Advice needed - MamaG is struggling with BF :-(

[MamaG]

1. The bras I bought are too small, so I have a borrowed slightly-too-big bra and perfectly fitting underwired bras (non nursing of course). Is it ok to wear underwired bras? Its a bit inconvenient, but until we settle into BF properly, I don't wnat to buy new as am not sure of size.

1. DS was feeding almost all night last night. He'd feed, cry at the end of a feed, bring up some wind, feed some more, fall asleep on the breast then wake up crying 20 minutes to 30 minutes later. This carried on literally ALL NIGHT. Do you think he's just sucking for comfort? Maybe its time to introduce a dummy? He was 3 weeks old last Weds. He's been feeding almost constantly today and yesterday as well. Don't know if weekends make him more clingy as there's more going on (kids at home etc)

I'm shattered, have two other DC to look after. I will NOT give up, I will NOT! Any advice would be much appreciated

no advice to offer just wishing you all the best in sorting him out.

growth spurt?

are you co-sleeping?

Is he sicky or just windy? could you try some infacol?

am no expert but hopefully someone else will be along soon

Thanks Mrs W

Sorry to hear you're struggling, MamaG.

If I were you (and I had this feeding constantly thing with DS2 so well understand how exhausting it is) I would definitely introduce the dummy. In my experience, with both bf DSs, the dummy did not interfere with feeding. And as you're now 3 weeks in I'd be really surprised if this was going to be an issue for you.

Chin up.

Hello MamaG-
underwired bras are not really suitable while bfing, especially not when you are still trying to establish bfing. There is a risk that if they don't fit properly they can cause blocked ducts and mastitis. Is it possible that you can go without a bra?

Secondly, your ds2 is probably just going through a grwoth spurt and bfing loads to stimulate your supply. It's normal in babies.

And finally, yes, I know, it's shattering looking after a new born and two older dc! Many sympathies.

A good nursing bra is vital, ime. Bravado do some nice ones, but I live in their tanks which are great because it covers the tummy area.... Plus a nursing bra will increase/decrease as your boobs are up and down like yo yos....

Your DS sounds like a typical 3 week old....

we're not officially co-sleeping, but we are iykwim! Yes it could be a growth spurt I suppose, it was the crying/fussing at the breast that got me worried.

Not a sicky baby, not really windy either - he tends to just bring up his wind himself when picked up.

Maybe its just a 3 week old baby thing (my lack of sleep brain can't remember with other two dc!)

1. Some people are okay with underwired bras but it is very, very important that the underwiring goes nowhere near your breast tissue or you will get blocked ducts and mastitis. It is less likely to be okay with it early on in BF. I found I could only wear an underwired bra for an hour or so even after a year, so you need to be on the look out for any discomfort or hardness. Can you take the other bras back and swap them?

2. 3 weeks is classic growth spurt time and they do want to feed feed feed. It should settle down within a few days (that feel like a lifetime.....)

3. Eat cake

I even caved into pressure from my mum to give DS2 a bottle one evening

It helped me a little, as it gave me a bit of a break, and thankfully didn't interfere with bf after that. I was cross with myself for giving into my mum, but she was a very forceful lady!

Not suggesting you go down this route, at all, but would definitely say that the dummy is worth a try.

Thanks all. I just need to keep at it then don't I!

Going without a bra isn't really an option as I am (a) huge of nork and v uncomfortable bra-less, and (b) still leaking LOADS

oh hte joys of BF!

So, in a nutshell, I should:-

1. Get a properly fitting bra ASAP
2. Keep feeding and sleep when I can during the day
3. Not introduce a dummy just yet

? I think thats right

1. yes
2. yes & do co-sleep in these early weeks. Only get out of bed to feed/entertain older DC when no help around
3. yes. Will interfere with supply

And i'm with provincial lady. Keep a stash of cake handy.

congratulations!

Right I'm going to sterliise the dummy

He's awake and rooting AGAIN

he can NOT be hungry! I'm bloody sore and knackered

DH has had a sickness bug so hasn't been able to take DS2 at all, to give me a break

oh shit, so no dummy!

I'll wait it out a bit longer before giving it hten

Why all the fuss about the dummy?

It sounds like you have lots of milk and it won't interfere with your supply. Even if it gives you just 10 minutes peace it's definitely worth it. If he's really hungry you will know that he is!

I can't be bra-less either. When I has DS I was very ill in hospital for a couple of weeks and the nursing bras I had bought were woefully small. I sent DH on endless missions to M&S to buy nursing bras and it took about 4-5 days before he came back with one that fitted, which was really uncomfortable in the meantime. I also ended up using micropore tape to stick breast pads direct onto my breasts, which was neither a good look nor a good idea

Your plan sounds good to me (but where is the cake?!)

ok will sterlisie it

I can spell sterilise btw

OK - what about a compromise? Given that you have no help from DH today, why not try the dummy just for today, so that you can have a bit of respite?

It doesn't have to be something you commit to forever!

My dd fussed and cried during growth spurts, woke only to root and cry and was latched on about 97% of the time. It will pass ín a couple of days.

Use the dummy if it helps. my supply was fine with both dcs even with dummy introduced fairly early on.

have a look

Growth spurts - they will be on al lthe time. I was awake for hours in the night, feeding, and pretty much just sat down feeding all day.

A dummy will be ok

Get thee to a bra place. Even just mothercare or something, just for the now. M&S do bras, mothercare, some new looks....trying to think of places that may be near you that are open today.

Rest, eat, do the minimum elsewhere.

Mimi had a dummy from day after she was born, gave it up herself at about 4 months. We exc BF till 6 months.

Yes, DS2 was like this for more than a couple of days and it is exhausting - and if you have no-one to help you, especially if you have other DC, it's incredibly frustrating.