How to know if baby is getting enough milk

[dreamerkr]

DS is 11 days old and we’ve had a rocky start to breastfeeding. He just wouldn’t latch on in the beginning and then when he did, feeding him was so painful and my nipples were sore and peeling badly. I’ve been using lansinoh and it’s been helping a little now. I started giving him formula because he wouldn’t breastfeed at the start, and now we’re mixed feeding. I’m trying to lessen formula feeds and increase breastfeeding, but how do you know that baby’s getting enough breast milk? He seems to feed for hours, 2-3 hours at a time and he falls asleep and still continues to feed. It’s so exhausting but I want to badly breastfeed as it’s what’s best for him. However, even if he feeds for hours he will still be hungry. He will seem content maybe for 10-15 mins before he again starts to cry and shows that he’s hungry. Isn’t he getting enough milk? I breastfeed 4-5 times a day currently. Any advice? The health visitor checked for a tongue tie and said it really doesn’t seem as though he has it. I don’t know what to do, I’m scared that he’s not getting enough milk which is why he’s constantly hungry. He does have plenty of wet and dirty nappies throughout the day but he formula feeds too.

Thank you 😊

All bf advice is do not use a dummy, the baby is increasing your supply by suckling, it is very important not to prevent this happening or your supply may decrease.

I would suggest seeking the help of a lactation consultant. Health visitors and midwives aren’t trained in looking for tongue ties (I’m a midwife). Babies do feed for like ever, but I definitely think you need some extra specialist support

Honestly OP, everything you describe is normal. Your baby is brand new in the world and so he will want to basically live on your breasts to start with, it's all about them magically knowing they need to up your supply to match their needs - Google cluster feeding and it will explain all you need to know at this stage. I barely left my house the first few weeks with DD because she was feeding all the time. It was exhausting, but I look back on those moments with such fondness now (she's 20 months and I'm still breastfeeding her). Try not to be so focused on your breasts not giving him enough milk, because chances are they are, if you leave him to it and let him feed as much as he wants

I agree with this too - specialist help in the early days is a big help.

Watch when feeding can you see/hear swallowing? Is baby settled? Are they content after ? (Once winded) plenty of wet nappies? Are your nipples ok? (Ie not sore) if yes then all is well. If no ask for support with attachment.

Congrats on your new son!

Wet and dry nappies are the main ways to tell in the day to day, though in the medium term you can also tell as he continues to gain or re-gain weight.

His stomach is tiny and so he will need to feed very regularly. He is also helping to increase your supply by signalling to your body that it needs to make him plenty of milk. The more you can let him feed and even comfort suck then the more your body will produce.

It is exhausting, especially if you are also dealing with pain in whatever form. Plus you are still recovering from birth. It's really, really hard, try to remind yourself you are doing a great thing caring for him whichever way he is fed.

How long does your DH have off? Can you just stay in bed with DS for a day or two, feed and skin to skin as much as you can, DH waits on you hand and foot? Bed and skin-to-skin were my best options when things got tricky with tiny babies, it rests your body and helps build your supply.

And I really wouldn't give him a dummy - he wants to suck on you for more than just feeding, so don't limit that. It will all help to up your supply and build the connection between you. He's doing what he's supposed to be doing - he wants to be on your breast all the time. Also Google the fourth trimester

Never had any issue with my second baby and a dummy and he was breastfed up to 8m. You'll always get people who "never recommend a dummy" as you'll always get people who am as I am 🙃

This sounds really familiar. It’s really hard. We had a lactation consultant around this time who suggested trying switch feeding - this was the first time baby was satisfied from boob only without hours and hours and hours of feeding with a small break which would kill my nipps. You could also try nipple shields if too sore to be feeding so much.

Definitely just hibernate with baby if you can. Sit on the sofa or in bed, get set up with snacks and drinks (important to drink lots of water when bf), get the box sets lined up. Feeding pretty much constantly skin to skin (I just used to wear a cosy dressing gown and pop baby inside). This will get your supply up. Avoid dummies until bf established. Keep going with the Lansinoh.
I also second trying to meet up with a breastfeeding supporter or even contact the breastfeeding network and they can help over the phone/online. They can offer tips on positioning as this can make a big difference if you are finding it painful.

I still look back and wish I could relive those days chilling on the sofa with the cold weather outside, just me, baby and classic Corrie

Thank you so much guys 😌

www.laleche.org.uk/beginning-breastfeeding/

You can call the LLL helpline to have a chat. You can try breast compression during a feed. Make sure you're comfy while feeding. See if you can go to a breastfeeding support group to meet other bf mums and see babies of different ages.

You can watch the different type of sucks to see what your baby is doing
www.kidspot.com.au/baby/baby-care/how-to-interpret-your-babys-sucking-patterns/news-story/98cddead9fdc555bcd2379ace5ad0faa

If your baby is still sucking for more than 1 hour its likely that they are comfort sucking

The formula will interrupt your milk supply

For a good latch
point the nipple at your babies nose and slowly bring it down to the lips, when baby opens wide and latches, you shouldnt see that much of your nipple showing
And you can put your babies hand on your breast during feeding , you will see their little hands pushing and squeezing to help the milk out

Drink some warm water or warm milk yourself, before or during feeding, drink alot of fluid

Your nipple will toughen up soon
It shouldnt be extrmely painful or it could mean the latch is bad

4-5 BF over 24 hours is not enough.
Read up on cluster feeding.
Check wet and dirty nappies

They will still take a bottle, yes, as it's easier.

Perhaps try giving a slightly smaller bottle if you must, or one fewer per day and then reduce again in a few days time