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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Original poster

Epert help for my friend and her newborn please!

18 replies

jaggythistle · 18/09/2010 14:59

Hi,

My friend has a beautiful 4 day old DD and is currently struggling with engorgement. I am keen to help and support her as best I can, but am looking for any expert help as I have only got 1 year of bf experience :) She is very determined to bf.

Baby is really struggling to latch on and is quite sleepy. The midwife has advised trying to express 40ml every 3 hours to give to her while she is struggling to feed.

I am not sure how often baby is feeding, I will come back and update when I can, just wanted to ask for help for her asap.

What are the best tips to get through engorgement and help wee DD to feed?

Thanks in advance. :)

OP posts:
BuongiornoPrincipessa · 18/09/2010 16:02

I am not an expert, but have been engorged, found it best to hand express a bit into a muslin until breast was softer, so is easier to get dd to latch. Also make sure that her bra is not digging in anywhere - that makes it worse.

Kellymom has good tips but can't link as am on my phone!

theboobmeister · 18/09/2010 16:39

Your friend is lucky to have you!

First off, you'll want this: www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/engorgement.html

  • Hand express a little before feeding, this should help to ease the engorgement and make it easier for the baby to latch on. Cold flannels on the boobs before a feed may also help.
  • Put baby to boob as often as possible, at least every 2 hours, especially if she is sleepy and not 'requesting' feeds. Night feeds are really important at this stage too - don't let DD go more than 4 hours without one.
  • Try taking the baby's clothes off to wake her up a bit. Try some different positions to see if there's one that works best. Tickle her feet to keep her awake if she starts falling asleep on the boob!

I'm not sure if expressing instead of BF is a good idea at this relatively early stage - but others may have helpful info here. Either way, hand expression is generally thought to be better (and easier) than pumping in the early days.

Original poster
jaggythistle · 18/09/2010 20:30

just bumping for more suggestions. i am a wee bit concerned that baby is getting the ebm from a bottle- I'm sure i was recommended to cup feed this early on? she is happily drinking from the bottle so getting some milk. she has had wet nappies but some urate crystals seen. am going to try and call tonight, want to help as best i can. thanks.

OP posts:
shongololo · 18/09/2010 20:40

ds was a sleepy baby who couldn't be bothered. Midwife recommended stripping him down to nappy only so he would get cold...then he would snuggle in for a feed.

he stared getting jaundiced, so daily "sunbathing" stripped down in the bay window!

for engorgement, id just peseverse - expressing too much before feeding will just lead to more milk being produced. Cabbage leaves - v cold - are supposed to help relieve symptoms,.

mummynoseynora · 18/09/2010 20:48

I found with both my two - expressing for a minute or two can help relieve the engorgement to help baby latch on... or nipple shield maybe ? just for the first bit? (am sure someone will come and say thats a bad idea mind)

once she is able to get one good feed I guess the main thing is to feed before baby asks for it again - so the engorgement doesn't happen

also - suggest a syringe for any expressed milk Wink

MumNWLondon · 18/09/2010 20:52

Try a lansinoh latch assist? or nipple shield initially? or expressing a little to soften the breast.

Original poster
jaggythistle · 18/09/2010 20:53

she seems to have been advised on every 3 hours feeding, would i be right in saying this does not soundoften enough for newborn? she started with a syringe, not sure why bottle now. any help welcome, away to phone. can't get to pc as have nearly one year old attached and going to sleep, excuse bad typing...

OP posts:
MummyAbroad · 18/09/2010 20:57

Hi,

I suffered from engorgement and was saved by a very kind midwife who did the following:

  1. gave me LOTS of sympathy and told me she was going to fix it all in half an hour (just hearing that made me feel better, and she did fix it)
  1. Asked for flannels/teatowels and hot water from the kettle and a large bowl (hubby made to do this so as to give him a job)
  1. Taught me how to get comfy for feed using pillows to support the babies weight and put my feet up on a stool
  1. put hot towels on my boobs for 5 mins, THEN expressed until boob was softer THEN put baby on to finish the job (babies are more efficient suckers, but its hard for them to latch on to an engorged boob.)

above all I think it was her kind approach and general willingness to give the problem lots of attention that really helped. It relaxed me a lot and that is also half the battle.

