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Infant feeding

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

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Original poster

Suggestions for upright bf positions

15 replies

Joggers · 03/03/2006 21:16

Does anyone have any suggestions for upright bf feeding positons?? My daughter is 4wks old and 10lbs, HV says she should be more upright whilst feeding now but if I feed without a pillow to support, my back is agony.

Any suggestions much appreciated.

OP posts:

FrannyandZooey · 03/03/2006 21:23

I am not quite sure what your hv means? Why should she be more upright? My son is 2 and I still feed him lying down most of the time, why should they have to be upright? If she has wind / colic problems I think being upright afterwards can help but don't see the advantage of during...

If I am being dim then maybe using a ring sling would help to support her without your arms . back aching?

FrayedKnot · 03/03/2006 21:27

I'm a little confused, too.

No-one ever gave me advice on BF positions, but I started with either a normal pillow or a v-shaped one, and needed to use that for a good 3 months at least.

I also used to feed lying down a lot, usually at lunchtime (so I could nap too!) and at night.

Have you access to a BF counsellor? It might be worth having a word, esp if they also know (of) your HV.

lovecloud · 03/03/2006 21:53

Sit on your bed with your legs crossed and back straight, do the rugby position holding behind the babies head tilting her upright whilst her body lays on two pillows on top of each other rested partly on your thigh and beside your hip.

This should get your dd into a more uprigt feeding position.

Still a bit confused as I thought that one of the wonders of b/f was it did not effect the babies digestion if you lay flat feeding???

popsycalindisguise · 03/03/2006 21:55

sit on sofa with one leg on floor and other with foot on sofa so your leg is kind of curled up....position baby's head on side on leg that is on sofa

the position i used most when the bots were small is called.....

hold on - will find the real name

popsycalindisguise · 03/03/2006 21:55

boys not bots

popsycalindisguise · 03/03/2006 21:56

oh - just read the upright bit...i am confused too

popsycalindisguise · 03/03/2006 22:00

cross cradle hold

sfxmum · 03/03/2006 22:01

hi i did more or less like lovecloud, rugby ball position sitting cross leg on sofa or bed, back straight, often with small pillow at back for lower back support, baby on triangular feeding pillow on left or right as required. its pretty good avoids quite a lot of wind. hope its clear

you know baby head sort of above your knee, body under arm resting on pillow

RedZuleika · 03/03/2006 22:04

My daughter is nearly five months and I still feed her lying down a lot. Is there a reason for the HV to suggest this?

Besides - if you get a blocked duct, you'll be feeding her in whatever contortion you can get into to work that side of your breast...

LIZS · 03/03/2006 22:15

Any particular reason why ? Just cos she's big doesn't necessarily mean she'll be physically any stronger than any other baby her age to support her head and body herself and possibly less so relative to her size. What positions are you currently trying ?

Original poster

Joggers · 04/03/2006 13:46

HV told me to try this as I was worried she was becoming a little colicky (arching back, drawing legs up, straining a lot and very windy from bottom end). She said that newborns should be fed lying flat but as baby got a little older she should be fed more upright and that I should also be changing positions whilst feeding her to help to reduce chance of colic.

I am still feeding her flat on pillow as she has been even more unsettled with feeds - letting go and pushing away - probably because I am uncomfy. Didn't know if I was doing wrong by letting her lie flat as she is my first and I'm still learning!!

OP posts:

LIZS · 04/03/2006 13:53

hmm still not sure of her logic but if you feel she is getting windier it could be a positional/latching issue although many babies go through a phase of it regardless. Suggest you contact a breast feeding counsellor to come and observe a feed and give you tips as to how to make it more comfy all round and vary the position. Using a pillow isn't a bad thing if it raises the baby up to your level and allows you to spread her weight.

FrannyandZooey · 04/03/2006 14:50

I have read something about the upright / colic thing but I think the advice I read was to carry the baby around in a sling instead of leaving them lying flat on their back all the time. Apparently in cultures where babies are carried as a matter of course, colic is quite rare or unheard of.

Original poster

Joggers · 04/03/2006 16:49

Thanks for the suggestion of breast feeding counsellor. Had heard of them and will investigate how to get in touch.

OP posts:

SoupDragon · 05/03/2006 10:06

Have heard good reports of \link{http://www.mybrestfriend.com/\this rather bizarre looking thing}! Try googling "brest friend" to find UK stockists/sites.

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