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Infant feeding

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

In massive need of a pep talk or a virtual pat on head - feel awful

7 replies

LottyLikesWindows · 30/01/2014 01:28

Tonight has been a low point. DD is three weeks old and in the last few days she has struggled with latching on, despite some success earlier on. Today she's been very fussy and only feeding for a few minutes at a time.

This evening she screamed and I was convinced she wanted to be fed but then she wouldn't be able to latch on properly. DP tried to help but I just ended up getting frustrated and crying my eyes out. I tried calling La Leche League but nobody was available to pick up.

Eventually I've changed feeding positions and the baby has been feeding on and off for the past hour while I've been calming myself down by watching The Bridge.

I feel like a piece of shit. My frustration must have rubbed off on DD. I feel like I've caused her unsettled state and am kicking myself for letting my tiredness and worry rub off on my baby. I'm worried that she is starving and really don't know how to get back on track. It could be that she is going through another growth spurt but surely if that's the case she should be eating more not struggling to feed.

Apologies for a long rant. Please tell me this will get better and that I haven't scarred my child emotionally by crying on her beautiful head. God I feel like a terrible failure Sad

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Havinganose · 30/01/2014 01:32

You are doing great. It takes weeks to establish bf. it's not easy. The baby leads the way - you're doing the right things. Ring LLL again tomorrow. All will be well.

LottyLikesWindows · 30/01/2014 01:40

Thank you havinganose, what a kind post. DD is finally asleep on me and I still can't stop crying. Wish these pregnancy hormones would finally do one!

I'll keep trying LLL tomorrow and if I get organised in time, pop into a breast feeding cafe.

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Havinganose · 30/01/2014 01:43

It's good to have a cry. Enjoy her sleeping on you - all too soon they get too big and can't all fit on your chest!

goodbyeyellowbrickroad · 30/01/2014 01:49

You're not a failure! It will get easier - both you and your DD are new to this. I think going to a breastfeeding cafe is a great idea. They're a great place to offload and share stories of sleepless nights and monster feeding sessions.

And definitely enjoy her sleeping on you. My lump of loveliness is 19 months old now and I miss those early days when they're happiest on you. Cherish this time.

Scotinoz · 30/01/2014 01:49

Aww, chin up. Breast feeding is really hard! My wee one is eight weeks and we still haven't totally got it figured out.

At that age mine only feed for 5-10 minutes in one side in a sitting and I was convinced she wasn't getting enough. Babies seen to know what they need though!

For what it's worth, mine wasn't so great at latching and got on best with an underarm hold. Not the most ladylike but it worked...thankfully she's progressed onto a more conventional cradle hold.

Good luck!

LottyLikesWindows · 30/01/2014 02:04

Thank you so much everyone. So good to hear about your experiences too. It's reassuring to hear that things are not out of kilter here and that this is all just a part of it. It is very easy to doubt the progress with the first baby.

I'm really enjoying the sleepy cuddles at the moment. I know she'll be too big for these before we know it, so am making the most of it now.

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LottyLikesWindows · 30/01/2014 02:07

Scotinoz your post made me laugh. I've tried holding dd like a rugby ball during feeding once, just for a change, but she took offence.

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