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Original poster

Newborn breastfeeding pooping cycle - normal?

26 replies

Motherofplants · 01/02/2022 08:30

Probably a stupid question but I need to check with seasoned mums! I failed to BF my first due to allergies and severe reflux so this is new to me.

My little girl was born Sunday. I'm trying to exclusively breastfeed. She's doing great, knows what she wants, and my milk is just in now. But since 2am she has been feeding for 30-40 minutes, pooping immediately, then wanting to feed again after changing, and thus the cycle continues... Is there something I'm supposed to do differently?! I don't think it's an allergy issue as I'm dairy and soya free for 8 weeks, her poop has progressed nicely to what it should be. She's very calm and settled aside from unending hunger... Will she at some point stop feeding and pooping on repeat?!

And is there anything I'm supposed to do about my breasts other than constantly feed, hand express, ibuprofen, heat/cool packs? They're big and one million degrees, no lumps or red patches etc though (I had mastitis last time round).

Thanks in advance!!!

OP posts:
KatieKat88 · 01/02/2022 08:36

The boob situation sounds normal as its early days, your milk has come in and your supply needs chance to settle. Just watch out for signs of mastitis as you say.

The poo sounds normal to me - even breastfed babies should be pooing regularly in the first 6 weeks (mine honestly did 8+ a day for months, it was insane but many breastfed babies poo very infrequently after the first 6 weeks so who knows what you'll get!). Maybe bring it up with your midwife for reassurance when you next see her but it all sounds normal to me. Congratulations!

JustWonderingIfYou · 01/02/2022 08:43

Sounds normal, she's just building your supply. At this age the amount of milk they need just grows everyday. Early breastfeeding days can be intense but its gets easier!

Your boobs sounds sort of normal, they do tend to get engorged early on. I'd just watch for any pain or hot spots. I'd avoid expressing for the first 6 weeks until supply is fully established. Make sure you're offering both boobs for every feed and alternating which you start on. Pooping in between boobs very normal.

whysoserious123 · 01/02/2022 08:50

All completely normal !

I have a newborn a few weeks older than you and the exact same with the breast situation which last about 3-4 days and then has been fine since

Also the pooping immediately after feeding mine was the same until about 2 weeks old maybe and then that's stopped

Everything seems normal to me

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110APiccadilly · 01/02/2022 08:54

The pooping after feeding is possibly because early breast milk contains colostrum, which is a laxative. I guess it helps keep everything moving while they're still getting used to being fed for nutrition!

Original poster
Motherofplants · 01/02/2022 08:59

Ahh amazing thanks! My first had severe constipation from his allergies so while I was expecting a lot more poop, I wasn't expecting this constant cycle! I thought she should sleep more.

I'll ask the midwife too thanks when she comes today! I had a truly horrific time with my little boy, still trying to get to grips with what seems to be normal :)

OP posts:
Somethingsnappy · 01/02/2022 11:24

Yes, the pooing is normal and will settle down eventually. The constant pooing can cause nappy rash, so a good strong cream will help.

The breasts will settle down too. Do they feel more comfortable straight after a feed?

bluebell34567 · 01/02/2022 11:28

mine was like this for 1 month, so intense.

Original poster
Motherofplants · 01/02/2022 11:47

Yes @Somethingsnappy alas she seems to prefer night feedings to day Blush

OP posts:
Somethingsnappy · 01/02/2022 13:55

@Motherofplants

Yes *@Somethingsnappy* alas she seems to prefer night feedings to day Blush
That's a great sign that your baby is draining the breast nicely.

As for the night feedings, babies tend to adjust to their circadian rythems at about 6 weeks, so more sleep is on the horizon for you both!

You're doing great!

Original poster
Motherofplants · 01/02/2022 14:24

Thanks! Midwife confirms she has a huge tongue tie which is scheduled to be cut next week now which is why my nipples are shredded too Hmm It's so much easier with the shields on now.

@Somethingsnappy I never got used to unbroken sleep anyway so I've skipped all that nausea Grin My little boy still wakes for night oat milk and co sleeps anyway due to his now minor issues.

OP posts:
pointythings · 01/02/2022 14:29

It's brilliant that your midwife is so on the ball re the tongue tie - getting that snipped will definitely help things. You sound like you're doing great.

Somethingsnappy · 01/02/2022 15:00

Re the tongue tie, be aware that it usually takes a week or two to settle down after a snip, so don't be discouraged if you don't notice instant results. It should improve little by little after a few days and hopefully a week or two down the line, you'll notice a huge improvement.

Somethingsnappy · 01/02/2022 15:00

Babies basically have to relearn how to use their tongues!

SartresSoul · 01/02/2022 15:04

Yep, totally normal. Newborns poop constantly. I’ve only ever BF so not sure if FF babies poop less but yeah, BF babies definitely poo 24/7 at first and want to be on boob most of the time. Normal.

primarium · 01/02/2022 15:05

This poop-feed cycle sounds normal to me. My DC always had a poop in the middle of a feed. I was changing her purely because of the smell, as she was happy to continue feeding after pooping.
What I am not sure- is hand-expressing. The more you use (expressing and feeding), the more milk is produced, so try not to squeeze breasts too often. It will settle by itself.

Original poster
Motherofplants · 01/02/2022 15:20

@somethingsnappy thanks - I'll have to check whether I should continue with the shields after that then. I know some of them reattach, something else I'll have to look into!

Just using the shields has made a difference, I think she's draining better so I'm getting more relief 😅

OP posts:
Somethingsnappy · 01/02/2022 17:54

Only a minority reattach, so while it's worth keeping an eye on, it's not something to worry about too much. It's good that the nipple shields are helping meanwhile x

Somethingsnappy · 01/02/2022 18:02

It's probably a good idea to keep working on attaching without the nipple shields after the snip, but use the shields if you're struggling. Aim to go back to basics with lots of skin to skin. A good tip is to have your baby fall asleep on you, preferably skin to skin and then as they start to stir, help them to latch on whilst still sleepy. Google biological nurturing/laid back breastfeeding. This is a great position to use that helps the baby use their instinct and newborn reflexes to seek the breast and latch on themselves with very little help.

Original poster
Motherofplants · 02/02/2022 10:53

Amazing tips thanks! They've moved up the snip to this afternoon thanks to a cancellation, so hopefully she will have some relief soon!

OP posts:
KatieKat88 · 04/02/2022 16:00

Hope you're getting on OK @Motherofplants

Original poster
Motherofplants · 04/02/2022 17:57

@KatieKat88 yes thanks! She's just getting to grips not using the shields, and was weighed today and had only lost 70g! The pooping has slowed a bit too!

OP posts:
KatieKat88 · 04/02/2022 18:48

That's great news! Any improvements with the pain for you?

Original poster
Motherofplants · 04/02/2022 19:59

@KatieKat88 Yes definitely, we also had a feeding assessment at the tongue tie clinic and they gave me some very specific latch feedback that we're working with now. Baby girl keeps trying to revert to a shallow latch, but she's picking it up :)

OP posts:
KatieKat88 · 04/02/2022 20:32

Sounds like they've been really thorough, I'm so glad. Latching well is definitely a learnt skill for us and for them isn't it! All about practice and then one day you won't even think about it Smile

Original poster
Motherofplants · 04/02/2022 21:21

@KatieKat88 that's the dream! About time we got some good care given the car crash that was feeding my first, and then the birth this time round - precipitous labour of less than 2 hours vbac with shoulder dystopia Shock

OP posts: