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Infant feeding

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

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Original poster

ok first night BF loads of questions!

20 replies

fernie3 · 13/02/2009 11:26

hi
thanks
for all your advice yesterday , last night with the help of my husband I tried breastfeeding my daughter. she seems to know what shes doing I think even if I dont and she straight away started sucking away like a little trooper. I have no idea if she actually got anything out! but I suppose at this point she will be doing good just by letting them know she is there. She seemed to get a little from each side as she was quite happy for about 10 mins each side sucking and there was some leaking out when I looked - not much but some.

after about 10 minutes she gets restless and starts trying to find something else to suck! so i give her a bottle - she is having about 30ml of milk from her bottle.

so I have loads more questions!

Is it ok if she is sucking but not getting anything?

will more milk come for her if I just keep going like this?

my husband read that I could increase the supply by trying a breastpump in between feeds, Since she is having forumla as well she will only feed about every 4 hours so would it be a good idea to try in between this as well?

how do you know if she is actually swallowing anything? last night she was making swallowing noises and burped but if there is nothing there she must have been just swallowing air?

thanks
sophie

OP posts:

Brangelina · 13/02/2009 11:39

The tig is, if you give formula you're not going to be building your supply up (been there, done that). If you're baby starts being sucky 10 mins after you've taken her off try putting her back on. Pumping may halp increase supply but no way near as effectively as latching you baby on.

Time to be a little braver and gradually drop formula feeds. You can do it, you just need to have faith in yourself. Also, 4hrs between feeds is actually a bit too long. I don't know how old your baby is (didn't see your thread yesterday) but geverally anyone under 12weeks tends to need feeding more often.

Brangelina · 13/02/2009 11:40

Sorry, terrible typing! Cat on lap.

Original poster

fernie3 · 13/02/2009 11:43

hi
my baby is 5 days old, I have not breastfed her before so I am scared she will get ill if I stop giving her bottles all together? I dont know if she is even getting anything when she is breastfeeding! - lol im not brave very often lol

sophie

OP posts:

AnarchyAuntSaysRomanceIsDead · 13/02/2009 11:44

Its fine for her to be sucking even if you are not certain how much she is getting - this is how to increase you milk production. You can keep putting her to the breast every time she 'asks'.

To build up a good supply she needs to feed at the breast a lot more than every four hours - every two at least I'd say.

Great news that she knows what to do - well done for starting off!

Alibabaandthe40nappies · 13/02/2009 11:45

In answer to your questions - yes it's fine for her to suck for as long as she likes. She will never be getting nothing at all as your breast will keep producing milk.

It doesn't work like a bottle that she will be taking in loads of air if the bottle is empty and she's still sucking. I'm sure someone else can explain better than me, but basically don't worry about letting her suck and suck and suck at your breast if that's what she wants to do. It's the most effective way to increase your supply.
I would second Brangelina that you probably need to feed more often that every 4 hours.

AnarchyAuntSaysRomanceIsDead · 13/02/2009 11:46

If you look at this video it should give you some pointers on how to tell if she is latched and feeding properly.

Alibabaandthe40nappies · 13/02/2009 11:46

more than every 4 hours

flimflammum · 13/02/2009 11:53

I had exactly the same worry when my DS was born - how to know if he was getting any milk. The midwife showed me, if you look just under her ear when she's feeding you'll see a tiny movement that shows that she's swallowing.

But that's the thing with bf, you can't measure it in ounces! You just have to trust that your baby will let you know if/when she's hungry. Most newborns will feed every 2-3 hours ime. And the more you feed in the early days, the more milk you will produce.

Good luck!

tiktok · 13/02/2009 11:54

sophie - do speak to the midwife about all this, as face to face help is always good.

If the baby gets restless after a breastfeed - give her another breastfeed, by swapping her back onto the previous side

If you give formula you will make breastfeeding less successful because you will only make enough milk if your breasts are allowed to respond to her needs. There is no need for a breastpump if the baby is removing milk effectively often.

