I feelm like I dont really know what Im doing.

[staryeyed]

Despite researching, going to a bfing class and speaking to an NCT BF counsellor I feel totally confused. DS2 is 1 week old and seems to be feeding ok and my nipples arent sore anymore but ds2 had lost 5% of birth weight when weighed on Wednesday and hadn't gained by friday despite constantly feeding. I try to get Ds2 to feed atleast every 3 hours but I wasnt offering both sides every time only if the first seemed empty. There seems to be a fair bit of milk as I leak quite a lot on the side not fed from. MW said I nee to eat more but Im eating quite well. Now I feel a little confused about how I should be feeding.

with all 4 of mine I fed from both sides at each feed. That way you don't get the leaking and they don't have to suck quite so hard and long on one side. 5% of birth weight doesn't sound too bad. I thought it was normal for the weight to drop in the first weeks.

I'm not a breastfeeding counsellor but as far as I recall it's a weight loss of 10% or more after six days that rings alarm bells. I don't think there's anything to worry about at a loss of 5%. It sounds to me as if you are doing really well. Keep up eating well, and include lots of slow release carbs to keep you going, and remember to drink enough water.

I'm sure somebody qualified will be along to help you soon.

staryeyed,
bottomline: YOU ARE DOING FINE!!!

Do not let anybody (and that includes HCP ) tell you otherwise.
Up to 10% wt loss is normal, you say you have milk, the side baby has fed on feels empty etc. Presumably you are getting wet and dirty nappies, yes?
'Tis all good.
You could try and offer both sides. Remember, the initial milk is more watery (so-called foremilk, thirst-quenshing) and gradually the fat content increases (hindmilk, more filling, higher in calories).

Go onto kellymum and Dr Jack Newman's website. I will post links if I can find them.

FWIW, it took me to DS3 to have ANY confidence at all that I was doing ok...and I am a HCP .

I am no expert at all but from what I remember lots of babies lose up to 10% in their first week and can take a while to put it back on. Just got the red books out and have:

DD1 - bw = 3.474kg - she dropped at least 10% and then at 2 wks = 3.52 kg.

dd2 - bw = 4.2 kg - not sure how much she dropped but she was still 4.2kg at 10 days.

So 5% loss means has not lost too much at all. As far as one boob or two goes I used to feed as long as could on one side - then offer other side and see what they took. Would then start next feed on the second boob even if they had taken some from that side.

Here are the links:

www.kellymom.com/kellymom

Jack Newman

Also tiktok et all on here are v v good and kept me going last spring.

HTH

At one week of age, I would be looking for feeding every 2 hours during the day...more often if he shows any hunger cues (you won't over do it). You may feel like you are wearing him, but that is perfectly normal!!

The benefit of frequent feeds will be that you will establish a good supply, that you both will become more comfortable with what you are doing, and you will gain confidence.

Generally it can be helpful when starting out to offer both sides to obtain the frequent stimulation....but let him finish on the first, you don't need a set time limit. When he is done..or you notice that you are be used more as a dummy than a source of food, offer the second. He may only be on a short while, but then you just start with that side the next feed.

If you are eating fine, don't worry about having to take in more...you don't need to go over the top with food and drink...just be sure you are taking in an adequate amount...don't skip your meals, have some healthy snacks, etc.... The key to supply is frequency of feeds and "emptying" the breast...although you will never actually be empty.

Find a relaxing location to feed and try different positions to see what you are most comfortable with. You will likely start to see an increase in weight next time.

You are doing well!

Eating and drinking more or better might make you feel better but has no impact on your milk supply. A little weight loss is normal. Give it another week and things will have settled a bit more. As long as he is producing lots of wee and poo everything is going well.

Have confidence - you're doing brilliantly!

Thanks everyone.

mummyfor3 I looked through kellymom about frequent feeding as DS2 has sometimes spent most the day on boob so I worry whether his latch is as it should be. DS1 had terrible latch and the pain of feeding was continuous but with ds2 it only hurts at first which suggests good latch doesn't it? We are getting wees and poos but poos are a little dark.

Another thing is the positions. I always seem to end up contortioning (a word?) around DS to get the latch. Ive tried pillows, different chairs etc but I usually end up feeling uncomfortable- when I find a comfy position I dont seem to get it the next time.

