New mum & breastfeeding

[Melittlebee]

I gave birth to my first on Monday night.
I'm exclusively breastfeeding but it's not going as well as I'd like.
Baby latches on after a while of trying but tends to suckle turn stop and just relax on my breast! If I try put him down then he just cries.
What am I doing wrong? He's only 2 days old and I feel like I'm getting it all wrong already.

Sweetheart you are not getting anything wrong. If bub isn't hurting you (in my experience) they are latched correctly. I know mine got a little too comfy and kept falling asleep. With them I took off their socks and kept a damp flannel nearby and if they were drifting off I dabbed their wee toes with it. Not icy cold or anything obviously. This is new to you and baby. You're doing your best which means you're doing an amazing job. My first I exclusively BF for 5 mo this and gave up as he was up 6-10 times a night consistently and I was exhausted. With DD I expressed from day 5-6 on as well as BF. DH was then able to help meaning I was able to feed her my milk for over a year. Sending you massive congratulations and warm reassuring hugs. You HAVE got this. 💐

With my first DD my milk took three days to come in.

I felt like a failure as no-one had told me this was the norm (planned c section due to placenta low lying). DD got slight jaundice relating to feeding and I so wish I'd just whipped out a bit of formula as well as giving colostrum.

The nurses on the ward were literally squeezing my boobs to make a pin heads worth of colostrum come out and it made me bleed!

Ended up combination feeding in the end which worked great for baby and me.

Good luck! Yr doing a great job I'm sure.

It doesn't sound like you're doing anything wrong. As was said before you could try and keep your baby awake for a longer feed. I used to tickle the back of my little boys head. Sounds like they are very content. Google the fourth trimester this might help you, some babies like to cuddle and you can't spoil a baby in my opinion. Keep going you're doing great!

This was me 4 weeks ago. In fact I posted on here asking for advice and got some wonderful support/advice.

I just wanted to say, you’re not getting it wrong. Both you and your baby are learning together.

My baby was quite sleepy for the first few days and coupled with the fact that my milk hadn’t come in yet she would fall asleep really quickly at the breast. Tickling her toes, undressing her and stroking her jaw all seemed to help.

I also was advised by someone on here to do hand compressions, which really worked for us.

Hang in there! X

I also found a breast pump worked better for me in the end as I needed to know how much DD was feeding due to the jaundice.

Thanks everyone. The problem is I don't seem to be able to put him down without him crying. It's lovely but at night I could really do with some sleep. Any tips?

My little boy was the same, he spent so long attached to me in those early days. I wanted to punch everyone who told me it got easier in the face. I was so tired. They were all right though. It does get easier.

Just remember your little man has spent the last 9 months inside your tummy. He wants to be as close as possible to you - hard and exhausting, but those cuddles really are the best.

(I know this kind of response will just make you want to punch me in the face. I get it, and I'm sorry.)

@hoppybee Thank you, on the contrary- it's made me feel better. At least I know it's normal and you are right, these cuddles are amazing!! Some sleep might be nice to though

It is normal. My 12 week old did just this. She would fall asleep on the boob after a couple of minutes and cry when I tried to put her down. My milk then came in on day 5 which caused her to bob on and off loads as the flow took her by surprise. It was hard. She was strapped to my chest all day and I was tired and hormonal and Google is not your friend in this scenario. I also then read the breastfeeding leaflet which said if they dont stay latched it is going badly so I cried buckets. It was going just fine and still is. She is growing and thriving and breastfeeding has become easy. It takes time. You are both learning but it will get easier and he is getting enough. Trust him to know what he needs and your body will deliver it.

Sounds perfectly normal. Exhausting but normal. You may want to try rocking him and you put him into his cot and hold on to him while he settles. A rocking Moses basket can work really well too.

Oh and to add she was definitely more 'manic' when I held her as I smelt of milk. She settled far better for Dh and he was allowed to put her down. Share the load if you can. You might be the food source but you don't have to be the only comfort source.

Co-sleep! Read up on how to do it safely.

Both my DCs breastfed and co-slept and I got lots more sleep than I would have done otherwise.

Read up on fourth trimester.

Completely normal and completely soul destroying!
Feeding will come. Lots of skin to skin and just pop him in as often as you can. Is there someone to bring you drinks and food? Eat all the biscuits.
You are everything to him. Food, warmth, safety. It's what makes motherhood amazing and shit at the same time.

Have you got any breastfeeding cafes near you for some reassurance?
It does sound like all is fine though!
If baby is falling asleep whilst latched on then try tickling feet, blowing gently on the face...

Hope you're doing ok love

It's going fab @hoppybee!

We turned a corner and something just clicked into place for both me and baby. It's like we both just understood what we were meant to be doing. So pleased and relieved!