Advice on breast feeding please !!!

[Sweetpeach3]

Baby number 3 - he's 2 days old and it's my first time breast feeding

I'm determined to do this !

First of. Any advice because it's bloody killing me?? Iv got the creams etc but their not soothing my poor nipples one bit as he seems to prefer one nipple over the other.... I am constantly trying with the other as the one he's always on is really hurting but it is what it is. Are the shields any good ?

Also iv noticed he isn't feeding half as much as my other 2 did who was bottle fed. He's latching on for a good 45-60 mins when he starts to feed- my milk is all through and he is wetting his nappy a lot and pooping too - but it's sometimes 5 hours between feeds. Is this normal? I do try wake him an try but he isn't interested ? But when he wakes he wants that boob an he stays on until he's done! Should I worry or is he getting enough milk is that why he's settled

Just any advice please I'm new to the breast feeding so don't know what to expect I'm just glad he's latched on an he is feeding xx

There's a whole section on breastfeeding in 'feed the world' with some great advice from real experts. You should try there.
I used some little silver nipple shields which really seemed to help healing between feeds.

Don't worry if he has wet nappies, but do try to encourage more frequent feeds. He could get breastfeeding jaundice if not feeding enough. He will get more tired and less interested if jaundiced too.

With regards to a boob preference, try the rugby hold for the unfavoured side, eg that he is laying on the same side, but to the side of you, supported on a cushion.

Try to avoid nipple shields if possible, as they can actually make things worse, you need to try to make sure that each time he is latched on properly, get doc to check if there is anything like a tongue-tie if latching is difficult.

You are doing great!

I found my nipples hurt a lot for the first few weeks. As in biting my hand to distract from the pain. Then it stopped hurting. I think it is different for all women but you could check for tongue tie as this might affect your baby’s latch.

Was it a “normal” birth? Your baby May still be sleepy from any drugs you had during birth.

I think you should have a midwife home visit at about day 5 (from hazy memory). They will weigh your baby and check they are gaining weight.

Congratulations!

And good luck. It does hurt at first but that stops as you get the hang of it. Down the line it makes things much easier.

You’re aiming for 8-12 feeds in 24 hours. If he cluster feeds you may get a larger gap somewhere but at 2 days old I’d expect you to be feeding 2-3 hourly at an absolute minimum. He’s likely sleepy because he’s going too long without a feed. You say he’s weeing and pooing which is great - he should be having at least as many significantly wet nappies as he is days old, and at least two poos per day. His poos will hopefully start to turn from black to yellow.

I would advice against shields until you have made sure that the latch is correct and had someone sit with you and watch a feed. You should be aiming the nipple towards the end of his nose to get a nice deep latch (there are some good videos on YouTube), you may have to shape/compress the breast if you have large breasts. Shields will not improve effective milk transfer which is key in the early days (although do have their place!). When are you due a midwife visit? Are there local breastfeeding drop ins that you can attend? In the meantime aim to do lots of skin to akin with baby, and try to offer the breast 3 hourly. You may need to strip baby down and hand express a small amount of colostrum on to his lips to get him interested.

My only advice would be to keep trying and power through if you really want to do it and your supply is fine. I had cracked dry nipples for the first month which were excruciating when she latched but I just grinned and bared it until it got better, nipple shields might be worth a try if you’re in too much pain. I think they say newborns shouldn’t be left longer than 5 hours between feeds, and should be feeding about 8+ times in 24 hours. Keep getting him weighed if you are concerned about him getting enough milk. My baby too had a favourite boob, you could try pumping the other one if he doesn’t want it so you don’t get uneven boobs, good luck with everything!

Do ring a helpline as the type of pain and appearance of nipples after a feed is really important in determining whether something is wrong with the latch or not.

This is a great video on latching and attachment. It's normal for one see to be 'easier' than the other. The rugby hold is a good one to try if it's painful. The key to painful breastfeeding is a good latch.

https://globalhealthmedia.org/portfolio-items/attaching-your-baby-at-the-breast/

The more you put your baby to the breast, the more milk you'll be telling your body to make. Wake regularly to feed, stripe baby off if needs be. Lots of skin to skin and free access to the breasts. And congratulations

He's only 2 days old, some of them don't feed that often in first few days. They're still booting up.

Wet & dirty nappies means stuff is going in; it can't come out if it didn't go in.

Painful feeding is a hard one... I had pain from letdown itself but I learnt to relax with that & it got better. Do you see damage on the nips?

Send someone to boots to buy you some multi mam compresses. They are around a tenner so not cheap but completely worth it and very soothing for sore nipples.

I'd try to get him feeding every 3-4 hours so a bit more frequent than what you're currently doing but to be honest if he occasionally goes a little longer from time to time it's ok - he'll soon find his voice and demand!

Try not to use loads and loads of nipple cream. The skin needs to breathe and if it's constantly smothered in nipple cream it can sometimes get a bit irritated.

Remember to eat loads and drink loads of water.

I've phoned the national breastfeeding help line during moments of weakness - they're good.

Good luck, you're doing an amazing job

This video is really good.

