Does it get better when milk comes in?

[FlightofFancy]

Sorry, don't have time to search through previous posts as typing quickly while baby asleep!

Junior is 3 days old, and generally I'm really pleased that managing to get him used to breast - we've (touch wood) got a decent latch sorted (according to hospital) and doesn't hurt (other than just getting used to it). However, my milk hasn't come in yet, and I think he's getting frustrated with not getting much out of sucking.

Last night he 'fed' (sucked away anyway) from 10.30 onwards, more-or-less constantly until around 4am when my DH kindly took over and walked him around the house for a few hours so I could sleep. He's then had a good couple of hours sucking this morning.

Surely after that long a time he's not getting anything out of it (other than obviously comfort, which is fine!).

Yesterday was a bit of a nightmare as spent all day trying to get discharged from hospital, so I must admit that between about 2pm-7pm we rocked him back to sleep when he woke up looking for a feed, then fed between 7.30-8.30ish, but sleep on DH's chest until 10.30 so I could eat/shower.

Appreciate that it's all going to be a bit up in the air as he's so little, and happy to be flexible with sleeping etc etc, but will he seem more 'fulfilled' by all this sucking when I actually have milk available for him? Is there light at the end of the tunnel??

Sorry a bit long - just wanted to get it all out!

FoF - all that he's doing sounds totally normal and healthy

I am not sure what you mean about rocking him back to sleep between 2pm and 7 pm....with no feeding for 5 hours? It's important to respond to feeding cues with feeding not with rocking....new babies will tolerate rocking instead of feeding sometimes, but he needs to feed to stay hydrated and to help your milk come in.

Hope the midwife will come today, and give you a chance to get some Real Life support and information.

Your baby is so new - being 'fulfilled' for him equals being close to you and feeding on and off often for long periods of time

Yes, there is light at the end of the tunnel! These first few days are indeed a crazy time for everyone ...

I agree with tiktok. Lots of brand new parents think all this sucking in the early days seems pointless (I certainly did), but it's absolutely not. At this stage, there are 2 crucial things he is getting from sucking:

• Colostrum, which is tiny in volume but vital food and drink, vital for his immune and digestive system.

• He is stimulating you to produce milk (that's the way breastfeeding works - more demand = more supply). The less nipple stimulation you get, the longer it will take to build up your supply. So in these early days it's good to give him as much time at the breast as possible - by doing so, you are preventing problems further down the track.

You may well notice a change as your milk replaces colostrum, but you do need to be aware that feeding apparently all the time is absolutely normal for newborn babies - certainly for the first few weeks, sometimes longer. Ignore the stuff you might read in books about 3 hours and go with his signals. Only he knows when he is hungry.

His tummy is miniscule (ie like the tip of your little finger) so he has to feed little and often (very often ...) to get the amount he needs. Sometimes it will seem like he is feeding permanently. But if he's happy, weeing and pooing, and noone's worried about his weight, then you shouldn't worry either. Put your feet up, get in a stock of good DVDs and order DH to wait on you hand and foot. This stage will be over before you know it.

Good luck, and keep posting when you need help!

Thanks both - was just so frustrating as yesterday was so messed around by hosp discharge (every time he wanted to feed they wanted to examine one or other of us), Today better so far tho'. DH finds it difficult as well as he really wishes he could help more but can't! Midwife seems happy - tho' because of snow was very short visit.

Keep going - it does get easier.

I remember my mum telling me, "You look after the baby, he looks after you." DH can do loads, even in these early weeks - just a few things I found helpful ...

• encouraging you with BF - sounds a bit silly but has a huge impact
• cooking and cleaning
• making sure you eat and drink!
• looking after visitors (including keeping them away if you don't want them :-))
• holding the baby while you have a bath, etc

Don't be afraid to seek help - most new parents have lots of worries about BF, but they can all be fixed with good advice at the right time.

It definitely gets easier and the first week is the hardest--or was for me, both times.

Stick with it...my milk took 5 days to come in with dd - it was the longest, most tiring 5 days of my life...but your milk will be in soon. Just keep feeding - constantly - as soon as my dc were off the breast they went back on it! It will def be easier in a day or so!

FOF My milk came in on about day 3 with both DSs. I was like an instant Dolly Parton!

I agree with what others have posted... Just keep at it! Make sure you eat & especially drink plenty. It can be veeeeery tiring.

Thanks again - think milk has arrived (luckily I was only a B cup to start with so no Dolly Parton - in fact quite pleased with new size!) and he seems much happier. Last night actually managed some sleep - think was feeding for around half hour/45 mins on/off, but he'd then happily sleep in basket for half hour, so great improvement. Then from 4am, DH took him so I could have two hours kip, then this morning he was managing 45 mins asleep in basket while I slept!
Yay...

That's great FoF - well done for making it through those first few days in one piece! Take it one day at a time ... and good luck.