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Infant feeding

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

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Original poster

What makes it "easier" after 6 weeks?

12 replies

Kmxxx14 · 22/10/2016 12:04

I keep hearing that BF gets easier after 6 weeks. Why is this? I am currently 4 weeks 5 days into BF and wondering what's going to change after 6 weeks (if anything?).

I managed 3 weeks with my first son before giving up so I'm unsure what to expect

OP posts:

prettybird · 22/10/2016 12:11

Took me ds 8 weeks to latch on properly. Up until then it would take ages to get the feed started. I eventually learnt a technique of "posting" my boob into his mouth

Also, he was exhibiting "catch down" growth: very heavy at birth and moving down onto his "real" growth curve: after an initial very large drop, he then gained wright very slowly until he got to the "right" point. So he therefore wasn't very demanding.

Bolshybookworm · 22/10/2016 12:16

I think they just get the hang of it, maybe because they're a little bit more developed? Breast feeding was full blown agony for me for the 1st 6 weeks (maybe 4-5 with DC2), but the pain just dissipated after that (right when I was on the verge of giving up). Think your milk supply is full flow by then too.

SpeakNoWords · 22/10/2016 12:22

Somewhere around 6 to 8 weeks it can get easier as the amount of feeds decreases a bit. It can be easier to feed, less or no pain, as they've grown which can make latching on easier for them. Your supply tends to settle down too, so you get less of the massively engorged boobs.

My DS2 is now 4 months and breastfeeding is a doddle.

babyblabber · 22/10/2016 12:28

What are you finding hard at the moment?

ICuntSeeYourPoint · 22/10/2016 12:29

The latch, the frequency, they get better at it, so do you. I remember with my first, she was so bad with latching, plus she had a massive growth spurt and was feeding non stop for about 24 hours or so - I can't remember if it was 6 weeks or 8 weeks, but it was about then - I rang dh in tears saying I can't do it anymore, get home now and bring some formula! He came home, took dd off the boob to the supermarket and when they got back she was asleep and when she woke up it was like a different baby! Feeding was back to a reasonable amount of the day! She could get more in less time so not feed so frequently. It was fine after that - I fed her until she was nearly 2, haha!

Original poster

Kmxxx14 · 22/10/2016 12:38

Thanks.

I feel quite lucky in that I havnt had any pain with her or my son when BF and I find pysically breastfeeding her quite easy.

The two main things I find difficult are the frequency. She can be feeding hourly, usually every 2 hours and very rarely 3 hours. I often see every hour on the clock during the night. with my son this was too much for me as I wasn't expecting it so I gave up due to sheer exhaustion. This time I'm more prepared and knew what to expect so whilst its bare able and I just get on with it, it is still exhausting. I look forward to the day she's up once or twice a night I could easily accept that but when it's 5 times a night it can be difficult.

The other issue I've had is that my Milk seems to be too powerful for her at times. It'll spray everywhere And I can sense she's getting overwhelmed. She will often pull off gasping for air and choking.

The other issue I've had is twice I've had a very painful lump on my breast which has been red and hot to touch. One of the lumps turned into mastitis which i got antibiotics for then a few days later another lump appeared but I was already taking the antibiotics so it didn't lead to mastitis again. I'm worried about getting ill again especially if it happens often.

OP posts:

Thirtyrock39 · 22/10/2016 12:41

Takes about aix weeks for supply to be fully established so less chance of engirgement it low supply. If it's still hurting make sure a infant feeding specialist (hv, la leche volunteer etc) watches a full bf to check your positioning and attachment. I found first few weeks with oldest painful despite good p and a but it was comfortable by 4 weeks and a breeze by 6 so I'm concerned If it's not gotten any easier. Could your baby have a tongue tie?

Thirtyrock39 · 22/10/2016 12:42

Sorry missed your last post. If you think you've got an oversupply try just feeding from one side at every feed.

Original poster

Kmxxx14 · 22/10/2016 12:48

She rarely takes both boobs she will usually be satisfied after one and either fall asleep of refuse the second boob.

OP posts:

ICuntSeeYourPoint · 22/10/2016 17:13

Bless you, it is hard, all the things you mention (especially the spraying!) are the things which tend to happen early on and then settle down after a few weeks. Mastitis can happen any time, but hopefully not very often. In total I've breastfed for about 4 years all together and I've only ever had it once.

Getting up at night is tiring. Is the cot already right beside your bed, so you can lean over and pick up the baby without actually getting out of bed? With mine I co-slept, and from very, very early on they would help themselves to boob at night. I literally never had to get out of bed at night, it was awesome! If you have to physically get up out of bed to feed her, can your dh do the actual getting up and bringing the baby in to you and putting her back?

Original poster

Kmxxx14 · 22/10/2016 19:23

Thanks - it's helps when someone can atleast understand & sympathise. If I knew the spraying would settle down in a few weeks it would make it a little easier. Even today I went shopping & stopped to feed her. Half way through she starts to pull off and scream but seem frantic as if she wants to eat but can't because it's so powerful. Whilst all this is going on my milks spraying all over her, her clothes and my clothes so I had to walk around with a stained shirt! So annoying.

We have the snuz pod which is a co sleeping crib so whilst the night feeds are exhausting I think I am in the best position I can be with her being so easily picked up & fed.

I'm so determined to make it work this time I am just looking for that light at the end of the tunnel at the moment. Crossing my fingers it might get a bit easier soon.

OP posts:

MrsHathaway · 22/10/2016 19:29

A friend with oversupply was advised to feed "uphill" - ie avoid feeding positions where baby is under the breast. In early days it's 90% stored and 10% on demand but eventually it's the other way round (don't ask me when) so the gravity effect will be greater.

Six weeks was magic for me. At five days everyone including HCPs was advising me to pack it in, but one friend casually said why not try for six weeks and then stop. I found that an achievable target so went for it ... and suddenly I realised I'd reached six weeks and it was all now manageable (although not perfect).

I think basically if you're going to get it (you meaning mother-baby unit) then you'll have got it by six weeks. Until then you don't know if problems are likely to persist.

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