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Infant feeding

breastfeeding and possiting

11 replies

Mandy08 · 21/09/2008 15:02

My baby girl is 10 weeks old and it's been a struggle to BF her from the very start... probably because of all the mixed info I was given. I'm now really trying to establish BF, but keep getting sore nipples (they come out creased) - despite having had several consultants to watch what I'm doing. the other problem is my bub throws up alot when BF-ing - sometimes it seems she throws up everything! Any suggestions as to why or how I might keep more milk in her? Or how I might prevent getting creased nipples?

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ilovetochat · 21/09/2008 15:20

vaseline on nipples helps and you don't have to wash it off to feed.
lots of babies possett (sp?) after a feed, dd used to sick a bit back all the time and it looks more than it is but as long as they weightgain its normal.
i used to prop up the end of the moses basket so her head wa slightly higher as sometimes their stomach muscle is a bit weak and this helped a bit but it got better on its own.
you are doing great, don't worry!

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madmouse · 21/09/2008 15:59

Have you tried snuggling her upright against your shoulder for 20/30mins after a feed?

Addictive , very snuggly, ds still naps like that at nearly 8months, has to lie on his knees on my lap to achieve it

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whomovedmychocolate · 21/09/2008 16:05

Creased nipples can happen if your baby's body is not in line with the head when feeding - try a different position. You may have to lift the breast and support it to prevent her from hanging on it or compressing it too much.

Also in terms of posseting it's really normal. Basically when the baby takes a gulp of milk, they also suck in a bit of air and because the stomach is small they often can't expel it without help, you either spend half an hour burping them and keep them upright for up to an hour after each feed or you accept that whatever milk is above the bubble of air is probably coming straight back out. I have a nine week old who quite regularly yacks his dinner into my hair so I feel your pain - but as others have said, so long as your baby's weight is increasing it's not a cause for alarm.

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Mandy08 · 21/09/2008 16:24

Thanks for all the advice... I have to wind bub during BFing every 4-5 minutes and even then, the milk just comes out - it's not as bad if I bottle feed... I will keep experimenting with positions - consultant has told me to use the football hold which I have to say, is a bit of a chore

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whomovedmychocolate · 21/09/2008 16:26

Why are you winding so often - that may be making things worse? You could also try expressing a bit of milk off at the start so there is less pressure - this will prevent your daughter gagging on the milk or swallowing a lot of air as she suckles fast and hard.

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Mandy08 · 21/09/2008 17:35

Because if I don't wind frequently then I seem to lose all the milk she's just drunk. Who said breastfeeding was simple I have to swaddle her, wind her, and still have to top up with a bit of formula. Hopefully in a couple of days my supply will match my bub's demand.

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whomovedmychocolate · 21/09/2008 18:58

Ah now that's really interesting - is she possetting mostly at the end of the feed when she's had formula? It could be that one doesn't sit well with the other?

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madmouse · 21/09/2008 19:08

Do you have to give formula top-ups? it is not going to help you up your supply. Frequent feeds as long as she likes are better for that.

how is her weight?

my ds holds on to eveery last drop and alway has done, but most babies I know that chuck up a lot have done better weight wise. as someone else said it usually looks more than it is.

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madmouse · 21/09/2008 19:10

and has she been checked for reflux or silent reflux? Because unless she actually does big burps I am not sure it sounds like wind?

by the way well done to you tryng to establish bf. It takes a lot of determination!

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Janus · 21/09/2008 19:36

Mandy, mine is so sick after every feed, I have a constant stain on my shoulder! She is bf and my third and I thought her weight gain would be low as she seems to lose so much (much more than the others) but she is actually, by far, my heaviest, actually on the 75th centile! I think it looks scary but actually maybe they are just full and bringing back what they can't fit in! How is her weight gain btw?

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Mandy08 · 21/09/2008 20:08

After the third week when she regained her birth weight of 7lb 11 oz (3.45 kg) she's gained about 200 g a week, so she is doing ok... I've just noticed that the quantity of what she brings up after BFing seems alot.
The consultant told me to give her formula top ups but I am reducing those each day.
And she does HUGE burps Visitors can't believe they come from her