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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

JARM NEEDS HELP ALREADY

225 replies

JARM · 30/11/2007 15:53

Nipples and boobs hurt

Daniel wants to suck 24/7 but sleeps at the breast

obviously milk not in yet

Latch seems ok, although takes time as he thrashes his arms around - where the hell do they go?

Sorry, im so new to all this!

OP posts:
Mossy · 30/11/2007 20:40

JARM huge congratulations to you!

I know I always say this, but why not try breast crawl (actual breastcrawl is after the talky bit at the beginning) and biological nurturing to get your baby to find the breast himself and latch on... babies often latch on much, much better by themselves than they do with your "help"! (I have seen this "live" as it were and it really does work!)

Babies have these reflexes for ooh about six weeks so forget the guff at the beginning of the breastcrawl vid about it being only for newborns.

I second Lansinoh for sore nips... however if the soreness persists into the second week or so than there is a good chance the latch might not be right. Some women are just unlucky and get sore nipples even with a perfect latch but that's unusual; for most women pain is a sure sign something isn't right.

HTH and congrats again!!

Mossy · 30/11/2007 20:40

JARM huge congratulations to you!

I know I always say this, but why not try breast crawl (actual breastcrawl is after the talky bit at the beginning) and biological nurturing to get your baby to find the breast himself and latch on... babies often latch on much, much better by themselves than they do with your "help"! (I have seen this "live" as it were and it really does work!)

Babies have these reflexes for ooh about six weeks so forget the guff at the beginning of the breastcrawl vid about it being only for newborns.

I second Lansinoh for sore nips... however if the soreness persists into the second week or so than there is a good chance the latch might not be right. Some women are just unlucky and get sore nipples even with a perfect latch but that's unusual; for most women pain is a sure sign something isn't right.

HTH and congrats again!!

Mossy · 30/11/2007 20:43

Self attachment. So good I posted it twice.

RabbitBurns · 30/11/2007 20:47

I actually preferred the Avent Nipple Cream to Lansinoh - I found Lansinoh too thick and difficult to apply, whereas the Avent stuff is thinned down with coconut oil and easier to spread on. Also doesn't need to be wiped off.

Ooooh, I sound like Vicky Scott!

DanJARMouse · 01/12/2007 18:26

Ok, things seem to be settling down a little, just sore for the initial latch now - but my boobs are HUGE!

Daniel had his first little bit of sick earlier - yellowy liquid - assuming milk/colustrum

Question though - he is only feeding for 10-15 mins every 2hrs. Is that enough???? He is also only taking one breast at each feed, so i make sure i offer the other one at the next - is this going to cause problems?!

Arghhh, so many questions - so little sleep!

Mossy · 01/12/2007 18:32

10-15 minutes - it depends. Is he actively sucking for that time? What I mean is, can you see his lower jaw working with little pauses every two or three sucks? (The pause is when he's swallowing; sometimes you can actually hear it; sounds like a gulp, or like a soft "ka, ka, ka" sound.) If so, he probably just feeds pretty well and that often should be fine.

To be honest though, you can go on other stuff; is he producing six to eight soaking wet nappies and about six dirty nappies in a 24 hour period? If so he's probably okay. (You'll probably hear it said that breastfed babies do produce fewer dirty nappies than ff babies and that's true but not straight away; normally takes about six weeks or so.)

Mossy · 01/12/2007 18:35

And glad to hear things are settling down a bit too.

DanJARMouse · 01/12/2007 18:35

We have had a few wet nappied and a few dirty ones. Wouldnt say they are soaking though.

He is actively feeding for that time, and then falls asleep! His jaw is going constant with pauses, can hear him gulp/swallow and his little ears wiggle (oh its so cute!)

Sorry, am a complete beginner when it comes to BF so need as much help as I can get - am tempted to get someone to come out tomorrow to check things are ok.

PaulaYatesbiggestfan · 01/12/2007 18:38

LOVING name Mouse!
keep at i but my advise is just to make sure chops are wise wise open before ramming ( yes ramming!) him quickly on
dc5 was what we would polietly term an anus mouth and i used to push his tiny chin down onto his chest before jamming on - to stop me getting sore

no word of a lie though - that lanisoh is a godsend!

RGPargy · 01/12/2007 18:38

Sounds like you are doing brilliantly Jarm!!

