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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

*\/*\/*\/*\/*\/*Gingeme*\/*\/*\/*\/*\/*

77 replies

VeniVidiVickiQV · 14/11/2006 16:04

Hi, Hi,

I didnt want to hijack the bottlefeeding support thread. I noticed your question about how to implement bottlefeeding either one feed at a time or cold turkey.

I think I read that your DS was 3 weeks? From that question, I am wondering if you are b/feeding on demand? This is what is needed to build up your supply to ensure weight gain in a baby. A baby normally loses weight the days following its birth, and at around 14 days is back to its birthweight again. In breastfed babies this often takes a little longer due to the requirement to build up supply. This is completely natural. Although it is right that you and your HV/MW keep a close eye on this.

I'm not out to change your mind if your choice is to bottlefeed then that is great. But if you are choosing to bottlefeed because you think you aren't capable - well that may well not be true. So, I hope you dont think that I am not treading on your toes as such.

I think easiest for you, if you are going to bottle feed is to add one bottlefeed in at a time and express milk yourself at that feed. Do this for a couple of days and introduce another one, but still express. The reason I say this is that you may change your mind in a week or two about bottlefeeding and the expressing will make it so that you can change back more easily. (This has happened before to a few MNers and, even without expressing they have succesfully relactated anyway). If in a couple of weeks you and your baby are comfortable with the bottle you can stop expressing with every bottle feed and slowly withdraw from it - then your boobs wont get sore.

I have also noted the thing about sterilising - if you have already got a steriliser then its a moot point, however, it has been put forward by microbiologists that there is no need to sterilise bottles/teats etc. You only need to wash in hot soapy water (or in the dishwasher if you have one) and then leave to air dry. This is completely safe. This is what is done for bottlefed babies in Neonatal units apparently. Please do google though if you would like reassurance.

Anyway, I hope it goes well for you.

OP posts:
hunkermunker · 14/11/2006 21:24

Agree with VVV, and also didn't want to hijack the ff thread with similar advice. If you do want to keep bfeeding, post here for advice, Gingeme.

NotQuiteCockney · 14/11/2006 21:29

Oh, glad you guys started this. Gingeme, I noticed you've got a dummy. If you're struggling with breastfeeding (or at least with weight gain), he shouldn't be sucking on a dummy, he should be sucking on you.

My DS1 didn't regain his birth weight until he was four weeks, but he was happy and active and well, and we just waited it out. Actually, if I'd had mumsnet, I probably would have found out about some interesting techniques (fenugreek? breast compression?) to help him feed more effectively ...

NotQuiteCockney · 15/11/2006 10:04

Bump!

Gingeme · 15/11/2006 10:52

Oh my God you ladies are just brill. Ok Ill ask you this. Lo went just about 4 hourly between feeds yesterday. I even got a chance to bath my 2 year old which doesnt happen often these days. Anyway got him off to bed and it was about 9 ish and time for lo's feed. So I washed him and put his baby gro on and settled down in my room to feed him and put him to bed. He hadnt fe for 4hours so Iwas good and full and he fed like a dream. Burped and so I put him down. He then proceeded to cry for about an hour even afeter Id burped him agai and changed his bum.Ended up giving him another feed at 10.30 after which he was a bit sick and finaly settled. Phew

Gingeme · 15/11/2006 10:54

Sorry typing bad feeding little one and cant reach keyboard over triangle pillowwwwwwwwwwwww

Original poster
VeniVidiVickiQV · 15/11/2006 10:55

LOL, what was the question?

OP posts:
Original poster
VeniVidiVickiQV · 15/11/2006 10:57

Both mine, at 3 weeks were feeding every 2 to 3 hours during the day and slightly longer apart during the night. (Well, DS probably a bit more frequent than that, but he was the amazing non-sleeping baby).

OP posts:
Gingeme · 15/11/2006 11:00

The question is if lo can go 4hourly through the day and burp and be settled etc why does he make such a fuss at night. Its probably something realy simple but i feel so der.....

Original poster
VeniVidiVickiQV · 15/11/2006 11:04

Well, because they do, basically.

DS was like this. He might be cold, he might want to be swaddled.

My DD liked to lay on her side. I used to use bolsters (well, blankets rolled up) either side of her to keep her in the position she seemed to like. Do you try any of these?

OP posts:
Original poster
VeniVidiVickiQV · 15/11/2006 11:05

Maybe if you feed more often in the day too? Rather than stretch out feeds 4 hourly?

OP posts:
NotQuiteCockney · 15/11/2006 11:07

Four hours is a long time for babies to go without being fed! I know I tend to eat and drink a lot more often than that ...

Gingeme · 15/11/2006 11:09

Itried swaddling but he seemed to wriggle free. My other ds did thi too. Have got a room thermometer so I dont think hes too hot. Maybe Im just expecting too much too soon. Im a real stickler for routine and I know there is no such thing for a while as far as babys are concerned.

Gingeme · 15/11/2006 11:10

Does that mean waking him if hes sleeping to feed him Notquitecockney

Gingeme · 15/11/2006 11:10

Does that mean waking him if hes sleeping to feed him Notquitecockney

Gingeme · 15/11/2006 11:11

Sorry didnt mean to repeat myself

NotQuiteCockney · 15/11/2006 11:12

Hmm, I might not wake him at night, but I would maybe wake him in the day, or at least encourage him to get up.

What is his weight gain situation, exactly?

How old is he?

Also, is he making lots of wet nappies? How many dirty nappies per day?

Is he generally content? (At least some of the time?)

NotQuiteCockney · 15/11/2006 11:14

Ah, but at this age, routine is really not worth bothering with, imo. I'm quite into routine for bigger ones, I think it keeps things working well, but when they're this tiny, by the time you've shoehorned them into a routine, they've gotten a tiny bit older and need to shift it.

Much easier, imo and ime, to just go with the flow, feed them when they grumble, keep them in your bed and feed them when they grumble at night, too. And worry about routine when they're a bit bigger.

When they're ready for two naps a day, or even just one, then there's a point to a routine, but before then it's just too much hassle. (And I say this as someone whose kids go down at the same time every night now ...)

Gingeme · 15/11/2006 11:17

He was 8lb13 born but I cant tell you how much he lost cause mw did it all in kg but Iknoe he hasnt put any on. Shes gonna weigh him again on Fri. He was 3 weeks yesterday. And yes hes generaly contented.
How long should he be feeding for each time? Sometimes hell 'snack' and feed for 10 mins and then sleep sometimes hell feed for an hour and still want the other breast! This mostly happens in the evening.

Original poster
VeniVidiVickiQV · 15/11/2006 11:18

As long as he wants to. When he finishes on one breast - offer him the other.

OP posts:
Gingeme · 15/11/2006 11:19

Oh yes My toddler has a pretty good routine. It helps that he goes to pre schol 3 mornings a week too cause then he has a lovely sleep in the afternoon.

Original poster
VeniVidiVickiQV · 15/11/2006 11:22

I make 8lb 13 3.997kg but it was probably rounded to 4kg.

OP posts:
Gingeme · 15/11/2006 11:22

Right so basicaly I should just persivere then and let him call the shots for a while. Iknow there should be a question mark there but im typing with one hand innit....

Gingeme · 15/11/2006 11:23

Yes she said 4kg

Gingeme · 15/11/2006 11:23

My biggest one. I have 4 ds's.

NotQuiteCockney · 15/11/2006 11:26

I would just persevere, if you want to keep breastfeeding. The first six weeks or so can be tricky, and then things get easier, at least in my experience.

Just feed him whenever he likes, and don't worry too much about how long he feeds for, and he'll probably start piling on the pounds properly ...