DD is about 10 hours old. Help me to BF her please

[McKayz]

DD was born at 1:08am. She was born at home in a birth pool. No interventions or drugs. She weighed 9lb 6.5oz

She had a really good feed on both sides about an hour after birth. We eventually went to bed at 4ish where she fed for another 45 minutes. Since then she has been sleeping. I've just changed her nappy which she wasn't impressed with but has gone back to sleep on my chest.

Do I just leave her and let her sleep for a bit or try and wake her for a feed?

Thank you.

Many congrats from me too!

Try to make sure she has a really deep latch - a big mouthful of breast, not just the nipple but also some or all the areola. She needs to open her mouth wide to get it all in!

Also that her head is supported so she isn't falling backwards off the boob - that can be painful too. Breastfeeding in a laid-back position (same as when you do skin to skin with her on your chest) is fantastic for the early days.

I think its a common misunderstanding that pain means youre doing something wrong. After ds and dd1 i knew i was doing it right with dd2 but it still really really hurt! It wont do any harm to check but ime it can be painful regardless.

Did anyone explain the 'baby blues to you. They took me by surprise. On day 2-3, i felt really useless and down and needed a good cry. That was also about the time dcs found their lungs and wouldnt sleep. Best to be prepared . ready for you

I didn't figure this out til the second baby, but the angle your nipple should be at as you are about to put it in is as if you are trying to squirt milk up your baby's nose. The baby's mouth should be wide open and if it's not comfortable you can unlatch and try again. I think it is normal to be a bit painful to start with, but if it is excruciating for the whole feed and your nipples are looking damaged then the latch may not be quite right.

McKayz, somethings to check that may make it easier. First, is her top lip curling over her gums? I don't think its meant to be, try to tease it out with a finger.

Is she getting just the tip of the nipple? I was advised to get as much into her mouth as possible and that helped massively. Teasing her chin and lips with the nipple should encourage her to open wide, allowing you to get lots in there.

Hope its going better today and you had a great night!