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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

Bf difficult but won't take bottle

14 replies

Ginga66 · 28/06/2012 06:31

Help me please. I am bf my two week-old but he has difficulty latching on and despite trying various positions as per hv advice this is not improving. He is better in the day, at night he only goes on for some five or ten mins before falling asleep then wakes after an hr to hr and half hungry again. I know he is not getting enough of the fatter milk this way.
Have tried bottle but my nipples are small and he does not seem to know what to do with tommee tip pee bullet like teats just licks them!
On top of this my left breast seems to be drying up? Am very anxious about this. How do I improve latching and feed duration and get at least one bottle into him day so I get some rest and a break?

OP posts:
Original poster
Ginga66 · 28/06/2012 06:32

Oh btw I have a three year old whom I bf for eighteen mtgs an it wad so easy so not my boobs!

OP posts:
flubba · 28/06/2012 06:48

Can't advise on how to get a bottle into him - (my two DDs took one no problem, but DS absolutely refused. He's now 16m and went straight to beakers) but have you tried expressing from your left side so as to keep up supply? And when he wakes in the night, if he's only feeding for a short time, I'd suggest that he's not properly hungry (and therefore you won't need to feed him), or he's too warm and cosy so drifts back off, so try the whole keeping him awake to feed?

MigGril · 28/06/2012 07:38

What makes you feel he's not getting enough from the breast? The patted of feeding you describe is within the normal feeding pattern of a new baby. Some babys are efficient and a 5-10min feed is all they need.
Also why do you feel your left is drying up?
The most important thing is that he's having enough wet and dirty nappies. If you need some more help with feeding then give one of the headlines a ring. NCT, BfN or LLL they will all be able to help.

MigGril · 28/06/2012 07:40

Oh and have you tried biological nurtaring passion (Google for video) as that is often the easiest passion for a newborn to latch on with.

mawbroon · 28/06/2012 11:21

Can you tell us more about what happens when he tries to latch?

Original poster
Ginga66 · 30/06/2012 23:45

Hiya,

Mawbroon I have tried all the positions I know now! He just does not really gape very wide. Or he will go on and then slip off or fall asleep.
I am trying to keep him cool flubba but he just dozes off!
Micgill can't open video on iPad, which position is it?
He feeds so often but I think he gets a lot of air causing colic. He also has jaundice have to go to clinic Tuesday for this, mainly just his eyes, but ive Bern told to feed him often to flush bilirubin out.
He sleeps quite a bit especially if we co sleep so last two nights have been bit better.
I just wish I coukd get comfortable position with good latch for long enoughL

OP posts:
ThisIsYourSong · 01/07/2012 10:11

Has he been checked for tongue tie - checked by a professional, not the midwives / GPs etc. This is a good article and if you are in the UK they can help you find someone who can check properly, either privately or on the NHS

milkmatters.org.uk/2011/04/15/hidden-cause-of-feeding-problems-however-you-feed-your-baby/

ImaCleverClogs · 01/07/2012 10:24

bio nurturing is lie back on your bed/sofa supported by plenty of pillows, top off, plonk baby tummy to tummy on you. I had to sort of balance hy hand against ds head as he would slip off. blanket over the top of both of you. i found lying side by side i got most rest, pull them towards you by back and shoulders so head tilts back and gape should be bigger.

Babies feed for different times so short feeds could be totally normal for your baby. Falling asleep after 5 mins and waking up after 1.5 hours is not a symptom that something is wrong. Little and often may be what he needs.

It is knackering though, if you can't get a break from the newborn call in favours to do everything else. This stage doesn't last forever. His tummy is the size of a walnut. Don't worry about the fatty milk, it doesn't turn on after x minutes, trust your baby and your breasts.

iammovingsoon · 01/07/2012 11:06

Yes, lots of HCPs miss tongue tie, particularly a posterior one. But what you describe could still be normal, as long as his output is OK.

BertieBotts · 01/07/2012 11:10

I agree - get him checked for tongue tie pronto. It can affect latch and prevent bottle latching too.

mawbroon · 01/07/2012 11:23

yep, could be tt I agree, you have some classic symptoms of tt

have a look here

Original poster
Ginga66 · 12/07/2012 00:47

Well I will ask the hv about tongue tie as mw said not? He is now feeding only every two to three hours still only five mins most times. He is still jaundiced and has had colic. Being checked out by hospital. Am quite anxious. When he was awake loads I wanted him to sleep. Now I think he is sleeping too much I want him to wake up!

OP posts:
Saritabean · 12/07/2012 05:34

Jaundice makes them more sleepy, so they do actually need waking up every 3 hrs if not waking by themselves. It sounds similar to my Dsis- she ended up expressing and feeding alternating with BF for nearly 3 weeks, then when her DD was a bit less sleepy and a bit bigger, she waAlexle to work on the latch better.

You sound like you're doing a great job!

Original poster
Ginga66 · 13/07/2012 00:18

Thanks, so nice to hear x

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