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Infant feeding

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

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Original poster

Its all getting a bit much...

15 replies

Urglewurgle · 16/09/2017 19:06

DD (Pfb) arrived 13/09 in a bit of a rush (woke with back pain at 6:30am, hospital for 9:30am as meconium in waters (and pain was horrific) DD made her entrance at 10:43am, a little tired and I had to have an episiotomy to get her out.

All was well and good. Breast fed in hospital, had a few issues as panicking DD not getting enough but had help there and both home the next day.

It's now day 3 and I'm all over the place. DD won't stay awake to take a full feed from me. I can see she wants a feed so put her on the breast but she falls asleep within a few minutes, I stroke her face/feet etc and wake her up again but she only lasts anoyher few minutes. She gets to the point where she seems to be well and truly asleep only to wake up wanting a feed as soon as I move her. But we repeat the same cycle. I've had the peer support team out to check our latch and they think it's fine and she's just getting too comfy and just stick with it. I don't agree and think my latch is too shallow but can't figure it out. I can cope with this feed after feed after feed during the day but at night time she's screaming and gets so worked up, we caved and gave her formula which she wolfed down and fell straight asleep. I have never felt so guilty (at putting her through all that stress and starving my baby) and relived (that she's finally had some food in her.) until the next morning when I feel I should be BFing.

Last night we have her formula again as the same thing happened. She slept (on me so I didn't but still) but this morning we seemed to have turned a corner, peer support people rang as I was feeding and I said seems to be getting better. They said keep on over the weekend, it won't always be like this. However this afternoon we've gone back on the on and off. Plus I've had a bad cough and my stitches are killing me.

We've had visitors over from another city today so I've been going upstairs to feed (visitors were male family) and she's still falling asleep on the breast then waiting more literally 20 minutes later.

I'm not even sure what I'm asking. Can I rescue BFing? Will my milk coming in make any difference? Should I just FF? any ideas? I'm desperate! I feel like I'm failing her.

OP posts:

Winteriscomingneedmorewood · 16/09/2017 19:10

Lots of skin to skin should get her interested in bf!!
Get comfy on the sofa with snacks and the remote!!
The more you offer her the more milk you will make and no need to top up with formula. .

Original poster

Urglewurgle · 16/09/2017 19:13

She is interested, I can't hold her with her rooting but she literally sucks for a few minutes then closes her eyes and stops. I try get her back on but she doesn't react so I made her away for a cuddle and she's rooting again...

OP posts:

Original poster

Urglewurgle · 16/09/2017 19:14

Can't hold her without...

OP posts:

Winteriscomingneedmorewood · 16/09/2017 19:14

Can you express a bit out before you latch her on?

Original poster

Urglewurgle · 16/09/2017 19:15

I could do but why would that help?

Sorry, I'm new to all this (if you can't tell)

OP posts:

Winteriscomingneedmorewood · 16/09/2017 19:18

Just to get the flow going to encourage her - less effort it it's already there!! And relax. . Get comfy and try not to think you are doing it wrong! You have made a great start!

BendingSpoons · 16/09/2017 19:20

I was advised to undress DD a bit so she didn't get warm and cosy and stayed awake for longer. It sounds really hard. It WILL get better but it's fine to give formula if you need a break.

thiskittenbarks · 16/09/2017 19:27

Don't feel guilty about anything - you are dong an amazing job. I'd encourage you to keep going with bf. I remember having similar moments as my baby was also v sleepy in the beginning and we had to constantly strip him off down to a nappy to keep him awake long enough for a feed (on health visitors advice). He didn't feed much in the initial days but it takes the babies a while to get the hang of BFing and also takes a while for our boobs to get the supply right too. It's only day 3 and your milk might not have properly "come in" yet (I think mine came in on day 3) I'd encourage you to hang on in there and if you do give formula, try to express at the same time so your body knows baby needs milk at that time too.
Also don't be discouraged if you produce barely anything from expressing.

Original poster

Urglewurgle · 16/09/2017 19:35

Thanks ladies. I'll try all of your suggestions. I just burst into tears thinking I might not get to feed her and have her stare up at me again. Bloody hormones!

Spoke to DP and he's worried about me getting upset and sees that formula takes the pressure off of me but I've explained how I feel and we're gonna give it another try until into next week but knowing that formula is there if we need it.

OP posts:

HopelesslydevotedtoGu · 16/09/2017 19:42

What makes you think your latch is shallow? If baby can't get a good latch at present she may be getting tired and falling asleep. Have a look at the exaggerated latch video by Dr jack Newman. Also ask to see a Lactation Consultant to check for a tongue tie. My baby's posterior tongue tie was missed by a few people, it produced a shallow latch.

Spam88 · 16/09/2017 19:59

Sounds like you're doing pretty well, compared to how I was at that stage anyway! Strip baby off, change their nappy when they fall asleep to wake then back up. Hopefully when she's weighed that'll give you some reassurance. Keep going, you've totally got this ☺️

Original poster

Urglewurgle · 16/09/2017 20:00

Just Google tbh Hopeless

I feel like I struggle with positioning having short arms but big, saggy boobs

OP posts:

April45 · 19/09/2017 04:35

It sounds like you're both doing a great job. The colostrum is thick and hard work for babies to drink and prob partly why DD falls asleep - that and that she's so comforted being next to you (try to remember the comfort you bring rather than worrying about her not going down).

We used a little formula when waiting for my milk to come in, I felt DS had no energy to take a feed. He only took an oz or so but seemed to help alongside bf. Babies have to learn to feed from you so you may find she needs a bit more practise.

Do what you feel is best- take each day or part of the day as it comes. It does get easier, promise! Ty to get a bit of rest where you can too x

troodiedoo · 19/09/2017 05:06

Have you got0a comfy feeding chair? Park yourself there and just feed feed feed be ready like a self service boob. One bottle of formula a day won't hurt. Do you have a pump?

Sounds like you're doing great, keep at it

AnaKristina · 20/09/2017 20:18

Jaundice can make baby more sleepy. Ask your midwife. My baby was more sleepy due to it, it was mild, I didn't spot it.

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