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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

HELP! What do I do til the milk comes in?

33 replies

1Baby1Bump · 11/09/2006 10:47

ds2 is 10lb12oz and is absoultely starving.
What do i do till the milk arrives? He keeps taking all the colostrum I have but is still starving.

OP posts:
NotQuiteCockney · 11/09/2006 10:49

When was he born?

He should be ok with colostrum, all the sucking will make your milk come in faster, and the colostrum is the best possible thing for him.

HelenaHandcart · 11/09/2006 10:50

Keep feeding him. If he's starving, put him back to suck. The more he sucks, the quicker your milk will come in. Make sure he's well attached so you don't get sore - and congratulations!

Original poster
1Baby1Bump · 11/09/2006 10:53

he was born at 00.45 on sunday. i asked one of the midwives if him suckling would bring it in quicker and she said no.
hes rooting like crazy and its breaking my heart.

OP posts:
belgo · 11/09/2006 10:56

Keep feeding him, and I know that's tiring, so I recommend lying in bed feeding him so you can get some rest too. This will make your milk come in and there will be enough. I remember feeding DD 15 times a day for the first couple of days.Congratulations, take it easy, and hope you recover soon.

NotQuiteCockney · 11/09/2006 10:58

Yes, feeding loads makes your milk come in faster, and harder. And if he keeps feeding loads, you won't get badly engorged, the milk will come in and go straight into him.

How was he born? If natural birth, or at least labour etc, your milk may well come in today.

belgo · 11/09/2006 10:58

Suckling on demand will ensure you have enough milk, and you will need it for such a big baby, the midwife should have told you that.

Original poster
1Baby1Bump · 11/09/2006 11:19

waterbirth.
they wanted to give him a bottle but i said no thru the tears.
hes having a little kip atm but will be rooting again soon.

OP posts:
NotQuiteCockney · 11/09/2006 11:20

They're always a bit cranky in the first couple of days. Feed loads and the milk will come in fast and well.

Did you BF your first baby?

Well done on refusing the bottle, by the way.

belgo · 11/09/2006 11:25

Well done on the waterbirth, especially to a big baby. You've done the right thing refusing a bottle.

liquidclocks · 11/09/2006 11:31

Hi 1b1b -just saw this and wanted to say how great you're doing, and fab that LO is suckling so well, it mus be a relief after DS1 to know he's got the hang of it already. Well done on not giving a bottle, those midwives can pile on the pressure.

Hope you both continue to do well

liquidclocks · 11/09/2006 11:31

Hi 1b1b -just saw this and wanted to say how great you're doing, and fab that LO is suckling so well, it mus be a relief after DS1 to know he's got the hang of it already. Well done on not giving a bottle, those midwives can pile on the pressure.

Hope you both continue to do well

tassis · 11/09/2006 11:41

Hey sweetheart, you're doing great!

Well done on refusing that bottle. Just keep on offering the breast and you'll get there.

Hope you're able to get some rest.

Talk more soon.

kayzed · 11/09/2006 11:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

kayzed · 11/09/2006 11:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

littleducks · 11/09/2006 12:20

I agree with most on here suckling= milk coming in and although you cant see or feel colustrom (i couldnt anyone) it is there and is full of goodness that formula can't provide, i'm sure your midwife is talking rubbish so i would be tempted to ignore her advise about the bottle. (and well done for sticking up for yourself its tricky not to cave in to the pressure).
My milk didnt come in until day 3 or 4 so i dont think your slow or anything.

I'm not an expert but lets keep this bumped up and maybe tiktok or mears will be along soon( they are experts!)

LIZS · 11/09/2006 12:25

Just keeping putting hiom on when he roots. Colostrum is rich so should satisfy him and his suckling will in turn stimulate your milk production. There will be plenty there soon enough and in the meantime he won't starve - remember his tummy is only tiny and needs topping up reguarly.

liquidclocks · 11/09/2006 12:43

1b1b - had an afterthought - this must be so different for you from 1st time around - don't forget no.1's jaundice will have made him super sleepy so this one is going to seem much more awake. Sure you've already considered that but just making sure

mears · 11/09/2006 19:32

Congratulations 1B1B [smile}

Please do not panic thinking that your 'big' baby will not be getting enough from you. Your body has produced him and you will be able to breastfeed him without supplements. The fact you had a waterbirth means that he is 'unmedicated' and will look for lots of feeds. The more he feeds, the more milk you make. Just because he is rooting away, it does not mean he is starving - it means he wants attached to his mummy. A friend of mine had a DS who was 12lb 2oz and exclusively breastfed. Just relax and let him feed as often as he wants. Have confidence in yourself

USAUKMum · 11/09/2006 20:02

Hey ther -- you are doing great. Both mine were big babies and as well as putting them to breast as often as poss I also pumped in between to help stimulate (if your poor breasts can handle it ) them even more. Big sigh of relief around whole neighborhood when milk finally came in with DS as he finally stopped screaming.

Keep at it you are doing great.

milward · 12/09/2006 11:35

Congrats xxx

Keep breastfeeding him - your milk will come in soon - the more he feeds the more you will produce.

My ds was about the same size - he bf a lot & this got the milk supply just right for him. My milk came in around day 3.

Best wishes

Original poster
1Baby1Bump · 12/09/2006 21:28

i think the milk is coming in already. im going to get the pump and see what it is...
if it is here im going to be over the moon!

OP posts:
Original poster
1Baby1Bump · 12/09/2006 21:35

ok. put the pump on and they squirt and it looks white rather than yellow so i think ive made it!
maybe a better night tonight although he only got up twice last night so i should be ok now.
next question: why does he prefer one side so much and why does he sometimes fuss about getting latched even though he wants it?

OP posts:
BonyM · 12/09/2006 21:40

Some just do prefer one side to another - might be he's just more comfortable lying on one side, or the flow might be better from one breast. DD2 always preferred my left when she was tiny.

As for the fussing - it could just be that it's still all quite new to him and he's not completely got the hang of it yet.

magnolia1 · 12/09/2006 21:58

Omg hun, was looking for you!!!!

Congratulations on your big bouncing boy

You sound like you are doing great and he will take a while to settle. dd4 always favoured my right side but I managed to feed from both.
You still in hosp??

Original poster
1Baby1Bump · 13/09/2006 07:29

am at home now. thought i might be going back in though... (tmi alert) passed a largish clot last night. will ask midwife when she comes.
hopefully they wont call me back in.
i have milk everywhere and now a baby that wont latch on.
he gets a good latch then lets all the areola slip out as he just wants the nipple which is no good. im just getting sore.
im going to express if i can put him down long enough to assemble the bloody pump and give the excess to ds1. im not going to give ds2 a bottle yet as i dont want to mess it all up.
wil expressing a bit help? i didnt think they were that hard but there is obviously something wrong with them.

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