A bit confused about breast feeding...

[MrsHelsBels74]

Am trying to breast feed & my son (6 days) latches on brilliantly, feeds for up to 1/2 an hour almost continuously without getting frustrated but I'm confused as my breasts don't feel any different, they don't feel full or hard or anything, they just feel the same as they did when I wasn't pregnant.

Has anyone else had this & did breastfeeding continue ok? Am just a bit worried as I never had any milk with my firstborn & he ended up very poorly because of this. As a result we're offering top ups most feeds just to make sure he's eating enough.

"I'm confused as my breasts don't feel any different, they don't feel full or hard or anything, they just feel the same as they did when I wasn't pregnant."

I'm not an expert, but just wanted to tell you that I was the same. My breasts never felt hard or leaked or anything, but I must have been making milk because DS kept growing (we did have a bit of a shaky start until his tongue tie was snipped) and he was EBF until he was 6 months, and then continued to BF until he was 16mo.

Hope last night went okay.

The more you feed in the earlier weeks, the stronger your established supply later on, that's why topping up with bottle feeds isn't really a good idea in the early weeks as it can affect your supply.

I fed fed fed fed fed for the first 6 weeks...no specific feed times as it's not like bottle feeding - baby's tum is only the size of a walnut so needs little and often (bottle feeding stretches the stomach, breast doesn't as baby unlatches when full). Honestly, my DS was permanently on the breast (every hour or so) for the first 6 weeks, but the time and effort you put in in the early days REALLY pays off later. Feed, feed FEED!

Enjoy all those cuddles and catch up on some dodgy tv...ignore the washing up, and concentrate on the best thing you can do for your new baby - there is no better start in life than to be breastfed.

If you start to forget all the reasons you chose to breastfeed in the first place, have a flick through the Internet to remind yourself of all the good it does baby compared to bottlefeeding. If you can't find time, reply to this and 'll post up some good sites :). Good luck and ell done!

well

One last thing - I was only 22 when I had my first child, and had the full breasts and engorgement etc, but after the birth of child no 2 at age 33, no sign of engorgement or fullness, but he has fed happily for over 12 months now. There are reasons - whether they be age, a loss of elasticity in the breast tissues, and the fact that it isn't your 1st baby...but it doesn't mean the milk isn't there.

When baby has been feeding for 20 mins or so, try gently compressing the breast to transfer more of the milk and fat to baby without him having to suckle so hard, as they get tired. Then ALWAYS offer the 2nd breast.

On the next feed, always start with the breast you used 2nd during the previous feed. This will encourage a more balanced supply. Good luck :)

And always let baby latch off by himself from 1st breast before offering 2nd...don't rush him. :)

I didn't get rock hard boobs either - until the first time DD slept through for much longer than previously and I woke up looking like I'd had a very cheap, disastrous breast implant operation!

I understand why you're worried - but all the time your DS is feeding well, gaining weight and producing lots of wet nappies, there's nothing to worry about.

Top-up feeding may create the very problem you're worried about though - ie your milk running out. Your boobs produce what you ask of them.

Sometimes if the baby can be too distracted / wound up to feed. Just keep offering while trying to seem blase about it...

I keep remembering things that might help - so here's another! When you 'top up' you are using a bottle (I assume), and the early use of an artificial teat of any kind (bottle, dummy, nipple shield) can cause nipple confusion. I started using a dummy on baby no 1 years ago (when it wasn't frowned upon!) and she then did exactly what your DS did last night...refused both breasts and completely freaked out. It is so confusing for them, as the nipple and the rubber teat feel so different. They don't know what is going on.

I got rid of the dummy, and within a day or so my dd was back to her normal feeds. Your DS will accept your breast again when he is hungry enough, but it really sounds like he was 'nipple confused'. They are usually more easily confused at night time when they are half asleep, and trying to get them to feed at that point can be so frustrating for both of you. Google this for more info.

Can I suggest you cut out the bottle completely. This is what I think will then happen, just so you know what to expect.

1/ bottle cut out - solely breastfeeding now to get rid of nipple confusion.
2/ baby needs feeding much more often as bottle was filling baby's tummy beyond what it could naturally take. Expect feeds to be every hour for a day or two until milk supply improves.
3/ baby might be frustrated for a day or so, whilst you are waiting for supply to improve, but this is no different to when baby has a growth spurt so it will prepare you for the 6 week growth spurt and the 3 month one too!
4/ after a day or two your supply will have improved...keep feeding baby on demand, not to a set time (that's for bottle fed babies) and he should be happy and your supply will be just right for his needs.

Over time, as baby's jaw gets stronger, he will feed quicker, and will take more during each feed, so the gap between feeds will grow. THAT'S when breast feeding finally pays off for YOU! No carting bottles around and trying to heat them up and no expensive milk purchases! I really hope you persevere and get to that stage. I'll stop writing now...best of luck and really well done for asking for help instead of giving up :)

All of the above was taken from my breastfeeding awareness/peer supporter course...so has been researched extensively by someone other than myself. But for more info google;

'nipple confusion'
'breastfeeding - supply and demand'
'10 good reasons to breastfeed'

Loads of helpful info to help anyone understand those topics. That's my last now, sorry for taking over your thread! :)