Very Hungry Newborn

[SMILEYCAZ]

Hi All,

As a first timer - I'm constantly paranoid about my babies feeding!

I have been BFing successfully - but have made the very early decision to stop now (feel massively guilty about it - but I really just can't go on ) The main problem is she feeds all the time!!! I can spend 2 hours a time feeding her and then she'll want it again after an hour or two... she's also not settling well after feeds - she's getting very windy and not giving it up easy - so as soon as she's on her back she's being sick! The proble also seems worse when we wake her for feeds when she goes 3-4 hours - it'll take 2 hours of burping and cuddling to soothe her again!

She was a big baby 9lbs8, so I know she'll need more food than an average newborn - but she does seem to not know when she's full

I've just tried a few formula bottles with her and she's getting better at taking them, though she's being sick as she's not used to getting so much so quick (which also means she asks for more before her tummy has chance to register it's full - we're trying to control that...) The big problem is I just don't know when to stop feeding her!!!

The first night bottle, she guzzled 4oz then was so demanding I had to put her on the breast for 45mins! Last night she was so mixed up because she had painful wind - which she seems to associate with eating agian so there were many hours of crying!

I'm not really sure what I'm asking... I guess it's a 'how much forula should she take each feed' and a 'if she's sleeping should I let her???'

Oh and - A big part of me wants to express for a couple of feeds a day - will she need an equivilent amount of brast milk because that's what she's used to?

I feel like a massive failure - and can really feel the baby blues kicking in! I'm petrified of my husband going back to work on Monday - I just don't know how I'll cope!

I do say all this - but I'm also aware that it'll get better but...

Thanks for letting me get all this off my chest!!!

Caz x

Oh honey, many many first time mums feel just as confused the first time round. I certainly did.

It sounds like the feedorama you describe with your newborn is something that is normal. I am saying so due to your lack of mention of sore nipples.

All new babies regardless of size feed alot because they feed not just for food but they feed for closeness and comfort which is vital for establishing a good supply for when they are past the newborn stage.

They don't like to be put down because they have just left the womb where they were held 24/7 and it is a bit of a shock to be put down, iyswim.

It is entirely up to you if you want to return to bfing or persevere with ff but, a few tips whichever way you decide, maybe try getting a stretchy wrap sling to help you cope with a baby that wants wto be held a lot. it also means that they are kept upright which helps with them to bring up wind and keep the milk down. Putting them down with a full stomach can make some of them sicky as you have seen.

I don't know much about ffing but at the newborn stage I think like with breastfeeding, they also recommend feeding on demand. ie, let the baby decide how little or how much they will take in a feed and feed as often as they cue for milk.

At night you can let a newborn go 5 hrs between feeds. During the day, you don't want a breastfeeding baby to go more than 2hrs (3 hrs max) between feeds. as long as you have had a normal birth and delivery and the midwives don't have any worries about feeding and weight gain.

Lots of mums who have been in your shoes are on here and will chip in and support you which ever way you decide to feed. you are not alone. Happy New Year.

Oh, I never burped my breastfed babies (2) just kept them upright for a bit, sleeping on my chest or someone elses. that is why a wrap sling came in handy so you and just slip them in and mumsnet get to the kitchen to tidy up make a sandwich.

have a look here at what I am talking about

If you are set on FFing, would you consider offering a few BFs a day until your supply gives up? you might find you're able to mix feed longer than you expect to, so your baby will get breastmilk a bit longer.

Re formula milk, have you tried the tommee tippee bottles? Some friends found their smallest teat (I think it's number 1) really slow, so you might find she guzzles less quickly.

Everything else I was going to say has been said by Foxy! Best of luck with Bfing and/or FF, whichever you decide is best for you.

smileycaz....do talk about all this with the midwife. Your baby is so new. It's not helpful to be talking about her getting used to things, or doing X, or doing Y, as if there is any sort of pattern. Please speak to the midwife!

as a mum of a two week old baby who also doesnt like to be put down, you have my sympathies! my other children loved being tightly swaddled, and then I used to put the old radio on to white noise (between stations) and played it loudly, and they would go straight to sleep. it doesnt work with my little dd 3, but you might want to try it - you can leave the radio on near them and you might get some respite. I would say that FF has its own problems with sterilizing bottles, making up the feeds etc, so it might be worth persevering - things do get easier after 4 or 5 weeks, but do whatever you need to do to survive , and good luck!