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Infant feeding

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

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Original poster

new to this, please be gentle!

21 replies

Steffanoid · 22/06/2013 20:36

Hi guys, please be gentle but thanks for reading.

my DS is 3.5 days old, my milk is just starting to.come in, since 9 am this morning he's done nothing but root, feed and sleep on me, when he's feeding I know he's sucking and on alright, have tested with my finger and can feel it through my nipple IYSWIM

I've read somewhere that this is normal, please reaaurre me oh wise ones!

OP posts:

Hardhaton · 22/06/2013 20:39

How big was he? Remember your both getting settled in to a routine.

Original poster

Steffanoid · 22/06/2013 20:39

he's sucking on and off when he's on the boob, there are pauses every few sucks, then he comes off, naps and starts again.

OP posts:

crikeybadger · 22/06/2013 20:39

Many congrats!
Yes, all sounds good - completely normal behaviour for such a new baby.

Just sit, rest, do as much skin to skin as you can, feed...feed...feed some more, rest a bit more, eat when hungry, drink to thirst.

Most of all enjoy these crazy newborn days and sleep when you can.

Original poster

Steffanoid · 22/06/2013 20:42

10lb 1oz born at 41+1

OP posts:

Forgetfulmog · 22/06/2013 20:42

Congrats on your ds

Yep, all completely normal. Settle yourself down for the long haul cluster feeds! You will need lots of cake! Your milk should settle down by wk 10 - I know I know, it seems like an eternity away, but believe me it will come. When my dd was newborn I literally couldn't see beyond the current days, but fast forward 9 month & bf is literally a dream .

You will get there, I promise. Atm your LO is establishing your milk supply, hence the long feeding. He's also getting comfort from you & your boob.

You're doing brilliantly

Hardhaton · 22/06/2013 20:44

Wow! Well done you!!!
My ds1 was 8lb 11 and although he was bottle fed he hardly ate for 3 days then day 4 he wouldn't stop feeding. He will settle down in a few days. Enjoy your new baby as they grow so quick

Original poster

Steffanoid · 22/06/2013 20:44

thanks guys, was hoping you would say that, this super cluster feeding is he gonna be going 24/7 till week 10 or is this just tge first few weeks then settles down till 'normal' at about so 10

OP posts:

Original poster

Steffanoid · 22/06/2013 20:47

also we've had wee nappies and no poop since mecomium yesterday morning, nw says this is fine too and if nothing by tomorrow morning/ pm to.call them

OP posts:

MummyAbroad · 22/06/2013 20:49

I agree it sounds normal, and you can probably expect it to carry on like that. Your baby is in his "4th trimester" snuggling at the boob is the thing that makes him feel warm safe and secure, like being in the womb again, naturally that is all he will want to do all day long, and good thing too because he is building up a nice milk supply.

I found it really helped to design "feeding station/s" with drinks, snacks, comfy pillows, footrest, and a good book/laptop/tv remote. Kindles are brilliant as they are really easy to hold while breastfeeding (though I appreciate you may just be enjoying staring at your gorgeous baby at the moment )

Breastfeeding does get sooooooo much easier and quicker later on, you wont regret this investment in your time.

many congrats

notadoctor · 22/06/2013 20:51

Congratulations! My DD went through bursts of cluster feeding up until week 8-10 but wasn't constantly at it until then. The sleeping on me was a bit more constant though! I'd recommend having a stash of dried fruit handy to keep you going through it. It can be hard work but hope you're enjoying those newborn snuggles!

spiderbabymum · 22/06/2013 20:51

Try to just go with what your baby seems to want

I know it's hard .prepare to be exhausted .

Get thyself reading on kellymom

All your questions will be answered there .....

But YES sounds normal to me ...not unusual to have to take to your bed for 48 hours with a baby ...maybe every week or so ...just keep feeding ..............

spiderbabymum · 22/06/2013 20:52

JUST TRY to go with the flow

MummyAbroad · 22/06/2013 20:54

I would say how long the cluster feeding last depends on how quickly you get supply established. With my first I had so many problems he basically cluster feed for 6 weeks until I gave up. With my second I had the same problems but when I got over them (in first week), it was noticeable that I had a big supply of milk, and he seemed satisfied with a big drink every 3/4 hours and then a rest in between - although there were times when he obviously wanted to ramp up the supply some more and cluster fed for a day or two to do it. He is a year and half old now and still bfing!

So if all goes well, then it shouldnt last 10 weeks.

As far as I am aware some babies can go 5 days without a poo! Wet nappies are very important though, good that you can see he is weeing.

MummyAbroad · 22/06/2013 20:56

oh yes, www.kellymom.com is brilliant for bf advice.

Original poster

Steffanoid · 22/06/2013 20:58

would help if the breastfeeding class we went to would mention this to you or anyone, the sleepless isn't too bad,

this little beast is worth it!

OP posts:

bonkersLFDT20 · 22/06/2013 21:02

Congratulations! All normal. He's probably getting a few drops of colostrum and a little milk as it starts to come in. Just keep doing what you're doing. Settle down with some books (if you feel up to reading) or catch up on some telly - you are allowed to put your feet up and watch crap telly right now :-)

Original poster

Steffanoid · 22/06/2013 21:13

do you think maybe putting him.in a growbag if it fits might help him go from eating-sleeping on me - sleeping in.crib might help him.out staying asleep for half an hour as it.may keep his temperature the same? or is it.my heartbeat/smell etc that he wants from sleeping off me?

OP posts:

MummyAbroad · 22/06/2013 21:50

He loves everything about you, your smell, voice, warmth and heartbeat, and he will be a secure baby if he knows you are always close. However, you can still put him down to sleep in a crib if you want, especially when he is really dead asleep, he wont really notice you are not there till he wakes up. Just make sure you are offering the breast often and whenever he asks for it.

The more he sucks, the more messages he sends to produce milk, the more messages your body gets, the quicker the milk supply starts to ramp up, the quicker your milk supply is in, the less frequently he will have to "ask" for the milk. If he is close to you all that can happen more quickly and easily.

I co slept with my baby at night, and put him in a cot for naps in the day, as soon as he whimpered in the slightest I offered him my breast and it worked for me that way. Remember that his tummy is still very small (size of a pea at his age?) so he is going to need to fill it very often!

MummyAbroad · 22/06/2013 21:51

I think groebags aren't recommended until babies are older, as they can sort of slip down and get lost in them. Better lots of layers of blankets so you can take off or add layers as needed.

Original poster

Steffanoid · 23/06/2013 07:51

I managed to sleep!
all day nomatter how asleep he was he'd only sleep with me, we managed to shuffle him to.dp at one point then shuffle into.the crib and he slept for 4 hours!

OP posts:

MummyAbroad · 23/06/2013 14:35

Glad you got a bit of sleep! Have you tried putting him in the cot with something that smells of your milk? (eg your tee shirt or breast pad)

Also try and get some naps in yourself today, people think its not worth it unless.its a proper sleep, but dont underestimate how even a 10 min nap can make you feel better, take any chance you get!

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