You sound like a lovely friend, just get in there and be nice, it will work wonders. xxx

PS. dont forget to offer drink and a snack while she is feeding

crikeybadger · 18/09/2010 21:09

jaggy- I'd agree with your thinking that every three hours in not enough for a newborn (maybe that's why she's getting engorged?). recommend that she keeps the baby close and feed at the slightest squeak!

Syringe or cup feed would be better than a bottle. (IMO)

Brilliant that your helping your friend like this. Smile

Original poster
jaggythistle · 18/09/2010 22:00

i haven't actually been round in person yet due to work grr! have just seen photos. :-) have just been on phone and said to try and feed at least every 2 hours. also to try breast first, she is very worried though about getting milk into her dd so is tending to offer ebm first. midwife has advised the 3 hours. >:-( baby has lost >10% of birth weight, think this is worrying her lots. my ds lost >10% too, took almost 2 weeks to regain it but i can't remember what happened in between to reassure her. :-( i really want to help, i didn't have any rl support myself at first so want her not to worry as much as i did! i felt a bit helpless after an emcs as well, luckily her birth went ok, she is feeling physically ok. thanks all. :-)

OP posts:
Original poster
jaggythistle · 19/09/2010 07:43

just bumping again. and wtf is an epert - first post wasn't even on my phone! sounds like it's been a better night, she's had more success at the breast, using nipple shields at the moment to help with attaching though. engorgement is getting better. not sure what else to suggest, we are mostly just texting back and forth. thanks again.

OP posts:
ThatDamnDog · 19/09/2010 07:50

I'm not an "epert", or an "expert" Grin but I had big engorgement problems due to a jaundiced baby who wouldn't feed often enough. I ended up with oversupply so it doesn't mean doom for Bfing but it is really important to keep the baby feeding as much as possible.

I'd suggest to her that she should have loads of skin to skin with the baby so it has the opportunity to feed as frequently as it wants, and yes, at this age the baby needs to be offered a feed if it so much as squeaks! I think my MW said to forget the clock but to offer a feed if he'd gone 2-3 hours asleep.

If the breasts are softer now I'd be inclined to get rid of the nipple shields ASAP too ... loads of skin to skin should help baby get back onto the breast directly.

Original poster
jaggythistle · 19/09/2010 08:41

Cheers, I am texting again now, crappy signal at work though >:(

OP posts:
Original poster
jaggythistle · 19/09/2010 11:33

Update - baby has put on 100g :)

Still struggling with latch without shields and her boobs a bit sore all over. Have suggested as above snuggling up in bed for skin to skin for a while.

I am trying not to be all bossy though so feel a bit funny telling her to get rid of the nipple shields, hopefully it will work out if she keeps trying without them too.

Any other tips welcome.

OP posts:
theboobmeister · 19/09/2010 13:29

Good news! Well done for persevering jaggy.

Sounds like getting the latch fixed (without nipple shields, which have their problems) is the priority. There are some great videos online to help with latching that you could show to your friend - could try these:

www.drjacknewman.com/video-clips.asp

Original poster
jaggythistle · 19/09/2010 14:14

The midwife has arranged for some bf support, hopefully this will mean someone going round to help with the latch. Sounds like midwife has been quite supportive apart from not encouraging feeding more than every 3 hours.

She is persevering with latching without shields and is keen to get shot of them.

Sounds like she has just about cracked it :)

Can't wait to get round and see her and meet baby now!

(If you have got time to get on and read some stuff, hello and see you soon ;) )

OP posts:
crikeybadger · 19/09/2010 14:35

Great news! Smile

I'm sure the latch will come - it's such a new baby after all and it takes them a bit of time to learn how to get the hang of it.

Enjoy those magic newborn cuddles!

MummyAbroad · 19/09/2010 14:45

I would second the ditching of the nipple shields, I used them and lots of things went wrong. Ended up finishing breastfeeding at 4 weeks Sad

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