3rd baby struggling with breastfeeding

[weakestlink]

I am really struggling with my newborn and breastfeeding. I fed my 2nd child for 9 months with no problems at all but the new baby is a very different creature!
He struggles to latch on initially and the goes on and off quite a bit which causes him distress and takes ages. I have a 5yr old and a very demanding 2yr old at home so it's not ideal.
I have to cover my breasts with towels as the milk literally pours out while he goes on and off and I would be soaked if I didn't! This means I can only feed him at home. If we go out I have to express milk and take a bottle and if I can't express enough have to use formula.

I am already feeling very guilty at the thought of giving up and not giving this baby the same start as my other DC.

Not sure what anyone can say I just wanted to write down my feelings I think...!

Could you have a fast let down ? Maybe try pumping a bit first before putting him on ? Maybe worth a try

How old is he? My DD messed around breastfeeding for the first few weeks, bobbing on and off like you say and I thought I wouldn't be able to feed in public at all (and I'd fed DC1 no problems). But she then seemed to get the hang of it and I can now feed her in public without anyone even noticing what I'm up to!

Sounds like a fast let down/oversupply. You could try hand expressing a bit first so the initial gush is gone, and maybe try block feeding to calm your supply down a bit - so just feed from the left for 2 hours/3 hours, then just the right etc.

Has this baby been checked for a tongue-tie?

Yes fast let down sounds about right...

Squirting out without effort. Makes baby wet and nipples slippery so quite hard for him to latch. I do wipe with towel in between attempts but will try expressing some off first as suggested.

Baby is nearly 2 weeks old.

Midwife said no tongue tie.

It's funny sometimes he can get it first time then others I can try for an hour with no success and we are both soaked so I end up just expressing then feeding him in a bottle.

I actually feel like such an idiot as I have given a lot of advice to friends about breastfeeding and now I can't bloody do it myself!

Here are some suggestions for fast letdown

kellymom.com/bf/got-milk/supply-worries/fast-letdown/

Block feeding would be a good one to start with, e.g. only feeding from one side in a two hour period.

Can he stick his tongue out? Is it heart shaped at the front? Sometimes midwives aren't brilliant at diagnosing tongue ties so might be worth getting a 2nd opinion if possible.

My dd was exactly the same - 2 hours to latch on at every feed .

Have you had any help from a bf counsellor re attachment & positioning? Also nipple shields might help him get a grip on the nipple of they're slippery. I did have exactly the same issue as you re fast let down & it does get easier as you milk supply settles down, but I would def get your latch looked at (or at least go to a bf support group).

Good luck!

Midwife said put him so his tummy is pointing to my tummy is that correct?
I have tried feeding him lying down which my other DC took to very easily but no such luck!
I will investigate tongue when he wakes up.
Will buy nipple shields tomo - worth a try.
I am quite a lazy person so the thought of having to make up bottles in the middle of the night spurs me on!!!!

Are you squeezing your breast to help him latch on? The Hamburger thing? Really helped my DD get a grip.

Yes I am squeezing it - kind of have to keep my hand there to allow him to breathe as my boob covers his nose!!!

The kellymom link is very very helpful thank you so much for that.

Things are starting to improve with block feeding and also expressing some off before I feed him.
Fingers crossed it will all be ok after all :)

Yay! Please get RL help though if you need to