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Infant feeding

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

17 day old b'fed baby - can i offer 2 boobs at a feed? He has been crying all evening from hunger I think but they feel empty??

16 replies

papaya · 31/03/2008 21:30

I am wondering if someone can offer me some advice please. Since birth ds (at birth 8lb 9 ou) has generally fed every 2-2.5 hours in the day and then every 2-4 hours during the night. I have no idea how much he gets, but he feds on average for 15 mins at a time (sometimes only 10 mins) at night. He lost 2 ounces in the first week, and has since put on 7 ounces in the second week. I try and get him to feed for longer (change nappy to stimulate and wake him up but even when I put him back on either he wont latch on or if he does he just falls asleep!) However, If I offer him my opposite boob after a nappy change he seems to be a bit more interested and i can sometimes get another 5-10 mins out of him. My baby whisperer book says to only offer one boob, can I offer my 2 boobs in one feed? And if I do which boob do I offer him first at the next feed if he has taken both previously??

Also -

Tonight from about 4pm ds has wanted to constantly feed, I have been swapping boobs every half hour (to ease increasingly sore nipples from so much feeding) He is a very chilled baby and his crying is very easy to read normally (wet, pooed tired, hungry etc...) but tonight he has rarely stopped unless he is on being b'fed. The thing is my boobs are soft and to me feel empty, does that mean he is feeding but not getting anything? Hence him crying with hunger?? He has literally just fallen asleep, I am sore as hell and I am convinced he's not getting enough milk.

On my right boob I can also feel a lump with a red patch on my skin above it, have tried massaging but cant seem to get rid of it??

sorry for all the questions its my first time at b'feeding and I really want to continue knowing I am doing it right.

tia x

OP posts:
NoBiggy · 31/03/2008 21:36

Yes! Yes! Offer both! It's why you have the pair Baby Whisperer is a bit daft when it comes to feeding IMO.

My DD would do the same, seem to have finished then start up again when offered the other side.

So, if you start with the left, and end with right, next time you go R to L. Probably you can still feel which one feels more full, so start with that one (I was always forgetting which one I'd finished on!)

Hope someone else can help with your other questions.

Walnutshell · 31/03/2008 21:39

Do trust your instincts, offer your baby as much milk as he wants but also find some relief for your sore boobs - are you trying anything?

Btw, my boobs often feel 'empty' but ds is still getting plenty of milk out of them and he is much older than your ds, so don't worry about that.

VeniVidiVickiQV · 31/03/2008 21:40

Yes - you absolutely should offer both!

Sod the baby whisperer book - she doesnt know how hungry your baby is or how many calories your baby uses up to grow.

Your boobs will constantly have milk in them. Although more regular feeding and always at the end of the day they'll feel less engorged. This is fine.

The thing with babies is - they have regular growth spurts. THis means they want to feed more often and for longer for a couple of days or so. This constant feeding helps to stimulate your supply, which in turn helps you to produce more milk.

Sounds like you are doing just fine.

The lump - keep massaging it. If you start to feel feverish or it gets painful/bigger - see your GP as you may have developed mastitis.

Walnutshell · 31/03/2008 21:40

If you don't get much response tonight, pls bump your thread tomorrow morning because there are some great MNers here who can and will help you. x

Walnutshell · 31/03/2008 21:40

here's one now!

VeniVidiVickiQV · 31/03/2008 21:41

aww bless you walnut

beckystaffs · 31/03/2008 21:50

Other mn's have been right- offer the second boob aswell- then feed off that boob next time- it will probably still feel fuller next time.
Your boobs may feel empty but that doesn't mean there isn't anything there-remember it's supply and demand- your supplying- he's demanding- so they're making more.
He may just be having a bad night re. constant feeding. That is one of the nice things abount breastfeeding though- no making up a bottle and then realising he is tired/dirty etc intead.
My dd2 was 10lb 8oz at birth and I managed to feed her fine- so I don't think you need to worry about your supply running out.
If the lump wontt be massaged out, could you try having a bath and putting a flannel on it(that usually worked for me)- it might help with the sore boobs too.
Sorry about the rant- but you are doing great- hope your ds is back to usual laid back self soon x

papaya · 31/03/2008 21:53

that so reassuring saying they always have milk in them, thank u VVV and everyone else, I am guessing maybe he's having a growth spurt then, so pleased to know its ok to offer both boobs, i had been trying not to do this as per baby whisp instructions. walnut I have got lansinoh to try and help soreness, just when I thought I had the hang of it !!

OP posts:
PortAndLemon · 31/03/2008 22:02

Baby Whisperer has good points but is crap on breastfeeding. Offering both breasts, or repeatedly switching sides, is perfectly fine and especially a good idea if you are trying to boost supply. Breasts feeling empty doesn't mean that there isn't anything there, just that he's doing an efficient job of feeding and that you're not getting engorged.

For the lump, try a hot shower with massaging it towards the nipple, then feed him, then have another hot shower with massage, etc., etc. If it doesn't go away then talk to your GP about preventing possible mastitis deveoping.

WishIWasAWalton · 31/03/2008 22:03

If massaging doesn't work you could try massaging with water. Just use the shower attachment with water as warm as you can take. It really works.

moondog · 31/03/2008 22:04

The more you feed,the more you make.
Just keep on saying that to yourself.

ChukkyPig · 31/03/2008 22:06

I had a red patch and small lump when my DD was about the same age and I massaged it towards the nip when feeding DD from that breast. That seemed to work as it never turned into anything worse. Really good luck it gets much easier as they get older. DD is 8 months now and is easy peasy x

WishIWasAWalton · 31/03/2008 22:06

Also if your getting sore, it really helps to leave your boobs uncovered, let the air at them.

You sound like your doing great though. Well done and congratulations!

SoupDragon · 31/03/2008 22:08

... and even if you think they feel empty, it's your baby sucking that will stimulate them to make more. It's like leaving a note out for the milkman saying "an extra pint tomorrow please".

moondog · 31/03/2008 22:09

Very good Soupy. I like that.

VeniVidiVickiQV · 31/03/2008 22:54

Great analogy Soupy

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