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Infant feeding

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

Please help - stressful BF

9 replies

lots33 · 29/10/2010 08:44

Hi everyone - long post - sorry!

DS is 8 weeks old. Following his birth, he needed an operation and spent almost 4 weeks in hospital including time in SCBU and NICU. For the first three weeks, I expressed and he was fed EBM, plus some formula top up via an NG tube. For the last week, he was on the ward and I tried to latch him on however, first baby and no help available so really struggled. Basically hospital said no weight gain, no discharge so we had to resort to attempting to BF for each feed and then bottle top ups of EBM or formula when the EBM ran out.

We came home four weeks ago, midwife came out and helped with latch and he has had no bottles or formula at all, now EBF which I am chuffed about. And he is gaining weight and has wet/dirty nappies.....

However, feeds are often quite stressful and difficult for him and not the lovely snuggly time that others seem to have. We do still struggle with latch sometimes, worse if we are tired (often!). DS also fusses and pulls at the breast a lot or loses latch and sucks on the nipple which is agony. DS also likes the fast flow of the foremilk and once i have stopped squirting will fuss until I offer the second breast. He often screams whilst I am switching sides or trying to latch him on.

I am hoping that you experienced BFeeders can help me with some advice, tips or just positive stories,... thanks so much!!

OP posts:
thisisyesterday · 29/10/2010 08:51

has he been checked for a tongue tie?
that would cause him to lose the latch and end up sucking on the nipple

whereabouts are you? do yoiu have a local bf counsellor that could help you out?

crikeybadger · 29/10/2010 08:54

Hi there,
Firstly congratulations- it sounds like you and your DS have been through a lot and to get back to being EBF is brilliant.

I just wonder if after this long in hospital a 'babymoon' would be beneficial for DS. Just take to your bed for the day or weekend, have drinks and snacks to hand and just sit in bed, skin to skin with your baby.

He's had a tough time in hospital, a lot of it away from you maybe, so perhaps this time will help him 'reconnect' with you.

HTH

cinnamongreyhound · 29/10/2010 08:57

With my first I had thrush and large cracks/holes in my nipples which were very painful and I can honestly say I hated every second of breastfeeding but was determined to do it! By 4 months it was a lovely experience and I carried on until ds1 was 15 months. This time has been so much easier and I have enjoyed it from the start. Ds2 fusses and pulls at times which ds1 never did and I have found that if I take him off he does a big burp and goes back happily for the rest of the feed. If you have a fast let down he may well be taking in a lot of air too. Be strict with your latching, if you know it's not right take him off and start again, it's better for both of you in the long run- you won't be in pain and he will get the milk out more efficiently. Well done for getting this far through all your difficulties, keep persisting and it will be worth it!

wonderstuff · 29/10/2010 08:59

Congrats on getting this far - fab achievement.

I think that bf in the early days is often like this - it does get easier as baby gets older. I expected it to be more bonding - it is after baby gets bigger.

Be sure to prise him off your nipple asap if he gets a bad latch

Agree worth getting him checked for tounge tie.

lots33 · 29/10/2010 09:01

Wow thanks for quick responses!

He has never been checked for tongue tie although MW's, who were excellent, were happy with his latch (which is sometimes good!) - would they have checked this. I live in West Wales, don't know about any local BF counsellors - would I contact NCT?

I hadn't thought about trying a babymoon for a baby his age...and I was really sad that I felt I had missed that opportunity - i will try it. Yes he was taken from me at birth, I didn't get to hold him and whilst on NICU I couldn't hold him for 10 days.....happily seems a long time ago now!

OP posts:
Deemented · 29/10/2010 09:05

Where in west Wales? Are you near Swansea at all as we have some fab BF'ing midwives here.

thisisyesterday · 29/10/2010 09:07

tongue tie isn't always checked for. it can appear that they are latchiing on well, in fact they CAN latch on well, but the tongue tie means that it's easy for them to slip off again

there are a couple of LLL groups in Wales, tho mayhbe not near you... but you can still phone/e-mail if they aren't
see here

I've always found our local LLL groups absolutely fantastic.
NCT another port of call yes. It would be in your interests if you could get a BFC to actually see you feeding and check baby tho

lots33 · 30/10/2010 08:51

Thanks for all the advice will give it a go. Seems to be one step forward and two back at the moment!

Deemented, I am about 25 miles from Swansea - are the BF midwifes NHS if so doubt I would be able to access them as live in a different health authority - i live near Llandeilo in Carmarthenshire.

OP posts:
Deemented · 30/10/2010 13:45

Yes, they were within the NHS... hmmm... shall have a looksee to see what i can find..

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