My baby won't feed!

[Melittlebee]

I gave birth yesterday and have been trying to BF since. Trouble is he's not sucking, what do I do?

Are you still in hospital?

Are you in hospital?
Ask your midwife to help.
If you’re at home, you can call the postnatal ward.
In the meantime, if you can hand express a little of your colostrum into a cup, you can dribble it into baby’s mouth with a teaspoon or a dropper.
They literally have a few ml typically in the first 24 hours.
Do seek some help though, especially if baby is showing no desire to suck. Sometimes they can be just exhausted from the trauma of birth, or if jaundiced can make them even sleepier. Best to check all’s well.

Congratulations on your baby

Yes I'm still in hospital. I've asked a midwife but she couldn't get him to suck on me either.

Is he asleep, or awake and not sucking?

If he’s awake but not sucking, does he have a sucking reflex if you touch the roof of his mouth with a finger?

Did the midwife suggest anything helpful?

Is there a breastfeed specialist in the hospital?

Ask them to check him for tongue tie.
Do they have a specialist breastfeeding midwife? Ask to see her if you haven’t already.
In the meanwhile can you hand express or borrow a breast pump from the ward to try and bring your milk in? If you can express off you can try and give him milk in a feeding cup or with a small syringe. The syringe will be easier than the cup and should also avoid any nipple confusion.
You could also try a nipple shield to see if that helps.
The ward should have all the equipment you will need to help you while you try and establish feeding. Keep offering the breast and then give the cup or syringe while you try and get established.
It is horrible and hard work when your baby is not doing as you’d expect re: feeding but if you can keep trying as it will be so worth it. Keep asking for support too they are there to help you. Good luck!

Firstly congratulations!

Does the hospital have a bf counsellor coming in later who could help?

When baby's awake too head back so nose is to nipple then when mouth is open push your nipple in so baby takes in a big mouthful of breast, never just the nipple
If you can squeeze a bit of colostrum out first the smell may help
Try different holds too to see what is most comfortable
Good luck

tongue tie - get it checked. Insist. There should be a specialist midwife to help with breastfeeding, I think.

DD took a while to get to grips with feeding but we got there in the end!

Any lactation consultants available?

You can call the national breast feeding helpline.

Are you able to express any colostrum and syringe it in?

Many congratulations OP, it's hard but it does get easier and don't best yourself up about your feeding choices.

• beat yourself up.

Did you have a c-section OP?
Get a midwife to come to you and explain you’re very worried. They will help. Don’t leave hospital until you’re happy with the feeding.