What are your tips for BF?

[Monkeyandanimal]

I am EBF DC3 (4 weeks old) and she (and the bf experience) is quite different to my other babies so thought I'd ask for some tips. Also, I thnk I may have cocked up with how i fed DS2 as he became a comfort feeder who needed to latch on every 45 mins day and night, and then a biter, and I don't want that to happen. Sorry, i know these things have been discussed on here numerous times, but I don't have time to scroll through lots of threads to find the answers.

1. Should i feed from only one breast or offer both at every feed?
2. My breasts never feel empty; is this oversupply?
3. She gags and chokes, but i think this is when she is trying to comfort feed and doesn't want the milk....or is this oversupply?

4.How do i make sure she is getting enough hind milk if my breasts never feel empty? I never seemed to produce this much milk for DC1 and 2.

1. She poos infrequently; 3 days without one now; is this ok?
2. The midwife says she has a slight tongue tie and feeding is not entirely comfortable but neither is it really bad; just noticable that she's on the nipple rather than taking a bigger mouthful; what should i do; anything? nothing?

She is a calm and contented baby, she fusses and is hard to settle between 9pm and midnight, otherwise she rarely cries.
The BF is going well and she is a happy baby so no real problems, just looking for tips and advice. I want to avoid comfort feeding. Also, even if i only offer one breast at the feed she never empties it so at the next feed should i stick with the same breast? When does the other boob get emptied then?

Congratulations on your baby :)

1. Should i feed from only one breast or offer both at every feed?

IMO be led by your baby. I'd expect you to be offering both breasts and more most feeds.

1. My breasts never feel empty; is this oversupply?

No, it's fine, your supply will settle down to meet demand.

1. She gags and chokes, but i think this is when she is trying to comfort feed and doesn't want the milk....or is this oversupply?

Not sure, sorry.

4.How do i make sure she is getting enough hind milk if my breasts never feel empty? I never seemed to produce this much milk for DC1 and 2.
Be led by her. Switch breasts when she wants to. Don't stress about this- it's unlikely to be an issue unless you're trying to follow "3 mins on eac breast and no more" type routine.

1. She poos infrequently; 3 days without one now; is this ok?

Yep :o

1. The midwife says she has a slight tongue tie and feeding is not entirely comfortable but neither is it really bad; just noticable that she's on the nipple rather than taking a bigger mouthful; what should i do; anything? nothing?

What did your MW suggest?

Are you getting no RL support from your HV?

Thanks Stealth . The HVs are nice enough but I value the opinions and experience of people on here. And tbh as a 3rd time mum, the HVs leave me to get on with things and rely on me to get in touch if there's a problem; no real problem as such, just after tips. However, i might pop in on them next week to get baby weighed and have a chat with them about these issues then.

I would seek help from a specialist with regards to the tounge tie
If feeding is uncomfortable a breast feeding specialist can help with positioning and maybe knows more about tounge tie
My local baby cafe was invaluable to me
I thought I must be the only 1 who had issues or questions - most of my friends I met through having ds were from there and they had all gone along as they had issues
It's a bit that try are just letting you get in with it as each child is different

Awake , i've had the usual postnatal visit, but they didn't require me to have any more formal visits/appointments in the near future, which is fine by me. I'll def look into the tongue tie issue regarding positioning etc, but I don't fancy getting her tongue corrected as feeding is only slightly uncomfortable and she seems to be getting good feeds. What is a baby cafe?

Best thing is to go and get some face to face support. The breastfeeding network have sessions everyday somewhere near me so I'm sure you'll be able to find some face to face.

On the tongue tie I would consider finding an IBLC qualified lactation consultant or go to your hospitals breastfeeding clinic if they have one. Even if it is something that doesn't need the snip they may well be able to help. You will normally have to pay for a lactation consultation but it could be money well spent.

Your questions...

1. Should i feed from only one breast or offer both at every feed?

My 4 week old has only just started taking the second boob at some feeds. Be led by your baby. If they come off one boob naturally after quite a while, then try offering the second, and don't worry if they don't want it. Remember they are still only little, time for them to get greedy in the future.

1. My breasts never feel empty; is this oversupply?

Your boobs are still settling down and your supply adjusting, feeling full is normal and there is still time for any oversupply to correct itself. If not there are tchniques you can use to help manage it.

1. She gags and chokes, but i think this is when she is trying to comfort feed and doesn't want the milk....or is this oversupply?

Could be you have a quite strong let down and/or milk flow. Try feeding either lying on your side with a towel under you so milk can dribble out of the baby's mouth, or feeding 'uphill' so with them also sitting I front of you. If your baby comes off while your breast is impersonating a fountain, just let it spill on a cloth a out them back on when it stops.

I wouldn't assume its comfort feeding at this point, my DS feeds anywhere from every 45 mins to three hours. If you are 100% certain she is full to the brim you could try a dummy.

4.How do i make sure she is getting enough hind milk if my breasts never feel empty? I never seemed to produce this much milk for DC1 and 2.

It actually doesn't take much time for hind milk to come through. Go by the poos - unless green and frothy don't worry.

1. She poos infrequently; 3 days without one now; is this ok?

Yes, unless she appears uncomfortable or is producing hard poos rather than normal bf baby cottage cheese.

Baby cafe is breast feeding support
Mine was run by a lactation consultant/specialist and a maternity support worker
I'm on my phone so I can't link
www.thebabycafe.org/your-nearest-baby-cafe.html

I just think that despite your dc getting a good feed it shouldn't be uncomfortable - I wish I asked for more help - I just thought it should be ok!

Just a random suggestion - feel free to ignore me.
Could you express some milk and donate it or freeze it for some nights off in the future?

Thanks for that long reply Ladymedea, its good to get that kind of feedback. And thanks everyone else too.