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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

Problems bf 3 day old DS3.

21 replies

CardyMow · 27/01/2011 21:32

DS3 was born on Monday afternoon. He was on the boob literally continuously until Wednesday afternoon (and I mean constantly ). My milk started to come in on Wed afternoon, but he is still taking a feed off both sides every 45 minutes.

I have some blocked ducts on my right side, but I can't seem to find a position that he can clear them - I've tried holding him normally, lying down to feed him, an rugby ball hold, but nothing's working. I know I'm very engorged (I am estimating that my normal bra size of 36F has gone up to approx 36L/M (!) ). But I've even tried massaging my boob as he feeds, but it's not helping an I'm worried I'm going to get mastitis.

Also this morning I notice that I thought he had a slight touch of jaundice, but tbh I was a bit unsure but 2 of my friends commented on how 'tanned' he looks this afternoon too. I'm going to call the MW about that in the morning, but my first dc had a touch of it and I was told that feeding regularly would help it to go, but if he's feeding off both sides every 45 mins, surely that's enough? It's not as if I can find any sunlight to help him in bloomin January either.

Does anyone have any advice for me?

OP posts:
Original poster
CardyMow · 27/01/2011 21:34

Oh god I've said 'but' about 100 times, I blame the fact that I'm not getting any sleep with DS3 feeding every 45 mins day and night!

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TheProvincialLady · 27/01/2011 21:36

How are his poos and wees? Can you hear/see him swallowing when he is feeding? The blocked ducts could indicate that he is not feeding efficiently, and IIRC jaundice can be triggered by poor feeding. My DS2 was born at the end of Jan and had breast milk jaundice, after a slow start to feeding, but was fine. You are right to speak to the MW about it, and it might be as well to get her to observe a feed.

Congratulations BTWSmile

TheProvincialLady · 27/01/2011 21:38

Meant to say that the blocked ducts might just be normal early BF engorgement. Have you tried warm flannels/feeding in a warm bath?

Original poster
CardyMow · 27/01/2011 21:48

His poos have changed to normal bf yellow poos, nappies seen to be so absorbant now that I have no idea if he's weeing though! (7 yrs since last dc, nappies much more absorbant now I think)

Tried warm flannels, but can't feed him in bath as I have epilepsy.

It's confusing me a bit because my milk has come in so quickly, I mean my milk came in within 48 hrs of his birth, and I'm currently 72 hrs post birth - isn't that a bit quick for a 'slow start' to feeding?!

It's not as if it's the first dc I've bf, this is dc4!

The latch isn't hurting me, and I was always told if the latch is wrong it would hurt?

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Original poster
CardyMow · 27/01/2011 21:50

Oh an as it's dc4. I'm not due to see the MW again until Saturday afternoon. I can hear and see him swallowing when he feeds.

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TheProvincialLady · 27/01/2011 21:57

Oh it's probably fine then. BF poo is a good sign. You could always stick a flannel in a nappy if you wanted to check wees, but if the nappies have some weight to them they are probably weed in.

My milk came in after only 24 hours with DS2 but he still got off to a slow start because he was so sleepy.

Painless latch doesn't necessarily equal good feeding but in your case it is probably fine. You must be an expert after 3 previous BF DCGrin You can ring the MW or the team for advice any time, you don't have to wait until Saturday. Is there a BF group near you? Might be worth a visit if you want reassurance.

Original poster
CardyMow · 27/01/2011 21:59

BF group is on Monday morning, hence asking the wisdom of MN in the meantime. Grin.

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Original poster
CardyMow · 28/01/2011 12:52

Bump for any more help. Have rung MW and left a message but havent heard back yet. He's definately jaundiced, skin looks like he's just back from 2 weeks in Ibiza! Am propping eyelids open with matchsticks atm.

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Original poster
CardyMow · 28/01/2011 13:00

Should I be worried about the jaundice? DD had it and had to go under phototherapy lamps, but she was 5 weeks preemie. DS3 was 8 days late, how concerning is it? His eyes aren't yellow but his skin is worse than yesterday.

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MoonUnitAlpha · 28/01/2011 13:20

You can put a cotton wool ball in the front of his nappy to check if he's weeing.

If you can't get the midwife to see you, how about ringing the NCT/LLL and trying to get a bf counsellor to you? The sucking and swallowing and poo changing sounds positive, but obviously the jaundice doesn't sound great. My ds was very jaundiced and had phototherapy, but he'd had quite a traumatic birth, it took 4 days for my milk to come in and he was tongue-tied. It took a couple of weeks of feeding 2 hourly to get over the jaundice.

japhrimel · 28/01/2011 15:25

Compare the weight of an used nappy to an unused one to see if they've peed.

I'd hassle the MW tbh.

Warmth 15 minutes before feeds and cool afterwards helps blocked ducts. I find the breast nurse gel pads helpful. DD can usually clear them without weird positions but she's 7 wo now so a stronget sucker!

ascouser · 29/01/2011 03:17

just before a feed, perhaps do a little massaging and / or hand expressing. just so that he doens't have to do lots of work at the beginning to bring the supply through and may clear any blockages. I'd call one of the helplines, don't wait till monday. Does your hospital have an infant feeding team? Call them and find out.

Original poster
CardyMow · 29/01/2011 09:23

I'm going to see the MW at some point today. The jaundice seems a little better, but the blocked duct hasn't improved. I've tried hand expressing some off, and last night he took a mammoth 40 minute long feed off that side, but still lumpy and a bit sore on that boob, and have a small red patch where the worst blocked duct is (Top right of right boob).

I'm hoping the MW will be able to suggest some other feeding positions that might clear it, does anyone here have any suggestions for where I could 'see' pictures of other holds that will work to a) Unblock the ducts, and b) Work with my watermelon sized larger norks?

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RobynLou · 29/01/2011 09:31

have you tried you tube?

my DD had jaundice but it was a very different situation to yours so I don't have any practical advice I'm afraid.

Original poster
CardyMow · 30/01/2011 07:00

Saw MW - ds3 has tongue tie which isn't helping him to feed efficiently. She's referred him to ?someone? about the tongue tie. The jaundice seems to be resolving itself. And I finally managed to unblock that duct in the bath last night with a combo of hot flannels and hand expressing, and the red patch has gone now.

What do they do to sort tongue tie? (and do I want to know?)

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molejazz · 30/01/2011 09:07

With a tongue tie your DS's tongue will be tethered somewhat (there are different degrees) to the bottom of his mouth.

You might be about to see it - a white thin membrane underneath his tongue? Everyone has one (a frenulum) but in tongue-tied babies they can be thicker, or come right to the tip, or are tighter than average.

They don't always affect feeding (and your pain-free latch is a good thing) but if they do then a common treatment is to cut it - there are no nerves in the frenulum so it's said to be painless for the DC.

There are NICE guidelines worth reading.

HTH

MoonUnitAlpha · 30/01/2011 10:10

My ds had a tongue-tie - although it didn't seem to be hampering feeding the doctor advised cutting it anyway as they can cause speech problems later. As a newborn it's a very simple procedure, but if it has to be done on an older child it can need sedation or anaesthetic.

The actual snip was very simple - DP held ds on his lap and the doctor cut the tie with a little pair of scissors! There was literally one drop of blood, ds grumbled a bit but was back to sleep within 10 minutes. You can feed them straight away afterwards. I think his mouth may have been a little sore the next day but that was it.

Original poster
CardyMow · 30/01/2011 16:31

Oh and when the MW weighed him, he'd lost 7oz. None of my other dc lost any of their birthweight, they started gaining straight away. From 8lb he was down to 7lb9 yesterday, despite feeding so frequently and for such long periods at a time.

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organiccarrotcake · 30/01/2011 16:44

You need that tongue tie snipped asap. It may well stop him feeding effectively which could be causing the blocked ducts and weight loss. I'd be on them like a hot tomato insisting on an immediate referral.

Beveridge · 30/01/2011 16:49

Ina May Gaskin's advice about blocked ducts is to feed so the baby's chin is as close to the duct as possible - tried it and it seemed to work. Probably more practical with a newborn to lie flat on your back and let your DS latch on at a number of weird angles till you find the best ones given he's so wee - I put DD on the bed and loomed over her on all fours to experiment but she was a year old by then!

You can also use a wide toothed comb in the bath/shower and comb your breast with soap towards the nipple - the heat and the massage should help shift blockages.

crikeybadger · 30/01/2011 17:02

The tongue tie explains a lot doesn't it Loudlass- weight loss due to inefficient feeding which has also caused you the blocked ducts.

It's good that it's been spotted early on. I agree with organiccc that you need to get on their case and push for the snip asap.

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