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Infant feeding

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

BFing while lying down - anyone any handy hints?

10 replies

decaffeinated · 12/05/2008 13:14

I'm so totally knackered, I'd love to be able to BF bubs while I'm lying down. I keep trying it, but he latches onto my nipple, rather than the nipple and areola so it hurts, and my nipple ends up looking flat, although he gulps away happily enough!

We just can't seem to get the angle right.

Does anyone have any handy hints/links to how to do it?

thankS

OP posts:
Dalrymps · 12/05/2008 13:36

I used to pull ds's legs in to my tummy so he was at an angle to me and therefor could tip his head back. I'd have my arm bent behind my head, used to make sure his head was tipped back and mouth very open then kind of get him close and lift my boob and kind of plonk it in so he took a good mouthfull, then I would just rest my other arm with my hand on the small of his back as he was on his side and this stopped him rolling onto his back.
Not sure thats helps at all but thought i'd try to explain what I did in case any of it was useful

Dalrymps · 12/05/2008 13:46

Like this , it's quite comfortable to put your arm under the pillow like the lady in the picture too

VictorianSqualor · 12/05/2008 13:48

I make sure I'm not holding DS's head because otherwise his head is too high, also if I lay on my stomach he latches on better with my breats over him rather than him being side-by-side.

ConnorTraceptive · 12/05/2008 13:56

I hold ds in the crook of my arm and have my elbow under a pillow to hold him up a bit

StealthPolarBear · 12/05/2008 14:44

How old is your LO? I didn't find he could latch on properly until he was a bit older (6 or 7 months) not sure if I'd have been able to do it if I'd persevered when he was younger.
I also used to fall asleep on the sofa with him on a pillow feeding - co sleeping on sofas is NOT recommended, but I was sitting up (head on cushion) like I said.

decaffeinated · 12/05/2008 15:29

Thanks for the tips and hints - I think we just need some perseverance by the sounds of it - and he's only 5 1/2 weeks so we're still very early days.

It sound like it's another case of powering on through on the tiredness front and remaining patient - I had no idea how bloody knackering breastfeeding would be!

OP posts:
suey2 · 12/05/2008 15:38

when dd was that little, i popped her on a pillow and fed her from my 'top' breast. I shaped the nipple before she latched on and held it to maake sure it didn't 'slip' IYKWIM.

StealthPolarBear · 12/05/2008 15:39

well done for sticking with it - it will get easier

skidaddle · 12/05/2008 16:11

decaff - i have only just got the hang of it and DS is 5 months old. I think it is really hard when they are tiny - although obviously not impossible from other posts. When Ds was tiny I sat up in bed with loads (5 or 6!) pillows so i was really comfy and managed to drift off during feeds

mumofk · 12/05/2008 16:31

My DD2 is 2 weeks old, and TBH we can only feed lying down after she's started off in my arms. With DD1 I recall managing it easier, but I think, as others are saying, she was a bit older then. Trying top boob when lying on side (mine are saggy enough cushions are not required ), lying on back- it does take a while to get the hang of it.
Thanks Dalrymps for the picture, I've been struggling with what to do with my arm that's on the side DD is feeding from- it just wants to be in the way, but the other night I managed to sleep with it in a very odd position and felt like I'd pulled something for the entire next day!
VS I'll have to try lying on my front- that's one I've not thought of trying!!

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