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Infant feeding

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

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Original poster

Whats a good breastfeeding routine and when to start?

24 replies

Helenemjay · 27/10/2005 10:29

Dd1 is 6 nearly 7 weeks old and we have got into a routine of snacking - i think she is going through abit of a growth spurt too but all i seem to do is feed her for about 15-20 minutes and put her down for 20 minutes and feed her for 15-20 minutes and put her down for 20 minutes etc etc i have two sons also who are 5 and 2.5 and so it hard for me to continue this routine - my house is going to hell and i need a little more time to get things done then 20 minutes! she was feeding every 1-2 hour but she has slowly increased this to a permanent all-you-can-eat fest! how do i introduce a good routine? what is a good routine? - HELP!!

OP posts:

Original poster

Helenemjay · 27/10/2005 10:37

Dd is exclusively breastfed ds1 and ds2 were given top ups - but really not wanting to do that this time.

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koalabear · 27/10/2005 10:38

H - how are you assessing she is hungry after 20 minutes? is she rooting around, or would she be happy to have a pacifier/dummy

i have been told that new borns (and certainly this was so for my son) have the need to suckle, but not necessarily feed, so if you can use a pacifier to stretch her out to 2-3 hours between feeds, this may help

good luck

koalabear · 27/10/2005 10:39

oh, also, make sure she doesn't have reflux - reflux babies tend to want to drink slowly and often to relieve pain (it's not necessarily hunger that drives it)

Original poster

Helenemjay · 27/10/2005 10:47

Thanks koalabear i have a dummy for her but she seems to act like its poison and spit it out sometimes even wreching on it! i think if i persisted she would have it. When she wakes after 20 minutes she starts yelling and her legs are going up and down and her head from side to side rooting, i have to say though when i try to feed her she kinda just plays around she sticks her tongue out and and licks it and continuosly pulls her head back and her arms and legs start kicking and waving - i figure if she is hungry she would be sucking for dear life! so i put a dummy in and she almost vomits on it! im really feeling like a milk machine and need all the help i can get here - you have a really good point on the need to suck thing though it would make ALOT of sense, but how do i satisfy it?

OP posts:

Original poster

Helenemjay · 27/10/2005 10:48

I thought she might have reflux too, so i have her some infant gaviscon in which did initially make a small difference but she is still the same its really baffling me!

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moondog · 27/10/2005 11:00

It is still pretty much time consuming at this age,but it won't last long.
I would make sure that when you do feed you are relaxed and give her a good time (eg 30 mins) so that she can fill up.
Might help to note feeding times so you can work out what is really going on.

A godsend to me with my second baby (who had to learn to entertain himself as we moved house when he was 3 weeks old-something I did by myself as dh was away) wasone of those little bouncy chairs.
I got mine from Mamas & Papas-it had different rocking rhythyms and sounds and was incredibly helpful.

Worth a thought perhaps?

koalabear · 27/10/2005 11:02

i think most babies reject the dummy to start with - i tried different shapes (the paediatrician recommended the dummy for my son's reflux also) - the one that worked the best looked like it was "slopey" - like a normal teat that had been cut in half and sloped backwards - i'll try and find a picture for you - this shape did not cause that gagging reflex you are talking about

in respect of the reflux, we started with infant gaviscon which really didn't help much - i would recommend you to see if she does have it by asking a professinal - we found the local drs useless in this regard ("oh, he'll grow out of it" doesn't help when you feed for 1 1/2 hours and rest for 20 minutes and then start all over again), so we ended up seeing a paediatrian who was brilliant - our solution was a special formula - so i would breast feed, and then give the special formula (on prescription so free) - it meant that my son wasn't soley breastfed but he was SOOOOOO much happier it didn't matter

Original poster

Helenemjay · 27/10/2005 11:08

Oooh thats a good idea moondog! she hasnt got any toys or things like that at all! could she be bored at this age? i might well go and get one of those! only problem is my ds2 who is 2.5 is THE MOST clumsy and chaotic child ever i think, i would be terrified he would trip fall and land on her at every available opportunity! - she is currently snoozing in her pram in the kitchen as its the safest place!

