bf a baby on the "larger" side....

[Doublebubblebubble]

Hi all. I had my ds 16/10 (emcs) he was 10lb 1oz at birth 21.5 inches long. He is a good feeder ( I do have cracked nips though (ouch)
We are keeping note of when he is feeding - I am offering each breast at each feed as well.

7am - feed for about 20 mins
10:20 - feed for about 20 minutes
11:30 - feed for about 35 minutes

when my DD (8lb 4 - but she's a shorty) was born (bf for 19 months I had cracked nips too) but she would feed for about 30 mins each time so I'm not sure what is normal and what is excessive/too little.

Because of his weight/size I just cant help but feel that im struggling to hold him "properly" because of his weight/length - I have a bf pillow. Did anyone with babies on the larger side have problems?? (I was I hospital until yesterday - he had 3 bm/bns (???) to check his blood sugars and they were all fine...

If your nipples are cracked then something probably not quite right, do you have a good bf midwife/HV who can check your latch for you? If not try la letche league (would recommend their groups anyway) who may have someone in your area who can have a look for you.

Also ditch the timing, feed baby as often as he wants for as long as he wants, as long as he's peeing/pooing nicely and he gains weight it doesn't actually matter how long he feeds for.

Oh and congratulations

Yy to all ^^ offer frequently. Some babies are more efficient at feeding / digesting than others. My heaviest was 10-4 at birth - no extra issues due to weight although cradle hold did tire my arm out.

All mine was larger baby's (8lb 14oz, 10lb & 9lb 5oz) and all fed to appetite) they all fed often and for the first few weeks felt like constantly

Experiment with different positions, maybe side by side lying down would work for you initially as you are not holding the weight of baby

I found a mybrestfriend pillow invaluable for a heavy baby, really good back support. And yes, forget the clock if you can.

Are you using lansinoh between feeds? It's a lifesaver - it's not cheap, but I would slap a load on - does wonders for cracked nipples.

Congratulations

I used a normal pillow with my last two babies whilst breastfeeding after their sections and they weighed in at 9.14 lbs and 11.6lbs as this meant they weren't so heavy in my arms. Both fed on demand and were very efficient feeders, my heaviest ds is only 9 weeks old and even though he feeds every two hours in the day but 3 hourly at night he feeds for 10 minutes max and is gaining about 7ozs a week. I did find that the pain from the section and trying to breastfeed a heavy baby eased after a week or so.

i did find that the pain from the section and trying to breastfeed a heavy baby eased after a week or so

I am soooooo glad... All the extra pressure on the wound +the additional contractions from bf anyway is just a killer.
I was just using breastmilk but its not working quickly enough so
I have just sent dh out to get lasinoh £10 a tube - who knew!!

Ds has been asleep since 1:45 ish. He is stirring so hopefully I'll get them slathered before he wakes up (this is terrible but I genuinely can't remember - do I need to wipe it off before I feed or do I just leave it to soak in?? ) x

lansinoh is brilliant, no need to wipe it off before feeding.

Well at his 5 day check yesterday he had gain a whole 40g!! (born at 4560 now 4600) very pleased obviously but fairly worried that I wont be able to keep up with his appetite...does anyone know what to eat to help keep up the milk I've always heard pineapple was good but is there anything else?? X

*eating roughly every hours x

My ds was 10lb 9oz he fed a lot! It was hard to hold him sometimes so I used to put pillows under my arms for support. Feeding in bed lying down helped! I struggled to lift him was also anaemic. I couldn't carry him in car seat for example.
Get lansinoh if you haven't already it's very good on sore nipples.

Re eating- just eat normal healthy food. Nothing unusual needed.

I bf a gigantic baby who didn't realy get started on any proper amounts of solids until over a year. She put on over a lb per week for the first 9 weeks then slowed a bit but was always above the 99.6% line.

Anyway I fed her by just eating normal healthy (ish) food in slightly larger quantities. Much larger sometimes! I loved it, all those potatoes....really miss the portions I had then.

Some people will recommend oats, fenugreek and various other things but if you're feeding the baby that well already I think just carry on as you are and follow your intuition about when you need to binge eat 4 jacket potatoes worth a whole block of cheese.

