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Infant feeding

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

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Original poster

Please help my friend breastfeed her new baby...

18 replies

EdieMcredie · 05/04/2008 23:11

...I posted about her before she had her baby, asking for advice on her behalf, (she is still having problems posting herself).

Her DD was born last Friday and so is just over a week old. She always wanted to breastfeed but because DD was born by C section (was breech) and weighed 5lb 4oz, there have been a few complications. My friend didn't get to hold her baby for 7 hours post delivery and so is worried about that. She had an NG tube and was given formula. Now they are home my friend is putting her baby to breast as much as possible but baby is not latching for very long at all. She then becomes distressed and my friend then gives EBM with NUK teat.

I have been around to help but am no expert.I have told her she is doing really well and baby is actually latching (Im pretty sure she is) and she will stay on for longer each time hopefully, but they are still struggling and baby doesn't appear to be getting much before coming off again. But isn't this normal for such a new baby? Is it a case of perseverence? I know my friend is very determined to breastfeed, but I think these difficulties are making her feel very upset and I know how that feels as ive been there, (I got my support on here).

She is also worried that if baby doesn't put on enough weight she will get admitted.

I will go round in next few days and show her some different positions.

Anyone have any advice? Thankyou x

OP posts:

liahgen · 05/04/2008 23:14

have health issues been ruled out, eg, tongue tie?

if everything is well with baby, then just perseverance with mum and baby, (easy for me to say i know)

make sure mum is comfy, sit up and slightly forward, baby laying across facing mum. Mouth wide open.

if you need more support, google breastfeeding councillors, they are available 24/7 i think.
wish her well, and congrats on new baby. x

Aitch · 05/04/2008 23:18

did i post this before? it's a set of wee clips of bfing, i found it really useful. helps you to see what you should be looking for, the guy introducing them is a bfing guru in the states, he's really good.
best of luck to your pal.

StarlightMcKenzie · 05/04/2008 23:21

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

twocutedarlings · 05/04/2008 23:28

DD1 was in NITU for the first 48 hours after birth and scubu for 6 days. She was NG fed for 4 days of this with EBM and formula.

It was really hard going the first few weeks but we got their, and i continued to BF her until she was 13mths.

From what you have said there could be a few things that are a miss here firstly maybe the baby is being a little lazy, as its much easier to bottle feed.

Another thing that it could be is Reflux, because baby is in a less upright possition when BFing this can make Reflux more of a problem.

However DD2 had reflux and i also BF her until 13mths. When she gets distressed is she arching her back in a sort of colicy way?.

Original poster

EdieMcredie · 06/04/2008 08:52

I think she is just getting fed up that it is harder work than the bottle, will see when I go round next.

Thanks for all the suggestions, will tell her to take a look at this thread.

OP posts:

Original poster

EdieMcredie · 06/04/2008 09:09

Actually she has just texted to say that they were up all night as baby had wind.

OP posts:

twocutedarlings · 06/04/2008 09:13

Is she being sick atall ??

How long does she feed for before she get distressed?

Original poster

EdieMcredie · 06/04/2008 10:01

Don't think she is being sick. When I went round the other day she was probably on for about a minute at a time.

OP posts:

tiktok · 06/04/2008 11:16

'Perseverance', yes, but with proper help and support from knowledgable people.

This baby may be expressing distress because he has been messed about with - tubes and bottles can do this, as well as any over-keen handling and pushing and shoving

Skin to skin, co-bathing and lots of close holding and co-sleeping will be at least as important as techniques and positioning.

I am struggling to think of any good reason why a mother would not be encouraged and enabled to hold her baby for seven hours - that's poor postnatal care.

Original poster

EdieMcredie · 06/04/2008 13:08

Yes that's poor, but it gets worse-they gave her formula out of a bottle!! Surely that is very poor practice with a mother that wants to breastfeed so much??!!

Also, MW's haven't once checked the latch-even though my friend told them baby was only having EBM.

Went round just now and baby is getting better-but she phoned one of the helplines while I weas there and they told her because baby is small it may be worth topping up with syringe. So that's what she is doing.

OP posts:

Original poster

EdieMcredie · 06/04/2008 17:34

Yes she is doing lots of skin to skin.

Any other advice TT?

OP posts:

tiktok · 06/04/2008 20:45

Bottles for the ebm aren't too much of a no-no as long as the mum and baby are getting the right help to practise and fix the bf...and this doesn't seem to be happening

Syringe can be useful.

Your friend really needs to insist on some real life help, Edie....someone needs to observe a feed.

Original poster

EdieMcredie · 07/04/2008 10:59

She has had to stop because nobody has helped her

Thanks for all the advice.

OP posts:

StarlightMcKenzie · 07/04/2008 11:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Original poster

EdieMcredie · 07/04/2008 11:32

Im also very angry for her.

She is trying to do what's best for her baby. I think it's only going to be 'best' if she is happy with it.

Thanks again.

OP posts:

StarlightMcKenzie · 07/04/2008 11:41

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Original poster

EdieMcredie · 07/04/2008 11:44

I know this is what I fear too. I have tried to do as much as I can, but im no expert. I just want her to be comfortable with her decision and I don't think she is.

She has the midwife going round today so hopefully that will be helpful. Then she is going to ring me.

OP posts:

jackamolsmum · 07/04/2008 11:55

I had a similar experience with my DS- he was given formula from a bottle while I was in post op care for 3 days. It took 2 weeks for us to get him latched and feeding but ultimately I think about 6 weeks before we got the hang of it.

He had a really poor sucking reflex (I had all manner of drugs while being induced then an emergency cs) when I got home (3 days later) I started putting him to the breast to encourage him (mostly he screamed at the sight of a nipple)

I also expressed milk and gave it to him out of a cup as I was concerned that he wasn't feeding. Getting him to bfeed was probably one of the toughest things i've ever done and after a C section it was v.painful just holding him.

Good luck to her- I hope she gets the support she needs

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