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moondog · 27/10/2005 11:10

You may have to barricade her in then!

koalabear · 27/10/2005 11:12

this one

this one is a size 2, but you can get them in size one for 0 to 6 month babies

we got rid of it at 6 months - wasn't too much of a drama - i read that if you leave it longer it is harder to get rid of

the bouncy chair is a great suggestion - IF you baby does have reflux, the incline will also help settle her also

koalabear · 27/10/2005 11:13

H - we used a travel cot downstairs and put the bouncy chair in that - kept pets and bigger children at bay, whilst allowing him to see what was going on

Original poster

Helenemjay · 27/10/2005 11:13

Really koalabear? how do i request to see a paediatrician? as i did take her to the Dr's and he said pretty much the same thing - oh well she'll get better with time i think i know what you mean regarding the dummy shape too - im pretty sure i have seen them but have no idea where you can get them from..... will have to have a look around for one

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koalabear · 27/10/2005 11:16

you have right to ask to see a paediatrician - just say "i would like a referal to a paediatrician please regarding possible reflux" - they will refer you under the NHS, which may require a wait depending what area you are in - luckily for us i have health insurance through work, so i was able to say "we have private health insurance, and we would like to see a paediatrician please" - we saw one three days later

Original poster

Helenemjay · 27/10/2005 11:18

Great ideas girls!! thankyou!! i will get some of those dummies and will drag out my travel cot too! why didnt i think of that! and yes my ds2 had a dummy from a very young age and i never tried to take it away so he still has it now at 2, he is currenlty sat watching Dora with his beloved 'num-num'

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acnebride · 27/10/2005 11:19

helenemjay - as a med secretary to two rather old-fashioned (but sweet) doctors I am going to be extremely sexist - i think the best way to get a referral is to see the oldest male doctor you can find and burst into tears in the surgery.

sorry no other advice

oh nb assuming you do get a referral, wait a week then ring the medical secretary and be extremely nice to him/her and ask if he/she wouldn't mind just ringing the hospital and checking the referral has arrived and has it been prioritised

Original poster

Helenemjay · 27/10/2005 11:25

Oh thankyou acnebride will try those tactics! fingers crossed i get to see someone soon!

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Mojomummy · 27/10/2005 12:22

yes another thumbs up for dummies.

My Dd was a snacker - she took very easily to a NUK latex orthodontic teat. She didn't like the tommy tippees or avent ones.

Made the day time naps a dream too never used it for night time naps.

Original poster

Helenemjay · 27/10/2005 12:27

Where do you get those dummies from Mojomummy? I have tried one or two sites but so far havent found one that ships to the uk! Dd wont have tommee tippee or avent dummies either!

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koalabear · 27/10/2005 12:40

big boots stores sometimes have the shape, although not the "NUK" brand specifically

Mojomummy · 27/10/2005 12:45

I got mine from Superdrug- Asda do them, although they are latex .

I'm going into town at lunchtime - do you want me to get you some if they have any ?

My HV recomended them

milward · 27/10/2005 12:48

Can you bf & move around at the same time? I do this with my ds4 - now 4 weeks. It's the only way I can get anythig done. ds4 bf whilst in my arms and I can look after my other 3 kids. 6/7 weeks is a growth spurt as well.

Original poster

Helenemjay · 27/10/2005 15:00

Oh Mojomummy, you are lovely! - im sorry i dissapeared i had an invasion of visitors! thankyou so much for that offer! I have to do some shopping tommorow so i will have to have a look.

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Mojomummy · 27/10/2005 15:03

Hi Helenemjay - no problem - I remember being frustrated before when I couldn't find them.

I looked in there today & they only have silicone ones. They are £3.99 & come in a dummy holder. Let me know if these are any good.

Otherwise, good luck hunting !

Gem754 · 31/10/2005 10:27

Thank-you, Thank-you, Thank-you, Thank-you. Came on here looking for some help as having the same situation with my 5 week old daughter. Haven't been able to do anything for days - and am getting tired of dh's cooking .

All these sujjestions are brilliant and will definetly go looking for that dummy this afternoon.

Thank-you!

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