HELP URGENT!!

[nattylou]

i need your help and advice. My ds is 3 days old and my milk has just come in. I was planning on bf as I did with my dd. However, ds is a big boy and the whole "supply and demand" thing is just not going very well. I have had to resort to topping up with formula just so i can take a breath, as he is feeding every 90 mins for about an hour. My nipples are very sore and cracked as he goes at them like a bull. the positioning is fine, but even when i am feeding him, i can hear his tummy rumbling. I am debating about whether to express and give him breast milk that way. I was going to get an electronic pump in about 20 mins, hence the urgency for advice.

I know you are supposed to just "get on with it" through cracked and sore nipples, but if i have to stop, i know i will feel like a failure, and I just want someone to tell me what the best thing to do would be. Do i express and give ds breast milk, or do i stop altogether and go with formula? I am so confused (and sore!)

You need to speak to a breastfeeding counsellor. Try NCT or la leche. Do it now!

Definitely phone a bf counsellor. Chances are that your positioning isn't fine - I was sore because DD wasn't "gaping" enough. She appeared to be positioned 100% correctly but was effectively chewing on my nipples. I sorted the gaping and the soreness began toheal (obv was sore until they healed though but not toe curling).

I successfully bf DS1 who was a 10lb-er so feeding big boys can be done - have faith in yourself.

Good luck!

the soreness passes and breastfeeding counsellors can help untill it passes don't give up yet the first few days are the worst it gets slightly easier and at 13 weeks it is second nature , get advise form a counsellor la leche league anywhere!!! the pain will pass
sometiesm my ds fed all day long but that passes too and it is not all the time every day some days are better that others, but in any case it is up to you let us know how you get on either way as Motherhood is different for everyone if you stop bf well then just get on with bottlefeeding and don't feel guilty aobut it, it is up to you. It will get better, don't panic you know what your baby needs better than anyone else.

Well done for getting this far and CONGRATULATIONS on DS's arrival. I agree with the others about the BF counsellor. I would however hold off the expressing for a while. IMO if you build a good BF relationship with your baby you are much less likely to have problems with engorgement, nipple confusision etc which isn't what you need.

I know what you mean about feeding constantly. My DD was nearly 10lbs and I felt that I was sat on the sofa with a boob out for about 8 weeks! It does get easier, I promise you, but you need to tough it out at the beginning. If you introduce formula, you will make less milk and the problem with feeding will get worse.

I found lansinoh brilliant for the soreness. I also used to let milk dry on my nipples to help them heal. Easier for me as I had a spring baby but even a few nights of topless TV watching will help.

Take care and keep in touch.

Please do go see a BF counsellor. If the position is good, lots of feeding will not cause cracked nipples

ring a counsellor they will give you excellent practical advice

nct: Breastfeeding Line: 0870 444 8708 8am-10pm everyday
abm: 0870 401 7711
LLL 24hr Helpline: 020 7242 1278 24hour

nattylou,

how are you feeling ? my dd fed constantly and i made it to two years !! when i was at that stage i used to lie her down (this is prob going to sound mad but it worked ) and i used to hover over her and she wud latch on and it didnt hurt! also tried the legs behind me and head at breast level from under arm ? this sounds mad ! but i know what i mean i think you are doing great lasting this long my ds wouldnt feed at all ! try squeezin small amount of milk out and rubbing in to nipple as this helps to sooth cracked area also savoy cabbage leaves and best of all breast gel packs from boots for bra i used to cool in fridge they were magic ! hope this helps good luck luv and remember how good you are doing lots of mums dont get this far

nattylou - congratulations on the birth of your DS

Initially, all babies feed for a good long time and quite frequently. This will begin to settle soon. From personal experience i found that there was discomfort and cracking of my nipples with my DD which completely went after 2 weeks. There wasnt a particular problem latch etc it just took a while for things to settle.

I would strongly advise you get your MW or HV to come and help you, and in the meantime ring the numbers that other posters have given you - they are there to be called upon. (Just to prewarn you - the MW or HV may "manhandle" you a little to check that your DS is latching properly - it never bothered me but it does some women).

You are more likely to succeed if you do not top up with formula. This is because the way you increase your supply is to keep up feeding. If you are dropping a b/feed by giving a formula feed the demand on your milk drops (its being replaced by formula).

