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Infant feeding

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

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Original poster

What am I doing wrong?

24 replies

Madratlady · 26/12/2013 08:58

DS is 10 days old. We are taking him home from scbu today and have spent the night in the bedsit on the unit so we can have a practice night with him. I am bf using a nipple shield as he was was struggling without.

He was on the breast almost constantly for 4 hours and wouldn't settle, eventually I asked the nurse for a bottle of ebm which he drank then went to sleep for 3 1/2 hours. Now he's awake and feeding constantly again.

I don't think he's getting enough via the breast although I have plenty of milk and he isn't emptying the breast.

What am I doing wrong? He latches on fine.

OP posts:

BitScary · 26/12/2013 09:09

Congratulations:)
First things first, how are his nappies and has he been checked for tongue tie?

bluehearted · 26/12/2013 09:18

Hi! Congratulations on your baby

My DS was on SCBU for a little while and when we had our first night with him it was horrendous! I too was using nipple shields. My DS was up all night feeding. I was told by the SCBU nurse that your body releases a hormone at night that makes the baby want to feed feed feed! You are doing nothing wrong!! The first few nights are very rough and a real learning curve.
Get some rest and I hope you're baby comes home soon. Hope this helps a little bit!!

Original poster

Madratlady · 26/12/2013 09:24

Nappies are fine Bitscary not sure about being checked for tongue tie but he has been checked over by the doctor.

He can't be getting a good feed from me if he's more settled after 15 mins with a bottle than 4 hours breast feeding. He's finally gone to sleep after 2 1/2 hours feeding this morning.

The nurse on scbu suggested I get some formula for top ups at home but I don't want to when I'm producing plenty of breast milk.

OP posts:

MummyWeatherwax · 26/12/2013 09:45

Congratulations on bringing him hone

Constant feeding is completely normal at this stage. The other poster asked about nappies as they are the best indication that he is getting enough milk- the guideline is three 50p sized poos per day + pees means enough, although more is also fine. Less can indicate that he's not feeding effectively.

Barring problems though, he's getting his order in for more milk tomorrow, and being comforted by you, not just feeding. Prem babies have more stable breathing, heart rate and blood pressure when bfing/doing skin to skin, so what you're doing is brilliant and extra important for him.

You don't say how early he was, but he might still think he should be inside still, and the closeness is replicating that.

You're doing a great job, and you'll find so many other mums of 10-12 day olds asking the same question, because it's the hardest bit, with constant feeding, but it will settle soon, just get through it any way you can!

Enjoy the snuggles if you can, feed lying down if you can, and remember he is the only job for now. Other people need to feed you, wash dishes etc - you've just made a baby

Original poster

Madratlady · 26/12/2013 09:50

I'm mostly worried about falling asleep with him, I don't mind the actual feeding but I'm so tired.

Can I use occasional bottles of ebm if it settles him?

OP posts:

BitScary · 26/12/2013 10:04

How

BitScary · 26/12/2013 10:04

BitScary · 26/12/2013 10:08

How early is he? I understand you might be nervous about co sleeping if he's tiny, maybe posters who breastfed prems can help with this one. If he's doong well do set up your bed and lie down with him, feed and rest. It's so tiring trying to stay awake sitting up- that wasn't sustainable for me, I neeeeded sleep! Never intended to co sleep and stopped doing it after about 6 weeks but truly, 10 days in is hard. I hit a wall of fear at ten days! If he is doing poos he is doing great. Is someone there to feed you op and bring you tea in bed?

OfficeSupplies · 26/12/2013 10:10

You need face to face support really, ask who the infant feeding specialist is and when/ where they are working. There is no need or formula when your supply is good but there might be a need for tops ups depending on how feeding is going. That said hours at the breast can be pretty normal too even if thy then settle after a bottle.

The helplines will be open today so you could google and call, nct may have volunteers who can come and see you t home depending n your area.

BertieBowtiesAreCool · 26/12/2013 10:21

Planned co-sleeping is safer than falling asleep accidentally. You will naturally make a protective "C" shape around the baby which both stops you rolling over and stops them from wriggling out of the place you want them to stay.

I agree you need real life, good support.

