FTM, BF 5dy old - latch and engourgement questions

[purplemurple1]

Hi

I'm a FTM and BF my 5 dy old, mostly its going OK in that once on he feeds well, but each time he wants feeding I have to 'fight' him to latch on and then he pulls away or slids off after 5 to 10min, and we 'fight' again to get him back on properly. He always wants to suck his hands instead of feeding so gets very frustrated when I pin them out of the way, but if i don't he doesn't feed.

Could there be a reason he won't feed for very long at a time, and/or why he unlatches after has has started feeding?

Also I'm starting to get my mature milk in and have lumps under my armpits, is this normal, will they go down when my boobs settle down a bit?

Thanks

Hi

Congratulations on your baby!
Lumpy boobs are normal so don't worry about that, though if you're really worried show your midwife or health visitor, and especially if they become sore or inflamed. Sounds normal though and should settle down.

Some babies feed for longer than others. Some get all they need in a short feed,others take longer.

However, if he is 'fighting' to latch on, maybe it's worth getting your midwife or a breastfeeding supporter to look at your latch?Sometimes it just needs a small adjustment to get it perfect and you both happy and feeding well.

Is he having plenty of wet and dirty nappies?

The little hands getting in the way should settle as well, once he gets into the swing of breastfeeding.

Do you have a BFing group near you that you could visit? The BFN Supporterline is good too if you want to chat to someone, it's 0300 100 0210 and is open 9.30 till 9.30 7 days.

Hope this helps!

Caroline

I've just swaddled DD (4 days old) to see if that helps with the arm flailing! It has, but she's squirming away with massive tummy rumbles instead.

I am dreading looking in her nappy...

caroline - thanks, good to know the boobs are normal, and hoping the hands will settle donw as you say.

Anti - I've tried swaddling he goes ballistic, even scracth mittens are making him cry as he can't get to his fingers. (at least thats what I'm assuming as when I take them off he sucks his fingers.) I will try it again from time to time to see if he likes it though.

Congratulations on your baby! It sounds like you're doing really well with the feeding. You mention engorgement in your title. Could this be why he is struggling to latch or keep latched on? I remember getting very engorged at around 5 days, and I found expressing a small amount of milk just before feeding took the hardness off the breast and made it much easier for the babies to latch on properly. Sorry if I've misinterpreted your post, but hope it helps if you are engorged! It should settle down in a few days with any luck.