The first few weeks can be exhausting for all new mothers and b/feeding can be particularly so. But stick at it, get as much help as you need from the MW, HV or LLL/BFN and you and your DS will reap the rewards.

I got off to a shaky start with my DS second time round but 10.5 months down the line am still b/feeding him successfully.

HTH and good luck.
xxx

OH, and as McMum says - try different positions in feeding. It is definitely beneficial. I have found when ive developed a blocked duct or a bit of soreness that laying down in a "top and tail" position with DS (so he is feeding upside down to me) clears the block or is completely pain free.

Do try it.

VVV
Thats what i was trying to explain lol but got tongue tied or fingertip tied lol my dd is now 5 and ds 8 no more bf for me and tbh i really miss it, well done you for lastin this long its the most rewarding thing ive ever done

Wha is jelonet, have never heard of it before.

nattylou - you are not supposed to get on with it through sore cracked nipples. These are a sugn you need immediate help with positioning and attachment and yor midwife should be calling today - she must help you with this.

Tummies rumble all the time - adults tummies as well. It means nothing except your tummy is working!!

Formula will decrease your chances of feeding - he doesn't need it if bf is going well.

I hope you get help today,

Nattylou, my ds is 22days old today and he was 9lb 10oz and needed feeding ALL the time it seemed! I posted something very similar to you last week as I was really getting down with the whole bf thing. At first my nipples were cracked and sore but my MW prescribed Lansinoh (as has been mentioned) and it truly is great stuff, after they had healed bf became much more comfortable. However, I still found the demand very hard going. I now express (using an electric pump) one bottle feed per day which dh gives to ds in the morning just to give me a break. For me this works fantastically. I was told not to introduce a bottle before 4 weeks but ds latches on fine now and HV told me to use my own judgement. I would try and persevere with the feeding but take each day at a time, I am still doing that as I am having good days and bad days. You must discuss your feelings with the mw though, I broke down on my hv the other day and felt much better for it! I have every sympathy for you but it does get a little easier as each day passes

Thanks for all your advice. I have just had a visit from a bf counsellor. My mw is coming tomorrow too. I have expressed about 24 oz since yesterday and ds seems to be doing ok. Counsellor said to try and put baby back on the breast as soon as poss to make sure he remembers how to latch on. I am going to try the rugby ball hold tonight as I seem to remember that working quite well with dd. If all else fails, then I can just keep expressing and I know that ds is still getting breast milk.

I will let you know how I get on.

Thank you for all your advice. I tried feeding baby during the night on my own and on the whole had a pretty good night. went to college and spent the while time fretting about how ds would feed during the night.

Anway, all was ok (i think). He fed at 1.50 for 20 mins, then slept until 4.30. He then fed again for about 30 mins and by the time i had changed him and got him settled again, it was 5.30. He then slept until 7.50. It has been like that on and off all morning, feeding for about 20 mins or so, then sleeping for a good couple of hours. My mw has just been and said the only thing I really need to do is try and get him to feed a little bit longer if I can. If he falls off the breast, I wind him, change him if he needs it, then try and put him back on. It seems quite obvious to me that if he sleeping for 2 hours or so then he has got a full tummy. He is a lovely colour and seems perfectly content so my mw has said she thinks i might have turned the corner with bf. I think i might have got the hang of the positioning now. I also managed to express a few ounces after this mornings feed so i can start building a supply in the freezer. Feel pretty good and positive today. Fingers crossed it continues!

Thank you for all your advice. I tried feeding baby during the night on my own and on the whole had a pretty good night. went to college and spent the while time fretting about how ds would feed during the night.

Anway, all was ok (i think). He fed at 1.50 for 20 mins, then slept until 4.30. He then fed again for about 30 mins and by the time i had changed him and got him settled again, it was 5.30. He then slept until 7.50. It has been like that on and off all morning, feeding for about 20 mins or so, then sleeping for a good couple of hours. My mw has just been and said the only thing I really need to do is try and get him to feed a little bit longer if I can. If he falls off the breast, I wind him, change him if he needs it, then try and put him back on. It seems quite obvious to me that if he sleeping for 2 hours or so then he has got a full tummy. He is a lovely colour and seems perfectly content so my mw has said she thinks i might have turned the corner with bf. I think i might have got the hang of the positioning now. I also managed to express a few ounces after this mornings feed so i can start building a supply in the freezer. Feel pretty good and positive today. Fingers crossed it continues!

