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

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

Infant feeding

Breast feeding hell!

38 replies

Claraloumum · 27/02/2014 20:35

My little ds has spent the first week if his life permanently attached to my boob- and I mean for up to six hours at a time! He seemed to just be nibbling and not really swallowing. I was totally exhausted not getting any sleep, so he got formula a couple of times to give me a break. The peer support worker kept telling me he was latched on fine, but I knew he wasn't. After seeing a different midwife, I changed positions and he fed really well - for a day. Lots if gulping and dripping from the other nipple. I even got 6hrs sleep in 2hr shifts. Today, he won't latch again and is shallow sucking and falling asleep after 5mins. I am an emotional mess- can't stop crying and my anxiety levels are through the roof! Any advice/ help please!!! (He is gaining weight etc)

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Claraloumum · 15/03/2014 23:31

Still expressing!! Think I've gone into over production now as I am very engorged and in agony at times. Going to see dr on mon as I am getting shooting pains all the time- can't see any signs of thrush but want to rule it out. Would love to be able to cut down on the amt of time spent pumping esp at night but I think I'm past the point of no return lol!
Changed bottles from TT to Avent which has Made a massive difference to the time he takes to feed. Pumping is taking less time too so maybe, just maybe I might be able to do this. If only he would latch on and suck properly- sigh!!

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everythinghippie29 · 08/03/2014 19:24

How's it going Claralou?

Hope you are still getting on with expressing and enjoying cuddles!.

Laquila · 08/03/2014 07:25

Well done for all the expressing! I found it a huge relief even though it took us about an hour to get a feed down him...

Claraloumum · 06/03/2014 14:46

Thank you!! Been expressing most feeds since yesterday and I have to say, it's the most relaxed I've felt since he was born. It's been lovely just snuggling him without the cringing feeling before a feed!

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everythinghippie29 · 06/03/2014 08:58

Aww go you for working so hard! Sounds like you are doing as much as you can so o hope he grows (and his little mouth) soon if that's the only real issue now!

Got everything crossed for you that it gets better soon but you are certainly not a failure (as you suggested in a PP) if you do have to stop. You should be really proud of all that you've done so far keeping your little guy fed and despite all the discomfort you have felt!

Claraloumum · 05/03/2014 20:01

Grr predictive text!!!!

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Claraloumum · 05/03/2014 20:00

Been to two local groups! So far 5 hv/bf specialists have seen him and said he just has a tiny mouth and I gave a small aerial but large nipple, and he just can't get it in properly! I have managed to get 3 ounces by pumping every few hours so have been starting off on the breast until I can bear the pain no longer. He then gets expressed milk. I am going to try nipple shields again and take each day/feed as it comes. If I can stick it out maybe he will get the hang of it one of these days!

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Laquila · 05/03/2014 00:10

Oh God I feel so sorry for you! I promise it does get better but I know it makes no sodding difference when you're in so much pain :) I found an extra layer of cottonfabric in my bra helped, also a gentle warm hairdryer and using bamboo/cotton washable breast pads, rather than disposable.

I had the exact same problem with my boy not opening his mouth wide enough - I really think he just needed to grow a bit bigger and get better at feeding - he just needed to practice! Have you spoken to La Leche, or even managed to get along to a group?

Claraloumum · 04/03/2014 22:05

Well, it's going from bad to worse here. His latch seems to be getting worse and I'm in a lot of pain even when not feeding. Walking round with heat packs stuck to my boobs to ease the pain! I've seen four different health visitors/midwives who are bf advisers and I still can't get him to open his mouth wide enough. I am sobbing all the time! I would love to stop but feel like a failure if I do! It's a no win situation - emotionally I can't stop but physically can't go on!

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Laquila · 03/03/2014 13:56

Just catching up on this and wanted to echo commentsabout not worrying too much re foremilk/hindmilk. I got myself in a bit of a tizz about this but I reckon I was overthinking it. At this stage you might find that the small amount you can express will fill him up anyway, given in a feeding cup, so if you're in a shed load of pain you might consider doing that for a day or so? We did and it was the only way I could get through!

