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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

Too long between feeds?!

39 replies

GanglyGiraffe · 27/10/2012 19:57

DD is 2 days old. Trying to feed on demand, but the problem is the lack of demand!! Last feed was at 14.15 and she hasn't feed since, she just won't wake up for long enough.

Yesterday she went about 8hrs between feeds. Midwife came thismorning and told me to give her a bottle if still not feeding regularly.

Shall I? Will it stop me from being able to breast feed if I give her a bottle?

Her latch is good when she does feed, she just isn't interested.

Please help Sad

OP posts:
Original poster
GanglyGiraffe · 27/10/2012 20:06

Bump

OP posts:
peeriebear · 27/10/2012 20:09

So yesterday she was 1 day old and she didn't feed for 8 hours? Shock

peeriebear · 27/10/2012 20:10

Call your local mw unit and go down. That mw sounds a bit crap. Really, go down if you can.

Original poster
GanglyGiraffe · 27/10/2012 20:11

Thank you for that helpful response

OP posts:
ElphabaTheGreen · 27/10/2012 20:11

If she's not awake enough to be on the boob, how could she be awake enough to be on a bottle Confused Bottle feeding isn't the best idea so early on. Using a syringe, spoon or, as we did, a little cup is what is generally advised to prevent nipple confusion. I expressed and cup fed to up DS's weight when he lost 11% of his birthweight and because my nipples were absolutely wrecked from four days of cluster feeding by a tongue tied baby.

We were told to feed every 2 hours or 10-12 feeds in a 24 hour period, so eight hours is too long to go without a feed. You do need to try and wake her up. Good luck with that - it's quite tough! Most humane way is a nappy change but when we were trying to wake DS for feeds in the early days we'd resort to stripping him down to his nappy and dabbing him with a damp flannel. I also found pinching his nose gently woke him up as well.

Olympicrock · 27/10/2012 20:11

At that age I would try to put her to the breast at least every 3 hours. Stripping off to wake her, tickling feet etc. 8 hours is way to long

fluffacloud · 27/10/2012 20:12

I'm not sure how giving her a bottle would help if you're keen to BF, not great advice from the Midwife Hmm

Some babies are just sleepy and need a bit of help. I must stress that I'm really not an expert but maybe try waking her every 3 hours. I used to change DDs nappy in a bright room and leave her just wearing a vest. If she's falling asleep during feeds, try switching sides when she drops off and burping her or chatting to her.

It worked for me and I'm still breast feeding 6 months later.

I'm sure a real expert will be along shortly, or have been already (it takes me bloody ages to post on my phone!).

Congrats by the way Thanks [hgrin]

Original poster
GanglyGiraffe · 27/10/2012 20:12

Ok will try that thankyou. Really in a panic

OP posts:
SirBoobAlot · 27/10/2012 20:15

Skin to skin, stroke her feet, blow softly on her face.

Bottle is pointless, and that midwife sounds crap. You do need to get her to wake up though.

If she still won't feed properly, I would call the postnatal ward.

RightUpMyRue · 27/10/2012 20:16

Ring the National Breastfeeding Helpline 0300 100 0212 and speak to someone who is trained in helping over the phone.

Your midwife's advice isn't the best.

You need to be giving a minimum of 8 feeds per day at this early stage, more is good though.

Please ring and get some support Smile

Olympicrock · 27/10/2012 20:17

No need to panic, you just need to be a bit meaner about getting her nice and awake at least every 3 hours to convince her milk is a good idea.

fluffacloud · 27/10/2012 20:18

Don't panic!

You're breasts and your DD were quite literally, made for eachother Grin

You just need some decent advice!

Hang in there and ask to see the Midwife again in the morning - with any luck you'll get a different one.

beancurd · 27/10/2012 20:19

skin to skin, trying to wake every few hours, trying to get a latch whilst in light sleep all these things help but if your baby still isnt feeding get a good double pump or (hand express) and pump at least 8 times a day giving that colostrum by syringe. contact your hospital and ask if they have an infant feeding specialist or bf support workers who can give you proper support. you can call delivery suite at anytime, they wont mind.

MNP · 27/10/2012 20:20

Stripping her down, changing her nappy, a cool damp cloth around face and head, try to do this every 2-3 hrs day and night. The more she feeds the stronger and more alert she will be and the less engorged you'll be when the milk arrives.

Pourquoimoi · 27/10/2012 20:25

I'd agree, pretty crap advice from the midwife unless she is refusing to feed from you.
I also agree re waking her up, blowing on her, tickling feet etc, taking a layer of clothing off to encourage her to be awake and feed. You should try to feed her every couple of hours.

Only if she refuses to feed from you, and you really can't wake her up enough to do it then consider a bit of formula. After all, it is a lot easier for her to drink BUT do NOT use a bottle, use a milk feeding cup or a spoon.

Good luck, call out for help if you think you need it Smile

KnittingZombie · 27/10/2012 20:26

I would wake baby every 4 hours if they weren't showing interest more often. For the first week or two at least. I didn't realise until DS2 that this isn't just for baby, but also to get your supply going. Congrats on the new baby!!

timewastingonhere · 27/10/2012 20:34

Ridiculous advice given - you should ring your delivery ward as they can/should give advice for up to 28days after birth - not feeding can be very simple things but it can be a sign of more complex things such as low sugar levels etc -

Firstly I would make the call and tell them exactly the feeding pattern and they may ask you to pop in and check baby's sugar levels, secondly I would strip you and baby off except for a big cosy dressing gown and get baby skin to skin and close to your nipple. thirdly your milk probably has nt come in yet which is fine, but try to hand express into a small syringe, spoon or small container (I say small cause colostrum comes out in small amounts but is super powerful) anyway express a bit and put it on your finger and encourage baby to suck;

A website called kellymom is really good for breast feeding advice if I'm allowed to post that ??!?