MeanOldMother · 01/12/2007 18:40

one thing to look out for is at the end of the feed what you nipple looks like. it it quickly bounces back into shape then it is a good sign the latch is good. if it comes out an it stays a bit wedge-like for a short while then the latch not so good.

big congratulations on da boy.
i am a regular btw. just incognito.

RGPargy · 01/12/2007 18:43

All these BF tips are so useful! Thank you to everyone who takes the time to post their tips and advice. They will come in very useful with my LO decides to make an appearance!

MeanOldMother · 01/12/2007 18:43

"His jaw is going constant with pauses, can hear him gulp/swallow and his little ears wiggle (oh its so cute!) "

WOW that is almost text book description of what should be happening. it sounds like you have the latch thing sorted and he is getting milk.

congratulations again.

PaulaYatesbiggestfan · 01/12/2007 18:43

sorry wide wide...

also this is extremely early days
imho i would leave him on as long as poss
he will NOT be getting uggins just dribs and drabs but he is fine
what is imporant is that your boobs get stimulated at this point
24-36 hours from now is when he wil be FEEDING and it is only then you dont want him noshing at your nork ad nauseam. Until then just let him be on you and as long as he is latched right and you are not sore - then chill
that stinging should stop if his mouth is well positioned
keep asking!

VeniVidiVickiQV · 01/12/2007 18:44

Sounds like you are doing just fine JARM

All babies are different, and if he is feeding often, and nappies are wet then that's great.

Misdee · 01/12/2007 18:49

sounds like you are doing well JARM. is he doing the strnage little flutter sucks yet? i find it amazing that babies know what to do.

sparklygothkat · 01/12/2007 20:39

yea Jarm!! sounds like he is doing well, you are doing fab... remember don't give up!!

DanJARMouse · 01/12/2007 21:49

ok, not sure latch is perfect.... have got a graze over one of my nipples but it doesnt hurt??

when he falls asleep at the breast, should i take him off or wait for him to come off himself??

expatinscotland · 01/12/2007 21:55

DD2 was an arm thrasher.

i put her in a swaddle blanket at feed times to keep her handies out hte road.

Mossy · 02/12/2007 05:36

Take him off or leave him there; choice is yours really! If you've other stuff to be getting on with, take him off by putting your little finger inbetween your nipple and his mouth to break the suction. (Sometimes it helps to wet the finger).

If you've nowt else to do and want to hold a lovely sleeping newborn baby... let him sleep there. Some people say that comfort sucking or letting a baby sleep at your breast will hurt your nipple; it won't, it's bad latches that hurt, not comfort sucking.

TwinklyfLightAttendant · 02/12/2007 05:39

Sometimes when they're asleep, and are full, they will lie there making sucking movements for a while, then suddenly 'lift off' by throwing their little heads back gently so the nipple falls out. It is so sweet.

I take that as my cue to lay him down and do something else

DanJARMouse · 02/12/2007 11:21

I think i need nipple shields - latch isnt right and im very sore.

Will get MW to help me tomorrow

hunkermunker · 02/12/2007 17:10

Hello JARM - love your new name!

Congratulations on Daniel's birth!

How often is he feeding at the mo? Have you got any Lansinoh yet? Is he opening his mouth wide?

You're doing so well, my love!

Snaf posted a while ago about a reflex that helps babies open their mouths a bit wider - something to do with stroking their palm. Will have a search and see if I can find it.

DanJARMouse · 02/12/2007 21:54

Right... update!

Feeds are every 1.5-2hrs now. Is now taking both breasts for about 10-15mins each side.

Nipples are cracked and sore, but have avent cream which after 2 applications has helped dramatically.... cant afford the post stuff at £10 a tube just yet, we are skint.

However.... tonight we are having problems. He will not settle AT ALL. Will feed, fall asleep, as soon as we move him he is awake and crying for the breast again.... is this normal? Is there something Im doing wrong? Doesnt seem to wind very easily.

Im going insane... thank god its sunday and no where is open because im starting to doubt myself.

moondog · 02/12/2007 21:57

They are programmed to suck all the time JARM.That's what gets the milk flowing.
Supply and demand.

E mail me [email protected]
I'll send you a tenner for the Lansinoh.
Seriously.
Would love to help.