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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

Breastfedup - in need of positive breastfeeding propoganda

29 replies

aligirl · 21/08/2007 12:56

most wonderful beautiful son is 10 weeks old - had tongue tie snipped at 5 weeks. Before snipping feeding 16 hrs a day(not joking) nipples to cut glass & no weight gain. Long story but finally got it sorted. Past 5 weeks he has been playing catch up put on 10 oz last week and feeds, feeds, feeds. Not had much fun together as he is so hungry and feeding and it's baisically what I do all day, doing breast compression etc- he is v wakeful.

Had BBQ on Sunday to which my NCT group came and were all formula feed him (go on eat the apple!) as their LOs are of course all sleeping through the night only feeding at meal times and eating steak and chips

Today is my Birthday baby is feeding and snoozing on cushion on my lap and then 4 first time evr rolled off fell to floor and screamed!! All seems OK but I feel like world's worst mum and crying when he is sleeping. Need someoneto say positive things about bfeeding - he loves it know its best for him but life feels v hard today

OP posts:
kiskidee · 21/08/2007 12:59

no matter how you feel at the moment.

you are an absolute star!!!!

Tranquila · 21/08/2007 13:03

awww...i know ta feeling.
remember, whatever the situation , the only constant is change... so whateer it is about today, good or bad, it will all pass and be something else tomorrow - does that make sense?

re specifically the bf'ing - you are exactly at the point that it all starts to get sooooooooooooooooooooooo much easier, and happier and more relaxd, and in the fullness of time, it is you who will feel satisied and relaxed and secure tha you have done your best and secured the healthiest happiest future for your babuy possible. and that goes even if you stop right now - which youd be mad to becasue, like i say, itall is so much easier and happierfrom now on!

youve had a hard time, and its been tough, but youve done all the really hard stuff. time to reap the benefits.

and re dropping him -hey, we all do it. and yes, it wrnches your gts outthe first time ne of them nearly dies but that all gets easier too! remember the intense guilt you feel is down to hormones and vertiredness, not rational thought. hes not urt, hes fine. hes frgotten all about it

FunkyGlassSlipper · 21/08/2007 13:07

You sound like you are doing really well. Around now 10-12 weeks they have a growth spurt so it could be that your baby is not only playing catch up but feeding more to increase supply. When this happens the time between feeds can increase a bit, or the feeds themselves can shorten in length.

You've done so well. I know how hard it can be.

My DD is now 8 months and still breastfeeding. About a month ago she was lying on my tummy in bed, rolled herself over and grabbed my boob as if it were a straw and started sucking. It was really sweet (even if it sounds a little odd).

As your baby grows they become more and more independent each day and breastfeeding really is a way to hold onto some of that closeness.

If you want to carry on then carry on....

LilianGish · 21/08/2007 13:16

Don't give up - you are doing fantastically. When my babies wanted to feed all the time I just used to give into it and find something good on the TV/radio. As he gets older he'll be able to go longer between feeds and you'll have the last laugh with your NCT friends when you don't have to take loads off equipment with you wherever you go not to mention all that fiddling around sterilising everything. In the end it's just so much easier - and it's the best thing for your baby and as FGS just pointed out it's a lovely way of keeping that bond.

numptysmummy · 21/08/2007 13:18

I second that - it's the 1 thing that you and nobody else can do for your child and that makes me feel really special! It will get easier,10-12 wks was a nightmare with all of mine. Just remind yourself of all the good you are doing him

Original poster
aligirl · 21/08/2007 13:21

thanks everyone helps massively, seemed to get myself in a hole this morning and helps to have others helping me dig myself out!

Should I be trying to space out the feeds or just go with it as he knows how hungry he is?

OP posts:
numptysmummy · 21/08/2007 13:22

Just go with it, it will settle down again soon.

Flum · 21/08/2007 13:23

ahh breast feeding is lovely though. it will all settle down and so relaxing in night just to snuggle up with baby and not have to make a bottle up. its the cosiest thing in the world, I think.

Babies have verrrrry soft bones, the bump will surely do him no harm.

meandmy · 21/08/2007 13:31

you are doing brilliant job i only managed 6weeks and really regrett stopping bf and if i hadnt of topped up with formula i could have continued (ff came easier option)
if you want to stop its your choice make sure you are happy with your choice though!

you will get to the point you will think what was i worried for!

and as for the nct saying ff he is your baby and you know him best and all babies are different.

and are you sure the other moms (my baby sleeps through) are not saying what they want everyone to think, my dd slept through 7do, 3wo got colic lasted till gone 4mo, now at 14mo im lucky if once a week she sleeps through iyswim!

Difers · 21/08/2007 14:23

Breastfeeding is only harder initially then it gets much better and easier.

Breastfeeding is lovely and great and when the babies a toddler it is the only time they will sit and cuddle you.

In case of flooding like in Gloucester, you will never worry about having to make up feeding with contanimated water.

You are saving the environment.

You are protecting your childs future overall health.

Improving his ability to speak and communicate with others.

