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Infant feeding

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

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Original poster

Expressing straight after birth

21 replies

suzym1984 · 15/02/2011 18:40

Hi!

I gave birth to my LO on Wednesday, so 6 days ago. BF is going well. However, one nippl is very sore and bleeds during feeds (so much so that he is bringing up blood with his sick!).

I have started expressing from this breast, just once a day to soften the breast up and DH has given him this feed at night time.

Is this going to mess up my supply?

OP posts:

Katey1010 · 15/02/2011 18:57

I did this and have a good supply now (10 weeks) but ask a BFing expert if you are having issues with the nipple, it will help.

Original poster

suzym1984 · 15/02/2011 19:00

Hi!

Thanks! My nipple is actually getting a bit better, but I figure it is handy to have a bottle of milk in the fridge in case! I only do it once a day and express 2 oz at a time. Im just worried that I am doing something wrong!

OP posts:

JiltedJohnsJulie · 15/02/2011 19:07

suzy don't think that you are doing anything wrong at all.

Have a look at what Kellymom says about sore nipples, it may help.

I'd also give one of the Bfing lines a call. They might have so more information on your nipples and will be able to give you all the information you need on expressing. They should also be able to tell you if there are any local Bfing Counsellors in your area. The NCT one is open until 10 pm:

Breastfeeding Line - 0300 330 0771
8am?10pm, seven days a week.

Congratulations too

thisisyesterday · 15/02/2011 19:10

it will probably be fine for the time being, however I would strongly advise you visit a breastfeedinf counsellor and have the latch checked so that it doesn't keep happening when you resume feeding from the breast!

Original poster

suzym1984 · 15/02/2011 19:11

Thank you! I just feel like I am doing everything wrong at the minute. Hopefully just a bad day.

Will give that number a call

OP posts:

JiltedJohnsJulie · 15/02/2011 19:17

suzy I am sure you aren't. It can be very easy to doubt yourself, I am sure though that you are doing brilliantly.

Do give the number a call and do you have any local groups you can go to? LLL, NCT, Baby Cafes and Bfing support groups are all good. You don't have to wait until you have a problem, you can just go, have a cuppa and a chat and meet some new people.

thisisyesterday · 15/02/2011 19:36

what area are you i suzy? roughly

NellyTheElephant · 15/02/2011 19:44

With all 3 of mine It took a couple of weeks for my supply to settle. In the early days I had way too much milk and solid breasts like footballs which they found hard to latch onto. As a result I had sore and bleeding nipples in the first week / 10 days. Expressing feeds from the worst breast and giving a bottle really helped it to heal up. With DD1 I did about two whole days of only giving expressed feeds from one side as it was so sore. Once it was healed it never got bad again. Also hand expressing a bit off (hot flannel over breast then squeeze!) before feeding so that the breast was softer really helped with the latch and comfort. Each time, after about two weeks my supply settled down to what the baby needed, everything healed up well and I never looked back. Good luck.

Original poster

suzym1984 · 15/02/2011 19:56

Thanks again!

I just feel very overwhelmed and like breast feeding is more complicated than I thought. Feel like Im letting my little man down

I am in Newcastle. Will look into support groups.

OP posts:

thisisyesterday · 15/02/2011 20:00

cool, i know Amanda who runs the LLL Tyne and Wear group... she's fab :)

I'll PM you her number in a mo. Their meetings are on the first monday of each month (newcastle) and second saturday of each month (washington)
but you can call at any time...

Original poster

suzym1984 · 15/02/2011 20:03

wow, thank you so much

OP posts:

japhrimel · 15/02/2011 20:28

Are you feeding from that side at all? If not, you'll need to express more or the supply could be affected.

JiltedJohnsJulie · 15/02/2011 20:33

suzy have you spoken to a Bfing Counseilor yet?

Original poster

suzym1984 · 15/02/2011 20:52

I am still feeding from that side, just expressing once a day as that seems to help and DH can do a feed.

I havent rang yet, I will call tomorrow. Feeling a bit tearful tonight. Thanks again for the advice.

OP posts:

JiltedJohnsJulie · 15/02/2011 21:01

suzy please don't worry about feeling tearful. It is perfectly normal and any Bfing Counsellor will be only too happy to talk to you about how you are feeling.

Please give them a call tonight, then if the call isn't working out you can always call again in the morning.

Much better to do that than spend a night getting distressed.

Also, what help is your MW giving you? Have you spoken to her?

japhrimel · 15/02/2011 21:04

To not let supply drop, you do really need to be expressing somewhere near what your LO should be feeding, to keep it even.

JiltedJohnsJulie · 16/02/2011 09:22

suzy how are you feeling this morning?

Original poster

suzym1984 · 16/02/2011 14:46

Hi,

Midwife came this morning and said that everything is 'normal' but other than that not much help. He fed on and off all last night and cant seem to last more than an hour between feeds, I feel so rubbish.

Have guests round today but going to give BF counsellor a call later.

I have not expressed at all today yet, but boobs are getting so sore that I might have to later.

Are there any good tips to get LO to feed for longer to maybe mak him last longer between feeds?

OP posts:

Original poster

suzym1984 · 16/02/2011 14:46

Oh, forgot to say, thanks for the concern

OP posts:

JiltedJohnsJulie · 16/02/2011 14:58

suzy he is so new, really feeding so often is perfectly normal. Please don't think that you are doing something wrong.

Did you manage to read the link on Kellymom about sore nipples? Though really if your nipples are sore I think you need RL help today. Do you know the numbers of any local Bfing Counsellors you could talk to? Have you tried LLL yet?

I know it can be difficult if you have visitors, but I really think that you need to prioritise yourself. Could DP look after LO and entertain the visitors for a short while while you make the call? The visitors don't have to know who you are calling if you prefer and it isn't rude. Having visitors shouldn't interfere with you looking after yourself and LO.

Don't mean to sound horrible, just really feel for you.

Hope you get the support you need and soon.

JiltedJohnsJulie · 17/02/2011 16:33

Are things any better today suzy?

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