How do I get DS to get the hind milk?

[Biscuitsandtea]

Hi,

DS is 1 week old. His last poo looked a bit green rather than that lovely mustard yellow. I'm thinking that I have read somewhere that this can be because they're getting too much foremilk and not enough hindmilk?

Thing is he'll feed for say 10 mins and then be zonked out. Even a nappy change and strip down won't encourage him to actually latch on and take any more. And if I hand express a bit, I think he hasn't got to the good stuff as it still looks a little watery rather than the creamy stuff?

How can I get him to get the hind milk? Oh, and we're demand feeding and he goes between 2-4 hours between feeds if that helps.

Thanks

You don't need to worry about him getting the hind milk. You also don't need to worry about the odd green poo, which is normal, or even all green poos if everything else is fine.

Just feed on demand and let him feed as long as he wants each time and unlatch himself when hes finished. Offer the second breast when he comes off the first, but don't worry if he doesn't want it, just offer that one first next time.

I breastfed all three of my children for a year each. I don't think I ever learned what "foremilk" and "hindmilk" are. If they feed for a while and are zonked AND are gaining weight on schedule, sounds like they're happy and healthy. Don't worry about it .

That sounds normal and no cause for concern.

Personally I always alternated which breast I started my DS feeding on, let him drain it and then offered him the second breast which sometimes he'd take and sometimes he wouldn't.

Congrats on your new DS. :)

biscuits - this sounds as if you are over-analysing a bit :)

• the odd green poo means nothing
• expressing gives you no indication of anything - you can't tell by looking at what you express what the baby has had
• babies normally sort out fore/hindmilk by themselves - no need to worry about it. Milk changes in fat content with the volume of milk in the breast - see kellymom for a good explanation of this. Emptier breasts = more fat; fuller breasts = less fat.
• many babies take 10 mins and that's enough for them - and messing about waking them up and changing and stripping is not a good idea, really - just let him sleep :) The only reason for doing this would be if he was not gaining weight as he should be.
• 2-4 hourly between feeds is not very frequent feeding - he may well take more if offered :)

Midwife should reassure you on all these points.

Yeah it does sound a lot bit OTT doesn't it, reading back! I think all this time bf gives me too much time to think

He's only been weighed the once after birth so I don't even know how well he's gaining weight. I think you're all right that I need to see how that's going as that will show me any problems. I don't need to create problems just for the sake of it!

But thank you all for all the wise advice