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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

Advice on feeding a two day old baby

103 replies

EdieMcredie · 16/09/2007 21:08

My baby is two days old and im planning on BFing. However milk not in yet and so I bought some formula to supplement. Of course all my midwives told me to get rid of it so I have. Tonight I will have no formula. Im managing to put her on my breast loads and she does suck but nothing much coming out and so I need more reassurance from people on here that she will be ok!!!

I just hate to think of her hungry and it's getting me down...

OP posts:
determination · 16/09/2007 21:12

This is perfectly normal and fine, colostrum is very high in fat and this will be more than enough for her until your milk comes in. Just feed on demand and DO NOT supplement at all, as this will just get you into a viscious circle of problems. Have a look at nursing your newborn - what to expect in the early weeks

seeker · 16/09/2007 21:26

She will be getting everything she needs - they need very little in the first few days. Don't worry - most people's milk doesn't come in to day three. Keep putting her to the breast - if she's sucking she's probably getting more than you think she is. Keep half an eye on her nappies - if they are wet and occasionally dirty she's fine! Cuddle as much as you can - good for both of you!

funnypeculiar · 16/09/2007 21:27

Something someone told me that helps was that a newborn baby's stomach is only as big as a walnut! Doesn't take much to fill up a walnut

CantSleepWontSleep · 16/09/2007 21:29

Good advice from the midwives - essential not to supplement at this point, but to put her to the breast as much as you can. I seem to recall that dd was attached for about 18 hours a day the first few days, until my milk came in!

Best of luck getting going.

Catilla · 16/09/2007 21:35

Milk isn't supposed to be in for a few days... don't worry!

cinnamontam · 16/09/2007 21:38

I know exactly how you feel. I was convinced my DD wasn't getting anything those first few days despite the fact she wasn't yelling for it. Newborn babies have a stomach that can only hold 7ml. So what little she is getting of the good stuff is filling her up nicely. Good luck and enjoy

Beachcomber · 16/09/2007 21:54

Keep feeding the baby as often as she wants to. Cuddle her loads, lots of skin to skin. Sleep with her if possible.

The advice to NOT supplement with formula is good as supplementing will only interfere with establishing your milk supply.

If your baby feeds you will make milk, that's the wonder of nature.

Sounds like you are doing just fine, at the moment your baby is getting all she needs from your colostrum. Your milk will come in soon and then you will be surprised by your mega norks!

Good luck and congrats on your baby.

lomondgal · 16/09/2007 21:58

Babies don't need much during the first few days you are doing the right thing just let her feed very often. You will notice a big difference when your milk comes in. Good luck with it and congratulations x

As long as she has wet nappies don't worry.

Jackstini · 16/09/2007 21:59

Congrats on your new baby EMc and your plans to bf.
All sounds absolutely as it should be. Your milk will prob not come in until day 4 or 5 - until then baby is getting everything they need from the colostrum you are producing (small on quantity as their tummies are tiny - but very high in quality)
In a couple of days when you look like Jordan you will laugh at this!!!
PS - in prep for this get a savoy cabbage in - if your boobs get engorged and tender a couple of leaves in your bra works wonders

mawbroon · 16/09/2007 21:59

At the end of day two, I got a rare good piece of advice from a midwife in the hospital. She said that this would be a difficult night as baby is getting hungry and milk isn't in yet. She didn't tell me what I should do about it, but knowing that it was normal helped me through the night. I basically fed ds the whole night through, dozing as much as I could and doing skin to skin. It stopped him fretting and then my milk came in the next day. Not with a whizz bang and pain like people describe, but so gently that I didn't feel a thing. If the midwife hadn't warned me that ds wanting to feed all night was completley normal, things might have turned out differently. I look back to that night and still get tears in my eyes thinking about how special it was.

Colostrum is marvellous stuff. Believe in your body and enjoy your wonderful newborn.

lulumama · 16/09/2007 22:00

congratulations

lots of skin to skin and put baby to breast as much as she wants to be there, your milk will most likley come in within the next day or two ...

definitely no formula she does not need supplementing ,and it could well interfere with establishing your supply

phdlife · 16/09/2007 22:01

and try to get some vaseline on your nipples in between feeds, otherwise if she's a good sucker you'll be sore in no time!

