Some encouragement needed please - newborn 11lb baby and I'm struggling

[NorkyButNice]

DS was born on Tuesday morning - 11lb plus and a fast and furious 3hr labour. He promptly fell asleep, feeding for just 20 minutes on one side at 2pm, and 10 on the other at 11pm. He then slept through the night till 6.30am.

Since getting home from the hospital at about midday yesterday he has been attached to the boob, or rooting for the boob constantly. He has hardly slept, and when he does, it's only for a short period before waking screaming again.

I've previously had breast surgery that prevented me feeding DS1, but this time I am able to express colostrum from both sides, and he seems quite happy to latch on and suck for hours, so I'm sure he is actually getting something out.

DH on the other hand thinks he's crying because he's hungry, and made up a bottle of formula at 3am. I managed to resist the temptation and latched DS2 on for another feed - eventually we all fell asleep at 6am.

Questions - is it normal for babies to be hungry at this stage, before the milk comes in? The BF specialist at the hospital said that they'd only be getting a few drops of colostrum at this stage anyway, so surely it's not a matter of actual hunger?

• is he so hungry because he's so big? It's definitely rooting that he's doing - tongue coming out, sucking on mine or DH's arm, chewing his fists.
• will giving 2 oz of formula at this stage ruin all chances of BF, even if he's latched on to me the rest of the time?
• any other words of encouragement, especially from those with experience of big babies!

you can also call the ward if you had the baby in hospital to get advice if you are worried , they shoudl be helpful as they want to avoid you bbeing readmitted if baby is not gettign anything or you are worried, I got readmitted with my other baby as was scared to give top ups adn she was listless and gettign yelower, the first thing the midwife did was give ger some formula, I went on to breastfeed for 16 months untill i got pregnant again.

Norky, I've had similar probs with my babies latch being too shallow when my milk came in and it made my boobs as hard as oranges. If this is what has happened ( or even if it isn't ) please don't stress, you are doing fantastically! If you are engorged squeeze off some of the milk before latching him on, as long as you latch him on as far as possible you shouldn't cause any further damage, it is going to hurt because of the damage already there, but it will get better very quickly.

Thinking of you.

Congratulations!

My DD was like this, I was in the hospital day 2 and crying because she seemed insatiable, yet my milk had not come in. Midwife came in and said well she will be hungry, she's a big baby! Well, once she said this I felt much better and she has carried on feeding enthusiastically (20 months later!) She never had any formula though as she never took a bottle.

good luck and enjoy every minute.