Anyway a mothers instinct is best and I'm sorry the MW was so crappy for you

timewastingonhere · 27/10/2012 20:36

Ridiculous from the MW I mean not on here - just read my badly written first sentence sorry

Olympicrock · 27/10/2012 20:42

Hows it going Gangley?

sleepysnorlax · 27/10/2012 20:42

Please, please get your baby checked out. This is my first mumsnet post, I usually lurk but felt I had to respond as I had a similar experience with a non-feeding baby.

I had trouble getting my sleepy baby to feed on day 2 and was initially told by everyone (midwives, breast feeding counseller, paediatrician...) I asked that this was normal, not to worry and to tickle him awake etc. Luckily, because I'd had a c-section, I was still in the hospital and they picked up that he had a heart problem - his heart rate kept dropping and basically whenever I tried to feed him he passed out. The worst thing I could have done was force him to wake up as the shock could have made him have a heart attack.

They particularly noticed that he startled an excessive amount, if that helps.
Also, were you induced? We haven't had a proper answer from the hospital as to what could have caused the heart problem (it didn't last and was gone within a week), but Dr Google has suggested it could have come from a syntocin overdose. It must be quite common - the Dr who discharged my ds said that they see at least 2 cases of this a week but (for some reason) don't always keep the baby in for monitoring.

timewastingonhere · 27/10/2012 20:56

Sleepy well written and glad your baby was ok but your right non feeding can be a sign of many things -

OP - what type of birth did you have? As medicine used in labour can all have an affect on your baby; but the main thing is to get some advice and be offering lots I opportunities to feed, many babies are sleepy for the first 12/24 hrs post birth but as you are on day 2 baby may need a little more checking or help to get successful breast feeding established.
After 4 days in with my number 1 son with food refusal/sugar level problems etc expressing etc breast feeding worked out but at the stage you are at I was still in so try where monitoring the fact he hadn't fed...

Keep us posted and congrats on your new arrival it's a wonderful time -

Bedat10 · 27/10/2012 20:59

Another one who is usually a lurker, but also been in similar situation with both my babies. Both were jaundiced, which can make babies sleepier than normal and therefore harder to feed. And cos they not feeding, have no energy, so dont wake to feed, its a negative cycle. First baby I left it too long (MW forgot to visit us and we has no idea what we were doing). Ended up in neonatal unit severely dehydrated. I felt terrible. Not saying this to panic you, just to say better to get baby seen earlier, so pop back to the hospital thus evening if you haven't already. With a 2 day old you'll be seen v quickly and they'll help you get sorted.
Second baby I recognised the signs earlier, syringe fed a couple of ml every hour which gave her more energy and then she was able to feed properly, and got better much quicker.
Good luck, am sure all will be fine (both mine are super healthy now, and bf both for ages!) and congrats on your newborn!

crikeybadger · 27/10/2012 21:16

Gangly- hope you've managed to get some help- that really is shocking advice from a midwife. Sad

I would really suggest that you call the maternity ward, explain the situation and ask for someone to come and see you. They should be able to show you how to hand express and bring some syringes so you can get some colostrum in to your baby (if not waking up enough by then).

Let us know how you get on, if you get the chance. Smile

Original poster
GanglyGiraffe · 27/10/2012 22:30

Thank you all very much. I've just finished feeding DD, she had a good feed so feeling a lot better now. (Dancing with Daddy seemed to do the trick in the end Confused)

I'm going to have another good read through your responses and few DD again in a few hours.

Thank you again.

OP posts:
BertieBotts · 27/10/2012 22:44

Try not to panic, but do try and get some support. Bottles are not the only solution in this situation (and certainly shouldn't have been the only advice the MW offered!) but if your baby's blood sugar levels are very low they may need to be given formula just as an immediate boost - think of it as medicine, as it is in an emergency situation. It might also be possible to express colostrum, hoover it up with a syringe and feed her directly via the syringe, if you have an oral one like the type you get with children's antibiotics (supermarket or other pharmacies often have them) - you'll need to sterilise it but if you don't have a steriliser you can place it in boiling water in a saucepan for five minutes.

Have you tried feeding her lying down, I found that DS used to feed in his sleep then, because there was no gravity making it harder to keep the boob in his mouth.

Please do not be afraid to call labour ward at any time of the night - there will be midwives on shift at all hours, and also, small babies can go downhill fast and you don't want to wait around for morning if you're worried. Also remember they're used to people phoning in with totally PFB questions Grin and they would much rather spend time talking to you on the phone and reassuring you than you sat at home not wanting to be a burden.

Even call just to ask how often you should be waking her if she's not waking for food, I was told not to let DS go more than 3 hours in the day and no more than 4 hours at night in the early days, but it might be that you need to try more frequently if she's not fed well so far. A midwife will be able to advise, and it will likely be a totally different one to the one who visited this morning.

Good luck :) Glad to hear she's just had a big feed. Hope she keeps it up!