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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

2 day old problems

69 replies

Zara1984 · 29/10/2012 12:55

Had my baby boy in the wee hours of Sunday. Due to meconium & resuss issues and then (due to hospital busyness) getting kicked out to postnatal ward really fast it was a struggle to get first feed sorted until about 5 hours after birth.

Since then it's like he's not really interested in the boob or in feeding (he's quite sleepy)? Have had a few good sucking sessions but its always a struggle (can get 1-2 hours to get started), including completely undressing him and doing skin to skin. Lots of meconium nappies but only 1 nappy with wees in it. He's quite snotty and has coughed up blood & mec.

Current failed bf session has led to him being skin to skin under my nightie & cardigan - but no rooting, he's sound asleep! Last feed was at 8am.

Paediatrician has said I can pump colostrum & give by syringe if I want (midwives they were suggesting it yesterday but with formula).

Any tips?? I so want to get bf established :( I feel like a leper because I'm the only mum bfing (well trying to) on my ward and I keep having staff come round asking if I want bottles made up. :(

OP posts:
LadyMaryCreepyCrawley · 31/10/2012 01:52

I haven't heard of that rule before! I'd pump, it sounds like they are full of milk so must be very painful Sad Have you asked them to check that you don't have mastitis?

Original poster
Zara1984 · 31/10/2012 01:52

I want to feed on demand, but he doesn't demand food mich

OP posts:
LadyMaryCreepyCrawley · 31/10/2012 01:53

No, you're not. Poor mite just needs a little help. Have you asked them about a breastfeeding consultant?

TanteRose · 31/10/2012 01:55

hi Zara

yes you can start expressing - if you don't want to use the pump, you can always try manual expressing. Just make sure you have a clean cup/bottle to express into.

Can you get your hands on a syringe? you can give your DS some expressed milk using a syringe, or a spoon.

Try not to worry - my DD did not get the hang of breastfeeding until about day 7 (I sat up all night until we got it right!) and then we went on to breastfeed for more than a year.

It is NOT TOO LATE! really Smile

try expressing a bit by hand so your boobs are slightly softer and try latching him on.

Is there a La Leche League near you?

I know its exhausting - hang in there Smile

Original poster
Zara1984 · 31/10/2012 01:56

No they didn't check my boobs, milk only started to come in over course of today.

Not sure if I should sleep (am worried I should be trying to keep get boob or something into baby) or try expressing.

I've had 9 hours sleep in total since Saturday 8am when I went in for my induction Sad I feel like death

OP posts:
LadyMaryCreepyCrawley · 31/10/2012 01:58

Express a little, then offer him your breasts. If he isn't happy, then feed him the milk that you've just expressed. He should settle so that you can get some sleep. Smile

Original poster
Zara1984 · 31/10/2012 01:59

I wanted to take home syringes and soft cups but hospital wouldn't let me, said was unsafe.

Hospital mw today suggested lac cons. My friend gave me name of one she used, I emailed about urgent consultation but she's not available, she gave me name of another so I emailed her just now too.

OP posts:
TanteRose · 31/10/2012 02:00

just express a little bit so you are more comfortable

then SLEEP! if he is sleeping, then you should, even if its only half an hour or so.

LadyMaryCreepyCrawley · 31/10/2012 02:02

Syringes are just so that he can get a little fluid. If he's taking from your breast and a bottle you don't need a syringe or a soft cup. Smile Tante's right, you need to get some rest as well.

ScaryFakeNails · 31/10/2012 02:03

What you need to do is express and get you both some sleep.

Expressing is not a finite decision, there is coming back from it. I would express, an either syringe or bottle feed him that.

Its good to keep encouraging boob I think so do keep offering it but right now theres no point staying up forcing it its just going to make you both more tired, grumpy and frustrated. Get him fed, get some sleep. In the morning I would see if you can get some help from midwife etc

Original poster
Zara1984 · 31/10/2012 02:04

Ok I will try the hand pump cos that's an avent and my friend brought round avent steriliser and bottles anyway. Haven't looked at bits and bobs of Medela electric one yet.

I will then try bf and if no luck will try give him the expressed milk.

I can't get out much with hand expression and am so tired

And then I will try sleep.

In TMI land I also really need to do number 2a but its first since delivery (second degree tear) and am scared...!

OP posts:
HotHotNot · 31/10/2012 02:06

You poor thing. I hope you can get a lactation consultant out ASAP. Your baby has had a tough time, too and may be feeling sicky from the mucous still.

