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Infant feeding

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

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Original poster

Feeding kerfuffle

33 replies

Echocave · 20/11/2011 09:05

I had my dd (first baby) 9 days ago by c-section and since then have had a lot of feeding problems. I wondered if anyone had any positive thoughts to encourage me as I'm finding it really hard. First of all, the baby was small at birth.

I managed skin to skin in the operating theatre and whilst in recovery gave her colostrum (although from a syringe). We carried on for a couple of days with midwives telling me the latch looked good etc. On day 3 someone noticed that dd was yellow and they tested her for jaundice (negative) and weighed her. She'd lost more than 10% of her birth weight. They then put us on a 3 hourly feeding schedule, topping up with formula.

Dd gained enough weight for us to leave hospital on day 5. The next day the community midwife said dd had tongue tie which we had snipped. I then got advice from a feeding expert who showed me the latch again and we are back on the 3 hourly feeds with me double pumping after a feed. the main aim is to increase my milk supply which is low.

However dd seems hardly bothered when on the breast and does a couple of sucks then just nibbles. I know it takes time to establish milk supply but have I left it too late? I'm committed to the feeding regime I've been put on but I'm a bit tearful each time dd breast feeds as I don't think she can get enough or even anything from me. Any words of encouragement gratefully received and sorry if I'm waffling.

OP posts:

Graciescotland · 21/11/2011 23:21

I feel your pain. I was in a similar situation to you at the beginning. DS sleepy/jaundiced/ not sucking/ losing weight/ formula tops/ expressing after every feed. It was exhausting, then when my milk did come in DS practically lived on the breast for a few weeks.

If it's any consolation we did get there and by 4 weeks we'd dropped the formula, ebf'd to six months. No real advice but perseverance, lots of skin on skin and let your DD feed as much as she wants. All that suckling will increase your supply.

MrsMuddyPuddles · 22/11/2011 07:28

What happens before she gets hysterical? When mine was little, she'd squeek a ffew times, then start with the wahs, then (if I was in a car or something and couldn't hop to it) start with the big screams. I may have been really lucky to get a baby with a precry cue though!

I second what everyone says about giving it a day or two of feeding all the time- 9 days is growthspurt time. IIRC there's another at 2 weeks. And 3. Then at 6 weeks. If possible, could you stay in bed as others have said, and get someone else to do all the bottles and nappies?

Original poster

Echocave · 22/11/2011 08:06

Dh already does most nappies and all bottles and pretty much everything else. But still no time for half hours nap because each feed is such a bloody mess and theres pumping, formula top ups etc. Dd screams before I have time to latch her on.

I really don't know what to do about timings. We can t seem to manage 3 hourly intervals and I know lots of people say that's too few as it is. Dd is too tired or doesn't seem hungry and I can't get her to feed. How long do I let her sit there? I have to pump after each feed as a minimum. I'm stuck in a hideous cycle, and the only time dd isn't screaming is when she's knocked out on formula. I really really hate this.

OP posts:

TruthSweet · 22/11/2011 11:49

It's not so important to time feeds as much as feeding baby when they cue for a feed - 'looking 'n' licking' is a very early feeding cue - baby's eye's scan the room and their tongue darts in and out/licks their lips, lots more to look out for here

Keeping baby skin to skin and feeding frequently (8-12 as a minimum), switching sides often, perhaps with breast compressions too, is a way to increase supply with out too thinking or planning. How does that sound to you, does it seem workable?

MrsMuddyPuddles · 22/11/2011 12:20

You sound pretty frazzled- it WILL get better!

"Dd is too tired or doesn't seem hungry and I can't get her to feed. How long do I let her sit there? I have to pump after each feed as a minimum. "

As long as it takes- sounds like it'll be less than 3 hours, so put a film in or grab something nice to read :-)

Can you let her fall asleep all full of formula as usual, then stay in bed with her to pump? Then when you've done your thing, just hang out with her in bed (and topless) until she wakes up (time for the aforementioned book/film/magazine). When you see her peepers open or she starts to move, offer to nurse and see what she says. (if she wakes while you're still pumping, stop and offer her the breast)

That's brilliant of your DH to do the nappies and bottles, btw! he rocks!

Original poster

Echocave · 05/12/2011 23:51

I just wanted to come back and say thank you very very much to all those who replied to my op. By way of update, things are getting better. Dd is growing fast and the breast feeding is going much better. She's got more energy and her nose which was blocked from birth is clearing up so she can actually breathe while latched on.
I've relaxed a bit too which is really helping.
We've got a way to go before we're where I'd like to be but I really am grateful for all your help. Mumsnet is as good as they say...

OP posts:

flamegirl77 · 07/12/2011 20:46

Brilliant. Well done you for sticking at it. It will get easier and easier and you are doing a wonderful thing for your baby.

ecuse · 11/12/2011 00:55

So pleased for you!

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