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Infant feeding

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

Really struggling

2 replies

Empusa · 29/03/2012 21:50

Had our son 3 days ago, he was early and only weighed 5lb 7oz. I was planning on solely breastfeeding, but have now had to rethink and top up the breast feeds with formula as he doesn't seem to be getting enough and is jaundiced (enough that the midwife sent us back to hospital with him today).

We can get him to latch on just about, and he'll feed for maybe 5 minutes, then he'll detach himself and start screaming, and no matter what we try we just can't get him to latch back on. Of course he gets more and more distressed and it gets harder and harder.

He isn't much better at formula feeding as he keeps falling asleep during the feed. We've tried tickling him and stripping him down to his nappy, which wakes him up briefly (enough to scream) but he still falls back asleep once we start feeding him and of course he stops sucking.

We've got to take him back to hospital tomorrow morning to recheck his jaundice levels and weight, worried they are going to want to keep him in. We've only just got him home, I just want him to be ok :(

OP posts:
crikeybadger · 29/03/2012 22:41

Sad, so sorry you're facing this.

Probably best to see what the midwives can suggest tomorrow- hopefully they can watch a whole feed and give you some advice.

For now though, I'd suggest you keep him as close as possible to you- lots of skin to skin with a blanket over you both for warmth.

Try and offer him the breast before he starts crying or getting worked up. You might find things are easier if you semi recline with cushions behind you, place him tummy down on top of you and see if he can latch by himself. Read more about biological nurturing here.

JiltedJohnsJulie · 30/03/2012 10:31

Congratulations on your new DS and sorry to hear that its been a bit of a struggle. My DS had jaundice too and was bf, there is some information on Bfing and Jaundice on Kellymom here and here.

Feeding for 5 minutes and then falling asleep is perfectly normal in most newborns, have a look here.

Crikey makes some very good points, ask if there is a MW who specialises in bfing and hopefully a MW will be able to watch a whole feed. Skin-to-skin is very good to as is biological nurturing.

Keep posting and let us know how you are doing Smile.

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