Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Infant feeding

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

Original poster

Newborn bf baby constantly starving

12 replies

harverina · 01/11/2013 09:19

Hello

Would appreciate some advice as I am in a bit of a panic.

Dd2 was born on Tuesday, natural labour. She latched on immediately and was feeding well, or so I thought.

Over the past couple of days she has wanted to feed constantly especially at night. She doesn't ever seem satisfied - last night was constant from boob to boob and she seemed frustrated not to be getting more from her efforts. My nipples were so soft and floppy by the end that it was helping and she was on and off the boob lots. This went on for about 4 hours. She won't settle in her cot, Moses basket or pram because she is constantly rooting for the breast Hmm I have not had A proper sleep since I woke up on Monday morning - with the exception of 2 naps. I can cope with the tiredness if I know it's all normal!

Is this normal? She is pooing and peeing - although her poo is more brown than green. I was worried that she wasn't peeing enough but changed quite a wet nappy this morning.

We don't use a dummy although during the night I was so tempted to go out and buy one.

I fed dd1 for over 2 years but until day 4 she was too sleepy to feed and I syringe fed her so I feel I have no comparison with dd2 at this stage. By the time dd1 started to feed properly my milk was in and she was satisfied after a feed.

Is it just a case of get on with it until my milk comes in?

OP posts:
TanteRose · 01/11/2013 09:22

all very normal Smile

she may settle down a bit when your milk comes in, but at the moment, she is ordering up the goods!

try and feed lying down so you can doze.

gamerchick · 01/11/2013 09:25

It's normal.. at the minute she's only getting a few tablespoons of colostrum.. She's doing her job and telling your boobs to do theirs.

Or ordering the goods as above Grin

HabitualLurker · 01/11/2013 09:26

Sounds pretty normal to me, though I only have my experience of one baby to go on. He wanted to suck most of the time and until my milk came in around day 3/4 I did start to get worried that he wasn't getting enough and would become dehydrated (indeed, I remember getting in a panic on day 3 because his lips seemed so dry).

I think the constant feeding is doing its job and stimulating your supply.

Am sure someone more knowledgable will be along in a bit, but didn't want to leave you unanswered.

Congratulations by the way!

gamerchick · 01/11/2013 09:27

Have you tried a clean little finger nail down on her tongue if she just wants to suck?

HabitualLurker · 01/11/2013 09:29

Good tip from gamerchick - this was my partner's job for the first few months when I and my nipples needed a break.

DefiniteMaybe · 01/11/2013 09:31

Totally normal, if she wants to suck I'd let her, she's laying excellent foundations for your bf relationship.
Do you have any bf groups near to you? They are a great place to get help and support face to face.
And congratulations Thanks

BuntyCollocks · 01/11/2013 09:34

Normal. My dd swapped from boob to boob from 9pm to 5am on day 2. It's short term pain for long term gain and it will settle.

CillaBANG · 01/11/2013 09:37

Definitely normal.

tiktok · 01/11/2013 12:01

"She won't settle in her cot, Moses basket or pram because she is constantly rooting for the breast"....normal and good. This is not hunger so much as a search for closeness and reassurance, though the baby does not know the difference :)

It will pass.

Original poster
harverina · 01/11/2013 12:14

Thanks everyone. As I thought - all normal! Mw came and dd2 has lost 5.88% of birthweight so all within normal. I'm happy to cuddle her all day - would be nice to get a few hours sleep at night though Wink but maybe when my milk comes in she will be a bit more satisfied - so much better that she wants to latch on and feed than be syringe fed like dd1. As long as I know it's nothing to worry about I am happy to go with the flow.

One more question sorry - mw didn't get a chance to check my latch as dd was sleeping and not interested. My nipples are a little tender (surely normal after feeding almost non stop for 8 hours?) not sore, with no signs of cracks. Can I assume that latch is probably ok? I have lanolin which I have slathered on anyway just to sooth.

Yeah there are groups nearby which I went to with dd - believe it or not I did the 12 bf network course to be a mums helper but it was 3 years ago and when it is your own baby and your own boobs it's hard to give yourself advice! I will probably go back to the groups from next week though it's a little harder this time having nursery drop offs to do.

Thanks again everyone Smile

OP posts:
Original poster
harverina · 01/11/2013 12:16

Tiktok thanks for that reassurance too. I have a 3 year old too but she is very patient so far and dh is off work too so we will up with the flow. My main worry about her not settling anywhere else was that she was hungry and not getting enough milk - which the mw said should be helped by milk coming in. No sign of it yet though...

OP posts:
Augustbaby2013 · 01/11/2013 12:28

My DD was exactly the same, literally fed solidly! Mine started to get much easier once my milk had come in and the latch improved. She is now 12 weeks amd still feeds often but no where near as frequently as before. my advice, Get some good nipple cream, your partner to fuss after you and enjoy your gorgeous baby! Xx

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread