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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

Decided to breastfeed my 5day ds can I have some help please

26 replies

madmissy · 22/12/2009 08:24

I breastfed my dd1 but that was 4 years ago, dd2 was bottle. I was very reluctant to this time as I have had tough year with depression and didn't want to struggle with breastfeeding and wanted body back etc. However milk has come in and after thinking all night I do want to give it a try after all. So currently sat in bed feeding.
He's a pro... Started just gone 8am and I have fed from each to when he comes away himself and now back to first side.
Please can someone remind me how often and what is normal please?

OP posts:
Merle · 22/12/2009 08:30

Hi MM, my memories of BF are a bit hazy (DS 7&10) but I think that at this stage the feeding was often and in no real pattern.

Hope it goes well for you.

ShiriDoula · 22/12/2009 08:32

Feed as often as he wants (usually at this age can be about 2hrs. between feeds)- upon demand.

tiktok · 22/12/2009 08:32

madmissy - lovely that it's working out!

You don't really need to count feeds or time them, and a healthy baby, given lots of opportunities, will come to the breast on and off a lot in the early days and weeks.

At 5 days, you'd be expecting changing to yellow poos (2, 3 or more today), evidence of having wee'd several times, and a baby keen to feed and learning well how to do it efficiently Fine to go back to first side, and then second and then back to first again....following the cues of your baby is good.

Hope midwife helps and supports you, too.

belgo · 22/12/2009 08:36

Congratulations on the birth of your ds!

Five day old babies need very regular feeding - sometimes hourly, sometimes they can go two or three hours.

Get as much skin to skin contact as possible with your baby - in bed in a warm room with your baby lying on you and blankets on top of you both. And feed your baby very often.

Do you have the support of a good midwife?

Good luck!

sherby · 22/12/2009 08:37

How often? as often as he wants watch for feeding cues, rooting around, smacking lips, putting his hands in his mouth. It is much easier to get him on at this point than when he is crying 20mins down the line

What is normal? Breastmilk is digested v quickly so in the early early days babys like to feed a lot! I wouldn't worry about times etc, put him to the breast and when we comes off if you think he is still hungry offer the other one. If he doesn't take it or only has a small feed from that one offer it first for the next feed.

You are doing fab! You should be v proud of yourself for giving it a go, just take each day as it comes and there are lots of people here if you have any questions at all

And well done to baby too!

weegiemum · 22/12/2009 08:38

Hi MM - so good to hear that your ds is a pro bfeeder!

My memories are also a little hazy as my youngest is 6, but as far as I know, you are supposed to feed as and when the baby wants at this stage - which is tiring but just spend loads of time sitting in bed or on the sofa feeding and snuggling - hard though with your 2 dd's to watch as well - do you have help?

Hope it goes well for you all, I am sure someone will be along soon with more detailed advice. I do know that there are antidepressants which are safe for bf, as I took them through the whole time I was bf.

Take care, and enjoy your ds!

thedogsgottago · 22/12/2009 08:39

Just feed on demand, you might find you'll feed him, then half hour later he wants a bit more...then he might go for a few hours, it wont be long before he finds his own pattern. tiktoks right Midwife and Health Visitors should be able to give you all advice you need. Good Luck!

Mmmango · 22/12/2009 08:50

No advice to add to the above, just wanted to say congratulations on your litttle boy and I think it's great you've decided to give bf a go - good luck

Original poster
madmissy · 22/12/2009 08:55

Thanks! Well he fed for 25mins had break nappy change and good nose about and just topping him up again.
He latches on perfect straight off!
Midwife appt today if we can get car out! The midwives have been superb with me so far so I imagine that will continue.
My dh is back to work today but my mum is up today and tomorrow and then dh off for x mas. My mil is about if I need her too. Already I feel better and less guilty.

OP posts:
missjackson · 22/12/2009 10:38

Congratulations mm on your DS and how fantastic that the pair of you are off to such a great start.

Good luck!

Poohbearsmom · 22/12/2009 16:00

Congrats mm thats brilliant well done i can also second the feed regularly dont worry about timing etc but feeding around every 2-3hours is pretty normal... jus listen to your lovely ds and plenty of wet and poopy nappies is a big sign he's getting enough milk... Be proud of yourself

humptynumpty · 22/12/2009 16:05

mm so happy that it is working out for you today!!!
good luck

Original poster
madmissy · 22/12/2009 18:50

Ok I fed pretty much all day and just seemed to get no where. He was fine I am sore! At one point it was every hour. I caved and gave him a 2oz bottle which He polished off in no time and was restored back to my content baby

OP posts:
Original poster
madmissy · 22/12/2009 19:08

Oh and couldn't get to clinic for midwife so still not had a check for him as they have not come to me as the snow. Someone check back please, help!