Thank you for all your advice. I tried feeding baby during the night on my own and on the whole had a pretty good night. went to college and spent the while time fretting about how ds would feed during the night.

Anway, all was ok (i think). He fed at 1.50 for 20 mins, then slept until 4.30. He then fed again for about 30 mins and by the time i had changed him and got him settled again, it was 5.30. He then slept until 7.50. It has been like that on and off all morning, feeding for about 20 mins or so, then sleeping for a good couple of hours. My mw has just been and said the only thing I really need to do is try and get him to feed a little bit longer if I can. If he falls off the breast, I wind him, change him if he needs it, then try and put him back on. It seems quite obvious to me that if he sleeping for 2 hours or so then he has got a full tummy. He is a lovely colour and seems perfectly content so my mw has said she thinks i might have turned the corner with bf. I think i might have got the hang of the positioning now. I also managed to express a few ounces after this mornings feed so i can start building a supply in the freezer. Feel pretty good and positive today. Fingers crossed it continues!

Thank you for all your advice. I tried feeding baby during the night on my own and on the whole had a pretty good night. went to college and spent the while time fretting about how ds would feed during the night.

Anway, all was ok (i think). He fed at 1.50 for 20 mins, then slept until 4.30. He then fed again for about 30 mins and by the time i had changed him and got him settled again, it was 5.30. He then slept until 7.50. It has been like that on and off all morning, feeding for about 20 mins or so, then sleeping for a good couple of hours. My mw has just been and said the only thing I really need to do is try and get him to feed a little bit longer if I can. If he falls off the breast, I wind him, change him if he needs it, then try and put him back on. It seems quite obvious to me that if he sleeping for 2 hours or so then he has got a full tummy. He is a lovely colour and seems perfectly content so my mw has said she thinks i might have turned the corner with bf. I think i might have got the hang of the positioning now. I also managed to express a few ounces after this mornings feed so i can start building a supply in the freezer. Feel pretty good and positive today. Fingers crossed it continues!

Thank you for all your advice. I tried feeding baby during the night on my own and on the whole had a pretty good night. went to college and spent the while time fretting about how ds would feed during the night.

Anway, all was ok (i think). He fed at 1.50 for 20 mins, then slept until 4.30. He then fed again for about 30 mins and by the time i had changed him and got him settled again, it was 5.30. He then slept until 7.50. It has been like that on and off all morning, feeding for about 20 mins or so, then sleeping for a good couple of hours. My mw has just been and said the only thing I really need to do is try and get him to feed a little bit longer if I can. If he falls off the breast, I wind him, change him if he needs it, then try and put him back on. It seems quite obvious to me that if he sleeping for 2 hours or so then he has got a full tummy. He is a lovely colour and seems perfectly content so my mw has said she thinks i might have turned the corner with bf. I think i might have got the hang of the positioning now. I also managed to express a few ounces after this mornings feed so i can start building a supply in the freezer. Feel pretty good and positive today. Fingers crossed it continues!

Thank you for all your advice. I tried feeding baby during the night on my own and on the whole had a pretty good night. went to college and spent the while time fretting about how ds would feed during the night.

Anway, all was ok (i think). He fed at 1.50 for 20 mins, then slept until 4.30. He then fed again for about 30 mins and by the time i had changed him and got him settled again, it was 5.30. He then slept until 7.50. It has been like that on and off all morning, feeding for about 20 mins or so, then sleeping for a good couple of hours. My mw has just been and said the only thing I really need to do is try and get him to feed a little bit longer if I can. If he falls off the breast, I wind him, change him if he needs it, then try and put him back on. It seems quite obvious to me that if he sleeping for 2 hours or so then he has got a full tummy. He is a lovely colour and seems perfectly content so my mw has said she thinks i might have turned the corner with bf. I think i might have got the hang of the positioning now. I also managed to express a few ounces after this mornings feed so i can start building a supply in the freezer. Feel pretty good and positive today. Fingers crossed it continues!