Well iv noticed every 6 he has a big feed- iv got an app to time how long he's on for at each time so I have an idea to look back on. Then in between he will have 10-15 mins so isn't a lot but the big feed he's on for a good 45 mins

My nipples aren't damaged just painful an yes I'm biting my hand also haha I'm constantly trying to feed him between an I don't give up he just isn't interested an just plays then xx

My son in 2 years old and it's still hurting.... 🙄

Any feed of about 5 minutes or longer is still a feed so sounds like he’s doing well. I would still want to get that latch checked.

I mentioned I was struggling to my health visitor. The next day I had a breast feeding specialist visit me at home. She showed me the ruby hold which was way more comfortable. First few weeks the latching in was soo painful. I'd bite down on a dummy in anticipation. After breast feeding I'd dab some breast milk around the area or nipple cream. Warm showers helped with the pain as well. It does get better, those first few weeks are something else. I felt like I was constantly told how great breast feeding is but nobody warned me how painful it is

I know I love doin it an having him on me but wow it is painful their was no warning for that lol
His latch is good though they've said that. I'm just sensitive atm an iv tried the rugby hold. He won't have it. Iv managed get him onto my other boob but I have to lie next to him for him to want that. But it works I suppose. But yea he's havin big feeds every 6 it seems but has a nibble between when ever he feels. It's all new I guess xx

The stressful thing about breastfeeding is the not knowing if they're getting enough, you really can only check their output. I don't think that gap in feeding for such a tiny baby is too long but I've only had one baby so I'm no expert. My baby first cried for food at the exact hour my milk came in (2.5 days) I'd make sure your midwives refer you to a specialist, either lactation or infant feeding.

I couldn't breastfeed for the first ten days, baby would not latch, I had milk streaming out of me and a tiny baby who screamed at the sight of my nipples. (I pumped, cup fed/ bottle) I saw a lactation specialist, she couldn't see a problem with either of us, we were a mystery, she fitted me with some silicon shields and I used those every feed til 5.5 months. Now at 6 months we don't use shields just straight to the nipple. The shields aren't for everyone and they are hassle to put on but they worked for me :)

You're doing great @sweetpeach3

Thank you @HB2019 I'm guna try the shields tomorrow see how I go. He's latching fine when he wants feeding hut if he isn't hungry and wants a comfort he just plays with it! Little beggar lol but I'm hopin the shields will help with the pain...

Since iv been using my timer app he's had 3hours 54 mins on my boob all together I started this at 5am this morning so thinkin. About it that is a lot as I am pooring with milk an his latch is pretty tight when he's on

I lent forward earlier on an jeeeeze their was a puddle on the floor 😂😩 it's just great lol
Think I'm guna try pump an bottle in between aswel so I know he's getting enough. Midwife and HV are both out Friday s guna ask them then xx

Just spoke to DP he thinks to get the HV out tomorrow to get some advice as I'm worried he's not had anything since half 6 and I havnt stopped trying.... few theory's are. He's not had a poo today an he's full of the trumps so constipation, he's had 7 poos all together since being born. The other is he had a big 50 min feed at half 6 so could still be full? .... an the other is iv been taking cocodamol for my kidney stones and iv been getting cramping so I don't know if they could of made him sleepy ? Midwife is aware of had them an hadn't said anythin but I don't know she may not of thought when it was mentioned? Iv stopped taking them anyway just incase as I feel shit if that is the case -were now having a massage on his belly try get a poop out of the little guy then guna try again
I'm exhausted but he needs a feed !! Little buggar xx

I found creams useless, but lansinoh was brilliant almost immediately. Wet healing meant each time I fed I didn't have the pain of dry healing being reopened.

@BrokenWing yea that's the stuff I'm using atm but not found it's done much BUT just pumped by other boob am fed him 11.5 ml in a seringe an now he's latched onto that boob thank heavens !! Just glad I know he's got some milk in him but guna try the shields tomorrow and give HV w call! Thank you all MN and happy new year xxxx

Don't know if anyone is still on this thread but am I wrong ? I've pumped an out it into a new sterile seringe and fed him 15ml with that an then he's latched on for more, it isn't ideal but atLeast ino He's has something until I get some help today x

Lanisoh nipple cream is great; slather it on immediately before a feed as its safe for baby: Things will be very hard for the first week - if you can last that long breastfeeding improves significantly. Would also suggest buying a breastmilk collector and an electric pump from day 5-6 for the unused breast to prevent engorgement and infection. It’s possible baby doesn’t like it because it’s too full and difficult to latch onto- expressing will help fix it.

On day 2/3 you should try and feed every 3 hours from the start of the first feed. If he is sleepy then change nappy, strip off to baby grow, tickle feet,

Get the midwife out today. Ring them this morning at 9. You and baby are under midwife care until day 10. Get the midwives out every day to check latch support feeding.

Contact your local LLL and get them to recommend someone to check the latch. Midwives and HV are not normally experts at feeding.

Google flipple technique. And look at the burger technique.

Get your boobs out to air as much as possible. Draw the curtains and stay top less.

Your nipples will hurt at the beginning but you need to make sure you have a good latch to prevent damage.