BF basic how to needed

[laural01]

Hello

My DD is 3 weeks old and breast fed, having latched from the moment she was born and not come off much since. I think I'm doing it wrong and need some basic advice pls as she's just done a poo with green flecks in so I'm worried she's not getting to the hind milk, as she's very windy and unsettled also.

Do you only offer one boob per feed? If both how do you know when to switch?

She only feeds for ten to twenty minutes every hour/hour and a half , she has done 30 minute feeds every two hours before but she's more of a snacker and I don't think this is doing her (or my sore boobs) any good. I expressed for my first and just feel like I haven't got a clue what I'm doing

Thanks for any advice you can offer x

Congratulations on your baby and for breastfeeding for three weeks! It sounds like having a chat with your midwife/HV might help, or seeking other support - I can highly recommend the NCT breastfeeding helpline on 0300 330 0700.

For your questions: I was told by my HV that green poo isn’t usually anything to worry about. However it might be worth getting your latch checked if you are sore and your baby is gassy as she could be taking in air. Breastfeeding can be sore to start with but you should seek help if it continues to be uncomfortable. You matter too!

Those feed lengths sound just fine, all babies are different. You might find that at this age she starts cluster feeding to build up your supply, so don’t worry if it feels like she’s feeding all the time. If you have lots of wet nappies and weight gain, that’s a good sign.

I think it’s standard to offer both boobs (although I switched to one per feed for a while as we had oversupply and reflux problems, with good weight gain). I found it helpful to watch the feed and switch over after DD had got the fattier milk. You should see your DD do the following: 1) quick firm sucks to make your milk flow, 2) slower, deep, regular “slurps” with swallowing for the bulk of the fed and then 3) lighter “flutters” with short pauses. 3) is your baby getting the final bits of fattier milk from that boob for that feed. So watch for that stage 3, then pop her off afterwards, burp, and try the other boob.

The above is just my experience, do look for some other support x

Thanks for your reply, I tried calling those helplines but unfortunately they're closed but I'm definitely going to try to get to the breastfeeding clinic to check the latch like you said.

I get lots of wet nappies and she's gaining weight really well, and she seems to be going through all the stages you mentioned, just sometimes only one boobs worth, sometimes two. It's such a confusing time! Thank you so much for your advice though I really appreciate it x

Tbh some babies do just feed for a long time!
Congratulations on your little bundle.
I don't think I knew when to switch boob it just takes time to know. Or baby comes off and still seems hungry so I'd try the other one at that point.

Have you every expressed into a bottle to see how much she takes?

If you're getting lots of wet nappies and shes gaining weight, I don't think you have anything to worry about.

For gas just try burping at pauses in a feed or before you switch to the other breast. And then for the mins after.
My son had trouble with wind though and we used a lot of infacol!

Kellymom.com is the best source of advice on the internet if you can't get a live reply, highly recommended.

I wouldn't swap boobs until.youve felt two let downs on the first one.

@laural01 it is confusing! There’s no way to tell one boob or two until you offer them - sometimes babies just want a snack, sometimes a full roast dinner

The helpline is great. Call them in the morning.

As above, there are no rules. You could have a snacker like me.

Thanks so much for everyone's replies, she had a more settled night with bigger feeds but mainly from just the one boob. I'll give the help line a call