OP posts:
dairymoo · 22/12/2009 19:25

Hi MM, didn't post earlier but didn't want you to go unanswered. It sounds like you're off to a great start, but I'm sorry that you feel sad.

I know that "officially" if the baby is feeding properly there shouldn't be any soreness, but I did find it sore in the first few days (as did many friends) as it takes a while for your nippes to get used to the sensation of being at your LOs beck and call! If your DS is happy though, then you must be doing a great job of making the milk for him. Don't beat yourself up over the bottle, and just because he drank it with gusto, doesn't mean he prefers it to you.

Newborn babies often do feed every hour so you're not doing anything wrong there. Thankfully this stage, as I'm sure you know, doesn't last long and I'm sure soon he'll start spacing his feeds out a bit. You're doing the right thing by following his lead.

Hope you get a visit from the midwife tomorrow. If you do, be sure to check that he is positioned correctly, but it really sounds like you're doing well.

Best of luck

Original poster
madmissy · 22/12/2009 21:04

Thanks. Been sat here a hour and 20 mins now feeding.

OP posts:
dairymoo · 22/12/2009 21:10

Sorry that you're finding it rough. Don't know if it helps, but it's really, really normal for little babies to cluster feed (i.e. feed aaaaaalllll evening) especially in the early weeks, it's their way of building up a good supply. It can be frustrating though. Can your DH bring you drinks and snacks? Can you watch some Christmassy TV to pass the time?

thaliablogs · 22/12/2009 23:32

and don't take the fact that he guzzled 2oz as a sign he isn't doing ok at the breast, babies will take food when it's that easy to get to and will take more than they might have done from the breast. You are doing great (and the occasional top up is not a disaster as long as you are mostly feeding from the breast to stimulate supply - you don't use it, you lose it).

misdee · 22/12/2009 23:38

clusterfeeding is perfetcly normal in the evenings.

hairymelons · 22/12/2009 23:50

Congrats madmissy!

Don't worry if feeds are taking a long time or if he doesn't seem satisfied- babies have to fully drain the breasts to stimulate supply so it's normal for them to want more than you've got IYSWIM.

He'll be fine without the top ups as long as you're getting the wet & dirty nappies as tiktok said. Fine with too of course. Hopefully your midwife will come tomorrow and be able to reassure you that he's doing fine on the breastmilk.

One of the hardest things about breastfeeding I found, once we'd got beyond the intial soreness and tiredness, was having confidence that I was able to produce enough milk for DS. You never know how much they're having in a feed whereas with a bottle you can see very easily. As I say, it is normal for them to seem unsatisfied and fuss for more sometimes because that's your body's cue to produce more.

If you're getting sore I'd recommend Lansinoh. I also took ibuprofen and paracetamol regularly for the afterpains as well as the sore nips.

Anyway, best of luck with it all

Mmmango · 23/12/2009 04:01

Agree with everyone else, the feeding all the time is totally normal, especially at his age. He's making sure you keep producing enough milk. Don't feel you have to give top ups, he'll get enough milk if you let him keep sucking.

But yes, it is knackering - can you get some good dvd's? Whole seasons of whatever TV show you like, or as you have other kids, maybe stuff that they'll be happy to sit and watch with you? Then your job is to sit on the sofa all evening feeding while dp/dh brings you cups of tea and snacks.

kellymom always gets linked to, it does have loads of info about what breastfeeding's like when all is going well and how to fix any problems.

You're doing really well

Original poster
madmissy · 23/12/2009 07:46

Tried in night and he was having none of it. Now have massive rocks lol. He's feeding from me now and looks like my milk is fully there now. Been at breast for 40 mins so far.

OP posts:
missjackson · 23/12/2009 13:10

Hi madmissy - hope it's going well today. You are bound to feel a bit sore but it does go with time. Any real pain though, you should let your midwife know. Hard to know the difference sometimes !

Good luck

CoonRapids · 23/12/2009 14:16

Good luck madmissy - keep going, you're doing great. I got very engorged when the milk first came in and found expressing a little bit for my comfort and to allow baby to latch on better helped a bit.

Catilla · 23/12/2009 14:27

Congratulations - and I'd second the recommendation for Lansinoh - put some on after every feed and then your nipples won't ever get to the really raw stage.

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