I know you are exhausted but I think if you can let a bit milk out to avoid them getting sore or possibly mastitis, then let someone take baby and give him expressed milk in a syringe or cup, or even a bit f boiled water, and let you get some rest. Then continue as you have been, you aren't doing anything wrong in fact you are doing the utmost for him. Lots of cuddles and letting him nuzzle a little milk off you when you are ready, then get expert advice.

I found a warm shower or flannel on my breasts helped with expressing.

Original poster
Zara1984 · 31/10/2012 02:09

Ok

DH has got baby on chest under blanket in bed. I will try figure out hand pump. I have some boob wheat pack things which might help warm up my boobs

OP posts:
LadyMaryCreepyCrawley · 31/10/2012 02:09

Smile Lots of great advice on here.

Don't worry about pooping, it isn't as bad as you think it's going to be. Best to make sure you're not constipated though.

I should get off to bed. Congratulations! Smile

TanteRose · 31/10/2012 02:14
Grin

do you think you will be able to do a poo without straining too much?
if you kind of sit far back on the loo seat, and sit up very straight with your legs fairly wide on either side of the loo, you may find it is easier to poo without straining too much

good luck, I know its scary - but getting rid of your number 2 might help you sleep a bit more (maybe Confused)

Original poster
Zara1984 · 31/10/2012 02:16

Ok poo was not so scary. Tried to avoid pushing much at all, just let naturally come out IYSWIM. Still ouch Sad

OP posts:
TanteRose · 31/10/2012 02:17

just be careful with warming your boobs - it stimulates milk production, which is fine, but you don't want to make TOO much milk, if he is still not feeding much. You don't want your boobs to explode Grin

if I were you, I would slap on a packet of frozen peas to cool them down a bit

TanteRose · 31/10/2012 02:18

yay for the poo Grin

and yes, it will be a bit painful for a few days still

Original poster
Zara1984 · 31/10/2012 02:41

DH and DMIL are working out the hand pump and sterilising the kit. I am lying in bed with baby on my chest because he doesn't like his crib.

Just going round and round in my head is hospital insistence that baby feeds every 3 hours Sad he's had nothing now since 9pm Sad Sad Sad

OP posts:
TanteRose · 31/10/2012 02:48

don't worry - you'll get it sorted

listen, you should be putting your baby to the breast 15 to 20 times in 24 hours, you don't have to struggle with timings etc.

I know you said he doesn't want to feed, but he WILL get it eventually. As long as you keep showing him the goods!

is he still weeing/pooing?

Original poster
Zara1984 · 31/10/2012 02:51

Yes he is still doing 3-4 meconium nappies a day. As for urine it's not clear if he's passing it much, but he did giant wee this afternoon on himself on hospital scales.

OP posts:
TanteRose · 31/10/2012 02:56

good

any luck with the pump?

even if you only get tiny amounts of milk into him, it will be better than nothing for the moment

keep offering him your breast too

Heartbeep · 31/10/2012 03:39

Your experience sounds very similar to mine with DC1, i can feel myself sweating thinking about the early days with her, expressing, breast & bottle feeding (both breast & formula), it was very very stressful & really knocked my confidence in my ability to feed her. I wish I'd trusted my body more that it would be able to sustain my DDs needs, but with hindsight that's easy to say.

My DD was very sleepy until she was 2 weeks old, then she woke up & her feeding cues were more obvious. I used to set my alarm for every 3 hours to offer a feed.

I did manage to bf until she was 13 months old, albeit with mixed feeding at the start.

Please do seek as much RL help as you can, get your DH or MIL on the net to find as many local bf contacts as possible, and call them. Ask your midwife for support group numbers & location of support group, they will exist, if midwife is no help call your gp & speak to the HV, ask her for the same.

Also get baby checked for tongue tie, DD had one & it contributed to our difficulties at the start (I'm only now realising how much as I now have 5 week old DC2 who does not have a TT and feeds so easily in comparison).

I hope you manage to get some support & that things settle down for you both. If you have any concerns at all about your baby get them checked out.

Congratulations on your new baby!

Original poster
Zara1984 · 31/10/2012 04:30

Sigh. Couldn't get any milk manually to pump out of my boobs, which are now getting more and more painful. He wouldn't latch. Gave him 40ml formula. God this is painful Sad

OP posts:
Hyperballad · 31/10/2012 04:52

Hey Zara, you're doing really well and you are getting lots of good advice on here.

I just wanted to mention that when your milk comes in it is common to be incredibly emotional, so don't worry if you feel crazy over the next day and you cry all the time! It's natural and it'll pass after a day or so.

I know it's hard but try to keep positive and relax as much as poss. In the early days I did my labour breathing when getting the baby latched to try and relax!

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