Newborn feeding help

[LittlePink]

Ds is one day old. Been told by mws to feed every 3 hrs in day and every 5 at night but he is so sleepy that he doesn't wake for feeds. I spent 15 mins at 1am this morning trying to rouse him. Eventually he took a feed but then it was another 5 hrs before he fed again. This pm he went 5 hrs without a feed then only did a 10 min feed and fell back asleep. I tried to rouse him after a couple of hours but he just didn't want it. All he wants to do is sleep.

Is this normal and what can I do to encourage him to feed more often?

Fingers crossed you are home. Just to add 45ml before your milk came in is definitely complain worthy as just an impossible requirement! Glad this thread has been some use. Enjoy your gorgeous baby x

We're home now. He had another blood test which was a trauma as the Dr couldn't get enough blood out of him so he was pricked in both feet then several times in both hands until he got his reg to come and do it. Anyway he was still below the line for jaundice even tho the mw was combined he'd need to go under the lamp but he didn't.

The 45ml thing was just a source of upset for me. Later in the day yesterday I managed a whopping 30 ml from both breasts but it took me ages to hand express it. Then when I cup fed it to him he spat and spluttered it out all over the place. Was so demoralising I could have cried!

So now my milks in he's feeding better but has been several 5 min feeds over night instead of a couple of big ones and I'm now hideously engorged. He's having a good feed now. Relieved a bit of the fullness on the left but he's very sleepy again so he's not having such a good go on the right. Any tips to relieve it before my boobs explode? Do I just try to hand express some off? I tried that last night but didn't get much to come out, not enough to make me comfortable anyway. I'm engorged right up to my arms pits.

*combined meant convinced. Stupid phone!

Yes, try to hand express to relieve the fullness if you can. A pump, hand or electric, might work.

I left the milk there so my body knew early what baby wanted/needed. They settled down quickly. I had trouble expressing so wasn't an option.

Op, your story sounds much like mine. My milk came in in the night and in the morning I was so full I thought I'd burst. I called my local bf support line and the lady came out to see me 2h later with a double breast pump to borrow, I expressed 150ml from each side before I was comfortable! Lo fed much better once they where less full.
If you don't have a pump then you could try hand expressing.
I remember the upset well, I cried with frustration many times and felt so mean prodding and waking my tiny one who looked so happy sleeping.
Keep it up op, sounds like you're doing a fab job. But don't hesitate to call the hospital or health visitors if you want some real life support.

cabbage leaves in your bra will help the engorgement. Needs to be green savoy cabbage. Keep it in the fridge and swap regularly to avoid smelling of cabbage soup :)
Try not to express too much as your body will think its the baby taking the milk and make more...it takes a few days to regulate; just express enough to take the edge of the pain and discomfort. Don't forget to massage the tissue up by your armpit if you have milk there - it will encourage let down from that area as that bit is slower to release and you don't want to get mastitis! I always felt a bit feverish for 48 hrs as my milk came in, but call the midwives if you feel really unwell or spike a fever.
It will pass! Good luck.

I struggled hand expressing so when it is really uncomfortable try a warm shower, relieves discomfort and encouraged mine to leak a bit.