Olihan · 16/09/2007 22:09

Lansinoh is better for you nips and your baby as it's allergen free and doesn't need to be washed off before your baby feeds.

I agree with mawbroon about the skin to skin and just letting her suckle whenever she wants. If you can, write off doing anything other than feeding for the next couple of days, ie get someone to bring you food, drinks, magazines, etc and just make yourself comfy in bed with your dd. It is nervewracking when you feel as though you have 'no milk' but you have. Remember, your body was clever enough to make and grow your baby so it will also be more than able to feed it.

Congratulations btw!

lomondgal · 16/09/2007 22:16

Lansinoh was a godsend to me, really helps with sore nips.

mawbroon · 16/09/2007 22:17

Another Lansinoh vote here

jumpyjan · 16/09/2007 22:18

Sounds similar to my experience with DD - think your milk will come in around day 3 or 4. In the meantime just let her feed when she wants to, she will be getting all of the colstrum which is very rich and excellent for her.

Use lots of Lasinhoh (and eat lots of chocolate as thats supposed to be good for milk production!)

Congratulations and good luck.

spottyshoes · 16/09/2007 22:21

Congratulations on your new baby and well done you for deciding to bf!
I can only echo what every else says - ur milk will not come in until day3 and on night 2 my ds got rather wail-ey. Just cuddle her loads and keep offering the breast, it will pass in the next day or so. Please be assured that you are producing the right amount as colustrum is so concentrated there is only a tiny amount but stick with it as you are giving your daughter the best possible start in life.
Bit of a tip that no-one told me. She will also have growth spurts at wks 2,4,8,12,16 where you will feel like she is never off and you're not producing enough milk (the wk 2 one is particularly bad if, like my ds, your l.o lost weight in the first weeks - makes you really paranoid!)During these times I spent 2-3 days in bed just cuddling and feeding - pain at the time but looking back it was a wonderful bonding experience! Stick with it hun - you're doing a great job!

phdlife · 16/09/2007 22:23

seem to recall reading on here somewhere that oats and almonds are also lactogenic.

also meant to say, congratulations, just a bit woolly-brained these days still

yelnats · 16/09/2007 22:28

Just feed as often as your baby wants and lots of skin to skin contact. you will probably feel that you are just feeding constantly initially but it does get better - honestly. so often in the early days I was on the verge of giving up, partly because I felt that I wasnt enjoying my dd2 as I was constantly feeding but 7 months on were still going strong.

Congratulations on the birth of your baby and good luck!! Enjoy!

yelnats · 16/09/2007 22:28

oh Oats - I ate Oatibix choc and raisin every day for months now moved onto Cheerios Oats and have never ever ahd supply issues.

moondog · 16/09/2007 22:30

Edie,let her suck and have faith.
I had no idea when my milk would come in and never even felt it happen (never leaked) but I had faith in my body as did everyone around me.

You've made the baby,now you can feed her.

determination · 16/09/2007 22:36

To prevent or to heal sore nipples i highly recommend Silverette they are completely natural, no need to use creams or ointments and have super healing powers.

kittywits · 16/09/2007 22:38

another vote for lansinoh here!!!!!!

kinki · 16/09/2007 22:48

Sounds like you are doing great Edie. It's absolutely true what everyone is saying, at this age it really is little and often. The calorie and fat content of colostrum is very high so a little does go a long way. With my first, the milk came in at about day 4, but earlier with subsequent babies. Before you know it you'll be wondering where your little dd is putting it all! Keep going as you are, trust in yourself and in nature. You're doing great!

Original poster
EdieMcredie · 16/09/2007 22:59

Oh wow thanks guys!! Im so emotional im nearly crying at all your encouraging responses!!

I love love love cuddling her so that shouldn't be a problem tonight.

Will let you all know how I got on in the morning.

I have made sure that I have eaten and drunk plenty tonight in prep...

I wish I had known not to buy the SMA although hopefully no harm done.

OP posts: