Lying down to BF- pls can someone talk me through how to do it?

[GYo]

Hi
My DD is 6wks and takes about an hour to feed during each feed, day and night as she takes both breasts.

Firstly, does an hour sound too long? is there a way to speed her up?

Secondly, Im getting more and more exhausted from the night feeds so Im considering feeding lying down to help me rest more at night. I am not that keen on actually co-sleeping as her crib is right by my head so will return her there afterwards

When I've tried it during the day I can never quite work out what to do with my arm, it just isnt comfy, and I dont see how I could sleep in this position. Can anyone advise?
Also, for those who offer both boobs at night, do you have to turn over to offer the other side? What then happens with the duvet?

Thank you!

also, we swaddle her which works for us. Do i need to unswaddle her for this?

I put the arm I'm lying on at a right angle under my pillow (does that make sense?), baby's head touching but not on my arm.

Personally I don't offer both sides (too lazy) but if you are big breasted you could perhaps offer the top-most breast by slightly rolling over so it's closer to your DD?

Sorry all a bit difficult to explain in writing!

Not an expert but 45-60 mins seems normal I'm afraid.

Good luck - it is much easier nightfeeding lying down IMO, you can doze, I found I woke up when mine finished and then put them back.

What MM said. I found it more comfy if my head but none of my shoulder was on pillow.

i do it by putting my hand under my head and my elbow along the top of babys head so his head is almost in my armpit. we both lie on our sides and i put a pillow behind me and sort of lie backwards so my breast is lifted of the bed and the pillow supports my back.
we cosleep and ds is 6 1/2 months now, he sleeps on his front and i can still feed him, but i have to lay more to the front so my breast can reach his mouth.
good luck

Hello

In terms of how long a 6 week old will feed for it is really difficult to make generalisations, as each baby (and each feed!) is different. Some gulp their milk down, others take things at a slower pace. Things it might be worth thinking about include perhaps noticing whether she's actively suckling the whole time she's at the breast. There are some helpful video clips here that show how to spot the difference between active drinking and nibbling. Sometimes it may also be that a small thange to the way you're holding your baby or they are attaching to the breast (latching on) may affect how easily they can access the milk. Do you have a local bf group? Sometimes if a bf expert observes a feed they may be able to suggest some minor changes that could make a difference. There are photos here that may give you some tips, and also a handy little animation here. Some mums find breast compression to be a really helpful technique.

I understand what you are saying about bedsharing and the way you feel about it is not uncommon. The UNICEF bedsharing leaflet actually has a picture on the second page (scroll down) illustrating the sort of lying down position that most mothers adopt. Some people find tucking the hand up by their face under their pillow is more comfy for them. Some mums also suggest having a pillow between your knees and possobly even another behind your back to support you in a comfortable position -especially if feeds tend to take quite a while. Initially most mums will roll over and mirror the position to move to the second breast. Som find that they can roll more onto their tummy towards their baby and comfortably feed from the breast on top after baby finishes the one by the mattress, though this does all seem to rather depend on size, angles and anatomy!

In terms of positioning the baby, the principles remain the same as in any upright position (see NHS link above), i.e. baby's whole body is turned to face you; baby's top lip just slides over the nipple with nipple aimed at roof of mouth, not centrally; baby comes to breast, not vice versa; and bottom held firmly against you. How this is actually achieved by any one mum is a bit like fitting a jigsaw puzzle together, as everyone's sizes, shapes and angles are different. Lots of people say that when feeding on their side lying down they have to start with their baby's head much lower down than they anticipated in order for baby to have to tilt their head back fully, open wide and reach up to the breast. Some mums say this is more round their waist area. People also sometimes find that with a young baby it can be difficult to see their nipple at that angle, or that until their baby has better head control latching them on can be tricky. It's a question of trial and error really. If you have more generous breasts, then sometimes it can be helpful to tuck a small rolled up muslin between your breast and the mattress to lift your nipple slightly away from the mattress.

Finally, even if you don't intend to bedshare, if you are planning to feed lying down at night, it's sensible to set things up safely for bedsharing in case you nod off while feeding. Then you can know your baby is not at high risk until you wake and are able to pop them back in their crib. The leaflet linked to above sets out the main points about not having a squishy mattress or trying this on a sofa (known to be v dangerous), no-one in the bed having smoked, drunk alcohol or taken any medicines. The point you raise about duvets is often asked. Some mums dispense with the duvet altogether and just use sheets and blankets. Others use a duvet, but keep it round their waist with only baby's legs on top of it and either dress baby a bit more warmly or give them their own sheet/blanket/sleeping bag. Do bear in mind that your body gives off heat, so they won't need as many layers as in their own crib, and that it's best not to overheat small babies.

I hope you find a set-up that works for you .

morning

Thanks for your replies, especially all that detail Grendle. I read it right at the end of my last feed, so I tried at the 2.30 feed.

It went well. I got myself in a comfy position, wedged pillows behind me, between my knees and put my hand under the pillow as described (rather reminded me of being heavily pregnant!). Left baby swaddled and she wasnt too hot. She latched well and I dozed off

Downside was that as i'd dozed off she stayed on the left side for an hour and when i woke she was fast asleep using me as a pacifier, and she'd only had half her feed. I put nher back to her brib but she woke 1hr later for the other side, which i gave to her normally sitting up. She then went til morning.

I will try again tonight but maybe set a quiet timer to waske me after 30mins.

I can see how co-sleeping works well for this.

Wow, thanks for that informative post Grendle! I have never managed to feed baby in bed as described but just prop myself up with a cushion and lie dd across my tummy...seems to work fine for us

Pillows behind me makes a big difference.
I put enough behind me so that I can lean back against them but still be on my side.
It does get easier as baby gets bigger / stronger.
At that age I adopted more of a biological nuturing position. So I reclined back and baby lay on top tummy to tummy.
For duvets etc. I wear a really warm dressing gown to keep my top half warm (but maintain easy access)then the duvet over my bottom half. Then I put a baby blanket over me and baby.

As for swaddling. My understanding (from our local Lactation Consultant) is that it is better if you don't swaddle while feeding as baby can't adopt a natural relaxed position as easliy.