MummyWeatherwax · 26/12/2013 10:48

I was terrified of sleeping with DD, but found that I would sleep, but wake at her slightest movement. I got rest, she was happy - win win!

I used to have DH give ebm for one feed a day while I slept uninterrupted for a few hours, but waited until six weeks,, to avoid messing with my supply.

Thumbnutstwitchingonanopenfire · 26/12/2013 10:59

I agree that co-sleeping might be easier for you - I always had an arm out above both DSs heads when they were tiny, that way I knew I couldn't possibly roll onto them because it was physically impossible.

Both DSs had a tongue tie, but DS1 was a 2h at a time feeder (DS2 was a gulper) and I used to get very tired too; also he found latching harder than your baby seems to (from what you've said) and the best latch was achieved with him lying next to me. I couldn't feed him any other way until his tongue tie was snipped at 2wo. So yes, there was a risk I would doze off but because my arm was where it was, and I had bed bumpers to stop him falling out (even though he couldn't have rolled at that point anyway), I kept the duvet away from him, and kept him away from the pillows - because of all that, he was as safe as he could be while I (and often he) dozed.

Original poster

Madratlady · 26/12/2013 11:31

He was born at 35+3 so he is quite small still. I don't want to co sleep, I'm too worried about safety and he's so little and fragile.

He has gone to sleep after another marathon feeding session, I think he might need changing but I daren't wake him!

OP posts:

OfficeSupplies · 26/12/2013 13:10

Quite right:) changing isn't the priority right now;)

Original poster

Madratlady · 26/12/2013 13:29

Just arrived home. He's so settled during the day!

Should I be expressing from the breast that he doesn't feed from each feed? He doesn't quite empty one breast.

OP posts:

MummyWeatherwax · 26/12/2013 17:23

How nice to be home.
I wouldn't express unless you're getting uncomfortable - at this stage your supply needs to get used to his needs, and expressing could lead to oversupply issues, which is the last thing you need!
As long as he's getting fed on demand, and you are alternating sides, your supply will be perfect for him.

Original poster

Madratlady · 26/12/2013 20:26

I am getting very uncomfortable as when he was in scbu I had to express regularly to get my supply up and provide milk for when I wasn't there.

If he's only using each breast a few times a day won't that affect my supply?

OP posts:

OfficeSupplies · 26/12/2013 20:54

Yes if will, you should feed or express 8-10 times per 24 hours and use both breasts. Express one if baby directly bfs off the other.

If you alternate each feed and only use one side your supply will drop. With a premmie it is better to be a bit ahead supply wise rather than to just meet needs though that is fine too:)

OfficeSupplies · 26/12/2013 20:58

If your baby hasn't fed much today then set an alarm for every 3 hrs at night and express and top up or feed directly. Are you confident with your feeding plans? You can call the hospital for more support if needed.

HarderToKidnap · 26/12/2013 21:05

Hi madrat. What happens during one of these marathon feeds? Are you swapping breast throughout the feed? I ask because you say he isn't emptying the breast and should you express of the other side. Your breast won't ever be empty, and as a little prem he will be working harder as the flow slows down a little. You should be offering both breasts at every feed, and if you notice he's lingering on one, sucking slowing down a lot etc that's when you should swap. In any case, in a feeding marathon, you should be swapping regularly, say every thirty minutes or so. Good luck x

Original poster

Madratlady · 27/12/2013 11:37

He didn't sleep last night till I gave in in and gave him a bottle of expressed milk. This morning he's been attached to my breast for over an hour and a half. I have swapped breasts about half way through.

OP posts:

OfficeSupplies · 27/12/2013 12:08

Great that you swopped breasts. The more you do this the more milk will be taken. You can swop any number of times whenever feeding slows...can be ten times! Google switch nursing, it's the most effective way to get more milk in and weight on a baby:)

Original poster

Madratlady · 27/12/2013 12:31

I just wish he'd stop to sleep occasionally. He's fine during the day, feeds for about an hour or so then falls asleep, but he just won't stop feeding to sleep at night.

OP posts:

HarderToKidnap · 27/12/2013 12:40

Yes, def try switch nursing. It'll be much easier for him to get milk. Also, maybe offer a lot more often in the day? Tank him up a bit?

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