TheScience · 01/03/2014 10:09

It gets easier... soon it will be easier to continue than stop.

Claraloumum · 01/03/2014 10:04

Ugh am I supposed to hate every minute of this?!??

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Claraloumum · 28/02/2014 22:10

Enormouse - how do I do that? Sorry, I've never posted on here before!!

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enormouse · 28/02/2014 21:59

Op I'm in northern Ireland and have some phone numbers of some great peer supporters/counsellors and a fantastic health visitor who is very clued up on bfing.

Pm me if you want their details.

everythinghippie29 · 28/02/2014 21:47

Ah really great to hear Claraloumum, hope your poor boobs get a little rest and your little guy keeps up the good latch!

Growth spurts are always tough but I found after each one we've been through we've come out the other side with an easier latch/feed routine (or it just feels easier compared to growth spurt feeds )

Claraloumum · 28/02/2014 21:19

Ok. So far so good this evening. Fed 30 mins then slept 3hrs. Fed again 30 mins but I think he's cluster feeding tonight as he won't settle to sleep. Day 10 growth spurt maybe. I managed to hand express 50 mls over the last two days so if I get it tough for sleep, at least I have that as back up. Thanks again everyone - your advice and support has been wonderful.

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TheScience · 28/02/2014 18:51

I wouldn't worry too much about foremilk/hindmilk, they sort themselves out. Better to watch the baby's cues so if he comes off/falls asleep/starts messing about on one side switch over.

Claraloumum · 28/02/2014 18:47

If I think he hasn't fed well on that side and I still feel quite hard, I offer the same side again. I also offer the other side too. But then he only gets the foremilk though???

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TheScience · 28/02/2014 18:44

Do you mean you put him back to the same side, or offer both sides? You might find offering the other side gets him actively feeding again and fills him up quicker.

Claraloumum · 28/02/2014 18:39

Yes, sometimes I let him wake up a bit and offer him the same side too.

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Claraloumum · 28/02/2014 18:38

Ps you guys are amazing!! I don't feel so alone anymore. All the books etc says it's so natural and easy, pain free blah blah blah, so when it so isn't, you feel like a failure!!

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TheScience · 28/02/2014 18:38

When he stops actively swallowing on one side, do you offer the other?

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Claraloumum · 28/02/2014 18:33

Well, last night was awful- no sleep at all! He wouldn't latch on properly and just nibbled all night. Fed for 5mins then dozed for 20! Finally at 7.30 I was starting to get really sore around my c section area so I gave him to hubby who gave him 35 mls formula so I could take painkillers and sleep. Midwife today thinks the wee man is messing! Snacking all the time so never gets hungry enough to feed well but also not full enough to sleep well. She suggested giving him 20 minutes then when he starts to nibble take him off and see if he will settle. He's putting on loads if weight - 7 ounces over his birth weight at day 10- so obv my supply is ok. I'm not worried at all about him - just whether I can stick with it! My poor little 16 month dd doesn't get any time with mummy and its breaking my heart!
Btw there are no specialist bf counsellors in Northern Ireland it seems!!

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CooCooCachoo · 27/02/2014 22:39

No better advice but wanted to send you some positive vibes. The first few weeks are HARD but it DOES get better.

ShoeWhore · 27/02/2014 22:23

It's important to get yourself into a comfy position for feeding so you're not hunched over. I used to put a yellow pages under my feet, which helped massively and a small cushion behind my back - also found it easier to feed in a proper chair to start with (harder to get the right position in bed)

This is what worked for me: it's called exaggerated attachment (and is easier to do than describe!) Get your hand under your boob so you are holding it around the outside of your nipple in a U shape. When your baby opens his mouth, aim his lower lip for the very outside edge of the darker bit and quickly flip his head round (think like the action you would make if really exaggerating taking a big bite out of an apple) - at the same time kind of roll the nipple into his mouth. He should get a really big mouthful.

If you aren't happy with the latch then don't be scared to take him off and start again. HTH.

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