Sorry, I obviously did not read your OP properly: you've done it all before ! Hope I did not come across as too patronising . I just remember the horrid insecurity of the first few weeks (or in my case months/several children) so vivdly.
I think if there is no pain beyond the 2nd/3rd suck then your latch is probably in principal good, however there is such a thing as a "lazy latch" where milk transfer is not brilliant and can take a long time.
How about seeing a breast feeding counsellor in RL and letting them observe a feed? LLL and NCT offer this, and lot of local health boards/obstetric units do as well now.
Positioning: have you tried the rugby hold (babe's bum under your arm with legs behind you and your hand supporting head to boob)? I initially had a very awkward hold with holding DS3 with the hand on the other side from feeding breast and hand on "breast side" holding breast IYKWIM. This is apparently called a "cross cradle hold" but I came up with it all on my own [smug]. God, it sounds even more awkward written down...
It does all improve so much when they get a bit bigger and can support their own head and you and babe have got some "practice" in and got to know each other etc etc - just keep going!
Repeat MN mantra: this too shall pass!

Not patronising at all mummyfor3 DS1 is 4 and it didn't work out so I need all the advice I can get.

What about night time feeds. At the moment Ds2 seems happy to sleep but Im waking him every 3 hours to feed him. He is a bit jaundice. He has gained some weight back thankfully not quite back to birth weight yet.

HI!

have a look on the WHO code(world health organisation)website, this year for national breast feeding awareness week they are launching the new growth charts for breast feed babies, which aswell as measure weight, also measure lengh and head measurement!!

hope that helps, i know its horrible going to have them weighed and having the HV telling you baby not putting on weight, its very worring especially if you first time mum!

Sounds like you're doing great stareyed. I fed DS every 3 hours, even waking him at night for feeds till he was a good few weeks old so don't worry about a little weight loss, it's perfectly normal. I would recommend expressing too as if you can get them to take ebm early on , it saves a lot of bother later and it never undermined my supply, it gave dh a chance to do feeds too. Good luck with it all.

I'd keep waking him at night, after a 3 hour stretch, until you are comfortable with how things are going for both of you. Once you feel you have a good supply going, he is over the jaundice, shows good output, some weight gain, you feel confident his latch is going well, etc., then let him sleep a longer stretch at night if he wants to.

You will likely see quite a change in the next couple of weeks as things start to smooth out for you more and your confidence builds...

I thought I had it cracked but now my milk supply seems to be reducing. On Monday I had a bad evening feed with DS2. He just kept fussing and not actually drinking much. He then only took one boob each time he fed through the night. The next day he feed a lot but for short times. My boobs feel less full now I dont seem to be leaking as much and now ds2 is not feeding as long. What should I do?

btw MW will weigh DS2 tomorrow so Im not sure if he is gaining or not since monday.

I know there doesn't seem to be any rhymn or reason to his patterns just yet, but keep offering frequent feeds. When he stops, is he falling asleep or just coming off? Is he fussy when you put him on and he comes off right away on his own?

If he is falling asleep, try massaging the breast a little while he is on it...just enough to have the nipple shift slightly but not enough to cause him to detach. Sometimes the slight movement will be enough for him to stir, thinking you are about to take it away, and he might get back into it for a short time longer. You may have to keep doing this. You can try rubbing his head, using a baby wipe on his skin, stroking down his back, tickle his feet, might even take him off and reposition or act as though you are changing his nappy and put him back on if he starts to wake up.

If he is fussing and pulling off, it may be you have an over active letdown. You could try to express a bit first to get the flow going and then put him on, or lean back a bit so he is more on top of the breast.

Offer the breast whenever he is awake...whenever he is just quietly sitting there...even if he ate just an hour before....let him get the practice.

Hope you see at least a little weight gain when you take him in!

Thanks dolulalc, He has gained weight thankfully. He seems much better feeding today. Sometimes I do seem to have an over active let down he often comes off with a mouth load of milk. Other times he just seems very sleepy. Will try as you have suggested to keep him awake. Milk supply seems ok today - can hear ds2 gulping and leaking more. He had a marathon session last night and this morning I think he was increasing the supply.

Well done....

Ds2 has gone from regaining his birth weight last Thursday(7lbs 10 1/2) to 8.5llbs this Thursday. I feel a huge relief after stressing all week about how much he was drinking. Thank you all for the support. Will be back soon for more