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Infant feeding

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

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Original poster

Am I doing this right?

13 replies

Swizzler · 11/10/2006 19:22

Bfing DS whi is all of 3 days old. Milk came in yesterday - plenty of it. DS doesn't seem to be feeding v long - he'll go for 5 mins, snooze, maybe bring up some wind, then another 5 mins and so on. Thuis can last for about an hour. I'm trying to use 1 breast per feeding 'session' but don't seem to be draining it. He isn't settling at night (perhaps not to be expected?). Lump in one armpit and boobs q. sore and hot.
His latch seems to be OK - a bit painful but he has some aureole as well as nipple in his mouth. Plenty of dirty nappies and he's swallowing lots.
Do I carry on and see if we get the hang of this, or are there other things I vould try to settle him?

OP posts:

SoupDragon · 11/10/2006 19:34

IIRC He should have a lot of aureole if he's latched 100% properly. You could contact a breastfeeding counsellor for advise. My 3 have all been cr*p at latching on in the early days, they never got a good mouthful of breast.

The lump & hot sore breasts don't sound right though - Could be blocked duct or mastitis which you need to sort out quickly.

Not settling at night - perfectly normal for a 3 day old unfortunately

Congratulations.

Neilsmum · 11/10/2006 19:34

Hi there!My DS is now 8 weeks old and to begin with had the same problems.Newborn have really tiny stomachs and hence need to feed frequently and often.Dont worry about him draining the breast etc.Just go with him in the early days.Carry on exactly as you are doing now.Believe me it will get much esaier in the next few weeks.

buktus · 11/10/2006 19:34

my midwife used to say when they start snoozing off given them a little tickle or nudge to get them feeding again

USAUKMum · 11/10/2006 19:49

my two always like to try and snooze at the breast, so I would strip them off or tickle their feet or blow on them to wake them. AFter a while they settled into their pattern of feeding for 45 min solid and taking both sides. Though I believe that quite a few don't take that much. Mine just burn energy like you don't believe

Original poster

Swizzler · 11/10/2006 20:43

Thanks for the reassurance - will see how we get on. I have a La Leche number, so may try that tomorrow if lump no better. Mw coming again on Friday so can also check with her.

Neilsmum: glad to hear it does improve!

OP posts:

evilstepmom · 11/10/2006 20:50

hot flannels on engorged breasts really helped me, also expressing just to drain some off a little when they felt they were going to explode helped (expressing encourages milk but getting just a little off eased the cannon ball feeling!) I used to feed dd in the buff (her, not me!)as she used to nod off
the technique I was showed to feed (and worked for me) is best described as "point baby's mouth at nipple. when baby's mouth opens, stuff as much nipple and surrounding boob as possible into baby's mouth and baby will figure the rest out itself."
good luck

kjaysmum · 11/10/2006 21:32

watch out for the lump as soupdragon said, I had the same and was advised to massage from lump to nipple I did it in the shower with soap and in bed with almond oil, good luck and congratulations

bluejelly · 11/10/2006 21:38

I often used to get lumps. Found the best thing was using hot flannels in the bath and then kind of combing your fingers down towards the nipple till the milk squirts out ( if you see what I mean!)
If it starts to hurt a lot call LLL.
Good luck

tiktok · 11/10/2006 23:33

swizzler - why are you only using one breast per session?

I hope your midwife hasn't told you somethng about only using one breast at a time....quite, quite wrong.

Routinely, you need to offer both breasts. OK, sometimes the baby won't want both, and that's ok.

The very fact you are using one breast at a time could well be leading to your lumpiness and tenderness.

Hope you feel more comfortable - speak to the midwife about using both breasts, in case you have misunderstood.

Chippyt · 11/10/2006 23:43

Congratulations!!!
I was always advised to gently stroke baby's cheek if they start to nod off as this well help the suckling action if they are dozing!!! It seemed to work for me. Good luck - give baby plenty of boob!!! baby should not just be suckling on the nipple - his/her mouth needs to be around the aureole too and you should then get a really good sucking action going!! Watch those boobs - shouldn't be getting hot and painful. (will be painful if baby is only suckling on nipple!!)

Original poster

Swizzler · 12/10/2006 10:59

Tiktok: DS feeds from boob for about 5-10 mins then falls asleep. Often rouses later for another go. Should I then offer the other side? Or try feeding for say 5 mins each side? There seems to be loads of milk, so he wouldn't then drain the breast (not that he has done so far).

OP posts:

Original poster

Swizzler · 12/10/2006 20:26

Right, tried feeding from both today. Seems to be working - boobs not too hard or hot and DS settling longer between feeds. Thanks

MW visits tomorrow, so will check with her.

OP posts:

DetentionGrrrl · 12/10/2006 20:31

My midwife used to annoy me telling me not to offer the other breast, and also telling me to try harder to wake my son up so he'd feed for longer. Never mind that my son is impossible to 'make' feed once he's decided he wants sleep! I ignored most of what she told me to be honest!

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