BF newborn - milk going straight through him? Bit of sick after? What’s normal please?

[autumnfoxes]

DS is eight days old. Since my milk came in a few days ago I’ve noticed two main things:

1. When feeding, the milk seems to go straight through him. About 15 mins after starting, I can hear him do a big poo. Is it normal for it to go straight through like this?

2. For any feed that’s longer than about ten minutes, he will bring some milk back up. Occasionally, this will be accompanied by wind and he can get upset and pump his legs. Again, is it normal to bring up milk after a longer feed? Should I stop him feeding at ten minutes so he isn’t sick?

The pooing is normal!

Maybe try winding him at 10 minutes and see if it helps the being sick and discomfort.

The poo is definitely normal! So many newborn nappies, mine basically pooed constantly at first 😂Watch out for nappy rash - nappy free time and metanium will help if he gets it.

The sickiness - normal, so long as it's possets rather than what feels like half the bottle. Try doing more winding - their digestive systems are rubbish at this stage, they basically need you to help move everything through. Don't lay him down until he's peaceful.

If you're worried then of course speak to your health visitor/GP. But I'd say it sounds very normal for a newborn.

Breastmilk is a slight laxative so will stimulate him to poo. It's not the same feed coming straight through, it's one from earlier in the day 🙂

If you're breastfeeding don't time feeds as that's not really how it works. But if you are noticing a pattern with posseting you could try interrupting him a bit to encourage him to slow down, maybe stop and wind and then offer the breast again for him to take it or leave it.

All sounds good and normal.

The pooing is totally normal.

The spit up sounds normal unless it's huge amounts. Will you have a 10 day midwife check - I'd ask her if you're worried but it does sound fine. I wouldn't stop a feed earlier than he wants to, especially at this age.

Perfectly normal! A good breastfeed is between 10-40 minutes, so don’t restrict his access to the breast after 10 minutes. The sphincter at the top of the stomach at this age is very weak so it’s normal for newborns to posset. As others have suggested, give him a break and a bit of a wind, then offer it to him again.

Both of those things sound entirely normal.

It's normal and healthy for newborns to poo at every feed (if annoying). It's also normal for them to posset/bring milk back up, and if it doesn't cause them pain and distress it's harmless. It also always looks like more than it is. Second advice on trying winding a bit more frequently, but don't limit time on the breast; all that will do is upset your baby.

Thanks so much all. It’s so reassuring to hear it’s all okay. I really appreciate your replies. Thank you.

If you are worried about poo, look at colour and texture, that is more relevant than how often. (you may need to google it!)

my ds drank a lot and very fast on the breast and then possetted up a load.
The thing to watch for is vomiting rather than spit up. Vomit comes out with force and direction, spit up comes out in a lovely gentle spill all down you/him.

Agree with this, BF poo should be pale yellow colour, very soft, often a bit ‘seedy’.

Another thing which is good to do is look to see if you have a local BF support group.

We have lost the experience of regularly seeing breastfeeding in our society and it can help so much IME to have regular contact with other breastfeeding mums so you can see what's normal and what isn't etc. Also often they have more experienced mums who can offer advice about what might work when there are any problems.

Plus it's nice to have a reason to get out and about and a conversation with someone who has a few more language skills than a newborn! You might end up getting to know people who become friends. And since it can be daunting to take LO out when they are brand new I found taking them to places where I knew other mums and babies would be to be much more comfortable, since I knew they would understand if the baby cried or if I needed to feed etc. Those things get easier as you gain more confidence but it's lovely to have a guaranteed safe space to start out with.