Newborn Breastfeeding

[snoopy18]

Baby is going to be 3 weeks this coming Friday - we have got to a good start I think!

He latches on and on and off stays on around an hour but he’s still hungry so I’ve been topping up with formula.

HV and Midwife and breast feeding place of course suggested not topping up with formula as it’ll effect milk supply which is understandable but I’ve no idea how to get him full and or satisfied on just breast milk. I try keep him on longer but he still seems not full and won’t settle.

Today he has been so hungry in the afternoon and I think cluster feeding ie goes on drinks falls asleep or gets fussy kicks off repeat cycle and I’ve caved and given his formula as I’m tired.

I’ve started expressing albeit very new to it all to hopefully help more milk to be produced plus draining boob to avoid infection etc.

Can anyone advise on what to try to make him full on breast feeding?

Will be ringing the home start BF place as they were brilliant and visited when we got in from the hospital etc

Thanks in advance

To be honest, if he's cluster feeding - that is him building your supply. You can either handle it or you can't. Everytime you give formula you're telling your boobs not to bother making the extra.

It is fine if you can't be bothered with the hours of sofa sitting to build supply, but you have to accept that you probably won't ever get off topping up.

3 weeks is a key time where they have to build supply - if you can ride it out this week you might find next week is better. Make sure you have plenty to drink, hydration is key.

It often feels like at the beginning ALL you are doing is breastfeeding! And to a certain extent, that is true. It doesn't make it easier though.
Breastfeeding is not just eating, it's also cuddling with you and getting a whole lot of cool brain stuff going on - creating amazing connections between the two of you. The science is something you can research whilst baby eats for hours on end.
Just keep doing what you are doing. It does get easier, they don't do it like this forever, but, right now this is it.
Formula is an option if you want to do that but if you are breastfeeding well, and baby is making enough wet nappies and gaining weight, then it is unlikely that it is really needed.
This is a tough time. Call and get help from the BF place because all support right now is a good idea.
Best of luck!

How is his latch? Can you try breast compressions? Often babies stop sucking when the milk flow slows, getting more milk can perk them up. Agree on oumping so you get some rest

This is all normal I’m afraid OP! For the first 6 weeks it feels like you’re breast feeding constantly! As above poster said, it’s all about establishing supply. The suckling signals the breasts to make more milk. In the early months it’s made on a demand basis. Every time you use formula to top up your breasts are not being signalled to make that milk your baby needs. Sometimes they are just fussy aswell, mine was. Of course there’s nothing wrong with topping up with formula, but the first 6 weeks are when breast feeding is established fully so it could possibly mean you won’t get to that full supply.

It’s knackering, it’s bloody hard and tbh I don’t think women are prepared properly for the reality of breastfeeding a newborn. I have no idea what cluster feeding was untill reading about it online when DS was 1 week and I was wondering why he wanted to be on 24 hours a day. As long as baby has plenty wet nappies and weight is fine they will be getting enough from you

Best advice is just to go for it at the moment. Get your self a feeding station set up. Comfy place, juice/water, plenty snacks. Good boxset or whatever you fancy and just feed feed feed. I was told bf babies didn’t need winded by DS definitely did. If baby gets a bit fussy try something else like walking around, rocking, nappy change etc and then try again. I felt things for much easier at 4 weeks, having almost given up at 2 because I didn’t think I could manage it anyway one.

Good luck OP

Anyone else have difficulties with husband accepting breast feeding and feeling left out? Baby is 6 weeks old and I have been totally breastfeeding as it is going well. I have been too exhausted to express or there is so much to do in house that I do that. He makes comments that I can’t settle baby or baby doesn’t know me!
He will come back from work and I will be feeding the dishes might not be done and I might be watching a box set he gets so annoyed. Makes me feel like he has to come home to do all the dishes!
Also baby can be quite unsettled during the day and doesn’t sleep unless in my arms so hard to get things done. I have found she sleeps if I go out in car so have been going out during the day to get her a good nap. But then won’t have a dinner ready and he finds it difficult that I am out and then he is starving and no dinner...
anyone else going through this as I Sam at breaking point.

@Katgra I have a newborn too and I can totally relate. I'm breastfeeding him and like your little one mine is often unsettled during the day. I have a 21 month old also so it can be a challenge finding the time to express milk for my husband to feed the baby.

I occasionally let my husband give our baby formula (just once a day, so as to not affect my supply) just so I can get the chores done around the house! I understand if you prefer not to do this, but it's been a compromise for us and allows me an hour or so for the day when needed.

Thanks so much for the above 💗

He’s doing a lot better and I’ve been more patient with the whole process also and letting other things take a back seat whilst we work through this.

I’m happy with him having mixed feeds but primarily he’s on breast milk which I’m happy about. Expressing is helping too albeit I’m not doing too much of it just incase it causes over supply.

I think you’re right in saying BF is more challenging than what people think! It’s so worth it though I really love that bonding & spending time with him just relaxing and him being fed 🥰

I think it’s challenging as you’re so use to like working and doing things so when a little baby comes along totally depending on you including breast feeding it can be a shock to the system.

He will be 4 weeks this Friday can’t believe it but I’m happy with how it’s going so far!

We tried some other positions too and it seems the football hold works best for one boob and just a normal sort of cradle type position for other boob 🤣

Thankfully hubby sees the benefits and supports BF so that’s been great and he can feed either expressed milk or formula 😄

Thanks everyone for your support and help 💗