You are reducing the need for braces in the future.

You are making him brighter.

You are giving him continuous sensory input which will help his overall development.

He will be less likely to experience pain and depression when older.

You will not have to spend countless hours down A&E/GP's with chest infections and gastro problems.

He is less likely to get allergies etc....

I could go on but surely the above reasons are reasons enough???

Difers · 21/08/2007 14:26

Oh yeah, feed on demand as is much better for both you and your baby.

Original poster
aligirl · 21/08/2007 15:32

thanks everyone going to print out and pin up by my nursing chair to keep me going

b now much happier and I've just had a birthday Magnum feeling loads better!x

OP posts:
Psychobabble · 21/08/2007 15:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

mamadoc · 21/08/2007 16:04

DD is 18 weeks and today I woke up in a puddle of milk at 7am and realised she slept through for 1st time ever proper 12hrs.

She is a small baby and fed every 2hrs round the clock for 1st two months with no let up. I vividly recall sobbing my eyes out wishing it would stop and then gradually some longer gaps appeared at night and now finally that blessed day has dawned.

So it will happen, keep the faith, enjoy your birthday and have another Magnum. Make especially sure to eat it in front of your NCT group and say 'I am so hungry but the weight is falling off me- must be the breastfeeding'

IdreamofClooney · 21/08/2007 16:22

Happy Birthday Aligirl - it's my birthday too and am having a bad day as well. hummpf

Anyway I had a very similar experience to you with BF - I would honestly say that it is the hardest thing I have EVER done, and I've not had a particularly easy life!

DS had a tongue tie too and lost tons of weight as wasn;t able to feed, then as he wasn;t feeding I had a low milk supply etc etc. The first few weeks are just a total blur of tears and sore nipples. I hardly went out as my nipples were too sore to wear tops.

You can do it - you are doing brilliantly already. YOu are doing a wonderful thing for your child and you will be so proud of yourself for having perservered.

I was just totally determined to keep BF although everyone around me wanted me to switch to formula as I was struggling so much but I was too bloody minded to back down.,

I BF my DS for 14 months in the end and only gave up as a desperate measure to try and get him to sleep more (failed) but anyway, you will find that it will get easier and in a few weeks it will be second nature - no more tears and toe curling pain.

Good luck!

StarlightMcKenzie · 21/08/2007 16:34

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

MrsBond · 21/08/2007 16:40

Well done! you've done the hard bit.

BF gets easier the longer you do it. It's the lazy persons friend

No preparation needed and you get to eat loads and still lose weight!

It's also free!

Original poster
aligirl · 21/08/2007 16:47

MIL just left phone message and hoped I gave myself bday pressie of FF and then she can come and take oops i mean look after BS all day...time 4 another magnum which as u all say will come off with BF

OP posts:
StarlightMcKenzie · 21/08/2007 16:50

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Tranquila · 21/08/2007 16:52

well, it does require and extra 60 calories a day. that is the recommended increase in intake of calories.

LilianGish · 21/08/2007 17:15

Oh my goodness, MIL sounds just like mine. She was constantly trying to undermine my efforts by pointing out that the great thing about FF was that someone else could do it. I pointed out that I didn't want anyone else to do it thank you very much - tbh it just spurred me on even more really!

Difers · 21/08/2007 19:14

Your MIL said what???????????????????????

Your birthday present is a happily contented breastfed baby and of course your Magnum...and I lost loads of weight breastfeeding...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BTW!!!

I feel quite angry really that your MIL is undermining you.

www.kellymom.com Print out some stuff from there about how beneficial bf is and leave it around so she reads it. I think also there is a section on answering criticisms about feeding which you may find useful.

kittenbaby · 21/08/2007 21:38

aligirl happy birthday x

your mil sounds like a selfish idiot

vole3 · 22/08/2007 06:21

Happy birthday for yesterday.

Whatever else needs doing for your son, only YOU can breastfeed him. That is something amazing and the fact you didn't have the best of starts makes it even more so. Enjoy the closeness you have at those times as it will be the only thing that gets you through the teenage years!

DollyPopsOut · 22/08/2007 08:24

Happy birthday for yest and have the magnum anyway! If you don't lose weight when BF, it will come off when (eventually) you decide to stop. I think BF uses about an extra 500 a day, so that's 2 magnums by my reckoning

You have done the hard part with your beautiful son. Now you have cracked it, it is so worth the lack of hassle of bottles etc. It is brilliant for him and for you (in terms of health for both as well as all the other benefits). IME sleeping through is a matter of luck. My DD1 was fully BF and didn't until abour 18 months. My DD2 (also fully BF) did from 8 weeks. A friend who FF her children had one sleeper from 4 weeks and she/s still waiting for the other who is 14 months! Depends on the child not the food, I'd say. Also, even if they sleep now, they might lose the ability later on when they are teething, for example.

You should feel really proud of yourlsef for cracking this and giving your son the best. It is a fantastic achievement. Hope you can now reap the benefits.

Best wishes