Breastfeeding - fine during the day, nightmare at night, help!

[Idontneedrescuing]

11 day old baby DS is managing to feed really well during the day after a tricky start (jaundice, dehydration and mild tongue tie) but it all falls apart at night. He gets frantic on the breast immediately, latching on and off and grabbing with hands / putting them in the way.

My nipples are cracked and still sore from the first week and nighttime issues mean they’re not healing and I’m in a lot of pain where he latches on and off. I’ve tried offering the breast sooner but it doesn’t make a difference, between about 11 and 6 we just can’t do it.

Any advice welcome please! Am at my wits end. Last night DH got up with him at 5 and gave him some expressed milk via syringe which gave me some time so we’re going to have this as back up but would love to fix it.

Thanks!

What positions do you use. I used to find my flow was a lot faster at night and had to feed leaning back.

That sounds like a tricky combination of cluster feeding (inevitable and necessary, but will pass) with tiredness. I found an immediate improvement when I started to focus more on subtle sleep cues through the day. Look for these from 30 min awake time. A baby of that age should rarely if ever be awake for over an hour and whatever it takes to get him to sleep, do it. Better day naps = easier nights.

Sitting in cradle or lying down - he’s quite fussy and didn’t take to rugby ball or cross cradle! Will try leaning back, thanks

Ah yes - newborns are so adamant that their hands are somehow integral to the breastfeeding process when all they do really is get in the way!! I found a good swaddle helped to keep DS's hands at bay along with a firm rugby hold. Plenty of regular winding too as the fussing often makes them take in lots of wind. You are in the middle of what I found the toughest time but after 3-4 weeks they get a bit better with the cluster feeding.

I remember googling baby handcuffs at this point

It could be overtiredness. It's your worst enemy. Babies often get over tired but don't realise it, get very confused and seek comfort on the breast thinking they want a feed when they don't. If your baby isn't actually taking a feed, try resettling- swaddle, rocking, sssshhh ing - whatever you do. If not settling, try feed again in half an hour.