Congrats on your gorgeous newborn.

Oh and yy to the feeding lying down on my side. Helps that I have some serious jugs but that position was brilliant- practice it immediately if you haven't already.

I got my huge and tall dd to sort of sit up on my lap to feed - although I am very short.

I tell you she was a very fast and efficient feeder!

*every 2 hours

Ahh yes we did the lap sitting upright (supported by me obv) feed from about 10 days I remember

As far as not being able to fulfill his appetite it's not something to worry about really as many people exclusively feed 6 month olds who will be much bigger than your baby.

As long as you offer frequently your milk supply will adjust accordingly as you both get more used to feeding it will get quicker.

Try feeding lying down, I much preferred this position than holding in my arms.

Well I tried the lying down position and ds hates it... (dont really understand why, he loves hugs though so I think that might be a part of it) I've tried the rugby hold and he's just too heavy. I am also anaemic so really struggled with that (I actually had a bit of a cry because I couldn't do either of them and he was getting distressed so got naked (well topless) stripped him - did skin to skin and cradle held him (he is doing about 15 mins each breast (I cant help but time it as I dont like the idea of him being hungry... I am offering the boob more often though) he is a very sleepy baby though... (I know I'm worrying over probably nothing - my DD was exactly the same but I think its new baby syndrome lol)

My c section wound appears on the outside to be fairly well healed(when moving ALL of the pain is on the left and it literally feels like I am being torn apart) but yesterday, 7 days post op we tried to go for a walk I couldn't even make 40yards... Very frustrating.

Have you tried the sitting up on your lap?

His bum on your leg, your arm down the back of his head and back and let him lean in on you?

The difference in weight that you are supporting is huge!

I am bf'ing my 3/12 old who was 11lb 2 at birth. I haven't needed a pillow or anything and he only feeds for 10 mins at a time. I think every baby is different, so do what you need to be comfortable and for him to gain weight and have lots of wet nappies.

Drink lots and keep going - you are doing a great job!

I'm going to try the sitting up position... He is a very wiggly nb though. Dh is making sure I have a drink with every feed. I'm just feeling a bit sorry again because I bf DD for 19 mos I just thought it would all just come back straight away...and that he'd just latch properly straight away... Thank you all x

Porridge oats are meant to be good for milk supply. However your hormones control your milk supply for the first two weeks and after that it's controlled by your baby and should hopefully produce what your baby needs. Kellymom is a really good website for breastfeeding help :)

DS was 9.1 and long. I also had c section. It was essential to get comfy. I feed in an armchair but have two massive cushions behind me to prop ne up, a normal cushion each side and a v shaped feeding cushion on my lap. This way i don't have to hold him at all - all his weight is borne by the cushions and he is at the right height to just latch on. Helps with cradle and rugby hold . The feeding pillow protects the c section to. I remember sharp pains on the left. I actually thought my intestines/bowel has somehow been attached/stitched to something it shouldn't. It did pass though.

Those early weeks are tough but at 14weeks are already a distant memory.

You are doing great and congratulations!

Congratulations on your new baby! My DD wasn't quite that size but has always been very tall and I had a bad arm when I had her so can offer some suggestions.

After the first week or so of trying to cradle and struggling with the arm pain, I started feeding her in the laid back position (only just found out this is what it's called). I basically laid back a bit and laid her across my body to latch. If you google it, there are pictures which will help. I tended to feed like this at home for the first few months and cradled her when we were out, and it really helped ease the pressure on my arms.

She gained weight really quickly and after the first week I stopped timing feeds etc just fed her whenever she wanted. Like a pp said just relax and know that if you are having plenty of wet and dirty nappies, all is well.

I also had a csection and didn't even try to go out for a walk until about 10days in, even then I only managed round the corner and straight back. Take it easy, make sure you are keeping mobile but don't overdo it. It took me far more than 6weeks to feel anywhere near normal but it got easier every week and by 3weeks I was walking fine, just got tired very quick. Use lots of lansinoh now you have it, now its cold you will probably need to keep it in your pocket/sit on it as it solidifies and is difficult to rub in. I used it loads for a few weeks and havent needed it again, still bfing an 11month old. Good luck with it all and enjoy all those snuggly newborn cuddles.