Most breastfed babies of 5 days old will feed very often indeed - they might be on and off the breast more or less all the time. This is normal, and it is good

Brangelina · 13/02/2009 11:55

At 5 days old she'll probably need to be on every 1-2 hrs. At that age they have a tiny tummy so it needs to be filled constantly. Also, as AnarchyAunt says, the more often you put her to the breast the more milk you'll make. Your breasts will never be "empty".

If you give her formula that sits on the tummy more as it's harder to digest, so baby won't ask for the breast enough and your supply will most likely end up being compromised.

It is scary not knowing how much your baby's taking, but in this instance you need to have faith in your baby and follow her cues, this is the one time when they know best.

fluffyanimal · 13/02/2009 11:57

The best way you know she is actually swallowing anything is if she continues to produce wet nappies - don't worry about poo, it's the wee that's important. So long as her nappies are wet, she's getting enough.

She will be fine if you don't give her a bottle, but to agree with everyone else you need to put her to the breast as often as she seems to want it. this will build up your supply - if she's only 5 days old then your supply will only just be establishing, so it's very early days.

It can sometimes feel like she's never off the breast, which can be exhausting, but just make sure everyone else around you is geared to supporting you, with a constant stream of food, drink and hugs and doing all the housework for you. And take care of your nipples - lots of Lansinoh cream! Well done for persevering and good luck.

madmouse · 13/02/2009 12:04

You got all the advice just want to say well done you and it sounds amazing

Original poster

fernie3 · 13/02/2009 12:05

thanks she seemed to enjoy it so far I cant really feel anything apart from her sucking - i dont know what I am supposed to feel though.
I have contacted a local breastfeeding support place so hopefully they will be able to get back to me.

It sounds pathetic but my midwife is a 50 year old man and although he is a great midwife I am just a little uncomfortable talking to him about it.

My husband has said the same about the bottles that if she is despertaly hungry with just breastfeeding she will soon let us know! she hasnt been crying or anything after she stopped breastfeeding last night so maybe I should just leave her for a while to see if she actually wants any bottle rather than just me giving it to her anyway

sophie

OP posts:

fluffyanimal · 13/02/2009 12:11

Just offer the breast first. Anyway, who wants all that hassle with sterilising and stuff, when it's so much easier just to get the boob out?

As your supply builds up you may start to feel a sort of aching surge as the milk is let down, but for the time being just concentrate on making sure her mouth is making the right movements which indicates you've got a good latch.

Great to hear you've got local bf support. Keep going, you can do it!

tiktok · 13/02/2009 12:13

fluffyanimal - sorry, poo can be a very important sign in the early days. It's only later it doesn't matter. Sophie - look for lots of soft yellow poo, as it is a sign milk is going in the top end

(no poo in first weeks = sign to check feeding effectiveness)

fluffyanimal · 13/02/2009 12:18

Whoops, sorry Tiktok, I was kind of thinking about how sometimes they can go for a few days without pooing and but at other times poo every nappy change. Fernie listen to Tiktok, she's actually trained in these things, rather than just enthusiastic like me! (fluffy currently pg with dc2 so getting all excited about early bf etc).

tiktok · 13/02/2009 12:22

fluffy - this is true, babies can and do go several days between poos, but not in the first weeks....it's misleading to suggest this, as lack of poo can be the first sign of poor intake.

Note: not always. Some babies go days without, even early on, and all is fine. But lack of poo should always alert parents and HCPs to the possibility that not enough milk is going in

madmouse · 13/02/2009 12:25

fluffy you sound bouncy

Sophie you do not have to feel anything except sucking. Not like you feel the milk leave or anything. With help, time and experience you learn to see how/when your child is actively drinking. With my ds it was easy. In a room full of people you could hear him go glupglupglup but they are all different so I hope you get to see a bfc soon!

tumtumtetum · 13/02/2009 12:29

Sophie that is so wonderful, I was thinking of you last night and it sounds like you and DD are getting on brilliantly!

Just wanted to say how wonderful that is, no advice as it's all been said, just

CherryChoc · 13/02/2009 13:38

Sophie is there any chance you could ask to see a different midwife if the one you have makes you feel uncomfortable? Hope the support people have got back to you!

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