think that bottle feeding would be best for both of us at least i know he is getting milk.
He is 8 days old.

[moondog]

Looly, follow Tiktok's advice and enlist a properly trained b/feeding counsellor. Look at this site run by an MNer on the right hand side are all the useful numbers.
Give 'em a bell.

[mabanana]

And call the unit where you had your baby, often the hospital will run a breastfeedig workshop thingy where you can drop in if you are having trouble. Your Health Visigtor should also know where a breastfeeding group is. It can make all teh difference.

[tiktok]

lolly - your baby is getting milk at the moment, as he is having his ebm top ups. What you need is help and encouragement to make the 'direct' breastfeeding effective, and some guidance and support to help you gain confidence that this will continue to work.

I can't stress enough that this confidence will come best from someone seeing you in real life - your baby is only 8 days, so maybe the midwife is the right person, or you can phone any of the helplines until you find a way of getting someone to see you or you going to see someone.

Your confidence is bound to be low if you stopped bf with your other two children - but it can build up again with the right help.