How do they fit in all the areola?! Also, milk coming in after c-section...

[Tinkjon]

Ok, so I know that babies aren't supposed to just take the nipple into their mouths, they're supposed to take in lots of the areola as well. But my brand new DS can't fit anything else into his little mouth except my nipple He just doesn't seem to open his mouth as wide as the pics of bf babies in books and even if he did, he still couldn't fit it all in. The mw's at the hospital said not to worry and that he was still getting some colostrum but (a) I'm in AGONY because of this poor latch and (b) I'm not sure that he really is getting anything - I can't hear him swallow and he just wants to feel almost 24 hours a day... surely he'd be happy to have a break for at least an hour if he was actually getting anything?

Also, how long does it take for milk to come in after a c-section? Some people say it's a little slower than with a vb but others say it's the same?

Any help very gratefully received as I'm beside myself about it and in danger of FFing instead, which I really didn't want to do this time Thanks!

Tink - hunger and the need to be close to mum are both tied up together in the baby's needs, and he expresses his need for both with exactly the behaviour you describe.

He may be hungry, he may not - it is not possible to distinguish between these real needs for food/drink and closeness.

The baby doesn't know there is a difference, and there is no way you can tell. Putting him to the breast satisfies both needs beautifully, and if the baby doesn't yet know how to regulate the intake of milk when he wants comfort more than hunger, then he will just posset up the overflow

how's it going tonight?

btw to moondog, mmmm yes real pastilla is lovely if you like sweet pastry type stuff (which I do), i don't know if it's served in many restaurants (usually couscous and more couscous with tagine for a change) so you'll have to get yourself invited to a wedding or big do next time to try it or make it yourself? i'd give the pigeon bit a miss though and do chicken

Pastilla//Moondog,

I think you's may be hijacking this thread!!

Pastilla, didn't go that well. Have started another thread... I'm a failure I really do appreciate all your help, everyone - thanks so much.

no no no
i won't hear that word at all!
i bet you are a fab lovely caring mum who adores her baby
i'm off to find your other thread but hope you are doing ok with the whole thing, getting over a c section is no easy thing, never mind that you're given a newborn baby to figure out at the same time

Thanks, Pastilla! I feel better this morning - things seem to have sorted themselves more and we now have a plan, as on my other thread, so I feel better about that.